Years ago when I was in my late 40s, I was on one of my infamous road trips through the U.S. Deep South—Mississippi, specifically. I stopped for lunch at a fast food joint, placed my order, and was surprised by how cheap it was. When I got to my seat, I looked at my receipt and it showed “Senior Discount.” I was in my 40s, for crying out loud! I know I didn’t look that old.

Now, about 15 years later, I’m seeking out senior discounts. Or at least one in particular.

In the United States, when you turn 62 years old—as I did last week—you can purchase a lifetime pass that gives you access to all of our national parks for a one-time fee of a mere $80. Within a few hours of turning 62, I was in possession of my lifetime pass. Sweet! Now, I just have to make the time to use it.

My sister came out from Chicago to celebrate my birthday, and it was good to be able to spend some quality time with her, showing her some of the more popular sites in sunny San Diego. She, of course, enjoyed escaping the Chicago winter, even if it was just for a long weekend.

So there are some perks to making one more trip around the sun each year as we grow older. It doesn’t always seem that way on days when joints ache and memory slips a tad (now where are those keys again??), but it certainly beats the alternative.

I’ll be back to reality with my next PSA test in early February. Until then, you may find me in a national park someplace. (Yes, even Death Valley. It’s on my bucket list and now is the time of year to go.)

I’ve been a bit remiss in following my regular posting schedule the last two months. I’ll work to get back on track, posting on the 11th of each month. (Unless I happen to be in a national park.)