Hey everyone. Haven't really posted anything in a while. Injured my shoulder and have been busy with work and all that. I'm considering going on a year long road trip by converting the back of my pick up truck into storage and a platform for a bed and have a cap on it. Or moving cross country to Utah since it is central to many places that I had wanted to go to. That way I could take a lot of small trips over the course of several years. I'm not against either idea. I have money saved up, and money coming in from some law suits. I know I could make at least 15 grand after all expenses by selling my house. If I work like crazy for a few months, I might be able to manage to pay off all debt (besides truck payment) and leave with 18-20 grand. Here is what I've had to think about.
For each of my brothers, after high school my parents payed for them to go on a trip anywhere they wanted to go instead of going on their normal class trip. Oldest brother went to some military tactical training camp for people considering military. My second oldest brother went to Quebec to snowboard, then to a snowboard school out west. I had wanted to travel cross country and photograph whatever I wanted and camp and hike all over. Well my dad got laid of, and that never happened. Up until last September when I went out to Utah for the HERA Climb for Life Benefit, the furthest west I had been was New York. So every other month I get bummed out that I'm on a path to never going to do these things that I've wanted to do.
I'm now about to be 23, still living in New Jersey. Only went to college for a year. Got involved in climbing in January of 2006. I boulder, I lead sport and trad, have all my own gear, and all my own camping gear. I'm an Eagle Scout so I've done all sorts of camping and wilderness survival. I bought a rental property last year and also started my own construction business (no employees). Also managed to get involved and start dating a girl last Sept. Lately I've been more stressed out than ever before, and that's not the type of person I am. I'm at the breaking point and know I have to do one of the two of these.
I can deal with moving away from family, no problem with selling the house, I could definitely live out of a truck and camp for a year, wouldn't mind moving to Utah (houses are cheap there), the g/f is an issue, but she would consider Utah, or I could leave her, either way Id be able to be ok with. I work construction so If I was concerned about money I could pick up jobs here and there with no problem. Truck is an '05 so I don't have to worry about it breaking down.
So this is where I bring this to you. What should I do? Go on at least a year long road trip and live out of truck and camp, climb, hike, and bike, work when I need to, and if I really like somewhere, then take up residence there? Or pack up some things into my truck and drive out to Utah, rent till I find a house, buy it and see if g/f follows, then just take small trips and keep working all the time in Utah? Like I said, either one I'm ok with, but I keep leaning towards the road trip. I've thought a lot into it and made out budgets and such. I can afford to do it. But am I crazy to think this is a good idea? What is your input? Any of you make similar decisions?
booticoo says:
do it
yedrek says:
Thanks, I think you are the only person that was inside today. Either that or Im horrible at writing and cannot keep anyones attention. But which should I do? Live out of my truck on a long road trip, or just move out west and take lots of small trips?
rav says:
Do the road trip. Coast to coast. Stop at great places along the way - Black Hills, Devil's Tower, Boulder, Rocky Mtn National Park, Wind River Range, Moab, Grand Canyon, Zion, Tahoe, Yosemite - hurl yourself into the Pacific and then decide if you want to settle down in one of the places you saw along the way or head back to the wrong coast.
yedrek says:
haha.. Whats so wrong about Jersey? Thanks for the advice.
MeganM says:
Can you do both? Roadtrip through the summer and fall and figure out where you want to live along the way. Then head back to NJ for the winter months to pack your stuff up, get things arranged, and say good-bye to friends and family. I think roadtripping in the winter months can be kind of tough anyway - it gets dark at 5 and then what do you do? And moving out of Jersey sure sounds like a good idea (at least in regards to climbing). Good luck with whatever you decide.
yedrek says:
Yeah, Ive been thinking that. I just need to get things squared away here before I go... Then maybe go on a month trip or so. Get to Utah or wherever I seem to like. Rent out a room, find a realtor and buy a house. The only western state Ive been to is Utah. Im looking to not be killing myself on housing prices. Anyone have any other states that are good for climbing and not expensive or out in the middle of nowhere?
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