Winding down

[Willowbilly3]

Less than a year from SS and the old joints complain about the smallest tasks. I can still do most of the work, I just hurt and can't sleep. Sis moved her 20 year old and his friend in next to me and they have 2-3 big partys a week. Last night talking outside my bedroom window until 4:30 this morning and then my van blocked in when I wanted to go to coffee. Daughter is out of high school and off to do her own thing so won't be coming summers anymore. She will probably move to the northwest and I am thinking I might too. Seriously thinking of selling all my tools, vehicles, trailers, everything and going into retirement. I am looking for a good old F-150 and a small travel trailer so I can beebop around some. Lots of this country I still want to see. Last count I think I've only been in 26 states.

 

[maverickmk]

If you can afford it I say go for it. You are not guaranteed tomorrow and this country is so beautiful. Too much to see just two weeks a year.

 

[bob w]

Last week I was digging a hole in wet clay. I was gasping and panting after only a few minutes. Next couple days I was very sore. Turning 73 in a month. Discouraged by my lack of vitality, I called my friend Jim in Atlanta. He's the same age. I posed one question. Asked him how much vitality he feels he's lost from age 65 to age 73. He said he's lost about 50% of his ambition and physical prowess. I agree, it's about the same for me.

The point of this Willowbilly is, if you're going to make life changes, travel or whatever, do it now. If you wait it will seem like more effort than it is worth. That's my experience anyway.

 

[bruno]

Maybe a Divco built as a camper? You have the skills.

 

[billy]

go relax and have some fun
buy something already to go on the road and enjoy yourself.
sitting on my deathbed wishing i had done something besides work is no way for me to check out.

 

[donsrods]

I'll be 69 in July and have retired twice so far and hated it. I found my health slipping as well as my mental sharpness (not that I was EVER real sharp anyway ) I have been back to work over a year now and feel so much better and my memory is getting better because I help people solve problems all day long.

That being said, I do have on my bucket list that I want to see the country, like you have mentioned. I want to see Bonneville, and travel to some of the States with all that rusty gold you guys keep teasing us with pictures off. Route 66 looks like a cool place to see, and I have never been to the New England States for some real seafood.

I think my 46 is going to be my final retirement gift to myself and when it is done I am thinking about loading it up and hitting the road. Just me and Lucky the cat with no schedule and no place I need to be.

Don

 

[Willowbilly3]

Interesting thing happened, today I got the mail and there was a letter from a friend in Alaska. I had sent them a nice chrome grille for a 59 Ford pickup and she sent me a card with $100 in it. Also she said they had bought a nice vintage travel trailer that was mine to stay in if I would come visit or stay. Hmmm...
I would really like to find a 57-58 F100 that's mostly done and have a vintage trailer to pull. I'll never be without something to do but the hard physical work needs to end. I really enjoy my big garden but this is the last one. 5-10 minutes of hoeing and my hands are numb, then I won't sleep. I've already decided I'm not parting out any more vehicles. All my trading will be what can roll on or off the trailer. I've lived here at my sister's place for 8 years and it's closing in. Just little things like them constantly buying another pup that just grows up to be an idiot dog. I tracked poo in the house today from one of the mutts.

 

[Got Rust?]

26 states is a good number of em' I have been slowing down a little myself and no longer have a "bucket list" it's now called a "to do list" will say one of the best things about travel for me is coming home.

 

[CR55]

Sounds like it's time to move on! But I seriously don't believe you'll be able to simply give up on building, selling parts, ect. It's in your blood WB! Agree with Don about keeping active..If you don't your body becomes rusty for lack of a better word! I'm 61 and I feel great. Still doing things I did as a much younger guy. I have a contracting business with my 38 year old son and he complains to his wife that he has trouble keeping up with me..Don't give up on life...Keep going as fast as you can! Good luck with whatever decision you make.[cl

 

[Neverdone]

Makes me feel like a young whipper snapper...... sorry guys, had to say it. But yes, I plan one day to retire, doing about all I can now to make sure that will happen then. I work slightly different than most people my age in the fact that I am trying to make my future in to something good so that maybe one day I can afford to travel for a while or something like that.

 

[Willowbilly3]

Sounds like it's time to move on! But I seriously don't believe you'll be able to simply give up on building, selling parts, ect. It's in your blood WB! Agree with Don about keeping active..If you don't your body becomes rusty for lack of a better word! I'm 61 and I feel great. Still doing things I did as a much younger guy. I have a contracting business with my 38 year old son and he complains to his wife that he has trouble keeping up with me..Don't give up on life...Keep going as fast as you can! Good luck with whatever decision you make.[cl

I can still do most everything but I pay for it at night. I hoed in the garden for 15 minutes last evening and was up all night with numb hurting arms from the inflammation in my elbows (advanced tennis and golfer's elbow(s). You are right that I couldn't just stop but I don't see much building going on. I am going to get a laptop or notebook that I can get on line with so I can sell parts from anywhere, go back to hitting the swap meets and keep trading. Just not parting anything out much. I'll probably end up in the Northwest but do plan to do as much traveling as I can afford. I'm kind of scouting around for a good older F150 that can tow a small travel trailer. I had a 96 and loved it but that's getting kinda old to find a decent one so probably end up with something 10 years old. Can't make myself pay much more than 3-4 thousand for a vehicle. I wouldn't mind keeping the powerstroke but a long wheelbase dually isn't ideal for transportation when I get where I'm going.

 

[billy]

WB
that sounds like a good plan
i dont know if you have ever read any john steinbeck
but your idea sounds like a book i love
travels with charley

 

[Torchie]

Makes me feel like a young whipper snapper...... sorry guys, had to say it. But yes, I plan one day to retire, doing about all I can now to make sure that will happen then. I work slightly different than most people my age in the fact that I am trying to make my future in to something good so that maybe one day I can afford to travel for a while or something like that.

Smart way to think Neverdone. Many of my older and smarter friends did that and are having the time of their lives
I am 57 and have been disabled since I was 50 and lost my leg. Between that and all my other health issues I can't even pass a physical. All of them are tied to the fact that from age 18 to age 50 I busted my hump to make a living without having any sort of a plan at all. No balance at all. Just work. 2 back operations. 3 wrist surgerys. Ankle reconstruction. Heart attack and quad bypass and on and on. Just so I could go back to work.
There are many ways to keep busy and alert.
Not being able to work and not having to are two different things....

Willowbilly if I were you I would sell it all and hit the road while you still can. Between all the numbness that I have and everything else I can only ride in the car for about an hour at a time let alone drive myself any great distance.
Send us postcards and have a blast.
Torchie.

 

[billy]

if i was single (btw i love being married) i would hook this 5th wheel up to the dodge right this minute and go north.
go check out Montana and shoot some prairie dogs or something. do a little fishing,catch up on my reading.
coffee by the lake
you get the idea.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Be careful with that winding down stuff, your clock might stop!
On a serious note, I too beat my self into submission working
hard all my life.
I found that it is so nice to be able to just do what you want to,
when you want to. Some jealous people call me self centered but
so be it.
Don't retire. Just quit working and start living.

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE!

 

[Willowbilly3]

WB
that sounds like a good plan
i dont know if you have ever read any john steinbeck
but your idea sounds like a book i love
travels with charley

I have but not that one. I read the Red Pony and one about a bus, couple others and loved them but had to quite reading because I started thinking like Steinbeack wrote,lol.

 

[billy]

I have but not that one. I read the Red Pony and one about a bus, couple others and loved them but had to quite reading because I started thinking like Steinbeack wrote,lol.

it is about a middle aged guy that buys a used but good pickup and a custom camper
grabs his dog (thats Charley)
and drives around america enjoying himself.

 

[Bamamav]

I'm only 55, but BC arthritis strength powders are my best friend. One in the morning, one about 7 PM. They keep me going. 29 years of traveling in a semi truck has taken it's toll on my joints. Yet, it doesn't bother me too much until I stop, then it kills me. And manual labor around home is tough afterwards, too. Sometimes, after a long work session, it takes me 2-3 days to recover. It sux getting old, but not as much as the other alternative.

Like Pops said, don't retire, just quit working and start living, doing what you want to do if you can. I wanted to drive a truck all my life, and finally got into it 29 years ago, now, I still enjoy it {most of the time}, but I enjoy my home time more...............

 

[bob w]

"Travels With Charley" is the true story of John Steinbeck and his dog travelling across the country. A great writer.

 

[CR55]

Be careful with that winding down stuff, your clock might stop!

Don't retire. Just quit working and start living.

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE!

Excellent advice! My Pop went full tilt all his life until health issues caught up and when he couldn't do as much as he always did, he just kinda gave up!