Written 6/1/14
What keeps those who long to travel from hitting the open road? It usually is a variation of factors ranging from careers, family obligations, children, loans, bills, pets and many other influences. These things can enrich our lives but they can also keep us at “home.”
My husband and I started our second year of marriage with some serious questions on the horizon. With his last year of his four year US Coast Guard contract winding down, we started to think about where we wanted to settle, the best course of getting our dream jobs, and so on. Our thought process got derailed, however, by my 97 Honda Civic getting stolen out of our driveway (the second car of ours to be stolen in a year and a half). This experience sort of jump started our “flight” instinct. We were sick of having to constantly watch our backs and worry about our vehicles and other personal property getting taken in the city we live in. Every weekend that we could we were out in the woods camping. Camping was really the only place that we felt safe and completely happy. Being out in nature we felt more at home than in our little condo. We were able to relax, enjoy life and get full night's sleep. Wishing for more of theses peaceful times in nature, my husband pointed out the uniqueness of our situation. None of the factors that keep those who long to travel from hitting the open road applied to us. We were not in debt in any way, we had no pets, and no children. In other words, there was nothing holding us back. Thus, the plans for Operation Backyard Discovery started to take form.
Present Day:
What a day! It was our intention to be out of the apartment by the 30th, but here we are January 1st, and finally wrapping things up. Seeing our belonging piling up in the trailer for storage makes it a reality. Over the last couple of months we have pictured ourselves living in our camper and exploring beautiful places. Starting tomorrow, our dreams will have come true.
