The Risk is Worth the RewardLeaving behind a job, a house, and even an animal seems like an almost impossible feat for some people to do, but that is exactly what the Switchback Kids did to pursue their dream. Cole and Elizabeth Donelson, otherwise known as the Switchback Kids, spoke about their idea to visit all the national parks in America, the risks they took when beginning the trip, their everyday experiences on the trip, and the daily routines they miss. The Switchback Kids came up with the idea of their voyage to all the national parks while hiking and both thought it would be amazing. Cole said, “We were just in Kansas City working for two years and hiking in a city park after a long winter, just day-dreaming. Then I said to Elizabeth, ‘I’ve always wanted to go to all the national parks.’ ” This was the sentence that eventually evolved into the Donelsons creating the Switchback Kids. They both loved the idea and wanted to start as soon as possible. Elizabeth said, “After we had a feel of where and how many parks there were, we started making our route.” The Donelsons knew that the trip was not going to be easy after discovering how many parks there are and the location of them. They had a detailed plan for the money they could spend, the places they would stay, and even for the weather they might encounter. Even though Cole and Elizabeth had a plan, they realized the trip had potential risks. Cole stated, “The risk of opportunity cost, by risking a job for a year.” Dropping their jobs and putting both their lives on pause would be an extremely large risk. The Switchback Kids have no guarantee of having a job when returning back to St. Louis. They plan to hopefully have jobs after their trip ends. They also risk running out of money and not being able to finish the trip. Elizabeth said, “Not finishing the trip and other things just sit in the back of your head, and you hope for the best.” Disasters might occur that could end their trek sooner than they plan to, but they have not encountered any thus far. They are currently completing the second leg of their voyage, but every day they think back to all the chances they are taking. Though there are many risks, the experiences they are receiving while visiting the parks and spending time together seem to be well worth it to them. They have learned to live with each other for just about every minute of every day and seem to be doing a phenomenal job of keeping their sanity. Because they are together at all times, they get to experience the joy of conquering each park together. Elizabeth said, “We get a sense of accomplishment everyday; most people can’t say that.” That statement lets people know one of the many reasons that the Donelsons want to keep their year-long trip alive. Cole said, “What’s really fun, too, is getting to see people that have moved around the country.” What he means by this statement is that while traveling around the country they get to meet up with childhood friends or people that have moved away. Last but not least, the views that they see are so beautiful that they make them even more excited to experience each of these parks. Although the Donelsons get to enjoy the views and catching up with old friends, they still encounter many thoughts and acts that they miss from their old lives. Sometimes, they miss being able to lay down in their beds at night or having a place to call home. Cole said, “Sometimes I do struggle with living out of the car, because the car gets very messy, as if a tornado hit it.” Living out of a car for a week would make most people go crazy, let alone living in a car for a year! Elizabeth said, “I miss being a normal person.” She proceeded to speak of how she missed cooking and other domestic acts. One major act that Elizabeth misses is something that most people take for granted. She longs to to be at her house and get dressed up in nice clothes. They miss all of this, but they are willing to go without their house, television, and other wants in order to accomplish one of their dreams. They push through all these feelings of sadness from missing a normal life to not only get their satisfaction but to motivate others. Cole said, “What keeps us going is that people are inspired and want to visit parks that we go to.” The Switchback Kids love to see the effects they have on people's lives. They are motivating people to pursue their dreams. Cole also added, “We have to prove that we aren't just some bums, and that we actually have a purpose.” They want to prove that they can make a difference in the lives of others by showing them the risks are worth the rewards. Works Cited Donelson, Cole, and Elizabeth Donelson. "The Swtichback Kids." Online interview. 19 Oct. 2015. |