9 replies to this topic

[realbtl]

I officially retired on Oct 13 (woot!) and I'm already reaping the benefits. I had to move the last of my mom's furniture from San Diego to my daughter in Berkeley so I figured I'd drive and rent a trailer rather than fly and rent a truck. Then I realized that, with no time constraints, I didn't have to drive the Interstates and could take my time. I managed the 1360 or so miles from NW Montana to Oceanside CA with about 50 miles of Interstate and at least made a start on slowing down and not pushing for maximum miles per day. I followed HWY 93 from about 8 miles from my house to almost Vegas then cut down through Mohave preserve, Joshua Tree and on to Borrego. Here are some thoughts and pix.

1. Slowing down takes some practice. I can chug along at 55-ish on back roads but it's hard on freeways. Also, several times as I was drinking my morning coffee I'd start to do something else and have to stop myself. What's the hurry?
2. Hwy 93 is beautiful almost the whole way. I'm definitely going back and do some exploring come Spring.
3. Vegas drivers are jerks (personal opinion, no offense meant).

Pic #1- Northern Nevada, the skies were spectacular.
#2- I got into Borrego Sun afternoon 10-25 and scored on of the few remaining rock cabanas on the upper loop. I've been coming to Borrego since 1957, grew up in SD and we camped here about once a month until the late 60's and it is still a treat. As both of my parents are gone now this was kind of a goodbye tour of SoCal.
#3- I decided that I wasn't going to start the truck on Mon so spent the day keeping an eye on the local wildlife, playing with my camera and taking short walks. This is one of the little desert birds that are all over the place.
#4- Trying to get a good shot of the hummers took up a lot of the afternoon. Thank goodness for digital cameras.
#5- No, I don't have anything for you.
#6- I just like the textures on this one.
#7- Can't go to Borrego and not take a picture of Font's Point.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[realbtl]

I'll keep the rest of the trip short as I had stuff in the camper and didn't do any camping. Humped the silver pig of a uhaul up to the bay area and met my wife at the airport. We visited with my daughter then took off for 3 days at the Albion River Inn, one of our favorites. Then up to Crescent City and across to Medford where she flew home. I was going to take the backroads but after 16 days on the road I was homesick and took the dreaded interstates and got home Sun 11-7. 3600 miles, 17 days, 13.5 mpg average. I can't wait for Spring to head out again.

[Barko1]

Why wait till Spring I took 93 heading to AK last Spring after retiring in February. Slowing down can be a challenge, I'm getting better. Also not rating your day by how much stuff you got done.

[SunMan]

Man, that's quite the journey...keep enjoying your retirement...good stuff.

[DLN]

Great pics and trip. We drove 93 from Ely to Panaca on our way to Zion in September, great drive. Ahh, retirement, I can't wait but still 6 to 8 years off. Keep the reports coming.

[ski3pin]

Quite the trip, enjoy retirement, and keep up the reports! Thanks.

[marc]

Wow,

sounds like you had a good journey. Barko is right, don't let winter slow you down. I go to some of my favorite spots during this time.

marc

[George]

2. Hwy 93 is beautiful almost the whole way. I'm definitely going back and do some exploring come Spring.
3. Vegas drivers are jerks (personal opinion, no offense meant).


I've seen a lot of Highway 93. Over the past two years I've been across Idaho and Nevada on 93. There is a nice campground in Wells, up the mountain, and Cathedral Gorge outside of Panaca is pleasant.

You can avoid some of Las Vegas by going around by Lake Mead, then coming out by Henderson and the exit out to 95. Driving in Vegas shifts the mood a lot because everyone is hyped up and aggressive. I used to live there. I had to drive across Vegas when I picked up the camper. I was having a little trouble getting used to using the mirrors and people are not helpful when you want to change lanes.

I get terrible mileage on the Interstates at 75 mph. Sometimes it is worth it, but generally it is better to ease back.

Thanks for the post.

George

[craig333]

Grats on your retirement. Wish I could say the same. I hate my work but it pays the bills. If only I could do my life over I'd have arranged to retire at 50.

[realbtl]

Grats on your retirement. Wish I could say the same. I hate my work but it pays the bills. If only I could do my life over I'd have arranged to retire at 50.

Craig, actually I did retire the first time at 50 from Lawrence Livermore Labs. Then I moved to Montana. There's a joke up here that the way to become a millionaire in Montana is to move here with 2 million. Too true. Hopefully this retirement takes.