Retired

After much anticipation, we have finally reached retirement.  It is still too early to tell "how it feels", but so far it's been great.  Lori probably feels it more than I do since she would normally be working now.  The school year ended for me a week ago, like it has for years.  It just seems like another summer vacation.  Just one that won't end!

We started our new journey with a trip to the Olympic National Park.  We stayed four nights at Kalaloch Lodge, which as been just wonderful.  Walking and sitting on the beach has been just the ticket.  This place has much significance for us.  When I was younger (around 1972ish) my family, on my Dad's side, gathered for a family reunion/camping trip at the Kalaloch campground, about one-third of a mile up the beach from the Lodge.  Grandparents, Dad, aunts and uncles and cousins all there.  This just did not happen often.  Very special.  Lori and I have returned several times since, so it just seemed a natural place to start our retirement.

We've taken a few side trips, including hiking in the Hoh rain forest.  A very magical experience. We stopped at Lake Quinault Lodge for a brief visit.  We honeymooned there back in 1981.  It's a beautiful place, we'll be back for a stay someday for sure. We had dinner at a nearby restaurant, The Salmon House, for dinner.  By far, the best meal we've had in a very long time!

Today, we reluctantly leave Kalaloch and head to Paradise Inn at Mt. Rainer for two nights.  From the sea to the mountains.  Maybe I'll post more afterwards.  I understand that there is zero cell service or wifi there.  Being unplugged for a couple of days won't hurt us.