The Baby Boomer Renaissance: The Boomer Chronicles

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Boomer Chronicles

Dan the Early Retired Man: “Bring on Winter — in Arizona”

Posted: 06 Sep 2011 08:31 AM PDT

My cousin Dan, who retired in 2009 from the U.S. Postal Service at age 53, is getting ready to spend his first winter in Arizona (as opposed to the frigid north, Minnesota):

I have spent the last week at our new house west of Phoenix during the hottest summer in history and I LOVED IT! It is surprising how well you can function when it is 110 degrees and low humidity. It beats 20 below zero every time.

It was 90 degrees this morning as I drove to Dunkin’ Donuts with the car windows rolled down (we don't have "Dunkin" in Minnesota). I found a joint that sells pizza by the slice and where they speak more Italian than English. Pizza by the slice doesn't exist in Minnesota. I drove 40 miles to a New York-style deli. When I saw a classic black and white cookie in the display case, I knew it was worth the trip. Minnesota has 10,000 lakes but not one deli worth a drive.

The coral-colored rocks that make up my new front lawn do not have to be mowed, trimmed or watered and my lemon tree is already bearing fruit. It looks like there will be a bumper crop of oranges this November, too.

Last winter was bad for us too, in Minnesota, with two major snow storms and ridiculous temperatures, but today I’m looking forward to winter, winter in Arizona.

For me, it will be an endless summer, or as I call it, Life 2.0!