The Maiden Voyage of the Officially Retired

Figuring out how we like to travel, or "Will we survive this trip smiling?"
All our married life together we have talked of the days when we are retired and can roam the country and the world together. We both love to travel and this dream is the one thing that we know we want to do in retirement. (There are other things also, but that is the topic of another blog). The big question is: are we compatible for long road trips?

During our working life, I always flew and many times Johnnie drove, and we met at the destination. This is particularly true of trips to see the children, grandchildren and extended family in the Midwest. During the last 9 years that I have worked and Johnnie is retired, that allowed me to maximize use of my vacation days. Frankly the drive on I-70 to/from Wichita is not really all the scenic, especially if you have done it 10 times before!! So I am happy to fly and get there. Johnnie  hates airports and security and all the hassle (who doesn't these days??) and would prefer to be in control of his own travel.

I 70; from WA take I-90 to I -82/84 to Denver and pick up I-70

The Destination Orientation
Johnnie likes to go fast, drive long hours and get there. He is all about the destination. If he stops for a 10 minute rest break twice a day and a 20 minute meal stop, that is about it. He puts in 14 hrs. a day driving and can get to Wichita in two days. Admittedly he has slowed that down a bit as he has gotten older and his wife nags him about safety, so now he only drives 10 hrs. a day and makes it in 2 3/4 days! On the I-70 to Wichita, I completely understand the "just get there" mentality!

The Joy of the Journey
I like to wander, stopping to see the historical markers along the way, picnicking in a pretty wooded spot by the stream, taking lots of photos, checking out all the thrift/antique stores along the way, and generally speaking, just savoring the joy of the journey. I am all about the journey, not so much the destination. Keep in mind I have rarely had this luxury of a road trip not bounded by schedule restrictions, so maybe I would grow weary of this style of travel after while, who knows?

I am sure I-70 sparked the expression among truckers "White Line Fever" for the endless miles of the same old, same old; that is Jenny in the middle of the road, bored to tears from the miles of nothing and not a thrift store in sight!!

The big question is, can we meld our two distinctively different views of road trips into a blend that works for us in retirement? Will we find our rhythm that is uniquely ours?

The Next Big Questions
Are we RV people?  Is our camper sufficient or do we trade up? How long on the road is long enough?

We are traveling in a cab-over camper, Arctic Fox 9.9. It is cozy but we have made many recent additions to increase the comfort of this RV.

Taken on a recent camping trip, we are rockin' in our little camper!

A new addition to the rig

Join us on this journey to find out what happens to our heroes:

• Can they stay happily married in a 9.9 ft. camper for 26 days? 
• Will Johnnie go cross-eyed from too many historical markers? 
• Will Jenny be able to climb the many steps in the truck and camper? 
• Will our heroes be able to dry camp at Yosemite after years of hot showers, and flush toilets?
• Will Johnnie survive without daily photos of his garden and conversations with the birds?

Stay tuned for the next episode!!