Why?

I may not have been born in the backseat of a Greyhound bus, but I’ve been rambling before I could crawl.  As a kid, every year or two my family would pack up and follow our dad to the next oil field that needed to be surveyed and charted.  I moved at least 10 times before graduating high school.  Once I was on my own I went to college part time, worked part time and continued to hit the high road whenever I could.  After a stint working on the oil rigs in the Gulf and living out of my car to save money, I traveled overland around the world when I was twenty one.  That was forty years ago.

Despite my best intentions, efforts, bargaining and protestations I was thoroughly domesticated for about the last twelve years.  An all consuming start up and two girls, now 10 and 14, made for a stressed and dull boy.  What’s the point of it all if you’re not having fun?  Finally the gods showed some mercy and I was able to slowly wrest control of my life, sanity and time.  I was now able to survey my life and prioritize what is really important to me - less stress, more time with family and friends, being of service AND travel!

Simone, our 14 year old, attended a local charter school through 8th grade, the last grade offered.  The public high school starts in 10th grade, which would require her to attend a public junior high for just her 9th grade.  Ah - the perfect opportunity to make a break for it!  Her social groups would be in flux and not binding her so tightly; she is old enough to understand there will be some rough times mixed with the good; and she is young enough to still enjoy her father’s company and doesn’t have a boyfriend yet!  She is also old enough and organized enough to manage her 9th grade studies independently.

Over a year ago, I could see how the stars would align and proposed we travel the world together during Simone's 9th grade.

Who?

But what about the rest of our family: my wife Helene and our youngest daughter Clara?  Helene has a private mental health counseling practice that she did not was to abandon for such a long time and it wouldn't be fair for her to be left alone.  She finally decided to take a break from Thanksgiving through New Years and bring Clara to join us.  So it was settled: Simone and I would make most of the trip ourselves and Helene and Clara would join us for seven weeks.  It was also decided that Clara and I would take a similar trip for her ninth grade, in four years hence.  Although I will miss being with my whole family, I also look forward to spending time and celebrating with just Simone.   And as a smaller group, we will be able to interact more with the world around us and make fewer compromises.   

Where?

After a week layover in Beijing, Simone and I will spend the fall travelling in Indonesia, Thailand and Laos.  Helene and Clara will join us for Vietnam and Cambodia.  Simone and I will then head to India and Nepal for winter.  Spring will take us to Turkey, Greece and some of the capitals of Europe.

When?

We will our home in Boise, Idaho USA on 5 September 2018 and return near the end of May 2019.  Helene and Clara will be traveling from 15 November 2018 through 2 January 2019.

How?

To see how our trip came together, please read the Preparing for Our Trip blog post.