Well here we are. I am just shy of the 1.5 year countdown to be eligible to start my pension. So now is the time to start getting things in gear. But first, let me give you all some updates.
First and foremost, moving from a large city to a small town is an adjustment. The fast paced life coupled with anonymity is gone in a small town. The other night I blew past someone, on a two-lane road, at a respectable 55 mph (88.5 kph) (the speed limit was 35 mph (56 kph)), and I got a text message a little while later asking if I was having an Atlanta flashback. Turns out the person I blew past knew who I was. She was driving slow, though. Also, I once got a text message from my brother’s mother in law, who lives in this town, to let me know the dry cleaners had called her to say my shirts were ready. The dry cleaners didn’t know how to reach me, but they knew how to reach a distant relation. This is life in a small town.
But there are other aspects that should be considered before you move out of a city. Healthcare here has been a little frustrating. This could be, mostly, because the area is growing rapidly but there just are not enough doctors. Specialists are OK, though you may need to wait a month to see one, depending on the specialty. I’ve been seeing a specialist this year – A podiatrist. Around this time last year, my left foot was in an exceeding amount of pain. I saw the podiatrist, he diagnosed a bone spur, told me about a procedure to have it corrected, and then slow walked the hell out of the process. So that is another point one needs to know before they move to a small town – Life moves at a much slower pace here. But let me cut this rambling story short and just say my foot seems to be better.
And that is a brief update. There is more, and I may get into it later. But that is it for now.
So the question is, what am I going to do to prepare now that I am 1.5 years away from retirement. Well, I mentioned the foot as a way to let you know that I have not been as active I would have liked. But with that on the mend (the podiatrist told me to ease in, but to also push it hard just to make sure it will be OK), I am starting to rebuild cardiovascular stamina. At the present, I get absolutely winded on just a slight incline – I cannot imagine how awful it would be if I were trying to climb a mountain with my backpack on. To that end, I am increasing the amount to cardio in my routine. I even did a little running yesterday. I will soon drive up to the mountains in western North Carolina to do some challenging day hikes – There is a loop at Mt Mitchell that I did a few years back that was a good challenge.
I also need to take some wilderness survival classes. I feel comfortable with my current skillset, but it can always be better. I just did a quick search and looks like the nearest place to get such training will be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, but it looks like the class will be basic. So I will need to look at some other options.
It’s also time to start looking at what gear I will use. There is an REI the next town over, and I paid them a visit last weekend. I was pricing things out, mainly. I know they will not carry the tent I want. But they did have the stove. I am going ultralight, so each item will be a bit of an investment. Also, from watching Homemade Wanderlust on YouTube, I know the tent I want, the one she used, will only last for one through hike – So I need to budget for three. I believe I have settled on wearing Asics trail runners for shoes – Though I require custom orthotics.
Side note, but this will loop back around. Back in September, this area was hit hard by hurricane Helene. At the time my cell service provider was AT&T. They stunk. Within the first hour of the storm my service was out. It did not come back at my house for about a month. Meanwhile, some friends had T-Mobile and they had no problems whatsoever with reception at my house. (I do also recall numerous times doing sections on the AT and not having service at all.) So I am in the process of switching over to T-Mobile. One thing I noticed in their online literature is they are about to start beta testing for satellite service. I signed up for that, once it is available. My thought is, maybe a cell phone with satellite access could replace the need for a Garmin. That is something I will surely test out on trail before I head out on my adventure.
Finally, I don’t know if any of y’all have seen this couple online – Mainly on YouTube and Tiktok: Renee Miller and Tim Beissinger. They do a lot of backpacking together. They’ve written a book based on all their experience: Thruhikers, A Guide to Life on the Trail. I bought a copy, primarily because they clearly know what they are doing when it comes to meal prep. I am going to start trying out some of their recipes. I think I may also try recording some of that, and maybe posting to my YouTube channel: Willsgenxadventure1828. I’m going to start with dehydrated tofu, once I get my tail in gear. The first step is to freeze it. So I have blocks of tofu in my freezer that have been there for a bit. Just so we are clear, tofu is not a food item I crave. But it is a good source of protein. So I am going to give this prep a try.
And there we are. That is the long and short, or at least some of the long and short, of what I have been up to. I am starting to feel a little excited.
#GenX #Retirement #RetirementPlanning #Adventure #GenerationX #Backpacking #SmallTown #SpartanburgSC #Spartanburg
Will's GenX Adventure 