By: Len Schritter
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Summer is slowly winding down and those cool evenings out on the patio are suddenly reminding you that fall is soon approaching. Before you know it, winter will be here again and another season of snow shovels and winter boots will be upon us. It seems like the cycle of the changing seasons is never ending. And at our age, we have seen it all before – many times.
In a few short months your to-do list will be filled with all those old familiar tasks that you’ve come to expect down through the years; get the snow tires put on the car, make sure there is plenty of salt in the garage to sprinkle on the ice, get the snow blower out and make sure it’s ready to go. Just like clockwork, you’ll soon be doing all the things that you’ve done for the last sixty years or more to get ready for another winter.
But wait! There is another way.
You’re retired now, right? And with retirement comes choices. Nothing is keeping you there in the cold anymore. That’s right. You don’t have to do the same things that you’ve always done, just because that’s the way they’ve always been done. Think about it. You don’t have to spend the winter shoveling snow.
Did you know that they have places down south, fabulous luxurious parks, in states like Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas that cater to people just like you, people who are ready to step out of the old familiar pattern of life? Hundreds of thousands of people leave their homes every year and make the annual trek down south to their favorite winter spot. They are called snowbirds. Sometimes they stay only for a few weeks, others stay the whole winter. But everyone has fun as new experiences are shared and deep friendships are made.
I speak from experience and six years of snowbird life. My wife and I leave every fall from our home in Idaho and spend the winter in Mesa, Arizona, a hot spot for snowbird living. We find the lifestyle exhilarating and exciting. For me, the most joyful aspect of this unique way of living is the close friendships I make. Lasting friendships are developed with people from all over North America and Canada, friendships that carry over into the summer months through emails and even visits.
Yes, I’m a snowbird and proud of it. My passion now is writing about Snowbirds and the fun we have. Please watch for my articles on this web site as I will be a regular contributor to RLM. If you have any questions, drop me a note via email and I’ll do my best to answer your concerns. My email address is; LenSchritter@aol.com.
I look forward to hearing from you. Until then, remember, only you can prevent winter boredom.
You can purchase Secret Life of a Snowbird. Visit Len’s website www.secretlifeofasnowbird.com