One of the realities of approaching one's 70's is that there is less time ahead than behind. Another is that there will come a day when one graduates from gonzo rockcrawler to gentleman jeeper and spends more time exploring unseen territory or returning to favorite places than conquering obstacles for sport.
I'm not there yet, but that day is on the horizon.
I can stay where I am in California's North State or I can move. One motivation for seeking another state of residence is the current political climate in California and the very real potential for substantial increases in state taxes to pay for Governor Newsom's social programs. If I move, it will most likely be the last move before its time for me to consider a retirement community for "active retirees." Or it will be the last move before I croak but I prefer to be an optimist.
I've been thinking about a good friend and avid jeeper who moved from Orange County to St. George Utah when he retired. He goes jeeping at least once a week, often more, and is currently jeeping in Colorado. Another offroading acquaintance recently moved to Hurricane Utah.
So now I am planning a multi-week road trip to explore the places where I have imagined that I might enjoy living that are close to multiple jeeping and offroad exploration opportunities. Here's my list so far. What do you think? Pros/con? Taxes? Politics? Places to include in my road trip or exclude?
Carson City/Minden/Gardnerville NV
St. George UT
Prescott AZ (tentative front runner)
Tucson AZ
I have been spending time in Southern Oregon already, but as attractive as the area might be there appears to be little in the way of jeeping opportunities.
I'm not there yet, but that day is on the horizon.
I can stay where I am in California's North State or I can move. One motivation for seeking another state of residence is the current political climate in California and the very real potential for substantial increases in state taxes to pay for Governor Newsom's social programs. If I move, it will most likely be the last move before its time for me to consider a retirement community for "active retirees." Or it will be the last move before I croak but I prefer to be an optimist.
I've been thinking about a good friend and avid jeeper who moved from Orange County to St. George Utah when he retired. He goes jeeping at least once a week, often more, and is currently jeeping in Colorado. Another offroading acquaintance recently moved to Hurricane Utah.
So now I am planning a multi-week road trip to explore the places where I have imagined that I might enjoy living that are close to multiple jeeping and offroad exploration opportunities. Here's my list so far. What do you think? Pros/con? Taxes? Politics? Places to include in my road trip or exclude?
Carson City/Minden/Gardnerville NV
St. George UT
Prescott AZ (tentative front runner)
Tucson AZ
I have been spending time in Southern Oregon already, but as attractive as the area might be there appears to be little in the way of jeeping opportunities.