I can’t believe that I retired over 2 years ago. When this August 1st came along, I didn’t even realize that it was my retirement anniversary until I remembered it a week or so later. As I did last year, I wanted to share a review of 2014.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy whatever-holiday-tradition-you-follow!
Early 2014
We brought in the New Year in Fort Collins with our boys (Cameron and Ryan). We got to learn more about Fort Collins and spent some quality time with the boys. Cameron and I skied Breckenridge and had a great time.
Horsetooth Reservoir
Cameron skiing
In February, we returned to Florida with much warmer weather than we had experienced in Colorado. We took some day trips a couple hours away to visit Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, and Cape San Blas. I spent my time fishing and golfing on warm days.
Cape San Blas
Sunset on Scenic 30A
Spring 2014
For Spring Break, we returned to Fort Collins. Now that it was warming up a bit, we were able to hike and cycle the numerous scenic trails.
Cycling the Poudre Trail
Hiking Fort Collins
We also got out and explored the Fort Collins breweries. While visiting the local brew houses, we met some new friends (Doug and Julie) — they are also into craft breweries.
Pateros Creek Brewery
Tour of Funkwerks
Summer 2014
Our youngest son, Ryan, decided that he wanted to take the summer off and transfer from Colorado State University to the University of Florida. Since he was taking the summer off, we decided to travel to Europe for the summer. Our oldest son, Cameron, was working during the summer, so he stayed in Ft. Collins. This was the first time we had traveled with Ryan since we retired, it was a great way to spend the summer.
Paris, France
We spent 2 weeks in Paris, renting a small apartment just down the street from the Arch de Triomphe. We explored all that the city had to offer, visiting all of the major attractions and taking excursions to the French country side, visiting wineries and chateaus.
Chateau De Chenonceau
Chateau
Eiffel Tower
Spain
After leaving Paris, we flew to Barcelona, Spain. We stayed in Spain for about a month and was able to visit Montserrat and Costa Brava.
Costa Brava
Montserrat
Park Guell in Barcelona Spain
Barcelona Beach
Our Spain trip was scheduled around the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, where we had front row seats from a balcony overlooking the festival. It was incredibly fun.
Ryan all dressed up
Running of the Bulls
We capped off our visit to Spain by visiting Valencia, Madrid, Laguardia, and Bilbao.
Valencia Spain
Flamenco Dancing in Madrid
Laguardia Spain
Incredible castle view – Laguardia Spain
Italy
After leaving Spain, we headed to Italy. We started our travels in northern Italy, visiting Milan and Lake Como.
Duomo in Milan
Lake Como
Lake Como
From here, we headed to the Italian Riviera which was probably our favorite area of Italy.
Vernazza
Monterosso
Italian Riviera – Monterosso
After leaving the Italian Riviera, we headed south to Rome, Tuscany, Pompeii and Capri. The blue grotto in Capri was stunning.
Rome
Tuscany
Pompeii
Capri
Blue Grotto
Portugal
Our final stop in Europe was in Portugal. We did not stay here very long but in hindsight, we should have stayed a few more days to take it all in.
Lisbon Portugal
Lisbon Portugal
Fall 2014
After Europe, we spent about a month in Fort Collins then headed back to Florida. Ryan came back with us so that he could take a Physics class as he awaited his acceptance to the University of Florida.
Ryan and I decided to challenge ourselves to cycle 50 miles on the bicycle (I did the challenge in 2013 but he wanted to try it as well). He and I trained hard and completed a 45 mile and 50 mile ride a week apart. We finished the 50 miles in just 3 hours, 45 minutes quicker than when I did it by myself in 2013.
With the great weather we’ve had in Florida since our return, we’ve been boating, swimming, fishing, and spending lots of time outside. It has been fun having Ryan with us for a few months. He starts at the University of Florida in January so we will miss him.
Huge Jelly Fish
Gliders on the beach
End of 2014
We are spending December in Florida. Cameron and Ryan will be here for Christmas so we will get to spend some great family time together.
In the Fall, we purchased a piece of land pretty close to the beach in Inlet Beach (about a mile from where we live today). We are planning to build a home on the lot, hopefully beginning in the Spring or early Summer.
We haven’t planned our next travel adventure yet, but we will definitely take a trip somewhere in 2015. Maybe Greece, Malta, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, or Finland? Not sure, but they all sound great!
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