I blew up the life I’ve known and am embarking on a Grand Adventure to explore national/state parks, visit friends and family around the country and embrace “being” more than “doing”. I’ve also decided to write a blog to share this experience of my Vagabond Odyssey with those who may be curious. Getting this blog launched has been harder than I expected. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. So, please bear with me as I fumble through figuring this out and hopefully share some content that may be of interest or mildly entertaining.
Anyway, as a little context, the decision to take this unconventional, big leap showed up for me like an epiphany on March 10, 2023, during a solo evening walk at Rehoboth Beach, DE. I’d recently been furloughed from the e-commerce startup that has employed me the past 6 years. As I mulled my options thinking I better find some income, clarion clarity arrived by the sea informing me that instead of looking for a new job I need to take an extended sabbatical, buy a camper van and depart on a Grand Adventure road trip when my Seattle lease expired in July. I can’t afford to retire, but I’m fortunate that I can afford to take up to a year off. The Universe was sending me an unwavering message…it was time to seize the day and begin living my best life yet.
I began planning and executing the steps to make this happen. About a month ago I bought a 2021 Ram ProMaster camper van that I flew down to Phoenix to pick up and drive back to Seattle. I’ve named her “Stattie” in honor of my maternal grandmother who in her mid-70’s toured around the US in a Winnebago. Taking on the mission of upheaving my life, finding a van, moving out of my apartment, putting most all of my belongings in storage and figuring out what to bring on this expedition was emotional, intense and exhausting.
During this period, my ex-girlfriend Debbie and I also found our way back together. I’m incredibly grateful to Debbie who was an amazing ally throughout this difficult process. Interesting timing too as I’m now leaving Seattle just as we’ve reunited. I launched the Grand Adventure on July 7, kicking it off in style with Debbie joining me for the Friday night Dead & Co. show at The Gorge Amphitheater on their final tour.
As we cruised east on I-90 leaving my Seattle life behind I felt a wonderful sense of relief, accomplishment, joy and liberation. I’d executed the mission and now it was time to reap the rewards.