Sharon and Jay
Names and ages: Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom & Jay Holt (27 & 28)
Hometown: Fairfax, VA & Phoenix, AZ
When did you start your travels? February 1st from Falls Church, Virginia
Reason for taking this trip?
We were living in the DC Metro area and were eager to move to a less busy place. Sharon had just finished a Master's degree and with the bad economy, we decided to just hit the open road instead of trying to find new jobs somewhere else and settle down. We are traveling throughout the United States and Canada and hope to discover where we want to settle next. Volunteering along the way also gives us an opportunity to try out different types of work and learn new skills. By traveling domestically we have a chance to reconnect with friends and family who have spread out around the states and provinces.
Why did you decide to drive?
It seemed like the most practical choice for traveling throughout the United States. It's also practical since we already had a car that was paid off. We sold Sharon's car to help pay for the trip and gave up our rental house, so not only is our car our means of transportation, but it is basically our home.
What type of car are you driving?
2004 Toyota Rav4 with a Rocket Box and 2 bikes on the top.
Did you make any modifications to your car for this trip?
Yes, Jay added an AC Adapter (power inverter), USB charge adapter up under the dash to keep them and their wiring hidden. He also added new LED lighting in the cab. He also welded up a bracket and bolted his Park bicycle repair stand to the spare tire. Our Rav4 also has a Yakima roof rack with mounts for up to 3 bikes and a long luggage box to hold skis. We also removed the two back seats making our Rav4 a 2 seater. Jay and his father built a wooden shelf that fills the entire back and allows us to carry all of our stuff in crates and boxes. With carrying all that extra weight, in two months we have already collapsed the rear springs on the Rav, so we are looking into options for replacing those now.
How did you save up or finance your trip?
We both worked "real" jobs in northern Virginia. I also inherited half of our budget when my grandfather passed away. We are keeping costs down on the road by camping and staying with friends so that we can keep going longer. We also try to cook on the road as much as possible to keep healthy and maybe save money. We have been treated to gift cards and other forms of support by family and friends and other generous people we have met along the way.
How long do you plan on traveling?
A year or when the money runs out ... whichever happens last.
Where do you plan on driving?
Throughout the United States and Canada -- trying to see places we've never seen and visit family and friends that we haven't seen in a long time. As we travel we learn more about great places to see and have started to expand our thinking to other countries as well.
What were your family’s and friends’ reactions when you told them about your trip before you left?
Our parents are very supportive and jealous. Sharon's parents love to take road trips and have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. Jay's parents left the U.S. for Saudi Arabia when they were in their 20's and encourage our sense of adventure.
What was the most exciting thing you experienced on your trip?
Well, it's not really an adventure until something goes wrong. The night before St. Patrick's Day we met misfortune in Death Valley National Park. We had just arrived and set up camp four miles into the back country. Jay had started two pots of water boiling on the stove when a huge gust of wind swept through the canyon and took the stove airborne, knocking the boiling water onto Jay's backside. He had 2nd degree burns over 6% of his body and we were at least an hour from professional help. Sharon, with help from some neighboring campers, managed to get Jay into the car and "rushed" him (at about 1 mile per hour on a four wheel drive road) to the Park's center where we could call an ambulance. He was then taken by two separate ambulances back to the Las Vegas Burn Center. Jay is recovering at a remarkable pace, but we had to put our trip on hold and rest up at his parent's house in Phoenix while he heals. You can read the details of the accident here: http://servicedriven.org/2011/03/19/the-accident-service-driven-is-on-hold/
Do you have a favorite place or country that you have visited during your trip?
One of the unexpected favorite places was Congaree National Park in South Carolina. The park is free to visit and to camp in, but it well maintained with an extensive boardwalk trail into the forested swamp. It offers a unique experience to see that ecosystem.
Do you have any advice for others who may be considering driving the Americas?
We have found our volunteer experiences along the way to be some of most rewarding parts of the trip. Volunteering allows you to see a community from a different perspective and to meet some amazing people as you volunteer alongside active community members. We have found HandsOn Network to be a useful resource in connecting with opportunities: http://www.handsonnetwork.org
Do you have a blog or a website describing your trip?
We have a blog called Service Driven. Right now we are competing to win a travel grant to volunteer in Alaska. Please visit the blog to vote for us or visit our voting page.
