Picture Retirement

We have been doing this ‘retirement thing’ since 2006 and in the beginning, we struggled to find our “new identity” as a retired couple. But, through trial and error we have managed to get to a comfortable place where we at least know what we want out of our retirement years.  What we want, is to have a home base that is reasonably close to where our daughter lives, some time set aside each year for travel and adventure, and a balanced lifestyle that includes hobbies, volunteer work, friends and family. Fitness and health are very important at this stage of life and while we do pay attention, we are not fanatical about what we eat or how much we exercise.  All things in moderation works for us.

We live in Florida where the sun shines 95% of the time and temperatures average in the 80’s for most of the year.  We are surrounded by water and flat terrain.  Both of which provide great opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors.  We have access to several international airports, universities, hospitals, theaters and fine dining establishments. Our town has a well-developed network of volunteer opportunities and an abundance of community activities that can be attended for free.

We can watch the sunrise on the Atlantic and set on the Gulf of Mexico in the same day, should we chose to do so. Coast to coast is a short three-hour drive.  The Florida Keys are a bit further, but still accessible, and the Forgotten Coast is a day trip away.  Our beloved Treasure Coast provides a myriad of activities, with nooks and crannies still to be discovered.  From Tallahassee to Miami, our cities and towns are culturally diverse, laid back, trendy, eclectic and always fun to visit.  We have more State Parks than we could ever visit, although we are trying and our wetlands and preserves are teeming with nature just waiting for the avid photographer to discover.  This is paradise, and we get to call it home!

Photography is a hobby that we both enjoy and our blog posts are picture intensive. All of the photographs here were taken by either Malcolm or myself.  You are welcome to copy and share, but please give photo credit to “Picture Retirement.” You will find more of our photography on Instagram at Picture_Retirement.

We hope you will follow along as we continue our journey.