The Realities of Retirement: Balancing Travel and Daily Life
Finding Joy in Both Adventures and Everyday Activities
Retirement was our chance to explore the world, free from work schedules. But we’ve realized that constant travel isn’t practical or desirable for us. Travel is a big part of our retirement but balancing it with other fulfilling activities and responsibilities has been key to a well-rounded and satisfying experience.
Traveling in Retirement: A More Balanced Approach
We’ve found that a realistic travel schedule works best for us. We spend 4 to 6 weeks traveling in the winter to escape the cold, enjoy a 7 to 10-day trip in the spring when the weather is mild, and take another 2 to 4-week vacation in the fall to experience the changing seasons. This approach gives us ample time to explore, relax, and enjoy new experiences without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. Add in a few quick get-aways and we spend about 3 months of the year on an explore.
Domestic Travel
Traveling within the United States by car gives us the flexibility to explore diverse landscapes and cultures. Our adventures included a road trip along the Northern United States, journeying down the Pacific Coast Highway, and returning home via Route 66 from Santa Monica Pier to Chicago.
This 9,000-mile, 9-week road trip allowed us to explore national parks, connect with friends, visit historic cities, and tour presidential libraries. Add in multiple road trips to Florida, Texas and a drive through Southern Canada, visiting friends in Maine and traveling through the Northeast states. Domestic travel lets us appreciate the beauty and variety of our home country at a slower pace.
Sometimes it’s more practical for us to fly to our destination. Southwest Airlines offers great service from Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport, with decent fares and free checked bags. We’ve earned the Southwest Companion Pass a couple of times thanks to Cindy’s savvy use of travel points and awards. The Companion Pass allows two people to fly for the price of one, whether paying cash or using points. For example, we flew from Hawaii to Milwaukee for a total price of $11.20! Unfortunately, that perk ended in December 2024.
To get the Companion Pass, you need to earn 135,000 points in a calendar year. With strategic planning using bonus points and targeted offers, we aim to earn the Companion Pass again by spring 2026. The pass is valid for the remainder of the year it’s earned and the next full calendar year. While Southwest has limited international destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America, they’ve recently partnered with Icelandair, which will expand more options for European destinations.
International Adventures
While domestic travel is convenient, international travel adds an extra layer of excitement and discovery for us. Whether it’s a group tour through the historic streets of Europe, a cultural immersion in Asia, or a relaxing cruise in the Caribbean or the South Pacific, international travel opens the door to new perspectives and unforgettable experiences. Since we retired in December 2019, and as of January 2025, we have traveled to 6 continents (missing Africa), 18 countries and 49 states (missing Alaska).
What We Do When We’re Not Traveling
Travel, while exhilarating, is just one aspect of our fulfilling retirement. When we’re not on the road or in the air, we stay engaged, active, and purposeful in other ways. We spend more time reading and binge-watching a few old TV shows, exploring Milwaukee and connecting with friends, old and new.
Volunteering
Volunteering has been a fantastic way for us to give back to our community and stay connected with others. Cindy ushers at our local Symphony and Performing Arts Center, where she can enjoy performances while contributing to the arts. She is also on the board of the Milwaukee Downtown Neighbors Association. Steve volunteers a few mornings a week at the Habitat for Humanity. Not only do we help support affordable housing projects, but we also meet like-minded individuals and stay physically active. We have also lent our time and talents to the Milwaukee Christian Center’s Food Pantry.
Planning Our Next Trip
The time between trips can be just as exciting as the trip itself. We use these periods to plan our next adventure. Researching destinations, creating itineraries, and looking for the best deals on flights, accommodations, and activities is a creative and enjoyable process that keeps our wanderlust alive and ensures our future travels are well-organized and stress-free.
Embracing a Balanced Retirement
The key to a fulfilling retirement for us lies in balance. While travel is an integral part of our lives, we integrate other activities that bring joy, purpose, and connection. Whether it’s through volunteering, engaging in community activities, getting together with friends, or planning our next journey, these experiences enrich our lives and keep us grounded. Retirement is not just about the destinations we visit but the journey we take every day. By finding joy in both our travels and everyday activities, we create a retirement that is not only adventurous but also deeply satisfying and meaningful. We try to embrace the fact that sometimes, the journey is the destination.
So, if you see a sign for the World’s Largest Red Wagon, check it out.
