Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Retire Right.....The Mike Newlon Way






It is our hope the stories about retirees doing interesting things will give the readers inspiration to do something as well. That's what what this blog is all about. It is our sincere belief that many, many Americans will age into dire economic circumstances. That's why we are encouraging them to start setting up interesting ways to supplement their income now. That's the main reason behind this blogging effort.

Mike Newlon is one of my oldest friends. He is also an interesting guy doing some really neat things. He will tell you all about it in his story. I asked Mike to keep us up to date on future adventures. If you get a chance, pick up one of his books, they are a lot of fun. 


Retirement like Hollywood is a state of mind.















Like Hollywood, if you think retirement is bad, it will be. Or, if you think it is wonderful, it will be. Pleased that I still had a mind when I retired at age 60, I decided that not having a regular 9 to 5 (or usually 7 to 7 in my case) was a long-sought opportunity. It took a year or so for all the pieces to fall into place, but my final vision of retirement was to:


* Put my vintage 1969 sports car in roadworthy condition after sitting in various garages for about 25 years


* Purchase a bigger and faster PC


* Set up a well equipped office in my home


* Organize myself as a Chapter S California corporation


** Start writing!

I retired in August of 2005 and now, in June of 2010, I have published three (3!) of what will be my first series of five books. The books are about driving my classic sports car around the country on current and former U.S. highways.


Book #1 was a southbound trip from the Canadian border at Laurier, Washington to the outskirts of Hesperia, California on a recently shortened "U.S. Route 395".


Book #2 recounts a scenic jaunt from Mexico to Canada on "U.S. Route 95".


Book #3 is northbound from the Mexican border at Calexico, California to the Canadian border at Blaine, Washington on former "U.S. Route 99".


Book #4 is in process now. It documents a southbound trip from the State Capitol in Olympia, Washington to the I-5/I-10 interchange in Los Angeles, California which is the full length of today's (somewhat shortened) "U.S. Route 101".


I've already done most of the road work for Book #5. It will feature the major U.S. highways in California that were decommissioned in 1964 because the Interstates were either here, or coming, and things were already a mess. 


I travel. I see new things. I meet people. I learn. It's exciting. It's educational. I wade through the history. If you are on a highway in the western U.S. and see skid marks in front of a Historic Marker, you know I've been there. This is a wonderful retirement. If you want to learn more about the books and the 69 Porsche 912, visit my web site at  Highway Trip Books


Mike Newlon, Palm Desert, California

Here is another example of a retiree turning a lifelong goal into a part time \ full time fun business. If Mike can do it why can't you ? You can !!!!





        This story brought to you by the "usual suspects" @:


                 The Boomer Magazine



                                           and


                         John Boykin




                   The Hard Hat Photographer


             
                            john@commimage.com





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