New Adventures of Natasha
“Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.” ~Unknown
It’s been a summer, for sure! I’m definitely not a secret-keeper, in spite of the SpyScribbler moniker, so most of you have probably pieced together bits of what’s happening this summer. Here is the official announcement:
We are hitting the road!
In a camper, that is. For years, it’s been our dream to live on the road full-time, and now the universe has conspired to force me out of my safe, little box and into the life that’s been calling to me.
Looking back, it seems like my whole life has been leading to this point. Years ago, looking forward, I never would have imagined this lifestyle. I didn’t even know this lifestyle existed!
But growing up, I poured over maps daily, read National Geographic religiously, planned the routes for our family’s vacations, and planned routes for my pretend vacations. My dad was a pretty restless sort, too: he sailed from California to New York, around the Panama Canal! And then when I was sick in my twenties, I spent a ton of time in bed, imagining trips. It was only five years ago when this idea occurred to me, and after a spot of research, I discovered this idea had occurred to over a million before me, LOL.
We’ll be traveling and living in an Apache pop-up camper, kind of like a pop-up tent, except it has hard sides and windows and screens and everything. I don’t have a picture of mine yet, but here’s what one looks like:
So many of you have told me stories about huge changes in your life, and although I couldn’t talk about it much at the time, I want to thank you: I’ve referred to them often when feeling a lack of courage.
To even think of leaving my students has been an anguished decision. I’m also leaving my identity as a pianist and piano teacher behind, at least for a little while. Terrifying stuff.
The plan now is to live on the road full-time and upgrade to a bigger RV in a year or so. I’ll write and maybe scrounge up some workamping here and there, and Glenn will do a couple more Alaska trips before he retires. I’ll be a full-time writer, LOL! That certainly is scary.
Above the adventure and the writing and lifestyle change, the number one thing I absolutely can’t wait to do is to meet people. I’ve been living in a bit of a Joneses-obsessed town for the past twelve years, and it doesn’t match me at all. Outside of this town, there are millions of varying and interesting people. I just can’t wait to get out and meet new people, talk to people, learn what more of the United States is like.
I’ll be leaving this town in August, and spending about a month in a campground near my sweetheart niece until Glenn gets home. Then we’ll tie up loose ends in Ohio, head to South Dakota for our driver’s licenses, and then it’s Southwest for the winter!
Will you lend me a little more courage? When you think back on the huge, life-altering changes you’ve made, do you have any regrets? Gratitude? Advice? How’d you handle the change? Are you happy with where you landed?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats and husband. She spends summers camped near her niece, because, well, her niece is her favorite girl on the planet.
Natasha!! I am so excited for you!! You know what they say, happiness is not a destination, it is a journey!
Let’s see, do I have any regrets from my move…No, I really don’t. I am not the same person I was three years – I’m better. I love what I have become and the confidence and experience these adventures have given me. And I mentioned to you before, it’s amazing what you don’t miss.
Here is my advice – if there is an opportunity, take it. Make the most out of each day and every adventure and be open to everything – You never know what beautiful gems you may find in the most surprising of places.
So true, Nadine! You and Melanie have really inspired me through all this. I can’t wait to find out what I become and where I end up and what happens. And I promise to take opportunities! I tell my students that all the time.
Now I have to pony up and do it, LOL!
It sounds as though you are embarking on a wonderful and exciting adventure. I can’t even imagine the number of people you’ll meet and all the new places you’ll see. Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to do lots of blogging so that we can follow you around! I’m really excited for you. xo
I know, Barrie! I’m so excited to meet lots of people! I’m planning on doing lots of blogging, although it might be spotty at first, as we figure out what we’re going to do for internet. Thanks!
Wow, Natasha, this is big news. And I can imagine it is a scary thing to do, but exciting at the same time. Just over a year ago, my family and I moved continents, from Africa to Australia. It was stressful, worrying, sad, exciting, daunting and adventurous. And while our new home has different stresses and worries than we had before, I know taking the chance and the opportunity was the right thing to do. No what ifs for us. And nothing is so permanent it cannot be changed. Good luck!
I remember, Michelle! That is just amazing, and awesome!
So true about permanence… that’s a bit of a comfort, actually! I wish an RV could travel to Australia and Africa, though! :-0
I almost did that, but instead I chose to take a government job and move to Maine. My decision was based on the fact that I just didn’t have quite enough courage to hit the road alone. Not because I was scared to be alone; but because I’m a total loss at repairing cars and I was afraid of breaking down.
My entire plan was that I’d stay in various areas for a length of time, get a job working as a temp (I’m highly qualified for anything secretary) and tootle around as needed. “Travels with Charlie” and whatnot.
I hope you two have a blast doing this. With internet available via cell phone now, you’ll do well, I’m sure.
A government job would be nice, and what is it about Maine?! All the cool people I know live in Maine. We will have to get up there in the next couple years. I understand about the repair. I’m trying to do some repairs on the camper, and it’s… hard. There is so much I don’t know!
We’re still deciding what to do about internet. We will probably go the wireless route the first year, and then when we get an RV, we’ll upgrade to satellite. It might be slow going, though, the first couple weeks while we figure it out!
So exciting! Totally recommend travel. There is no way you will regret it!
That’s what I’m banking on, McKoala! I can’t wait!
Natasha, ten years ago I left a great job in Washington, DC to move to Los Angeles, with no job and no real idea of what I wanted to do. I spent five years there and have now spent five in Maine, and they have been the happiest, most productive years of my life.
Nothing is more liberating than freeing yourself of other people’s expectations, and nothing is harder work than trying to figure out for yourself, every day, what YOU need to be doing for yourself. Congratulations, and good luck!
That is AWESOME, Clair! Sometimes life just calls for taking a leap and seeing where you land. I have to get up to Maine; I have a couple friends there, and I’ve always wanted to go. I’m really excited to be freed of expectations, but the transition is full of kinks. My mother, who said she wished she did something like this a year ago when I mentioned, freaked out when it was actually a reality, LOL. But I can’t live by other people’s expectations, you know? We have to find our own paths.
Thanks for sharing! It’s so cool to know other people who have leapt off cliffs before, LOL!
We used to camp a lot and met lots of people who did this. There is a whole wonderful community out there that love this life.
Think of it this way; when you’re 50 or 60 are you going to look back on this time in your life and think-Gee, why didn’t I do that when I had the chance?
Good luck on your adventure!
Aimless, it’s true! And they’re so nice. And interesting! What you said about regret was the main thing that gave me courage to take this leap. I knew that if I didn’t do this now, it might not happen, and if it didn’t happen, I’d regret it forever. Thanks for the good luck! I need it!
OMG! I knew you were doing this, but seeing it in the blog and reading your detailed plans make it real. You go and have a wonderful journey! I went to your RV link and now I want to buy an RV or a camper. I’d love that life!
I made huge changes by quitting my jobs: first my full-time job, then part-time. We can’t buy stuff whenever we want now, but I’m much happier.
Edie, I remember! When we started cutting expenses out of necessity, I realized I not only didn’t miss what I’d spent money on, but the less money I spent, the more freedom I had. It was a big revelation for me! I was thinking of you often when we made this decision. You were an inspiration!
I knew you were doing this–did you tell me? I think it sounds exciting. Long-term it’s not for me, but I’ve thought it would be awesome for a few months and a great way to just see things. I hope you two have a great time.
No, you’re psychic! LOL, Mark, I’ve been letting out little details, so it was probably obvious. And I think I’ve told you about my dream a year or two ago.
I think it’s me for long-term, but we’ll see.
Well, dearest, you know all about my life-changing events of 07/08.
When Glenn does his Alaska trips, will you be in Alaska, cruising around Denali or something? That would be sweet.
When will you be leaving? Would surely like to meet up with you before you go!
oh–ps–you definitely need some board games and stuff. And notebooks and pencils for those “between internet” spots. Are the kitties excited?
You’re right! The games are going! Good point about notebooks and pencils. I think the kitties are excited! They love camping!
I do know of those life-changing events! You landed right on your feet, it was amazing. In the summers when Glenn is gone, I will probably head up close to my niece, and in the winters, I’m going searching for a comfortable spot in Arizona/California.
Elizabeth, I’d love to get together! I’m officially leaving August 1 or 5, I’m not sure yet. I will be heading back up this way a couple times in September and October for Glenn’s doctor’s appointments, so if we don’t catch each other before then, we still have time!
For some reason I thought you had a cat, perhaps it was just from your comments about mine.
Sounds like a fun adventure, although I’ve sways wanted to tour around in an RV, I love having space.
Yes, Lisa, I have four! They love camping. We usually have a tent, but this is much roomier, and it has screens and high places that they’ll love sitting and looking out. They all walk on leashes, and are comfortable hanging outside on tie-out.
You’re like my husband. One of the challenges of choosing our upgrade RV will be finding one small enough for where I want to go, and large enough for his need for space.
Natasha,
I have nothing but gratitude for the changes in my life – for all the unexpected twists and turns. I wish none of them were laden with sadness and grief, but even from those I emerged better than I was before.
The only thing that is consistent in life – for me – is change.
Can’t wait to meet you and Glenn when you roll past me!!
That is so cool, Amy. Sometimes I think the only interesting life is one filled with change. Other times, I wouldn’t mind a nice, normal, safe life, LOL.
I can’t wait to meet you!
I meant to say BUT I love space if you’re in the Boston area, look us up!
Oh awesome, Lisa! I’ve always wanted to see Boston!
Natasha, that sounds amazing! I’ve never been one for change, and certainly not that which is life-altering. (My husband dreams of moving to Colorado, which terrifies me.) You make me feel like I should be. What an adventure! I’ll eagerly await stories and lessons and news of the journey.
Janna, I know what you mean! Big change is terrifying for me, too; I practically had to be forced into this! Which is a sad commentary on my lack of courage.
I’m so glad you can finally talk about it out in the open! Hopefully I’ll be in Chicago when you go there, so me, you and Amy can have a party together!!
Oh yes, Melanie! That would be fabulous!!!
Spy! Sounds great! I think as we get older we tend to not take the opportunities that we come across. We need to shake up our lives and we need to do the things we really, really want to do.
My biggest life change: At 19 I moved from Florida to San Francisco (because I’d always wanted to go there) with two suitcases and forty dollars. It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t survive and thrive. A combination of ignorance and optimism, I guess. But I loved it.
Wow, Liz! You were brave! That’s totally awesome. That’s really living!
I’ve noticed that I shake my life up less and less, even in my business. I’m excited to shake things up and see where I land.
Oh, and did you know that when I moved to Chicago a year after college I didn’t know anyone? I basically found a job online, lived with my cousin’s girlfriend for a month while I found a place, and managed to make a life for myself.
See? You’ve been such an inspiration to me. Every I get cowardly, I think, “But look at what Melanie’s done!”
I think you have more courage than you think…look at the all the courage it took just to make this decision and move forward…but since I’m not doing anything like this for a while you can have all mine
.
When I think back on the few huge, life-altering changes I made I never regretted a thing and in fact often wondered why I was so apprehensive–I wished I had done it sooner.
I think most of us spend our whole life thinking we should do things a certain way–settle down, get married, buy a house, have kids, etc., and then do things like the rest of the married-with-kids-and-house people do–but if we’re lucky it will hit us one day that we don’t have to live like everyone else and that taking a chance and living just how we want to enriches our lives more than we could ever have imagined.
I’ve always been okay with change though I haven’t done anything quite like you’re doing. Sometimes I wish for bigger changes, something grander…like I said the other day, I brought up road-schooling to my hubby.
I envy you Natasha, you are going to have a blast and I bet it will effect your writing career in ways you could never image–in great ways! And I can’t wait to hear about it!!
Jenna, road-schooling is my dream, if I get to have kids. Have you been to the Families on the Road website? Their back yard is truly the whole country. Very cool!
You are so right about the way we think things should go a certain way. I thought that was what I was supposed to do, and one day I realized that, wow!, I didn’t have to do that! Very cool.
I love your courage! I’ll take all I can get.
What incredible news. I have to admire you for taking such a leap to freedom. Most of us live our lives without ever really leaving the same rut as everyone else. Kind of sad, seeing as how none of us have more than just one life. I’ve never had the courage to make big changes, but I did go to freelancing 15 years ago when I was laid off. I know some people consider it a scary way to live but looking back, I can’t imagine how I would have survived fifteen more years of dragging myself into an office. Now the idea of getting up on schedule and going in to work seems totally alien to me. I think we are all much more adaptable than we realize. I only hope you will be able to beam back some of your adventures to us.
Eric, I was tempted to do the day job thing this year. Wow… I just couldn’t get past the idea of going to work 5 days a week, 50-52 weeks a year. It’s not like I don’t work more than that on my own, but… I don’t know. It just seemed like an impossibility when doing it for someone else. Not that anyone offered, LOL.
I fear the rut, it’s true. I could fall flat on my face, but at least I won’t have to live with regret.
Natasha, I am so happy for you guys! I think you’re going to love it! The lifestyle seems made for you! You hate clutter and you love adventures and people. It’s perfect! Plus, it’s got to be good financially. Sometimes we get caught up in working constantly just to support our life styles. How dumb!
Please roll by Pennsylvania one day! I’ll be running along on my little treadmill to support my shoe habit. Sigh.
I’m so excited, Robin! A little bit terrified, but very excited! What you said is so true: I felt like I was working just to support the work I was doing, LOL, and living in a place I didn’t want to live in.
I will definitely roll through Pennsylvania! I wish we all could get together some day.
Way to go! When I realized that I believe everything is about the journey and not the destination I became much happier. You’re just taking it a step further. That’s awesome.
Colorado is beautiful and has lots of campgrounds *wink wink*
Thanks, Betsy! You’re so right, that it’s the journey. Colorado is definitely on the list! I’m a bit nervous to do all those hills in our little Jeep, but it’s definitely on the list!
I have made two large changes in my life, once moving from western Canada to the east, and then taking a huge hop over the ‘pond’ to work in England for two years. I have never regretted doing that. You need change in your life to grow from the person you were before. It is the new experiences in your life that gives fodder for your writing.
England! Barbara, that is so awesome! I’ve always wanted to go to England. Maybe in my forties I’ll jump across the pond and do the RVing thing in Europe for awhile.
You’re right: change is important!
So far every life altering decision I’ve made has been a good one but for two of them the stress caused me to lose 30 pounds each time. Naturally I gained it all back and then some.
Enjoy the traveling. I can tell you the drawbacks but you’ll learn those along the way and a positive attitude will lessen them. Post lots of pictures though. I don’t care to travel but I sure enjoy seeing other people’s photos!
Richmond, what I’m really saying right now is “please let me lose thirty pounds, please let me lose thirty pounds, please let me lose thirty pounds!” I’ll try to keep a positive attitude. Sometimes I’m an Eeyore, but I’m hoping not to slip into that bad habit.
I promise to post lots of pictures!
I am so, so proud of you!!!!! You are braver than you realize. You will have challenges, and you will have difficulties, but you will face them, and you will be strong, and you will survive. You will not only survive, but you will FLOURISH with this new adventure – it fits you. It fits who you are, and who you want to be.
I have dreamed for years that you would make a change – it’s hard to see your best friend be unhappy. Especially when your best friend is one of the kindest and most deserving people on earth. You will fly. You will thrive. You will experience the life you were meant to live – what could possibly be better? I am so proud and so thrilled for you.
And – is it true that you’re planning to spend part of the summers by us!?! That would be such a dream come true!!! You’ll get to experience Brie as she grows up – you’ll be the coolest aunt in the world
Know that I will always be here for you – I may not be able to help out with a flat tire on the road, but I will always be here to listen to you, to support you, and to cheer you on! I love you, my dear friend. And did I mention that I was proud of you!!??!!
Aww, I love you, Mom2Brie! You know, after so many years being what the kids need and being what the parents want to see in order for the business to keep running, I feel like I’ve forgotten who I am. I can’t wait, though. As it approaches, I’m feeling more and more happy.
Oh yes, of course I am! I can’t imagine being apart from Brie more than a year! Or you!
You’re the best. I don’t know how I got so lucky to find you as a friend.
Good luck with the full time RVing! That is soo cool! I was home-schooled in jr high and met several other home-school families who did just what you are talking about. I was so jealous of those kids!
Change can be a bit scary, but it can also be very good! This new adventure sounds like a great one for you. You’ll meet so many interesting people. I do hope that you keep the blog up while you are doing this. I’d love to read about your travels.
That’s neat about being home-schooled, Lauren! They now call that RV/home-schooling thing “road-schooled.” It’s totally my dream to have kids and road-school them!
I really hope to meet lots of interesting people! And I’ll blog all about it, I promise!
Well . . . Spy/Natasha/whatever your name is
This is very exciting news . . . and can’t wait until you all roll through Virginia.
Embrace life. Gulp it! Enjoy! I think it’s awesome!
Erica, for YEARS I’ve been meaning to hit the Shenandoah National Park in the fall. It looks like this year we’ll be headed toward South Dakota, but next year? I’m certain I’ll be going through DC withdrawals. And we’re sort of thinking Disney World next Christmas-ish.
PS: I miss you guys calling me Spy!
Spy,
You go, girl! We have the wandering heart too. Been in TN for twelve years now, and honestly I can see us moving closer to the beach one day. I’d love to snag a trailer too, and ride the wind! So happy for you, girl!
Thanks, LaDonna! I’ve never left Ohio (to live), so I’m about due to leave the state.
It’s really hard leaving the students, but we’ll get there, I suppose! Only one more week!
Spy!!! I’m so sorry I’m a bit late here, but please know that I am SOO HAPPY for you!! (and a bit jealous! *sniff-sniff*) What an adventure you’ll be having lady!! Hats off to you for your courage. I really envy you!!!
Rachel, thank you! You’re the best! I’m a little scared, but looking forward to it bunches!
Another late one chiming in here.
Sounds like a blast. When I stepped out on a job limb, I almost tripled my salary in less than 9 months. Then I bought my house right after 9/11 and everyone told me I was a fool. It’s still worth quite a bit more than I paid for it.
Go for it. What’s the worst that could happen?
Thanks, Sarah! And you’re right, the worst isn’t really much worse than staying. I sure really hope I triple my salary in less than 9 months! That would rock, LOL!
I am SOOOO behind with what’s happening in your world. Wow! How cool is it that you’re going on a perpetual camp-o-rama? Awesome!
Embrace it for all it’s worth – sounds like you’re making dreams into reality. Way to go. Lot’s of changes, but rest assured in the knowledge that you haven’t stopped growing and aren’t afraid to hit the ground running. YAY YOU!
You are behind, Kath! LOL! But you took a break from blogging, so I understand.
I’m nervous, but at least I’m going for it. It feels great. When I was in my twenties, I used to shake things up all the time, and trust that good things always followed. I hope it’s still true!
Just remember to look me up when you come to Washington DC! Happy and safe travels!
You’re in DC, Marissa? Aw, man! We go all the time! Probably won’t pop by for a year or two, but I will definitely look you up!
Natasha, you are awesome!!!!
Aww, man, Anne! I just blushed!
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