Two Wandering Souls in a Fishbowl

Is anyone else out there living a both-ends-of-the-spectrum-nothing-in-between kinda life? Before turning nomad, Colan and I had a secluded farmhouse on 25 acres of land and lived with such absolute privacy that we needed zero window covers. We moved there from NYC, where we’d regularly see people walking around their apartments naked—indifferent and desensitized by the endless bustle. Feeling protected by the city’s magical cloak of anonymity probably didn’t hurt. (Not me. I did not grow up in a “naked” house, thank you very much. I can change clothes virtually anywhere and keep it G-rated. It’s a marvel.) Moving to the country, with a home on vast private land, was a 180-degree change. Once we had the privacy, we were certain we’d never give it away again. You can imagine how well that’s turned out…

We now have a constant flow of new neighbors, often in parks with no trees or landscaping, nothing separating us except our rigs.There have been spots where outfitted with a proper Grabber Reacher (yep, that’s what those things are called), I could have passed my neighbor a cup of sugar without anyone going outside. We’ve even stayed at a “sardine” park before, precisely what you think it is—packed in like sardines, with sites juuuuuust big enough to fit your rig and truck. Thankfully, our fifth wheel has very tinted windows and blackout shades (all the better to spy on you with, my pretties). And our neighbors weren’t smokers. Also, we just don’t care the way we thought we would. Guess that saying “it’s all relative” exists for a reason other than just to annoy us all.

We went from what felt like infinite privacy to a lifestyle with little. It’s a good thing we humans are adaptable! People always tell us that they “could never do” what we’re doing, and I respectfully disagree. Because not long ago, I would have been one of those people. So many “I could nevers” that proved untrue. Such a liar. If nomadic living fits, there’s no substitution. It’s quickly redefined and reshuffled our wants and needs in a way that’s nothing short of wild. (Which is where I’m headed if I don’t get a haircut soon.)

Hope to see you out there! —CL