What did/do you do that enabled you to do what you do now?

[Dawgfever]

Brought up to always work. Started off pushing a lawnmower around the neighborhood mowing yards for 3 - 5 bucks apiece. Hauled hay as a teenager. Went to college busing tables at a Bonanza steak house. Roustabout in the gas field in summers. Went into business for myself, the bank failed in '88 resulting in my bankruptcy. Got into industry sales, have done well for the past 30 years. Raised 3 boys somewhere along the way. Wifey and I decided do something for ourselves and bought the Reflection. And loving it!

[jvenard]

Semi Retired, have to work a few days a week at Costco for Health Care. Our Affordable Health Care from our friend BO, is not. With that, I was in IT with HP and IBM for 35 years. Retired at 57 for 4 years before working 2 days a week. Next June we will be Full time forr part time.

[wildnfree]

Self-employed for 1 year but don't have enough money to travel the world.

[Outtahere]

Retired judge, prior to that career prosecutor. Along the way 23 years in the Naval Reserve, with 8 1/2 years active duty, first as a Corpsman, later as a JAG, retired as Commander. Retired at 57 from the bench then my late wife and I spent 8 years cruising on our sailboat (from Nova Scotia to Bermuda to Trinidad on the coast of Venezuela). Moved ashore, but finally couldn't stand living in one place and got a GD Solitude. Willie Nelson's On the Road Again always was an inspiration.

[AustexGP]

Some great stories here. To all of the veterans of our armed services, Thank you for your service.

I started in IT moved around from Corpus Christi, Tx to Dallas, to Houston and back to Austin. Around 40 I decided I needed to settle down and get a job with good retirement. So I went to work for the State of Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Stayed there until my twin grand-daughters were born in April 2011. Retired in December 2011 and started keeping them until they started pre-school at 4. Then accepted a contract position back with the State for 18 months. Retired again after that, but that didn't last too long as I was called back by the State in 2016 to complete a project that started when I was a contractor. Still here! The DW is planning on working for the State until spring of '19, then she'll have 40 years. I'll re-re-retire shortly before she does, hopefully!

In 2013 we purchased a Jayco 32BHDS as our first TT. Kept it until 2017 until we outgrew it (funny how those grand-babies grow up) and purchased a Grand Design 311BHS and a 3500HD truck to pull it. We have friends who recently retired from the State and are now traveling all over the US. We plan on joining them in 2019. Will not be full timing, but will be planning month long (or longer) trips. I'm excited about taking the grand-girls over the summer to Yellowstone NP, Mt. Rushmore and points beyond.

[jbarnes4868]

I wanted a car. Dad said get a job. A new Wendy’s was opening in town so I went there and got hired on the spot. Bought my first Camaro one month later. Graduated from high school and my Dad said, college or the Navy. Graduated from college with Computer Science degree. Girlfriend said we should get married so I got married and started a job with IBM. Wife said we should camp so we bought our first camper. 37 years later were still camping. Got diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 61 so we are on the road seeing the sights with the time I have left. Don’t wait to do the things you’ve waited your life to do. Find a way to do it NOW.

[orbiker]

I wanted a car. Dad said get a job. A new Wendy’s was opening in town so I went there and got hired on the spot. Bought my first Camaro one month later. Graduated from high school and my Dad said, college or the Navy. Graduated from college with Computer Science degree. Girlfriend said we should get married so I got married and started a job with IBM. Wife said we should camp so we bought our first camper. 37 years later were still camping. Got diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 61 so we are on the road seeing the sights with the time I have left. Don’t wait to do the things you’ve waited your life to do. Find a way to do it NOW.

Do let that cancer crap win. Fight Fight Fight.
My neighbor got on a test program 3 years ago. Cancer free so far.

Remember; the doctors are " just practicing ".

[Chiefblueman]

I wanted a car. Dad said get a job. A new Wendy’s was opening in town so I went there and got hired on the spot. Bought my first Camaro one month later. Graduated from high school and my Dad said, college or the Navy. Graduated from college with Computer Science degree. Girlfriend said we should get married so I got married and started a job with IBM. Wife said we should camp so we bought our first camper. 37 years later were still camping. Got diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 61 so we are on the road seeing the sights with the time I have left. Don’t wait to do the things you’ve waited your life to do. Find a way to do it NOW.

Jbarnes, at 62 I was diagnosed with a, so far, incurable form of lymphoma. Chemo has knocked it down but it will be back someday. I retired at 63 and am typing this from the road in my 315RLTS with a lump in my throat. I'm pulling for you, brother. Go for it!

[jbarnes4868]

Appreciate the support Chief. I've got a blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. Like you they have knocked it down a couple of times with chemo but it keeps coming back and we're out of options for treatment.

[Wdkerek]

I truly appreciate the transparency Chief and Barnes. If your paths ever bring you through South Louisiana, I would be happy to take you through a private tour of the Maurepas swamps. My family has had a hidden gem back there (only accessible by boat) for 50 plus years!