Happy New Year!
It took us about 10 years of planning to reach the end of 2024. Oh sure, the inevitable march of time would have found us in the same place on the calendar but we’re looking at the rearview mirror from a different angle this year. With three months under our belt, our adventures can already be broken into phases: Nomads and Squatters.
A couple thousand miles and a previous lifetime ago we pushed ourselves off the treadmill and started walking a different path. It has been a year of pairing down the pile of stuff and embracing an unencumbered existence. Our camper and storage units (first two and then one) exited central Minnesota and landed in the southern part of the state. We became official nomads.
But wait … as newly crowned “veterans” of the downsizing and moving process we assisted our son who moved into a house and Donelle’s mom in pairing down her belongings and moving to Georgia. The trip across the country, Kentucky in particular, in a 26-foot moving van gave me an appreciation of our ancestors crossing the prairie in a covered wagon. Thunder-bumping along in an unladen truck is not something I’d recommend to anyone!
After embarking, we traversed middle America and landed on the eastern coast before ending up near family in Georgia. And then we turned into squatters. While it’s delightful to visit family, the last thing we want to do is overstay our welcome.
In any event, the rig had been planted in northern Georgia from Thanksgiving to the tail end of December as we wrapped our arms and hearts around family. I don’t know that we can adequately express our gratitude to Donelle’s side of the family- the Losasso’s, who opened up a wonderful spot for us to park our trailer and also provided a space for us in their home to spend quality time with them and other family. We explored the southern end of the Blue Ridge mountains in northern Georgia as well as Cartersville area and this part of the country did not disappoint.
We then left the trailer behind and lit out for the frozen tundra of Minnesota for some quality time with my side of the family. My amazing sister opened up a space in her home for us to squat there. It was great to spend time with lots of family. We re-experienced subzero temps and snowfall but there really is no substitute for a white Christmas! Heck, there was even a couple inches of the white stuff to shovel. I’ll admit that the luster does wear off of the shoveling rather quickly but Christmas lights, for us, do twinkle just a little brighter with snow on the ground.
Following Christmas festivities we loaded our daughter’s belongings, in a grand game of big truck Tetris, and brought her back to Georgia. Ever the proud parents, we quietly celebrated her mid-year graduation from college as there was no ceremony on campus. She assures us she is ready for adulting and is ready to have dorm life behind her. Our son and daughter are launched and the feeling of empty-nesting hits again as we put more miles between us. Time is such a fickle thing. It can fly or drag depending on the circumstances. We are hoping to find that happy medium as we continue to explore and live more in the present.
We’re looking forward to 2025 with hearts full of what we are carrying forward from last year. Namely, a lot less mementos and a lot more memories. It’s not a New Year’s Resolution, it is a way of life. By giving up some security, things, and living near friends and family, we have gained uncalculated joy in this new journey as nomads. By far, not living near loved ones is the biggest challenge but those extended stays as squatters certainly helps to recharge the batteries.
So the adventure continues! New Year’s Eve was usually spent at home or at the Jensen house where we all struggled to keep our eyes open for the ball drop. This year we uprooted our fifth wheel and headed to South Carolina to ring in the new year. It is amazing to see palm trees and Spanish moss everywhere rather than snow and ice. Kaia has also discovered ticks thrive throughout the year in warmer climes. Yuck!
As we continue our journey through 2025, we are taking family with us in our hearts and our arms are going to have to rely on phone calls and video chats once again. The route has been set through next summer. It’ll take us through the most southernly expanse of the lower 48 -from Florida to Joshua Tree National Park in California and eventually back to Minnesota in May for a wedding. Being a nomad is not all spontaneous and care free. You have to plan routes, diesel stops, and places to stay well in advance. So while looking ahead with our practical view, we are going to work hard to live each day with eyes of wonder. And include time with family and friends along the way.
We gave ourselves a year yet that doesn’t seem like enough time. The little taste of exploring thus far has us wanting more as there are so many places to see and experience. For 2025 we are intentionally living in the present (after planning our stays 😊), thankful for each day no matter where we are on the map. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Happy New Year!