Alaska

The Build

As the days in Alaska began to wither away and we realized we would be doing homeschool in a dark cold house in front of a fireplace, it was apparent that we needed an escape. So began the brainstorming process. After throwing out all our ideas, we decided that traveling through the United States was a possibility since it allowed us to stay Covid safe in our van and travel. With this spark of an idea fueling our imaginations and some serious time spent YouTubing, we began the van build.

ED48C329-AD91-44C2-BD10-1230F25B68A7.jpeg

Making our little home on wheels a little more like a home began with some leftover lumber, some garage tools, and a big idea. My sister and I prioritized a loft bed from the beginning and we were all excited for a roof rack. To be honest, both of those things were largely inspired by Pinterest photos. Despite my dad explaining that we would never actually do yoga on the roof like on instagram, we were determined to give it our best. After a month of quickly learning to use power tools, sanding and staining wood, and hanging fairy lights and prayer flags we had bags packed and were on our way towards Canada

1D103218-0086-496B-912E-9EBD35AE016C.jpeg

We are off!

IMG_0563.JPG

4 bags, 4 humans, 2 flights and we are off.  As Lily just said, "we really can not be actually going, this must be another test!"  We have been packing, sorting, planning and thinking for so long it is hard to believe that we are actually on our way.  It does feel incredible freeing to just have one bag each and be on the road.  It was incredible hard to leave all of our friends and family but such a great adventure.  More to come 

Letting go

FullSizeRender.jpg

I have found myself saying over and over again this year, even if we never leave I am so grateful for this "sabbatical".   Taking the time as a family to stop, clean out and refocus our lives has been transformation in and of itself.   We have had to stop and ask, "what stuff do we really need?"  "What books should the kids really need to read?" "What do I spend my day doing and what do I really want to do with my time?"  Recently the big one said she wanted to let go before she left for the year and cut 10 inch off of her hair to donate them for locks of love.  Off it went and off we go!

Cleaning out cobwebs

Lily getting down to business

Lily getting down to business

Time is flying by and we are getting closer to our final departure date!  Today we cleaned out everything in Girdood to get ready for friends.   It was amazing how many missing socks you can find behind a bed. The whole process has been therapeutic; asking our selfs what is really important and what we can let go.  It has also made me realize how fast they are growing! Little one's room was full of clothes and only a small hand full actually fit or don’t have huge holes.  I keep making her hold onto clothes that are too small as I am just not ready for her to grow up, but they continue to amaze me and I think thus year will be a year full of growth. 

 

I figured out how to post from my phone so hopefully more to come as we get ready for a year on the road!