As I started this blog post about being on the road again, I realized some backstory information was important to first share with all of you. So, let us begin with Part 1 of a 2 Part story which takes us briefly back to Buddy’s pre retirement days!
While Buddy was in full work mode, we would take yearly long weekend trips in the Fall to a favorite vacation spot and enjoy some time together along with a caravan of friends. It was a much needed break and welcome change to experience the refreshing climate and relaxing atmosphere. These yearly get-aways would lead to dreamy discussion about possible areas to consider living once Buddy did make that big step into retirement. As we all know, dreams sometimes come and go. Oh sure, as time passed, there was the occasional conversation about moving to a new area of the state, but for the most part, our time and energy was being spent elsewhere.
To get an idea, check out this clip from The Money Pit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaWD0ezM9HQ
The routine Buddy and I fell into as we adapted to his retired life was not necessarily what I believe either of us had anticipated nor expected. Besides some of the adjustments we both experienced from my previous writings, I found this new life together a little less than satisfying. Plainly said, I really didn’t like it much! Oh sure, I enjoyed my own recreational activities, time at church, and job. But the relational side of life with my spouse seemed to take a ‘back seat’. I’m also confident that Buddy was ‘settling’ for our new ‘post career’ lifestyle but not what he really desired for us either. It seems we had fallen into a ‘parallel’ type of existence together with the occasional dinner or evening out. Otherwise, Buddy would go biking while I stayed at home checking emails; I would go to my part time job while he worked on home projects; and, we even went to different churches on Sunday!
Something seemed wrong with this picture- except for the times we were together in our RV, a.k.a. our Traveling Box! So, you might be saying, ‘Well, just take more trips in that fun little vacation mobile on wheels! You’ve got the time now!’ The good- no GREAT news is that our RV adventures and other travels together have been very exciting and lots of FUN! Most of our traveling time has been spent together w biking hiking, and visiting beautiful areas of this impressive country. But as you all know, traveling requires available expendable income- which is another one of those adjustments that come with retirement!
Hang in there…. we are getting close to winding up Part 1 of the backstory!
So, last year we had the grand idea of visiting four National Parks: Bryce, Yellowstone(a MUST SEE for all of you who haven’t yet been!), Glacier, and Crater Lake. This was a 25 day RV adventure which helped to ‘seal the deal’ of now being ON THE ROAD AGAIN! Midway through this National Park trip(did I mention the environmental wonder of Yellowstone and being a Bucket List trip for sure?)… anyway, we stopped and visited with some dear friends in one of our nearby states. It was here that we realized, this beautiful new location could be Buddy and my’s perfect playground. And this is where the Part 1 story ends.
Or should I say, BEGINS…..
Part 2: ON THE ROAD AGAIN post coming soon!