Welcome to One Year Out of Our Element – a story about two couples taking a year to explore, learn and experience by living for a year out of their usual environment.
Keoma and Bill started this adventure, speculating about “leaving it all behind” by spending a year traveling around North America in a RV. Much debate was had about the viability of such a plan. What about jobs? What about our home? Friends? Family? Our relationship staying strong after being together 24/7 for a solid year in a limited space?
Reflecting on recent life experiences, Keoma and Bill decided that there had been enough tire kicking and that now is the time to take advantage of opportunities and to live life to the very fullest. Keoma is fortunate enough to have an employer that allowed for a Leave of Absence for a year (thanks for that!!) and Bill’s profession has wonderful flexibility so that he can work from remote locations. The stage has been set.
Much debate was held regarding the pluses and minuses of motorhomes vs small campers vs large campers along with tow vehicles before the end result which is a thirty three foot camper towed by a Toyota Tundra. This is significant, as Keoma and Bill have never towed a camper before, never mind a thirty three footer along the Trans Canada Highway or the Inter-state system in the United States. Insert much drama and swearing here. Watch for all of their learnings in their upcoming posts.
Renee and Tony come in as friends of Keoma and Bill. They have been a little more free spirited in their approach to life and have spent their years accumulating life “stuff” rather than house “stuff”.
Renee spent last year exploring Canada from the back of her CRV, learning about herself and this amazing country that we call home. She is a self professed minimalist and happy to be so. Tony is a networker (social and otherwise) extraordinaire and has written blogs about meeting a stranger a day, plus has his own YouTube channel documenting his more physical adventures in the Rocky Mountains and other equally fun and daring things. Did we mention that Tony is a juggler? IN A CIRCUS? Well, now you know.
Keoma and Bill contacted Renee and Tony to see if they would be interested in taking up residence in their home – a complete departure from their previous lifestyle. After much consideration, they accepted the challenge and will become suburbanites for the next year.
Upon Tony’s suggestion, this blog will contain the perspectives of both couples. One couple on the road, chasing the sun and some physical activities, with a dose of exploration, education, live music and good eats with limited kit and no fixed address. The other, settling in the pioneering lifestyle of homesteading featuring 9-5 careers (shift work not withstanding), lawn and yard maintenance, gardening and snow clearing and living in the burbs with no children or dogs.
Both couples are learning to live and be outside of the comfort zone…Out of Our Element.
We hope that you enjoy our adventures, find inspiration, live vicariously through us when appropriate, and have some laughs at our expense.