I’ve flipped over a few more pages on my 1000 Places to See Before I Die gift calendar, revealing many more personally undiscovered locations. I’ve been to Arlington National Cemetery, Winchester Cathedral (Bodie-Oh-Dough), and St. Lucia, but never to The Dead Sea, Kenya, East Essex, Argentina, or Mexico City. My current bucket list does not include any of these destinations, so I would have to get a bigger bucket and more money to fill it with. 

In retirement, I’m beyond the earning stage of life and entirely into spending what I’ve saved or been awarded. As a result, my bucket has a slow leak, refilled slowly by social security, pension, and 401k withdrawals. Too much traveling could easily lower its contents, although thankfully it should never empty. Travel is a luxury that according to my 80%/20% rule (See Post #323) should be confined to about 73 days on the road. For this year, I’m already at 42 days after only 5 months, so more like 28% of my time away from home. Hopefully, it will be less in the next 7 months. I am, however, especially looking forward to next year’s 2-week adventure in Egypt.

I did take time out today to donate to a cancer-free friend who’s walking this weekend for the American Cancer Society cause back in Indiana. She fought and won her personal battle against a 6 cm. tumor over the uncertain duration of two years. It’s just another reason why I feel so fortunate to be enjoying retirement and seeing the world. Along a similar line, I’m walking for a different cause this weekend with the Portland chapter of the American Heart Association. Both life and good health are privileges that I’ve experienced for over 67 years with very few bumps in the road. I realize that others haven’t been as fortunate and will do my best to support these worthwhile organizations. 

Good health is the biggest factor of an enjoyable retirement, regardless of how many buckets of gold are in your possession. As tough as it sometimes seems, the ability to run everyday and maintain “The Streak” gives me the ongoing strength to carry my leaky bucket. In that bucket are my travel dreams of the future, with even more places to add to it, according to the calendar.