I feel it is important for me to get back on the road and resume my original plans as quickly as possible. I have heard lots of stories both good and bad about the “post-retirement syndrome.” The general consensus is, it takes a while for things to level out. One of my closest friends who retired last December from the same company even reported anxiety attacks. Being parked in the driveway of my home town in Texas gives me enough anxiety as it is. I don’t need the added stress of hitting the post-retirement wall! (Apologies for any offense to my home town contingent!)
Leaving Texas to cross the NM border finally feels like I am “on the road again.”
First night in Utah — Free overnight parking at Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff, UT
Prior to the Tracker “heart failure,” my plans were to start heading south after Glacier National Park. I just hadn’t planned on heading quite as far south as Texas! That feels too much like “Game Over!” to me. Coincidentally, my biggest fear mirrors a reoccurring dream I have had throughout my life that vacation has come to an abrupt and premature end, and there is no way for me to resume. So to not finish out the the second half of the loop would have left me feeling BOTH unfulfilled AND unemployed!
October is my very favorite month of the year, so when I gave my retirement notice back at the end of July, I knew all along I wanted to be free by the 1st October. My plan was to work my way slowly down through Idaho, ending up in October with plenty of time to explore the trifecta of yet unexplored national parks; Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches.
Although I tried not to pace the floor during my visit back home, I know my family could sense the pressure as I felt the “sands in the hour glass” the minute the calendar turned to October. The mid-nineties temps in Texas weren’t helping my agita either. There was no disguising my itch to get back on the road.
Scenic Hwy 95, Utah
Glen Canyon Recreational Area, UT
I have said before, the two greatest surprises for me in the past 18 months of full timing are how much I actually enjoy the driving. I never expected to feel the sense of joy I get when slipping behind the wheel of the Winnie.
But the second greatest surprise has been the sense of community, and finding so many “like minded people” on the road. In the past, I have joined special interest groups (scuba, sailing, etc.) to meet friends, so why should RVing be any different, really? But my perception was the perpetual motion of the road just seems contrary to “community.” However, the blogosphere has been a wonderful resource in connecting with those that have similar interests. And right now, several of those “similar interest” friends have assembled in Southern Utah.
So thus begins my 1,100 mile journey back to resume my “regularly scheduled program!” 
Dear Friends, Family, and Followers — A heartfelt thanks for all your kind wishes and congratulatory messages regarding my recent retirement. It is an exciting milestone for me indeed, and I appreciate you all sharing in my joy and my journey! — Suzanne
Hopefully you’ve dodged that retirement anxiety bomb by having already begun the mental transition by being on the road in the first place; and now by resuming said travels…as a free woman! 🙂 Good to see you back with the gang and in such gorgeous country as well! It’s hard to beat Utah for the ultimate landscapes.
So glad that you were able to resume your travels in Utah and enjoy some of that beautiful, soul stirring country. As we traveled down the Green River I kept thinking of you, wondering how the Tracker situation was going to work out.
I am one of those people that read your blog and envy you much. I still work full-time in an office, but for some reason turning 50 this year is has really put the pull of retirement in me. I have a daughter that is a Jr in college and I have promised to work till she finishes her 4 year degree. She is debt free with her education so far, because I work at a University and get a tuition discount. We don’t plan on traveling all the time, we have a wonderful 35 acre farm in Arkansas. But I really admire your decision to retire, and it encourages me to get myself ready as soon as possible! We do have an RV and travel some, maybe someday I’ll meet you in our travels. Oh and we have a green 96 model tracker that we tow, its been great. Its name is flipper because my husband put two dolphins on as a hood ornament. 🙂
I had anxiety (and sudden feelings if lack of purpose) too when I left my “regular” job back in the day. It took about 6 months to get my mind completely repurposed. I do think travel..and the fact that you blog..will go a long way to calming those initial fears.
Nina
I am so happy that you are traveling this route. It’s on my list.
If you feel anxious, blue, sad, or whatever…just hope out of the Winnie, take a deep breath and just look what nature has created . Seriously, it takes some time to let go of an old routine, I look at it as starting to learn a new dance…just a change in the music.
Although I am sorry for your retirement anxiety, it’s comforting to realize this is really a phenomena. My husband and I had been following blogs like yours for several months, trying to decide whether to upgrade tow vehicle vs RV. Talked about it daily and loved the plans. Unfortunately, my husband died very suddenly 5/31/14,life changed immediately. I continue to follow you and wheeling it blog, thinking that I can pursue our and that we were passionate and so looking forward to doing. My heart is broken,however it gives me comfort knowing that if I can persevere the rawness that I feel,plan the adventure that were planning ,maybe life will go on. It’s wonderful knowing that a community out there exists. Thanks for your blog and congratulations on your retirement. I hope to retire very soon and continue our plans. I would update him each am after I checked for new posts and adventures.
The pictures just illustrate the vastness of the region, and its hard to image this when travelling around our small island.
After yesterday’s slot canyon slog I feared you would be gone at first light. But nope, a look out the window and your Winnie is still there :). I bet you didn’t even think about “retirement woes” on that hike, or any other anxieties, you were too focused on Mother Nature’s wonders to do that, not to mention, falling. You are officially “initiated.” Congratulations :).
Box Canyon Mark… and “The Gang.”
Lisa –” The Retirement Anxiety Bomb” only comes at 3:00am. 😉
John — Soul stirring, YES! High speed, no. I am so far behind on your Green River posts, but I want to read them with photos, and photos are impossibly slow to load here. Hope to get caught up soon on your wonderful adventure down the river!
Ava — Thanks so much for the nice comment! Your priorities are definitely in the right place in helping your daughter pursue her education. I love the story of “Flipper!” I hope to see him on the road one day!
Nina — Thanks for the reinforcement. I like the explanation of “lack of purpose.” Probably why I feel the anxiety at 3am, since there is no work the next morning! But as soon as I am out on the trail, it all disappears, thankfully!
Linda — I really like that “new dance” analogy! I am going to turn up the music. 😉
Bobbie — I am deeply moved by your experience. It sounds like you have the type of relationship with your husband that you will be able to keep him with you in your heart as you begin the journey. If I can ever be of support on the “solo path,” please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Dave — I guess this really hit home when I tried to explain to my counterpart from the UK the concept of “full time RVing.” He thought I was nuts. LOL!
BC Mark — No way would I have survived the “initiation” without “The Gang” helping me up, down, and over those boulders! LOL! Thanks for one of the best hikes yet!
Thank you so much for the advice offer. Am still researching RV brands, reliability, etc, without immediate plans for purchase, just info gathering. Thank you. Yes, Will wrote on his name on my heart and will be with me forever.
So glad you made it to Torrey to join the group!!! We were thinking that way but it didn’t make sense to go east to go west. And…we are heading there in the spring. So, with much reluctance I gave in and decided it really didn’t make sense to head your way:( We will just have to catch up with everyone somewhere in the southwest.
Have a wonderful time hiking around Capital Reef!! Glad you are back on track with your plan:)
Hi,
Congrats on making the best decision of your life. Only a few can say this. Your next decision is: who is the boss and who will handle any issues that arrise. Once you realize you have already answered that, your job issues melt away.
Only rule left is that durn 55mph. Hey, and no more Sunday night blues. Yea.
Mike