After an arduous four months of trying to sell our house in an awful market, we have a ratified contract and are due to settle on Aug. 31. We are excited, but right now I think we’re more relieved and a little shell-shocked. It hasn’t been fun living half a life, trying to be emotionally engaged and motivated about either staying for a year (or more) or going on the trip. For most of July we just wanted a definite yes or no. Well, we finally have a yes!

By the way selling a house you bought near the market high during a terrible market is a bad idea financially. Make no mistake. But we will be able to finance our year about and have something for a down payment when we return. And we are fairly certain we will return to the congested and expensive Northern Virginia area. Why? Because of family, friends, and community. Preparing to leave a place is an excellent way to come to terms with what you value in that place. I imagine being away from it will do the same thing.

So. On with planning (which we’ve been reluctant to do)! On with packing (whoa)! On with the trip! Our plan is to pack up and prep over the next few weeks. Danine’s brother Chris is getting married Sep. 8. We will hopefully be on the road full time the week after. If we get ready before Aug. 31, we’ll do smaller trips until the wedding.

Thanks to all for your kind encouragement and support. We’ll keep you posted! (A little more often now hopefully…)