I wondered about getting too stable, too set in my ways, too comfortable; intuitively feeling the need to be living on the edge once again. I reminisced about driving across country in the late 90s after graduate school with $2,000 to my name and 4 cocker spaniels in an older Dodge van, the only thing we owned. Never really having a plan, just letting life roll.
The wanderlust spirit that ruled my soul took us from Alaska to Ohio for the arrival of my first grandson, and eventually on to Nantucket where I became a nanny for 20-hours a week in exchange for a classic saltbox cottage near the beach, a kennel cleaner at the MSPCA, and a housekeeper a few hours a week for a former Manhattan dame that paid $30/hour. Her house was spotless and decorated in various shades of white. There was minimal feather dusting to be done but she had to keep up appearances with her peers and to do that, a housekeeper was required whether she needed one or not. The affluence in Nantucket was considered old money, a different world than anything I had experienced. I have known people with lots of money but this was different. Rita Kip had no concept of life outside her world of friends, status, power and wealth. A framed antique newspaper clipping on her living room wall from the 1800s reported a European named Kip had landed his boat in New York City and in his honor the spot was named Kip’s Landing. That notorious spot is now 5th Avenue in Manhattan. The little black book on the coffee table was a reminder of Who’s Who in America; Rita’s name was in it. But I’m getting off track here, this is another story that needs to be written. The point being, these experiences of living outside what is considered normalcy have challenged me, humored me, inspired me and left me with a repertoire of untold stories waiting to be written.
Over the next 15 years I moved back to Alaska, bought a house in Homer and started a business. Reflecting back on how I once lived compared to how I now live, revealed an adventure from life as it had become, was sorely overdue. Somewhere outside the norm I would once again find that place where growth happens and creativity is nurtured. I had lost touch in the midst of the status quo and needed to jump off into the unknown again.
Moving forward with that idea and 3,000 miles later with 5 cocker spaniels in a Toyota Hybrid called Lander, we found ourselves in Phoenix headed toward San Diego and then on to Baja. Our destination was another 1,000 miles from the California border. Many of the roads in Baja are primitive and narrow with only two lanes through the mountains. There was a leg of this trip that was 300 km without any services. Mexico Highway #1 took us into the mountains far away from the sea. We encountered road construction that left us sitting high and dry for over an hour not knowing where we were or what to expect. The cell service was non-existent so we were clueless. And the map? Well, we forgot to get one. After getting through the delays and back to civilization, we gassed up in the first town we reached at 3 PM. To stay here for the night was tempting but would have meant losing valuable hours of travel time even though reaching our destination would obviously be long past dark. We were driven, on a mission to click those miles off as quickly as possible. The goal was to make the halfway mark of Guerrero Negro for the night, still a few hours ahead. And we did it. Totally exhausted and spent, falling into bed at a cheap motel without dinner, only to get up and do it all again. One more day of hard driving to reach our final destination, Los Barriles.
Why were we in such a hurry for 4,000 miles? In hindsight, I have no idea other than our last road trip out of Alaska for the winter was in 2012, destination Hendersonville, North Carolina. Maybe it takes time to unwind and settle into the moment. We don’t normally drive at night, especially roads that are unfamiliar but I felt the need to push forward as quickly as possible; the dogs were happy to sleep wherever. We had forgotten how to allow the rhythm of life to flow without any control or force. To be present in the moment and enjoy the simple things. These were old lessons that would be relearned over the next several weeks. And we soaked them up by slowing down, relaxing, and being comfortable to just Be without a plan.
We are grateful for every moment we spent, and the wonderful people we met, during our time venturing outside the norm. This is the lifestyle that resonates with my soul; the pace that had temporarily been abandoned during the process of living life. We will continue to search out those places that take us back to the beauty surrounding us in nature, music, art, culture, different ways of doing things, and stretching life to the limits. Being scared without a set plan, and not knowing how things will turn out is a good thing. We are so glad to reconnect and expand our horizons once again. In retrospect, I was always at peace on the road to wherever, with little money. The safety net is not far and has never failed to catch me along the way when I needed it.
By leaving normal and jumping off the safe path into the unknown, the wanderlust spirit has returned to once again nurture my soul. Life is precious and meant to be enjoyed. We are reminded to live in the moment, be aware of the simple pleasures, practice gratitude of what is every day, and Breathe—deeply and fully.
Namaste´
