The Van: A New Direction

So the Ford van in Florida fell through, after a month of being jerked around the guy finally sent pictures on the interior. Not good, it wasn't in the shape one buys from across the country. It would of been a big ordeal to inspect, buy and fly Jay there, to have him drive it cross country, so I'm ok that it is working out this way. So now we are in negotiations  to buy this van in Grants Pass, in Oregon. Jay and Heather should be able to be there tomorrow or the next day. They are on there way back to Bellingham, returning from a month long  road trip to San Diego, and happened to be in Arcata, Callifornia today, which is a few hours south of Grant's Pass. A bit fortuitous I think. This van is a 2000 Dodge High-Top Conversion Van, with 74,000 miles on it. It looks to be in great shape inside and out. It has a built in cooler in the back that I am curious to see. It doesn't have the bed extension that I would of liked it to have, but hopefully it can be added. We will be having a mechanic do an inspection before we buy it. Heres hoping it works out. Miranda is super excited about this van and has a good felling about it. -Jason

Passports Step 1: The Birth Certificates

We needed to get certified birth certificates for Faelynn, Evan and me; Miranda luckily already has hers. Passport requirements as they are stated, say that the birth certificate must have the state seal that is raise. The one I have lacks the required seal. So I went to work to get all three, Evans was a quick stop into the local health department and they printed it off faster then I could write the check for it. Faelynn and I were born in Oregon so I had to call the Department of Vital Statistics, I thought it was going to be a hassle, but a ten min phone call and its in the mail today. Total cost for all three $75.00. I think thats a bit costly for three fancy sheets of paper. Oh well, life goes on. It will be worth it in the long run. Now the ball is in Miranda's court as she has the responsibility to get the passports. She is a bit intimidated by the bureaucracy. So wish her luck. -Jason

Cards

After literally looking for hours at templates, we finally ordered some travel cards! -Miranda
The cards are just like business cards but tweaked for our traveling needs. -Jason

The Broad Strokes: The Plan

The Plan: to travel in Mexico, and Central America for approximately a year.

We realize this goal isn't the "norm" and wanted to share some of our why's.

History: At 27 Jason walked away from society and backpacked all over the US with a good friend. It was the happiest and most freeing experience of his life. One winter visiting home though, he connected with an old friend in a new way (me!) luckily (I think so anyway) I was eager to travel too... We floundered around for about a year together, and on a visit to see Jason's first traveling partner and best friend in Ashland Oregon, we spontaneously signed a lease there and decided to try a different kind of life together, not a month later I was pregnant.

Jason always missed the road though, and after 5 years of living back in "normal" societal life, being a full time student and working part time, it slowly started to wear on him. With the 3rd baby on the way, a transfer degree in psychology within reach, Jason's spirit and passion was so worn down, and he settled into a depression. There were several times I tried to bring it to Jason's attention of the changes in him that were effecting our whole family. But we simply didn't know what to do. Finally one morning I couldn't take it anymore. We had to do something different. I posed the question "How long do you think we could live in a third world country off our tax return?" and our plan was born...

We started (ok Jason started) researching vehicles, we started gathering books, and gear. Our next big step is to get everyone passports! And learning Spanish....

We feel like this year will be amazing, and a once in a lifetime experience. While being extended enough in time to not only to feel like more than just a vacation, but to be able to experience other cultures in a real way. In a way I feel like I owe this to Jason.. not that I am not thrilled to be going too, but he has struggled, and worked hard for the last several years. Already I have seen such a light return to his life. We hope the trip will give our family the opportunity to bond in a way we haven't allowed ourselves time for in the past. - Miranda

Preparing For Our Central America Trip: The Van

We are trying to buy this 1995 E350 turbo diesel high top extended length conversion van (with 120,000 miles on it), from a family in Florida. It was converted in 2001, rebuilt transmission in 2006 and a brand new engine in 2008 (less then 5000 miles on it). So far we have had a few snags with the owner of it, he decided to take one last vacation with it, lol, so we are waiting for him to get back. Then have a friend of my friends family take a look at it, he is a mechanic. If all goes well we should be buying it later this week. Our friend Jay (and maybe Heather) has agreed to go and pick it up, and drive it cross country, back to Bellingham, WA. Wish us luck. -Jason