A couple of weeks ago Beth and I headed up north on a 10 day trip up to the DC area which we knew would be enjoyable, but ended up being a whole lot better than expected. I’d like to say this is one of those typical retirement life trips, but it included a full 40 hour work week, and then some….
We left home right after I finished teleworking on a Thursday, slugged through Knoxville traffic, and were rewarded with a beautiful drive up I-81 with hills filled with Fall tree colors. Stopped at one of our favorite places for dinner on the TN/VA border which happened to be right next to a Talbot’s Women’s Clothing Outlet and Beth got to make a quick shopping stop (visits to Whole Foods and Talbots always make her happy).
Next morning we continued that nice trek along 81, passed through DC, and stopped in Annapolis MD for the beginning of my 45th US Naval Academy reunion (a bunch of 67/68 year old guys with their best years- health wise- behind them, but some great retirement years ahead of them). Friday lunch was with my 8th Company classmates- about 14 of them- plus wives. Guys I spent a lot of time with for four years, then only see them about once every ten years after that.
How can 45 years have already passed since those days?
The reunion continued for much of Saturday with six plus hours of tailgating and football in Annapolis while Beth spent the day running around Old Town Alexandria VA, one of her favorite places.
Sunday morning I drove north 100 miles to visit my 90+ year old parents for a couple of hours. If you’ve read earlier posts, you know I use these visits to get a glimpse of myself 25 years from now, if I’m so blessed to live that long. The parents insist on independent living, although that may end very soon (something I’ve been saying for the past four years).
Sunday evening we finally got to see our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter for a bit- always exciting.
Alas, reality set in with morning Metro trips to State Department HQ for full workdays. Beth got to run around our old Pentagon City/National Landing neighborhood and then pick up our granddaughter from school each day. Then Beth and I would find some of our favorite local restaurants for dinner.
Thursday morning was the big highlight- Grandparents’ Day at the granddaughter’s school. Not even going to try to describe that joy. As an added bonus, one of the other grandparents was an old helicopter friend of mine.
After one last workday we had a final visit Friday evening with the granddaughter before heading into outbound DC traffic on the Beltway and Route 66- wasn’t really that bad. The Virginia hills were still in full color as we drove most of the way back on Saturday….with one last stop at Talbot’s on the TN border.
That was one heck of a “retired life” (almost) road trip. Five years from now I hope to run across this post again to bring back those memories!