Where has the time gone?

V

Valkyrie

New member
Hi Brats,

I just got back from Lake Erie where I spent two days on Valkyrie with my little buddy Boomer (year old male Airedale) for company.

I hadn't been on the boat in over two weeks due to vacation so I got out the chain saw to clear away the spider webs and spent the afternoon using a bottle of Meguiar's Color Restorer to take the oxidation off the top and the green trim on the brow over the front window. It works very well.

Anyhow, after spending one night in the marina, I headed out onto the lake and ran 15 miles to South Bass Island in great conditions - 70 degrees, sun and one foot chop.

I tied up at the resort town of Put-in-Bay at the small state park docks (20) and had the whole place to myself for the night.

Put-in-Bay has a heritage of party craziness, although it most well known for being the base of operations for the US fleet during the War of 1812, with the Battle of Lake Erie being fought nearby. Perry's Monument towers over the harbor and is the third tallest US monument, right after the Washington Monument and St. Louis Arch. Its shaft is lit every night and is pretty spectacular.

Anyhow, after walking the mile into town with Boomer, we returned to the boat as it was getting dark and I sat in the cockpit and just enjoyed the 40 degree temps, crystal clear night and the lights reflecting on the water across the half-mile cresent of harbor, with Boomer asleep at my feet. Yes, an occassional primal scream could be heard from the bars in town.

As I sat there with my adult beverage(s), I couldn't help but remember all of the times that I had docked in this same spot. First was in '83 when I had my Renken 18 pocket cruiser sailboat, then with my Jeanneau 23, Spirit, and now with Valkyrie.

Then I added in four boat dogs, three now gone; a number of friends; some significant and insignificant others and the times that I shared with all of them.

It seemed pretty strange, thinking back of all of the happenings of twenty-four years in the same spot. Of course then I was thinner, had much more hair (I'm now scalp-gifted!), and spryer.

I'm also retired, feel much wiser (although Marcia may disagree) and happier than ever before. I also wished that Marcia was retired, too, so she could be there with me.

Anyhow, today was pretty good. I got up at 6:00, walked Boomer and let him chase some geese, made ham, eggs and coffee on the Wallas and had breakfast in the cockpit watching the sun come up behind the monument.

The run back to my marina was fun. The wind was gusting to over 20 and waves were running 2-4 with an occassional 5-footer thrown in. I ran in the heavier stuff at about 10 and then 15 when I got in the lee of Catawba Peninsula.

I'm feeling very relaxed right now and grateful that we have our C-Dory. A friend of ours said that he couldn't justify the price of a boat - it wasn't cost effective he said. How can you put a price on sunsets, sunrises, fish caught, friends remembered, storms challenged and nights being rocked asleep to the sound of waves lapping at the hull?

Sorry if this rambles, but I'm still feeling contemplative and feel like writing. I'm sure that many of you can relate. If you younger brats can't - just wait, your time is coming!

Best regards,

Nick (and Boomer)
"Valkyrie
 
Thanks for sharing Nick. I'm a bit younger but definitely understand the feeling. When is that Marcia going to retire anyway? I nice, contemplative guy like you needs (human) company on these trips.
 
I can SO relate, Nick. There is no way to cost-justify this passion. Unless you live on a remote island, it makes no fiscal sense... but I could easier do without many other so-called necessitites in my life than I could my boats. For those of us who get it, your post says how we all feel. Thanks for sharing.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
I totally get it Nick. I've been thinking the same thing lately...Where have all the years gone? Especially since I turned the big 5-0 at the beginning of the year.

I caught a glimpse of myself in a full-length mirror the other day and was shocked. You know how that works where the corner of your eye catches a glimpse of you in a window or mirror? That's really the true image of yourself. Well, I saw my father in his middle-aged years. I've always known that I look like him but my own self-image is at least 10 years younger and 15 lbs lighter :wink But the mirror does not lie and I began to think, geez, when did I get old?

Oh well, time continues marching on so whatya going to do? As for me, I'm looking to spend many more days on the boat, fishing and cruising on these glorious waters.

Peter
 
One of our dear Finnish friends from Lake Superior and I were talking about retirement a year ago. He was in his early 70s and had retired when about 59. He posed the same question, "Where has all the time gone (since he retired)." He died last October of a massive stroke. I'm afraid there's none of us getting out of this alive.
All the best,
Al
 
Hey, guys!

I'll admit that I was somewhat maudlin and let's not look too far down the road! I retired at 55, two years ago, but still have LOTS of miles and cruises left in me. Someone has to keep the fish population in check!

Roger,

I spent two years single-handing my sailboat, two days without Marcia is do-able. Not what I prefer, but do-able.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Yes, well those solitary sunsets and alcoholic beverages will affect you that way! Seriously, you obviously struck a nerve with a few folks here. You only get one chance, no do-overs...so what am I doing instead of being out cruising where I want to be? Working for another six years. Hmmm.
Valkyrie":1jx5ajth said:
Hey, guys!

I'll admit that I was somewhat maudlin and let's not look too far down the road!
Click to expand...
 
Pat,

Think about those six years very carefully.

Food for thought: I retired from teaching here in Ohio with 30 years on the job. If I had gone for 35 years, I would have retired with my full pay, minus my contribution toward retirement.

When my colleagues asked why I didn't go for 35, I reply, "When do I get those five years back?"

Somewhat contrary to my initial post, I know that I am young enough and healthy enough to do the things that I want to do NOW. Who knows what the next five years hold?

About the alcoholic beverages- are you sure that you can't ship me a few cases of that great porter that you had at the SBS party? It qualifies as its own food group.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
As a physician I saw how fast life slipped by for some. If it is possiable consider doing what your dreams are when you are young enough. Lots of folks retire at 55. I had my first heart attack at 50, and only survived because I was in the hospital when it occured. I have watched friends (and patients) die from Cancer, stroke and heart disease--you name it, in the 40's the 50's. We sold a house to a friend when he was 45--he died a year later from a massive heart attack.

There are the other responsibilities which come with aging--caring for one's parents--and in some cases caring for adult children.

I am in my 70's and every day is a blessing. It is good to wax nostaligic and think back about ones paths in life. But even better to have done those adventures when you can--and for some folks this is in the 30's or 40's--when opportunities present themselves. You can always go back to work--but if a chance to go "Cruising" comes up--it may never appear again. Doesn't make much difference if it is two days or 5 years--it still is a opportunity lost, if not taken.

Thanks for the thoughts!
 
"Carpe Diem". Says it all.

Long ago decided I was not going to drop dead in an airport running for yet another damned airplane that I did not really want to be on. Saw more than one colleague do that.

Rat race was over long ago and we know who won.

Merv
 
Wouldn't it be great if we could "retire" first and work second? Sure would be able to do a lot more. Probably wouldn't appreciate it enough though.
 
Well, Austin is a junior in high school, and I just pretty well need to work until he is through college. I know it is heresy, but I really do enjoy my job, it is never boring! And looking at my log, we have had a pretty good spring and summer of cruising on Daydream:

3/23-25 Poulsbo CBGT.
5/19 Lake Washington day cruise.
5/25-28 Princess Louisa, Smugger Cove, Pender Harbour.
6/8-10 Matia and Sucia.
6/22-24 Eagle Harbor (Cypress), Olga (Orcas) and Garrison Bay (San Juan).
6/29-7/4 Eagle Harbor (again), Center Island and Chuckanut Bay, Thatcher Bay.
7/4-5 Birch Bay (overnight in middle of bay for the fireworks show!)
7/13-15 Oro Bay (Anderson Island), Nisqually Delta, Wollochet, Port Orchard.
7/22-28 Stuart Island, Newcastle Island, Pirate's Cove, Montague Harbour, Conover Cove (Wallace Island), Cabbage Island.
8/17-22 Lake Pend Oreille, Priest Lake

So it really has been our "summer of cruising fun" - probably the best ever. And we're not done yet, feels like Indian Summer could be awesome this year. So I don't feel TOO bad not being retired!
 
There is an old Hawaiian proverb regarding contentment with what one has: work more or want less. It took a lot of years to overcome being an "accumulator". Early in our careers, when we'd consider a purchase, Joan would say, "Why do we work?" Later in our careers, she'd say, "How long do you want to work?"

As has been said here, we can always go back to work if we choose. Other than some big fuel bills :shock: most of our living expenses have decreased since we retired. It has been easier to want less. I find we seek the next experience over more stuff.

For those contemplating retirement, cutting the work ties is the hard part. If you've saved and invested, you can figure out how you can afford to live. Getting the kids out of the house really helps. :wink:

If you enjoy your work and still get all the time off to do the things you want, it is a good (but rare) situation. We were fortunate to get several months off each winter (gave us a chance to "practice" retirement), and for a lot of years that was enough. When we didn't want to go back to the grind when April rolled around, we knew it was time for a change. Not working isn't for everyone... some folks need that to feel good about themselves (I was one of those for years). Each person needs to establish their own priorities about what's important... especially as those years go flying by (the original theme to this thread).

We frequently hear, "You can't be retired, you're too young." I checked - there's no minimum age requirement. :wink:
 
Nick -
Sure a good thread you began. We all must appreciate every day and live each to the fullest.

As you know, since we have chatted with you two about it, El and I were also teachers -- we knew it would be unlikely that we would ever have both money and time. We could keep working after the kids finished college and big expenses were over and salt away a pile of money -- but lose that marvelous opportunity (only offered once) of sharing time and new experiences together. Or, we could quit the jobs we both loved and take a big bite out of the retirement but salt away a pile of good times and memories together. We quit -- at age 50 -- and now, twenty years later, can emphatically agree that we made the right choice to opt for time rather than money. We know that our last thoughts will not be, "Sure wish I had spent another day at work."

Also as you know, last March I dropped to the floor, paralyzed, unable to say 'goodbye' to El, and lost conciousness -- fortunately the 911 squad was 1/4 mile away, and brought me back. I've been given another chance, with all systems normal and on 'go,' after that stroke. Now, like Bob Austin and others in this pub, we doubly appreciate every moment we have with spouse, family, friends and good times even more -- we know that life is fleeting and that in any moment everything can be changed.

We each make our own choices about retirement/working or time on boat/doing other things -- but, we can all resolve to really appreciate every moment as a gift, and enjoy every sunset.
 
Grumpy":2ntc12n3 said:
Long ago decided I was not going to drop dead in an airport running for yet another damned airplane that I did not really want to be on.
Merv
Click to expand...

That was EXACTLY how my father died. (He and mom were catching a connecting flight at LAX from Hawaii to New Mexico). However, I must say that even though he was retired he was doing what he loved best...they'd been in Hawaii where he served a month as an interim pastor at a small church congregation while their minister was on vacation.

At any rate on a more personal note (as if that isn't a personal note :roll: ). At the age of 63, I'm the oldest fella in our F. D. but because of our work schedules (working 24 hour shifts), I am able to get somewhat frequent open blocks of time away from work to devote time to family and guess what?....boating :wink . Folks ask when I'll retire and I answer that I don't know. With a daughter soon to be in college, a wife MUCH younger than I (working as a school nurse....so she has extended periods of time off ie: Christmas break, spring break, and summers) and with my having an occupation I truly enjoy and gain immense satisfaction from helping others, I guess I'm not ready to "pull the plug". (I guess you'd say that I'm one of those few that gain numerous personal rewards from their occupation!). (I enjoy it soooo much that I'm a volunteer fireman in my community on my "days off").

C-Dorying is our family joy when we desire a change in pace and for me the associations with this fine group of C-Brats makes me smile more on my days away from work :lol: .

You all are great companions in my life and seeing what I've seen over the 30 years in my occupation, I know all too well not to take life for granted, as I've "coded" many folks younger than I that were snatched away too early from us. We all need to pause and enjoy each and every day! :thup
 
At 66 why am I not retired? Because like Dave S and Pat Anderson, I enjoy what I do. Instead of a job or work, I have always done what I enjoy and then I figure out a way to make money doing it. When I am learning something new, I keep at it until I have mastered it. It becomes a learning process for me and I enjoy learning new things. If I still enjoy it after mastering it , I will continue doing it as long as I enjoy it, then I find something else to do.

Some of the things I have mastered and received compensation for are - Appliance Repair - Radio/TV Repair - TV Antenna Systems design and installer - Real Estate Broker – Developer – Farmer – Cattle Rancher – Logger – Pilot - Christmas Tree Farmer - Fire Wood Supplier – Timber Management – Investment/Land Manager - Road Builder - Computer Repair/Web Design/Network Administrator/Computer Application Programmer - Office Building Administrator. Some were elected or volunteer positions - Volunteer Fireman - Planning Commissioner - School Board Director.

I am down to only doing five of the above and would like to pare it down to four, then start/learn something new. Boat design and building/manufacturing.

Once I get too old for anything else, then I will retire or maybe I have been retired most of my life and just don’t know it.
________
Dave dlt.gif
 
I am getting close to retirement. I am in good shape, but my wife has had 3 heart attacks in the last three years. I did not need to rationalize buying my new boat. Now is the time for us to enjoy.
 
I have been retired for seven years now...(retired at 53) and Susan will retire in May.... (she's younger that I) I did enjoy teaching and it was a good career, but I have to admit it... I sure don't miss it.... playing everyday is such great fun... I just returned from a 3 week motorcycle ride.... every morning at breakfast I would decide where I was going... I am now hiding out at our cabin and in a week or two will ride to Southern Cal.....can't miss Rogers (Fishtales) Santa Barbara Sea Food Festival.... plus after the festival we all will go back to Channel Islands where he is going to barbeque some of that fish he caught in Alaska......

RETIREMENT IS SUPER !!!!!!! What fun, do it while you can...enjoy, play etc.

Joel
SEA3PO
 
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