Three weeks ago was my final day at work.. 35 years at the same company and working 10 years before that. Nice, but time to move on and do the ‘stuff’ we all think about doing….
The first week was big, real big. Got my hair cut. Signed up for COBRA. A trip to Costco. Total decompression. I kept saying to myself, I can do whatever I want and I did pretty much nothing.
The second week I started purging ‘stuff’. Lots of stuff. I mean lots. Also learned to not look at my phone every three minutes for emails. Feels good
This past week I decided to take a solo trip down to North Carolina to visit my brother and his wife who just moved down there from the Chicago area. They sold just about everything, house, furniture, plants, pots and pans. Everything they kept fit inside one of those storage ‘Pods’. They are staying in a rental ‘resort’ cabin while they search for a new home. How neat is that?
It’ll be a quick trip. 2 days down, 2 there and 2 back. Irena is in Chicago for a baby shower so without the usual time constraints, its time to goof off a bit.
I decided to take my newer (newer to me, a 2007) bike. The one that crapped out 50 miles from home on my first ride. I’ll admit to a little angst..
This will also be my longest solo trip. I am figuring about 1800-2000 miles. My brother says rain is forecast every day. This time I have decent weather gear. I learned my lesson.
Last few days its been packing, mapping, contacting a friend to try and meet up with (Larry Hilditch) whom retired from Farmers several years ago, and going over the bike. Usual stuff, lubing the chain, checking oil, water, tires etc. I also added quite a bit of electronics to it, just for grins of course. There is even a GoPro camera mounted on it. Actually a cheap Chinese copy. I have the side bags inside the house and those will go on in the morning.
Plan is to leave early, and make it to Kentucky or WV by end of day.. Of course not being under any time issues, those plans might change. I even have new earbuds. I am excited.
Life is good.
So cool!! I am just two days away from a life like yours!!
Hey Terry.. will be up the the U.P. week after Labor Day w Mike M., and perhaps the boys. Gotta get your bike warmed up!
Paul, I think you know that I retired one year ago, and bought a home in Chapel Hill, where my daughter lives. I just flew back to GR today. Are you thinking of moving to NC? You and your wife are welcome to visit me.
Hi Nan! Thanks for reaching out… No, not at this time anyway. I am in no hurry to move. I think when we do, it may be some lake property up north. We enjoy where we’re at, just too big. I have had no Revelation yet on ‘this is where we need to be’. :-)..
Stay in touch! Paul