Post 4 – Travel and Exploration

This is part of my ongoing series on building a rewarding and legacy-focused retirement. Each week, I explore one of nine key areas to help you design a retirement rich with purpose, joy, and meaning.

Last time, we talked about lifelong learning today, we’re focusing on a topic that sparks excitement in almost everyone: travel and exploration.

Travel in retirement doesn’t have to mean expensive, months-long trips abroad, though it certainly can. It can be as simple as exploring your local area. Maybe discovering hidden gems in your state, or taking a road trip across the country.

The goal is to satisfy your curiosity, experience new things, and create memories.

Some people dream big. One friend of mine sold his house and most of his furniture when he retired.

He and his wife bought an RV and spent a year traveling the United States before deciding where to settle down. You’ve probably seen RVs with maps on the back, showing all the states, the owners have visited.

It’s a badge of adventure! Others find fulfillment in more structured experiences. My college roommate’s dad joined the Peace Corps for three years after retiring.

Something that had been on his bucket list for decades. Another friend is biking to every national park in the U.S. with his girlfriend, planning to complete the journey over several years.

Travel doesn’t have to be solo. You can join senior travel groups, alumni associations, or special interest tours. My spouse and I once joined trips hosted by the Newman Center at a local college.

They were wonderful experiences. Another time, I traveled with a local natural history museum on a camping trip in the woods, complete with nightly nature lectures.

Whether it’s a time-share in another country, a river cruise in Europe, or a weekend exploring state parks, your travel is limited only by your imagination and willingness to go.

Travel and exploration open your eyes to new cultures, landscapes, and ways of living. They give you stories to share and memories that last a lifetime.

Next week, we’ll dive into volunteering and community engagement. How giving your time and talents can enrich your life and the lives of others.

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