affueravida-blog

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FAMILY. We wanted to share a bit more about us over the weekend as we feel we haven't talked too much about who is behind @affueravida.    Sofi @Sofialdinio and Colin @boyd_face (we) are leading this expedition after feeling the need to redefine ourselves, our relationship and our family. Parenthood is demanding and we felt stuck. We wanted to show our kids what the world was like, what we had experienced before having them, that living a dream was possible. We knew it was going to be hard, but both of us had traveled the world on shoe strings, established friendships across the globe, worked from corporations through to start ups and had the grit and experience to pull this dream off.   We wanted it so bad. So we did it. We took the risk and uprooted our family, replacing safety with the unknown. And we were and still are strangely comfortable with that. We are parents to two beautiful boys and have an incredible dog. While we still are challenged daily - likely more so than at home, both in our relationship and as parents, we are happier now than we've been in a long time.   Our intent is to overland from Maine to Argentina to connect our cultures and give our boys a sense of their diversity. We are launching a podcast to share stories of other families leading bold and inspirational lifestyles in hopes to inspire parents to live courageously in the face of the challenge of parenthood. We are working hard to earn a living on the road through content creation and any side hustle that comes up.   The next five posts will be about each one of us to give you a better sense of who you are following if we haven’t had the chance to meet. 1/6 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvm_bAtnn0f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9ae4moy9teyq

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For us to be able to live on the road full time, we’ve had to give up a lot in order to sustain the lifestyle. In the 6x months before we left we cutback on all unnecessary expenses and saved everything we could. • While on the road we are committed to eating every meal inside the van. I think we broke this rule once in NYC and Colin hasn’t even bought a single coffee in three months on the road. We are also trying to slow down our travel so as to decrease our diesel budget and spend more time enjoying certain locations. • For some these sacrifices may not be worth it but for us we know that every dollar spent unnecessarily will cut this trip shorter. And of course there are always unexpected mechanical failures or necessary upgrades that seem to come in when least expecting it. • For you full timers out there, what are your frugal tips for living on the road? (at Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmJAQDHk9h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19acyt2wepatz

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On the lone hill top. Overlooking the expanse. One sits. Content in self reliance and the pursuit. This van-lifestyle is strange but we are all seeking this moment. Go. Find. It. (at Carlsbad, New Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvkvbb9nVfI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1umve1mns1bx1

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What is it about the desolation of the desert that penetrates the soul. Maybe it’s just being from a place so densely covered with trees, that being just a dot exposed in an unwelcoming expanse requires a relationship with vulnerability. Whether a desert, a mountain, or an ocean, this is where we discover our edge affirmed each morning in moments like this. We will be sharing some stories from the desert over the next few days so stay tuned. (at Carlsbad, New Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvjnkJ5nX3n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ott5vllu73qg

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Buenas dias. Where are you at this am? https://www.instagram.com/p/BvUJjsMnh-p/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xo80805vs86h

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While we are burning our fair share of diesel contributing to global emissions, we feel like this lifestyle has decreased our families carbon footprint overall. For example instead of driving two cars and heating/maintaining/cooling a house, we now just have one rig that does it all and with 540 watts of solar, we are almost fully off grid as long as we have a water resource. Does anyone have a grip on carbon calculating while on the road and tips for reducing it? (at Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvSE1fjnx7_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tqck5b7ctn6i

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What is it about wide open roads that smooth the soul? Where’s your favorite road? This beauty was up in Cape Bretton, Nova Scotia - which seems like light years away. https://www.instagram.com/p/BvNKK33n6cE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=o6h7jnhz2i2n

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On the road we often don’t know where we are heading until the day of. While this may stress some out - we enjoy the freedom to make last minute decisions - such as this one to visit Caprock Canyons state park, one of @texasparkswildlife hidden gems. If you want to see more photos and read the story click through the link in our bio. (at Caprock Canyons State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvKxBRinY_J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19aes9j6qpzll

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What’s better than shoulder rides with dad? https://www.instagram.com/p/BvKZW9Ynx-q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oy9cmf3obzem

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Driving across the country is a rite of passage for anyone living in this country. Between the southern route 10 and northern 90 - there are little gems in every state. Most of the time I’ve made this journey it’s been destination focused with little time to wander and discover them. While traveling just a couple hours a day with kids may seem like a nightmare, it’s forced us to slow down and explore what surrounds us each day. It’s allowed us to embody this lifestyle and not try and seek a new destination to escape the mundanity of our < 100 sq ft of living space. We are enjoying this phase of traveling, but also know there are many more ways to travel. We’re curious how you all plan your longer expeditions? Is it a hit list with must do’s or is it decided over coffee in the morning? (at Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvIChVZnipA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=abvkztmln8i5

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Doing it in Texas. Suggestions please! (at Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvAoVfUn1pQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e2t8w1sgf7pp

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Sun Salutation. (at Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu7LKYIg9Oz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1eegy9lfvukuk

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Coming at you west coast. We’ve been hauling these boards all across the country and it’s high time to start using them! But first, the desert. We’re taking all recommendations for New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. 🙏 Please share what you got! 👇 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu5AA-UHnRm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w3ylftds52c9

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A team gearing up for the day. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu303vCHBC_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=62cu3eyzrdih

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A little late for #internationalwomensday but @sofialdinio is our woman of wonder on this trip. Us boys wouldn’t be here without her adventurous spirit and infectious laugh. @crystalbridgesmuseum (at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuzLPFCnd3r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pmcyamqr4fwq

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While driving west, we’ve had a chance to reflect on how much Florida impacted us. Had we never left, we foolishly would not have know about the isolated and aquatic Dry Tortuga National Park, 70 miles SW of Key West, FL. We spent two nights and three days camping in this exotic location and will be sharing a few posts today as we had a blast exploring the reefs, island and Fort Jefferson - the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere! To read the full story head on over to @goodtogofoods (link in bio) to get a taste of what the experience was like. Even though Florida has its weirdness - this state is awesome. #drytortugas (at Dry Tortugas National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuwiP80HkcL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hp145x8ekdtf

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The past few days we had freezing temperatures and it made us realize how much we miss Florida already. Here is a glimpse of our trip to a handful of springs. We swam with manatees, saw no less than 100 turtles, fish and no alligators 🐊. Florida you were above our expectations with so many unique biospheres to explore. But alas - now we are heading west ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Butw33znYmw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sg35b40bakkt