Blood and bladder tests today to determine the next step in prostrate treatment. I’m currently fasting in preparation. Later this afternoon, I will read a couple of poems via Facetime to my retiring friend in Indianapolis. It reminds me that I’m into my 7th year of retirement but considering something part-time to supplement our travel funds. We just made arrangements for 5 nights in Mallorca, Spain at the Marriott Vacation Club, Son Antem, to end our 2024 Southern Atlantic Crossing cruise. We also have stops in Granada (Malaga) and Barcelona after visiting Casablanca. As a result of this adventure, I will have been to five of the seven world continents, missing Australia and Europe. Adding 49 of the 50 states, many European adventures, and extensive travel in the Caribbean, I’m pretty satisfied with the extent of our travel, so far. 

Money will be the biggest issue in expanding this footprint that we have made. I’ve done a bad job of managing our retirement funds with extensive travel and home improvements. I certainly don’t regret any of these expenses, while hopefully our home will provide future financial benefits. Travel, on the other hand, is only an investment in making memories. I’ve already logged over 300,000 miles on what was originally a million-mile retirement quest. At an average of about 30,000 miles a year, it will take 23 more years to get there, if the funds are available. I think I was a bit overaggressive in establishing this particular retirement goal. 

I’ll be happy if I can at least get to Maine, that elusive 50th state in the next few years. The plan is to drive up the Eastern coast, with stops in Hilton Head, Williamsburg, Washington D.C., New York City, Atlantic City, and Boston, taking advantage of Marriott Vacation Club properties and hotels along the way. The thought of the drive exhausts me. Maybe, I’ll just fly to Maine and back.