Background

This 5 month cross country sojourn is the culmination of a lifetime of work, raising children, traveling various parts of the world and enjoying the company of that one special person. Ellen and I are approaching our 45th wedding anniversary. We have lived in several regions of New York State as well as Virginia. We raised three children who live up and down the east coast and we will eventually land in St. Augustine, Florida at the end of this trip.

We have been in the planning stages for the last year, though the concept has been in the back of our minds for many years. Though we have driven extensively around the US, Canada and in Alaska previously, this time we will be driving an RV, which certainly trumps the tenting we have done for years. The major impetus for this journey was the last trip to Alaska. During our working days we were only able to spend 10 days there back in 2012, not nearly long enough to explore a state so massive. This time we plan to spend about a month in Alaska and even then probably won’t be able to cover as much as we would like.

Though the previous Alaska visit drove the initial planning, we are also planning to visit parks and canyons and regions that we have not seen as of yet. In addition, we will be visiting friends and family along the way, and also hope to meet new friends.

The intent of this blog is to share not only our experiences along the way, but also to share valuable information about the planning, the vehicle, the campgrounds, the sites and the expenses to allow for others to perhaps plan their own journey and to answer any questions that you may have regarding what we are doing.

So welcome along as Jay and Ellen hit the road for Retirement 101.

16 thoughts on “Background

  1. Marc Silverstein's avatar
    Marc Silverstein June 3, 2019 — 9:36 am

    Best of luck. Enjoy and thanks for the enjoyment of following your retirement venture.
    Marc

    Like

  2. Mary and Bill's avatar

    Have a wonderful trip and see you in Florida next year 🙂

    Like

  3. Ira Margulies's avatar

    I am looking forward to this blog. I will enjoy traveling with you on your journey. I will see and hear of things second hand, but I will get way better gas mileage than you will. Lovely beginning!

    Like

  4. Jane Johannesen's avatar
    Jane Johannesen June 3, 2019 — 12:53 pm

    I am delighted to see this very first installment of your new blog, and look forward to seeing each and every step of your journey.
    Safe travels, my dear friends, it is going to be EPIC!

    Like

  5. tovaquilts's avatar

    Looking good,safe travels,can’t wait to see pictures,wondering if you’re stopping at Glacier NP on way,might still be snow covered..

    Like

  6. tovaquilts's avatar

    Love your blog so far,can’t wait to see pictures along the way😎

    Like

  7. Michelle Stark's avatar
    Michelle Stark June 3, 2019 — 2:10 pm

    Awesome Jay!! I can’t wait to see all your explorations!! Have fun and safe travels!!

    Like

  8. John Kuntz/Marcy Mckinley's avatar
    John Kuntz/Marcy Mckinley June 3, 2019 — 2:42 pm

    Good for you two!

    Like

  9. David A Kolman's avatar
    David A Kolman June 3, 2019 — 2:48 pm

    Great idea to have a blog. Should be an outstanding adventure. Looking forward to your posts. Safe, fun travels

    Like

  10. Joann Duncan's avatar

    Bon voyage.

    Like

  11. Jane Johannesen's avatar
    Jane Johannesen June 9, 2019 — 10:09 am

    I am delighted to see this very first installment of your new blog, and look forward to seeing each and every step of your journey.
    Safe travels, my dear friends, it is going to be EPIC!

    Like

  12. Jim Hamilton's avatar

    Congratulations to you both! Have lots of fun and please think constantly only of us poor souls who are still working for the man.

    Like

    1. jaybaumstein's avatar

      You chose to keep working old man. You should be out here on the road with us!

      Like

  13. Margaret Newman's avatar
    Margaret Newman June 9, 2019 — 5:57 pm

    So fun

    Like

  14. Cheryl Abrams's avatar

    So far so good! Looking forward to reading the other blogs.

    Like

    1. jaybaumstein's avatar

      Happy birthday again. Btw, there are now 3 posts on the blog.

      Like

Leave a reply to tovaquilts Cancel reply

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started
search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close