The start of a road trip far from home

One year ago I was working in a tall office building in the Financial District of Boston while Jen worked in a shorter building near Boston’s Government Center. Out of my office window, I could see the Capitol in one direction, the harbor in the other. From time to time, cargo ships went through and if I happened to be facing out at the time, I’d find myself temporarily mesmerized. Yesterday morning, I woke up and saw this.

Instead of donning multiple layers, as required for the Boston winter, I threw on my shoes and stepped out of our converted minivan into the forest. After breakfast, we went for a walk along the beach. These photos won’t do justice to the unique shade of blue present in the estuary or along Okains Bay but hopefully you’ll get an idea of what we saw. Run a soundtrack in your mind of sheep bleating along the surrounding hills and you’ll have a sense of what our morning was like.

From there we drove about 20 km to another bay and when we looked out our window and saw this cruiseship sitting in the water, I pulled the van onto the shoulder, hopped out of the car grinning from ear to ear, and thought back to my days at One Financial Center when the cargo ships went by.

The day ended overlooking Akaroa Harbour at a campground atop a hill above Akoroa, drinks in hand. The sun doesn’t set until after 9 here so the evenings are long with time to relax before folding down the rear seats of our van and making up our bed. Yes, we live in a van. Sometimes by the river. Alas, there is no government cheese.

We’re lucky to be living life on the move and so far, we’re enjoying every moment of this trip. It wouldn’t be possible without the long days working in those office buildings in Boston but I’d be lying if I said I’d rather be there than here.