We have mapped out the BIG trip we are taking beginning August 24. We are planning for 7 weeks.  Mostly camping with motels thrown in after long drives. We are going west: Badlands, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, and if we make it, Olympic Park in Washington.  Can we do this?  Living and cooking outside at a picnic table, using park shower rooms, packing and unpacking at each site, dealing with critters and lots of bugs?  Who does this for 7 weeks?

Actually, I found out that there are quite a few people that retire and start traveling the country and some of them are tent-campers like us.  It starts with the idea that this is the cheapest way to get to those places.  At 62, people can get a pass for $10 that gets them into National Parks for free and National Park campgrounds for half price.  So depending on the place we might spend $8-$14 a night.  Throw in some chain motels and we are good to go.

What I don't know is how our bodies will hold up.  Michael is turning 65 this month and I will be 63 in August.  We are pretty healthy but nothing works as easy as it used to.  Like a lot of people, we gained some weight and got comfortable in our lifestyle.  We each hare our go-to chair.
 
Well, that is the whole point of this - we don't know what will happen, but we want to shake things up a little bit and give it a shot.  What's the worst that can happen, we turn around and come home with some stories to tell.  On the other hand, we can see some amazing places upfront and personal.  This is a fun way to start my retirement (instead of worrying about what I am going to do with myself over the next 20 years)! Hey, if this works out we can think about camping in Florida during the winter.  Imagine your tent by the beach with the surf coming in.  We can do this!