Happy New Year. I write this from a beachside palapa in San Felipe, Mexico… a fine place for a new start.
Last year I chose the word transformation as my word for the year. We were determined to transform so many things in 2015, a year marked with many big milestones in our life.
In the end, it turned out to be quite a challenging year, filled with upheaval and change and, yes, transformation.
We celebrated Jim’s 50th birthday in Mexico on his surprise birthday trip to the Copper Canyon.
The birthday boy, some sipping tequila, and what a view.. doesn’t get much better!
We celebrated our 25th anniversary at our favorite lake, surrounded by friends and family.
We sold our house. We sold 99% of everything we owned. We quit our jobs. We hit the road. I’d say if we were looking to change up our lives, we did a pretty damn good job!
The physical transformation is still a work in progress, but already we have both lost a few pounds and, more importantly, we sit less, move more, eat less, stretch more towards our goal to an even healthier lifestyle.
We are here. We DID IT. Our long dreamed of goal of getting back out their discovering a road and life less ordinary has begun. Yep, we’re still scared. We are still not sure of what path our life will lead that will allow us to retain a nomadic lifestyle. But we are sure we are on the right path. Already, in less than two weeks; weeks which were mostly fraught with bad weather, sickness, and camper issues, we are already feeling relaxed, energized and as though we are following the path back to our authentic selves.
While considering my word for 2016, I came upon the quote below. I have to admit I read and re-read it. And the re-read it again. THIS is it. This is what I want my next year to represent.
This gave me my word for 2016. Surprise. I want to be surprised by the twists and turns that the road has in store for us. Some surprises may be good, some not so much, but I am confident all will teach us something, not just about the world, but about ourselves.
For now, I’m going to focus on some good madness and…..
“Sit right here and have another beer in Mexico, and do my best to waste another day”
I wish everyone a year filled with surprise and wonder. A year where, perhaps we take a step back and rediscover that childlike quality of being truly amazed by the world around us.
Hope you have a year full of surprise 😀 Also beer!
Lol and beer!
I’m so glad to have stumbled on your website through the Overland FB group. We’re heading to Baja California (started in Canada 🙂 ) and I’ve been wondering if we should go to San Felipe. It looks gorgeous from your photo!
We’re heading southward over the next few years, not sure how we’re going to fund it all yet! I love your philosophy. We’re practicing letting go of planning and allowing life to unfold before us. Here’s hoping our paths will cross 🙂
I Look forward to your future posts too 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Saskia! When do you head out? San Felipe is a great stop, one of many in Baja. I’m going to stop by your page and follow along and hoping to meet up one day.
That’s a good word!
Yes, yes, yes! This is so wonderful and I am so happy you are on your way! Surprise is a GREAT word. I have come to realize that not knowing what is coming next allows space for Life to show us the way, rather than us trying to manipulate it. It truly is a beautiful way to live. I am so proud of you guys! HAPPY new year! Xxx
Thanks Sarah! An excellent outlook, albeit sometimes difficult to fully embrace in the moment. Lol so excited to see your life progressing with a new abode and new plans. Hope to see you soon. Xxxx
When I worked in an office (yuck) I had quote from Margaret Drabble on my wall …I can’t remember the exact words but the message was …..
When nothing is certain, everything is possible.
love that and… absolutely true.
How was the 3 from Mexicali to San Felipe?
We are planning on getting on the 3 at the south end with a 32 ft motor home
Looking for reports on the conditions
Thanks for any info
Brian
Hi Brian. It was just fine. Not sure what all the fuss is about. It was windy and slow for the first bit and reaches about 4000 ft elevation but we just took it slow and all good. It took us about 3.5 hrs or so and two military checkpoints.
We did mex 3 from Ensenada so not sure how it is from the border.