I have been retired for going on three years now.  And I am THOROUGHLY enjoying this life of leisure. I thought I would have all this extra time on my hands.  Time I thought I would use to take up the sport of golf again.  But it seems I’m busier in retirement than I was while working.  While I am golfing 500-600% more than before retirement; unfortunately, before retirement I golfed once a year.  However, I know it is all a matter of setting one’s priorities.  And my priority leisure activities remain skiing in the winter and cycling in the summer.  And I’m doing quite a bit of both.  I think I had 22 ski days in 2025, about the same as I skied in 2024.  Since I have flexibility, I head to Lake Tahoe the day before a storm hits and ski the storm.  Of those 22 days that I skied, I probably had 10 powder days. For the 2026 season I bought two-way radios for safety.   We tend to head off in different directions descending through the trees on a powder day.  Since I’m not as strong and flexible as I was in my youth, if something were to happen then the radios could be invaluable (sometimes no cell phone coverage out there}.

I’m trying to take a big vacation every year.  In 2025 I went to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.  I traveled with two college buddies and a group of people that were all related in some way.  Like the sister of my friend, or neighbor of the sister, etc.  This is a picture of the group sitting on the Equator in Quito, Ecuador. I’m front row second from the right. That’s my friend Marshall to my left.

We spent a week on a 72 foot Trimaran, called the Nemo III, traveling among the Galapagos Islands.  We sailed at night and then hiked and snorkeled during the day.  It was pretty amazing.  The wildlife virtually ignores humans.  You can walk to within just a couple feet of them.  Makes for great pictures.  Below is a picture of a Frigate bird nesting. 

After Galapagos the group split up.  Some when to Mexico City and others to Machu Pichu in Peru.  Marshall and  I hired a personal guide to take us around the Ecuador mainland.  I spent two weeks with the guide.  We saw everything from the Amazon to the volcano mountains.  In the Amazon rainforest we saw flowers, birds and butterflies.  We visited a native Amazon village (touristy, but still interesting).  We saw Incan ruins.  We saw beautiful churches and amazing waterfalls. I climbed the Cotopaxi volcano to the Refugio José Félix Ribas, which is 16,000 feet above sea level.  It’s where the climbers spend the night acclimatizing before climbing to the summit, which is 19,350 feet above sea level, the following morning.  That’s me in the picture. And yes, it’s cold up there.  I wore every layer I had. 

My final noteworthy adventure this year was spending a month remodeling my 1 bedroom condominium in Minnesota.  I’m planning to sell it; part of simplifying my life in retirement.  I put in matching new floors in the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom.  I put in new base molding throughout. I had the tub/shower reglazed, and installed a new bathroom vanity and mirror. I did all the work myself except the painting and tub reglazing. Although, I have to credit my loving sister for all her support. I couldn’t have done it without her help. It actually looks pretty good.  I ordered new Almond Marble colored kitchen countertops that will be installed in late December.  Then I plan to list it for sale.  Wish me luck!

Wishing everyone a happy holiday.  That life keeps you healthy and is treating you well.  Finally, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. 

               Frank McGorman