Retirement is approaching. After all the years of working and preparing, it feels surreal to be setting the dates that will execute those plans. I am looking forward to becoming permanently unemployed, and being able to set my own agenda without having to negotiate for time off.
There are projects on the horizon and among the first designated just for fun, will be to travel. I love a good road trip, and the revitalization efforts at places along the historic Route 66 highway call to me. I traveled portions of this road when I was younger, leaving Long Beach to visit family in the Midwest. This time, I will be able to stop where I want, for as long as I choose, including a few I wished to stop to explore as my parents drove past on our way to Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa.
I love quirky little towns, and the variety of landscapes that travel by car allows you to view instead of flying over it all. I want to get pictures at the end of 66 in Santa Monica, hang out with the burros in Oatman, capture a selfie at the 66 sign in Kingman, and stand on the corner in Winslow to name a few. There are national parks along the way that may cause a detour or two. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon before, but it might be close enough. Monument Valley in Utah would definitely be off the intended path, but still a possibility. I’ll have to see how the timing to start the trip works out. The ducks are lining up, but they do need to quack before I can hit the road, and that will be a few months out yet.
