About Nick

I am a nomad and have always had a keen interest in learning about different cultures, attitudes, and beliefs.  Having grown up in a conservative family in the Midwest, I always yearned to understand the larger world outside of my working-class community.  Income and opportunities were always in short supply, but it never stopped me from dreaming about the larger world.  After graduating from high school, I did not attend college, but chose to work in a factory.  While working at Gunite, I used my first solo vacation to visit a friend in Seattle.  Choosing to take the Amtrak train was, arguably, the (third) best decision that I ever made in my life.  It was a three-day (northern) run from Elkhart to Seattle and 3 1/2 day run coming back.  Given that amount of time on a train,  I spent a lot of time viewing the scenery and just talking to people from all areas of the country.   It was an eye-opening experience, in that, I was out of my comfort zone, yet feeling the closest thing to absolute freedom, all at the same time.  I became hooked and have been traveling steady ever since.

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 I met Mary Frances at Ball State University in 1989 and fell in love immediately.   We moved to North Carolina for her to pursue a PhD at Duke University and married in 1990.   I (after transfer) finished my undergrad at North Carolina State University with a major in psychology and minor in sociology in 1992.   I then completed a master’s of social work at University of North Carolina in 1994.   After graduating, we moved to Philadelphia.  I worked in the mental health field and she became a professor at UPenn’s Wharton Business School.   Her job afforded many opportunities for us to travel all over the world; so, I eventually gave up mental health field.   We bought into Agonswim in 2000 and I started working from home.  The career shift allowed us to travel freely because I could work anywhere in the world.   Mady was born in 2000 and Max in 2003; so, we just put handles on their backs and took them with us.   I have been to over 100 countries but have spared MFL and the kids from enduring the full load.   Thus, I do not mind traveling solo (sometimes) and appreciate her for allowing me to pursue my passion.
I have always dreamed about driving the Pan-American highway because it always sounded like a grand adventure.  I have floated the idea over the years, but no one seemed interested in going with me (especially MFL).  I just decided to do it myself and started planning a few years ago.  With the help of my brother-in-law (Joe), who built a car from a rusted frame, I finally cemented my dream.  My plan is to hit central Mexico’s colonial towns with its rich history and culture.  I want to feel and experience everyday life in Mexico, while surrounded by some of the oldest buildings and sites in North America.  While I was planning this first part of the trip, I received an unexpected phone call from a friend.  Rick Staelin expressed an interest in joining me for part of the journey, which was immediately welcomed.  I am elated to have such an esteemed fellow traveler join me.  Thus, I will be meeting him in Guatemala and finishing in Panama.  Rick probably does not know what he is getting into, according to MFL.   Regardless, I will drop him at airport in Panama City and then drive to Costa Rica to leave the car with my old college roommate, Eric Jackson.  I will fly home from San Jose with thoughts about the next grand adventure…the best place I have ever been, is always the next place I am going!