A retiree who accepts their status will become a happier person going forward into the second chapter of their lives. While many retirees remain in their past, never reflecting on their future. (M.J.Leake)
As a child did I dreamed of flying or traveling around the world after reading about Amelia Earheart’s adventures and reading the Jules Vern’s novel “Around the world in 80 days?” My thoughts and dreams are at the core of my travel soul and the foundation of my travel dreams.
During my life time in some form or another, I have attempted to live out those dreams of travel in my mind whenever I took to the road as a passenger with family, on school trips, as a Boy Scout and after leaving home to explore the world.
Years later when I purchased my first motorcycle, a 1887 Kawasaki Voyager-12, I nick-named “Steed,” in memory of my Sears & RoeBuck, plastic spring loaded horse I rode as a child.
With my new motorcycle, I set off on hundred of long touring rides along the eastern seaboard of America east of the Mississippi River. But in the year of 1990, I attended a motorcycle Rally called “Americade” and one of the daily rides took me to the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire which stands at 6289 feet above sea level. After climbing the mountain with its many switch backs to stand atop and feel the cold wind. rushing against my face. The other motorcyclist joked about traveling westward to see real mountains and not the eastern hills of the US. As they talked, I was planning and dreaming of my trip westward to see these real mountains.
It was four or five 5 years later on a warm sunny afternoon traveling along a two lane road in Western Kansas riding towards the Eastern Colorado flat prairie lands. On the horizon were the majestic Rocky Mountains sprouting upward towards the sky. Several days later I attempted to ride to the top of Pikes Peak
Several days later I attempted to ride to the top of Pikes Peak which stands at 14,114 feet above sea level. After maneuvering many incredible switch backs overlooking the valley below, my nerves collapsed. Since I was able to see people above on the plateau I turned around at 12,000 feet figuring I was close enough to the top and returned to the visitors center. 🙂
A couple of first took place on this adventure. The first was seeing a clear blue crystal lake and my first time observing from above a Hawk circling in the sky searching for its prey.
My travels plans of reaching the Oregon Coast to put my feet in the Pacific Ocean were cut short as I lost three days of riding along the mountain range in complete awe of the incredible beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
After my first motorcycle purchase, I moved on to own two others I named a 1999 Honda Gold Wing with two-tone Maroon Colors I called “Stallion” and my favorite. A 2006 Honda Gold Wing also Maroon, called the “The Wanderer.”
When I vacationed with my two children, a 90-lbs black lab, in a 4×4 Ford SUV, pulling a Coleman Popup camper. No matter whether our trips were for a weekend getaway, or a week long trip or more. We approached each excursion like the Robinson Crusoe family seeking adventures along the way towards our destinations. However, the reality of returning home for kids to resume school and me to work was always looming in the end.
But, now my reality as an empty nester with successful adult children who no longer need schooling, “(That I pay for)” but more importantly, I am the retiree who is footloose, fancy-free to travel willy-nilly as I please.
For several months I filled my days researching what type of vehicle to use in my travels. What I have determined is there are only my desired comfort levels and more importantly a quiet place to write and read. My travel adventures of hiking, backpacking, bicycling, and photography are all adaptable to my nomadic writing locations.
Whether it is a quiet library in Cody Wyoming, a pine forest next to Lake McDonald in Yellowstone Park or a rest stop in western Nebraska along a lonely two lane road where the winds and birds chirping causes the mind to focus on writing and reading.
My travels are journies filled with destinations to explore an excite the imagination upon arrival.
So, where are your dream destinations?
Leave a Reply