LATEST TRICKS: Birthing a blog

A journey of 8,000 miles begins with a single blog 
Today we built a blog, our very first blog.  Wow!  So now, our journey can "officially" begin.  It's already been an amazing trip and we haven't even hit-the-road.  A couple months ago, we started sharing our plan to take a three-month trip around the country.  The response has been moving.  We feel so embraced with enthusiasm and support for our adventure.  We are blessed with some very loving friends and family.  Thank you!

So, how did it all begin?  This idea was only hatched a few months ago but already it seems so much a part of our lives, it's hard to imagine life before Old Dogs, New Tricks.  Like so many things in life, the idea was the brainchild of bad news.  What do two middle-aged professionals do when they BOTH find themselves without employers/income for the first time in 25 years?  This unexpected turn-of-events inspired a lot of questions, not the least of which was...What next?  As opposed to other times in our careers, the answers to "what next" weren't as obvious this time.  We were at a crossroads and we both agreed that it was time to examine, evaluate and "think outside the box". 

The idea started simply enough late one night, lying beside each other in bed, in the dark, quietly pondering before falling asleep.  All was quiet.  And then, Ted's voice in the darkness: "Maybe this is the time for us to take that cross-country trip".  Nothing could have been more right.  Of course, there was plenty of analysis, discussion, and one-on-one "focus groups" for a few days, but the answer was clear.  The end result was a decision to use the unexpected lack of employment as an opportunity instead of a loss. 

So, here's the game plan: We are literally going to “think outside the box” by setting off across America, learning more about our own country, our fellow Americans, and ourselves.  This trip represents both a long-standing dream and an investment in our future.  We believe that this physical and intellectual journey will help us to open our minds beyond the concept of “career move” or “next job” to the bigger picture of how to best use our skills to be of service, generate income, continue to pursue our goals, and protect our well-being in later years.

It became clear as we started talking with friends and family that this is a journey that is meant to be shared.  FIRST STEP: We held a "Name Ted and Laura's Trip" contest amongst friends and family.  The names suggested ranged from inspiring to naughty.  Not only was the contest great fun but the title ideas inspired contemplation and helped us gain clarity about our goals and expectations for the trip.  SECOND STEP: Create a blog.  Ta-dah!

Watch for more about the journey in upcoming posts.

In the meantime, our departure date is September 4, 2010 with an estimated return date of Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010.  Labor Day Weekend to Thanksgiving seems appropriate, don't you think?  --Laura