Corcis

I'm curious to know, too. Been living here for four years and want to tour the coast sometime this summer or next. But, we should probably move to another thread...

staehpj1

Good luck with that. I was in more or less the same boat last year and was surprised to find that my employer was supportive. As a result, my job was waiting when I got back.

teacherbill

Teaching at the middle school level for about 30 years. Currently assignment is TV production and multimedia development. Been doing the later since 2001 (I think.) Sometimes I commute to work and go for a ride on the way home. School is only 4 or 5 miles from the house but for some reason the odometer always ends way over 25 miles traveled per day. Live in the flat-land of Florida but have visions of riding the BRP from Cherokee to Front Royal, Va then home in time for school to start....

Bill

invisiblehand

Former academic who now does micro-simulation models for the Feds.

rfjirsa

Ditto, except for the manager part.

quester

I'm going w/ ACA in September. This year, for the first time, they are going all the way basically from border to border. Presumably this just follows their maps, but I haven't received any detailed information yet.

blueskytheory

environmental/public entity lawyer--well, once i pass the bar in a couple months just a lowly research clerk right now

flyingcadet

For the next 12 months, Professional Student working on my BS in Electrical Engineering. After that, most likely 6 months of unemployment (a trend I've noticed with our graduates).

Then I get a job, somewhere.

flyingcadet

VeloVeg

It's great to see the mix of professions. My first tours were taken when I was on staff at a small New England college. Summers were very flexible. Some 25 years later, I am a nutrition and lifestyle consultant for a California medical practice and my wife and I have our own business (self-employed). Next carreer--international bicycle tourist/journalist/photographer--hopefully, in this lifetime!

roseyscot

I'm kind of hoping/expecting the same kind of reaction from my employer. aside from the financial investment they've made to train and support me, i won't "cost" them anything during this leave and i have been a responsible, valued employee during my 2+ years with the company. i am not going to be asking for insurance or money when i take my tour. i'll have 3.5 weeks of vacation to use towards my leave so i'm really only asking for 4 weeks of unpaid leave.

the problem is that i really don't want my same job when i come back, but i won't tell them that now. there are other positions in the company that i would look into when i come back.

FlyingAnchor

Teacher at a private school, retired Navy, wife works as a drafter drafting retaining walls.

I like having the summer months off and this year I get to fulfill a dream of biking from Florida to Califorinia along a convoluted route.

This is the first time in my life where I can afford (more or less something like this.

Neat thread.

Steven

metzenberg

Internet Warrior

That's the joke title on my business cards.

I am 51 years old. I was in a couple of the right places at the right times through the technology and Internet boom years. I developed a popular commerce website. I work a few days each month as a director.

Instead of a Porsche, I bought a Moots.

Mark Turner

When I toured down the coast from Bellingham I just took off from my front door and rode to the Keystone Ferry, camped at Fort Worden on the other side, then headed down Hood Canal, over to Aberdeen, south to the Astoria bridge, and on down 101 as far as Bandon. That was 660 miles in 11 days. I'd just gotten laid off from a day job at WWU and thought the ride would help me figure out what to do next. No grand vision appeared, but I had a good time. That was 1993.

Machka 

Except for all the blue collar professions. Where are all the factory workers, labourers, truck drivers, construction workers, oil riggers, etc., etc.??

Juggler2

I am a retired beast of burden.

spinner

Retired professional thrill seeker.Am a power lineman for an electrical utility. A fair bit of overtime allows for a fair bit of extra time off.

teacherbill

Probably still working or too tired, too worn-out, etc.

vhf 34

I'm in school working on completing the welding program at the local tech, have one year left after this semester is over, after I finish at the tech I plan on getting certified as an underwater welder, right now I work at a sub shop making and delivering sandwiches, live a very minimal and simple lifestyle right now and don't really ever plan on changing that. I'm able to save enough money during school months to take as many bike trips as I want during the summer months, I only make about 15,000 a year but thats more then I need. cash tips help a lot and I can save up my paychecks for a few months no sweet and just deposit a few grand all at once(hehe) my tips for saving money are don't eat out unless its absolutely socially necessary, buy your beer at the liqueur store instead of at the bar!! and don't give into credit cards!!
and remember to tip your delivery drivers well! were taking it all the way to your doorstep/office! not just from the kitchen to your table
p.s.
I consider myself anything but "blue-collar"

foamy

My hat is off to you. Every time the weather is at it's worst—when nobody in their right mind wants to be outside—you get the call to go out and play with a gazillion volts of electricity. Whatever it is they pay you; I'm sure it's not enough.

J B Bell

Unix systems administrator. Or if you like, "I work with computers."

I got my BA in Justice Studies last year as a part of my exit plan from a career that anymore I find toxic. Then I got an inheritance unexpectedly, and one thing led to another in my bike obsession, till I somehow considered it sane to ride 3,000 km. When I get back, I'm looking for a more human-services, govt., or mediation-type job. I'll probably go for certification as a Nonviolent Communication instructor, and if the potentials aren't too attractive I might return to school for a Masters in Conflict Analysis and Management. Or a teaching certificate. Basically I'm shooting for ABC--Anything But Computers.

Erick L

Weather observer here. It's giving me a lot of trouble. They want us to be trained like air traffic controllers (ok, a bit of exageration) but pay Wal-Mart's wage. That means we're often short-staffed. We're open 24/7 with only 4 employees. For the better and worse, I get a bit more to patch the holes. I had to cut time on all my longer trips and spent the entire summer 2007 at work (3 employees from may to oct). When full-staffed, I work long hours so I have longer "week-ends" and do short trips. This year is looking very good so far for the long trip. I should be able to take 47 days off. There's also a good chance we lose the contract in june 2009 (to a lower bidder... or a machine ). I use this as a deadline to save money for a year-long trip.

Shemp

City Manager. Doesn't afford for long breaks unfortunately. I used to be able to sneak in 2 week stretches when I was the Asst City Manager, but alas those days are gone.

snusmumriken

I don't have a profession and I don't intend to get one. I have many reasons for this. Lazyness is not one. My great passion for life and learning is.

In a few years, I imagine moving out into the countryside to lead a simple and largely self-sufficient life. Having a profession does not help much, but being versatile does. Hopefully I will be part of a community (or a village). Makes things easier and more social.

Currently I am "working" in a kindergarten. I play eight hours each day (great fun) and they pay me a ****load of money. The children like it, I like it, my boss likes it. Everyone's happy.

genericbikedude

UN Bureaucrat

Old Hammer Boy

You read my journal, didn't you????