This is the second year I’ve road tripped with my friend Patrick. This year we looped in another friend, Biff. And whereas we went across the northern plains last year, this year we cut right across the middle directly to Denver. This is a huge country, and parts of it are beautiful beyond my ability to describe. The road trip this year confirmed that I want to see all of it. I wish I had come to this realization when I was much younger – Being 56 makes it a little harder to cram all that traveling in during the standard two-week vacations. And that’s why I have been wondering a lot lately about how I could be nomadic.
I’ve been given a great opportunity at work, being allowed to become a nomad. I think a lot about what it is I want to do with the great opportunity I’ve been handed. As I’ve mentioned before, I am now 100% remote with my employer. In conversations with my higher-ups, on my way out, it was made clear they are not putting restrictions on what I can do with my liberty. Planning this out, however, is easier said than done.
Years ago I compared the way I felt about where I was in life to a can of soda being shaken really hard. The soda inside the can, after much agitation, is looking for the first opportunity to explode out of its confines. I still feel that way about life – Being tied to an office, a mortgage, a routine. The general annoyances of work a day life being the agitation in this metaphor. But I would like to find the best way to direct my explosive energy now that I am released.
Here’s my fantasy idea du jour. Coming across Wyoming and Montana, particularly in the national parks, I saw more than a few individuals living out of modified vans. They were true nomads, as we now regard the term. I am drawn to that idea for several reasons. First, there is so much to see in the west that I would never have time to see during a normal retirement. I want to take time to explore the regions, the landscapes, and get to know the people. I am drawn to this idea also because once I have exhausted my interest in the west, I can continue being a nomad in exploring all the national parks. Most of them can be reached via car. And I would love to travel through our great neighbor to the north, Canada.
Another reason I am keen on this idea is cost. If done correctly, I think this could be a very cost effective way to see as much of America as possible. However, and this concerns me as I know nothing about automobile engines, if the vehicle is a lemon, it may cost far more than expected.
Another option I was introduced to yesterday, by randomly chatting someone up online who is also exploring the US nomadically, is the app couchsurfers. This is not an endorsement of the app. I am mentioning it here solely because I had not heard of it until then. But his method of exploring the US involves that app for homestays, I guess, and he has camping gear for other nights. Also, and this is another option I had not considered, for showers (and for staying in shape) he had multiple gym memberships – He would simply pause the memberships of the gyms that had no branches in the various areas he was exploring at the time. That is absolutely something I will consider.
I do own a Subaru – Maybe I can look into a roof-top camper sort of attachment and use that as a basecamp.
At any rate, these are the things I am considering. But I cannot start until my condo in Atlanta sells. So send out some good vibes there for me! For now, and this will seem minor, I am on vacation in Montana and I think I am going to deliberately extend my stay. Why is that a thing for me? Because I am hard-wired to have a schedule and routine. And besides, this is a beautiful place to start pushing my boundaries.
Those are my thoughts du jour. I do welcome comments and thoughts, especially from people who have already explored being nomadic, or are currently exploring the idea. And people who have a different approach to seeing as much of the US as possible, please weigh in too.
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Will's GenX Adventure 