They’ll be considerably safer and more pleasant if you answer these questions before hitting the highways.

1. Is my car in good shape? Tires, spares, engine and electric system. Check all thoroughly with a competent mechanic.

2. Am I in good shape? Be healthy and well-rested before tackling the driving schedule, especially those that will cover long distances over more than a day or two.

When you stay at an all-inclusive resort or sail a cruise, the unending supply of sun, food and drink not only add pounds. It also makes you vulnerable to food-related illnesses. Keeping healthy while being inundated by all the temptations isn’t easy, but it can be done. 

1. Diet: Maintain your normal at-home healthy food and booze habits. Stay away from junk food, and have your three moderate meals (no second helpings!) at the same time each day. If you’re a calorie-counter, keep tabs on what you eat. If all-you-can-grab buffet breakfast and lunch totalled 1,500 or more calories, go easy at dinner. Just salad, cup of tea and fruit. Or make breakfast your skinny meal.

Senior Guest Editor MJL, Tombstone AZ: We’re happily retired now in a snug desert home, surrounded by tall Saguaro cactus and other seniors. Except for the Old West amusement park downtown, there’s not much change of scenery. But at our advanced age age, that lifestyle fits us just right.

A few years ago, when my working days were ending, we considered buying an RV. Not one of those cramped little campers, but a truck-sized luxury home on wheels. We wanted to travel, and having our comfortable home along with us was a fun idea at the time.

You don’t need a date on the calendar to know when to start those sunset years. You just seek the right signs... finances, health, dreams, family and peace of mind. Let us count the ways:

1. Finances: The amount of post-retirement income, pension, savings, investments and other assets are critical in your decision. Their positive figures will let you know when you’re nearing the time to decide.

If you’re accustomed to comfortable living, adequate retirement income should be enough to allow you to let go without worries. The usual measure is that retirement income should be at least half of what you’ve been earning.