Wow! The family is full of very pushy advice.

[MOAK]

Last evening after all the festivities were consumed and things began to get normal, our daughter began taking us to task. We sat quietly, reminded here that this is a conversation and not a lecture, and had a conversation that was getting a bit heated. After a few more words, when things calmed down a bit I followed some very good advice from this conversation on OB. I said, dear, we know that your concerns are because you love us and care about us and do not want any harm to befall us. I understand that, and that’s what matters. That comment hit the right spot and a great “ goodbye, see you later “ was the result. I don’t remember who advised me, but it worked & worked well. Thanks!

 

[MOAK]

Heh. Been there. In 2010 we decided to begin a 1-year RV trip. With our 12 and 13 year olds. We were homeschoolers, I worked online, so it was a relatively simple lift. We bought a used truck & fifth wheel, put a friend in our house, and took off. MIL wasn't happy. FIL was reserved but supportive. My parents - also longtime RVers - didn't really say much one way or the other. Extended family were quietly judgmental, but we were already homeschoolers which put us outside their boxes labeled "normal."

One year turned to eight. In-laws ended up buying an RV and have now been OTR for nine years. The extended family ended up also homeschooling and buying a Class B to travel in with a child.

Our time on the was awesome and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The experiences and photos became the basis for a book.

But it did, ultimately, come at the cost of relationships with some of those extended family members. After realizing we didn't enjoy always having to defend our choices, we just stopped spending the time with them.

Now, some years later, it's looking like a death in the family is going to prompt us to reconnect and I have mixed feelings about that....

Good luck on your adventure!

We are definitely the “ outsiders “ in our families. My parents deaths only made us more outside. Except one brother, our relationship has flourished! My wife’s family? Deaths will only make that dysfunction worse. Good luck !

 

[MazeVX]

We are definitely the “ outsiders “ in our families. My parents deaths only made us more outside. Except one brother, our relationship has flourished! My wife’s family? Deaths will only make that dysfunction worse. Good luck !

Many of us are outsiders or maybe even outcasts. Maybe sleepers, "dangerous" individuals trying to act normal when we're around normal people.
We are family, across borders and oceans. That's what we are.

 

[MidOH]

I'm a sleeper cell. But I have model trains and imitation crab meat.

Let's pahrty.

 

[MOAK]

I'm a sleeper cell. But I have model trains and imitation crab meat.

Let's pahrty.

You mean like this? Yup- tearem down and box them up- free yourself of the addiction !

 

[MidOH]

Freeeeedom!

[Toot toot]

 

[Magic Mike]

Merry Christmas Everyone! The time is fast approaching for us to order our 4WD camper, to sit atop our 350 soon to be, flatbed, sell our home and be on the road full time by around May with a 3-5 year run. If we really like it and our health stays good, maybe longer. Yikes, as this time draws nearer, we are, of course, getting excited as we get rid of stuff we have accumulated over the past 37 years. The entire exercise is a freedom neither of us have ever known. We knew this freedom existed, we just never implemented it until now. But the family? My Gawd— — we have decided the best way to deal with unsolicited, pushy advice, is to just smile and nod. Thoughts?

First thing is congratulations for making the decision to get after your freedom!

We’ve been on the road for about four years, and we absolutely love it. Living this way does have some challenges but in my opinion the Pro’s far outweighs the cons.

We have traveled all of North America including up to the Artic Ocean. We have also done all of Central America down to the Darien Gap in Panama and like you guys our family thought we were crazy! We got a lot of silly comments and we merely ignored them.

You have to do what is going to make you happy and don’t listen to the Naysayers!

 

[ZombieCat]

Happy New (Travel) Year!
I listened to a podcast this morning that, for me, perfectly explains why I’ve opted to retire earlier and do the things I enjoy most before I’m physically unable. It may help your family understand why you’ve made the decision to travel full time.

Podcast: The Peter Attia Drive
Episode: Optimizing Life for Maximum Fulfillment - Bill Perkins (posted 11/25/24)
Each year, I do a good amount of solo travel and exploration of wilderness areas, primarily on foot and sometimes by vehicle, but always with a camera. I’ve been lectured on safety, warned, cautioned and told that as a woman, I should be deathly afraid of these backcountry adventures more times than I can count. “ArEn’t yOU ScARed? SOmeThInG BAAAAD coULD HaPPEn!” Arggh! I’ve been bucking societal norms and accused of “hyper independence” most of my life, so I just smile and carry on with my plans. You and your wife have thought this through and made a viable, rational plan. Stand firm, calmly state your intentions and avoid JADE-ing (justify, argue, defend, explain). Once they see how much fun you’re having, they’ll all be envious!

 

[FishinCrzy]

I admire the ones of you that sell everything and hit the road. I have thought of it often, but now that I have retired and son is grown and doing well I don't seek the freedom so much as the adventure and the quiet high places, the moving water, the vast marshes. Lord knows the times in the past I dreamt of the freedom! I enjoy my little cabin in the woods also. There is a spiritual connection to the land and a great place to recharge. I enjoy the feeling of being out and living on the edge too. It sharpens the senses and hones the instincts. Don't like crowds, standing in lines, rudeness, etc., etc. Overlanding is the best way to experience the great outdoors and see the unbelievable beauty of nature. I have enjoyed meeting the like minded people that are out doing the same things. Ha! One remark I have heard often, "How did you find this place?" Almost always come from the locals that know the area.

As much as I love to fish, invariably I get caught up in seeing the scenery and learning from the locals and others that are on the great adventure when overlanding. Trips to the Outer Banks is a good example. There are thousands of fishermen and women from all over the country that come to enjoy the fishing and unique experience of being far out on a spit of sand in the middle of the ocean. It's only crowded in a few spots and everyone is friendly and helpful. Easy to find space. All the kindred spirits that seek that type of adventure has been a rare experience in my travels. Fun to talk to the variety of people that share the adventure.

Never been afraid of going it alone. Often the preferred route. Good companions are getting harder to find. Buried another one the other day. Many years of hunting, fishing, trapping alone instills a methodical approach to safety and planning. Go slow and think ahead. Just listen to that little voice. Not that one! The other one! Y'all be keerful, ya heer

 

[MOAK]

I admire the ones of you that sell everything and hit the road. I have thought of it often, but now that I have retired and son is grown and doing well I don't seek the freedom so much as the adventure and the quiet high places, the moving water, the vast marshes. Lord knows the times in the past I dreamt of the freedom! I enjoy my little cabin in the woods also. There is a spiritual connection to the land and a great place to recharge. I enjoy the feeling of being out and living on the edge too. It sharpens the senses and hones the instincts. Don't like crowds, standing in lines, rudeness, etc., etc. Overlanding is the best way to experience the great outdoors and see the unbelievable beauty of nature. I have enjoyed meeting the like minded people that are out doing the same things. Ha! One remark I have heard often, "How did you find this place?" Almost always come from the locals that know the area.

As much as I love to fish, invariably I get caught up in seeing the scenery and learning from the locals and others that are on the great adventure when overlanding. Trips to the Outer Banks is a good example. There are thousands of fishermen and women from all over the country that come to enjoy the fishing and unique experience of being far out on a spit of sand in the middle of the ocean. It's only crowded in a few spots and everyone is friendly and helpful. Easy to find space. All the kindred spirits that seek that type of adventure has been a rare experience in my travels. Fun to talk to the variety of people that share the adventure.

Never been afraid of going it alone. Often the preferred route. Good companions are getting harder to find. Buried another one the other day. Many years of hunting, fishing, trapping alone instills a methodical approach to safety and planning. Go slow and think ahead. Just listen to that little voice. Not that one! The other one! Y'all be keerful, ya heer

Double like on this, thanks.