I am a golf nut…..I admit it. I am not ashamed of it, nor am I gloating because I play golf……I just love the sport. My favorite sport is football, but golf is a close second.
I mostly enjoy the people I play golf with at Turtle Creek in the spring and summer, and I get to do it almost every day since I retired. (I HIGHLY recommend retirement for everyone!!). During the weekdays, it is usually with another retired gentleman (?) from the Sheriff’s office, Dale Ary. Dale and I officiated football for years (he was one hell of a good umpire!), and our friendship and love of golf have continued for over 30 years now. We play almost every day. Dale and I are on the same handicap level mostly, so it is always fun, nasty, laughable, crazy, and relaxing, all at the same time.
We are both part of a group now that takes a couple of golf trips a year, one in the spring and one in the fall, and along with Dale and I, Randy Breaden and Greg White go with us. For the last several years, I have planned the trips, and it is something I really enjoy.
Planning a trip starts early for me, I plan the Spring trip usually around July or August and the fall trip around well, now. I know it is early, and most places don’t have prices locked in, but if you do the right internet searches, you can find really good deals now.
Our spring trip is to Louisville, Kentucky, and I have the price, courses, and hotel already locked in. The only thing not certain is the tee times at two of the six courses we will play. I am working on a trip to the Greenville, South Carolina, area for the fall. We have never played that area, so this will be a unique experience for us.
Why am I telling you all about this? Well, mostly not to talk about golf, but about enjoying your retirement. Retirement is great as long as you have a hobby, or have something to do. Sitting around all day in the house is no fun, and it seems to make life less joyful, So get out there and do something….ANYTHING!
At the Double M Diner on Friday mornings, my little group talks about everything, including retirement and what we do. I am fortunate that I have a hobby, and my wife, Rosemary, and I love to travel. Last year we took another trip out west and toured some of the national parks and about 12 states. It was beautiful out west, and I encourage everyone to go there!
Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and others are truly different(western Arkansas is fantastic!) My wife is the planner, and she spent from October of 2023 until July of 24 planning our trip.
Here is a tip, it is only as expensive as you make it, so check prices and times. An example I can give is touring the Arches National Park, in Moab, Utah. It is stunning, and beautiful (as is Canyon lands, 20 miles up the road). If you don’t have a National Park pass,(we didn’t) you have to pay to get in……..UNLESS you arrive before 7:00 a.m., then it is FREE!
We were there at 6:00 to see the sunrise, and it was truly beautiful. There are other ways to save money; you just have to check. That is what makes the planning so fun! No telling what we will do this year, but it will be something I am sure.
Most of the morning guys are retired at the Double M, so as most old guys, we talk about everything and lie about how great we once were. We all do plan trips and things for our summers, and we get good ideas from everyone….well, except Jim Anderson, He goes to his place in Michigan every summer so how many good ideas can he have?? ( Sorry Jim, had to get the first shot in for Friday morning!).
Friends, good food, laughter, and conversation is what makes retirement and the Double M so much fun. If you can do anything to make your retirement more enjoyable, even though you don’t know if it will be fun or not, try it, you never know( you can always change!). You’ve worked hard for it your whole life, so make the most of it and GO FOR IT!
That’s how we roll at the Coffee Shop!
