Oh, The Goals of a Wanderer

Friends, family, strangers, they've all seemed to have one of the following thoughts regarding me quitting my job, relinquishing my home, and living out of a car for 60+days: (1) I wish I could join you/I've always wanted to do what you're doing (2) Have you been saving/How can you afford this? (3) If only I didn't have my spouse, kids, mortgage, student loans, etc... I’ve also been called many names over the last month (and even over the last 15 years). Nomad. Hippie. Free soul. People trying to define me, put me in a box, or assign a word to describe who I am, how I feel, what I’ve seen and done. Well, this is me: I enjoy traveling, seeing new destinations, meeting people. I become bored with the same place and after visiting a spot, I always prefer to visit some place new. And now, after years of talking about it, planning it in my head, and dreaming about it, I've taken the leap. I’m officially a wanderer, aimlessly traveling. The journey has finally begun. The only part left is to see the aftermath (hopefully, it includes beautiful moments, happy memories, and interesting people…and delicious desserts!). 

It's not strange to leave. I lived in Dallas for 7 years which is so much longer than I lived anywhere else. Walking out of the house for the last time on Tuesday, seeing the garage door shut, it brought a feeling of finality (oh my gosh, what have I done?), but also an ecstatic vision of possibilities and excitement for the journey (side note: when I was feeling the most excited, and literally whooping at the top of my lungs while driving east on Hwy 30, a cop pulled me over for speeding. Haha put a LITTLE damper on my enthusiasm, but I was also able to laugh it off because the *joy* I was feeling in that moment was all-consuming.).

The part of the pre-journey that’s exciting me the most is that I don't know what tomorrow will bring. Do I take a right at that stop light, instead of the pre-planned left? Do I jump on a plane and fly to >wherever I choose< just because I want to or because there’s an amazing deal on Cheap DFW. There is no one telling me no. No one to say, hey, do this or you can’t do that. The future is unknown, but I have more control of it now than ever before, and I’m excited to see what it brings.

I greatly appreciate the support and encouragement from every corner in my life. No one has said anything negative or wondered if I knew what I was doing (or at least, not to my face…ha!). I’m not 100% certain where to go on the my road trip or what I should see, but I am 100% certain it was the right path to quit my job, sell most of my things, and start this journey.

On a positive note, there’s been a change in vehicles. Mama decided to join me for a few weeks (it may be longer; she’s noncommittal on a set time frame…maybe 60+ days? haha) and we are taking her truck. So, we’ll be better prepared for snow (which has already started to fall in the mountains…and apparently we’ll be visiting lots of mountains, so, smart not to go with the low-to-the-ground Honda Civic, right?).

Anyways, the truck allows more space for STUFF. Woot. Woot. So excited. Although, I once backpacked Europe for 50 days. Back. Packed. Everything I needed fit in one Osprey pack. Everything. I survived. Today, I'm traveling across the USA in a truck, with a suitcase, tent, and sleeping bags. This will be luxurious. Ahhh, so excited! Perhaps if this life suits me, next year, I'll be doing it in style from a camper van!

Oh, the goals of a wanderer.

Much love for now.

SFK

p.s. 2 days until we officially hit the road!