UPDATE: This GIVEAWAY is now closed. Winners are: Stephanie and Melissa, you will be contacted by email for your signed copy of “Life Outside the Cubicle!”
Did we really thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? It seems like all a dream now – a really, really good dream. But we have our memories, experiences, pictures, videos, friends and overall feeling of badass-ery to show for it. Oh, and slightly larger feet (yes, really – my feet have flattened out a bit, I guess with all that walking I did on them, they really took a pounding). 
The AT was certainly an adventure, but it wasn’t our first foray into the great unknown. Our strategy of valuing experiences over stuff began in 2012, over 5 years ago, when we first started talking about quitting our corporate jobs in Dallas. In June of 2013, we did just that, sold virtually everything we owned, and moved to Costa Rica with just 9 suitcases to our name. It’s ok, you can call us crazy, we certainly felt it and we knew we were taking a risk. But you know what? It turned out to be the best decision! It was so freeing to sell off our unnecessary “stuff.” We felt so light, not being tied down (or mortaged) to anything.
Moving to Costa Rica was a way of starting over, trying to live more simply than we had before in Dallas. We were pretty sure that would have been hard to do staying in Dallas. Why Costa Rica? Well, you can read my book to find out more details, but here is the short answer: –It was a close plane ride to the States, for us to visit our families, –The language is Spanish which we knew a tiny bit of (having lived in Texas), –We heard Costa Ricans were kind to foreigners, –Costa Rica has no army, –Even though the whole country is about the size of West Virginia, it has various different climates to choose from. We settled down in a small coffee farming town in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, and made lots of friends right away (some even before we landed). I started doing yoga, and Sunsets and I both started hiking in the high elevations and mountains surrounding our home. I started baking and cooking a lot more, experimenting with the local produce. I actually ran a small bakery – “Jen’s Bake Shop” – out of my home for a while; baking breads, pastries, and cookies, before I found out it was too much work for too little profit (but it was still fun to actually DO something I’d always thought about!). And eventually, wrote Costa Rica Chica Cookbook. Sunsets got into photography, we were really in the best place to photograph stunning birds, wildlife, sunsets (ahem) and valleys. He also wrote and spoke for International Living. I started making my arm candy (jewelry) 3 months after we had landed there, which grew into a nice little part-time income.
Coffee fields (see the pickers?) in our small town of Grecia.
And we wrote. A LOT. 
By the time we left Costa Rica 4 years later, we had 6 books published between us, 4 of which are/have been Amazon best sellers!
Us with our 6 published books!
Most people know me as an author for my first book Costa Rica Chica, but really the book I’m most proud of is Life Outside the Cubicle. Because, this is my life now! Ever since I had gotten out of the cubicle, my life has exploded with new and exciting possibilities. I now have time to explore myself. Through my blog (Costa Rica Chica), I met many other like-minded people in different walks of life, all doing different (and out of the box) things. In fact, in the book Life Outside the Cubicle, I interview 8 different people who are living outside the “normal” framework of a 9-5 job and how this change has impacted their lives. 
This book can be a motivating factor for those looking for an outside the box lifestyle that allows for freedom to do things (like thru-hike the Appalachian Trail for 6 months).
So, to help with this, I’m doing a GIVEAWAY for a signed “Life Outside the Cubicle” book for TWO (2) lucky winners!
To enter, do the following:
- Comment on this blog post and tell me something you have done or would like to do that is outside the box (it can be ANYTHING)!
- Share this post on your Facebook page (click here to see our FB post to share easily).
- Subscribe to our Blog or YouTube channel or like our Facebook Page (if you’re already subscribed or liked to one of these, thanks!).
That’s it! Cut off is midnight CST on Tuesday, Feb. 6th, USA shipping only. Two (2) winners will be picked and announced on Wednesday, Feb. 7th!
Chicaandsunsets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as well as other affiliate programs. These affiliate advertising programs are designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to applicable products.
I gave up my steady paying job with Godiva to pursue my dream job – working in travel!
That’s awesome! Though do you miss the chocolate??
My husband worked in a paper mill for 26 years. Another company bought the mill and closed it after a couple years. That was in November 2002. I decided to go back to school to make sure we were never in that financial situation again. I worked full time and went to college at night to complete all prerequisites for nursing schoool. I was accepted into nursing school and had to quit my job to go. I graduated from college at 47 years old. I love being a Labor and delivery nurse and bringing newborns into the world. My husband also went to college and now is a Paramedic/FF. I always said we took a leap of faith and built our wings on the way down!
Wow! That is so inspiring! Good for you!!
I went to New York with a Meet Up group. I didn’t know anybody except the leader. I met everyone for the first time when I got to the airport! It was a great trip and I made new friends. My roommate was awesome!
That was very brave! So awesome you had a great time and made cool memories.
I plan on stepping outside the box and doing a AT thru hike on the next few years, despite my middle age lol
Awesome Stephanie, go you!
I am 53 years old, husband is 59. We have a goal to thru hike the AT in 2019, whether that means I will have a job to come back to…. or not 😉 I am becoming less and less afraid of how we will survive without my income. I would LOVVEEE to win your book. Thank you for sharing your adventures and life with us.
It is hard taking a risk like that, was for me in the beginning too, but I KNOW you won’t regret it! Excited for your 2019 thru!!
Well we live in DFW, our dream is to move to CAR and we are hiking the AT in March 2019 with my teenage son. Sound familiar??? ❤️❤️❤️
SO completely excited for you, Estee!!
The hubby and I are in our initial phase of selling our “stuff”, house included, and looking forward to a more adventurous, minimalist lifestyle!
We enjoyed following you and Sunsets on your AT thru hike! Our AT journey is set to begin in March 2020!
I just LOVE hearing this! Selling your stuff and thru-hiking the AT, sooooo cool!
I walked away from a career of 10 years to start the adventure of homeschooling. In two more years having devoted 20 years to this endeavor, our youngest will graduate. What’s next? Perhaps thru hiking the AT.
Wow, kudos and congrats to you!! And yes – THRU HIKE, it will change you!
I have been working as a paramedic for the past 18 years. This last Friday was my last day. I will be heading out, the beginning of April, to thru-hike the AT! I was presented with the opportunity to do this and after some praying and lots of faith, the pieces have fallen into place for this to happen. It’s scary, but in my job I have certainly learned life is short and it needs to lived! I am not an experienced backpacker, but the trail is calling me! I have watched y’all’s videos and it’s given me much inspiration!!
Wow, I can well imagine that job has taught you life is short. Good for you, and excited for your thru hike in April!!!
My hubby and I are working diligently on minimalism and are very close to becoming debt free. We want to thru hike like you and Sunsets did and after that, we want to travel the US in an Airstream.
Wow! Love hearing this, and also think the Airstream travel is very cool.
My hubby recently retired (about a year ago) and we moved from Wisconsin to Tennessee (he didn’t want to shovel snow any more). We hiked 240 miles of the AT last summer and plan to do a lot more this summer. Neither of us thought we would do such a thing, but it was on my bucket list. We even joined a gym to help us be more ready this year. We want to do more traveling within the U.S., too!
That is so awesome, Tina! And I totally understand on the not shoveling snow anymore!!
When I was Media Director of an advertising agency, a lifetime ago, I quit my job in order to “run away to sea” on a very small square-rigged ship and sail to Greenland. Definitely changed my life! 😉
What?? How did I NOT know this! That’s so awesome Arden, what a great adventure and memory. Thinking of you a lot, hope things are going well for you. xo
Thanks Jen! Yes, I’m doing well, thanks so much, Too soon to know how “effective” all my various alternative treatments are, but I feel great so that’s something! Yeah, running away to sea definitely helped prepare me for the move to Costa Rica twenty years later! 😉
xoxo
Glad you’re doing well, so far – will continue to keep you in my thoughts! (and yes, our research and moving to Costa Rica prepared us in a way to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, as well!)… 🙂
Hi Jen,
My husband Jim passed away June 2016. In 2017 I sold the house, kept 3 pieces of furniture, put stuff in storage. March begins my AT thruhike. After that? Possibly buy a van and travel for a bit. Time will tell.
Kris, so sorry your husband passed away. But wow – kudos to you and taking charge of your life and living the way you want to, excited for your thru hike starting SOON! Woot!!
My husband and I completed the Appalachian Trail in 11 months- 2016-2017. It was a life changing experience in many ways. We owe it all to God. My husband is 70 yrs old and I am 60. We are praying for direction on our next “outside of the box” experience. We are trying to downsize at the moment because one of the things we realized was that we can live with a lot less than we have in the past.?♀️
Congrats on your AT hike – wow! I love hearing of others realizing they can live with less and be happier (or happier).
I have not been unemployed since I started working at age 12 and grew up being told that to be unemployed is basically the equivalent of failure (which it is certainly not!).
And here I am, age 24, preparing for my AT thru-hike in 2019! I am ready to give up my full time job to get out on the trail, and come back anew. I went to school for music which I discovered is a deep passion, but not the career for me – so once I return from the trail, I’ll be going back to school to pursue an avenue in psychology with a goal to empower others in any endeavor they choose!
It’s hard when we grow up with that mind set… Funny, I play piano and minored in music in college, because I wasn’t sure how I’d make a living at it, and majored in Psychology! 🙂
I travel around in a short bus stopping to go on long distance hikes! Next up the PCT!
Wow! Go Tracy! I’m in awe of you!
I quit my nursing job in August 2017 after being there for 20 years and became a full time Beekeeper. I make a new living selling bees and honey. It’s been a wonderfully freeing experience. I work harder now physically but I am so much happier. I have less money but who cares. I don’t need half the stuff I used to think was important. Happiest I’ve ever been!!
Wow! This is so cool to hear. I love it – a Beekeeper! The best part – hearing how happy you are. Go you!
We sold our home and furnishings, I left my commercial lending career and became an over the road truck driver with my husband. We’ve never looked back once! We’ve been so fortunate in the type of driving that we do that we’ve been able to travel all over the US and Canada. Not just driving through areas but really getting to immerse ourselves in so many different regions, cities and cultures. We are just starting to get into hiking and backpacking. Our next dream is to keep our gear on the truck and start visiting all the National Parks and start section hiking the AT.
I loved your YouTube videos and I’m looking forward to following your next journey.
So interesting hearing all these things people out there are doing. What a great idea, to drive as a couple around the country (and Canada!), you get to see so much AND be with each other AND earn money. Love that you’re getting into hiking! Keep those dreams alive.
Stepping outside the box will be the day I stand under the Stone Arch then make my way up to Springer Mtn. where I will place my foot next to the Placque and my eyes gaze at the White Blaze the beginning of the AT. For now, each day that goes by the box slowly opens getting me to where my confidence grows and my determination will get me to where I will be successful. Let no box determine your being!
Norma, my friend, you have already stepped outside the box by being such a gracious host to us on our thru, supporter of all we do, and good friend. However, I agree – the Stone Arches – I cannot WAIT for your day to come on the trail, I know you will love it and embrace it as much as we did!
I have you and Greg to thank for your support, kindness and encouragement!
🙂
Hi Chica and Sunsets
This I can say this is a little out of my box. March 14th I’m flying into Atlanta and Survivor Dave is picking me up to bring me to Amicalola Falls Visitor Center. Following your journey has helped inspire me to go for this adventure that I wanted to attempt for more than half my life. Hike your own hike.
Wow, March 14th! So excited for you. Happy trails!
Twenty-three years ago I quit my job in academia and started as an entry level computer programmer. I have no regrets. I moved to Japan with my family for two years and had the experience of a lifetime. My whole family loves day hiking but I haven’t done an overnight backpacking trip since I was a teenager. I have wanted to thru hike the Appalachian Trail since I first read about it in a Reader’s Digest article in 1973. I have hiked day long sections in several states when my job has taken me near the trail. I have to believe I will get to that thru hike.
I enjoyed following your journey as it happened and seeing people near my age being so successful.
That’s so great about your job and Japan! 1973, that’s awesome, you WILL get to that thru-hike someday, plan for it and make it happen! Cheers.
Have enjoyed your blog and videos very much. Could you post a video on how you used the Lineloc 3’s with your tent and fly?
Thanks
Journeyman
Hi journeyman, there is a short video clip re: the line Loc3 in this blog post (toward the end) – http://appalachiantrailtales.com/5-pieces-of-gear-that-can-save-your-sanity/