About
Sometimes I feel like the only kid my age who still wants to play
What is Vagabonding Life?
The History
This website is the evolution of Vagabonding Begins, my old vagabonding travel blog which I started on Bootsnall.com way back in December 2005.
So for the last 6+ years after my refusal to contribute any more to society, I have shared my adventures, my fears, my injuries, and even some of my personal feelings with complete strangers. Maybe not such a good idea on paper, but this blog has been more rewarding than I ever thought possible. I have seen new friendships, opportunities, and paths pop up because of Vagabonding Begins. I’m in it too deep to stop now!
Escaping the cubicle
After 8+ years of working as an IT engineer for one of the most vile corporations in America, I managed to save enough money, sell my house and my things, and unplug myself from the Matrix before being consumed.
Sure, I miss things like the camaraderie, luxuries such as a steady paycheck, and knowing that the IRS isn’t hiring soldiers of fortune to look for me…but the trade for life freedom was worth it.
Since 2005, I have been showing people that anything is possible, that there is a door left open in the giant Rat Race maze, and that there is always the hope of escape. The best part…?
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE RICH!
Who?
My name is Greg Rodgers. I’m only famous in small nudist circles and I didn’t make it rich selling widgets on the internet. I’m just a guy that made a big life change and managed to find a new path to happiness. I want to share that path with people that know there has to be more to life than accumulating junk.
I no longer own a place to live in the U.S. My home is anywhere that my backpack is, and even while in my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, I still feel like a visitor. I am more or less someone just passing through.
I am forever doomed and blessed to travel the forgotten places all over this world; paradise island or malaria dunghole — I want to see them all.
Vagabonding
My first and only mission of this new blog is to share what daily life is like while vagabonding, whether on the road or working in between trips. I want to share the reality with people who are looking for the truth about a life of travel — not the chocolate covered, life-is-perfect, Travel Channel version. Waking up every day someplace new where people, plants, and things may want to kill you isn’t always like a day at Disney World, but I wouldn’t trade the freedom for anything.
There are enough blogs with top-10 lists, linkbait articles, and stories of budget travelers teaching orphans in Cambodia or selling how-to-get-rich ebooks on their blogs. Sure, whales and orphans are great things — but to be honest, some days you just get your ass kicked by the road. Those are the days you probably won’t read about in Lonely Planet; that is where I step in.
Travel has left marks on my heart, mind, and even body. I am a firm believer that any experience is good experience, and so I have tried to share all these life changes with my readers. If you are an old reader, then welcome back and thank you for sticking with me. If you are here for the first time, then welcome, friend.
May there always be a road.
My homepage is http://www.gregoryrodgers.com
Contact Me!
I love hearing from anyone reading, travelers – both future and present. It feels good to know that I’m not alone.
Please “like” my new vagabonding Facebook page!
Email: bucho_ky@yahoo.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bucho_ky
Skype: bucho_ky
StumbleUpon: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/bucho-ky
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Kentucky, USA
Wow! Nice new and sleek digs you’ve got here Greg.
Congrats!
heyy
greeting from india…i m also quitting my cubicle soon mate!!
thanks for the inspiration!
Roshan
Hey I love your blog. I don’t have anything else really to say, but it’s a wonder that it isn’t number one in the search engines.
Good to see theres other people out there on the road, keep up the free life matey, where did you take the background pic and wheres the gallery?
nice work
Cheers!
Great site! Your story is very inspiring! I went into corporate immediately after graduating from university, and I’m currently on my third year working for a multinational. But I really dream of one day being able to do what you did and leave everything behind to travel. I just need to pluck up the courage to do it! Any advice?
Sites like yours continue to inspire my wife and I to escape the cubicle and head out onto the open road!
Hi!
I just want to share one thing—
Most probably you might also have experienced this feeling; most of the times it is not the destination that we reach in traveling that is existing , it the traveling itself. The ever ending change in space and time that is exciting.To walk in places where none intrudes.
WOW! feeling when I think about it.
Dear Greg,
You’re my inspiration! You trully are! God keeps you safe no matter where you are and what situation you’re in. Will see you somewhere, someday!
Greg,
How fortuitous that you found me on Twitter. You’re several years ahead of me, but here I am currently working on unplugging from the NA template.
We’ll see what happens. Meanwhile, I’d love to link to your blog and feel free to link mine, however no pressure to, only if it suits the intent of your site.
Cheers!
Hey Greg,
I’ve known about your other site, Start Backpacking for awhile now but only stumbled onto your blog today. Great stuff! You’re not the only ‘big kid’ who still wants to play. I’ve been doing the same for years now with no end in sight.
Glad to have found you!
Kirsty
You are an inspiration! Thanks for following me on twitter because you definitely piqued my curiosity when I saw your bio. You are living my dream and I too, aspire to doing the very same thing, however, vagabonding throughout Europe! I just subscribed to your site as well so I don’t miss one of your exciting journeys! God’s speed to you in all your travels and much success!!!
I love your blog. I would love to become a carefree gypsy one day. Your blog inspires me and allows me to escape through your writing. Thanks.
Greg, Good luck on your adventure: RoadWarriors360 is for everyone who likes travel and adventure. Travelers & Vagabonds: road trips, travel and world travelers. Locally or all seven continents. Become a free member. Join our Facebook fan club page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/RoadWarriors360
Congratulations on breaking out of corporate America and doing what most people only ever dream of. It’s a shame most people don’t follow their dreams and instead let their fears control them. I’m in the fortunate position of being a freelance web designer so I can work from pretty much anywhere I can connect to the internet. I’m not constantly on the road, my own preference is to really get to know places better, which is why I spent 6 months living in Cusco and then 8 months in Iquitos in Peru. Currently back in the UK for awhile but I’m heading back to Peru soon because I really love that place, but I hope to see a lot more of South America next year.
great story and great philosophy mate. i did the same thing back in 2006 and have never looked back since. It’s not always easy but it’s always awesome!
Really awesome blog. Travel is a passion of mine as well, and since opening my own business (in my other passion–fragrance) I don’t have the chance or finances to travel anywhere for more than a night (or two). It’s great to see another person pursue their dream, especially one numerous others would love to attempt. Thanks for allowing us to live vicariously!! I look forward to your posts and tweets.
Right on, dude. Here’s our take:
http://www.singledudetravel.com/2011/02/how-to-free-yourself-geographically/