End of an era

Wife and I have been on vacation out west for about ten days. We started by flying into Jackson Hole, Wyoming and spent a couple of days in Grand Teton National Park. 

From there it was to Yellowstone, then eventually into South Dakota and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park and Badlands National Park. 

It was a great trip, and I will post more about it later. 

For now, I want to share the news I received about 48 hours before leaving: I will be retiring, effective December 1st. I had been moving in that direction for early next year, preparing mentally and financially. As it turned out, my employer helped me along, and it has worked out better than I could have expected. 

Wife told me when she was retired that she knew it was time, and I would know when it was time for me. I have known for a while. It's time. 

Still, there is a twinge of sadness as I think of leaving my co-workers, as well as angst as I think of days without the routine of work. 

I can hear the words of my dad, who would say, "A man needs a place to go."

My place to go has been my home office for well more than five years, but the work has provided rhythm, routine and purpose, all of which serve me well. 

But as I said, it's time, and a new chapter will soon begin.