During our professional careers, we traveled extensively, both for work and pleasure. We have, individually or as a couple, traveled in North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.
We lived both sides of the Atlantic and finally settled for 18 years in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado. Fast forward to 2014, and the stars aligned with our urge to travel. Susan became a free agent and was considering a second career and John was winding down his consulting practice. Why not take the opportunity to travel instead?
By the end of 2014 the house was sold! We found disposing of most of our accumulated possessions to be very liberating. Life is simpler with less. We spent 2015 on an around the world trip and house sitting. Travelling around the world with just carry-on luggage is the stress-free way to travel! This further convinced us that we were not ready to settle down. The world awaited us! We calculated the economics of blending house sitting and travel. We wanted to be truly mobile. Household possessions had become less important to us. With remaining possessions disposed of, we are down to some electronics and clothes.
We started our lifestyle choice as professional long-term house sitters and travelers.
How we met on a yacht in Annapolis Maryland
John, a Brit from London, started his travels by working in France for 10 years. There he travelled to many countries, mostly for work. An almost mid-life crisis saw him buy a yacht with a friend intending to sail from France to Australia via the Panama Canal. They sailed across the Atlantic and around the Caribbean. By the time they had reached Venezuela certain differences of opinion existed. So, a sharp right turn was made back across the Caribbean to the Virgin Islands to sell the yacht. They eventually sailed up to Annapolis to meet a potential buyer.
Susan, born and raised in the midwest was looking for adventure. Coming from one of the 27 US states that doesn’t border an ocean it was to her amusement her first job outside of South Dakota was working for a yacht charter company. Having never sailed and with most of her boating done aboard a pontoon, which technically is nothing more than two metal cylinders with a standing platform attached, she didn’t let this stand in her way. The sea was already calling her. Soon she was managing a yacht charter company and making trips down island. It was a chance encounter with a Brit following a weekly yacht race in Annapolis that started this ongoing adventure.
Why this lifestyle, you may ask?
We continue to enjoy experiencing new places and cultures. What better way to truly appreciate the local way of life, than looking after a resident’s house and pets! Even if it is for a relatively brief period. We both enjoy being with pets and like to maintain an active lifestyle. While exploring the countryside and towns is very enjoyable. There needs to be the mix with the regular life of daily routines and getting to know the local community. Travel is not just sightseeing.