The First Of Many Big Days – Quebec, Canada
Posted on Jan 17, 2013 | 36 comments
You can do a lot in a day.
For Example: You can pack up your car with all your belongings, leave your home of 7 years, drive to a different country, drag your possessions by sled to an isolated, snowbound cabin in the woods, and literally begin a whole new way of life.
This was our Sunday.
This is our new life.
It wasn't easy leaving. Sure, the road ahead seemed bright and wonderful, but what we were leaving behind was pretty sweet as well. We will miss many, many good things.
Closing the door, turning over the keys, and taking the final pictures of our soon-to-be old life was tough, but we did it anyway - and we're happy we did. After a few sweet goodbyes, we just hopped in the car and left. Change is hard, but good.
A few hours later we found ourselves driving through the snow-covered White Mountains of New Hampshire, on our way to the Canadian Border. To activate our new medical insurance, we had to jump the border into Quebec for a few days before we headed south towards the sunny skies of Florida. And with our adrenaline pumping, and the adventure just beginning, reality set in at the border.
Border Agent: So, where do you live?
Us: Well . . .
Border Agent: What do you do for work?
Us: Well . . .
Border Agent: And why are you coming to Canada?
Us: Oh, that's easy! We're going to sleep in the woods for a night to activate our insurance.
Border Agent: Yeah, that's a little weird. Pull your car over there, please.
Yeah . . .
I suppose it's going to take everyone - including us - a bit of time to get adjusted to the difference of this lifestyle.
In the end, everything worked out, and we found ourselves staying at the pretty amazing Au Diable Vert Campground in Glen Sutton, Quebec, Canada. Wood burning stoves, drops of self-reliance, and a wealth of the unknown. It was rustic, adventurous, different, and isolated - everything we were looking for.
Big days don't seem to come often, but maybe they should.
We're looking forward to having many more big days down the road.
Our empty condo just before we left. Sad, but happy.
Everything We Own! All Packed And Ready!
Riding Off Into The Sunset. On Our Way To The Canadian Border
See those sleds? Little did we know . . . we had to drag all our gear to the cabin. Welcome to the travel lifestyle!
Setting Up Shop. One battery powered lamp, a jug of water, and everything we need.
One of our many new homes! An adjustment, but a good and happy one!
Next Stop: Virgina Beach, Virgina - USA
You can follow our complete North American Journey here. And see all the gear we're taking with us here.
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I am so ridiculously happy for you guys! After following your journey for all these months, it is WONDERFUL to see you guys finally on the road... I will be eagerly devouring ALL of your blogs! Yay!!!
Heather Costaras recently posted..Places I Draw
No KIDDING!
Thanks for sticking around Heather! Where are you guys?? Don't you have a trip coming soon??
Yes... our trip will happen when the house sells... at the moment, it's all about the house... waiting for the house... renovating the house... ugh.
And it's about getting our taxes sorted out.
And it's about ditching a MOUNTAIN of clutter.
It's a season of admin-admin-admin (which I'm hating!!!). But - your blog is like a light at the end of the tunnel which says: "Never mind! Hang in there! Soon you'll be joining the Musslers and others like them... and living the life you really WANT to live!".....
Heather Costaras recently posted..So… I started a business (on a whim)…
There is certainly a lot of "UGHHH" that comes with this. Little by little. Hope we can help. You'll get there.
love it!!!! va beach - cool!! that cabin looks
great!
You guys would love it, Ev. They had tree houses!
Yay!!! So happy for you all! It's going to be fantastic! We're just a couple months in and it's amazing how the road opens up before you and opportunities you never dreamed of present themselves. We're in Panama at the moment but will be in the Vancouver area of BC March through May, so if you're coming that direction let us know! Many blessings and happy trails!
Rebeca recently posted..Cataviña
We will be in that area in Early May. We should meet up. I think we'll be in Victoria.
Sounds great! My husband has a three month contract job there so we'll be there. Will look forward to meeting you all!
Rebeca recently posted..Panama: Getting Here and First Impressions
YES, EXPECT to question your decision many times during the first month! You might be on the verge of throwing in the towel....but realize you have nowhere to go if you do. I am speaking from experience? Yes, we left NE OK over 3 months ago in our new-to-us 2010 truck and new-to-us 23 ft travel trailer - just me, Cindy, and my teen daughter. A LOT more of an adjustment and learning curve than I originally thought! (I had never even operated a propane grill before!)
Keep remembering your purpose and goal! Take MANY pics so you can look back at them during those times of questioning your life, and you will say, "Wow, we couldn't have done all of this when tied to a fixed house and tons of 'stuff'!
We leave San Antonio, TX today and working our way further west. Headed to a state park where we will be swimming in the natural spring water, even tho it is 30 degrees outside. What an adventure! LIKE us on our page, CBreaze Ontheroad! (I am the one who recommended specific campsites at Gulf Island National Seashore in Florida!)
Safe travels! Cindy and Breanna
Yeah, lot's of adjustments for sure, but we did spend years preparing for this.
I agree with you - the purpose and the goal is everything! You have to keep that in perspective.
So where are those hot springs?!?!
This made me feel so happy- for all of you. For possibilities and dreams coming true. That cabin reminds me of a place we stayed at Lake Anna State Park, Virginia. No need to sled in your belongings, but it was beautiful and silent (winter-season). It was so dark at night, the stars seemed so close the kids thought they could touch them. No need to say have a great time, but do.
Lee recently posted..Judgement-Free Sustainable Living: We All Have Our “But…”
Thanks, Lee. It was a great place! I'm sure you would have loved it.
Lot's of possibilities ahead.
I have been a regular follower but don't comment much.
It is so great to see you guys traveling! Yay!
Much thanks, Susan! The support is great!
I am so glad that you finally hit the road!
I started reading you blog whner I was preparing my own "big family escape". We left for our round-the-worl trip a year ago, and just arrived home, in Portugal.
And it was so, so, so amazing. I wish you all the best!
WOW! Thanks so funny you started and finished already!
Great to here your trip was so amazing!
This is moving. Literally.
Yeah - Very, very moving!
Thanks, Ian!
I stumbled upon your blog and you got me hooked. I do have a question though, I see you have little kids. What toys or little kid stuff did they get to keep for your travels? Would love to know! Thanks and have a safe trip ahead. I can't wait for my family to do this eventually.
Good question.
You can look at some of the items here - http://www.greatfamilyescape.com/the-camping-list-everything-you-need-for-a-great-tent-camping-adventure/ , but we are going to do a post on it shortly. Really, it just finding ways to organize an store the stuff.
I should have a list of stuff for you soon. Thanks!
Congratulations on heading out. What did you end up deciding on for medical insurance?
Gilles recently posted..Ridiculously Awesome
It was IMG global. I think i put a link in the post. It's very affordable and suits our travel needs - especially as Americans!
That cabin looks gorgeous, I'm excited for you and I don't even know you! I wish we lived on a land mass that we could drive around, we're in Australia, it's kinda big, but there's no getting out!
Alyson recently posted..Planning Family Travel: The First Six Months
It is gorgeous! If you have a chance to road trip the US, do it. It is built for road tripping
Sweetness! Awesome job you guys. You are making it happen!
We're trying! That's all you can do.
Thanks,
Ralph
YAY!! You did it! It's been a long road, but you're on your way! You'll have many wonderful adventures!
Nancy Sathre-Vogel recently posted..Family on Bike’s best of 2012
Thanks, Nancy!
We're following in you tire tracks.
So great! And so happy for you! What a fun way to spend the first night/day - and great border crossing stories to remember. It won't be the last border you cross!
Congratulations!
Tiffany Fite recently posted..Just a thought…
Yeah, it was great! If you get a chance, give it a visit. Well worth it!
Great pictures and even greater adventures yet to come!!! looking forward to following all these adventures and good times!
What a great moment and what a wonderful story. I love that picture of you driving off into the sunset. It's an adventure, it's a bit weird for sure, but overall it's you and your kids together to conquer the world. Have fun, stay safe (but that will be no problem with Canadian health insurance lol) and...well, just live!
Emiel
Emiel recently posted..Interview with Angie Orth (part 2): No yesterdays on the road
It's not that weird, is it??? So far, so good, Emiel. We're enjoying it! No need to conquer the world, just enjoy it! Thanks, friend!
Hi.
I've been following your blog for a few months now and am finally posting because I can't not say a huge congratulations for finally getting there - Congratulations!!! - it must have been incredibly emotional - I'm looking forward to hearing how it all goes.
Very inspirational as I continue to mull over different ways that we could be living this life of ours!!
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks! It is emotional. Scary, but exciting.
Good luck with your planning. Persistence is key! There is always a way.