Wanderlust-

I recall that, as a young man, I wanted to travel. I felt a longing for the road, a desire to be going. I didn’t really want to go anywhere in particular. I just wanted to be going. I had the opportunity to go a few places on family trips, and a few other places through clubs and activities.

As a soldier I got to travel a bit. I added to the number of states I have visited, and visited five different countries.

When I got married and started a family, I knew that travel would be limited. We never had a lot of money to spare, so ultimately trips to Disneyland were the big thing. I accepted this as part of raising a family, and don’t regret it.

Now, my children are grown. My career is winding down, and no longer fits me very well. I am once again feeling a longing for the road.

I visit a lot of web sites and blogs associated with full-time travelers. Modern gypsies. Contemporary vagabonds. I sate my need to go with their goings. For now, it is enough. For how long, I don’t know.

So, I explore options. I visualize various ways of living this dream. Not all are full-time. All involve travel.

The comfortable convertible and motel camping. I ran the numbers. It would take three years of serious part-time travel for a $50,000 recreational vehicle to begin saving money over this form of travel. The convertible allows you to see everything, but is not quite so exposed as a motorcycle. A good option.

Class A motor homes are out, in my book. Too hard to drive, and they can’t do all roads. Even larger class C motor homes are out, for the same reason. Smaller class C or the class B motor homes have a lot to offer, but the investment is still large.

One idea I have played with lately is a Ranger XLT 4x4 with camper shell, towing a teardrop trailer. Versatile, flexible, yet a few steps above tent camping. I don’t see my wife doing that, however.

For the most part, I just want to get away. See what there is to see down this road, and the next. Drive toward the horizon. See what is on the other side of the next ridge. Find something I haven’t seen before. Maybe just sit somewhere all alone.

That’s where I end up, in these dreams. Some distant place, all alone. No job, no home, no people to care for. Just the sky, the land, and nothing to do.

Right now, that seems beautiful. Why is it I never seem to do it?