The end of July marks 10 months on the road, over 20,000 miles driven, and 26 states our tires rolled through. One of the many things we’ve learned from this travel is to be open to new opportunities, to go with the flow, and to let go of the need to control the plans and the outcome. One of the plans we’ve had to let go of (for now!) is to live abroad. Originally, we had hoped to travel around the U.S. for 12-18 months, and then live abroad in various countries for 3-6 months at a time.
For many reasons, we decided to not go live abroad right now. But our fantasy of living in an old farmhouse in the Italian countryside, where we could walk to the market and drink lots of red wine in unlabeled bottles, isn’t dead — rather its just evolved. An amazing opportunity presented itself (rather serendipitously, like most good things do) and we said yes.
Rather than trekking halfway across the country, we’ve found an opportunity back in the Northwest where we can be near friends and family. Rather than living in an old farmhouse, we’re living in a newer farmhouse. Rather than walking to the market, we have food growing in the garden outside our door. Rather than drinking locally-made wine, we’re set up for deep self-care (sauna, yoga space, soaking tub, forest bathing, and more).
While we’re not learning a foreign language or experiencing a different culture, we definitely are seeing a different way of living than we have for the last 10 months. We settled into the “Yoga Farm” in Vernonia, Oregon. Vernonia is about halfway between Portland and Cannon Beach (on the Oregon’s coast), and another 20 minutes north of the highway. The Yoga Farm is another 15 minutes past the tiny town down a long windy road that ends in what was an old logging town.
The girls are thrilled to be here. They love their huge attic room where they each have a nook to sleep in, looking out the dormer windows facing east and west. They love the zip line we’ve hung by the creek. They love splashing in the water on hot days. But mostly they love the animals they get to care for here: 2 golden retrievers, 2 goats, and 2 donkeys (the 2 cats mostly take care of themselves).
Mark and I are thrilled to be here too. It feels good to be stationary, to be taking care of our bodies, and to have more space (and closing doors!). It still feels like an adventure, but of an entirely different sort. Mark is looking forward to more time to read, write and think. I am looking forward to watching the seasons change and rest. And for the girls, I am excited for more “homestead” schooling — with a focus on daily life, cycles, connection to place, and self sufficiency.
We still plan to take the RV out for overnight trips as well as multi-day trips in the Northwest. We are grateful to have a vehicle that has its own bathroom and kitchen, but also its own fridge and freezer so we can take it into town to stock up on groceries.
We are navigating our desire to see local friends and the need to stay socially distanced and reduce exposure risk. It’s tricky, but we’re figuring it out as we go.
Mostly, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to settle here for a time, and pleasure for how much beauty with which we are surrounded.