It all started with a wildly unconventional idea (isn’t that how lots of the good stuff starts?) Me saying something along the lines of, “Let’s sell it all and take a family gap year.” Did my husband think I was off my rocker at first? Sure thing. Did he think I was having a mid-life crisis? You betcha. Did he finally agree and dive head first and go all in? You know it.
We are both originally from Michigan and we both work remotely, Brendan in software engineering and me in marketing. We basically made the leap because we realized that the big ole subdivision house we were in didn’t really fit the life we saw for ourselves anymore. It was a beautiful neighborhood with plenty of incredible neighbors. But, it just wasn’t for us in the long run. So……it felt like the perfect opportunity to try out a slightly unhinged dream!
We were initially greeted with excitement from most friends and family when we told them about our plan, sprinkled with a little shock, skepticism, and even anger from a few others. Throw in a little “you guys are absolutely nuts,” and that about runs the gamut.
THE STORY
Over the course of the next eight months, we bought and renovated our 2011 Fleetwood Bounder to better suit our needs AND to better fit our style. This was, after all, going to be our home. We added bunks and storage, made LOTS of cosmetic changes, swapped out some appliances, etc. At the same time, we started donating and selling the bulk of our belongings, which coming from a 3400 square foot house, was no small task. We still have a storage unit filled with the “essentials,” (which are seeming less and less essential every day) and of course we filled a corner of my parents’ basement with random stuff, because that’s what every self respecting adult child does.
We ultimately hit the road in early June 2023, then spent the summer in Northern Minnesota while our oldest two were campers at the best girls sleep away camp there is, Camp Kamaji. (Seriously, if you have a daughter 7-16, you MUST check it out.)
The plan is to spend one year visiting as many destinations as we can squeeze in. National parks, incredible beaches, exciting cities….you name it. We were actually surprised how many places we wanted to visit that we couldn’t make time for before because we need to get south before the consistent freezing temps hit. So for now… this is our plan and we are embracing EVERY SINGLE MOMENT. Well, most of the moments. There are certainly a few moments that have made me question every life choice I’ve ever made.
THE CREW
Brendan and Jen, with our sweet quartet of girls. Amelia, Hannah, Caroline, and Lucy.