Traveling This Country of Mine

'Merica

Two and a half years have passed since my partner and I first started travelling full time in our RV. Traversing countless miles on this EPIC adventure, I have had the incredible fortune to see so many places across this spectacular country, America, that is my home. I have visited the most charming small towns and exciting cities, hiked though majestic mountains and valleys, forests, deserts, badlands, and everything in between. My kayak has been paddled through rivers, swamps, spectacular lakes and alongside the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. I have been honored to meet people from all walks of life, both young and old. I have visited art galleries, museums, botanical gardens and tasted local cuisine. Every time I think I have seen or experienced the epitome, the ‘most beautiful,’ venturing on to the next national park or the next vista, I am amazed yet again at how much diversity and beauty can exist in one country.

People often ask which place is my favorite. My answer has inevitably become, “where ever I am at the moment.” Ideally, we try to stay at any given place for two to three weeks. This gives us the chance to really take in everything the area has to offer. Having gotten rid of most of my possessions, life became more about exploring, adventure, freedom, and new experiences. A great day might be one spent connecting with nature, observing wildlife, exploring a small town and having great conversations with people we meet along the way.

I live in a self-imposed bubble, consciously choosing to insulate from political discord, the hedonic treadmill, and to stay out of traffic and extreme weather. I don’t bother with makeup, and I am much more comfortable in hiking boots than heels. I much prefer wide open spaces than crowds of people. These are personal choices I have come to understand are necessary for my happiness. Inner peace and happiness are not a given in this life, rather created out of choices that we make every day. I am on a quest to live my very best life. I want to lead life as a shining example to others: to show its ok to break free of convention, to be yourself, to always pursue what makes you happy, never stop learning, to be open and tolerant and grateful and to love with all your heart.

I not oblivious. I would have to be blind to miss the homelessness, the poverty, the rampant drug use, and depth of division, politically and ideologically that unfortunately, are very much alive in this country. But I choose instead to focus on hope, positivity, and the goodness that I witness in most of the people I meet.

I still work full time. I still need to go grocery shopping, to cook, clean, do laundry and pay my bills. The lifestyle requires endless planning. Some days are hard and some days are boring and some days I really miss my family and friends back home. Some days, I wake up and have to look outside to remember where I am. But most days are really good. I am extremely fortunate to have an amazing partner to share this life with. I am extremely blessed to be on a journey of a lifetime. I am not sure how much longer we will travel, but in the meantime, the adventure continues.