Adapting to retirement has been tougher than I thought. I assumed I would simply go celebrate this next chapter and embrace it with open arms. However that was not quite how it was going. I found myself sulking around the house in my bathrobe all day making a nuisance of myself to my wife!
Finding my footing has been a bit of a challenge, but I think I am finally getting there. Change is hard in the best of times. But, plans are being made, and some of them are life long dreams coming to reality.
Most recently I managed to rig up my Jeep with a tent and do some camping. So far one overnighter, but that’s a start 🙂 I received my Veterans Discount card for National Parks, so that will certainly come in handy this Spring when I start making my way north.
Meanwhile, I found myself hosting a Super Bowl Party here in Florida, I am not a football person, but I do like parties, so it should be fun. This will be a bring a dish affair, so I am looking forward to minimal cooking and see what sort of goodies friends bring.
Next week we head to Boston area for what will be a bitter sweet event. Our son will swim his final swim meet for his career. He has been swimming since around 8 years old. The Northeast 10 will mark the end of swimming for him. In addition one year into his two year college graduate program, his college will close its doors. He will have to regroup and figure out how to continue his higher education.
We leave from his swim meet and head to see family in Germany for a few weeks before returning to Florida. However after returning I head north with the Jeep camping, visiting friends and relatives along the way before settling in the Adirondacks in NY for a month or so before the big event.
Getting a boat is still a priority, right now though I have to get a few things done prior to that, and get settled in our new home in FL. Meanwhile, I have been searching for opportunities for sailing.
The big event. A great opportunity presented itself for sailing across the Atlantic as crew. I will be crewing for a large vessel, 68′ Mono hull. I cant say enough how exciting this will be. We sail from Sint Maartin, to Bermuda, on to The Azores, and ending in either Palma Mallorca, or near Genoa Italy!
So for the time being, until I get my boat, I will find a few of these crewing opportunities to get my feet wet so to speak. Learn the ropes, learn tides, wind, weather etc. Once I am confident, then move on to my own ship and see where the wind takes me.
So, stay tuned and follow the adventures.
