The Week Before Our Trip: Excitement, Sadness, and Everything in Between

The week before our trip  has been a whirlwind of emotions. One minute, I’m staring at the map on our kitchen wall, completely mesmerized by all the places we’re planning to visit—Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, tiny coastal towns with names I can’t even pronounce. The next, I’m hit with this unexpected lump in my throat.

There are so many “lasts” to check off: one last coffee run with my friends, one last sunset in our backyard, and the one last time I’ll walk through the doors of our church. It feels so final, like I’m closing a chapter I didn’t realize I loved so much until now. Nostalgia has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you’re packing for something big.

But then there’s this spark—this little flicker of excitement every time I think about what’s ahead. It’s like standing at the edge of a diving board: scary and thrilling all at once. Change has a way of doing that to you, doesn’t it?

Why We Chose This Adventure

This whole adventure started as a wild family idea: “What if we spent 30 weeks of the year traveling the country in an RV?” At first, it sounded too big, too crazy, too different. But the more we talked about it, the more it made sense. I’ve always been homeschooled, so flexibility has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My family loves traveling, and we’ve always dreamed of taking a long road trip together. Plus, there’s something so unique about spending your last year of high school doing something unforgettable.

The decision didn’t come without doubts, though. Would I miss out on “normal” senior-year experiences? Would it be hard to stay in touch with friends? What would life on the road even look like day-to-day? It was a leap of faith for all of us, but deep down, we knew this was the kind of opportunity we couldn’t pass up.

What I’m Most Excited For

When I picture life on the road, I can’t help but smile a little. I think about waking up to mountain views, hiking trails that lead to places most people only see in pictures, and sharing campfires with people from all over the country. I’ve always loved exploring, but this trip feels like it’s going to take that love to a whole new level.

I’m also looking forward to the little surprises along the way—the random roadside attractions, the mom-and-pop diners, and even the moments when things don’t go as planned. Those will most likely be the stories we’ll tell for years.

And then there’s the thought of slowing down. Life feels so fast sometimes, especially with college around the corner. This adventure feels like a chance to press pause and soak in everything before the next big chapter.

How School Will Work on the Road

One of the big questions people ask is, “What about school?” Fair question! As a homeschooler and NCC dual-enrolled college student, I’m already used to a flexible schedule, but this? This is next-level flexibility.

Here’s the plan: my “classroom” will be wherever we park the RV. Video lectures in rest stops, essays at picnic tables, and study breaks that include hiking instead of doomscrolling on Instagram. It’s definitely not your typical high school setup, but I kind of love that about it.

Thankfully, my dual-enrollment classes are online, so I can log in from pretty much anywhere. (Fingers crossed for decent Wi-Fi, though—apparently, that’s going to be its own adventure!) If anything, homeschooling has taught me how to be independent and manage my time, so I feel like this is just another challenge to figure out.

On top of all this adventure, I’ve got my college classes to think about, too. It’s been fun to think about it like a balancing act—high school, college, and now life on the road. Northwest Iowa Community College has been an awesome experience for me! I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed the college classes I’m taking, especially the way the professors and students at NCC engage with each other. It’s like having a connection with classmates and teachers, but without having to be in the same room. I’ve found that the discussions and lectures are just as interesting as if I were sitting in a classroom, and the interactions feel so personal. 

I’m looking forward to seeing how I can keep up with everything while we travel, but with this setup, I’m excited about the flexibility and the chance to keep learning, no matter where we park for the night.

And let’s be honest: it’s hard to feel too stressed about schoolwork when you’re parked by the beach.

The Bittersweet Goodbye

Packing up has been its own emotional rollercoaster. I mean, how do you fit a whole life into one RV? Spoiler alert: you don’t. You learn to let go of things you don’t really need, which has been strangely freeing. It’s like shedding old layers to make space for new adventures.

I’ve also had to remind myself that this isn’t forever. We’ll come back to these familiar places and routines in 15 weeks. For now, it’s about embracing the adventure in front of me and trusting that the goodbyes are making room for something amazing.

Reflections on Change

If there’s one thing I’ve learned already, it’s that change doesn’t come tied in  a neat, tidy bow. It’s messy and emotional, and it doesn’t always make sense right away. But that’s okay. I can feel sad about leaving one chapter behind and still be excited about the one ahead. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Honestly, it’s okay to feel everything all at once. It’s okay to be nervous and thrilled, scared and hopeful. Big changes have a way of stretching us, and even though it’s uncomfortable, it’s also how we grow.

Looking Ahead

As we count down the days to leaving, I’m trying to soak in every moment—the goodbyes, the planning, and even the nerves. This adventure is going to be full of surprises, challenges, and unforgettable memories, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.

So here’s to the road ahead and everything it has in store. I hope this inspires you to embrace your own big changes, whatever they may look like. And if you have questions about homeschooling, RVing, or just taking a leap into the unknown, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re each navigating our own journey, but we’re all navigating this journey together.