Yes, I’m leaving a good job with amazing coworkers , many of whom are like family. We’re stepping away from the safety of our suburbia middle American Dream to live out of a homemade campervan.
I’ve been told I’m committing career suicide, going through an early midlife crisis, and my personal favorite, “you should start doing drugs, like normal people”. And yes, this was said lovingly! “Drugs are bad MKAY”
Our path will take us through some of the hottest, highest, most famous, and profound terrain in North America. “Go big or go home“, literally. This isn’t a day-dream, or a fantasy . We expect mechanical problems, let downs, changed plans, and bad weather.
Along the way I’ll take terabytes of images, and countless rolls of film, as Lauren paints landscapes and crochets hats. For the sake of authenticity we’ve declined sponsorship and business involvements. This experience isn’t about selfies, followers, Instagram hits, blog roll, or social media attention.
For those of you who don’t know our story, our lives were forever changed by an old camera, that no longer worked but once belonged to my late grandfather. A refinery worker and self-taught photographer who started a “working class” photography business. Inspired by Ansel Adams he dreamt of photographing what he called the “Great Parks”, Yosemite, and the like. Yet, a few small trips into his retirement he was diagnosed with Parkinson disease.
After months of working on his camera I ran the first roll of film through it. I don’t know how or when, but that camera became more than a piece of equipment. It too inspired me to see those “Great Parks”. Taking every available vacation day we developed the skills necessary to through hike, explore, and document our “Little Adventures”.
Closing the shutter on Delicate Arch, a tear welled in the corner of my eye. Time stops for no man, but occasionally it grants us a parting gift. In the hands of his grandson his camera finally captured an image he’d longed to see.
Fast forward a few years, we’re about to travel over six thousand miles to see more of those “great parks” while living out of a van. We’re not early twenties trust fund hipsters. I’d lie if I told you I wasn’t scared. I’m going to miss the consistency, structure, and schedule of our daily lives. This has taken over a year of designing, building, and financial planning. YouTube videos and travel sites make the process of building a campervan and living out of parks look simple. Young attractive 20 something hippies with a screw driver and a hammer rocking out a Pinterest “day dream” in a weekend. I’m saying NO.. Lies and deception!
Building a solar powered off grid campervan with refrigeration, sink, fresh water, sanitation, fans, appliances, storage, editing station, and the ability to upload images from remote locations, has been a lot of work. Booking parks, planning a path, and organizing a budget was grueling. But, to date the hardest part of this process has been keeping it a secret. Friends and family have assumed we were angry with them. Our “sky family”, the skydiving community probably think were done with the sport, we are not!
I know this is unorthodox. But, during my time in vocational ministry I never once spoke with a dying person to hear them whisper, “I wish I would’ve worked more hours”. Or “I only wish I had more stuff”. Yes we’re afraid, but sometimes you simply have to jump!
Becky and Keith thanks for that campfire conversation so many years ago. Hank you’ll never know how much those door counts, and “get your head straight” advise changed me. Joe thanks for answering all my stupid camera questions. To our parents your support and encouragement has been priceless. Our community of readers and friends, thanks for the advise, even the negative stuff! I know you spoke it in love! “Drugs are bad MKAY“
Enjoy the ride! But be careful … the mobile lifestyle can be addictive 😆
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It’s a little too early for us to have even a really early retirement.. Ha Ha..
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Retirement is not a matter of age, but of income. If you can live the lifestyle before 65 more power to you.
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All it takes is a solid internet connection and a location independent way of making money and voile. No need to be retired. We’re not!
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In about a year I will be joining you. I retire in June of next year, and my wife and I are going to see the things we always wanted to. First plans are to base-camp in Arizona (our son lives there) and explore the Great SW.
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Have awesome time. You’ll have to start travel and adventure blog so I can follow that too!
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Possibly. Right now I do little more than short quips. I developed arthritis in my one hand (took 3 months to diagnose that) and they have yet to find a med that works that doesn’t hit me with bad side effects.
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Sorry to hear that, perhaps voice to text software. Its getting pretty good!
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I tried that when I was working on my Master’s, really hard to do Bible study with the citations and foreign words. Plus, my “real” job requires a lot of typing. By the time I get home I just don’t want to do much.
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Happy trails and safe trip! I look forward to seeing and hearing about your adventures!
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Thanks Ronald, cant wait to start hiking and exploring.
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I’m so excited for you. You will never regret this decision! Be safe and I look forward to seeing your adventures!
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You could still meet up with us in New Mexico. Did you get a copy of our track yet?
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I just replied! 🙂
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I have so many thoughts about this that I don’t know where to begin! First of all, this is SO EXCITING! I absolutely can’t wait to follow along with your adventure and see all the beautiful photos to come. Second, I love the story about your Grandpa. It is so special when you get those moments of feeling close to someone after they are gone. And finally, DEFINITELY do the things you want and nod and smile at the people who think you’re crazy. Have all the adventures you can when you are young and well so when you’re older and/or broken you have great stories to tell! Safe travels!!
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I waited to respond to your comment. First wow, thank you for such an amazing encouragement. Secondly I love your site. Your push to explore, and enjoy nature against the restraints of your physical condition. Your a truly inspiring person.
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Thanks so much, Curt! It’s people like you who inspire me.
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Not sure where your based out off, but we would love to do a co-blog with you sometime.
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So brave! Looking forward to follow along your journey. Be safe. 💗
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Thanks, I love your blog.Keep up the great work!
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That sounds awesome. I’m definitely jealous 🙂
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No need to be jealous. You have an awesome blog!
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Thanks! 😀 But I would love to just travel around the world, or the US, or wherever like you’re going to do 🙂
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We’re all exploring our little piece of the world… Perhaps we’ll cross paths one day!
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Ive been doing this part time for a while at the end of 2018, Ill be spending 12 months traveling the US doing the National Parks, rock climbing the icons and doing EVERY boogie i can get to 🙂 might cross paths 🙂
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Boogie, your a skydiver? As soon as I press send I’m going to see if you have a site.
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Go on then, you are taking life places 🙂 Beautifully written. I love the look of your mobile home for the next few months. Cheers.
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This is so exciting!! Our mummy and daddy are saving up so that we can do this in two years time! We can’t wait! We are still travelling now at weekends and when we have holidays but we can’t wait to go all the time!
We are really looking forward to reading all about your adventures!
Wolf, Bear and Monkey xxx
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If you need any help with your build, advise etc… don’t hesitate to ask. It’s a steep learning curve!
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So cool. Enjoy your new adventure.
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Thank you!
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Don’t listen to them, you have to live your life. Go for it!
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Thanks we could use all the encouragement we can get!
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A couple of years ago I did it too, in a different way but same idea: I quit my job and left my flat in Belgium to go by myself to the other side of the world, aka New Zealand. The people reactions were varied but mostly unexpected… I couldn’t believe how judgy people could be! But in the end that was most certainly the best decision of my (still short) life!
So enjoy! Make the most of every moment, maybe it will be hard sometimes but it will always be worth it.
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Fantastic post Curt! Yay to you & Lauren for daring to shatter the myth that keeps so many people chained to a boring life! The quote by Thoreau comes to mind; “The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation.” I am so pleased to learn that the ‘big changes’ to your life that you spoke of in your last post are so exciting, and will reap huge rewards for you both as you travel through this new chapter of your life. I look forward to reading your future posts, written in your cozy little van, and would love to read about Lauren’s perspective too, of your new little adventures. Maybe she could write a little post here and there? Either way, I will being staying tuned. Best of luck, and happy, happy travels. Leah 🙂
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Our dog Ruth who we often refer to as ruddle will be traveling with us. Lauren is an artist. So we’ve been kicking around name for her. Roodler and the Doodler
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Sweet to ride forth at evening from the wells
When shadows pass gigantic on the sand,
And softly through the silence beat the bells
Along the Golden Road to Samarkand.
Safe travels my friends.
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Long time reader, first time poster. Just wanted to express my excitement on your next adventure. Your pictures are awe-inspiring and I can’t wait to see more. What I’ve particularly enjoyed about your site however has been your reflective posts – looking forward to reading about your upcoming journey. I’d be happy to share info on Yosemite, Zion or Bryce Canyon, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, the Everglades, Shenandoah, the Delaware Water Gap, or the Great Smoky Mountains if you’re visiting any of these national parks!
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Thank you so much. Glad you enjoy the images, I feel as though photography is a life long learning curve. Your more than welcome to re-blog any post you like. Simply credit our site, and leave the watermark on the images. Glad to have you as part of our community!
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I’m looking forward to following your adventures!
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So are we! Very nervous, but excited.
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Have a fantastic time, this had been my hope once upon a time but sadly certain life circumstances interfered and i was never able to fulfill it. GO FOR IT!!
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Never say never, you may still be able to yet!
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I had wanted to do it with my children. Show them the world in all its glory. My son was 8 at the time he’s now 20. It may happen but will be a different experince. Im a firm believer in you only get one shot at this. So, jump in with both feet but hold your nose. X
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Love it, such profound advise !
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Having traveled all my life, but 1 1/2 years ago retiring and being able to travel as much as we want, I can wholeheartedly say “Go for it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long”! I look forward to your stories, when you do share them!
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We’re 5 days into the track and it’s been amazing so far. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Awesome and brave! I hope you have wonderful and rewarding experiences. Please tell us you’re going to share your big adventures on here, too! Also, amused by the fact that you’re bringing a tv haha.
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I’m American we don’t do anything with out a tv..It’s switch is titled autopilot..for those rainy days
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Love that y’all are doing it! You’ll never regret it!
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So far so good..ha ha.. just keep wishing for good light…
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Best of luck 👍
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Life is such an adventure! I look forward to following your journey and visiting your country through your eyes – and your grandfather’s camera. Congratulations on a great looking campervan too!
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Thank you. We’ve continued to find things we wished we’d done differently, but so far the adventure has been amazing
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Love it well thought out. Would love to do a similar thing but have not got my licence so might be a bit difficult. Maybe when I’ve saved the cash I try and get a bit of land an set up a non mobile one.
All the best and enjoy.
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Love it!! fantastic! We also are in the process of selling up and going to live on a canal barge and also travel around in our camper van 🙂 So exciting!!
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That’s awesome. I look following your adventure through your blog.
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Sound like a real adventure! Sieze the moment!!!
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Omg, I love your solar campervan! I like how you managed to put there everything you need and also didn’t forget about the art 🙂
People can be so mean. Don’t listen to them, we’re living our lives not the lives of others, that’s why annoys me when someone is telling me what should I do and how should I live. Just chase your dreams and don’t look back. Most of the time, people who give you such advice are either envious of you, or they’re just too oblivious to the true meaning of life 🙂
Good luck and happy travels!
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I think most of the people who gave us “negative” advise meant well enough. It’s hard to know what life really looks like living in a rat race. Their perspective is simply off.
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