10 YEARS AGO

In reading one of my favorite blogs this morning, Nick Russell, Gypsy Journal Publisher, talks about he and Terry's decision to give up the workaholic lifestyle, and become full time RV'ers. While reading, I was thinking that it has been a little over 10 years since we walked away from co-ownership of our Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dealership in CA.

It was in late 1995, a few years after retiring from the C.H.P., that we finished construction of our commercial building in Jamestown, CA., and officially opened the doors of Jamestown Harley Davidson for business. For the next 6+ years, it was a magical ride, during some of the best economic times in recent memory. Patty was still working in the hospital emergency room, and during her days off, and on many nights she worked at the store. When she retired from her R.N. position at the hospital in 2000, most of her waking hours were then spent keeping up with the clothing, jewelry, and collectible lines at the business. From the day we opened, my work week was anywhere from 60-70 hours, continuing to the time we retired. We were both committed 110% to the success of the business and to the employee's. We were married not only to each other, but to a business that we thoroughly enjoyed. To say that we were workaholics would be an understatement!

In late 2000, we made the decision to close this chapter, and pursue our dream of travel in our motor home, and to move all of our worldly possessions to Lake Havasu City, AZ. I remember our financial planner wondering if we were doing the right thing, and expressing his doubts during a few of our meetings. His school of thought was that while we were in a position to keep filling the retirement bucket, why would we want to stop doing so. My mindset at the time was that we had filled the bucket a bunch, and how full did it need to be. I was comfortable with our financial future, and when we publicly announced that we were leaving, the reaction from our friends and customers were much the same. How could we walk away from such a fun business, where we were making a ton of money, and even consider the possibility of retirement? My answer was actually quite simple, and often repeated. "Life is not a dress rehearsal, and nobody can predict the future". While we were both in good health, and had financial security, it was time to live some of our dreams. It wasn't but a few days after we turned over the keys to the business, that we were on the road to Alaska. That summer of 2001 in Alaska was truly magical, in the sense that we were fulfilling one of our dreams, and truly free to wander where ever the road led us.

We will always be grateful to our partners, Art & Linda Mitchell, for providing us with the opportunity to create and manage a business that was not only fun, but something that became a cornerstone of our financial future. We are so glad to see that the business, despite tough economic times, has continued to succeed, under the management of Art & Linda's daughter Karen, and their son-in-law Allen.

10 years ago our RV adventures began, and the road has taken us to some amazing places. Two summers ago, our 12,000 mile journey around the U.S. and Canada was a highlight of our RV travel. The combination of working and traveling has been a good balance for us. Knowing that we don't have to work, makes the choice for a seasonal job, so much easier. Living and working here at the Grand Canyon this summer has been a fun experience, something that has been on our radar screen for several years. The last 10 years have flown by, and when asked if I would change anything, the answer would be "nothing".