From Carpool Captain to World Explorer: My Empty Nest Awakening

By Cpt CLRogerson

It happened on a Tuesday. My youngest son got his driver’s license, and just like that, I was out of a job, or at least, out of that job. After two decades of juggling work, school runs, sports practices, and the organized chaos of raising three incredible kids, the engine idled. I wasn’t needed for drop-offs anymore. I wasn’t needed at all hours. I had time.

And with that time came freedom.

I’ve always had wanderlust in my veins. But between careers and kids, travel was something I fit into long weekends or the occasional well-earned vacation. The kind of travel I craved, the kind with salt air in your lungs, unfamiliar streets beneath your feet, or distant horizons just beyond the bow—always seemed just out of reach.

Until it wasn’t.

Since 2017, I’ve been charting a new course, literally. With my kids growing into their own adult lives, I’ve taken full advantage of the freedom that comes with the empty nest. From Mediterranean sailing adventures to road trips across the U.S., I’ve traded the 9-to-5 grind and school calendars for new cultures, new friends, and new ports of call.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t just a story about me. It’s about a life stage that no one really prepares you for. When the last kid leaves the house, there’s a silence that sets in—and with it, an opportunity.

Some people fill it with hobbies or house projects. Me? I filled it with miles. Ocean miles, air miles, and plenty of road miles.

This blog—CLRogerson.travel—is my way of sharing that journey, not just to inspire, but to guide others who are ready to trade carpool duty for carry-ons, and PTA meetings for passport stamps.

Whether you’re newly free or just dreaming about your next chapter, I’m here to help you navigate the shift. You’ll find destination stories, travel tips, lifestyle advice, and the occasional sailor’s tale—all with one goal in mind: helping you build a life that’s more adventure, less obligation.

Because the second half of life isn’t about slowing down. It’s about showing up, fully, wildly, and unapologetically.

See you out there.

CL

About Cpt CLRogerson
After a long career in healthcare leadership and a longer tour as a devoted dad of three, Cpt CLRogerson is now a full-time travel consultant, boat captain, and full-on adventure junkie. He splits his time between exploring the world and helping others design their own dream escapes. When he’s not planning trips or plotting courses, you’ll find him somewhere on the water, in the mountains, or already thinking about the next great voyage.

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