Big news – finally! We have been waiting for this day for a long long time. Last year when we bought Matilda, we hoped to join the other cool kids we had been following on YouTube and social media and move in to our Tiffin Phaeton 36GH full time. We knew it would not be immediate, especially as there were a few obstacles to overcome. John needed to convince his company to allow him to work remotely, and I wasn’t quite ready to leave my job. I love what I do, and really love the team I work with.
Late in 2016, John was able to start working remotely, but I still wasn’t ready. But we figured that the only way we would actually get out on the road and start traveling was to pick a date. March 2017 was to be the date. But things happened at work and I felt it still wasn’t quite the right time. So we postponed again and picked July as our departure date.
I knew that I couldn’t continue in the position I held at a University as University Director of Marketing. I had a team of 18 talented people working for me, but I couldn’t be an effective leader managing them remotely. So I resigned. Yesterday. Phew! It was a bittersweet moment. I really like the people I work with and my job was pretty awesome. But following our dream, to live in Matilda and travel around the country is more important to us.
A couple of answers to a couple of questions:
So what will we do for work? John will continue working in his security developer/engineer position, and I am considering a couple of opportunities (including continuing to work for the University, but in a different capacity). We are really excited to get out on the road, but have. a lot left to do – selling, donating, giving away all our stuff (bar a few things we want to keep). We have cars, motorcycles, furniture etc. All of it is going.
What about the house? We have decided to keep it and rent it out to some lucky people (if you know anyone looking for a gorgeous 3 bed house with a pool in Virginia Beach, let us know!) We are not quite ready to sell it yet – we both like having the safety net.
Where will we go? We will start on the East Coast and head up to Maine this summer and through Fall. We plan on being back in Hampton Roads for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then will head down to Florida and then West to Arizona and the South West.
We will be keeping everyone who is interested updated through social media and our website. So please ‘like’ and ‘follow’ us on our social media channels (click on the links below). And please leave your questions in the comments – we know you will have some, and are happy to answer them!
We look forward to sharing our travels with everyone!
10 comments
So jealous!!! Congratulations. Enjoy life on the road!!!
Thanks Amy! We’re excited to get the show on the road 🙂
This is going to make my wife very jealous. She has always talked about doing exactly what you’re about to do. Good luck! While you’re up in Maine, Portland is supposed to be a real foodie Mecca now, Freeport (home of L.L. Bean) is also a fun stop and there’s a great little campground just outside of town. Booth Bay and Bar Harbor are obviously must-sees. And if you get to the western side of the state, there’s a little town called Rangeley that you might like. That’s where our summer cabin is, and if want to get away from the campground scene for awhile and give the dogs the roam of the land, I might be able to get you a key if we don’t have any renters during the time you’re there. Bon Voyage!
Wow! Thanks Barrett 🙂 I’d love to visit your land and I’m sure the dogs would love it too! I’ll let you know when we’re up that way and if it’s available, we’d love to check it out! And thanks for the tips. Send me more if you have them. I have no idea where we’re going yet – still planning so welcome ideas!
Those are my goals as well, been doing my small ventures until I get everything set!! So excited for you look forward to following you… I will soon be on the road with you Safe Travels
That is awesome! Let us know when you hit the road and where you will be. We can meet up! 🙂 Good luck with finalizing your plans.
How exciting! Are you planning on travelling over the border at Maine and making it to Nova Scotia? 🙂
Yes! If we can get a good internet connection. 🙂 I’ll let you know if we’re on our way!
Congrats Sonya! It’ll be a blast!!
Thanks Paul! I’ll holler if we’re near Charlottesville 🙂