AdventuRetired

Tell us about your Adventure!Learning to swim is a vital skill that builds confidence and safety for children. In Natchitoches, Louisiana, Phyllis Stroud has turned her backyard pool into a welcoming space where kids and parents come together to learn and grow. Semi-retired from Mary Kay, Phyllis now dedicates her part of her summer to teaching swim lessons alongside her granddaughter. Their unique approach focuses not only on the children but also on guiding parents to support their little ones in the water.

Tell us about your Adventure!Spending February in Port Aransas, Texas, followed by a 10-day Caribbean cruise offers a perfect blend of coastal charm and tropical excitement. Curt and Cindy from AdventuRetired podcast recently enjoyed this combination, discovering great restaurants, lively bars, and fresh seafood in Port Aransas before setting sail on a Carnival Cruise Line voyage from Galveston. Their journey included stops in Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios Jamaica, Roatan Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel Mexico, with memorable excursions and useful cruise tips along the way.

Tell us about your Adventure!When most people retire, they look forward to relaxing or traveling. For Traci and Bart, retirement opened the door to a continued mission: rescuing senior animals. On their small farm in Pisgah, Iowa, they care for dogs, cats, chickens, horses, and other animals who often get overlooked. Their work is not sponsored or funded by any organization. Instead, they support these animals out of their own pockets, driven by a deep sense of purpose they describe as a calling from God.

Tell us about your Adventure!North Carolina offers a rich blend of natural beauty and historical depth, attracting explorers and history lovers alike. Jeff Eisen, retired Athletic Director from Mount Olive, North Carolina, has embraced this diversity through his personal adventures. After retiring, Jeff has stayed active by running a consulting business and supporting a local farm charity called Table (www.TableNC.org). His passion for discovery led him to set ambitious goals: in 2025, he aimed to hike all 42 State Parks in North Carolina, and in 2026, he plans to visit every state historical site. His journey offers inspiration and practical insights for anyone interested in exploring the Tar Heel State.

Tell us about your Adventure!Lori Bell Blantin faced a challenge many people encounter as they approach retirement: the urgent need to improve health and regain vitality. Weighing heavily on her mind was the fact that her obesity was slowly damaging her body and affecting her mental well-being. Lori’s story is a powerful example of how determination, smart choices, and modern tools can lead to a remarkable transformation.

Tell us about your Adventure!John Lauerman, at 67 years old, embarked on an extraordinary journey that many only dream of. He rode his bike from Massachusetts all the way to Key Largo, Florida, covering over 2,000 miles along the East Coast Greenway. What made this trip remarkable was not just the distance or the physical challenge, but the connections he made and the freedom he embraced by following a simple mantra: the plan was to have no plan.