We realized that we would never get to do all of the things we
dreamed of doing unless we just took off and did them. So, we did. This is a chronicle of all of the stuff that has happened since. Our favorite thing to do is go where we’ve never been, so we left Alameda, California in August of 2009 with the idea of traveling for a year. More than 8 years and 23 countries later, we’re still going…
The cast of characters includes:
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angela* mom, food label inspector, voice of reason (?) music: Bishop Allen, Okkervil River, The El Orbits movies: Super Troopers, Caddy Shack, Elf reading: everything on my Kindle |
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jason* dad, rocket scientist, all-around good guy. music: Trojan Ska, Built to Spill, Wilco, Yo La Tengo, Flaming Lips movies: Hands on a Hard Body (look it up!) reading: The Bentley Manual |
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bode kid, 9, Founder and Principal of Bodeswell.org music: Beastie Boys, The Muppets, The Sippy Cups, The Kinks movies: The Iron Giant, Goldeneye reading: Harry Potter countries visited: thirty-something |
*actual passport photos
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Hi, you three – long time no hear (can’t write ‘see’…)
Good on’ya for being back on the road (excuse the Australian slang), and heads up to Jason for quitting his job; brave step!
It’s been a while since I visited your website. I love the look of the new WP theme, but unfortunately the menu doesn’t work on mobile (it works alright on my laptop screen, I then resized screen, didn’t work, tested on my Nexus 7 tablet – same: the menu button doesn’t expand the menu!). Thus work never ends…
Enjoy your trip up North!
Juergen (back in South Amrica)
Hello you three !
We found your sticker on our wind-screen in Maligne Lake few days ago !
Like you, we are travellers, crossing Americas for few years.
Enjoy your travel and maybe we will meet you soon on Canadian roads !
Alexandre and Claire
I just found your blog, and have question about how you started and how you finance your trip. I have own VW Westfalias as far as my first vehicle, my wife and I traveled all over but not far or as long as we will like to (2 week for the longest trip from GA to the keys), due to lack of funds to pay trip expenses and I can’t take time off from work. I read many blog of westy travelers and have been trying to figure out how to do it myself. My wife will love to get on the road to see the world but I can’t figure out the financial part of it. After all we will still need money for gas, food and other necessities.
boa noite! a algum tempo atrás eu tinha visto uma reportagem com vocês, hoje novamente acabei passeando no meu sonho e navegando na internet novamente deparei com a reportagem e vi seu blog, vi que depois de tanto tempo vocês continuam na estrada, com a mesma intensidade do dia que você iniciaram, coisa maravilhosa, saber que a decisão tomada lá trás foi a mais certa de uma vida, parabéns, eu gostaria de saber como vocês resolveram alguns problemas como estudo para seu filho, aquele momento que cai o desanimo e a possível vontade de ter uma casa normal como antes, como vocês fazem para resolver quando um de vocês ficam doentes, exemplo uma gripe mais intensa, como vocês fazem para manter-se financeiramente a tanto tempo na estrada, quais foram as maiores dificuldades superadas nesse período, uma aventura não se faz só com coisas bonitas, lugares bonitos, mas também com superação das dificuldades do dia a dia, tenho muita vontade de embarcar em um estilo de vida como vocês fizeram, simplicidade, desapego, valores nas pequenas coisas, aquelas coisas que passam desapercebido na vida de muitas pessoas que vivem a vida normal em um ritmo alucinaste de alguma cidade, com o tempo completamente tomado pela rotina robótica da vivencia em grupos sociais, deixando a vida passar pelos dedos, com a ilusão que mais tarde irá recompensar o tempo perdido com sua família, estou tão orgulhoso de saber que tem pessoas iguais a vocês, pessoas que dão os valores corretos para a família, para o seu ser. eu faço parte de um pequeno grupo no Facebook com os mesmos ideais que vocês, ficaria muito feliz se vocês pudessem compartilhar conosco seu depoimento, suas sabedorias adquiridas nesses anos! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1573380339544079/ ,fiquem com deus, e saiba que tem muitas pessoas torcendo por vocês!
Jason,
Wow!-still going-I’m so impressed….I can’t imagine what your life must be like. Hope you and your family are doing well-maybe update the photos of you guys on the Web site? I just want to know you and your wife are getting older, too.:>}
Imagine, a person as scientifically gifted as you actually doing something adventurous…I was just telling my wife TODAY on our daily walk that you could go into just about any high-tech company and say “I want a $200k salary”-and you’d get it-and be worth every penny.
Do I read the “future” map correctly: are you really going to go to Asia and Europe (green lines)?
Best,
Dave
just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration. the continued inspiration, and I look forward to some day crossing paths. I’m rolling in an ’82 Westy and included my blog if you’re interested in looking or linking.
keep on, keepin’ on.
Hi Guys,
My wife, 2 daughters and I are setting off for a year of traveling in a few months and are planning on setting up a blog. I like yours and was curious what platform you use. Would love for you to get a kickback if we end up using the same so let me know if you have a passcode that I need to put in.
Thanks and maybe we will cross paths somewhere.
Safe travels,
Dan
It was really nice meeting you at *that place* near Orlando. I love your VW and think what you’re doing is amazing. You are doing what very few people will ever do: strike out and see the country while you and your son are young enough to really enjoy it.
Nice site! I like the background info on the VW and the views of your travels. We’ll be checking back in!
Take care – I hope we cross paths again sometime!
Hey there! Just came across your site and i’m loving it! It’s kinda funny.. my name is Bode as well and I just bought a 79 baywindow, but keep it up guys!
I found your sticker in a pub in Dublin and have no idea how it arrived there but there was a picture of your west on it and that is why I have looked you up. I envy you having the get up and go to do the travelling. Make the most of it tine is precious and life is short. Good luck