Here is a quick summary of my 2017 travels and how I avoided much of the severe Florida summer. Hopefully it will provide some ideas for the future!
The first two weeks of July I spent in Killington Vermont at New Life Hiking Spa. This healthy getaway offers, accommodations, morning hikes and three healthy meals a days at very affordable prices. Mornings were 60 degrees with a breathtaking setting in the beautiful green mountains of Vermont. Each day you have your choice of three hikes of about five miles each.
Afternoons in the 70s or low 80s offered exercise classes or free time to read a book or tour the area. The accommodations are basic and the vibe super casual. You do as much or as little as you want.
Mid-July I took a few weeks to visit family and friends in New York/NJ. Seems like I am always offered the guest room and in return I always offer a “winter getaway” to our city to experience our amazing St. Pete.
In August I spent two weeks in the Pacific Northwest.
I had my sunglasses with me but when I mentioned I was from Tampa Bay and would especially treasure the sunglasses I was offered a pair of “Rays” as a souvenir !
One afternoon we took a sailboard ride for a couple hours with a lively group of travelers around Puget Sound. We brought our own snacks/cocktails and relaxed with folks from various countries and parts of US.
One of my favorite parts of this trip was the experience of riding the Amtrak Cascades train to Vancouver BC. This option offers an enjoyable four or so hour ride up the coast along the water. The restaurant car offers good wines and beer and fairly good menu for breakfast or lunch. It’s roomy and relaxing, with wifi and few interruptions from loud announcements.
The other passengers were well traveled and there were many young backpackers crossing the US. This all makes for a thoroughly enjoyable trip.
We took the train back to Seattle but first stopped for a quick two night stay in Bellingham Washington where some good friends from Redington Beach, FL had recently relocated.
A great surprise of a quaint town, also with spectacular waterfront. We took a half day boat trip to San Juan Islands and spotted Orcas & sea otters. Hiked and packed a lunch visit to Mt. Baker and enjoyed a morning walk in Whatcom Falls Park.
The evening train to Seattle was a short two hour drive and we flew back to Tampa the next morning.
When Imperfection Strikes! What happens when those closest to us ultimately disappoint? Why do we…
We hadn’t done much planning. After all, we weren’t even sure we would get across…
My “Medellin Jubilado (Retiree) Odyssey” contained a trap. I toured,, was a wonderful tourist. I…
I have always believed in intuition and never more than on January 19, 2021. A…
We two have been motivated to hike and climb mountains through our 45 years of…
Fortunately, we were gifted with good genes at birth. We’ve kept persistently active walking and…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Living in Central Florida, we decided to so something similar this past summer but ours was to assist our son and his wife relocate from CT to PA.
The weather was beautiful and they were able to sell their CT home and purchase a PA home during the time we were with them. The weather was absolutely beautiful, no real hot days, no stifling humidity, and an overall good time was had.
Unfortunately our trip was cut short for medical reasons and ended up coming back to FL just in time for IRMA to make her nasty and miserable entrance and exit. But we were fortunate and our home was spared.
But, we do look forward to heading back to NE PA next summer to beat the heat and enjoy the beautiful mountain weather with our son and his wife.
That, to us, is what retirement is all about - spending it with family and seeing and doing all we can each and every day we wake. Life is what we make it.