A Look Back at 2023

With the end of the year a few days away, it's a nice time to look back at the many life changes that occurred in

January 2023

The new Year started at my parents' condo in New Jersey. I spent the time setting myself up for nomadic travels. Researched health care and state residency. Highlight was a staycation in New York City. Harry Potter on Broadway and New York Rangers game at the greatest arena, MSG.

February 2023

February was probably the most difficult month for me. It's one thing to inherit a parents property, it's another thing to clean and sell off there stuff. Slowly the furniture was donated, the figurines sold and the kitchen cabinets cleaned. 30 years in that condo and 50 years of my life was memorialized piece by piece.

March 2023

I signed up for my new healthcare and filled out by mailbox forms and became an unofficial resident of the state of South Dakota. I quit my job and officially retired on March 3. But alas spent the first 3 weeks living on an air mattress with one small TV and laptop to keep me company. March 23, I handed in the keys to my parent's condo and officially FIREd to spend a week in Asbury Park.

April 2023

My first full month of retirement saw me pet sitting in NYC and Washington DC, then back to NYC. In NYC, I toured the lower east side, Chelsea and Harlem. Took Amtrak down to Alexandria VA to visit some revolutionary war sites then off to DC to cat sit for a week. Walked through Georgetown, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetary and spent a wonderful afternoon at the Zoo. Spent an interesting night at the Washington Nationals game before taking the train back to Brooklyn for a two-week dog sit.

May 2023

Feb was difficult for family reasons but May made me question the decisions I made and many opportunities of What If? I started the month in Brooklyn. Finally went to see a NY Rangers game in MSG. My birthplace. I never felt comfortable there growing up. Never felt like I belonged. Until I met a person who questioned my decisions. It was on to Vegas where I lived for 5 years and reconnected with many friends. I also went on a two-week tour of the national parks including Monument Valley, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The month ended at the DMV where I received my South Dakota ID then a flight to Portland to catch up with MEETin friends. Memories are made every day. We take the old ones with us on our journeys. The influence who we are and who we will become.

June 2023

June started with an Amtrak journey across America. From Portland to Whitefish to Chicago for a few days where i went to the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Took a river cruise. Then on to Philadelphia my home for 11 years and my last stop in the states. and where i watched the Golden Knights win the Stanely Cup. Promises fulfilled as I flew from NYC to Ireland with a suitcase and a backpack to spend time with my Aunt in Ireland. A trip back to Bofin, a place I hadn't seen in 45 years and the birthplace of my free spirit. Spent the end of June in Galway.

July 2023

The first half of July was spent in Ireland. Travels from Bofin to Galway then on to Dublin. A chance to explore the Emerald Isle with day trips to Connemara and some Game of Thrones filming sites. On the 21st I flew to Nairobi to start my 4 plus months in Africa. I spent a few days at an eco-lodge before meeting my travel mates for the next 77 days. The month ended with seeing the Wildebeest migration in Masaii Mara, a dream come true.

August 2023

My overland African Safari continued from Kenya to Uganda to Rwanda to Tanzania. So many highlights that you have already read about in previous blog posts. Gorilla trekking to Volcanoes to Serengeti and Zanzibar, a continent filled with natural wonders.

September 2023

Overland Safari brought me through Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Naimbia. From savannas to deserts, rivers to canyons. Ziplining to ATVs. The month was filled with adventure.

October 2023

My overland tour ended with a wine tasting in South Africa. But I continued on to explore Cape Town then south to Gaansbai for my three weeks of volunteer work with the shark research center including cage diving, beach walks and a day trip to a spa. I also attended a shark and ray research symposium in Durban

November 2023

I flew out to Johannesburg where I met my team for the next adventure. Four weeks volunteering at LEO Africa a conservation and research center located next to Kruger National Park. Early morning and night game drives were the norm. We walked with lions, rhinos and cheetahs and removed invasive plants detrimental to the environment.

December 2023

Alas my time in Africa was up as I said my goodbyes and flew on to London. I experienced the Christmas markets in Covent Gardens, went on numerous walking tours and saw the Lion King in the West End. Took the train up to York for 4 wonderful days then on to Edinburgh. History and magic are what makes these cities special. One last flight to experience New Year's Eve in a new country.