Bummed

[VanLifeCrisis]

I went to my see my mom today, and i told her that in a few years i plan to set out and travel.&nbsp; She wasn't too enthusiastic.&nbsp; I told her i wanted to see what was out there and she told me "Just the same shit, different place".&nbsp; I replied that there is more out there than just shit, and its not what im going to see.&nbsp; Her reply was "Well what do you want to see out there?"<br /><br />This really kinda bummed me out, mostly cause i didn't have the answer really.&nbsp; Ive only traveled to a place briefly or passed through, so im not really even sure what is out there.&nbsp; I don't think she'd get the whole freedom aspect. &nbsp;&nbsp; I guess it wouldn't hurt to have some must see destinations in mind (i will see the grand canyon, but beyond that im not sure).&nbsp; So, my more experienced peeps, what are the must sees out there for the traveling vagabond?

 

[SoulRaven]

It really is not about destinations but the journey... I was once told the plans are for idiots in this life style, she was partly right. The key to successfully living this life style is income, reliable vehicle, sense of adventure(good or bad) and being comfortable in all aspects of this lifestyle...<br /><br />Remember you are not on some vacation, some times you will stay put at a great place for a few months... When at those places is when you go looking for the cool and unusual sites around you...<br /><br />good luck and happy trails...

 

[Guest]

Hi DG....I don't want to give you advice about your relationship with your Mom...I don't even know how old you are.....maybe the best thing is to keep you plans under your hat though.<br /><br />As far as getting out on the road....even if you never leave this country....there is an unbelievable variety of stunning and incredible wonders to see and experience....<br /><br />Honestly I first left home at 14...I couldn't wait and at 68 and a lifetime of traveling the world, I haven't begun to see enough....it is a huge world full of amazing people and wonders beyond belief....<br /><br />I like my tagline from Mark Twain...it says a lot about forming up a human life....<br /><br />Happy trails and I hope you inspire your Mom to break out of her comfort zone and experience some of what is out there....at least show her some photos...hahahahahaha.<br /><br />I think there is a thread on how to tell your loved ones about vandwelling...do a&nbsp; search...<br /><br />Bri

 

[sidat202]

The hardest decision is when you pull out of the driveway, which way do you turn?<br />Destination no where. Enjoy it when you get there.

 

[Mortisha]

Yeah my family gave me some grief in the beginning... the whole guilt trip, making feel bad, questioning my decisions ect.... but as people here have said... it is not about seeing things as much as it is the adventure and the finding yourself and who you are. It is being you. Not everyone is going to understand that and that is ok. Everyone is still going to love you in the end. HuggZ

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I guess i should say im 33 and my mom lives in a retirement community.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; I've been 'on my own' for a long time, married and divorce. Im not really seeking help or approval, but I wasn't expecting hostility.&nbsp; She worries a lot about everything, so maybe her knee jerk reaction is to convince me against it.&nbsp; Surprising tho, she was a big hippy in her young days and a bit wild...<br /><br />I definitely want to 'blow with the wind' and discover things out there.&nbsp; Great advice <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />I still think i am gonna research some points of interest i want to touch on eventually though.

 

[Seraphim]

Q&nbsp;Her reply was "Well what do you want to see out there?"<br /><br />A "Don't know unless I go look."

 

[Les H]

Hey DG, for every member here, you might get a dozzen "must see" destinations. The key is to find what YOU like, something YOU want to persue. Rt 66 is always a populat one. Perhaps you will want to "collect"state or natl parks. Into history? How about finding civil war battlefields? A couple i know collects US forts, whether they are still standing or not. If you are Native american, or just interested, mabye the trail of tears ( goes right through my town) How about americas " blue" highways and scenic byways? The choices are endless, even if its nothing more than putting $20 in the gas tank, flip a quarter to pick a direction , and go with the flow. Enjoy the ride.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Tell your mom you are being paid to do a travel blog. She can brag to the others in the village that her son is a big time writer. Don't worry, they will never look at your blog anyway. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Dragonfly</span></strong>

 

[peacetara]

I agree with everyone else, it's about the trip and the things YOU want to do. But since nobody else gave you concrete ideas/suggestions and you asked for them...<br /><br />If you like the Grand Canyon, you could try&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm">Bryce Canyon</a> in Utah. &nbsp;There is TONS of national forests and state forests all around out here.<br /><br />Flagstaff is a neat city, and there are all sorts of things to see there, it's up on top of a mountain, and it's a good place to come/go from the east side of the Grand Canyon. just south of &nbsp;Flagstaff is Prescott, and it is some beautiful rocks and scenery too (and a bunch of new-age hippies talking about pyramid power and meditation and stuff , I say this with no judgement).<br /><br />Since you are out here in the west, might as well visit the gaslight district of San Diego, and enjoy the awesomeness that is the Southern California coast line. &nbsp;You can take a boat out to <a href="http://www.santacatalinaisland.com">Catalina Island</a>, it's pretty awesome once you get out past the shopping and towns. &nbsp;The Salton Sea is interesting, you can see parts of towns sticking out of the water (tho probably not anymore since it keeps growing, unless it is busy swallowing a whole new town!), and would be on your way to San Diego, Tijuana, and all things SoCal ocean side <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />Vegas, San Francisco, Yosemite, all these things are out west here just waiting for you to visit.&nbsp;<br /><br />There are also a ton of Missions, from the old days of the spanish colonizing the west. &nbsp;They are all up and down California and Arizona and the like.<br /><br />More in tune with Vandwelling (even tho I'm new at this part of life), there is Slab City (Bob has a page about it around here somewhere).<br /><br />If you gave me a bit more about the kinds of things that might interest you, I might be able to give more concrete suggestions. &nbsp;I've lived out west my whole life pretty much, still keep discovering new things!<br /><br />Tara<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[Rollin]

VanLifeCrisis, I would guess that your mother is&nbsp;probably&nbsp;worried that you are going to hit the road and she will never see you again (thinking worse case&nbsp;scenario). She&nbsp;probably&nbsp;needs you more than you know &nbsp;and&nbsp;doesn't&nbsp;know how to communicate that to you very well.<br /><br />I don't wan't to give you a guilt trip. But, it sounds like you need to&nbsp;reassure&nbsp;her of some things. Ofcorse&nbsp;that's&nbsp;all your&nbsp;business.<br /><br />I think&nbsp;a lot&nbsp;of mothers are like this it's in there nature to protect you.<br /><br />Mine's the same way. If it was up to her I would be living in her house where she could read me a story and tuck in every night.<br /><br />She&nbsp;actually&nbsp;tried&nbsp;to get me out of the&nbsp;persian&nbsp;gulf war. She contacted a&nbsp;senator&nbsp;and&nbsp;because&nbsp;I was her only son they was going to have me sent back home. I refused and stayed&nbsp;because&nbsp;I&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;feel right about &nbsp;it. True story.

 

[yesican]

Its the well traveled individual who gains wisdom; you're not just reading about things in a book; you're touching it, smelling it, feeling it, hearing it, and seeing it in 3D.&nbsp;&nbsp;Using all your senses when learning something new,&nbsp;you will&nbsp;understand it&nbsp;more clearly and remember it&nbsp;more accurately.&nbsp; Life is all about learning and using what you learn to better yourself and those around you.&nbsp; Don't let the words of someone discourage you from doing what you need to fulfill your life.&nbsp; If you have a desire to expand your horizons, its because you have a need that is not yet fulfilled.&nbsp; Its your life...go live it, and your life will be better for it.<br />Rae

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Wow, you guys are great pick me ups <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; <br /><br />@peacetara Awesome suggestions!&nbsp; Im making note of them.&nbsp; I do plan to hit up slab city after reading about it on this site.&nbsp; Looks interesting.&nbsp; Thanks for mentioning vegas, I HAVE to go there anyway, because one of my dreams is to catch a live MMA fight, or at least meet some of my favorite fighters.&nbsp; Of course id have to squirrel away some money for tickets, but the weigh-ins are free.<br /><br />I do like historical sights, i used to live near pricketts fort where they had a full time couple living period style, I actually learned some interesting things from them.&nbsp; Used to go to harpers ferry as a kid and camp out, they have a little historic town there, whole houses set up like museums. It was great.&nbsp; Used to go to Ft. Smallwood park all the time too, and a long time ago you could actually go inside the battlements...which are just a ruin now.<br /><br />I also like hiking trails and bike trails, and i definitely will be taking my bike with me.&nbsp; Mostly what I have here are dangerous roads full of leg busting hills in WV, I miss nice flat, scenic trails from when i lived in maryland.&nbsp; I've read quite a few blogs of people who pretty much go from trail to trail across the US, exploring the nearby towns and niches as they ride.&nbsp; <br /><br />I have some vacation time at work, going to head out and explore some of the cool stuff around here to stave off my wanderlust while i save up and look for my van.&nbsp; Then sort of fan out from here <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />

Q&nbsp;Her reply was "Well what do you want to see out there?"<br /><br />A "Don't know unless I go look."

<br /><br />Oddly enough my young nephew was there, and he piped in with a similar response <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; "He doesn't know, isn't that the point of him going to find out?"