Reaching 3,000 days on the road — reflecting on how full-time travel reshaped our understanding of people, culture, language, landscape, and what it means to belong

Published on October 4, 2024 – Narrated by Jim

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We recently shared the post, The Magic of Number Nine, our completion of 8 years of full-time travel and the start of our 9th year.

Today is another milestone: 3,000 days on the road, as we live in Beauty.

This big day conjuncts with my 70th birthday. Yep, I’ve hit the big seven-o today, October 4th!

How have we changed?

Faith in Humanity

Leaving the city in search of solitude led us discover the best in human nature. It wasn’t part of the plan to redeem our faith in humanity; to be confronted with overwhelming evidence that people want the same things and will, eventually, act on the best solutions for all; and how humans are exceptional adapters to economic shifts and every imaginable environmental, political, and immigration challenge.

Wherever we travel – East coast to west coast, north border to southern border – hospitality is a solid credit to our species.

That may sound droll. But our family, friends and followers often express fear for our well-being. And, we admit, our vulnerability to criminal malfeasance does appear high. But the facts don’t support the fear. We experienced more break-ins and criminal interference in the 3,000 days before we hit the road while living in one of the safest cities in America. And, yes, that truly surprises us.

There was a moment in the first few months, when we carelessly left the truck door wide open, all night, exposing thousands of dollars of expensive equipment in an unsecured camping area. Yet, in the morning, every item was accounted for, even the emergency cash. That’s when we realized we no longer felt like targets. As travelers, we’ve never felt threatened or experienced any direct animosity as ‘outsiders.’ And, to our knowledge, we have not raised any suspicion either.

In fact, we’ve never felt safer or more like we belong.

It’s addictive. Driving across the seams of American patchwork through prairie settlements, rust belt towns and fishing villages where the residents routinely speak Greek or Spanish, German or Creole – actively preserving their language – gives us that exciting Where The Hell Is Matt traveler vibe.

Strangers crossing great distances to engage with one another is powerful dope.

A Respect for Culture

We’ve come to realize this lifestyle is an advantage because we get to experience living (though temporarily) in different cultures.

These deep cross-cultural interactions heighten my traveler’s appetite for diversity without having to change my wardrobe. After 3,000 days on the road, I am proud to report that Tommy Bahama shirts, cargo shorts and flaps are a universally accepted ensemble.

Sometimes we settle in a ‘foodie-town,’ where the local identity is based on cuisine. Other places are focused on music heritage or their technological, or architectural achievements, or history.

Differences in the way people live, eat, play and worship is America’s strength.

An Admiration of the Landscape

We’ve also gained new respect for the land and how it informs and transforms societies.

From the lowest point in North America in Death Valley, California, to the highest point in Denali, Alaska, we sleep peacefully in farmlands, small towns and fiercely urban areas.

Weather and road erosion is our primary concern. We read in the news that a bridge we once camped beneath almost collapsed; A road we traveled just hours before is washed away; a serious grid collapse occurs in a favorite city …

Efforts to colonize this continent are woefully outdated. In coming years infrastructure will be reimagined and reengineered with emphasis on resilience. Fortunately, change is what humans do best. Exciting times are ahead!

An Appreciation for American Languages and Dialects

I know people who resist foreign travel because of language barriers. But if language is an issue you won’t get far. There are places in the US where ordering a beer can be a major challenge. I mean, there are over 200 living languages in the USA – and that doesn’t even include hundreds of dialects.

Sure, engaging with locals may be a challenge in The Outer Banks or Acadia, Montreal, or Jersey City but, for us, local patois is a plus. Due to media exposure, especially for young children, our national treasure trove of American dialects is fading, so before it’s too late bank your voice for posterity.

Here are few of the thousands of beautiful people we’ve met on our travels – each with a unique story. The US and Canada are truly representative of The World, and that makes us strong.

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In Summary

People, culture, landscape, dialects … 3,000 days on the road and is that all I’ve got? So, what about the meaning of life? Look, I’m just a guy and not a poet-kind-of-guy. It’s not easy for me to say, “Hey, my heart is changed because now I see that I’m a part of something bigger than myself, my house, my family.” Still, I’m one lucky guy to be living in Beauty with Carmen.

Happy travels and stay safe out there!

Fun Airstream Update

Airstream published a TikTok video on August 26th about our full-time travels. It has gone viral with more than 465,000 views. You can view it directly on TikTok. If you don’t have a TikTok account, we copied the video to our website below so you can view it.

Please share your story. What have you learned from your travels?

You can see our exact route on this map.

*Photos in this post, unless otherwise noted, were taken and copyrighted by Living in Beauty.

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