Retirement...final countdown

 Up to six years ago I had been planning to retire before I turned 64, hoping to do so at age 62. But when my marriage to Alan deteriorated beyond repair I knew that to get out of it I would have to work until I turned 67. I looked at the financial aspects and knew that really was my only option. I set the date... January 9th, 2026. The countdown began. Years, months, weeks, days. It has been hard. It has been growing even more difficult as the years have passed. I set goals, my bucket list grew. I had plans and I couldn't wait to get started. Luckily I mostly enjoyed my job. I liked the people I worked with until this past March it all changed.  The Convention Center was moved to a new Division within the City with all new inexperienced management. A new Operations Manager was hired. We did not click. My job title was changed along with my job description. I now hated my job. I hated getting up each morning and driving in. I kept looking at my finances. Was it at all a possibility to retire a bit earlier? Well the stars aligned and everything fell into place.... Early retirement was not only possible, it made the best financial sense to do so. I am instead of counting down to January 9th 2026, I am preparing to leave this place September 12, 2025. 6 weeks, 3.5 days from this moment in time. I do have 5 days vacation to take before then and one holiday. That will really help it to pass quickly.  

Finally. 

I am a bit nervous about it all. But the excitement far outweighs it. How will I fill my days when I am not traveling? I can easily spend over 2 hours at the fitness center working out every afternoon. Mornings will be gardening, housework (instead of cramming it all into the weekend I can space it out across the week). I hope to visit my kids more often. Go hiking as often as I can, with a few camping trips thrown in for the fun and adventure. I need to get stuck in on my language lessons. I am learning some basic Spanish for my trip to Peru next Spring and Nepalese for my trip to Nepal in the Autumn of 2026. I also will start my TEFL certification course that I need to teach in Nepal. I do not want to waste my days sitting in front of the TV or scrolling on my phone. I really want adventure!

I hope to be able to travel for the next few years, I've a long list of National Parks I want to visit . I am planning a 6 to 8 week camping/road trip to see most of them. I would also like to work one summer either at one of the National Parks or at a lodge in Alaska. I'm sure a few more trips overseas will join the list. I am looking at a sea turtle conservation program in Guatemala  and then possibly returning to Nepal to teach again and then trek the Annapurna Circuit. I am planning on the Everest Base Camp trek on my first trip. I will also go camping and hiking whenever the mood strikes me. As long as I am able physically I will throw my gear into my car and head for the mountains. That is where I want to be. There is no better place to be on this planet than hiking and camping in the mountains. I look so forward to just being able to go when the mood strikes. No planning months in advance for time off. Just get in my car and go. 

Just go.....