Year in review - short version

"Look at my abundance" – Karen Gibbs – RIP - August 7, 1977 (age 21)

 Many who knew Karen as we age use those words more often this year!  Life is precious, and too often, that is forgotten.  I have often used that statement as I prepare for significant life changes this year!

 

Last family photo

My 2023 started with the realization that my job was going to kill me.  The stress of the past five years has begun to take a significant health toll.  The first 25 years were outstanding, with great leadership.  Now, people need to avoid the place.  In my division, 80 percent (10 employees) have not been in their position for over 18 months.  Three are replacements for people who quit after a few months, and we may see more leave soon.  Toxic is a kind word to describe the organization.

In October, my physician provided a firm warning that if I want to continue life, things NEED TO CHANGE.  Medicine and routine blood infusions are a band-aide.  That was coupled with the death of my father, the passing of my beloved 8-year-old Golden Retriever, and a few younger friends, including Becky Schindler, who made my decision to retire early a requirement, not a choice.  I hired Becky 30 years ago and worked with her the entire time.  She passed away in 2023 at 50 years old.  I contemplated whether I would continue this job so there would be no retirement financial concerns or leave early with questionable finances? 

 

Porter myPAL

 My financial adviser forecasts that at age 92, I would be broke if I lived the retirement I planned.  That includes spending 35% more than I do now and includes inflation.  I decided being broke at 92 poor is better than being dead rich at 70.  Therefore, I put in my 6-month notice in July that I am retiring on February 2, 2024, at age 61 1/2.  I chose that day as I told my employer I wanted February 4, 2024 (2424), but that was on a Sunday, so I went with Friday, February 2 - Groundhog Day.

 

In August, I also decided to wait to cut my hair or shave until I retired.  I did something similar with COVID; my son Chris made the best comparison.  What do you think?  The kid sure has my humor!  Let me update you on the family, starting with Chris.  By the way, I will always call him Chris even though he reminds me it is Topher!  The full name is Christopher.  I like the first half, and he likes the second. It's like a glass half full or half empty, all up to preference.  Then again, if the question is unclear, the glass is full, half water and half air.

 Chris himself experienced a roller coaster for a few years.  In 2022, my only grandson, Jake, passed away.  He was born with conditions that we knew would result in a short life, yet he surpassed all expectations.  At times, I thought Jake was Chris's crutch in life.  Gave him purpose and direction.  Maybe some of my blood was passed on, as we never quit.  Jake pushed longer than anticipated, and Chris never stopped being his father.  After Jake's passing, Chris started a new chapter, including getting engaged.  Chris moved in May 2023 to Salam, Massachusetts, with his fiancé. Fortunately, he was able to retain a position with US Back.  A secure job is essential, that is for sure!  He always loved Massachusetts and lighthouses.  It was good for him to leave Fargo, where so much of his life was centered around Jake.  We communicate when we can.  I refer to Chris as my "Cats in the Cradle" child.  If you know the song, I think you will understand.

Jordan and his partner Kira live in Cary, North Carolina, with their only child, LuLu, the prized Australian Shepherd.  Kira is holding the neighbor child in the photo – no kids.  They decided I needed a granddog, so I felt I had a reason to visit.  I also love to take care of LuLu. They both needed to travel for work.  Kira travels at least once every two months.  Jordan still travels for work more frequently since COVID-19 stopped travel.  Since COVID, it is all international. Mainly Germany, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.  

Jordan loves to bicycle.  He rode over 13,000 miles in 2022.  In March 2023, Jordan was in a severe bicycle accident.  His right shoulder was shattered, and he had bone fragments close to blood vessels that could have resulted in death.  After extensive surgeries and rehabilitation, he regained his entire movement and activities in October.  He still bikes, but running is not half of his workouts.

 

As Shelley and I prepare to retire (she is in May 2025), she decided to replace the house's windows, siding, and roof. That way, we will eliminate the need to expend funds in retirement.  

Shelley continues to be busy with seven grandchildren, ages six months to 8 years old.  Three live in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and four in Brentwood, Tennessee.  Even though we live in the same house, we can go weeks without seeing each other.  She flew to one of the locations and worked remotely every six weeks.

Look forward to retirement and making those trips together.

 

In fact, this Christmas, Shelley was in Tennessee, and I watched the fort alone.  While it may sound sad, I enjoyed the downtime.  The time to think and prepare for the new chapter in my life starts February 2, 2024.  May it be a long and enjoyable life change!

Carry on, my friends, carry on!

Great trail ideas for biking in retirement

Since I stopped running, biking has become my most significant activity.  I have long dreamed of long, casual bike rides with no time limit.  Those are where I can ride and enjoy life and the beauty around me.  

I researched some trains, and Larry Lee, who retired about 7 years ago, shared with me some of the great trails he has found.  Here is a list of some that intrigue me:

Multiple Day Trails

The Great Allegheny Passage starts in Cumberland, Maryland, and ends in Downtown Pittsburgh. It is a spectacular 150-mile nonmotorized path that soars over valleys, snakes around mountains, and skirts alongside several rivers on a nearly level, crushed-limestone surface. Tracing old footpaths and railroad corridors through the wilderness offers glimpses into the country's westward expansion and industrial might. When paired with the connecting C&O Canal Towpath, it makes long-distance trail travel possible between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. 

Silver Comet Trail and Chief Ladiga Trail - The Silver Comet Trail runs 62 miles from Smyrna on the outskirts of Atlanta to the Georgia/Alabama state line.  It connects to the Chief Ladiga Trail and winds through 33 miles of scenic Alabama countryside.  The Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet add up to nearly 100 miles of blissful Trail!  

The Paul Bunyan State Trail is 115 miles long and has short on-road connections through Baxter and Bemidji. It is the longest of Minnesota's state trails and the longest continuously paved rail trail in the country. 

The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a spectacular trail that runs for 73 miles on smooth asphalt.  It spans the Idaho panhandle between Mullan and Plummer. It was created through a unique partnership between the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Union Pacific Railroad, the U. S. Government, and the State of Idaho. The Trail meanders through the historic Silver Valley, along the Coeur d'Alene River, past scenic Lake Coeur d'Alene, and through rolling farmlands to Plummer. Twenty developed trailheads provide entry points, and there are twenty scenic waysides along the route with tables to stop for a picnic or a short rest. 

George S. Mickelson Trail—This is a 108-mile trail through South Dakota. The map has varied elevations and many great sites to enjoy! There are four tunnels (between Hill City and Rochford), 35 interpretative signs (great lessons in history), and more than 100 bridges. 

The Katy State Trail is a 237-mile trail stretching across most of Missouri.  Over half the Trail's length follows Lewis and Clark's path up the Missouri River, where you can ride beneath towering river bluffs while eagles circle overhead.  After leaving the river, the Trail meanders through peaceful farmland and small-town America.

Wabash Trace Nature Trail - The Trail is a converted railroad right-of-way running 63 miles through the scenic Southwest Iowa countryside. It has +72 bridges.  It is close to home in Iowa.

Singe Day Trails

The Provo River Parkway trail is a 15.2-mile point-to-point trail near Provo, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route with about 800 feet of climb.

The Grand Teton National Park Trail - This 7.8-mile point-to-point Trail near Moose, Wyoming, is generally considered an accessible route.  My son did this segment when he rode from Canada to Denver, and I drove as. a crew member.  It was spectacular!

The River Mountains Trail - The River Mountains Trail is approximately 34 miles long and surrounds the River Mountains, connecting Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Henderson, Boulder City, and the rest of the Las Vegas Valley.

The Heartland State Trail could be a multiple-day ride for an out and back!  It was one of the first rail-to-trail projects in the country. It is a 49-mile multiple-use trail between Park Rapids and Cass Lake. The Trail is located entirely on a level abandoned railroad grade, except for a four-mile segment north of Walker on sharply rolling terrain for snowmobilers.

Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the first "rails-to-trails" park in Oregon. The Trail follows an abandoned railroad bed that stretches 21 miles between Banks and Vernonia, with highlights including 13 bridges and views from the 733-foot long, 80-foot high Buxton Trestle, open to hikers and bicyclists. A ground-level equestrian bypass crosses Mendenhall Creek. The south end of the Trail begins in Banks, a town of 1,900 surrounded by agricultural operations. Heading north, the Trail passes farming lands and riparian areas before reaching the thickly forested foothills of the Coast Range and ending in Vernonia, a town of 2,200 surrounded by private timberland and small farms.

Hugh S. Branyon Trail—The 28-mile path in Gulf State Park takes riders through nine different ecosystems, including coastal dunes, freshwater lakes, marshes, and maritime forests peppered with longleaf pines, palmettos, and moody oaks dripping in Spanish moss. The path crosses boardwalk bridges to a white sand beach and passes Lefty, the resident alligator's usual hangout, and the nests of two mating pairs of bald eagles.

I am not looking for mountain bike trails; rails to trails are my favorite.  Do you have any suggestions?

Carry on, my friends, carry on!

52 days...

As I think about the next stage in my life, I admit there are some fears. 

I’m afraid of the unknown.  Yes, the future is always unknown.  What do I really know a sure thing about retirement other than it ends with death?  Fear can trigger negative thoughts.  “I’ll have nothing to do, I’ll be a nobody, I’ll fade away.” For me, it won’t be like that.  It will be a time that I can enjoy life without the immense stress of the toxic work environment I have endured for about 5 years!  It will be a new future.

When young people think about their future, they fill it with their dreams.  Well, we’re never too old to dream.  Following the dream can cause change.  I’m slightly afraid of change, but change is inevitable.  That’s why you do not think about the worst way to deal with it; things happen rather than happen. After all, you want them to.

I have spent the past year thinking about what I want to do and what I may enjoy doing.  That has challenged my hard-wired brain to feel happiest at this time of life.  Yes, things never happen the way you plan, right?  Yes, right, as far as some aspects are concerned.  That doesn’t actually matter.  Making the plan is what’s important,

I am getting rid of thoughts of “right” or “wrong.” “Right” suggests only one possible answer, and everything else is “wrong.” Instead, I think of things as “good” or “better” rather than “right.” That change in mindset should generate joy when things go better rather than regret that they’re imperfect.

Giving up full-time work is mentally moving to a new land, like going to school for the first time, going to university, entering a new relationship, being a parent, or starting a job.  I have done it before.  It was always scary.  Yet, I must recall that it is also an opportunity to reinvent myself. 

I’m scared that I know nothing about this big, complicated subject.  And I’m afraid to show how ignorant I am.  Yes, those are natural feelings.  I hope I can persuade myself that they’re unnecessary.  The fear of losing the certainty of the regular paycheck and relying on uncertain investment returns.  But that is my choice.  I am well prepared for this step; now, 52 days away, reality and plan implementation are close.  Here is a photo of me passing the torch to my replacement!  We overlap for a smooth transition!

Carry on, my friends, carry on!