A Year On The Road: Afterword

After 11 months on the road, living out of our trusty mini van, we’ve finally arrived back home. Our journey began with no particular plan—we simply left our driveway and started driving north.

In those 11 months, we managed to visit 33 states and 2 countries. We slept in over 70 different beds, which included more than 40 nights in hotels, numerous camping spots, and stays at the homes of over 20 friends and family members across the country. We also had the pleasure of experiencing longer-term stays in three different AirBnBs. Each new bed came with its own set of memories, from cozy hotel rooms to rustic camping sites under the stars.

Our adventure took us to many iconic and lesser-known places. We swam in countless hotel pools, providing the kids with endless fun and a chance to burn off some energy. Neighborhood playgrounds became our frequent stops, and I was impressed after time that no playground felt like a repetition of one we had previously visited.

We even managed to squeeze in visits to popular tourist sites like the majestic Niagara Falls.

A highlight for me was experiencing fall after many years living in places without distinct seasons. This was my kids first fall experience so that made it extra special as well.

We took a break from our mini van and flew to Amman, Jordan for Christmas to be with Jordan's family.

Magnus's favorite place was Rochester, NY with the Eerie Canal and the Strong Museum.

We escaped the winter to Arizona and enjoyed lots of sun and scootering.

We spent the spring in Minnesota, spending time with family and friends and then drove back to our home in Oregon. Summing up an experience like this is challenging. It was a unique and unforgettable adventure that brought us closer as a family and allowed us to create memories that will last a lifetime. It was really special to be able to spend so much time with family and visit friends we hadn't seen for a long time. While I'm looking forward to sleeping in less beds in the coming year, I know the adventure isn't over.