Countdown

In 2007, we started building a house in the mountains in Panamá.  We had fallen in love with the cool climate, the fantastic food, and the fresh fruit and vegetables; and we were looking for a challenge.  It was pretty obvious that easy credit, plutocracy (or corporate fascism, pick your favorite label),  welfare and social security, and looming demographic change were going to erode quality of life in the U.S.A. for years to come.  We didn't expect things to go bad as suddenly and violently as they did in 2008, but we managed to stay out of harm's way and keep working towards our goal.  The house in Montañas de Caldera in Panamá was completed in 2009.  We've had a friend staying there since, and by all reports, we've got a great, functional house in a beautiful location with excellent neighbors.

Now we're ready to head south, but instead of going directly, we're hitting the road to see all of the great natural wonders of America first.  We'll do a lot of camping, try and eat well, put a lot of miles on the truck, and hopefully have a great time!

It's funny what you learn when you start selling your household.  Royalex canoes increase in value.  Palm Casuals PVC patio furniture holds its own in resale after a decade - I still think I let our set go way too cheap.  Cars are liquid, and Jeeps have a huge community but not so many buyers.  Quality furniture and treadmills - I feel lucky to get about 10-20% of what we paid for them.  Of course, I'm likely a seller at the absolute low point on these last few possessions, since we live in what Forbes called one of "America's Emptiest Cities" for 2011!

http://www.forbes.com/2011/03/02/orlando-las-vegas-business-real-estate-emptiest-cities.html

The good news is that we've managed to sell almost everything over the last couple of months, and we're ready to make the move in mid-July.  First stop, Virginia to see family and drop off the cat, then we head back to Florida, load up, and head west!  We hope to see Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Sierra National Forest, Lake Tahoe / DL Bliss State Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Salt Point State Park, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and everything in between.  If we fulfill our commitment to this blog, we'll take you along for the fun and the food!  

Thanks for checking out our page and staying in touch!