Ladies and Gentleman, we have a map.
We also have a little bit of a Classic Miss Britt Freak Out as I try to figure out how in the heck we will get it all done.
We have a list of places we want to see in the United States. We have a list of things we probably should see since we’re going to be in the area. And we have, it seems, a really big freaking country to traverse.
I’m reminding myself over and over again that this trip – this entire lifestyle upheaval – is about freedom, family togetherness, and choices. It is not about replacing one set of perceived obligations for another – including lists of places I have to visit in order to be considered authentic by Someone Somewhere.
It’s about stepping outside of familiar boundaries placed around our time – like “work week” and “school day”. I guess it might also be time for us to rethink familiar timelines – like “a year off”. Granted, that would also require us to rethink previously held ideas about things like budgets. (insert heart palpitations)
We are 90 days away from moving into an RV and setting off to travel around the US for at least a year.
Holy crap.
I thought putting virtual pins in the Google map would be exciting – and it is. Really. But I was unprepared for the anxiety, the flat out fear, that comes with adding more lines and shapes and reality to our dreams.
It seems like every step along the way comes with a mixture of “Oh my God, we’re doing this!” joy and “Oh my God, we’re doing this” nausea. And that all makes sense, but I keep being surprised by what my head and stomach consider reaction-worthy steps. Planning the initial route – even though we know it’s subject to change – is apparently a Big Step in my head.
Making a map is not just big, it’s necessary for any big dream.
As much as we’re tempted to just get in the car and drive, the truth is that we’d never leave if we didn’t take the time to put a map together. We’d also never have gotten this far in our planning if we hadn’t put a budget together. Taking these steps are scary because they make our dreams more real, but they are necessary for the very same reason. Written plans – whether they’re to-do lists, maps, or budgets – help turn fantasies into realities. They make the impossible seem manageable and turn your late night talks into actionable steps.
Do you have a map?
Now that we have the map and a general idea of our route, it’s time to start adding a few more pins. Specifically, you.
Do you want us to stop by for a visit when we’re on our trip?
I know a lot of you have offered up your driveways and your couches. Some of you have suggested you wanted to say hi or share a drink when we came through town. I want to take you up on every single offer, especially if yours included a shower or free food. I’ve put together a very fancy form to help me keep everything organized and take these plans to another panic attack inducing level.
Click here if you’d like to meet us on our trip!
I look forward to meeting many of you – and hearing about your Big Maps.
I love that you’re also writing about the fear that comes with chasing your dreams. We read the stories of other people, even people that overcame challenges to chase their dreams, but very rarely do those stories admit that fear was involved. I think for a lot of us, we start to move towards a dream, but stop when it gets scary. The example of someone feeling the fear and proceeding anyway is powerful.
That part is really important to me – and yet part of a balancing act, too, you know? I have to always be mindful of finding the middle ground between trying to pretend I’m not afraid of anything and wallowing in it until it swallows me up.
Is it weird that I feel bad for the lonely states that you won’t be driving through?
Yes.
Jared said something about “putting the tires” in every state, but I’m hoping he’ll forget about that once we’re several hundred miles away from Oklahoma.
Oklahoma was the state I felt the worst for. Heh.
May I make a suggestion?
Instead of Going up to Medford,OR, then over to Grants Pass, OR and then down to Crescent City, Ca, and then doubling back, you could just go from Redding, Ca, over to Eureka, Ca then up to Crescent City, Ca, then on to I-5 in OR the same way you had planned to get to CC in the first place. You would see some beautiful parks and a huge herd of Roosevelt Elk that frequent the roadway. All of those roads are easily accessible to an RV, except during snow, but that never lasts long here on the coast and you wouldn’t hit more than you will going from Redding, CA to Medford, OR.
Just a thought.
I don’t even understand what you just said, but I’m pretty sure it’s important. Can I call you next spring for turn by turn directions?
LOL. Sure! I was just looking at that little backtrack you did up there by the top of Cali between OR and CA and then back.
What I’d love to know is what in that area were you going to see?
I always think that when tourists come here, and I’m sure every “local” in the world thinks that when people come to see where they live, we just take our own backyards for granted.
Also, screw I-5 through Oregon – ugly, flat, boring. Take 101, then you’ll be within a minute of me when you cut back cross along the Columbia River.
I think this has to be just about the coolest thing ever. Coolest thing, really. And I wish I could do it, too. Talk about the adventure of a lifetime! And you’ll come through Philly, HOORAY!
Yes, ma’am! We’re HOPING to be in either Philly or DC for the 4th of July, but I’m not sure if we’ll make it. It will depend on how long we stick around at the earlier stops.
First thing I want to get out of the way is that you absolutely Rock. Like I said before, you’re crazy for doing this, but in a good way.
Now I know everyone and their sister will do this, but I hope you understand I have to try. Between what I think is Boston and Niagara Falls, you totally should make a Canadian detour via Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto.
Have fun!
This is so shameful to admit, but…
We don’t have passports.
(Well, mine is expired and the other three have never had them.)
They are $200 a piece, so I’m not sure we will be able to get them before we leave for this trip.
*hangs head in shame*
Really is a shame you’ll miss Old Quebec. Interesting to American History ’cause, if the French had won the battle at the Plains of Abraham, Quebec would own the eastern seaboard all the way to Louisiana, including Florida! THEN we could live there (Florida) ;o)
Did you get the form fill-in I sent? Please let me know…
Got it! We do not all have passports at the moment and not sure we’ll be able to get them before we leave.
SO! Montana?
Absolutely. And I would suggest Glacier National Park as a destination if you will already be in Montana
I’d tell you that you need to drive up to NH to see me but I don’t know if I’ll even be here then! Dammit. I do think it’s super sad you won’t make it up to the coast of Maine. I know you have to skip some parts of the country but it’s so incredibly beautiful there. (And lobster just doesn’t taste as good anywhere else!)
Jared has “eat lobster in Maine” on his list!
We’ll be doing a lot of “day trip” type of things where we cover the areas around where we might be spending our nights.
It looks like Boston (my old neck of the woods) is on your map. Jared can get some really good Maine Lobster in MA, and save some miles for other parts of your trip.
I’m sure this isn’t the first (or the last) time I will say how jealous I am of you or excited I am for you. Either way….not sure if you have a meetup planned in Boston or when specifically you’ll end up here and where I will be at that moment, but keep in touch. I have usually have passes to the Museam of Science, Childrens Museam, or New England Aquarium lying around if you are up for taking the fam. Can probably even mail you some before you leave just so you have them on hand.
OOH! Did you fill out the form? That would be SO great! (Should be in Boston end of the summer.)
I’m so excited to see a dot in Reno! Wow, 90 days is not that far away. I can’t wait to read about your adventures. This is such a great thing you’re doing. A little fear is healthy, but it sure doesn’t seem to hold you back.
The only reason that dot is there is you.
YOU ARE MY HERO!
Hope to finally meet you when you make your way to Indianapolis!
Looking forward to it!
We drove from Eureka CA to Seattle on one of our travels, but on the coast highway. Looks like you’re more inland. We did that one too, and, though lovely, you mostly drive thru forests. We preferred the ocean drive. GREAT fish meals in little diners all the way. South of Eureka, of COURSE, the redwoods!
One year, to visit DeannaBanana and family, we drove from Alberta (Montana) to Florida through Wyoming, Dakotas, etc etc, then returned through the Virginias etc. etc. up to Vermont, then Quebec, Michigan, North Dakota, etc. to Montana, and back to Alberta. Six weeks. Awesome.
Three times we made the journey from Shelby Montana to Florida by train. Double Awesome!
If you ever do that again, look me up. We live about 20 miles south on Eureka. We also do that drive up the coast about once a year, but for other reason.
Mainly I just want to see the Redwoods over there so I’m sure we’ll be changing the particulars of that part when we get there.
what kind of fucked up map puts penn hills on it instead of pittsburgh?
regardless, SQUFUCKINGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! i am just so crazy excited for you guys and this journey. i’m ridiculously happy to be a part of it, too!
Hahahahhahaha, I just noticed that! Rest assured, we’ll be in Pittsburgh.
Is it wrong I snorted when I saw you were skipping Nebraska entirely? I know, I know! It’s just… well we’ve been across it more times than I can count traveling to Colorado…it ain’t pretty. And yes I’d love for you to show up in my town since you’ll be 30 miles away from me running straight across I90. And seriously, your kids need to see Okoboji.. What? Yes they do! Because? You’ll be coming through during tourist season…. and who wants to miss THAT?
We have both driven across Nebraska lots and lots and lots. I’m not sure there is a more boring ride!
OOOOH – I love Okoboji. Spent a 4th of July there one summer!
I agree…hideousness.
I love Okoboji on the 4th too.
We will show you a good time (we happen to know how to get around ahahahah).
ho
lee
crap
It’s like, really real! I’m so happy for you and your dreams, but so sad I won’t get to see you.
You’ll have to soak me up lots before I go.
So basically I’m not going to see you for a year. Fine. Go all over the country. I’ll just sit down here in Hell, all alone.
Seriously, I was going to suggest Maine and/or Vermont. The Cape Elizabeth (Maine) area is stunning and there’s this little shack on the beach that has the best lobster rolls…
You know, you could always come visit us at one of our stops.
I hate to tell you this but uh, I embiggified your map and there is no dot on Chicago.
You should probably fix that.
I know. Jared and I have both been to Chicago so it’s not a huge priority for this trip.
[...] I might also talk about how I am using the money from working for things like food, clothes, and our big trip around the country. Sometimes I worry that the explanations are going over their heads, but I feel compelled to keep [...]
I hate this map. No Atlanta? Really?
You could always go B’ham to Atlanta, then back down to Mobile before hitting New Orleans.
Yeah, I’m kind of not sure about that part just yet. *I* want to visit Memphis and Birmingham, but Jared has zero interest in CIVIL LIBERTIES, APPARENTLY. Or something.
That is so exciting! I can’t wait to live vicariously through your blog and tour the country. On your map it looks like you will be passing right through where I live in Southeastern CT – any stops in that area?
Not that I can think of at the moment, but we’re definitely open to having meetups with people who are interested.
What!! You’re not going here??
http://kansassampler.org/8wonders/customs.php?id=9
Garden City, KS – home of the “Big Dipper” – the world’s largest outdoor municipal concrete pool.
A careful look at our map will give important insight into Jared and I. Specifically:
WE GREW UP IN THE MIDWEST.
Heh.
What – no Chicago?!? I know people don’t think it is that exciting but it really is, you should include it on your map – Fall is actually lovely, great for October 2012 don’t you think
My favorite time in Chicago is Christmas, actually.
I lived in Chicago when I was little and Jared and I have both been. So while we love it, it’s not a big priority for this particular trip.
Cut up to Vegas through Arizona (preferably via the Grand Canyon) then drop down through the California desert (hit Death Valley on the way) to San Diego and work your way upward from there, no need for the doubleback. I ditto the other person’s Redding to Crescent City then to Grant’s Pass suggestion. I might not be there but as a native I still remember my way around California.
That’s a great suggestion! I’d been trying to figure out how to do that.
I am so freaking excited for you guys! We’ve been RVing since June 1998 & at that time we were one of the youngest out there. Still are. Our first year we had a small, old RV that we drove (w/o towing a car) all over hell and back. Hubby quit his job and we just went for 3 weeks or so at a time and would come home to wash clothes, pay bills, etc. It was a once in a lifetime experience and we burned thorugh all our money that way. I still wouldn’t trade it for anything! We’ve seen most of the US (but not all) and I’ve got a lot I could share with you but at this point, I’m sure you’re getting inundated with suggestions from everyone! Do what YOU want and you’ll never regret it. Looking at your map, I see you’ve left out some of my very fave places. Let me know if there’s anything you need help with in planning your trip.
It gets to be a little overwhelming thinking of all we could do – I’m always afraid of what we’re missing!!
Las Cruces is a very beautiful part of New Mexico, I hope you enjoy that in place of Santa Fe.
I don’t map because I enjoy surprises too much.
I LOVE surprises. But I find I can end up talking about doing something for years and never actually do anything if I don’t sit down and do some planning.
I think it is kind of funny that you are literally mapping out our life, because you’ve been doing it for years. Just for the record, I love you for it. If it were up to me, we would still be talking about that awesome wedding that will have in the future.
I love everything about this comment.
Especially that I know how proof of you liking my bossiness in writing. On the Internet.
So, I was going to give you a hard time for missing my town too. But…really! I guess you cannot visit every single tiny town and big city in the entire USA can you? What an incredible life journey you have planned. Enjoy every little tiny moment, every mile traveled, every new experience! I love road trips, and am so happy for you and your family that you have the opportunity to take off and do this. We did something similar when our kids were very young. But it was not a whole year, it was from May through August and we were searching for a new home. We camped and explored and learned so much and had the time of our lives. And ended up in Wyoming! I do look forward to hearing more about your experiences of getting ready and then hitting the road!
There is an aspect of “figuring out where we’ll end up” to this trip as well. We have no clue what comes after this.
Whoa! You are truely an amazing and brave woman for setting out to go on this adventure! I look forward to hearing about each adventure!
Well I’m not sure about all that – but I’m definitely lucky.
While in PA how bout the Fight 93 memorial or the 9 for 9 miners site. Would love to have you visit up here. Flood museum in Johnstown.
We’ll definitely be interested in seeing things like that.
A couple of things,
1. You must drive up the Columbia River Gorge between Portland and Seattle. It is amazing and you can drive it in a day easily. There is a giant waterfall you can stop and gaze at on one side. Then when you drive back the other side later that day, you will look over and that giant waterfall will be barely visable and give you great perspective on the size of the gorge.
2. Don’t hesitate to change your plans along the way. I did a trip somewhat like this in my younger days. I didn’t have kids or responsibilities. I had just graduated from college. I spent almost a year thinking about all the places I would like to see. I had maps with points on them and then derived a path that I would follow. It was the trip of a lifetime. At the time I was reading Edward Abby’s Desert Solitare and decided to go up into Utah to see Arches national park and southern Utah instead of heading straight for California after the Grand Canyon. It was one of the best parts of my trip. Make sure you can hang out int he evening and look at the places around you and say “hmmm what do we want to do tomorrow.” Sure, hit all the big, very important spots you have identified but dont miss the little things that you didn’t even know existed until you saw the sign for it along the way. Enjoy the freedom and keep it flexible and then you wont stress over where you need to be next. So what if you have such a great time you miss the last part of the trip. Or even better, if you are able to extend the trip to last longer. I envy you for doing this with your family. It will change you all forever and be the experience of a lifetime. ENJOY!
Yeah, there’s a reason we called this a first draft.
mel made a comment that reminded me. GWiz in Sarasota (a kids science museum) is part of a larger network of museums. If you buy their annual pass ($70 per family) you can use it for free or reduced entry to several hundred other museums around the country. And it would make a good excuse to come down and visit me before you head off on your trek to everywhere.
Wow that’s pretty good – I need to look into networks like that. I didn’t even know those existed!
You haven’t traveled the country if you don’t visit the U.P. of Michigan. And no, I am not from there…
I’m sure there will be lots of places that we don’t visit on this trip that someone would say disqualifies us from being able to claim “traveled the country”. I’m OK with that.
I saw Salt Lake City on your way. That’s pretty cool. Worse case, if we move before 2012 (which is when you will come through SLC, UT), we’ll be somewhere along the Calif or Oregon coast, which is on your path, too.
We’ll definitely have to stop and say hi!
So, have you pitched this to a publisher yet? I think your style of writing and the fact that you’re doing this with the kids would be a really good book.
I wouldn’t have any idea how to do that.
A) if I can’t convince you to drive the three-ish hours from Seattle to Vancouver (really. You should. It’s amazing here, to tourists.), then you’d better keep me apprised of Seattle landing dates, please and thank you.
B) How the hell did you save a google map, sans zoom, points A B C, etc.?
Ooh! You will be driving right past my town on I-70 in Ohio, which happens to be a huge “stop and fill up your gas tank town as it’s where I-70 and I-77 intersect. It doesn’t seem like you’re stopping in Ohio at all, but you are stopping in my hometown (Pittsburgh), so I can catch you either place.
A meetup in my area would just be me and Amanda and a few of our friends who happen to read you, but I can totally do it. LOL
BTW: Have you done a post about fire safety in an RV? If you want some tips/advice, I can lend a hand. But I want you to be safe and that’s one of my passions, so hit me up if you need help.
(I’m obviously behind on blog reading this week.)
[...] have asked me why my family and I are going on this crazy adventure. What gave us the idea to sell all of our stuff and try traveling full [...]
[...] a boatload of excess stress right now. You see, my family and I are 83 days away from making a major life change. We’re moving into an itty bitty RV to travel around the United States for the next year or [...]
Um, I see a stop in NIAGARA FALLS!? DUDE. I am 40 minutes over the border. I NEED TO SEE YOU.
Also, Canada has a better view of The Falls. JUST SO YOU KNOW.
I am so excited for you guys I can’t even stand it.
Hey Brit,
What an exciting time for your family! Give me a holler as you get close to northern Arizona.
If you want to see the Grand Canyon, it’s about a 3 1/2 hour trip from Las Vegas. You just leave Vegas and hop on I-40. I see there’s still some time to plan, but just wanted to let you know. While you’re in the area, you can always hit Sedona and see the Red Rocks as well and get sucked into the vortex