b2dad Posted June 30, 2015 #1 Posted June 30, 2015 Well folks...it's really happening! Today is my last day of work. I am finally retiring. We sold the house and closed on it last week. We have until September 1 to liquidate all our belongings and leave this house we have lived in for over 13 years. We purchased a new 2016 Montana 5th wheel and a truck to pull it. That is going to be our new home for the next several years (we hope!). We will be traveling full time. We have been planning this for a year and a half. and suddenly it's a reality. I am a little scared, nervous, anxious...all of those. And yet I am EXCITED! I am ready for a change, ready for my dreams to come true. Don and I are ready to travel this beautiful country and maybe visit some of you on the way. Our first stop will be the International Rally where we plan to camp at Lakeside Campgrounds. Then it's back home to finish selling all our "stuff". If anyone needs "stuff" please let me know!!!! LOLOLOL!!! We haven't really decided where to go first, when we head out for real. I guess it depends on the weather Sept 1. If it's warm we may head north. If it's starting to cool off, maybe we head south. It could be West or East. Maybe we will just head out wherever the roads take us and stop when we are done for the day. No hurries, no plans...now THAT sounds scary to me! We will definitely be keeping in touch here. Patti
M61A1MECH Posted June 30, 2015 #2 Posted June 30, 2015 Good on you guys. Have fun and stop by Edgewater next time you are in Florida.
spider Posted June 30, 2015 #3 Posted June 30, 2015 Congratulations!!! Enjoy the nomadic lifestyle. We hope to go full-time in about 2 more years.
Daveand Barbie Posted June 30, 2015 #4 Posted June 30, 2015 YAY!! for you. I tried retirement in 2002 but it didn't stick so I did it again last month. Immediately took off on a long motorcycle trip and it is going to work this time. Seeing the country is a great thing which more of us should make a real effort to do. I applaud your effort and look forward to hearing of your new experiences.
cecdoo Posted June 30, 2015 #5 Posted June 30, 2015 Thats always been a dream of mine. Wish you two all the best in your travels and adventures. Hope you take the time to let us know how you are doing and where you are camped. Good Luck, Craig
Dano Posted June 30, 2015 #6 Posted June 30, 2015 Maybe we will just head out wherever the roads take us and stop when we are done for the day. No hurries, no plans...now THAT soundsLIKE FUN to me! We will definitely be keeping in touch here. Patti Why make plans?? You don't have a destination in the end planned (maybe you Patti, just not sure about Don!). You'll have a much better time at it!....
djh3 Posted June 30, 2015 #7 Posted June 30, 2015 Make up a list of oh say 6-8 places you would like to see. Greenfield village and Henry Ford Museum in Detriot, maybe an assembly plant tour if they still do those. In St Louis area you have Grants Farm where President Grant lived after the Cival War. The Bud Brewery is ther also. Often times you go to one of these places or a national park and folks you talk to will say "hey have you been too" .... You can find some neat not so common sites to see. Hope you all enjoy it.
Carbon_One Posted June 30, 2015 #8 Posted June 30, 2015 Patti as long as you can keep Don in check you'll do just fine. LOL Looking forward to your reports of your travels, See ya both again at the International Rally Larry
Squidley Posted June 30, 2015 #9 Posted June 30, 2015 Patti, As always, and I always say this to all our brothers and sisters here, You and Don are welcomed here at our place in Cleveland Texas. There is plenty of room on the property to park the 5th wheel and we can hook you up to power. You can explore this portion of the state and stay as long as you wish. Have fun and if you can't decide where to go, flip a coin, some of Lonna's and my best trips were decided by heads or tails.
videoarizona Posted June 30, 2015 #10 Posted June 30, 2015 Patti, You and Don are welcome here in Southern Arizona...but don't come until Oct.15th when the heat breaks. From then till May...you are good! Enjoy the retirement and the travels! david
cowpuc Posted June 30, 2015 #11 Posted June 30, 2015 We two too are REALLY getting anxious for those trip reports with pictures to start rolling in Patti!! I wish you nothing but the best of the best of adventure and fun in this next step of life B2 Mom and Dad!! If you folks ever get bored with, as suggested by Squidley = flipping the coin out there and just want to cool off your toes in Lake Michigan you can always come up here and do so.. I do strongly suggest you do it during Arizona's hot season though so B2Dads toes dont freeze and fall off:big-grin-emoticon:!!!
dogman Posted June 30, 2015 #12 Posted June 30, 2015 Congratulations on your retirement and starting to follow thru on a well planned dream trip with no destinations and time lines. When you get to the Buffalo New York area and Niagara Falls, if you want to slip into Canada we are just 30 minutes away. Like Squidly we have a good size driveway for your 5th wheel. If the weather is cool, or not, the two of you are welcome to stay inside if you want to be under a permanent roof for a while. PM us and we will give you all our contact info.
rosebud Posted June 30, 2015 #13 Posted June 30, 2015 Congratulations Patti. As Phil says everyone works so they can retire. I know this has been in the planning stages for a while, so happy you and Don got to make it a reality. You will have fabulous trips because they are yours. The door is always open to you at our house.
Sailor Posted June 30, 2015 #14 Posted June 30, 2015 Young folks pick a destination, old folks pick a direction. Happy travels.
Hummingbird Posted June 30, 2015 #15 Posted June 30, 2015 Patti, as apprensive as you may be, you are doing what many of us wish we would/could do. It is a MAJOR change and I applaud you and Don for having the courage to do it. Linda and I talked about it breifly once or twice but it was my decision to NOT do it. I just couldn't bear to part with my wood working tools and the smell of saw dust. So in lieu of full time, we take a few weeks a year and pull our travel trailer and camp somewhere. I really envy your decusion but have to admit that I'm WAY too whimpy to try it. GOOD ON YOU BOTH !!
midnightventure Posted June 30, 2015 #16 Posted June 30, 2015 Just out of curiosity, What stuff do you have? There might be people interested that could pick it up at the International rally.
eagleeye Posted June 30, 2015 #17 Posted June 30, 2015 Congratulations to you both, and I hope that your retirement and traveling will be as great as you hope it to be. Have a blast!
Yammer Dan Posted June 30, 2015 #18 Posted June 30, 2015 Congrats Patti. Hoping it works out well for you two!!
Eck Posted June 30, 2015 #19 Posted June 30, 2015 I'm so happy for you and Don both. I wish you many many great adventures and twice as many great memories to be made. Life long and live safe to both of you!
b2dad Posted July 1, 2015 Author #20 Posted July 1, 2015 Thank you everyone! I appreciate the good wishes and Don says thanks too. I am writing down names so when the time comes we will let you know when we might be in your area! Sounds good to me! We pick up our camper tomorrow and will spend at least 4 hours in orientation. Hope it still comes with books, a video or two might be nice too. Thanks again folks. That's why we love this family. You all couldn't be nicer folks. Patti and Don
dacheedah Posted July 1, 2015 #21 Posted July 1, 2015 Keep checkin in Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
b2dad Posted July 3, 2015 Author #23 Posted July 3, 2015 midnightventure: We have lots of stuff. What kind of stuff are you looking for? I still have a King size bed, 4 poster; a queen bed, brass; a dresser / mirror and nightstand; computer desk that looks like a roll top desk; a Precious Moments figurine collection (still have over 100 pieces that have not been spoken for or sold); dishes, glasses, some pans; lots of pictures, mostly deer and or fish; Don has some stuff out in the shop we haven't gone thru yet; a shop fan; tool box for pick up truck; lots and lots of STUFF. Anything in particular you are looking for? Most of the furniture is already sold or spoken for. Let me know if anything interests anyone! LOL Patti
Marcarl Posted July 3, 2015 #24 Posted July 3, 2015 Looking forward to you coming north,,,, winter is an awesome time here,,,, they even bring in special orders of that white stuff just to make everything look clean,,,,, February would be best,,, and oh,, it's not so hot here then either. Let us know when you get close,, we'll gather!
Snarley Bill Posted July 4, 2015 #25 Posted July 4, 2015 congradulations patti, can't wait to see the camper. see you on the 19th have the guest room ready, and don't forget the barbeque ribs and miller lite. lol
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