A Lifetime of Connection to the Land

Q&A Interview with SAHC Board of Trustees President – Larry Pender

Hikers, bikers, birders, and outdoor enthusiasts have helped guide the mission of Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Because of them, we know that when people connect to the outdoors in a tangible way, they derive healthy benefits and better understand the importance of conservation.

SAHC Board President Larry “Pender” Pender exemplifies this belief. Community Engagement and Education Manager LaKyla Hodges recently caught up with Pender for a Q&A session, to learn more about his background and how he has remained engaged in the outdoors for, literally, his entire life. 

You’ve had a lifelong connection to the outdoors. Can you share how growing up in eastern, NC shaped your relationship with nature? 

“I grew up right on the border of Green and Wilson County NC. Our house was in Green County and our mailbox was in Wilson County.”

Pender recalls having to walk a quarter mile from their farm in Green County to Wilson County to catch the school bus.

“We mainly grew tobacco. There were animals around – chickens, a goat, pigs. Tobacco was our income but I would say 80 to 90% of the food we ate came from the farm.” 

The house they lived in was only about two hundred feet from the woods. Their crops were planted in the back while two other sides were surrounded by lush forest.

Pender recently reflected on how his early life influenced him.

“I told my son that if you don’t want to be involved with a lot of traffic, don’t live in densely packed cities. The closer people are together, the less they’re going to be involved in nature.”

If he had the option, Pender would be living in a rural area, similar to where he grew up.

“My closest neighbor would be half a mile to a mile away! Living like that these days is very difficult unless you’re self-sustaining. Living that way growing up made a great impression on my life. It taught me that essentially, in the right place you can live off the land and survive without having all of the things we have surrounding all of us today.”

Pender credits his enduring connection to the land to his farm roots. 

What do you most enjoy about recreating in Western North Carolina? Do you have any favorite hikes in the SAHC focus area?

“My favorite thing about Western North Carolina is all the outdoor recreation opportunities. I enjoy cycling, hiking, and I’ve recently developed an interest in mountain biking. But my favorite thing to do is ride my motorcycle.”

Pender is a connoisseur of many types of recreation. He and his wife, Tanya Marie, have partnered with SAHC on hiking, biking, horseback riding, and kayaking events. It comes as no surprise that Pender approaches just about any outdoor adventure like an expert. 

“Strawberry Gap is my favorite hike. I first went there with Travis [Bordley].”

Pender is so passionate about the outdoors that he finds any reason to get outside. After retiring, he picked up a part-time landscaping job to stay active. The work also came with an added perk: discovering new switchbacks he could return to later on his motorcycle.

“I have less interest in going fast down a highway. Motorcycle riding is best in the mountains because of the curvy roads and the views.”

We’ve shared some memorable adventures, horseback riding and kayaking. What’s your favorite unconventional outdoor activity?

“Horseback riding is unconditionally one of my favorite outdoor activities. On the farm, our family had mules to pull wagons and haul tobacco. Every chance we got, me and my brother and our friends would borrow the mules and go for rides on them.”

Unsurprisingly, Pender’s parents were less excited about these mule rides. 

“I remember the first time I rode a mule. I was very young and I fell off and hit my head. Once I had recovered I realized I wanted to master it. It only made me want to ride more and more.”

Eventually this mule riding developed into an interest in riding horses. Years later while working at New York University and living in the city, he visited his cousin Ed’s home back in Eastern North Carolina. This cousin owned a horse farm. 

“He had all types of animals. Horses, chickens, dogs, a cat, guinea fowl, and ducks, but mostly horses. I told Ed that when I retired I wanted to come back and help with the farm.”

And go back and help, he did! After retirement, Pender returned to eastern North Carolina to care for his mother. It didn’t take long for him to start spending his Fridays at cousin Ed’s horse farm. Pender would clean the stables, feed the horses, and would get to ride whichever horse he wanted. 

“I had a favorite horse to ride. I’ve forgotten his name but he was feisty! He wanted to be in control all the time. Eventually we grew a bond and I would ride him about every Friday.”

Their riding relationship ended after an incident during a group ride involving hundreds of other riders. The horse fought Pender the entire time to be in the lead.

“In that last mile I gave him some slack on the reins and said ‘Okay. If you want to ride, take off!’”

Pender recalls the horse often tripping while riding and during that gallop, he had a major stumble.

“I began to fall over his head and I would have toppled over if I hadn’t held as tight as I could. That was my last time riding him.”

What inspires you about the outdoors?

As a true outdoor enthusiast, Pender is inspired by all the outdoor activities he does.

“It doesn’t matter what it is, I just enjoy being outdoors. Even when I was doing landscaping, I enjoyed my time.” 

His top inspiration is the added health benefits.

“Being outdoors keeps me fit and in shape. All the activities I like doing keep me moving and working. I love building muscle and my endurance. Outdoor recreation is my favorite form of fitness.”

You famously have a birthday tradition of cycling your age in miles each year. What inspired this tradition?

“While I was living in New York I used to ride a lot. I would do 100 miles almost every weekend. When I moved back to North Carolina I was watching the news one day and saw a story about a man in his 80s who cycled his age in miles every year. It inspired me.”

At that time, Pender was in his late 60s. By the time he started his tradition, Pender had slowed down on his cycling and was a bit rusty. 

“I could only go about 8 miles at a time before getting sore. I worked at it for months and by the next year, I could ride my age in miles. I want to keep doing it until I can’t anymore.”

Pender sees this tradition as a way to stay motivated.

“When you have a tradition to do every year, you can’t sit around and wait for it to come up. You have to train for it. Doing outdoor activities year round allows me to do that.” 

Many people assume outdoor recreation has an age limit. What guidance would you share for continuing to stay active outdoors throughout your life?

“I will be doing things throughout my entire life. I think most if not all people should do the same. Just getting out and getting fresh air and sun, going for walks. It will keep you fit. I once saw a program that talked about cultures where people lived long lives, 100 plus years, because they remained active in the outdoors throughout their entire lives doing anything from hiking to gardening.”

Pender attributes his lasting endurance to following this type of lifestyle.

“If you want to have a long, healthy, less stressful life, get outdoors as often as you can. Do whatever you like. You don’t have to be a super athlete at it. Just go at your own pace and you will find it to be very relaxing. It will relieve stress and you’ll sleep better.”

Despite already trying so many forms of recreation, Pender still has a few left on his list.

“I still have so much I want to do. I’d like to be a pilot and go skydiving. Everyone has things they may have wanted to try both indoors and outdoors but haven’t taken the time to do it because life is extremely busy in this day and age.” 

In Conclusion:

“Pender is a shining example of prioritizing your health and longevity,” says LaKyla. “His dedication to recreation is inspiring to all who take the time to hear his story.”

We invite everyone to think about giving yourself a gift that lasts for your own birthday. Set a goal to bike, walk, run, or hike your age on your birthday and make it your own ‘Pender Challenge’! It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from, what matters is deciding to start.

Remain active throughout the year, build endurance over time, and when your birthday arrives, celebrate by doing something healthy and memorable.

“It’s not about being the fastest or the strongest,” adds LaKyla. “It’s about setting a goal, sticking with it, and celebrating another year of life by moving your body.”

If you decide to take on the Pender Challenge, share it, invite a friend, and see what you’re capable of. Building a lifelong relationship with the outdoors takes a lifetime.