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Congratulations!!!
Me too!
36+ years at the same rather large company, started at the ripe old age of 18... turned 55 this fall.

It's a roller coaster of emotions, mostly very VERY happy to not need to get up at 4 am anymore and deal with the stresses of my position.

We have been pretty frugal, my wife and I will both get pensions, we owe nothing and have invested continuously (Love compound interest and diversified investments!).

I plan to do lots of projects inside and outside the home, spend time clearing out the 30 years of stuff I've hung onto thinking I might need it some day (turns out I only needed a small percentage).
We will also do lots of day trips, overnighters and some international travel.
I'm easily entertained and we really don't need much to be happy.
Here in the Pacific Northwest we can be on the ocean, desert, rain forest or in the mountains within 5 hours... so many amazing places to explore and re-visit. (I am seriously addicted to the North Cascades).

I also plan to do some volunteering, habitat for the humanities and a North Cascade based institute that focuses on environmental learning for all ages appeals to me deeply.

I agree completely that it's not at all retiring from life, rather using what time I have left to do what I love, spoil my wife as much as possible and give some time and effort to organizations that do good work for others.

Oh yes, I'm also going to drive the bejesus out of my 72 911 Targa while I can still get in and out of it cuz it's so damn fun!