It’s hard to believe that six months ago today, we were tearfully waving goodbye to my parents, who were standing in front of our old home — which was completely empty, having sold 99% of all of our things in the days prior. Our Sprinter van, recently converted into a livable space by Steven, was packed to the brim with what we had left: about two weeks worth of clothes, travel-sized toiletries, a backpack of toys and books for each kiddo, and our dog Ruby.
Our goal? To hit the road, seeking new adventures and experiences together. To grow individually, and as a family. To live minimally, but rich with memories. We christened this “Our Great Big Adventure.”
In 153 days, we’ve lived in Paso Robles, Santa Cruz and Solvang. We’ve visited nine National Parks: Great Basin, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Crater Lake, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree. We’ve been to tons of California State Parks… so many, that I’ve lost count! Throughout Our Great Big Adventure, we’ve ventured into seven other states!
We’ve picked strawberries during high season, discovered secret forest through endless hiking trails, and splashed in the ocean while soaking in the California sun. We’ve visited multiple petting zoos and marine sanctuaries, as well as tide pools on the coastline. We have sought out the best kid-friendly breweries, and sampled local pies and sweets. We went to Disneyland and met Mickey! We’ve gotten our feet dirty and have taken wet-wipe baths too many times to count. We’ve seen bison, elk, hawks… and even bears!
More than just the places we’ve been, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves. That we can live with a little; that we never needed as much as we once thought we did. That our patience can expand. That our boys are resilient, and we are too. We’ve discovered as much as we miss our family and friends, we LOVE that they can come visit us and experience someplace new through our eyes. We’ve realized that nomadic living isn’t any easier than a traditional lifestyle. That we can be content when the cell service is sparse and lean into truly being present. And I’ve discovered that I’m capable of homeschooling my kids, and that they’re super receptive to this new way of learning.
We’ve learned the importance of slowing down, of quiet time, of simply enjoying any minute we can spend outside. That we actually do pretty damn good at living in a van, even if its crammed with a family of four and a ol’ furry dog!
I could go on and on. Steven and I are proud of this little life we’ve rebuilt together with Levi and Harvey. We get asked a lot what settling down will look like, or where — but that’s a distant thought that we’re not ready to answer. We’re beyond excited to continue exploring new places, cultures and communities. (And more breweries. OK, I said it.) The four of us are still refining as we go, but we’re getting better with every stop on the road of life.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge every single one of you who have liked, commented or messaged us along this adventure. Your love and support has the tough days good, and the best days even better. Thank you for sharing this journey with us!
