OK, Full Retirement,.Then what?

When I first retired in 2000, I spent most of my time [during decent/good weather] traveling.

My choice was by motorcycle, border to border & coast to coast. I have traveled through 47 states. Somehow missed R/Island . Always wanted to do Alaska , but logistics never let it happen. Hawaii .....well, they never did get started on that bridge.

In the 'off' weather I found other things closer to home, yard/property, garage projects etc. Ride [bicycle] , walk, go to the gym.

In my younger 'retired' years I had some aches & pains...but the kind that during the day Aleve would fix, and in the evening a few fingers of Crown over ice did a nice job....:)

But once Arthritis really took hold 2015 it all came to a screeching halt. As such , now retirement is pretty damn boring. Still looking for any relief to perhaps get a life back...but it ain't looking good.

I suppose I really can't complain too much...15 years of absolute freedom, and the ability to do what ever I pleased was pretty damn sweet. Privilege to see allot of our beautiful country. Met many neat people along the way.

Even a flat tire in Iowa , turned into an actual enjoyable weekend, meeting even more nice people...........long story, I'll spare ya..:)
 

RGP, Don't spare me. Come on back and tell me more. I would love to hear it. How are you doing now? Thanks for writing.
 
needshave said:
RGP, Don't spare me. Come on back and tell me more. I would love to hear it. How are you doing now? Thanks for writing.
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OK then...my valve stem broke in Pacific Junction Iowa, 6pm on a Saturday....trust me, Pacific Junction is the middle of nowhere , just s/west of Council Bluffs . A local M/C dealer , Harley Davidson saw me [from his shop] on the side of the road. He came out & towed me to the only motel...free! He said that due to his franchise agreement with H/D he could not take me to his shop ?

The motel owner realized my situation, and said well...I know this is likely an unplanned stop, as such he gave us [I was with friends] our rooms at a huge discount. We were next to the only gas station/restaurant in town...that actually had delicious food !! Sat/night I had the baked Trout...outstanding . During conversation about deserts I explained that my favorite was spice cake. [they had none] That night the waitress BAKED one , and gave me a piece [free] plus another piece to take back to my room...!!!

The next day [Monday] I called a tow...he felt bad that our vacation was interrupted , knocked $25 off the tow. He towed me to a dealer in Council Bluffs . The dealer removed the front wheel , tire etc, replaced the valve stem..$31.00 , and insisted that my friends & myself enjoy some of the giant sub/sandwich that is a Monday tradition at the shop.

We met so damn many nice people that my friend Carl, commented as we were ready to be on our way...with the kind of people we have met here...I have a half-a-notion to sell my place back home & move here.

It truly was an odd, yet enjoyable experience & soothed my sometimes surly opinion of my fellow man. I mean think about it .....when was the last time you heard of a flat tire, being an enjoyable event?

We continued on & had a great trip...further west , then north , then home.
 

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RGP, That's a great story. It's odd how things like that work out. I bet you have had some great experiences on the bike. I have some friends that share the same fondness for the bike and open road. I have a friend with Arthritis very bad as well, he has said that a severe dietary change has helped him some.

Also, I see you're in southwest Ohio, Ever hear of Morrow, Ohio? Thanks for writing.
 
needshave said:
RGP, That's a great story. It's odd how things like that work out. I bet you have had some great experiences on the bike. I have some friends that share the same fondness for the bike and open road. I have a friend with Arthritis very bad as well, he has said that a severe dietary change has helped him some.

Also, I see you're in southwest Ohio, Ever hear of Morrow, Ohio? Thanks for writing.
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Appreciate the tip, but I have tried just about every diet change associated with it.

As for Morrow?..yes, I have an ex brother-in-law [now deceased] that was from Morrow. It is just about 20 miles north of me.
 
It's a small world, The wife is from there. I'm going to PM you. Sorry, I see I can't.

Thanks for the response...I appreciate it.
 
No wonder your post sounded a bit odd to me... you're a type A. The world is your oyster; health, relatively youthful, have a partner and retired! You can do anything you want. I want to say "lucky man", but no doubt you've earned it. Enjoy.
 
If I go up and highlight your profile, on most names the opportunity exists for me to Private Message that individual. On RGP, that option is not there.
 
Not sure, but I know that private messaging can be turned off by the member. Someone here else may be more knowledgeable than I on that subject if so please let us know.
 
One post here said "anything you want". That is retirement. It does not mean remain motionless until your heart stops and it does not mean keep pumping until you heart explodes. What you do with your days is your choice just like looking at a menu. I typically travel in my truck around Texas because this state has everything anyone could think of to enjoy indoors and outdoors. I love going to old Texas small towns just to get a feel of days gone my. I fill up the truck and just take off with no schedule and no itinerary.
 
The old 'what do you do?' question. When people ask me this I just say I finally found something I'm good at......doing nothing. Actually i do things but many that are work focused would think my life is boring.

But to answer the question.... I play lot's of golf. Been a golfer since I was 13 y/o's so it is a passion of mine. I also have a 2nd home on the coast and I enjoy going there a week every month. Love riding my bicycle while there. Also enjoy taking long walks with the mutt. And I have no problem surfing the web a couple of hours per day. Bottom line.....doesn't take a lot to make me happy. Been retired for over 10 years and would do it all over again.
 
Great Bullie, I'm happy for you. I bet the mutt is ecstatic! You bring up a point I'm curious about. 2 homes.

I have thought about doing the same, maybe purchasing a second home on the coast for the winters, but I have always been concerned about the unknown. Meaning, that if you are at one location, worrying about what is happening to or at the other house. DO you find that a concern for you or not so much?

Thanks for your response. You on the coast now?
 
needshave said:
Great Bullie, I'm happy for you. I bet the mutt is ecstatic! You bring up a point I'm curious about. 2 homes.

I have thought about doing the same, maybe purchasing a second home on the coast for the winters, but I have always been concerned about the unknown. Meaning, that if you are at one location, worrying about what is happening to or at the other house. DO you find that a concern for you or not so much?

Thanks for your response. You on the coast now?
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I thought about doing the same thing...and had the same concerns. Not to mention double tax, & insurance. As such I never have. Probably should have retired to Florida like all the other old coots....

Winters in Ohio can be brutal to mild. But they are always just cold enough , wet enough ,grey enough....to be just about miserable.
 
So true About Ohio, Today is a perfect example. Snow and ice last night, dark and gray this morning with cold winds. It just doesn't get any better than this!!

Did you see AZ Jim's solution to the private messaging issue? Here it is:

Go to "settings", "General settings". You'll see the option to turn on or off PM's.
 
needshave said:
So true About Ohio, Today is a perfect example. Snow and ice last night, dark and gray this morning with cold winds. It just doesn't get any better than this!!

Did you see AZ Jim's solution to the private messaging issue? Here it is:



Go to "settings", "General settings". You'll see the option to turn on or off PM's.
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I did see that but...if you 'turn that on' doesn't that mean they all go to our email? I think I had that in the beginning, and 'turned it off' , for that reason ?...Seems to me my email was just flooded every day, and...no offence to anyone, but many of them I had no interest in.
 
needshave said:
Great Bullie, I'm happy for you. I bet the mutt is ecstatic! You bring up a point I'm curious about. 2 homes.

I have thought about doing the same, maybe purchasing a second home on the coast for the winters, but I have always been concerned about the unknown. Meaning, that if you are at one location, worrying about what is happening to or at the other house. DO you find that a concern for you or not so much?

Thanks for your response. You on the coast now?
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Mine is only 200 miles away so easy to get to. Plus I have a nephew who lives in the area and can check on it if needed. Oh yes.....when I said home I should have said condo. Not as much to worry about as a home with a yard etc...
 
Bullie, that makes a lot of sense. 200 miles is a cake walk and being that close you can use it a lot and you know what the weather impact is, so there is less worry.
 
rgp,

I'm not totally sure about that. I think that when someone posts to an article or post that I have made or subscribed to I get a notice of that new comment in my email. I don't think a private message notification is sent to my email. I have only received two,but a quick look through my email didn't see any notifications. But I may be wrong, perhaps AZ Jim might have the answer. He seems to be our answer man!
 
needshave said:
rgp,

I'm not totally sure about that. I think that when someone posts to an article or post that I have made or subscribed to I get a notice of that new comment in my email. I don't think a private message notification is sent to my email. I have only received two,but a quick look through my email didn't see any notifications. But I may be wrong, perhaps AZ Jim might have the answer. He seems to be our answer man!
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Well then we're lucky to have him...cuz I'm a computer dunce..:)
 

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