Our job is to help retirees find happiness. When they do, we celebrate the news to help inspire others to pursue their core pursuits. Today, the spotlight is on Kyle and Russ.
Kyle is a retired English professor. Russ mostly retired from IT management and Process Improvement in 2016 but maintains a small portfolio of consulting work to minimize nest egg withdrawals. With their newfound freedom, they decided to hop in a convertible Mustang and head west for a month-long, unforgettable road trip to visit family in the West Coast and complete the California Coast Highway.
Highlights
The first stop was a no-brainer—the city of Norman in the Sooner State, to see their grandson at the University of Oklahoma. They also took in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, which is rich with the cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes. They headed to Arizona to see Sedona’s Red Rock Byway, also known as State Route 179, gazing upon the wondrous sandstone formations and stunning views of Arizona’s red rock country. Antelope Canyon’s magnificent slot canyons on the Navajo Nation were matched by the lower areas’ sandstone walls. They also managed to squeeze in the North Rim section of Grand Canyon National Park and the Cliff Dwellers Stone House in Marble Canyon.
The North Rim section of Grand Canyon National Park
Crossing the border into California, they dropped 282 feet below sea level to brave what is often considered the hottest place on earth: Death Valley National Park. They made their way to Joshua Tree National Park to enjoy the fascinating variety of plants and animals that result from two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, intersecting. Further west, it was on to meet family at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, which houses over 12,000 animals from more than 650 species, including some rare and endangered ones. Perhaps inspired by the groundbreaking cage-free, open-air enclosures, they spread their wings again, heading north to Los Angeles. In the city of angels, they visited more family and the famous Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, where many celebrities lie in rest, including Marilyn Monroe, Merv Griffin, Jack Lemon, Walter Mathau, and Rodney Dangerfield.
Merv Griffin’s gravesite at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles
Kyle in Joshua Tree National Park in California
Heading up the breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway, they stopped at Redwood Forest National Park, trying not to crick their necks while looking up at the world’s tallest trees. After a quick jaunt east to the historic Donner Pass and spectacular Lake Tahoe, they traveled north to behold Mount Shasta’s beauty and stargaze at Lassen Volcanic National Park before crossing into Oregon. Once there, they saw the Beaver State’s tallest waterfall, Multnomah Falls, visited more family in Redmond, and enjoyed Crater Lake National Park, Mount Hood, and the Three Sisters.
Mount Hood in Oregon
Stargazing at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
Planning
While they certainly recommend venturing to these exotic destinations, Kyle and Russ stressed the importance of planning beforehand but allowing yourself some room for flexibility in case new opportunities arise. Their trip came together in several steps. Kyle listed her desired stops, and Russ went to work crafting the route. He discovered it was about 7,500 miles across 14 states. He used physical maps, the Furkot online road trip planner, and typical weather forecasts to chart the course. That combination gave him enough information to make reservations for the first two-thirds of the trip while leaving the last week or so flexible in case of inclement conditions.
By sticking to one of two motel brands, they accumulated enough points for free stays by the end of the trip. Because they had decided to ride in their beloved Mustang convertible, Russ bought snow chains and had a complete tire rotation, balance, and check-over before departing. He also knew that there would be plenty of sunshine in addition to snowy events, so he packed copious amounts of sunscreen and bottled water.
Big trips will surely have challenges, and this was no different. But, for the most part, improvising when necessary, helped enhance their experience. For example, they decided to reroute to Mesa Verde and Antelope Canyon after receiving recommendations along the way and were glad they did. There were some serendipitous moments as well. Two days after departing Crater Lake, a snowstorm blasted the area and shut it down for the remainder of winter. Two days after leaving South Lake Tahoe, the area was hit by extreme wind and snow. They learned to take the good with the bad and savor every moment.
Antelope Canyon and Mesa Verde topped the list of favorites for Kyle and Russ. But, not to be outdone, In-N-Out Burger was as delicious as ever. It had been too long since either had been able to enjoy it. Overall, it was a marvelous trip, with unbelievable beauty around nearly every bend. Kyle and Russ will tell you it’s hard to beat the big sky, fantastic cloud formations, majestic National Parks, trees with such color that they looked photoshopped, and the geological formations of Utah, Northern Arizona, and New Mexico.
Bottom Line
Kyle and Russ warn other retirees not to wait until too late in life to explore the beauty of the U.S. Those words are music to our ears, and it’s that attitude that helped them become happy retirees in the first place. Far too many people think retirement is about money. The truth is that having financial freedom is only half the battle. You’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and invested with discipline. Retirement is the time to enjoy what you’ve worked for. If not now, when? If you aren’t going to sow what you’ve reaped, what was the point of reaping it in the first place?
Listen to Kyle and Russ. Determine what makes you happy and decide how and when to make it happen. Be prepared but stay nimble. Allow golden opportunities to arise. Time is on your side, but it won’t be forever, so take advantage. Become the happy retiree you were meant to be!
Please note, Kyle and Russ have given us permission to share their background, story and their photographs. They have not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, they do not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing their story. We do not endorse or have any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this content. Any references to specific companies are for informational purposes only.
