From Gravel Roads to Christmas Markets: Why Coming Home Matters
Following the Light, Wherever It Leads.
Coming Home Keeps Our Journey Alive
After months of living in our home-on-wheels, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and spontaneous adventure, coming home to our brick-and-mortar home feels like a deep exhale. It is not just about rest. It is about reconnecting, recharging, and remembering what keeps us grounded.
Life on the road means constant decision-making. Where to sleep. Where to go next. What to explore. It is a beautiful rhythm, and it comes with mental load. Back home, things are simpler. We do not have to search for the chickpeas in the supermarket. We do not need to scout a parking spot for the night. We do not spend countless hours haunting for laundromats.
We have Time.
Time for our kids. We walked through the Christmas market in Aachen together, enjoying the warmth, the lights, and the smiles. These moments are just as meaningful as any mountain pass or desert sunrise.
There is more time for friendships too.
Tuesday evenings are spent with “the boys”, standing in front of a TV in a neighbor's man cave, watching soccer and sharing beers.
On Wednesdays, I head to Toastmasters, an international club focused on developing public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive setting.
There was time for a weekend in Darmstadt with my old university fraternity. These student fraternities are lifelong networks where values, friendships, and traditions are passed on. It was a weekend of connection, laughter, and yes, a few well-earned beers with old friends.
Then came one of our favorite traditions. Together with nine other families on our street, we organized our annual private Christmas market. Around 500 people joined us this year. We received beautiful feedback about the joy our lights bring to others, especially kids and older folks. It is those reactions that make all the effort worthwhile.
Being home also means getting things done. Swapping to winter tires. Booking vehicle inspections. Cleaning and prepping gear for the next stretch. These small rituals matter more than they seem.
Speaking of what’s next, we’ve made a change. Our Turkey trip has been moved to the second half of next year. Where we’re heading from February to May might surprise you. I’ll share more in our coming update beginning of next year.
For now, it feels good to be home.
This cycle of traveling for three to six months, then returning to reset, gives us the best of both worlds. Yes, it requires extra budget for those return legs. But it is money well spent. Staying connected to our social world is not optional. It is essential.
No matter how far you travel, the journey is only complete when you come home, reconnect, and recharge.
You don’t need a motorhome or a cross-continental route to create space for reconnection. Maybe it is about protecting a few quiet weekends. Revisiting people or places that matter and give you joy. Or simply being present in your daily routines, knowing that peace and perspective are often found close to home.
Looking Ahead
With hearts full of gratitude and our social batteries recharged, we are now settling into the quiet joy of the season. The lights are up, the fires are lit, and it is time to reflect what truly matters.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
As the year draws to a close, we want to thank everyone who has followed our journey, sent us messages, or shared part of our story, whether on the road or in everyday life. From our home base to yours, we wish you a joyful Christmas and a bright start into the New Year.
Take care of your social battery. Spend time with those who recharge you. And no matter how you travel through life, may you find your own balance between adventure and home. Wherever home is for you.
Explore. Dream. Discover.