You know in your head, how you can have two stories – and not realize they are deeply intertwined until you go to write them?
When I was rough sketching this series out, 2014 was going to be about launching things – but I was struggling to find the lesson. The real lesson wouldn’t come for another year.
2014 was an incredible year for us, probably our most productive and creative on record.
We were product developers on RVillage, and helped launch the first online social network for RVers at the beginning of the year.
That got us on the road to attending major RV events, and introduced us to the leadership of Escapees. Swirl together a nugget of an idea with some margaritas, and a RV support club for ‘working aged’ RVers was conceived. We joined up with them to lay the groundwork for Xscapers that would launch the next year.
We also had registered the name for US Public Lands, our next app – and were about to lose rights to it. So we rushed it to market.
Oh, and let’s also toss in launching a crowdfunding campaign to re-write our book on mobile internet. Which got fully funded and left us on the hook to also launch a membership website that we called the Mobile Internet Resource Center.
What a year, I’d say! That’s a lot of accomplishments.
And remember, we were supposed to have been on sabbatical, which in reality only lasted a few weeks.
All four are a success today. Humbling.
We worked in harmony with each other – combining our skills of software development, writing, strategy, years on the road and passion for helping others achieve their dreams.
I often look back, how on earth did we do it? How did we mentally have the time and energy and strength and skills?
As I was looking through thousands of photos from 2014 to pick one to illustrate the year – something amazing stood out.
2014 was also the year we truly embraced and lived in community. So many photos with dear friends grace our album.
We started the year hosting a 2-month long convergence in Cedar Key.
We hopscotched caravanned with several amazing couples as we crossed the country to return to Oregon.
And we bumper-to-bumper caravanned with dear friends for the remainder of the year, ending it celebrating amongst a huge spontaneous New Years Eve meetup in the deserts of Borrego Springs.
That’s how we got through 2014.
That’s what kept us inspired.
That’s where we got the energy and support network.
We are ever so grateful for every smiling loving face we encountered that year, who embraced us for us, who supported us with things as simple as an excuse to walk away from our desk for a drink, a fire, a taco or an adventure. Or letting us rant, holding us when we reached our breaking points or just putting up with our active minds that couldn’t stop creating.
Because these things can’t manifest in a bubble. It takes a village. Yup, that’s the lesson of 2014.
Technomadia 15 Years Retrospective Series
In the lead up to Cherie's 15th Nomadiversary on May 10, 2022 - she shared a retrospective post for each year with a lesson about nomadic life and our own journey.
Here's a video recap of the series (caution, it's over 50m long!):
And here are the individual chapters of this series:
It amazes me how we can still feel connected to people even when they are as far away as France and we never even met them in person–only online. That’s what those of you who support the rest of us do for us. Thank you for your apps which we used extensively when we were on the road. We still send people to your websites even after coming off the road ourselves.
While we definitely feel still connected to Nina & Paul and follow their blog with every post. We also miss them so much. Blessed for the many years we had intersecting paths with them.
What a great accomplishment for you and Chris to have been a huge part in starting RVillage and Xscapers! They really help so many people stay connected.