We are newlyweds from West Virginia, currently residing in Austin, TX. We are Robyn and Derik, and together we are RAD. This fun acronym also works as a title for our upcoming journey- our RADventure! Cheesy, perhaps, but fun, nonetheless. Before meeting, we both had a love of travel and exploring- whether it be far away or in our own backyard.
Let's start off with Austin. When Derik was a couple months from graduating college, we decided moving to a new city was a good idea. We applied to jobs in various cities across the country, and we each only received one phone call- both in Austin! It was truly fate. This time in Austin (about 2 years now) has been incredible. Moving far away from everyone and everything that we were familiar with forced us out of comfort zones individually and as a couple. Also, moving to a new place is a serious rush of excitement. I don't think we were home the entire first month besides sleeping- so many new things to see and do and eat!
Fast forward- we got engaged in Austin and were married this past October in western Maryland. We didn't take the "traditional" honeymoon after the wedding for a few reasons. One- I didn't have a lot of vacation time left at work from taking time off to prep/have the wedding. Two- wedding planning is a h u g e time commitment and I wasn't ready to plan two big things at once. Three- we came up with a (kinda) radical idea to take an extended honeymoon. Our lease ends in March, so we decided why not quit our jobs and GO. So we are doing just that. In a couple months, we will start our journey.
Originally we were going to spend a few months backpacking through Europe for our honeymoon. Derik, being both the thoughtful and adventurous soul he is, suggested we take an extended-extended trip before the honeymoon through the United States. I had made a goal a few years ago to hit all 50 states by the time I am 30. Since we will have no commitments (as far as work, rent, etc.) "Why not?" take a cross-country trip and cross a few states off the list?
This is a bit crazy, or at least the opposite of mainstream in American culture. When I think about it, I wonder "If not now, than when?". When in life will I ever have the freedom to do this? This blog will be a way for us to keep family and friends up to date with our travels, along with anyone else who may be interested in our journey.
Let's start off with Austin. When Derik was a couple months from graduating college, we decided moving to a new city was a good idea. We applied to jobs in various cities across the country, and we each only received one phone call- both in Austin! It was truly fate. This time in Austin (about 2 years now) has been incredible. Moving far away from everyone and everything that we were familiar with forced us out of comfort zones individually and as a couple. Also, moving to a new place is a serious rush of excitement. I don't think we were home the entire first month besides sleeping- so many new things to see and do and eat!
Fast forward- we got engaged in Austin and were married this past October in western Maryland. We didn't take the "traditional" honeymoon after the wedding for a few reasons. One- I didn't have a lot of vacation time left at work from taking time off to prep/have the wedding. Two- wedding planning is a h u g e time commitment and I wasn't ready to plan two big things at once. Three- we came up with a (kinda) radical idea to take an extended honeymoon. Our lease ends in March, so we decided why not quit our jobs and GO. So we are doing just that. In a couple months, we will start our journey.
Originally we were going to spend a few months backpacking through Europe for our honeymoon. Derik, being both the thoughtful and adventurous soul he is, suggested we take an extended-extended trip before the honeymoon through the United States. I had made a goal a few years ago to hit all 50 states by the time I am 30. Since we will have no commitments (as far as work, rent, etc.) "Why not?" take a cross-country trip and cross a few states off the list?
This is a bit crazy, or at least the opposite of mainstream in American culture. When I think about it, I wonder "If not now, than when?". When in life will I ever have the freedom to do this? This blog will be a way for us to keep family and friends up to date with our travels, along with anyone else who may be interested in our journey.
So well put together! A fun read!
ReplyDeleteThis is Laura btw
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