Morale Check: Lindsey

Well, we thought that Lindsey would sound like a nut job if she were to interview herself. You just wouldn't be able to hear the different accents. So, she signed me up for the task.

"Well daggum. Alright, Linds, your turn. Here goes."

1. "You have been gone six months now. How is the traveling life?"

A: Overall, it’s the adventure of a lifetime. It's awesome and exciting! But, with every great and exciting moment, there’s a challenging and tough one. Thankfully, it seems whenever we feel low, something special always happens. We have learned from other travelers that this phenomenon is known as trail magic. We'll take all we can get! I try to remind myself that this adventure could end any day and this is the only time in my life that I will have this opportunity to travel and live with only today in mind and go wherever the wind takes us.

Last day in Colorado for awhile! Steamboat Springs, Colorado

2. "Great outlook there, Linds! What has been the most surprising aspect of traveling so far?"

A: I can actually do this! I wasn’t sure before we set off, but I was at least going to try. Surprisingly, this nomadic lifestyle has become our normalcy. I thought I would always be battling the frustrations of traveling (like re-packing my bag everyday), but they have just become a part of our every day norm. I have been surprised how I don’t freak out about bugs and spiders anymore; we have camped too often to worry about them. I did see the biggest spider of my life in the Badlands. It was as big as my fist! Okay, I did freak out about that one, and I made Adam stand outside the bathroom to protect me. Haha! Maybe in denial about that one. I have also become a lot more flexible and spontaneous. I don’t have an internal meltdown if the plan doesn’t work out or even if there is no plan. But, I guess you would be the judge of that! Ha!

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. How could I leave this view?

3. "Whew! You've come a long way with bugs I tell ya. Seems like yesterday that you threw our last bit of the toilet roll in a lake just because a fly buzzed you. Geez. Anyway, so, what has been the most difficult aspect of traveling?"

A: Not knowing when my next shower or laundry day will be. I have learned I love being clean, smelling clean and feeling fresh. So, I shower and do laundry every chance I get. I used to hate doing laundry, but now it’s a luxury and I love laundry day! Would never guess I would ever say that.

4. "Even though I fuss about it, I'm glad that you enjoy doing the laundry so much. So, getting deep, what has God been revealing to you?"

A: A ton! It’s overwhelming. He has us on this journey for a purpose. He is teaching us and molding us to further become the people he created us to be. He is always with us on the gorgeous sunny days and when we are on the ledge, in the storm, with the rain pounding on us.

So much of our journey has been driving by wide open spaces in God's country!

5. "So, this is a good one. How is marriage? You are with me almost 24/7."

A: Marriage is awesome! We have gotten closer in every aspect of our relationship. We read each other's moods before the mood takes full force and before we say anything we regret. We also don't push each other's buttons as much since we can't really escape one another. We also respond to each other in a more understanding way. We just get each other more. I often wonder what our relationship would be like or how many years it would take us to understand each other the way we do now if we had not traveled.

Devil's Tower! Did you know a guy landed on Devil's Tower after skydiving for a political stunt? He was stuck up there for six days!

6. "I fully agree! What is the newest thing you admire about me now?"

A: I really admire your courage and innovation. You have started your own accounting business and have taken the adventure in stride. To see your dedication in learning, in researching, in adapting and stepping out of your comfort zone has had me admire you more and more. You are awesome!

7. "Ah shucks...thanks, Linds. On the other hand, what is your newest pet peeve of me?"

A: You already know this answer. You love logistics and you always talk logistics. You love the journey of transportation and how to get from here to there and back again. However, I despise logistics and would rather not have them. I love to talk about the heart, how you feel and fluttery things. So, you know, we clash at times. But, in the end, we need logistics, so I’m thankful that you get pumped up about the details.

Looking out over a glacier in the Icefields in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

8."Ahha! I will remind you about that answer often. So, what is your favorite memory of me on the trip?"

A: The first time you could ride your mountain bike after you had endless problems with it. From the wheel getting bent into a taco, which was hilarious, to your frame cracking, to your seat breaking, and all of the other issues. You were so bummed for the several months you couldn't ride. You were finally able to hop back on the bike in Kickapoo State Park, Illinois. I will always remember how giddy you were with your huge smile hopping off the bike at the end of your ride. You were glowing and just radiating joy and couldn't stop talking about the ride. It made me realize how much biking makes you feel alive. I get it now. It was an awesome moment.

9. "Glad you got to see that and get me more, Linds. So, what is the biggest way you have grown?"

A: I would say in my courage and my faith. We have done what has seemed impossible and what has been really difficult by saving, quitting our jobs and living as nomads. I didn’t know I had this in me and that I could really do it. We know God has us on this journey. He has led us through every step of the way and through every day. This wouldn’t have happened without His changing and transforming me.

Coldest night camping of our trip. Did it once, not sure I want to repeat. Made the best of Spray Lake, Canmore, Alberta.

10. "I can totally see that! So, what has been your biggest learning lesson?"

A: Shout out to Mollie Kinsman. Mollie taught Adam and I a simple habit that has helped us so much each day. We ask each other our morale level between one and ten and then have to answer honestly. There have been days when I’m a 3 and Adam’s an 8. Ugh, that’s a bummer and it’s humbling. But, it’s helped us to be honest with each other about our feelings and it helps us understand each other, encourage one another and talk through things. We always end up feeling better after talking through it.

11. "So true! I can't thank Mollie enough for that nugget of wisdom. So, next, what has been your favorite place so far?"

A: My most memorable place thus far has been the Badlands in South Dakota. I think the dry landscape and stunning canyons were shocking to me when I didn’t expect much in South Dakota. Maligne Lake in Alberta, Canada was beautiful! I spent hours walking around the turquoise blue lake and sitting in the golden bushes staring at the snow capped mountains. Gosh, it was amazing. I want to go back!

Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

12. "Yeah, I missed that spot while I was biking. Bummer. So, what place would you like to go again?"

A: Canmore, Alberta. This town is surrounded by the Canadian Rockies just south of Banff National Park. Within 30 minutes of being there walking through the farmers market, I was brainstorming how we could live there part of the year. It’s spectacular and has a Boulder, Colorado-esk vibe.

On a bridge right off the main street of Canmore. Loved this place!

13. "Yeah, I said the same. We'll go back. So, do you miss home?"

A: Of course! I miss my family and friends, most. I had several stints of feeling lonely at the beginning of the trip. These moments haven’t come around in awhile. It may be surprising that loneliness is a factor since I’m traveling with you, my best friend, but you aren't my everything. I needed to learn to seek God first and find my purpose in Him. I have found it’s important to find friends that can relate to our lifestyle. When we meet other couples, it’s important for me to connect with the other girls and relate on what our traveling lifestyles are like. I’m not the only one that freaks about jellyfish or scorpions or heights or whatever it may be. It’s always good to not feel like we are going through something alone and find others we can relate to.

Epic moment finishing a frolic game in Steamboat with our new British pals Peter and Pascale.

14. "So even when you miss home, what keeps you traveling?"

A: I feel like we haven’t even put a dent into seeing the world. There is so much more out there and I can’t wait to keep seeing, learning and growing.

First view of a waterfall overwhelmed by rain in Kauai

15. "Sweet answer! Okay, how have your experiences changed your life?"

A: I have realized that life can be however you want it to be. There is no template on how to live life. Thankfully, we have the freedom to think this way and do it. We don’t have to work the traditional job. We can try to live in different places year round so we can travel. We can create other ways to make money by starting our own businesses or renting out rooms, cars, or whatever it may be. Who knows, anything is possible!

Northwestern lake in Glacier National Park, Montana.

16. "Heck yea! It's so true that we don't have to satisfy the mold of the 9-5. What is your next exciting experience you can't wait for?"

A: Being amazed by New Zealand’s mountains. I have seen so many pictures for so long, I just can’t wait to be there!

17. "And, we are here! We wouldn't get to be here without your dreams of coming. So, what are you excited for me to experience?"

A: I don’t have a specific experience in mind. I just want you to have the time of your life on this grand adventure. We have both dreamed about this separately from before we started dating, so I want you to feel like you did it and it was everything you dreamed of and more.

18. "Now, who is the most interesting character you have met along the way?"

A: Jacqueline Scarola. Hands down. You are friends with Jacqueline from Semester at Sea and I have never met someone so in love with God, full of life, and so joyful. She has more faith than anyone I have ever met. She hosted us for a month and hung out with us almost every day. We became a trifecta, the three muskateers as Hika, Conq and Donkey. We were stunned that she wanted to spend so much time with us. We know God had it in His plan, because she taught us more in three weeks than we have learned in five years just by being herself.

IMG_20141111_155510_794 — The one and only Jacqueline in Kalalau Valley, Kauai!

19. "Yes! Jacqueline is going to be a lifelong friend. I'm so pumped about that! So, do you have any new goals or new interests?"

A: Yes! I want to finally take improv classes and I would really love to get into archery. We are going to be settled in Hamilton, New Zealand for a month house sitting, so I really want to give it a go. Okay, so truthfully my ultimate goal is to be an Olympian in the Biathlon event that has a mix of cross country skiing and archery (instead of rifle shooting). That’s what I’m really shooting for. I know, I know, I need to start training asap for Pyeong Chang 2018!

Morning yoga along a river in Banff National Park, Alberta.

20. "Rrrrright. Now this an opportunity for me to be one of those super encouraging husbands, right!? Last question. What’s a funny story from the trip thus far?"

A: Well, we were in Banff National Park on the Icefields Parkway. We had camped across the street from a hostel and one morning we decided to go over to the hostel to meet new people and get new hiking ideas. As we were looking at a topographic map, this older gentleman greeted us and we started chatting. From conversation, we were showing him the trail we wanted to do and were talking about the steepness of the trail with all of the contour lines being smacked together. The gentleman was so pumped to give it a go and decided to join us. The hike was 12 miles out and back on a steep incline. So we started out on this grueling hike up the mountain. Adam was leading the way, I was in the middle and Ken pulling up the rear. Since it was so steep, we were all huffing and puffing at this point. Ken started sharing his life’s story and pouring out his heart. Ken started talking about how his former wife had a passion for horses and they started a business selling saddles. Then he said, “Then, after our kids left, my wife turned to me and said she wanted her freedom.” Adam, not hearing what he was saying while being in the front and huffing and puffing responded with what he thought Ken was saying. Adam thought he was still talking about horses so he replied, “Oh, you started breeding them?” Uhh... what?!? “Freedom,” “breeding them.” Sounds similar right? But in the moment, I’m in the middle of these two and cringing like crazy! This man is in the moment of opening up and pouring his heart out to us and Adam is talking about breeding horses. Geez! Well, Ken was well into his 70’s, which we had no idea! And, thankfully he was hard of hearing while we all could only hear our own heavy breathing. He hadn’t heard Adam! Ah... now that was an awkward moment.