Greetings!

Hope everyone had an awesome week!

🍂 Happy Fall! Our favorite season is here. Temperatures in FL plummeted to only 87 degrees 🥵 but, one week from today, we will be on our way to the Mountains.

And if you were wondering, does this mean we turn the clocks back 🕛️ (ok, I was wondering, so I googled it).. and the answer is “not yet”.. even though they label it “fall back” to help remind you.. the correct answer is November 3rd.

But, what day do you turn your microwave and oven clock back? hmmm.. I better google it 😃 

 Embrace Your Best Life! 

~ Curt & Shari Roese

SPOTLIGHT STORY
Discover America’s National Parks

Ready to embark on a new journey and explore the beauty of the great outdoors? America’s national parks offer stunning landscapes, accessible adventures, and unforgettable experiences for everyone.

Whether you prefer a scenic drive, a peaceful hike, or simply soaking in the views, these parks are perfect destinations for a nature-filled getaway. Here are just a few of the best parks. Shari and I have been to Grand Canyon and Acadia, hopefully Yellowstone and many others in future years!.

• Yellowstone National Park: Discover geysers, wildlife, and hot springs with easy access via scenic drives and boardwalks.

• Grand Canyon National Park: Experience breathtaking canyon views with shuttle services along the South Rim for convenient exploration.

• Acadia National Park: Enjoy coastal beauty and smooth carriage roads, including the stunning Cadillac Summit Road.

Exploring America’s national parks is an opportunity to reconnect with nature, find peace, and create lasting memories. From majestic mountains to serene coastlines, there’s a park suited to every traveler.

So pack your bags, embrace the adventure, and let nature inspire your next great escape!

TRAVEL ADVENTURES
Bicycle Tours

Biking tours are becoming a popular way for retirees to stay active, explore beautiful destinations, and foster social connections. There are many exciting routes and accessible options, now is the perfect time to consider a biking adventure.

It is a little late this year, but we hope to book a tour in Vermont next year. Now, with the availability of eBikes, you no longer have to worry about getting back to the Bed & Breakfast for a cold beer or glass of wine! 🍺🍷 

From health perks to unforgettable destinations, here are the top reasons why biking adventures should be on your travel list.

1. Low-impact exercise: Biking is gentle on the joints, making it an ideal activity for those with arthritis or joint issues.

2. Mental and social benefits: Cycling can improve mental well-being by reducing stress and offering opportunities to meet like-minded people.

3. Popular destinations: Riders can explore breathtaking routes like the Columbia River Gorge, Napa Valley vineyards, or historic Charleston, South Carolina.

4. E-bikes: Many tours offer electric bike options, making it easier to handle inclines and longer distances.

5. Essential preparation: Riders should consult their doctor, pack proper safety gear, and consider group sizes and tour lengths that match their fitness level.

Biking tours offer an ideal way to stay active while exploring scenic landscapes and enjoying social connections. With careful preparation and accessible options like e-bikes, you should be able to enjoy the most beautiful rides.

OUR ESCAPADES
Is Babysitting an Adventure?

The answer is yes.. and it can be quite exhausting. As I have been studying a lot for my journey to get my Masters Degree, Nana extraordinaire has been on a grandchild sitting tour.

I asked her if she wanted to add anything to the newsletter about her week and she simply said “I’m tired”.. so I don’t think I will be seeing her much tomorrow when she gets home 💤🛌 

Soon we will be in Blowing Rock and finally enjoy some planned adventures!

Escapades Ahead

🚴 Great Cycle Challenge - Curt started raising money to help fight kids cancer during the month long cycling challenge this September. Read about this incredibly rewarding journey ==>⚕️ Fight Kids Cancer

🎣 Fly Fishing - heading back to Blowing Rock NC in October and we plan to schedule a ½ day guided fly fishing adventure - we don’t fish so something new to try!

🎯 Shooting - next month we visit Chetola Sporting Reserve to experience an outdoor activity - gun, rifle, and pistol ranges, sporting clay course, 5-stand clay station, archery range? - not sure what yet, but neither one of us has ever shot anything so should be quite the adventure.

👟 Daybreak 76 Panama City - early in the year we picked this December half-marathon as a lofty goal to shoot for. Our “vintage bodies” seem to think a 10K will be good enough but lets see what happens 😆 

RANDOM FUN THINGS TO DO
Is that all you know?

Life is more interesting when you try new things!

Curt and I try to explore new ideas as much as we can.. life gets in the way sometimes but we try our best! Here are a few SIMPLE ideas!

• Calligraphy: Learn the art of beautiful writing with calligraphy. It's a peaceful and creative hobby.

• Woodworking: Create functional and decorative items with woodworking. It's a satisfying way to use your hands and creativity.

• Music Lessons: Learn to play a musical instrument or improve your skills. Music is a wonderful way to express yourself.

Some ideas might seem silly, but imagine the stories you can tell if you just try some new things! Might be a nice change of pace from the dreadful “remember when” stories, especially as we get older and actually, no, we don’t remember 😆 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentorship program dedicated to helping children reach their full potential through the power of one-on-one relationships. By becoming a mentor, you can provide a positive influence and create lasting, meaningful connections with a child in need.

• Mentorship Impact: As a mentor, you have the chance to be a positive role model, offering guidance, encouragement, and support to a young person.

• Lifelong Bonds: Through regular meetings and shared experiences, you can develop a strong, trusting relationship with your "Little," benefiting both the child and yourself.

• Shaping the Future: Your involvement can significantly impact a child's confidence, academic success, and overall outlook on life, helping shape a brighter future.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides an incredible opportunity to make a difference in a child's life through mentorship. By investing your time and energy, you can help empower a child while also forming a rewarding, lifelong connection.

RESOURCE ROUNDUP
Road Scholar

Road Scholar is an educational travel organization that provides unique learning adventures for older adults. It offers enriching travel experiences that combine exploration with education in destinations around the world.

• Educational Focus: Road Scholar designs travel experiences that emphasize learning, with expert-led lectures, field trips, and cultural immersion.

• Diverse Destinations: The program offers travel to thousands of destinations, including domestic and international locations, catering to various interests.

• Tailored for Older Adults: Programs are designed with older adults in mind, providing comfortable accommodations, manageable physical activities, and social engagement.

Road Scholar is an ideal travel resource for older adults who want to combine adventure with intellectual growth. By offering educational tours in diverse destinations, it ensures travelers experience the world in a thoughtful and engaging way.

FINANCIAL SAVVY
Financial Tip

Have you ever found yourself lying awake, wondering, "How much is enough?" Whether it's $50,000 or $10 million, there's no universal answer—it all boils down to your personal values, goals, and priorities.

• Push Your Limits, Then Pull Back: Sometimes, you need to push your boundaries to understand what's truly necessary for you. But, you need to make sure you are comfortable you will have enough to last you.

• Run Your Own Race: Don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. Focus on what’s important to you, not what others consider "enough."

• Trust the Happiness Experts: Research shows that more money doesn’t always equal more happiness. Once you reach a certain income level, the extra cash may not bring additional joy.

By taking time to evaluate your personal needs, goals, and happiness, you'll be in a much better position to define what "enough" looks like for you. It's not just about hitting a financial target—it’s about ensuring your future well-being and peace of mind.

For the ultimate peace of mind you should seek advice from financial experts such as a fee-only CFP or you can explore a software tool such as Boldin that allows you to run different scenarios to see the results.

INTRODUCTION
Simpli Shari 🩷

Retirement is the perfect time to rediscover old passions or explore new hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment. Whether it’s reigniting a love for painting, picking up gardening, or learning to play an instrument, finding creative outlets can make this stage of life both exciting and rewarding.

I’m rediscovering my love for reading 📚️ , which began with the Nancy Drew series when I was young, and it’s been a joy to revisit the world of books. My oldest granddaughter has started to develop her own love of reading.

I think I might buy her a couple of those Nancy Drew books I loved so much and introduce her to the series.

Sometimes I look on Facebook and think “am I missing out by not being out on the town”.. but as I relax in my beautiful home reading a book, I think “nope, all good” 😃 

Embrace your best life,

🩷 Shari 

Visit Simpli Shari

p.s. This is Curt.. just an FYI if I go missing.. Shari might be the sweetest person I have ever met BUT she reads tons of murder books, watches every Dateline and Snapped, and listens to HLN crime shows 😨 … this might be helpful info to give to the investigators 😆 

PARTING WORDS

Have a great week!

ANSWERS

1. Mayberry, North Carolina

2. Minneapolis, Minnesota

3. Washington, DC

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