Reflections

Great ideas are a dime a dozen, but it takes a lot of work to turn any idea into reality. My inspiration for this road trip was to complete the unfinished Grand Canyon business from 28 years ago, but also to “test drive” retirement. Would I go insane without my job and the career that I’ve been building since I started engineering school in 1976? Could Rosalind put up with me 24/7? Could I put up with her? A two-month road trip covering the great national parks of the West should provide some clues, if not answers. So, that was my great idea. The work to turn this idea into a reality was all done by Rosalind.

I’m sure I was only aware of a fraction of the preparation that she did, but here’s what I saw. Researching all the parks in Wyoming, Utah, and Arizona. Not just the well-known NPs, but lesser known NPs, BLM lands, and state parks. Reading magazines and web site to find the “10 best, don’t miss, bucket list <adventures> in <area>.” Getting us organized with a backpacking class at REI (where we learned how to buy stuff from REI), finding an endless supply of unique training hikes, organizing and shopping for food, making her own dehydrated backpacking meals (no industrial freeze-dried crap for us!). Creating a detailed road trip itinerary and making all the reservations well in advance. Somehow winning the lottery for “The Wave.”  If it were left to me, views would be enjoyed from the car. Meals would be enjoyed in restaurants. Rather than carrying 30 lbs. backpacks we would have added 30 lbs. to our butts. Having a plan is not a bad thing.

How did I do without developing automatic test equipment for two months? Didn’t miss it a bit. That was a little disconcerting. I did miss my colleagues and, perversely, the office drama. For that I’m looking forward to getting back to the real world.

What about spending so much time with my wife? She did get a little crabby sometimes, but who wouldn’t after hiking for 6 hours in the 100 degree desert? Or sleeping without a tent among the rattlesnakes and scorpions, hoping that it doesn’t rain? Or wading through murky water for two days straight. Or digging holes to poop in. Or pooping in a box. Or a bag. And then carrying it for three days. But she did all those things, which is awesome. My favorite part of this road trip was having Rosalind all to myself for two months. I didn’t have to share her with the health club, Target, Trader Joe’s, ERBA, the piano, or the bridge ladies. We saw some amazing stuff, but nothing was better than the inside of our little backpacking tent. I think that the retirement thing will work out fine.