Our Story
After one particularly disheartening day navigating the slow death known as Washington DC traffic, Angela suggested I simply retire. Seemingly ludicrous at the time, it was an idea that nonetheless took hold and persisted for several weeks. I began to evaluate our life and financial situation and came to the conclusion we could in fact retire (although not immediately). For the next eighteen months or so, we set out to determine what retirement should look like for us. Having lived in Europe for 5 years, and holding a profession resulting in travel to over 60 countries, we knew travel would be an integral part of our lives. What came as somewhat of a shock to both of us, however, was how little we had actually seen of the US. Native New Englanders by birth and 20 years in the metro DC area tends to make you think America ends well east of the Mississippi river with California somewhere out there at the end of a four hour flight. Having then determined our course of action, we bought an RV and lived in it full time while we still owned our home to be absolutely certain we could tolerate each other in a space one tenth the size. Successfully surviving the experience, we either sold, donated, or sent to the local landfill everything we owned that didn’t fit in the RV and headed out to Nevada for one last assignment before calling it quits.
Setting out on the road had a simple mission – see America and learn to appreciate what it has to offer. From the culture and vibrancy of urban centers, quaint charm of small towns, National parks, State parks, and everything in between, we wanted to see it and find something positive in the experience.
We will leave the road someday, as everyone must, but until then the Rolling Ranch will continue to ramble on!
About The Rolling Ranch
Ramblings from the Rolling Ranch chronicles our travel throughout the US. It is told in a he said/she said format to bring more life and personality to the destination. The site is designed for travelers who, like us, are over 50, but still enjoy an active lifestyle. We try to find a comfortable balance between hiking the national parks, touring historic sites, visiting arts and cultural centers, and urban exploration. It is an eclectic mix of locales drawn by our very different personalities and willingness to embrace (or at least try getting outside of our comfort zone to experience not just the things we like, but to experience those things the cities, towns, and parks want us to see. The blog is for anyone who is curious to discover more, participate more, or just needs a reminder that life is out there waiting for you.