Migration Patterns

Funny thing how when as a child, I loved winter and all the activities associated with it. My first job out of school was working on horse farm breeding, training and showing American Saddlebreds. I loved being outdoors and couldn’t understand how people could stand to work indoors facing the same conditions day in and day out. It seemed such a boring lifestyle as I preferred the variables associated with the conditions handed out by the hands of nature.

After about 5 years I had to seek a more secure job with benefits to provide for my family. With a child I needed insurance and was no longer able to travel across the country showing horses. I felt as if a part of me was dying when I left the farm and went to work in a factory. When my paychecks doubled, paid vacations, and bonuses I soon settled in and accepted the work enviroment. I was stil young and enjoyed the seasonal changes. With paid vacations, I began to travel and see different parts of the country and not have to work while traveling as I did in the past.

As I aged and went through several challenges in health I began to develop a dislike for the colder part of winter. Snow was some what of a challenge but when ice falls I tend to stay indoors. I not only fear for myself but for the other people who venture out. Accidents happen way too easy on ice and too many injuries take place. I have to put on layers of clothing to stay warm which make me look like the Michelin Man moving around.

To top this off my wife and I have developed a true passion for the ocean and the beach life. Every year we take a vacation to a beach resort town. We get a condo with an ocean view, pool and the beach right there. We always want one of the upper floors as we want to set on the balcony and see the beach below, but most importantly the ocean. We get out the binoculars so to try and see the dolphins and sharks swimming. I love to watch the swells and try to predict where the waves will break and how big they will be. Sea gulls live an enviable life sailing in the wind and without expressing a care.

While at home I often think of the sounds of the waves, the change in lifestyle, and the warmth. What has been a dream for the last few years is building into a passion. When we reach the Golden Years we each have a dream or desire that we want to live. Our life is fading out and our usefulness is waning. Many a senior thinks of greener pastures, sometimes our children have moved and we want to benear them. Sometimes its a warm, dry climate we seek for health reasons, but as for me the life of a beach bum is the place to be.

I have began to develop some ideas to put this into action. There are alot of options to weigh out such as condo, hotel, house, or camper. Rental or ownership both have options. If I decide to own do I want to rent out the property part of the time to help pay for it. What is available for activities? How far north or south do I want in Florida? Did I mention that have been from the Carolina’s to Florida, and not only is the water clearer in the Gulf compared to Atlantic side. Panama City is a day’s drive from my home while further south suddenly becomes a 2 day trip.

So many options, so many decisions. Whether I ever get it done atleast I will have fun in laying out a plan. The day after Thanksgiving until April 1st would be a nice way to spend the winter. If all goes well I will be filing my flight pattern south not long after the birds around home head south. When you hear the geese honking in the skyward path of migration just know I will soon be following, atleast in spirit anyway!