Contemplating contentment

This will be year 20 of retirement. I didn't think I would make it this far, but it has been interesting. The first 5 years were boating half the year in the PNW, then back down the West Coast and thru the canal for the 3rd time in our own boats. (We took 4 years of "mid life retirement--more like the classic retirement dream in our 40's--and cruised 41,000 miles). In our "winters in Florida" I became involved in community--and as a scientific consultant, as well as leadership of several organizations. About 10 years ago, Marie said I had to stop all of the community involvement--it was close to a full time job! (and there were lots of offers of paid employment, which I turned down). The last 10 years, has been more taking care of elderly parents, who lived in our home until they passed on in their late 90's. Then health issues of our own, with less boating than ideal. But then we live in "paradise"--with the boat in the back yard, and excellent cruising within only a few miles from the house...like our own resort at "Camp Thataway" There is never lack of something to do--and I wonder when I ever had time to work (as many do).
 
I was reminded by my experience today retirement is not all roses!--I worked on the C Dory 22--nothing big, but hard difficulty moving by 5 PM. One of the problems was the larger step from the built in to step to the gunnel--so we will have to put in one of the double cockpit steps. I did place an extra hand rail on the outboard aft part of cabin top--and that gives better purchase to get up to the gunnel. As we age, we have to make adaptations to our boats--and ourselves to be able to do what we did in the past.

So there is arthritis, heart disease, memory problems (one friend who we talked to the night before last, called us the next morning--saying that we hadn't talked for a long time.) She related that she thinks that she is now developing alzheimer's at age 68 (which her mother had).

We have to adapt our goals (I strongly believe that you have to have goals even in the retirement years--without goals, people go down hill fast).
 
Good point, Bob. Critical to recognize the changes (physical and mental) that progress as we age. Admit the change, then adapt to it. Change what can be changed to adapt and continue with a life pattern, or, if that isn't possible, then change a lifestyle.
The 'bucket list' concept is a good idea, we think. If you have goals to accomplish (places to see, experiences to share) rank them (roughly) in your head (or shared with another) as to their relative importance AND how difficult they might be to accomplish with increasing age. Put the 'critical' ones (in priority and difficulty) to the top and do them first (if possible) and then with aging move down the list.
We love to travel - so we put 'hard' ones first. We wanted to cross the Himalaya on the ground to Tibet. We did, after first hiking the Annapurna trek. Crossing the mountains the bus was halted by a landslide. We hiked
over the slide and 'hitch-hiked' a ride on a local bus. It was stopped by another landslide. We hiked miles over that one, led by young Tibetan kids)and then hitch-hiked on a Red Chinese army truck (riding in the back with ill Chinese soldiers) to Lhasa. Wouldn't want to do that today with our advanced age.
We love hiking - so we walked the Appalachian Trail Georgia to Maine. Would we do that today?
We love the water. So we formerly raced sailboats - then lived aboard for
years cruising, then we lived on our powerboat, and the time came to shift to part-time live aboard. Eventually, we know we'll come ashore.

So, recognize and adapt - key concepts in retirement. Don't fight aging -join it - and celebrate the good fortune we have it.
 
Reflecting on the life experiences of Dr. Bob and Marie and Bill and El I have to say that Dotty and I have never, and will never, do most of the exciting adventure that they have done. We are, however, similar in that our path, though much different in detail, was always taken as a team. From the moment we met and married 50 years ago, we have lived, worked, and recreated together. As we learned when we worked for many years on an ambulance, it takes two to lift the stretcher (at least it did in the old days). We also learned that it's not always someone else on it. So Bill, you may not enjoy every moment of retirement, but whether the wind is at your back or you are leaning into it, be aware of it, and be grateful for it.

MartyP
 
The limitations of age is one of the reasons I decided to semi-retire a bit earlier than I had thought a few years ago. I can still do most things without too much difficulty, albeit a bit slower and with a bit more stiffness. I want to use the next few years to do the more difficult things that I have always wanted to do. I don't want to wait until I can no longer do those things or don't have the energy to undertake them.
 
Excellent points about priorities. We were fortunate enough to do some of the big dreams in our mid life. From my practice of medicine I realized that many did not get the chance to do what the really wanted to do in life. Some of that was recreational retirement related--and some was other family and social goals.

I do believe that the C Brat group are folks who love nature and live life to the fullest. Making plans now for future years is very important.
(This means not only financial, but living arrangements, location, family, and other factors)

I have to laugh at my self. Just before I retired, I researched what my last car was going to be--looking at retirement need. We kept that one about 8 years, then a small car, and now the Honda Pilot--and I am thinking about the next car--may not be the "last"....

Do it while you can!
 
I'm working on a plan to convert my job to 75% time in the not too distant future (maybe 2 years or so). I'm thinking that I can work things out to be 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off for most of the year. That would allow me to do many things while I'm still reasonably fit. If I can work it out like that, I may never fully retire but I'd hope to go to say 50% time later in life.
 
Sounds like a good plan Roger. I hope to be at 50% in three more years. After that it is up to my health and whatever life throws at me. As for Bob's comment, I have several friends who are now on their second or third last 'retirement' car. You just never know.
 
Don't forget "Plan B"---we were going to take the C Dory 22 to the Keys--but after one day of working on it (minor issues), my back was in such a condition, that I had to start on steroids, take two days beds rest--and schedule an appointment for an injection--so we are taking the Caracal Cat--smaller boat--we know it is ready to go...

I had a back injury (due to heavy lifting) on our 4 year cruise, and had a paralyzed leg--necessitating surgery. At one point is was not clear that I would re-gain the use of my leg--and we were planning to sell the boat we had in the US--and buy a Canal Boat in Europe--our Plan B in that case.

We always have alternate plans, and are not locked into one specific plan if things don't work out.
 
Base it on months, and it would be a great plan! Nine months on, three months off! The plan based on weeks still does not let you go on long trips without worrying about when you have to get back!


rogerbum":r68jbrr7 said:
I'm working on a plan to convert my job to 75% time in the not too distant future (maybe 2 years or so). I'm thinking that I can work things out to be 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off for most of the year. That would allow me to do many things while I'm still reasonably fit. If I can work it out like that, I may never fully retire but I'd hope to go to say 50% time later in life.
Click to expand...
 
Luck was on my side when i sold the computer business and bought commercial rental properties in 1999, so I have worked 1/4 time, at most, for the last 10 years. With the wife working 1/2 time we have spent much of our summers on the boat. Our retirement is planned around getting our youngest child off to college in 4.5 years.

Plan is to purchase a Winnebago View (or similar) in 2 or 3 years, then when youngest is settled in college, sell house (keep cottage), hook up cd22 to View and be gone. Plans are meant to be changed, but this has been my dream since I was 7 years old. We will be 51 with hopefully many travelling days left.
 
Plans and tastes change - what is interesting today may become complicated or mundane 5 years from now. We were fortunate when we were still working that we were able to take several months off during the winter... it gave us the opportunity to "practice" being retired for over 10 years before we sold the business. We already knew that traveling by boat and RV suited us.

I think Pat is right: a couple weeks away is "vacation"; certainly gives you a chance to relax and recharge. A couple months away becomes more of a lifestyle. Jumping into retirement after a full working life is a major change.

When we were working, we used to joke about working "half days"... it was rare that we got out of there in less than 12 hours. :roll:

We enjoyed our careers, but, even with several months off during the winters, it was time. Pat has kidded us about taking seasonal jobs (Why would someone want to work when they are retired??)... the Blonde occasionally feels the need to be a contributing member of society. I'm OK with just being a boat bum. So, as long as I can get paid to drive a boat, I can handle of few months of being productive; it allows us to stay for extended time in areas we might not otherwise be able to afford, Joan's need to be productive is satisfied, and it puts some bucks in the cruising kitty.

Retirement is what you make it. Kinda like contentment.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Its been over 3years since retiring from United . Every year we do a nice cruise First one was to Alaska the next year was the Panama canal and this year it's a month long mediterranean cruise this is witha cruise line not our boat .

I think in retirement there still have to be goals and rewards like cruises and boating or RVing .Living in Florida we boat 12 months out of the .year .I wonder how we had time to do anything when working I'm always busy . I still try to work part time for Collier county schools . This keeps me busy and it helps me keep up with the children of today .
 
OK--here it is;
We arrived at Knight Key today. Waterfront RV site (C Dory got left at home because of Bob's injury--plan B the Caracal). The boat was at the dock 15 minutes after the RV was in place. 7 PM, air temp is 72 degrees--low tonight will be about 65. Dinner at "Salty's Bar and Grill"--Landshark Beer, Conch Fritters, Ceasar Salad for dinner. Water temp is 72.3 degrees--so some snorkeling may well be in order. Next door neighbor has a freezer full of Mahi Mahi--and told us where he caught them....
 
Bob and Marie,

Great place Knight's Key, We spent a few weeks there in 2008/09. Deep blue water not too far offshore. We caught Mahi and Wahoo within 6 to 8 miles due east. Under the bridge and west a few miles we found Spanish Mackarel. The park has a nice fish cleaning station. Enjoy your time in the Keys.

I fished today on Estes Flat, two nice Redfish and a good Sea Trout. Temp was 85 at 2:00 PM. Love retirement.

Brent and Dixie
 
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