Most people hope to plant roots somewhere and live with their families in a stable environment. However, Austrailian nomads Tamara Clark and Joey Wright say they’ve established a new kind of goal, one in which the adventures never end.
Bad News Inspires Adventure
When Mr. Wright got some tragic news, he pursued a more exciting life. Clark and Wright set out with their two daughters, Suri and Meadow, for an adventure that nomads everywhere could envy.
Wright had been in the wine industry for 20 years but caught wind of a previous colleague’s health problems just after retirement. This gave Mr. Wright a new perspective because you never know what might happen in life, to our loved ones or our own health. As a result, Mr. Wright decided he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his family and traveling.
“I had a phone call not long ago from another fella that I work with, who’s just about to retire, and they’ve found another lump on his lungs, so he’s gonna go through the biggest fight of his life,” he said.
Nomads Travel Far and Wide
Although it was a difficult decision, Tamara ultimately agreed to pack up the family and become nomads. She and the family traveled nearly 10,000 miles from their home in Mildura to explore a new life. “It was definitely scary, and there were lots of tears,” said Tamara after closing her hair-dressing salon. “We did question if this was the right thing to do.”
Nomads Overcoming Fears
Ms. Clark explained that fear was a major obstacle for the family, but together they overcame it. “Don’t be scared. You don’t need the big caravan or RV [recreational vehicle]. Some people are sleeping in cars or tents,” Clark advised. “We’ve met so many people traveling in such different ways, but we’re all seeing and experiencing the same things.”
The nomads and their daughters are living in the region of the Margaret River, and Mr. Wright works three months out of the year, harvesting wine.
Tamara Clark, hoping to encourage others to try living as nomads, says, “There is plenty of work out there and it might not be what you’re used to but may give you a chance to try your hand at something new.” Fortunately, it seems to have worked out, and the family hopes their new adventure never ends. Moving from a large home, they’re now living off grid and in a recreational vehicle, just over 19 ft.
School on the Go
Suri and Meadow have had a mix of schooling, from a few hours a day of homeschooling to attending traditional school in both Margaret River and Darwin. The family of nomads seems to be thriving, loving life, and growing closer to one another. “I’m so blessed that we get to share this with the girls while we’re all young enough to do it together,” Ms. Clark told ABC News.
Meanwhile, dad, Mr.Wright, has also expressed gratitude for this opportunity. He stated, “I learned a lot about myself and Tamara, and especially about the girls, which is the most important thing. We didn’t get to spend quality time with each other at home. I was constantly working, only to come home absolutely knackered.”
Despite the new and exciting lives for the nomads, it’s come with some challenges. “Not every day is of course rainbows and unicorns, but the girls have grown so much in their confidence from this experience.” Ms Clark said. “I can’t wait to see how this adventure shapes their future.” She emphasizes how proud she is of the self-sufficiency she now saw in her daughters.
Deeply Connecting with Others
The family of nomads has shared that they’ve also developed deep friendships and lifelong connections. Some people are from different cultures and of all ages. The girls have been exposed to many things that children living traditional lives may otherwise not get to experience. They’ve met some of these connections through their travels. Additionally, they’ve also made some connections on social media pages where they can plan future travels. “We all share our knowledge, experiences, and must-see places,” Mr. Wright said. “We all end up being friends for life. I never want this experience to end.”
This isn’t the first family of nomads to make this kind of life-changing decision. Life is short, particularly when illness and disease are thrown into the mix. As a result, people have begun shifting their priorities from working hard. They’re now trying to spend as much time with their loved ones as possible. More and more people are packing up their families, becoming nomads, and heading out on a life full of wonder and adventure.
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