Venturing out to Colorado, I had this image in my head of a very rugged people….people who used horses and 4 wheelers as a main source of transport. The idea of mini coopers, bmw’s and hybrids just didn’t gel with my perception of the terrain. You can imagine my surprise and utter dissapointment when I found out otherwise. I suppose the dissapointment was directed more at my own ignorance, but the vehicular landscape of the mile high city held within it, some interesting nuances. 
To be expected, there are a good amount of jeeps, 4×4’s and wagons. There are even mercs, beemers and all the cars in between. If you really want to blend though and shout to the world, “I am a mountee and I love the earth!!!”….you drive a Subaru…with many roof racks…and bumper stickers ( of the “save the world” persuasion).
Its true…the rest of the country might only see a smattering…yes…a a smattering of the all wheel drive granola powered autos, but here, there is a bonified epidemic happening. Now, I searched for the sales stats to no avail but i think its safe to say that at any given moment if you take note of passers by, one in 5 is driving an outback or impreza (with a beard….or large dog poking through the rear windows).
Its a natural evolution when you consider the relationship. Subaru’s have a history for reliability, durability and versatility for climates where 4 wheel drive is a necessity. So, they fit a niche here and the people are pleased. I for one, am happy with this. I’ve always considered the brand to be understated and happy with that distinction. On a side note, Volvo wagons also have staked their claim amongst the locals. Nice to see the old 240 tearin up the slopes. Hail the Ho-Vo!!!
eat granola,
adam
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Intentionally and incrementally. Most families who live this way did not leap from conventional to adventurous overnight. They built remote work capacity, paid down debt, tested longer trips, and had increasingly honest conversations about what they actually want from their lives. The leap feels bigger from outside than from inside.
Different for every family. For some it is long-term travel. For others it is weekend adventures close to home. What connects them is intentionality about how time is spent and a preference for experiences over accumulation. The version that fits your family is the right one.
By finding stability within the adventure rather than treating them as opposites. Routines, rituals, and family rhythms travel with you. Familiar foods, bedtime routines, and predictable family dynamics provide stability even when the location changes. Kids need consistency in relationships more than consistency in geography.
That people are fundamentally similar across cultures in what they want for their families. That comfort zone is a smaller circle than it feels from inside. That the things worth having in life require effort and discomfort to get. And that time together doing hard interesting things is the most reliable source of family closeness.
By getting clear on why you made the choices you made and returning to that clarity when the outside noise gets loud. Most families living unconventionally describe an initial period of explaining themselves that gradually gives way to just living the life. The explaining becomes less necessary as the results become visible.
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I live in Portland, Oregon, and they are so common here (along with Volvos) that they have a regional markup in value. And yes, I own a Subaru…as do about 75% of all my friends. And it comes with roof and bike racks, and sports a few "granola-ish" style bumper stickers! 🙂