I have the privilege to be employed by an organization that offers sabbatical years. After an initial tenure of two years, you can sign up for a variety of work/not work combinations that will allow you and the organization time to plan for time off with a secure job to come back to.
I chose to work for three years, putting 33% of my salary in a reserve fund and take a full year off.
My first thought was that I would road school my children, who would be in grade 8 and grade 6. But this thought was abandoned as the date got closer and they got older and I realized that I don't want to homeschool or un-school as an added responsibility.
This blog is being created as a memento to me and my children - since I've been told you can't erase what goes on the internet. It's not a locked or secure viewing site, but I think, unless you really try to go searching for me, it's not popping up on top of any search engines.
I've been asked by a few people who are aware of our plans - how we will be documenting our travels. Because - WOW - I'm planning a trip of a lifetime. There are going to be British Columbia license plates driving around the Atlantic provinces of Canada. So I've settled on this free blogging platform format.
Planning thoughts and integration of our trip:
I've planned this year out in many different ways. And after discussions with my husband have morphed and adjusted the itinerary. In fact even my most current spreadsheet of places, times and budget is out of date.
The first, most extreme trip plan was to AirBnB and spend a month in each province. Really embrace the culture. But, Canada is expensive. And, I like winters in my own house.
My second plan was to upgrade our personal truck and find a camper to take acrros the country. Truck camper, tent trailer or hard walled mini-RV. However, since I was planning on travelling as the solo adult, and am not naturally mechanically inclined - I was advised to abandon this thought process. Too many wheels (literally) that could go wrong.
Last year, we travelled from Vancouver to Toronto by VIA Rail train. We had a cabin (recommended) and beds and it took 5 days. It was beautiful. Relaxing. Food was absolutely amazing. Bucket list item for everyone. But we missed a lot of scenery travelling at night. During that train trip, we met another family - similar to us - mom and two children travelling by train. However when they got off in Toronto they were continuing on to Halifax to meet up with family.
So my third plan for this adventure was to fly to Toronto, take the train to Halifaxx to complete the rail route and rent a truck-camper combo to tour the Atlantic provinces in a hard-topped house on wheels, on our own time.
My husband and I make great life partners. I keep track of all the household administration, inside chores, food planning and child activities and come up with crazy plans for fun. He works hard on outside house chores, works extra overtime at a regular job and likes to save money. So, budgeting for the trip for flying, rail, truck-camper rental was not a price tag that he saw value in. The next suggested comment from him was "why rent a truck and camper for $10,000 - when we can put that money towards owning a newer truck, that we are going to have to get anyway." So I agreed.
We have our truck. We installed running boards to get in and out of it.
We bought a SmartCap canopy. Truck "bling" and a splurge purchase over the standard fibreglass toppers.
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