"Our Nomadic Journey: The Unplanned Beginning"

One of the views from camping

When we first set out to live a more flexible, nomadic lifestyle, we had big dreams. We imagined scenic drives, peaceful campsites, and learning on the go. What we got was cold weather, broken vehicle parts, and a fire alarm going off in our temporary rental. Our road-schooling journey hasn’t gone the way we planned—but we’re still here, and we’re still moving forward.

The First Night: Camping With a Dog, a Tortoise… and No Sleeping Bags

We didn’t have a permanent place to stay when we started. After a few nights in hotels, we ended up camping for a night, with our dog, our tortoise, and barely any energy left. I was so exhausted that I forgot how to set up our tent. A kind couple saw us struggling and helped us out. That small act of kindness made a huge difference.

We had accidentally bought sleeping blankets instead of sleeping bags, and the temperature dropped sharply that night. It was uncomfortable, cold, and humbling. And yet—it was our first night on this new path. Not how we envisioned it, but it was a beginning.

Encounters With the Wild

Nature has had its way of reminding us that we’re not in a typical routine anymore. In

This is a bull snake that we encountered on one of our hikes. Bull snakes are a member of the constrictor family and non-poisonous.

just one week of our daily hiking, we came across six snakes, passed by coyotes, startled wild turkeys, and even spotted a few rams up in the hills. We’ve seen deer nearly every day. The wilderness isn’t just a backdrop—it’s become part of our learning, our rhythm, and our resilience. Each encounter reminds us of the unpredictability of this life and the awe that still lives in it, even when things are tough.

Our First Temporary Housing—And More Challenges

We were eventually able to stay with a kind family for a week while we arranged for a more stable temporary home. But on the very first day in the new place, the back door was open, there were bugs everywhere, and the fire alarm wouldn’t stop going off. Then, just as we were settling in, the starter in my vehicle failed, making things even harder. But was able to eventually get the starter fixed.

We were trying to homeschool on the go, I am finishing graduate school, and we were dealing with medical needs in an unfamiliar place—all while caring for a child, a dog, and a tortoise.

And the challenges didn’t start there. Just before this journey began, I broke my left ankle—on the same leg as a torn tendon in my knee. I haven’t been able to get it checked out properly yet. Most of our belongings are still in storage in another state, and that adds another layer of difficulty to daily life.

Road-schooling With Roadblocks

This isn’t the dreamy travel blog beginning you see online. It's not polished or filtered. But it’s real—and I think that matters more.

We’re still figuring out how to homeschool with limited resources. I’m navigating chronic migraines and vertigo while trying to stay present for my daughter. I’m learning how to manage out-of-state doctors’ appointments and build a remote income stream, without a reliable vehicle and without much of a support system.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s ours.

What We’re Learning

• Kindness from strangers can be life-changing.

• You don’t need a perfect beginning to start something meaningful.

• Travel and road-schooling can look very different from what social media portrays.

• You can still move forward—even if you're limping a little (or a lot).

• Strength doesn't mean doing it all—it means doing what you can, even when it's hard.

The Journey Isn’t Over

We’re still on the journey, even if it's been full of detours, breakdowns, and curveballs. This may not be how we imagined the start of our nomadic lifestyle, but maybe this is exactly the kind of beginning that someone else might need to read about.

Because even if your path is messy, hard, or slow, you’re still moving—and that counts.

Kindly,

Leah

CHWC, CPT, Travel Wellness Coach