Turning 50 has a way of making you pause.
For us, a happily married couple who had spent decades working, commuting, rushing, achieving, raising a family and generally spinning endlessly on life’s hamster wheel, that pause turned into a powerful question:
“What if we didn’t want to wait until retirement to explore the world?”
We weren’t ready (or able!) to fully retire, but after both sadly losing our fathers at a relatively young age we also weren’t willing to spend the next 15 years just waiting for the ‘someday’ when we could travel full-time.
So we got creative (a heavy night on the pop may have helped!).
We wanted freedom, flexibility, adventure, and the chance to chase sunshine and experiences before knees and backs started complaining too much.
And so… we built a new life.
From 9–5 Routine to Seasonal Campsite Wardens
We discovered a world we’d barely known existed
Seasonal campsite warden life.
For 7–8 months each year we help manage a campsite, helping guests, maintaining the grounds, and being part of an outdoor community we’ve grown to love.
It pays the bills, keeps us active, and best of all gives us the ability to fund our winters exploring the wider world.
We work hard during the season, but for us the trade of freedom in winter, time to travel and most importantly to time to live on our terms is worth it.
Why 50 Was the Magic Number
There’s something beautifully rebellious about choosing a new lifestyle at 50.
Society tells you to slow down – We decided to speed up.
Not into stress — but into experience.
We realised:
- bucket lists shouldn’t be stored – they should be lived
- the world will always be big – the question is how often we choose to step into it
- “mid-life” can be the beginning of your wildest chapter
We stopped waiting and started doing.
Winter = Adventure Season
Now, when campsite season ends and others are settling in for winter… we’re loading up our bags, checking flight deals, and heading off again.
Our winters are filled with:
- new countries and cultures
- sunshine (we chase it!)
- language learning
- street food, sunsets, beaches, and mountain paths
- the joy of not knowing exactly what’s next
This balance – work to travel, travel to live – has become our rhythm.
We’re Not Special – We Just Said Yes
We share our story for anyone searching online for inspiration about living differently after 50.
If you’re Googling:
- how to travel more in midlife
- seasonal jobs for couples
- vanlife alternatives
- how to fund travel before retirement
- midlife travel lifestyle
… know that you’re not alone wondering if there’s a different way.
THERE IS
You don’t have to quit everything.
You don’t have to wait for retirement.
You don’t have to be rich.
You just have to choose a path that swaps “someday” for now.
Final Thoughts
We’re still learning, till adjusting, still figuring it out as we go.
But the balance of working as camp wardens to fund winters of travel has given us something money alone never did:
A sense of freedom.
So yes we traded the hamster wheel for a compass.
And 9 years on… it feels like there are many more adventures to be had
If you’ve ever dreamed of taking the leap, however big or small, consider this your sign:
You can design a life that combines both work and wanderlust.
And we’ll see you out there. 🌍✈️
We didn’t hit midlife — we hit the road
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