Third Year after Life Disruption and I am Ready to Move On

Long story in a nutshell:
I was living large in Florida, retired and financially secure in January 2022. In February 2022 I went to care for my elderly mother and while I was gone, my wife had a stroke. After 2-1/2 years of hospitals, nursing homes, Medicaid, hospice for both (simultaneously), both have died and I’m in the last stages of executor and probate duties. As soon as I sell my house, I’m taking a road trip. With my dog, of course.
I’ve benefited from assistance offered by friends, neighbors, and relatives, but there are too many memories here. I’m an only child, and my two children are grown with families of their own.
I consider myself very lucky with respect to pathways forward. I have my health and I have a network of friends throughout the National Park Service.
I need to totally de-stress and spend time in nature. Fortunately, my students from years past have attained important positions in Science and Resource Management for the NPS.
I’ve been given an amazing opportunity…I welcome your comments on how a senior citizen (Retired college professor and researcher) could make the most of my situation.
I’ve been all around the country, and my goal is to move to the PNW (Oregon, Washington, N. California). I hope my skills in esoteric subjects like biotechnology and chemistry will make up for my lack of common sense 😉