What does it take to run away from
it all? Is “dropping out” a luxury reserved only for beatniks,
bums, and the independently wealthy? In spite of our non-trust fund
status, we decided to find a way to make it work. A fellow river
guide and former VW resident used to freely pronounce his formula for
financial independence: “Cut costs, increase income!” Well,
walking away from my square job certainly went the wrong direction in
this respect! But taking on a full river season certainly had the
potential to fill the coffers with cash tips, and Western was, as
always, really great to find room in the launch schedule for an aging
has-been river guide. They even offered Melissa a couple trips to
boot!
So, increasing income was something we
could pull off for a few months, but how to cut costs? Well, why not
rent out our house and go homeless during the river season? Sounds
like super responsible parenting, right? Actually, the kismet of the
plan was that Melissa has always dreamed of moving to the Liston
family farm house in Escalante, which tends to sit vacant most of the
year anyway. So, with my profoundly kind in-laws allowing us to move
into the home, we managed to hit a small flock of birds with one
stone: a little rental income from our Sugarhouse home, greatly
reduced housing costs in Escalante, a far shorter commute to Grand
Canyon, and a dream come true in the country for Melissa. Costs cut?
Check.
On 8 June 2014, we moved the last of
our stuff out of our beloved home on Elm Avenue, only a few days
after Harper and Norah ended their school year and joined the
freakish ranks of the home-schooled. Notwithstanding the move out of
town, our hearts remained very much with our dear friends in the
neighborhood and congregation. My folks were also very kind to help
us move our stuff south, since I had to rig a trip the next day and
wouldn't be any help to Melissa. In fact, this theme of not being
much help around the farm became my hallmark for the next four
months, as I spent most of my time away from home and family working
in The Ditch. It was awful being away from Melissa and the girls, but
the season was plenty fun, lucrative, and, fortunately, injury-free.
With the season now behind us, I get to cash in and spend lots of
time with my people!
I will yield and allow Melissa to chime
in here about their time in Escalante this summer if she wants,
because it was a great experience for both her and the girls. Having
been away so much, I'm not exactly sure how they spent every minute,
but I do know that there were many fun excursions in the desert,
child prodigy bicycle mastery, harrowing adventures with cows and
chickens, and Melissa's corn ended up higher than any other garden in
town. Not bad for a city-slicker! One thing I can say from my
experience in Escalante this summer is that I couldn't have imagined
living in a more friendly town and around such kind and welcoming
neighbors. It was really comforting to know how loved and cared for
Melissa and the girls were while I was away from them. Thanks,
Escalante!
What does it take to run away from
it all? Is “dropping out” a luxury reserved only for beatniks,
bums, and the independently wealthy? In spite of our non-trust fund
status, we decided to find a way to make it work. A fellow river
guide and former VW resident used to freely pronounce his formula for
financial independence: “Cut costs, increase income!” Well,
walking away from my square job certainly went the wrong direction in
this respect! But taking on a full river season certainly had the
potential to fill the coffers with cash tips, and Western was, as
always, really great to find room in the launch schedule for an aging
has-been river guide. They even offered Melissa a couple trips to
boot!
So, increasing income was something we
could pull off for a few months, but how to cut costs? Well, why not
rent out our house and go homeless during the river season? Sounds
like super responsible parenting, right? Actually, the kismet of the
plan was that Melissa has always dreamed of moving to the Liston
family farm house in Escalante, which tends to sit vacant most of the
year anyway. So, with my profoundly kind in-laws allowing us to move
into the home, we managed to hit a small flock of birds with one
stone: a little rental income from our Sugarhouse home, greatly
reduced housing costs in Escalante, a far shorter commute to Grand
Canyon, and a dream come true in the country for Melissa. Costs cut?
Check.
On 8 June 2014, we moved the last of
our stuff out of our beloved home on Elm Avenue, only a few days
after Harper and Norah ended their school year and joined the
freakish ranks of the home-schooled. Notwithstanding the move out of
town, our hearts remained very much with our dear friends in the
neighborhood and congregation. My folks were also very kind to help
us move our stuff south, since I had to rig a trip the next day and
wouldn't be any help to Melissa. In fact, this theme of not being
much help around the farm became my hallmark for the next four
months, as I spent most of my time away from home and family working
in The Ditch. It was awful being away from Melissa and the girls, but
the season was plenty fun, lucrative, and, fortunately, injury-free.
With the season now behind us, I get to cash in and spend lots of
time with my people!
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