Of Happenings: Life Goal Incipient

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
07/15/2014 at 11:17 • Filed to: Great American Roadtrip

Ever since I was young I have loved to travel. New sights, new sounds, new smells, and new people. I also love driving.

( Image courtesy !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ; also related)

In my short 27 years I have seen almost 200 cities and 12 countries, and every time I go somewhere it inspires me to want to learn something new and try something different.

As far back as I can recall, in the days of my youth while playing with Hotwheels cars, I would imagine myself road tripping across the country in some sweet 6 engine hot rod with a surf board on the roof.

Well it appears as if that will happen (the road trip part, not the 6 engine hot rod, and that makes me sad). After some months reflecting on my life goals and current circumstances, and many many hours of reflecting ideas off my psychologist (my father, not a real psychologist, I'm not crazy I swear. Now where did my pet dragon get off to this time...) I decided that my current location is not the place I want to be.

After further thought, it was uncovered that I have literally no clue where 'somewhere' really is for me. My father made the suggestion of picking 10 places on the map and flying out to each one for a weekend and checking it out. While not a terrible idea, I just used all my vacation time on that trip to Italy so I would have to leave on a Saturday and return on a Sunday. That does not leave much time to get the feel of an area.

So back to my life dream of driving across the country. Like I said before, I am still fairly young. I have no family of my own (other than the dog) and (other than the house) nothing tying me to anyone or anything. I also have a house that has a substantial amount of positive equity in it.

So I made a decision. Over the next few months I will be selling off all my non-essential items (things like TVs, game consoles, spare furniture, cars, motorcycles, etc. etc.), everything I would like to keep will be placed into a POD for long term storage and later transport, and then I will sell my house.

Once the house is sold, I will begin my journey traveling pretty much wherever I so desire, driving my Jeep from place to place. My hope is to make it across all 48 states. I have a few places I have already contemplated as places I would like to live, and plan to spend a good few days in each of those places. I also have a list of landmarks I would like to see and fully intend on stopping at those places as well.

I am fairly excited for this but I also realize the scope and time frame of this project and I am hoping to make this line up to start my journey early spring time 2015 (because I would rather not see the northern states under 50" of snow).

Of Happenings cliff notes: I am selling nearly everything I own to travel across the country in my Jeep and see everything I want to see while hopefully finding a now place to reside.

I hope to meet many of my fellow Opponauts on this journey and will be sure to keep you apprised to the ongoing progress of this journey and where I will be heading to when this journey begins.

Also, I need a cool name for this journey for tagging purposes for those whom may wish to follow along, so suggestions in comments.

DISCUSSION (40)

Alfalfa > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:22

This is intense. I wish you success.

Leadbull > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:26

Stipulation:

You must blast Free Bird, full volume, the entire drive.

CAR_IS_MI > Leadbull
07/15/2014 at 11:29

That might make me actually crazy.

DrScientist > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:32

best of luck sir.

i've had similar desires, and have driven across much of our continent, including a 2 week trip nyc - newfoundland; 10 days nyc - new orleans; 3 days nyc - los angeles cannonball run style (don't do this); 5 days los angeles - seattle; 7 days seattle - montana; 12 days montana - nyc; 5 days slc - denver.

Do you have any idea as to how long you expect this journey to take? i'd say double that number.

and stay off the interstates.

Leadbull > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:34

Ok, you're allowed to play "Sweet Home Alabama" when driving through that particular state.

quarterlifecrisis > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:35

Awesome. I wish I could pack up and do that. I'm the same age as you, and have seen a lot less.

I too have realized that "here" is not where I want to be. It's nothing against the geography, or the things to do, or the people...it's just not been what I expected. So, like any good forward thinker, I'm looking for an out where I can go make more money. Much less glamorous than yours. But, if you end up coming through whereever I am whenever you do it, you've got a beer on me.

SysEngineerAdam > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:35

You are welcome in Kansas City my friend. A work friend sent me your article, and I have begun selling everything non-essential and I only rent on a monthly basis currently. Only thing left for me is to pay off student loan debts and let the travel begin! I've only been to 3 countries but have been through most of the states here in the US except for the western ones.

Lekker > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:36

As a young daring person, I applaud you. And I hope this trip brings to you more than what you can bargain for, and share it with us all. Most people don't have the opportunity to do something like that, like myself... I am sure my wife would not appreciate me going from state to state with no income as she is in med school. Alas, your trip will be magical, so don't be a terd and keep us posted :)

When the time comes, I would love to meet up with such an inspirational Opponaut, if you ever decide to stroll by Kansas City on your travels.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:39

You're welcome anytime you're in the Chicagoland area. We'll enjoy a couple good brews and some Lou Malnati's when you're around.

CAR_IS_MI > DrScientist
07/15/2014 at 11:40

I don't have a time frame trip wise. My whole goal is to find a place where I would like to live and while I have so general ideas, for all I know that place could be some small city I come across in route to my next destination or while stopping for fuel. And I fully plan on taking as many non-interstate roads as possible.

CAR_IS_MI > Lekker
07/15/2014 at 11:49

Closest I've ever been to Kansas City was STL so I don't see why not.

CAR_IS_MI > Where have all the lightweights gone?
07/15/2014 at 11:50

Ill make sure this time its not in the dead of winter just when Chicago is about to get hit by a snow storm.

Frank Grimes > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:54

you should come to utah and I can join your expedition and we coukd recruit others maybe form some kind of traveling car stunt gang that drives and fixes cars for honest robbers like in the italian job.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 11:56

You'll enjoy being here a lot more when that is not the case.

CAR_IS_MI > Frank Grimes
07/15/2014 at 11:57

You in SLC area?

CAR_IS_MI > Where have all the lightweights gone?
07/15/2014 at 11:59

Yea I was in Peoria in summer and I loved it. I just couldn't deal with those winters.

HammerheadFistpunch > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 12:09

Give me a shout out when your in the Utah Area. Jealous of your trip, I wish i was in that place in my life.

CAR_IS_MI > HammerheadFistpunch
07/15/2014 at 12:12

SLC? (Im in Vegas now so Utah isn't all that for to start)

thebigbossyboss > quarterlifecrisis
07/15/2014 at 12:12

My beef is with the geography of my city. "Last winter 29 days were below -4F" FUUUUUUUUUUUUU

HammerheadFistpunch > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 12:12

Im in Salt lake, but if you need advice on most parts of utah as far as overland travel I may be of some help.

quarterlifecrisis > thebigbossyboss
07/15/2014 at 12:19

I'll say this. For the last 10 months I've lived in "the south." I spent the 26 years prior to that in Illinois. I picked a hell of a good year to not live there in the winter.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 12:41

That sounds awesome! You're always welcome in the SF Bay Area, by the way. What are the places you're really strongly considering?

JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 12:51

Awesome man! Life's too short to be in the wrong place.

Not threadjacking, but I think I know what you are going through. Out of college I got a job in Finance, which just wasn't for me. After much contemplation, and three years later, I quit to go get another degree, and after that, I will be traveling the Transamerica Trail on a dual sport motorcycle for a month or more.

I wish you the utmost success as everyone else here does!

CAR_IS_MI > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
07/15/2014 at 13:06

I'll definitely be stopping in the bay area, I've always wanted to see it, but its only a tourist stop for me. I've been contemplating areas outside of Portland, Seattle, Denver, Tulsa, and OKC.

CAR_IS_MI > JALOPNIK-IS-JEZEBEL-FOR-CARS
07/15/2014 at 13:17

Traveling across the country on a motorcycle is also a dream of mine, but I cant do that with the dog so...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 14:25

Come down to Tulsa after KC and I'll buy you a beer.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 14:31

I'd tag it with "The Journey".

You're taking a literal journey, but also taking a metaphorical journey to find your place (again both literally and figuratively) in life, or at least in this next phase of your life.

I've also always loved the phrase "Not All Who Wander Are Lost".

All the best. I hope you're able to look back on this decision as one of the best you ever made in your life.

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/15/2014 at 14:54

Yea but when I see "The Journey" I either want to break out into Don't Stop Believing or shake my head at the disaster that is the Dodge Journey.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 14:59

Ha! Okay.

How about "The Long Way Home"?

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 15:01

Miss. SoRolledSuchTechnology and myself have been thinking about doing pretty much exactly this, only not in the states, but in Europe. I will follow your trek with much interest. Our end goal is to settle in a place that we can both find jobs we enjoy. We have no set start date, but we want to begin before we are 30.

Good luck sir, may fortune find your jeep and your self!

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/15/2014 at 15:01

Okay Supertramp...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CAR_IS_MI
07/15/2014 at 15:03

Long Road Home?

CAR_IS_MI > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
07/15/2014 at 15:03

If I get bored I may hit Europe too... I'm really not tied down to the states and I enjoy other cultures so maybe I will see you on the other side of the pond.

CAR_IS_MI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/15/2014 at 15:03

Exactly. lol.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > CAR_IS_MI
07/16/2014 at 17:32

What do you have of interest in Ohio?

I have several suggestions if you are interested.

CAR_IS_MI > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
07/16/2014 at 17:37

Just some family in Cincinnati I would like to see on my way through.

And Im always open for suggestion

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > CAR_IS_MI
07/16/2014 at 17:47

The National Museum of the USAF in Dayton is ALWAYS worth a visit. Plan on a whole day to see everything; 3 if you like to read.

If you don't have base-access, you will need to take the shuttle to get to the Presidential and R&D hangers on base. Get there early to ensure you have a seat.

There is also America's Packard Museum downtown that is a terrific former Packard dealer building and has quite the collection of Packards. Admission is about $10, plan on a few hours to see everything.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > CAR_IS_MI
07/16/2014 at 17:52

If you need a couch to crash on when you come to Seattle, I think I can help you out.

JEM > CAR_IS_MI
07/16/2014 at 19:14

When I did my two 5,000+ miles road trips I realized the second time it needed a name so I came up with "Targa Southernland" since I was driving all over the south. As someone who has a fantasy of running Targa Newfoundland someday, I highly recommend calling it Targa somethingorother.

Stef Schrader > CAR_IS_MI
07/16/2014 at 22:34

I love this plan SO MUCH.