Saturday, April 12, 2008

Packed in "Philomena," a 1984 Volkswagen Westfalia camper van, the Dixon Jonah family (parents: Sue & Dave; kids Kim age 9 & Will age 13) embark from Shelburne, Vermont in June 2008 for a year of travel through the USA, Canada, Mexico and Central America.


Our journey shall be known as “Philomena’s Secret of Life (SOL) Tour” and its focus shall be to:

  • learn (about ourselves, others and the places we visit),

  • have fun (after all, if it’s not fun…why do it)

  • engage in service projects in communities that we visit


Some think it crazy, but surprisingly many express envy of our plan to “take a year off” (although, we prefer to think of it as a year “on”) to explore back roads, parks and happenings of this great land. Carrying minimal belongings, we will camp and stay with local hosts; home-school fourth and eighth grades; and open our eyes, ears and hearts to the unique potential of each day as our journey unfolds.



This will be our first extended travel adventure with children, but Dave and I are no strangers to life on-the-road. From 1989 to 1991, we bicycled around the world on what we called “One World Tour,” pedaling more than 18,000 miles through 28 counties meeting with peace and environmental groups.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a test of the comment function. I wonder how it all works.

Miramar said...

Safe travels from Laura and Arch as you leave Shelburne and head toward what we consider our "beloved west". Write when you can and mail anything/whenever you want to us in Tucson and we'll hold it in our guest house for you.

Love and blessings! Laura

Anonymous said...

Have a great trip!!!! See the U.S.A. in another way ... close-up!

Love, Leah and Marcy

Anonymous said...

Dave! Steve wants to know if you're ready to 'do lunch' tomorrow?

Sue! How's housekeeping going in the new home on wheels thus far?

Will :) Yankees are doing better! Have you been to any teams game yet?

Kim! The pool is getting warmer! Turn around and come swim!

And yes! This last day of Spring in Shelburne finds me wearing a very warm fleece!

Anonymous said...

We're thinking of you and missing you. Have fun and will keep checking your blog. Thanks for the very nice card.
Love,
Jane & Dana

Anonymous said...

GREAT CATCHING UP WITH YOUR WHEREABOUTS IN YOUR WELL-WRITTEN ACCOUNT. I TRIED TO PRINT BLOG, BUT NO LUCK. I WANT TO SEE THE OR-GINAL ONE, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO GET IT TO COME BACK UP AGAIN. THE PICTURE COVERED PART OF COPY. SOUNDS AS THOUGH ALL IS GOING SWIMMINGLY AND THAT KY WAS A GOOD VISIT. MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU,
MOM/GRANDMA/EL

Anonymous said...

Hope you get to hook up with the Dixon clan!
All is well on the homefront. We drove through Shelburne on Sat. en route to the Trapp Family Lodge (took the ferry and lunched in Essex).
Happy travels. Miss all of you!
Lots of love,
Mom/El/Grandma