You’ve finally arrived, or so you thought. Today you woke up ready to go to Sun City, Arizona. This is one of the fascinating places many “seniors” dream of traveling to, once they are retired. A place where there are more females than males, five percent have never married, sixty-five percent are now married, one percent are separated, and seven percent are divorced. You are one of the lucky ones. You’ve just re-discovered paradise.

Decades ago, your paradise was dreaming of marrying Marilyn Monroe or Clark Gable. Now-a-days, you are lucky if that cute blondie gives you a wink and offers you the senior’s discount at the local restaurant. Hopefully, you were able to sign up for that small amount of hard earned silver and gold at age sixty-two, sit back on your gluteus maximums and wait for the mail!

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) reports that half of its thirty-five million members are still working. Now don’t get uptight, but at age fifty one can join AARP. That should be one indicator you are entering the speed bump zone. While you are getting the RV ready to hit the road, the rest of the fifty-plus “seniors” are either working full or part-time. UGH!! Nearly one-third of them are under age sixty, forty-seven percent are age sixty to seventy-four, and twenty-one percent are seventy-five and older. Have a moment of silence for those poor young souls coming up through the ranks who have to wait until age 70 to even think about retirement.

With every ten years of age comes a different set of rules. The first ten years of life you learn how to potty on the big seat, eat with a spoon, tie your shoes, and play well with others. Throughout the teen years it’s a struggle with self-identity issues, fighting autonomy, wanting independence, and needing security. The twenties aren’t much better. You get shoved “out of the nest.” Some “nests” are worse than others. Some twenties are better than others. Thirties and forties are the two decades you feel you have to get it all and do it all with the family. Those twenty years are the “make or break” you years, educationally, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

The fifty’s arrive! Look down in the mirror and see what gravity does to you. You’ll wonder who’s staring back! You’ve got “turkey-neckties” and “marshmallow biceps” "Ok," just another speed bump. It’s a minor one. Retiring at age 50 or 65 and in relatively good health, with the RV of your choice and a good looking, comfortable road partner, your Chihuahua, what more could you want? Sun City is age-restricted -- one member of the household must be 55 or older and no one under age 18 is permitted residence. The population is approximately 45,000. You will feel at home with the crowd!

Arizona, the state of canyons, desserts, wild rivers, reptiles, migrant birds and cactus is exotic exuding the spirits of past native tribes of the Hopi and Navajo nations. Blending Native Americans, and cowboys of the Wild West, makes Arizona one of the most respectfully rugged states in the Union. For the traveler, Arizona offers an array of fun and beauty. One such area of this monumental state is Sun City, Arizona. A resort community filled with villas designed for the retired senior to have all the comforts one could hope for within a short distance. Vacation packages can be arranged to try out the resort by signing up on their website at www.suncity.com. Eleven golf courses and seven recreation centers provide swimming, tennis, bowling and a myriad of other activities. The Lakeview Recreation Center even has a lake for fishing.

In Sun City, the golfing is exceptional. Mild weather during the fall and winter months, enable golfers to enjoy “winter golf” on beautiful dessert greens. The enjoyment of company with a foursome in a good game of golf is unspeakable joy. For those who entertain thoughts of dancing, there are ballrooms not only associated with the resort but also with the local RV park, Paradise RV Resort.

For your next trip, park your RV at Paradise RV Resort. There are 950 full hook-up sites with cable television. Scattered Jacuzzis throughout the park, putting greens for the golfers, shuffle boards, and a big ballroom for your style of dancing make this a “paradise found.” Paradise Park is a walled community with twenty-four hour patrolled security guards. No online reservations please. Just call at 1-623-977-0344. Phone ahead for early reservations; by November they are full until spring. So don’t mind the speed bumps, just go over them a little slower and get to Sun City for some “toe-tapping, hole-sinking” fun!

Average weather in Sun City, Arizona

Happy Traveling.

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