As a post-baby-boomer, there is a good chance that working-class people my age will not be retiring anytime soon. Plans are underway to increase the retirement age, and there is some uncertainty about Social Security surviving the baby-boomer retirement flood. I find it all a bit disconcerting on several levels.
One such level is that of my lifelong goal to travel. I have to start asking myself some serious questions. Will I be able to set aside enough retirement funds to live on comfortable and still afford to travel? Will I still have the energy to travel? What about the strength to hike? Will I be too infirmed or uncomfortable to campout in the wilderness? Will there be any wilderness left? When I reach retirement age, will I be able to do the things I’ve dreamed of doing?
As you are dealing with the day to day demands of juggling family, work and everyone else’s needs, time passes quickly and dreams slip away. Recently, I read a book that has inspired me to stop for a moment and really consider making those travel dreams a reality.
Bob and Theda Bujeaud realized that with all the obstacles they had overcome throughout the years, it would still be a long time before they could really consider retirement. And even then, there probably wouldn’t be enough money left over to complete their life-long dream to tour the United States. They loved camping, and motorcycle touring, but they were starting to wonder if they would still have the strength and energy to undertake their dream trip if they waited much longer.
They did what more and more of us may want to consider. They made their life-long dream a reality, before retirement. They notified the family, marked out their route, tuned up the bike, bought a reliable motorcycle camper, took a six month leave of absence from their jobs, and made the dream happen. And the joy of a dream come true comes across throughout their book. It is inspirational and thought provoking.
Is it wise to use some of those retirement funds for such a grand adventure? Consider that this kind of personal fulfillment is valuable and may give you a healthy shot in the arm. Is it possible to take a leave of absence and still have a job when you get back? More and more companies are recognizing how valuable it is to allow workers to complete personal goals. Is this sort of thing really possible? That depends on you and how much you want it to happen.
I know I won’t find the personal answers to these types of questions in any book. The planning and the decision making will have to come from within. But I will have to thank Bob and Theda for the inspiration. If you want to get inspired about your own travel dream or just find out about many beautiful places across this great country, check out Time Out: An American Journey. Bob and Theda’s travel journals, life history and poignant comments are both entertaining and thought provoking.
I will still keep retirement on the horizon, as we all do. But I think I’ll get those dreams for the golden years started a little early, because now I know it is possible and realistic and quite possibly the best idea I’ve had in a while. I even feel good just thinking about making the dream come true. Thanks Bob and Theda – bon voyage!
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More About S. M. Currier: This article was written by S.M. Currier, contact information is available at americanechoes.org. For more information about Bob and Theda Bujeaud and their book "Time Out: An American Journey" go their site at bobandtheda.tripod.com. |
