My restlessness this morning took me to Pineridge Nature Area to joined up with the meadowlarks, Canada Geese, barking prairie dogs, a perched hawk, again. I pretty much had the area to myself. I’m not sure restless is the word or not but that’s what I’m going with. Seems I have been a restless person for many years. Why? I ask myself that simple question a lot. I remember the awareness I had the first time I grabbed my backpack, headed out the door and realized I had no particular place in mind. I was just wanting to go. I journaled about this almost nomadic impulse this morning. I feel much of my seven years working as a flight attendant was rooted in a form of nomadic life, as almost each night was a different city.
For many years my daydreams have revolved around traveling in a small RV, solo. My parents spent a few years living as snowbirds as did sister and brother-in-law. They all enjoyed it. Yet, what I’m speaking about is living nomadically, no home to return to after a couple months on the road. It would be home. However, I am not in a good financial position to live the nomadic life in a class B van. It would require selling my condo, purchasing a used RV and investing the balance of my home equity. Am I willing to take such a risk? Just throwing some thoughts out there.
9 Comments
Cedric
That is a question only you can answer Monte. I must say though, that it is something I have thought about myself if I was ever to find myself on my own again. For me, it would not be so much for the nomadic lifestyle but more for the minimalism. However, it is easy to romanticise such notions and knowing that, it can make it difficult to decide. It would be nice to be able to keep your current condo rather than be forced to sell it but that would probably mean making do with an old Kombi van 🙂
Here’s an article that might inspire you: https://kombilife.com/van-life-as-a-senior/ 🙂
And for a bit more inspiration try: https://vanlifemagazine.co/
From a totally selfish basis, I think I would rather enjoy following Monte Stevens Photography — On The Road Edition 😉
Monte Stevens
Yes, the romantic in me thinks I would like it. However, the reality is I don’t know nor do I know how long I would wander due to age issues or finding a sugar momma. I have a nice place here so it really makes sense for me to travel in my Subaru Forester for short periods of time then return home. I had not heard of Kombilife and found it interesting. There again, some of these adventures live for the time needed and not forever.
Cedric
Hi Monte, I wrote a comment but it’s not showing up. I think it may have gone to spam as it had a couple of links in it. Let me know if it’s not showing up anywhere.
Earl
The lifestyle you’re talking about can be rewarding, Monte, but it’s not without its issues. There’s so much uncertainty at the moment with COVID-19 it may be years before it returns to anything like it was. We enjoyed our three-year adventure and I could easily return to full-time RV’ing (perhaps in a Class-C or large Class-B) after Maggie passes but Bonnie doesn’t feel the same way. You might want to consider renting an RV and taking a short trip to see how it fits and feels. It’s a big step.
Monte Stevens
Yes, I expect it could be rewarding. I have also heard of the issues that accompany the lifestyle from my parents and sister and brother-in-law. Some of those were costly. I my money situation was better I would already be living in one and posting from who knows where. Renting one costs money that I don’t have. One aspect I enjoy about you and Bonnie’s 3 year adventure was the spontaneity. You two were off and running before we knew it.
Tom Dills
Years ago Kathy & I talked about the possibility of living on a sail boat or motor boat, but eventually realized that it was the simplicity of the lifestyle that appealed to us but not necessarily the idea of living on a boat or in an RV. We’ve accomplished a lot toward that goal of simplicity but are nowhere near the point it would take to live that lifestyle.
We have a friend who lives full time on a sailboat, and have a number of friends who are or have been full time RV-ers, and we admire them for doing that. But without fail the story we hear is that having the home be something mobile and mechanical adds an element of complexity that we simply would not want to deal with. Yes, there are mechanical and maintenance things to deal with at our home, but it doesn’t go with us as we travel. When we load up our Outback with a few weeks worth of stuff and head out, we frequently comment that everything that’s with us now is everything that matters.
These photos you are bringing back from your recent outings are inspirational. We don’t have that kind of open space around here but I’m sure if I tried I could come up with some places that would give me that kind of peace.
Monte Stevens
We all have these dreams that rise from some place deep within us, those are the ones we need to pursue. I’m not so sure this RV dream is more from the head than a calling. Cedric called romantic and I think he’s right. At the present time the car is what I have and will stay with that. There really is a lot to see, photograph and write about within a couple days drive and while sleeping the Forester.
Joe
My kinda place. Thanks for the view!
Monte Stevens
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Joe!