On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, two extraordinary people completed hiking the 485 miles of the Colorado Trail (CT) in 31 days.

The two through-hiked, meaning they slept on the CT every night while receiving seven re-supplies along the way. They included a side trip to climb Mount Elbert, the tallest of the Colorado 14,000 foot peaks.

This is not at all rare, in and of itself. In this day of FKTs (fastest known times) or applause for being the fastest or richest, extraordinary people go unnoticed. This is why I now bring attention to longtime Nederland residents, Roberta and Bill Buck.

These two are a couple who have been married for 50 years last month and are each approaching 70 years of age. There was no fanfare, recognition or adulation. There was no money or publicity expected. They hiked the CT because they could and deserved to try. They demonstrated the best of good old American ideals. They are loyal, determined, hardworking and selfless in their goals. They are kind, and thoughtful, and greeted all on the CT with these qualities.

Why is all this special? Too many of us today expect and focus on fame and fortune. Too many of us are handed gifts without earning it. Too few of us have had to work hard to survive, raise a family and make a home. Too few of us have been loyal, kind, giving and grateful to others. These are American ideals that perhaps are long gone and forgotten.

These two extraordinary people have not forgotten. They are my heroes. They should be applauded!