March 9, 2018 - Retirement

June 1 will be my last day of work. Wow! I have been blessed with discovering an occupation that I love, and have enjoyed going to work each day for 40+ years. But it's time to take a break while I am still healthy (the doc said it, not me), and take a road trip. The plan is to sit my rear end on a motorcycle (not sure which one) for six weeks and see as much of America and Canada as I can.
I have been asked where I am "planning" to go, and the answer is, I'll let the weather and whatever I decide each morning "plan" the trip. So some notes to myself about this trip.

• No interstates (except busy cities). If you traveled the US only on the interstate it would all look the same. McDonald's, Exxon Mobil, Holiday Inn. Stay 50 miles from the interstate an and you will find the real America.
• Three kinds of towns: There are three kinds of towns. 
• The first one is the town too small to have any services and really no place for you or the locals to have a cup of coffee and chat.
• The second is anything big enough to get the chains. Home Depot, McDonald's, etc. When you have over a certain number of people in a town, people are less interested in taking the time to talk.
• The third is the best. Just small enough to not have the chain sores, but big enough to have a local gathering spot, a little museum, a bakery, hardware store, gas station. 
• Senior National Park Pass: I got mine when I turn 62. Free entry into any National Park in the US. Gotta be 62 to get one.
• Historical Marker Database: I found this on one of the last trips and it adds a new historical dimension to your trip. Most of those small towns you drive through have histories, and those roadside signs usually point out the historical happenings along the way. You can't possible stop and read each one, but you can pull their app up and read them while you are stopping for coffee.
• Local museums: Look for the little signs in many towns pointing out the local museum and stop. You meet wonderful local people excited about their town. Don't underestimate these.
• Weird stuff: If you like quirky stuff, use the Roadside America app. Lots of fun stuff in there
• Get off the beaten path: Many of the national parks are so busy that everyone wants to go and the crowds get crazy and spoil the fun. If you put a water bottle and some snacks in a small bag and find a hiking trial and get even just 20 minutes away from the crowds, you will usually have the park to yourself. Snap a selfie of Old Faithful and then go for a hike. Most people do not leave the parking lot or visitor center.
• Early morning: The most beautiful time of day is first thing in the mornings and the last hours of the day. The colors at the ends of the day are great for pictures with all the reds and oranges. Watching the sunrise with the new crisp morning air is wonderful. And it's the best time to see the heavy hitter sites before the crowd wake up.
• Keep a journal: I have been keeping this blog for many years and actually turned it into a book that I can read mid-winter. Actually might be time for another on after this trip.
• Find the "Old Farts Club": They are the retired guys that meet each morning and drink coffee. They long since ran out of things to talk about and love to talk to strangers. Ask them about local history, what to see, what that stuff is growing in the fields, how they harvest it, that big plant down the street, what you shouldn't miss. 
• AirBnB: I have not used it, but the last couple trips I ran into some converts. They like them because they are more personable that a motel and less expensive.
• Take your time, but keep moving: The nice thing about travelling is that just when you get sick of an area, the next one comes over the horizon. The plains are beautiful, for a few days, but then you get used to them. The Rockies are stunning after you have driven three days through the plains. Just when you can't do another twisty mountain road, eastern Colorado stretches out in front of you.
• Let the weather plan you trip: Especially true for motorcycles. You can drive around storms if you have a weather app.
• No motel reservations: This way you can make last minute changes in your trip depending on the weather and what tip you just got from that old guy at the diner.
• Stop at the local grocery store: They are a real snapshot of the folks in town. And you can get drinks and snacks!!
• Best parks: They are all great. My favorites is Grand Canyon, because it surprises you with it's vastness (sunrises are great), but the crowds get crazy. 
• Great Lodges early in the morning: They built a bunch of these 100 years ago. Go there first thing in the morning and just sit, drink your coffee and maybe read another chapter in your book, and get out before the crowds get there.

So I have a few months to get things together for this trip. Stay tuned!!

P.S. The map is not my trip as far as I know..