Watch This Space - Get Out There

[dex]

It is cold outside the the Casita today - stay in bed.where it is warm
It is a long hike and I need to get into shape - stay in bed, there is always tomorrow
It is dangerous and you are hiking alone, you could get hurt - stay in bed where it is safe

I throw on the backpack and head down the side of the escarpment 1300 vertical feet to the desert floor. I get moving and hit my stride, remembering to keep my head up and look around at the amazing features of the landscape, and the uniqueness or this place and time. I'm feeling great as I hike through the wash - mind and body in their element, sun and motion taking care of the chill in the air.

I stop for lunch and photographs - only one and then the camera breaks. No photographs have ever captured these experiences anyway. I'm here, it is quiet, no one around, it is beautiful, it is timeless but all of this was shaped over time. Time ...

The return trip seems longer - isn't that always the way? Now the challenge of the escarpment - why do I like mountains, the switchbacks, narrow trails and steep fall offs, stressful breathing.

ER is like that decision to get out of the warmth and safety of the Casita (work) or going on a hike (life).
I'm glad I ERd early enough to enjoy what I'm doing.

More photo to follow after the camera gets repaired.

[bbbamI]

Hey Dex! So glad to see you are alive and well!....

[Gumby]

Hi Dex! Nice picture.

[Stevewc]

Hi Dex,
Neat Camper. I had to look it up to find out what a casita was.
I'm going to ask the company for info on their campers. I have a large 5th wheel but this day and time in my life something small and easy to handle would be nice.

Nice photo too.
Where are you?
Looks like a great time and place to be.
Steve

[NW-Bound]

Hey Dex, long time no post!

You been living in the Casita since the last post? I do not remember reading anything about you going full-timing.

[RonBoyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI Hey Dex! So glad to see you are alive and well!....

Ditto that.

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevewc Hi Dex, Neat Camper. I had to look it up to find out what a casita was. I'm going to ask the company for info on their campers. I have a large 5th wheel but this day and time in my life something small and easy to handle would be nice. Nice photo too. Where are you? Looks like a great time and place to be. Steve

The Casita is a good size for one person. I never RVd before and though I would only do it for 2 years or so. Now I'm doing it more and more. If I were doing it again I think I would look at something a bit larger for the storage and a feeling of roominess - definitely if I was traveling with someone.

Right now I'm in Moab and debating to move onto Dinosaur National Monument or Colorado.

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound Hey Dex, long time no post! You been living in the Casita since the last post? I do not remember reading anything about you going full-timing.

When I saw FinanceDude signing off after 10K posts I decided to take a little break.

I'm not full-timing but I think I'll be traveling for 6 or 7 months this year. I don't think I will ever full time but, I'm rethinking where I'm living now. Maybe in the future I'll move to the West somewhere.

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI Hey Dex! So glad to see you are alive and well!....

Thanks - life is good.

[RonBoyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex Right now I'm in Moab...

Ah, my favorite -- Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse. The views are spectacular at sunrise and sunset. I have never hiked it but I can imagine how wonderful that must be.

Right now I am in Owensboro Kentucky waiting for the International Blue Grass Music Museum to open. It is cold (44°) and a really nasty wind. My mind is on the Four Corners region.

Capital Reef is also worth a look, BTW.

[Tesaje]

What a great description of the joys of hiking and climbing. Reminds me of why I yearn to move back west. Dinosaur is a neat place. Very remote. There's a red rock canyon just west of it (Flaming Gorge??) That's well worth exploring. The Uinitas are worth exploring too.

[Moemg]

Welcome back Dex ! It sounds like you are enjoying retirement ! We've missed you !

[Sea Kayaker]

Dex, it was a series of your posts awhile back leading up to your ER decision that made me realize this is the path I NEED to take as well. Thanks from the south coast of B.C....

[Westernskies]

Dex,
Head south if you are looking for more desert photo opportunities...
WS

[RonBoyd]

On our way back into Colorado today, we stopped at the Colorado Welcome Center/Rest Area on the Kansas border. I had a long (20 minute?) conversation with the two people at the desk -- I believe they were married and seemed to be retired volunteers. He asked me if I had ever visited any of the Colorado State Parks. I had to admit that I had not spent much time in our home state. I did, however, mention that I was completely surprised, several months ago, at Colorado National Monument Park. I was not at all prepared for the beauty of the scenery in this relatively unknown park -- see some photos here.

The lady behind the counter, BTW, agreed that Mesa Verdé was at the top of the attractions in that part of the world.

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Kayaker Dex, it was a series of your posts awhile back leading up to your ER decision that made me realize this is the path I NEED to take as well. Thanks from the south coast of B.C....

It scares me sometimes when someone says I influenced them - I can be weird sometimes.

Was it theses posts?
http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ish-22190.html

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westernskies Dex, Head south if you are looking for more desert photo opportunities... WS

Beautiful picture.
I don't do many overnights in the outdoors - I like my comforts

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonBoyd The lady behind the counter, BTW, agreed that Mesa Verdé was at the top of the attractions in that part of the world.

When I get my camera repaired I'll post some more pictures and make up a few stories to go with them.

I think this board needs some inspirational posts about the joys of ER.

[Sea Kayaker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex It scares me sometimes when someone says I influenced them - I can be weird sometimes. Was it theses posts? http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ish-22190.html

Yep, those would be the posts that would light the spark in my brain that yes, I don't have to work until my 60's... or 50's for that matter.

[Ronstar]

Great post Dex. It puts life/work in perspective. I also enjoy the solitude of hiking the great southwest - although this pic is only a few miles outside Phoenix, The wet winter has really greened up the desert.