Journeys

Day Trippin

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

Sometimes we just don’t have the luxury of taking a long, exotic vacation. It could be due to time, money or other commitments. However, we can still get that same sense of freedom, creative inspiration and stress release by staying closer to home. We can go day trippin. According to our new trusted friend AI, a day-tripper is “a person who takes a pleasure trip, excursion or recreational visit to a place – such as a beach, city or tourist attraction – and returns home on the same day, without staying overnight.” And you thought it was about hallucinogens.

What are the benefits of day trippin you ask. First, it is much cheaper than driving hundreds of miles or flying across several states. You don’t have to spend hours in an airport, feeling like a cow being herded to the next destination, only to find out your flight has been delayed, and you will likely miss your connecting flight. It is less stress than planning and executing a long trip. You get to explore places in your own back yard that you may never have seen before. Bonus if you are retired and can go on a weekday when it is not so busy. And finally, at the end of the day, you get to sleep in your own bed.

The Pulaski Trail

Spring has sprung and so has the beauty of nature. I feel pulled to get out there and experience it. To let the fresh air fill my lungs and the bright colors stir my creative soul. So, Mr. U and I decided that we would try to go on one day trippin adventure per week through the summer. That means we will be lucky to get in one a month, but aim high, right? Last week we decided to explore the Pulaski Trail, which is less than an hour from our house. How have we never seen this beautiful piece of history before?

The beginning of the Pulaski Trail.

We wanted our day trip adventure to include being out in nature and getting some exercise. Just Google hiking trails near me and you may be surprised what shows up. We chose the Pulaski Trail because it was less than an hour away and included a 2-mile hike. Never mind that I should have read the entire description carefully because it was a 4-mile hike round trip… with quite an elevation near the top of it. Oh well, part of the adventure is the element of surprise. It was gorgeous.

The majority of the trail is along the West Fork of Placer Creek.
The Pulaski tool.

The Pulaski Tunnel Trail follows the route that Edward Pulaski traversed to escape the Great Fire of 1910. He and his firefighting crew were caught in unexpected high winds that blazed rapidly through the forest. With his quick action and knowledge of the territory he led them through the thick smoke up a creek to an old mine tunnel where they sought shelter from the billowing smoke and flames. He is credited with saving all but six of his 45 men crew.

The Pulaski tool, invented by Edward Pulaski, was designed to create fire lines, clear brush and dig in hard soil to blaze trails. Several of these tools hung on posts along the trail in tribute to him.

We made it to the overlook of the mine tunnel, now almost overgrown with moss and vegetation.

Beauty from ashes

As with much of life, over time, beauty and good will arise from the ashes. The Pulaski Trail is just one example of how time heals. What was once burnt trees and thick gray ash is now a forest full of green moss, ferns, colorful wildflowers and waterfalls splashing over rocks and logs. Like anyone that has been through trauma or a deep loss, you are not the same afterwards. You never will be. However, time molds our lives and beauty, and joy will rise from the ashes.

The winter run off made for beautiful waterfalls along the trail.

So, as you consider travel this summer, don’t forget to look in your own back yard. We often fail to explore the very places that are close by yet rich in beauty and history. Plan a few day trippin adventures in your own neck of the woods and you might be pleasantly surprised what you find. Just don’t forget to read the description thoroughly first.

Cheers to the retirement years!

The Key to Curing Seasonal Depression

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

The beginning of winter is a great excuse to hunker down, start a fire and cozy up with a good book. The first snowfall or two are magical. But when it drags on and on for weeks on end, it sucks the happiness right out of your soul. Anyone that lives in the north has probably experienced the emotional weight of too many dark, gray days, often referred to as the winter blues. According to a poll taken by the American Psychiatric Association, almost 40% of Americans experience an overall decline in their mood in the winter.

It turns out that the best way to cure the winter blues is to go somewhere sunny and warm. Sure, you can try a lightbox or antidepressants, but they don’t treat the root cause: not enough real sunshine. So, we decided to get to the root cause and cure the problem.

I never thought I would say it but… we have become snowbirds. Well, semi-snowbirds anyway. Mr. U was on board with this idea long before I was. He would talk enthusiastically about spending part of our long winters in sunshine. I drug my feet. I love to travel, but I tend to be a homebody, close to most of my peeps. He was tired of the cold, gray winters being stuck inside (unless you were outside moving snow). So, I kept an open mind as we tested out different potential destinations. Last winter we finally decided on one and took the plunge into being Snowbirds.

Taking the plunge can lead to fun surprises, like the turtle that photobombed my picture.

Choosing a destination to snowbird

We were not totally starting from scratch. We had visited several warm winter destinations over the years and had narrowed our search down to San Diego, Arizona or Florida as potential places. If you are considering the plunge into the snowbird lifestyle, there are some key factors to consider:

  • Climate during the winter months. Do they get a lot of tropical storms or rain? Is it warm enough there in the winter months?
  • Initial cost of investment. How much do you want to spend on a second home? What are the HOA’s? Is it in an area that you could sell later and probably get a good return on your investment?
  • Travel time and expense to get back and forth. We did not want to spend a lot of time and money on travel, especially if we were going to go back and forth several times in the winter months.
  • Rent potential. Can you rent it out in the months you don’t use it to offset expenses? Arizona is not a travel destination in the summer months, but the Phoenix area is big so we knew people would need to be there anyway. I set up an account with Furnished Finder and was able to rent it out for six months over the summer to traveling professionals.
  • Distance from family and friends. This was very important to me. I wanted to be able to go back and forth easily and have it close enough that family could come visit for a get-a-way.
  • Things to do in the area. Our home up north is in a small city surrounded by trees, lakes and mountains, so we did not need a rural get-a-way place. We thought the contrast of living in a big city would be fun. There are numerous festivals, sporting events and activities going on all winter.

Why Arizona? It checked most of the boxes for us, particularly being a quick direct flight from home so we could go back and forth easier.

The ups and downs of snowbirding

We have only done this for a few weeks, so I am speaking as a novice, but I already see some clear advantages and disadvantages of being a semi-snowbird. I say “semi” because we only plan to go for a few weeks at a time and then return home for a few weeks. That way we can stay connected to our life up north. Also, a couple of our grandkids are in winter sports, and we wanted to make sure we could attend some of their events.

We do not want to miss too many opportunities to watch our oldest grandson wrestle. His dad (our son #2) is also one of his coaches.
And we don’t want to miss too many of our oldest granddaughter’s gymnastic events.
And these two are at the ages that I feel like they grow bigger every single day.

Several people asked me if we really wanted to leave our new home up north when we were just beginning to nest there. No, from that perspective I did not. But I was also looking forward to getting away from the cold, gray days. It feels like being torn between two lovers (not that I would know what that feels like from personal experience).😊 When I told Mr. U that analogy, he was not amused.

I love our new home up north and we are just settling in, but the sunshine and freedom from responsibilities calls me. When we are in Arizona, there is no rushing or push/pull on our time. We bask in the sunshine, walk and/or ride bikes every day and get to eat al fresco, but… I do miss my tribe.

January in Arizona.
Warm evenings in February.

If not now, when?

Retirement is full of options and possibilities. It is unlike any other time in your life. You get to curate a lifestyle that fills you without being tethered to a job. What does your dream retirement look like and are you living it? It takes careful consideration and then the willingness to jump in, sometimes half blind.

So, whether you are considering buying an RV and traveling for months at a time, starting an Etsy shop, getting a place to snowbird, or just renting a booth at the Farmer’s market to sell the tomato plants you propagated yourself, do it now, while you can. Be open to the opportunities that life brings your way. You can always change if/when that choice no longer suits you. It is easy to let fear get in the way, but if not now, when?

Exhale.

The Heartbeat of a City

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

When I travel to a big city, my favorite time of day is the early morning. It is when a city is coming to life. Coffee stands are just opening and the aroma of fresh grounds fills the air. The traffic is picking up with commuters on their way to work. The garbage trucks are rumbling down the street. It is the heartbeat of a city. It is a steady thrum that enlivens your nerve endings. And every single city that I have traveled to has a different vibe. A different heartbeat.

One of the best things about retirement is the ability to be spontaneous. When you want to travel, there is no need to plan around school vacations or ask for time off from work weeks ahead. When Mr. U suggested we make a quick trip over to Seattle last month to watch one of our favorite college basketball teams play, my first inclination was to say we did not have time. It was a few weeks before Christmas and I had lots to do. Then I paused and thought, isn’t this one of the great joys of retirement… to be able to take short trips on a whim?

Seattle is just a quick 4 1/2-hour drive for us. The weather was good, and the roads were clear over Snoqualmie pass, so why not take a spontaneous road trip? If you have not been to Seattle, put it on your travel list. It went through some rough times during COVID, as most big cities did. However, it is gaining its unique, artistic, waterfront vibe back again.

The space needle is particularly beautiful at night.

Of course, Seattle is probably best known for the Space Needle, which is worth seeing. It has been several years since I rode the elevator to the top. As expected, the view is amazing, and a little unnerving if you are not crazy about heights, like me. Now I prefer to just look up at it in awe.

Pike’s Market Place

If you don’t see anything else, you need to see Pike Place Market located in downtown Seattle by the waterfront. It is one of the oldest and largest farmer’s markets in the county and is the heartbeat of the city. You will find colorful flower bouquets, fresh seafood, unique art, restaurants and plenty of eclectic shops. It is three levels and spans 9 acres so wear good walking shoes.

Downtown Seattle is also home to the very first Starbucks. If you want coffee there, plan to wait in line awhile. While you are downtown you might want to see the “gum wall” in Post Alley. It is a brick wall with thousands of wads of multi-colored chewed gum stuck to it. Not very sanitary, but definitely unique.

The Farmer’s Market is a feast for the senses.
The Pike Place Fish Market is known for the fish mongers that throw fish to their customers. Have you ever tried catching a slippery fish as it sails through the air?

Other districts and neighborhoods to explore

Seattle has several fun neighborhoods and districts to stay at or explore on foot. This time we stayed in the historic Queen Anne District. It is close to the Seattle Center and Climate Pledge arena where the game was. We parked our car at the hotel and were able to walk everywhere, which helps save the stress of finding a parking place… which is also better for your marriage health.

The morning after the game, we decided to get up early and see the city as it came to life. We walked up the hill to the 5-Spot restaurant for breakfast. The 5-Spot was voted the best breakfast in Seattle multiple times and it did not disappoint. I almost forgot to take a picture it was sooo good.

The hollandaise sauce on the chorizo benny was unlike any I have ever had (left). The cooks wore some great shirts (right).

If you are traveling to Seattle for a sporting event, Pioneer Square is close to the professional baseball and football fields. If you like a bohemian vibe, stop by the Fremont area. It is a quirky, artistic neighborhood and home to the Fremont Troll that lives under the bridge. I wrote about a micro trip we took to Kirkland, which is just to the east of Seattle here. There are many more unique nooks and crannies in the area that I have not seen, which is just a good excuse to go back.

If you prefer to get out of the city and into nature, there are numerous hiking trails for all levels around Seattle and in the nearby Cascade Mountains. Seattle is surrounded by Mount Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt. Baker. Or, if you love sightseeing from the water, you can take a boat cruise on Lake Washington or Lake Union. You can also drive just north of Seattle and catch the Anacortes ferry to the San Juan Islands.

The view of the Cascade mountains was breath taking.

The game outcome

I know you have been waiting patiently to hear the outcome of the game. 😊 Gonzaga is my alma mater, so I am a devoted fan of the Zags. This was a close game against UCLA, but the Zags pulled off the win, which made the trip a little more fun.

Great game, especially since the Zags pulled out the win.

The heartbeat of a city

Next time you have the chance to take a trip, don’t decline because you don’t have time, or a hundred other excuses. Seize the opportunity and go. And when you travel, slow down and take in the sound of the trolley bell, the street busker music, or the aroma of hotdogs being sold next to a newspaper stand. Let it sweep you up in the moment. Stop, breath it in and listen for the heartbeat of the city.

Cheers to the retirement years!

Planning Your Retirement Wealth Portfolio

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

What does your retirement wealth portfolio look like? Funding your retirement may include CDs, Roth IRAs, a 401(k), a pension or savings account. Having your finances figured out prior to retirement is a must. It is like having oil in your car. You are not going to get very far without it. Personally, I find financial planning a yawn. It is a necessary evil. Thankfully, my husband loves to do it. Perfect. Then I can focus on the good stuff that makes retirement fun and satisfying. And I bet you thought this was going to be a worthwhile post about retirement finances. Nope. Retirement wealth is about living life fully, closer to the bone. I will leave the financial advice to those much more qualified than me. Yawn.

As we get older, we have less of a need to accumulate stuff. I feel like we spend the first half of our lives stockpiling stuff and the second half trying to get rid of it. We recently downsized and shed ourselves of many items that had accumulated over the years. Some of it was well used and worthwhile, but frankly, most of it was a waste of time and money. Why did we think that we needed a fondu pot? Same for the bread maker that we used twice. And don’t even get me started on the treadmill clothes hangers. (Yes, embarrassingly, we bought more than one over the course of our marriage. We are slow learners.) Now I want to spend my money on more valuable things. Things that give me a greater return for my investment.

Investing in real wealth

Real wealth in retirement is about having the time, relationships, and health, to enjoy and experience life. Investing in these three things is not always easy. And yes, some of it takes money. But like anything worthwhile, the investment is well worth the effort.

Time wealth.

Time wealth. One aspect of wealth is having time enough. The beauty of retirement is that we have more free time. As a nurse I worked many holidays, weekends and nights. Now that I am retired, I have the ability to control my schedule without a boss telling me I cannot take a holiday off or take vacation days when I want. It is a wonderful sense of freedom to be able to drop everything and go when an invitation is extended or Mr. U comes up with a hair brain idea.

How we use our time takes energy. It is easy to sit on the couch and scroll mindlessly or watch another sitcom. Then everyday slogs into the next. It takes time and energy to plan an outing, secure dates, pack up (whether it is a picnic or a big trip), invite others and commit. The investment in using your time well creates a much more fun and exciting life. Don’t waste your time wealth.

Relationship wealth.

Relationship wealth. Having meaningful relationships is one of the highest forms of wealth at any age. What fun is life if you don’t have people to share it with? Sadly, there are many lonely retirees out there. People that have lost spouses, are distanced or estranged from family, or have lost friends due to death, miles or even over petty annoyances. Let’s face it. Investing in relationships takes time, effort and a hefty dose of forgiveness. But what you invest into people will come back to you a hundred-fold.

Health wealth.

Health wealth. It goes without saying that health is one of the most important things we can invest in, for ourselves and our family. Just ask anyone who has a health issue. We often ignore our bodies until they fail us. We have enough health issues that we can’t control, so why increase the chance for problems by not investing in our health.

However, like the previous two investments, health takes discipline and energy. It rarely happens without some effort. It takes effort to trek out in the cold to take a walk or tie on the tennis shoes and head to the gym. It takes self-discipline to choose a side salad when the crispy french fries look so much more enticing. But the little things add up. Moderation and routine are the two key words to maintaining your health over the long haul.

Our recent investment

We recently made a “real wealth” investment. One that filled my soul more than any tangible item I could purchase. Last fall we were able to corral all four of our adult sons and their families to spend a week at the Oregon coast, which I wrote about here. Everyone had such a good time that we decided to do it again this year. Schedules were left behind, and cell phones were rarely looked at, as we enjoyed each other amongst the sand, waves and salt air. This is the real wealth in life. Does it take some financial resources to do? Of course. But I would much rather spend my money on that than another tread mill. Below are a few highlights from our trip. Prepare for a photo bomb.

One of our favorite things to do at the Oregon coast is go crabbing.
We got a huge haul this year.
The worst part of catching that many crabs is that you have to clean them. It is not a task for the faint of heart. Good thing there were lots of hands to help.
The best part of catching all of that crab is a big ole seafood boil for dinner.
In a traditional seafood boil, you drain the pot and throw the food out in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves, finger food style.
I did not want to spend all of my time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up, so I suggested that each family unit be responsible for one meal. Fortunately, we have a lot of really good cooks in our family. Bonus that it gave me more time to relax and walk the beach.
Ever since the boys were little, Mr. U has made french pancakes with them. The family tradition continues with the grandkids.
We did a lot of relaxing at the beach.
And a lot of playing in the sand and waves.
We had a couple rainy days that made it ideal weather for playing games, reading, watching football, (and the Mariner’s make it to the playoffs).
What is a trip to the ocean without getting too much saltwater taffy. Not healthy, but it has to be done.

Conclusion

Most of our adult lives are all about building our careers, raising our children, and creating a nest egg to retire comfortably. Now that I am in retirement, I want to spend my hard-earned money on experiences. I want to take my kayak and thermos of coffee out on a foggy morning, just to inhale the beauty of nature. I want to spend money on a unique, memorable trip. I want to experience life. And I am willing to spend my money on that waaaay before I will buy another fondu pot.

Cheers to the retirement years!
Photo credit to DIL #1 for several of the pictures in this post.

Gone Fish’n

Posted on by The Retired Alchemist

What do you do when you have a ton of boxes to unpack and a new home to decorate? Go fishing. We have been working really hard for the last several weeks and we were both ready for a break. I am not crazy about fishing, but Mr. U enjoys it, and I love being on the water. So, we decided to ignore the garage that is stuffed with every item we did not think we could part with (even after multiple downsizing efforts) and fired up the boat. We threw in the poles, a cooler and some very disgusting maggots that I refused to allow in the cooler, and off we went.

Kokanee are a small type of freshwater sockeye salmon that exist in many lakes in the PNW and down into California. There are particular times of the year that the kokanee fish are biting, and fishermen are abuzz when it occurs. They discuss bait, the best spots to find them and the depth of water the fish are at. Then they adjust their downriggers to that depth. Don’t ask me how I know… I would rather be lying in the boat reading. However, I support the fishing effort because these small pink flesh fish are delicious to eat.

The calm before the fish started really biting.

The afternoon was pretty quiet with only a few bites, which was perfect for me to read and sip a cold drink. But once the sun moved down low in the sky, the fish really started biting. I am the official netter, so unfortunately that kept me busy. Well, that and trying to take pictures, which Mr. U did not really appreciate while he was trying to pull fish into the boat. (When my family complains about me taking too many photos, I always remind them that they will cherish them later.)

It is not easy netting a fish and taking a picture at the same time. At least I did not drop my phone in the water.

Kokanee are excellent to eat and bonus that they are high in omega-3. They have a delicate pink meat and no fishy taste. The size of the fish varies from year to year. Part of the reason we made a point to go out this year was that they were pulling in large fish, running from 10-14 inches. Other years they have been much smaller, in which case Mr. U has smoked them. The smoked fish are a wonderful addition to a charcuterie tray or in a smoked salmon dip with crackers. The fish we caught this year were good size, so we grilled them. Delicious, healthy and low calorie. A trifecta food!

Grilled up a couple fish for dinner and the rest went in the freezer.

So glad we jumped on the impulse to go fishing on a Sunday afternoon. Yes, there were numerous other things we should have been doing but heck, we are retired, so we can always unpack boxes tomorrow. What is a weekend???

Cheers to the retirement years!

The gentle rocking from the waves made it difficult to get a clear picture, but it was a beautiful evening.