John Resler and Vicki Kay Swift: Our Fifth Decade Together - 2010-2011

In Our Fifth Decade Together: 2010–2011, I reflect on a period of transition, challenge, and renewed adventure with Vicki. I stepped back from the YMCA for good, finally wrapping up a long career and turning my full attention to falconry, travel, and family. We crisscrossed the country and beyond—from road trips across Texas to working at the Archives of Falconry in Idaho, and even attending a major international falconry festival in Abu Dhabi. I trapped and trained a peregrine falcon named Padre, marking a personal milestone in my falconry journey. Meanwhile, Vicki thrived at home and on the road, reconnecting with friends, organizing family events, and exploring new places alongside me—from Hawaii’s waterfalls to the Civil War landmarks of the East Coast. Together, we marked graduations, weddings, and reunions, filling our days with laughter, memories, and purpose. These two years weren’t just about what we left behind, but all the life we still had ahead.