That’s what I want to hear! Can’t wait to test that theory.

Thanks for the congratulations on my approaching retirement. One path splitting into new ones. The journey over the next few months should be interesting.

The Vespa GTS is a pretty amazing machine. All the observations you’ve made attest to how special they are. The long distance adventure touring — it always sounds great until I find out from those who do it how much soul crushing highway miles are involved. It reminds me of the rushing vacations of my youth that sped from one place to the next. If I ever do any long distance touring I hope it’s at a slow halting pace..

On the subject of scooters – Vespas, in particular – versus motorcycles: as I’ve written here before, I was originally planning on buying a used motorcycle when I moved from NYC across the river to NJ and decided I was finally going for my MC license; Sig. Other (the big reason behind my moving) thought this was a practical idea for living someplace where public transportation was relatively scarce, but gently beseeched me to consider a scooter over an MC, and sweetening the deal by kicking in some bucks to help buy whichever scoot I wanted. The funny paradox is that I knew exactly which scooter I wanted, and after searching in vain for one in decent shape (and with a clean title), we ended up spending considerably more on a new GTS 300 Super last September. It’s been just a few weeks over a year since buying the bike, and, funnily enough, just a few weeks since retaking my road test, passing(!), and obtaining my MC license. in that time I’ve managed to put about 1500 miles on Melody, and…have somehow lost most of my interest in anything bigger or more powerful. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with bigger bikes, it’s just that my GTS really seems like all the bike I could desire, even for potentially longer rides. If I caught a sudden jones for long-distance adventure touring on a frequent basis, obviously I’d be changing my tune at least a bit, but for the longer rides I envision taking in the not-too-distant future, I don’t see myself pining that hard for more ponies or bigger wheels. Like you, it doesn’t mean a bigger bike won’t happen ever, but it’s certainly not on my radar now – I’m having way too much fun right now, if that’s possible. 😉

Owning my own time… I like the sounds of that. Mostly right now I remain a little shocked at how fast my career swept by. So fast…

My brain certainly keeps me busy. Hopefully it will continue in that manner for some time to come.

Funny thing about blogs and comments and advice. I suppose the fact that I share such things opens the door to opinions. I’m fine with that. Sometimes I’m asked by people why I share so much personal stuff on Scooter in the Sticks. My response — I don’t share anything I wouldn’t share with a stranger. While it’s personal, it’s not intimate or private. And mostly it’s just my wandering thoughts that bubble up while I’m riding or walking the dogs.

Anyways, thanks for the congrats on the retirement which will arrive in about 270 days!

So I say: Congrats on having made the decision! And I totally agree with what one of the previous commenters wrote: People with a brain like yours will not be idle.

Now that you’ve made up your mind, the days are just going to start crawling by and June will seem like a lifetime away.