As the summer rolls on, folks everywhere are taking their annual vacations. It's a popular time to take precious time off work and enjoy the season outdoors. Will you go somewhere exotic or adventurous? Conquer a rollercoaster, zipline, or maybe just relax camping in the woods or lounging at the beach? Perhaps you'll visit your grandkids or your hometown. For me, summer vacation brought a combination of a trip to see family in North Georgia and then a side trip to New Orleans.
Discovering Georgia's Natural Beauty
I hadn't been to Georgia in quite a while and had forgotten how beautiful it is! I was almost shocked by the lush green trees, pastures, farms, lakes, rivers, and creeks everywhere. Seeing it with fresh eyes gave me a renewed appreciation. North Georgia has destinations like Tallulah Falls, which is 500 feet high, and the Tallulah Gorge 1,000 feet deep and over 2 miles long, one of the deepest and longest gorges in the eastern USA. Yes, you can hike it if you have the stamina. Another famous spot is Amicalola Falls in Dawson County, the tallest waterfall in Georgia at 729 feet. We picnicked in a beautiful park there.
We also visited the Chattahoochee River, which stretches 436 miles past Atlanta down to the southern border with Alabama and Florida. Beside it is Helen, Georgia, a German-themed town known for its beer and bratwurst (yum).
New Orleans Food and Music
While in New Orleans, food and music were the main attractions. We enjoyed local favorites not to be missed like Port of Call for a loaded baked potato, a Monsoon to drink, and Mandina's for crab fingers (yep, I said fingers, not claws...) Of course, our trip wouldn't be complete without café au lait with beignets at Café du Monde on Jackson Square and an afternoon muffuletta sandwich at Central Grocery! Yeah, we ate ourselves silly! For our musical fun, we went to the dueling pianos at Pat O'Brien's, where you can request your favorite tunes and sing along (who, me?). Be prepared for a rowdy crowd of patrons!
It was truly a wonderful revisit to two of my favorite places. I hope your summer is full of fantastic memories, wherever your travels may take you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
You Might Also Like
- Why Am I Me? Beautiful Experiences That Shape Who You Are
Lifestyle & Mindset · David S. Edge - Making the Most of Summer Visitors in Retirement
Lifestyle & Mindset · David S. Edge - Please and Thank You! Why Good Manners Matter More Than Ever
Lifestyle & Mindset · David S. Edge
Easy Eddie's Take
David's summer adventures remind me of something important: retirement gives you the freedom to really enjoy travel without worrying about limited vacation days. A lot of people ask me, "How do I plan for travel expenses in retirement?" The good news is there are specific ways to budget for those Georgia mountains and New Orleans adventures. For 2026, if you're over 50, you can contribute up to $30,000 to your 401(k) (including the catch-up contribution), and up to $8,000 to an IRA. That extra savings today can fund a lot of beignets tomorrow!
Here in Arizona, many retirees find they can stretch their travel dollars by taking advantage of seasonal living. Think of it this way: you might spend summers exploring places like North Georgia's cooler climate, then return to Arizona's beautiful winters. If you're planning for Medicare while traveling, remember that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) works nationwide, but Medicare Advantage plans often have network restrictions by state. A little preparation today can make those retirement adventures even sweeter.