A Pit Stop at Home: When Travel Takes a Backseat

We didn’t plan to be back so soon. But as any traveler knows, the road has its own rhythm. A couple of unexpected events rerouted us home two weeks earlier than expected: Annika had some dental issues best handled off the road, and a last-minute notary appointment required her presence in Hamburg. Add in a cousin meet-up in Karlsruhe, and suddenly, the detour felt like destiny.

“Sometimes, the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.”

This little detour home turned into a time of reconnection, reflection, and recharging. And for that, we’re grateful.

A Warm Welcome

Rolling into our neighborhood a week ago was a quiet surprise. That quiet didn’t last long. Within minutes of parking, our lovely neighbors spotted us and came out for street-side reunions. The warm welcome felt like a hug from our community. It reminded us that home isn’t just a place, but a feeling.

Logistics, Health, and a Touch of Magic

The days that followed were a blur of unloading and preparing the truck for its own little spa days. Some final waterproofing work on the heating system, annual vehicle inspection, and a bit of pampering were in order.

On the human side, we lined up doctor visits like a full-time job: teeth, minor aches, women’s health check-ups, all those things that are tough to manage while overlanding. It’s easy to put off non-emergencies when abroad, but we’re learning that prioritizing health is part of sustaining this lifestyle long-term.

But it wasn’t all logistics and appointments. We joined a family celebration in Karlsruhe with most of our cousins. We watched the skies light up over Düsseldorf during Japan Day fireworks, which also happened to be my birthday. Dinner with 12 friends, laughter, shared stories. That night was magic.

Family Pride and Personal Joys

Then came a theater evening in Aachen. Our daughter, now working behind the scenes at the theater as a costume seamstress, showed off the fruits of her creativity in a modern and playful production. Seeing her work on stage made our hearts swell.

I also fell into the familiar Amazon rhythm: daily deliveries, catching up on essentials and tools that are hard to get on the road. The convenience is undeniable.

One unexpected joy? Toastmasters. I returned to my old speaking club in Düsseldorf and gave a spontaneously speech that won best of the evening. The camaraderie and creativity filled a part of me that doesn’t get enough airtime when we’re constantly moving.

Reflections on Home

These weeks felt packed, more so than when we’re hiking national parks or exploring ancient cities. We reconnected with people we hadn’t seen since starting this nomadic life. The stories, updates, shared meals, they reminded us of another kind of richness.

A question we’re often asked: “How does it feel to be back in a real house?” Honestly, it’s not that different. Our truck is cozy and well-equipped; we rarely feel we’re compromising on space. What we miss isn’t square meters, it’s friends, family, hobbies, and, yes, easy laundry.

And one fun bit, after months of maneuvering our truck, stepping into a normal car felt almost surreal. The steering wheel seemed comically small, like something out of a go-kart. It's a striking reminder of the scale we’ve become used to and how different everyday life can feel after living on the road.

See you soon from the road again with better pictures. Until then, we’re soaking up every bit of this unexpected homecoming.

Explore. Dream. Discover.