Ted,

I agree with your vision and find you are very consequent with your thoughts. You are determined to channel your needs, instead of capitulating.

This need of total freedom is how you see things and life now, but that may voluntarily change, let’s say if you are about to become a father and suddenly your priority in life is stability and a regular income. IMO getting now ready for that eventuality would be a smart move. Fit long-term needs with the very short-term ones.

Thus, finding a job now won’t really fix the situation, but just postpone it. You’ll save, leave to travel and come back broke… and older it will be harder. Actually, your question is about one temporary but more stable job, not about gardening, fixing a bike and painting a wall in a single day, but working 8 hours a day for 9 months in the same place to save. Sounds actually like some sort of stability.

That’s why I think it would be good to build a clear working profile, the core of your CV. And focus on being proficient on that job, for a long term approach. Any other knowledge will be welcome; it will make the difference in your interview. Your needs: something not boring (as working behind a desk); reasonably paid to jump off and travel (or pay the kids’ toys and education one day); with high and constant demand; and preferably something you can do anywhere in the world, beyong regulations and probably languages. I had also thought about WELDING, so great you mention it: procedures are very universal and there’s demand everywhere. And if for some reason you really need top dollar, you can always do it for a while in “extreme places” (oil rigs, artic mines, etc).

However, being you, I’d try to have another clear/possible profile, maybe more “short-term”, just in case you get bored of welding, but with more or less the same conditions (2 separate CVs to swap depending on your need). As others said, you are a native English speaker, so you may go for Teacher of English as a foreign language, just study to get properly ready for it. For years I’ve being teaching Spanish once a week just for pleasure, and enjoy it a lot. I would try it. And in many places they kill to have natives (or even Western or foreigners) to teach them.

I hope it helps. Good luck,

Esteban

PS: Any place to read about the Yukon kayak trip?