Finding My Pace in the First Week

One week into retirement and I’m already learning something: the days feel different when they finally belong to you. No schedule, no radio calls, no crews to manage. Just open time and the question of what to do with it. For me, the answer this week was simple — get out of town and put some miles under the tires.

The Tonopah Poker Run landed at the perfect time. A chance to ride, explore, and shake off that strange feeling of not having somewhere to be.

Thursday — Rolling Into Tonopah

Made the drive up on Thursday. Smooth travel, easy miles. Pulled into the Tonopah Station RV area and found a setup that was… different. Tight spots, no shade, all asphalt, and neighbors close enough to hear their coffee brewing. Not ideal, but it worked for a couple nights.

Unloaded, set up, and settled in. First retirement trip officially underway.

Friday — Scouting, Exploring, Breathing Again

Woke up without an alarm — still getting used to that — and took the Can‑Am out to scout the poker run starting point. Wanted to make sure we could get there without crossing any restricted areas.

After that, we just picked a road and went. Antelope, wild horses, wide‑open Nevada. The kind of quiet you don’t realize you’ve missed until you’re in it again.

Signed up in town, grabbed dinner and ice cream, and enjoyed the simple freedom of driving the Can‑Am around like it belonged there.

Saturday — The Ride

Hit the starting point early and took off. Tonopah to Goldfield and back. Dry lake beds, hills, washes, old mine shafts — Nevada’s greatest hits.

Goldfield had its own mini poker run through historic buildings, so we knocked that out too before heading back into the dust.

Didn’t pull a winning hand, but the ride itself was the win.

Saturday Night — Afterparty

The afterparty was classic small‑town Nevada: dusty riders, tired smiles, good music, and everyone swapping stories like they’d known each other for years. The kind of night that reminds you why these events matter.

Sunday — Heading Home

Packed up Sunday morning and rolled out. Easy drive home. The kind of tired that feels earned.

Looking Back on Week One

If this is what retirement looks like — miles, dust, open roads, and time to explore — I’ll take it. Still figuring out the rhythm, still adjusting to the quiet, but weekends like this make the next chapter feel wide open.

Another adventure checked off. More to come.