The Dancing Otter Project

Welcome friends!
Although the posts are quite old, I still believe in learning more about retirement.  But for right now, there is a project that I have been working on for a number of years. In 1986 I attempted to paddle a kayak to Alaska.  Although a failure, it was a success on a different level.  I will get into the nuances of why it was a failure yet still a success at a later date.
Today however, I need to let you know that my sons and I are leaving to catch a ferry, which will take us to Alaska. The goal is to paddle the 700 + miles back to Bellingham, Washington. In kayaks.  Living in the wilderness for 7+ weeks. Going at a glacial speed of about 3-6 miles per hour....
So stay tuned and I will update this as time (and internet connections) permit. In the mean time, you can watch us in real time over a GPS connection Where in the world are the Dancing Otter Paddlers?
For those of you on Facebook  you can find pictures and progress of the entire project (except the actual voyage) here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1739977849585449/
Well that is it for now. I have to finish packing (thank goodness for check lists!)  Tomorrow will be a long day.

Clouds on the immediate horizon

We concern ourselves about how our parents are living in their sunset years. Perhaps we’ve helped them into their new digs, marveled at the surroundings, met their new neighbors. In time we’ve gotten on a first name basis with the front desk folks.


All too often we are hearing that the ax is being dropped on this vulnerable population. Companies are going bankrupt; cost cutting measures are being implemented.

What seemed like a great, gentle way of living out their lives now is fraught with anger, bitterness and fright. I can think of two such examples that have recently happened to both sides of my family. In one case, bankruptcy has touched the lives of in-laws. In a another, cut backs are threatening the life style for my mother.

What can be done about that? Is this the way we treat our seniors? Can we take something from these experiences and ensure that this doesn’t happen to us when we reach that point sometime in the future? After all, in spite of our life experiences and recessions, we deserve to have a few years of comfort as a reward for a life well lived.

Another question that needs to be asked: is this what we see for ourselves once we get far beyond our “goldenboomerhood” and into our dotage?

I am curious as to what you might think.

The dawning of the Goldenboomers

I must admit that I am not quite familiar with the idea of blogging. Yes, I have a number of accounts, yet son't feel quite confident about posting comments.
Here is what I do know.
We are going to reach 65. this will be continued after the class put on by the Eugene Public Library.  Kudos the them for providing this service!

Perhaps I am beating the drum too early. Perhaps the boomers/goldenboomers aren’t ready to contemplate their “golden years.” But this much I do know. There will be a day when we realize (hopefully without too many recriminations) the importance of being prepared for that inevitable day when we find ourselves having to select a retirement community.
It does seem early, after all the first boomer transition to goldenboomer status won’t start until January 1st, 2011. There will be about 3.4 million who will turn 65 that year.
Many will stay working. Perhaps catching up on their lost investments from the last few years. Many are ready to start on their so-called “third life,” however. While staying in their homes, at this point, is a good choice, it is also wise to be prepared.
No one is suggesting that you immediately sell everything and sign up at a retirement community. It is our hope to lay out some choices that exist from which you will be able to plan your fulfilling golden years.
If there is anything that I have experienced are the people who knock on our doors and are told they cannot move in within the time frame that they have planned.
Planning, like anything else is critical when you are looking for an upscale retirement in which to spend your golden years.
So what will it be? A last minute decision with which you make “do” or a long term investment in your emotional and physical well-being?

How prepared are you for your retirement?

As baby boomers, we really aren't as well prepared for retirement as we would like to think we are. We spend more time on (relative ) inconsequentials, and not enough time getting ready for those 10-20 years during which we will be retired.

How are you preparing for that day? Are you ready to go from being a baby boomer to being a goldenboomer?