Day 25--leaving Tucson

We took time to ride our bikes around the campground before we finished closing up the camper. While we were working I got a call from Aunt Mary saying that she had taken Uncle Don to the hospital. We agreed to check in with her later today to see how he was doing. We took I10 part of the way and some “back roads” to get to Apache Junction. On the way, we called the Lost Dutchman Mine State Park in the Superstition Mountains and were disappointed to find out that they had no openings right through the weekend. Instead we made a reservation at the KOA right near Don and Mary’s. We were setting up by 2:00. Luckily, they have the little RVs and tents tucked into a corner away from the lined-up big rigs and near the bathroom, pool and hot tub. After we were set up we took a swim, went in the hot tub and then took showers. We found out that Uncle Don has a kidney infection and will be in the hospital at least another day but was responding well to antibiotics. It was an uneventful evening with taco salads, some shopping and then a chance to watch the Olympics for the first time. Since we’re at the “western terminus” of our trip I think it’s time for some reflection. We have traveled just over 4000 miles and ridden our bikes over 22 miles. I can’t even guess at how many miles we’ve hiked. I feel like we have joined a new and exclusive group which I think of as the R.H.M. for Retirees of Health and Means. Thanks to Marv’s good planning we do have the means to make trips like this. And we took our first chance to retire because we are in good enough health to take on fairly rigorous hiking and biking, and even more mundane requirements, such as being able to walk a distance to the closest bathroom or be willing to sleep in below freezing conditions. We had heard enough sad stories of people who have retired because of poor health or retired and then experienced declining health that we hoped not to join their ranks. So far, so good! And for our younger friends or relatives, who feel like their time will never come, fear not! We are definitely on the young side for R.H.M. membership and surrounded by people in their 60s, 70s and even 80s. My advice is your time will come but take your first opportunity!