Finally, we’re heading out on a trip that’s been years in the making. After spending a couple of months in our favorite winter camping spot, an Airstream park in Central Florida, the time has come to hitch up the Flying Cloud once again and move west. Over the next four months, we’ll divide our time between writing projects and chasing birds.

Working (and doing some birding) out in front of the Airstream during our Florida stop. This and top photo by Pete Cross.

The itinerary includes a trek to the songbird migration on the Gulf Coast of Texas, several stops to research bird conservation projects in California and the Midwest, and a once-in-a-lifetime tour of national parks.

It’s the third time we’ve attempted this adventure. Last year’s reservations — spread over 8,000 miles and 20 states — got cancelled in a scramble when the pandemic pushed our trailer into dry dock. 

Beverly finishes up this post in our makeshift office.

The excuse for not going in 2019? A sheer case of panic on my part. Anders had spent the winter crafting the perfect trip. The plan was to sell our home and hit the road for nearly half a year. We were both giddy at the thought of it. But then I started fretting over nomadic details like the mail, health insurance and vehicle registrations. What if we got called for jury duty and didn’t show up?

Anders at the table.

Let’s be clear – Airstream life suits me perfectly for weeks at a time. Our adorable silver bubble is the playhouse I never had as a child. Everything is in miniature, yet elegantly crafted. Each item that life requires fits into its own specific spot. We’ve even turned part of the dinette into an office with a laser printer and filing cabinets for all of our writing projects.