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82-year-old man scales Crowders
A brisk walk up Crowders Mountain embodies the perfect ending to a long day.
At least, that’s what 82-year-old John Jenkins believes.
“It’s so peaceful to walk up and down this mountain after a hectic day,” |
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When the weather is just right, Jenkins might take a 40-minute walk up the mountain about two to three times a week.
His home sits on Archie Whitesides Road with Crowders Mountain as its backdrop.
Jenkins has loved to have the mountain as backyard getaway for more than 15 years, he said.
He loves the peaceful feeling of the mountain, but Crowders Mountain means more to Jenkins than just a nature walk.
Back when Jenkins returned from World War II in 1946, he wanted to do something meaningful with his life. The three years he spent in the U.S. Army had taught him a great deal about grading and plowing roads to clear paths for military action.
He enjoyed it so much he wanted to make a business out of it. In 1948, Jenkins unofficially began his business, John E. Jenkins Inc., a grading and paving company.
His hard work ethic begun while working on his father’s farm, so he wasn’t afraid to tackle a big job like creating a pathway to his beloved Crowders Mountain.
“I built the road that leads to the mountain,” he said. “It took me about two or three weeks. Most of the time it was just me and one bulldozer.”
Today, it brings back memories to look at the road created so many years ago, he said. His business now employs about 85 men. He’s currently working on projects at Case Farms and South Park in Charlotte.
He hasn’t stopped working and he hasn’t stopped walking. His wife, Nell Jenkins, doesn’t worry about him, because he has the strong will and character to keep going, she said.
“I know he’s getting older, so I asked him one day, ‘when are you going to hang it up?’ He said, ‘if I did, I probably would wilt away and die.’”
John and Nell Jenkins believe in staying active and also keeping healthy diets, so that they enjoy their golden years.
Other hikers at Crowders Mountain often ask John Jenkins how it is that he continues to walk the mountain, he said.
“God gave us a good body and a good mind,” he said. “If you don’t use it, it’ll wilt away.” |
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