Allison
@roadrunnertravelers
A few words to describe me?
Adventurer and explorer. I'm someone always looking for the unfamiliar, looking to learn something new, looking to try something new. This applies to everything in life...travel, culture, meeting people, new phases in life, food … I could go on forever. I have a severe Fear of Missing Out.
Who's with you?
On this crazy journey, I've got two traveling companions. My amazing husband, we've been together for 14 years and married 9 years. It's crazy how time flies! Then we have the sweetest, slobberiest, 100lb bloodhound pup named Tracker (aka Little Guy).
Want the basics?
I'm 33 years old, originally from Georgia. 24 was a big year, I graduated college from Kennesaw State University, got a house, and got pups at 24. Then at 25 I got married. We lived in a small town outside of Atlanta until I was 31...both of us having a 2 hour commute to work. Looking for a change I found a job in Texas. Gradually, my job went fully remote and Chris' job was already remote. After downsizing from the house in the country to an apartment in the city we were stir crazy to say the least! That's when the RV came in.
How did we take the plunge?
We never had big intentions to live and travel in the RV. It just gradually happened. We spent more time in a few months staying at nearby parks then we did in our apartment. So, when our lease came due for renewal we just said why not travel some? Let's just do it for a few months and the worse case scenario is we go back to apartment life. That few months turned into a little over a year and a half at this point.
Best things about being female and on the road?Not much, but something I would have never known without traveling. Other than the experiences, I think it's showing others that they can have these experiences too. Especially other women, women that are nervous to do things along, travel alone, hike alone, eat alone or just experience life without someone else right next to them.
Not much, but something I would have never known without traveling. Other than the experiences, I think it's showing others that they can have these experiences too. Especially other women, women that are nervous to do things along, travel alone, hike alone, eat alone or just experience life without someone else right next to them.
But wait...you're married?
Yes, this is true… to someone who is traveling along side me. However, on a day to day basis I go out and explore alone. Chris doesn't like all the things I do. The hiking for example, or taking the pup out, or just visiting a place for a second time. So, if I want to see some of the things I find on my list...I've got to do it alone. I wanted to go backcountry camping in the wilderness (I was 1hr to the closest person anywhere) - he was on a business trip - so instead of just hanging out waiting for him to come back...me and Tracker went camping.
Worst thing about being female and exploring alone?
Muscle. Physical Strength. Height. You have to be very creative sometimes. When I'm out adventuring and I see something that would be a lot easier with my husband around,like climbing a huge rock to get a better view, I have to be creative. I've got to stack rocks, find another path.
How do I decide where to stay?
The three biggest factor are 1. Wi-Fi. Yes, I have a 9-5 corporate job, so Wi-Fi is a MUST! 2. A good place to walk Tracker, or to let him off the leash. 3. A close bar; introverts need socialization too!
The most surreal places that you visited?
Very hard question! Probably my first solo overseas… it's where I really proved to myself that "I've got this!" I had a layover in Amsterdam and Paris and stayed about a week in Austria in February. I made a loop in the country and met up with my husband for two days on the trip (he was working over there). The culture difference, the scenic views….and what I think was the best thing...the learning about myself. Words can't describe the feeling this gave me. It strengthened my confidence to not "HAVE" to have someone by your side to do the things your love.
What common items savvy travelers bring with them/what could you not live in a mobile-home without ?
A positive attitude and relaxed nature, the ability to let go of any frustrations go, to take a deep breathe and just move on. Yes, that sounds cheesy but, things will break. The RV park you picked will suck. The camper will not get cooler than 95 degrees on the inside because it's so hot there will be dust EVERYWHERE for months because you're in the desert. It will snow in June because you didn't realize the elevation of the city you went to. There is no sense for any of these things to consume you because we didn't come to see these amazing places with these frustrations. Take it one moment at a time and soak up every amazing minute. You're going to go down that road that your camper won't fit down and you're going to say a LOT of choice words but, you'll also be speechless more times than you can count.
What work do you do?
For all intensive purposes….I have a normal 9-5 corporate job. I guess...not so normal because it's fully remote, but that's the only difference. I manage a Software consulting company. Our full team of about 20 people are remote. Our consultants travel about 25% of the time to clients...but other than that, we're all virtual. I work Monday - Friday during the week...the afternoons and weekends and vacation days are all for play.
How do you keep your money/valuables safe?
We don't really have a ton of money/valuables on us at any time. Downsizing from a house to a camper, you really only bring what you need to bring. I'm always outside, so I don't wear jewelry other than my wedding ring. guess the most expensive thing we have is the camera and our computers. The camera is pretty much tied to my shoulder and the computer has everything backed up on the hard drive. So, we don't have much risk. Data is only valuable to us, everything else is minor in the scheme of things.
Is hiking, being in remote places, exploring as a solo female dangerous?
It's all about being prepared. When I go exploring I try to learn the potential dangers and and reduce the possibility of getting in a sticky situation as much as possible. If I go explore the city - I'm aware of the time of day, where the bad parts of town are, who is walking around me and where my purse is hanging. If I'm hiking I make sure I'm aware of potential animals I could encounter, the water situation, and where I'm stepping. Do I have fear sometimes? Yes! When I was on that solo camping trip I laid in the dark listening to every sound outside the tent and stayed up for a few hours until I fell asleep. The more I camp, the more I'm alone in the dark, the less fear I will have because the more knowledge and experiences I will have.
Do you feel awkward doing certain activities alone?
I used to get nervous, not much anymore. Sometimes I will get nervous doing something like if I'm on a long hike alone, but I don't really feel awkward anymore. The way that I got over it was asked myself questions. "Why do I feel awkward about this? Is this feeling justified? Is this activity unacceptable to do this alone?" If the feeling was not justified then I would just make myself do it alone. Did I feel awkward many times?es, tons of times! But eventually, after you get over that stigma that you have to have someone else there. I relaxed, and now just go do it without that awkward feeling.
