Aloha

[Pete]

<p class="p1">Hello everyone, I'm Pete. I like to run on a bit, so this is a little long. <br /><br />Sorry about that. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" /></p><p class="p2">This past June I took the leap and left a pretty sweet gig in the tech industry. I gave away almost all my stuff, paid up my lease, got together a small backpack and started wandering the world. There was no personal crisis, no vocational trauma, no "oh-sh|t!" moments. Just that one idea some of you might be able to identify with.</p><p class="p1">I wanted to do this thing, this walkabout. Or maybe it was also partly that I -didn't- want to do this other thing, this life like a lot of us had it put to us; the version of the American Dream that involved a large house and white picket fence and all.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">I did that version of The Dream for a while, and was pretty good at it. But it started to wear on me, I think. Inside. Fitting into that mold, I mean. I kept it together on the outside for a long while but the moment I was able to do something about it I started making decisions that made me more "free". Decisions about where I lived, how I spent my time, the people I gathered close, my work, and so on.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">This was a gradual sort of growing: renting instead of owning, learning to fly a plane, going through the EMT curriculum in my off time, starting to volunteer with CERT and a bunch of other things that were all hallmarks of one growing more independent. I kept my sweet tech gig for a long while- I loved some of the things that having a job like that afforded me. But in the end it wasn't compelling enough to hold me.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">And I started wandering. And taking pictures. And writing. And having a pretty amazing time.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">I'd first read about van dwelling about two two years ago, and loved the idea with intensity. I just picked backpacking instead when I broke free this year mostly because I wanted to take a trip overseas and get a better world perspective. I did this, and wandered back to the US for a while, working my way from Chicago and heading West. I spent some time in Hawaii where I'd been a teacher in another life. I'd been there for a while when I got a call that someone dear to me back in Chicago was going to have surgery. So back I went, to be on hand to help if needed.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">They're fine, thankfully.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">And I'm taking the time here now to spend the holidays with family and work a short contractor gig, taking in a little more cash. But I think this time when I go back out I will do my wandering in a van. Everything I've read and the people I've talked to in this lifestyle has been amazing. In the next few weeks I'll very likely buy a van, and when this contract is up, off I'll go.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">I think there are probably different versions of the American Dream. I think the materialistic one with mortgages and lots of rooms and "roots in the community" is one version, but it's not my version.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">Mine is a lot more like the people who set out to the New World, or left Massachusetts for Kentucky, or left Chicago and headed West. Or like any of you, who've grown beyond that old vision of the Dream, and started your own walkabout, took up a very tangible version of freedom as your main thing.&nbsp;</p><p class="p2">I'm glad I found this forum, and all of you. I'm looking forward to learning, seeing, laughing, crying, and lots more. Thanks in advance for the welcome. I might not post a lot to begin with&hellip;&nbsp; but the more I read, the more I'll get the hang of it.&nbsp;</p>

 

[bk2valve]

Welcome Pete...good to have you with us...sounds like you have done some good traveling and are on a good mission to do more...happy trails....<br />Bri

 

[HoboBerg]

Welcome Pete!

 

[VanTrekker]

Welcome, Pete.&nbsp; There are a lot of versions of the "American dream" out there but so many folk have been brainwashed by the Smiths and Jonses.<br /><br />There has never been a better time to explore.&nbsp; Vehicles are reliable, techonology is fairly cheap, and most of&nbsp;the rest of the world is too busy to notice us.<br /><br />Have a great day!<br /><br />V.T.

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group Pete!

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome Pete! I like your website. You should make the link clickable so it's a little easier to read.

 

[Pete]

Thank you all for the warm welcome, here and in chat. I appreciate it. And thank you for the compliment on the site; definitely a work in progress.&nbsp;<br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" />

 

[WanderingRain]

WElcome, Pete. I really like how you described how the American Dream is different for all folks. I agree and will use your analogy from now on to describe my life's choices.<br />It is indeed about happiness and being content with our lives.<br /><br />Happy travels!