It’s been 10 years – no longer “RE”, just “R”

[BrianB]

It was June 30, 2015 when we closed up our business and RE’d (or is it R'dE?). I posted at 8 years out about our retirement story here, and suddenly two more years have flown by. Yes, we made it all the way up the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean in our van, truly a trip-of-a-lifetime. We haven’t made it down Baja to Cabo yet but the idea is still percolating through my brain. This year, a late summer trip to Washington, Idaho and Utah will round out our summer before we start making winter plans.

For us the transition from saving to spending has been a continuing challenge. I’ve tried to minimize that by making 1 -, 7-, 15- and 30-year spending plans that I update regularly. (I thought about a 60 year plan but that seems a little too optimistic!) Knowing that money is there for whatever we need makes it a little easier to spend now on what we want.

We have noticed that although we are still very active we don’t feel so much of a rush to get things done. Living life at a little slower pace is suiting us just fine. When we travel just one activity a day is enough to keep us happy. Some days even less than that!

Our daughter and her partner are getting along well and getting into their careers. Helping them succeed will be a priority for us over the next few years as they navigate a planned home purchase and continue towards FI.

I could ramble on for many more paragraphs but I'm going to end this with the same thought I posted two years ago:

To the contributors & moderators here: You all share your time & experience & knowledge so freely. You’ll never know all of the people you have helped along their way, but I wanted you to know how much your contributions to this forum have meant to the two of us. Thank you.

BrianB

 

[Koogie]

Congrats. Love to hear about the Dempster.

 

[audreyh1]

Congrats!

Yeah, technically since I turned 65 last year I’m no longer an early retiree, but I still retired early!

 

[CaptTom]

Good point. When does RE become just "R"?

At 65, I suppose you could say I've reached that threshold. Or maybe not until my FRA of 67. Or is that 67-1/2, I forget now.

Ah, who cares. No regrets so far!

 

[Palmtree]

I'm right there with you. Retired in June of 2015 when I was only 54 and the wife was 51. Here we are 10 years later and still loving the retired life. Investments have more than doubled even as we've been drawing them monthly for all these years. Today was our 35 wedding anniversary and we celebratedby water skiing in the morning then had a bottle of champagne on the boat dock. Life is good.

 

[engineernerd]

It was June 30, 2015 when we closed up our business and RE’d (or is it R'dE?). I posted at 8 years out about our retirement story here, and suddenly two more years have flown by. Yes, we made it all the way up the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean in our van, truly a trip-of-a-lifetime. ...snip

Kewl! Did you stay a night or eat a meal at Eagle Plains? Wondering if the old couple are still limping that along like they were when we went through. Only bar I've ever dined in that had buckets to catch the roof leaks as part of the decor, but that establishment is an essential resource in the winter for when the road is closed through the Richardson Mountains.

 

[folivier]

We drove the Dempster a couple weeks ago, all the way up to Tuk. Walked in the Arctic Ocean up to our knees. Great trip but a long long drive on the road.
Eagle Plains is now being run by a Sikh gentleman. Very nice, food is good. Rooms are still 70's decor. Stayed a couple nights in Inuvik at Capital Suites. There for the Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day. Amazing to see the sun just roll around the sky all day and night never setting.

 

[pacergal]

Congratulations on 10 years! Thanks for sharing your update.
It just gets better and better for us, DH just passed 9 years and it has gone by quickly.

I agree with your end note. This forum is filled with folks who are willing share their knowledge and answer questions, share their life stories.
And the Moderators are the best--this is the most kind forum I have ever found, folks here share in your success and happiness along with grieving with you during times of sadness.
Wonderful place.

 

[BrianB]

Kewl! Did you stay a night or eat a meal at Eagle Plains? Wondering if the old couple are still limping that along like they were when we went through. Only bar I've ever dined in that had buckets to catch the roof leaks as part of the decor, but that establishment is an essential resource in the winter for when the road is closed through the Richardson Mountains.

Ha! The thriving metropolis of Eagle Plains, Yukon, CA. Population 8.

The hotel was full & the campground was closed in late Summer 2023, likely due to the wildfires pushing some people out of their preferred places. The restaurant was only open 4-7 pm, and a line of people were waiting for the doors to open when we were there.

The "repair center" does not offer towing or repair services - the only thing they will do is mount & install tires but you have to get the vehicle or at least the rim to them. The only tires they carried were the Goodrich K02 - the "Official Tire of the Dempster Highway". They carried any size you could need.

Our return journey from Tuktoyaktuk was delayed two days because of the fires. When the conditions finally changed from Red (no travel) to Yellow (travel allowed but not recommended and no stopping allowed) we had to go past Eagle Plains before there was a campground we could stay at. Several miles of open flames in the ditches on both sides kept us alert and watchful. At least the 24 hours of daylight let us drive long days without travelling in the dark!

BrianB

 

[Koolau]

Congratulations on 10 years! It goes SO fast. Keep us posted on your FIRE life. Maybe some pictures of your travels??

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I am proud of you!

I sold my business after running it for 31 years on January 1, 2016. I was 50.

I made the mistake of taking a job because everybody told me "You're too young to retire." They were wrong. I left the work force permanently shortly after.

I absolutely love to wake up each morning knowing that I own every minute of my day.

I live on a farm my great grandparents homesteaded. Brenna, MN. Founded in 1873. Population 3. DW, me and our rescue dog Teddy. I have a big garden and freezer full of venison. I have it made.

OP, you are a success story! Please ramble on some more paragraphs.