We named our website Easin’ Along simply because those are the words that describe our retired lifestyle. We invite readers along on a Slow Walk through the Golden Years with a focus on our faith, a love of the road less traveled, a passion for great food, and memorable moments with our family and our dear friends. From the beginning, our purpose was to participate in and promote an active retirement lifestyle, combine those activities with a love of writing, and share our experiences with Easin’ Along readers.
In the years leading up to retirement, Helen (adorable wife) and I had both compiled long “do lists” filled with things we hoped to accomplish once retirement was no longer just a plan. Our vision for the Golden Years was a busy lifestyle filled with activities that we could only dream about while working full-time. We had passions to pursue, and new interests to explore. Additionally, we both shared a craving for time spent traveling to fascinating places that lay just over the horizon and beyond. Our mission would be simple…catch sight of the perfect sunrise and toast the perfect sunset.
In my case, all hopes and plans probably have been propelled by memories of my father who, throughout my adolescence, kept a toy truck camper in his study. That camper represented his dreams of long road trips with my mother once he put away his briefcase. Unfortunately, cancer took away those dreams, and my father, before his 53rd birthday. To this day, the memory of his premature death prompts me to get up and get moving.
Within days of joining the ranks of the retired, we took Easin’ Along readers on a five-week road trip exploring the East Coast, traveling from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the deep woods of Maine. We have taken readers on three more extended journeys since, including our most recent trip where we rented a motorhome, named it Sherman, and drove from Chicago to the Pacific coast on a sojourn we titled Sherman’s March to the Sea.
Once smitten by the RV lifestyle, a travel trailer named Bertha soon followed us home. In the future, we will share some of our activities on the road with Bertha, either across the country or perhaps to a military installation…preferably near a beach town. We might also load up and head out to one of the many fairs and food festivals in a mountain community nearby. We’re perpetually on the lookout for events where we can enjoy the Bluegrass or Appalachian folk music for which our region is known, as well as the opportunity to amble over to a flea or farmer’s market and browse…slowly.
When not traveling, we stay busy. Helen has found new interests that she enjoys enthusiastically having uncovered a love for both pottery and pickleball. Somehow, she manages to work both into a schedule that includes arranging flowers for the church, singing in the choir, and treasured time with friends. As for me, I serve as an elder in our church and sit on two committees there. I participate in two exercise classes at the YMCA, and my mission to master art through the lens of my camera is an ongoing endeavor.
If I’m completely honest, I will confess that there are aspects of working full-time that I find myself missing on occasion. I miss the friends and the relationships I accumulated over many years of a career building homes. I find myself missing time around young people and feeling the effects of their boundless energy and enthusiasm and their connection to things current. I miss the daily challenges that one confronts in the workplace and the process of finding successful solutions to those challenges. Finally, I miss earning a paycheck—not because of the money, but because every dime I ever received represented hard work, dedication, and a contribution toward the task of accomplishing a goal. Nevertheless, I’m not trading any of the above for the job I have now.
The greatest blessing to come out of retirement is that I have been afforded the time to write. I truly and truthfully enjoy every minute I spend composing posts and articles for Easin’ Along. Having just passed the second anniversary of the first post, I can honestly say that being able to share our activities with others is both a gift and a joy. The thought that a weekly creative commitment is something to dread has never, ever, entered my mind and I cannot envision the day that I will tire of writing.
Helen and I also remain committed to the job of searching for the perfect rising or setting sun. Shared above is a sunrise Helen captured on a predawn walk along the shores of Lake Michigan last fall. We have yet to witness perfection, but as is evident, we have ventured close. Therefore, our search continues and probably, hopefully, always will.
We remain firm in our conviction that retirement is the best gig going, and, for as long as we are able, we will continue…Easin’ Along.
Joe Bruner retired from a career in the home building industry and a second career as an officer in the US Army Reserve. He and his wife, Helen, who retired from the staff of a private preparatory school, live in Knoxville, Tennessee. They have written extensively about their travels and retirement lifestyle on their website Easin’ Along. Their articles also appear on Militaryliving.com and in R & R Travel News.
From Retirement Reflections – Thank you to Joe for sharing his (and Helen’s) retirement travels and passions with us. If you are feeling a bit of wanderlust, you’re in for an adventure when checking out his blog!! Please join us again next Sunday, when Kathy of Smart Living 365 will share with us the secrets of ‘right-sizing.’ This is great advice for retirees and non-retirees alike. See you there!
Retirement Reflections 
Enjoying life is what retirement is all about!
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I totally agree, Kate! Thanks for reading and commenting on Joe’s post!
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Kate, Amen to that. We’re blessed!
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What a great way to spend the next stage of your lives. Enjoy the ride! Thanks for introducing us to Joe and “adorable” Helen, Donna.
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Thanks, Jill – It was my pleasure to introduce Joe and Helen to you. I’ve learned from the best!
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Jill, We’re honored to be introduced to Donna’s readers and it has been fun reading all of the great guest posts. Thanks for your comments. Joe and Helen
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I like your style! I’m looking forward to extended trips like yours – once I can persuade my husband that retirement is A Good Thing.
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Thanks, Anabel, just talk your husband into an extended road trip to some part of the country that he would enjoy and he will get into this retirement thing pretty quickly.
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Retirement is a GREAT thing! Fingers crossed that you can convince John about this. Good luck!
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Hi Joe and Helen!
Good for you to be traveling much more now and congrats on the camper purchase. This provides a means to freedom! We have always loved to travel with our own homes, whether a camper or a sailboat (the best way to pursue the perfect sunset, by the way :-)). As you know from experience with your dad, one should never wait too long to follow one’s dream. Enjoy all your travels and other hobbies in retirement!
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Thanks, Liesbet (love the name), I envy your sailboat. We sold our boat when we downsized and that is what eventually became a camper. Nevertheless, we loved slowly motoring along on the water and we agree with you that it is the best way to toast a sunset. All our best, Joe and Helen.
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Hi, Liesbet – I just finished reading your latest post about your new Westfalia! Congratulations! That is so cool!
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Retirement does sound like the best gig ever! I feel retired, since I do what I love, but I’m still working. And I’ll probably be working ’til the day I die (or lose my thinking abilities!).
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Stephanie, I’ve heard it said that if you love what you do, it isn’t work. You’re very fortunate. Perhaps you can be one of those that are able to “semi-retire” at some point. That can be a good gig too!
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Hi, Stephanie – I agree with Joe. Loving what you do is the key. You are very fortunate…as are all of your readers!
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Hi Joe and Helen, love reading about your wonderful retirement lifestyle! You live rich lives indeed, even on the daily. Wonderful to meet you!
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Thanks, Terri. We’re truly blessed and grateful for every day that we can be Easin’ Along. All the best to you. Joe and Helen.
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Hi, Terri – I also love reading about different retirement lifestyles. There is so much choice and variety today — which is very exciting!
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Hi Joe and Helen! Nice to *meet* the two of you.
Like-minded people tend to gather together and so it’s no surprise that lifestyle bloggers with the same philosophy of staying active and engaged with the world in retirement would also flock together.
There is so much to do and see! Happy travels in all your adventures together!
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Hi , Joanne – I absolutely ❤️ how like-minded adventurers have gathered together in this little corner of the blogosphere.
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Hello, Joanne, Reading about the activities and experiences of busy and engaged retirees has been very inspirational for Helen and me. We recently purchased an RV and have learned so much from the experiences of like minded RV-ers. We are blessed. Best to you…
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Your retirement lifestyle sounds like it’s perfect for you. And with Bertha there to help you, what a fun way to live your days. Great to meet you.
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Ally, Great to hear from you. We were made for the “road less traveled” and Bertha has presented with the opportunity to do just that. Thanks for Easin’ Along with us…we’re honored to be visited by Donna’s readers.
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I love this retirement blogger community! We have all approached things a bit differently (including some choosing to continue working), as we create the post-work world that we love. I think most of us can relate to the few things you mentioned missing from being employed but it sounds like you’ve done a great job filling in the divots. Retirement is absolutely the “best gig going”!
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I totally agree, Janis. Retirement is a very cool gig indeed! 😎
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Hi Joe (and Helen). I’m playing catch up with Donna’s Sunday Guest Post Series. So glad to “meet” you two! Your life sounds interesting. Would so love for me and hubby to do the same in a RV. What fun and excitement that would be for us! And last but not least, thank you Joe for your service in the US Army Reserve!
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Hi, Dee – I love being inspired by other bloggers. I am moved by both the motivation and challenge that they provide. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read all posts in this series!
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