David Shipman on Running Away with the Circus

While travel is a luxury that comes along once a year for most of us, a lucky few spend their lives seeing the world. For David Shipman, his job has taken him to all 48 contiguous United States. Four years ago, he ran away with the circus and has been performing across the country as the Ringling Brothers ringmaster ever since.

“The travel is one of the best part of the job,” Shipman said. “I live and travel on a circus train – most people don't know that the Ringling Bros. still travels by train. There's something incredibly romantic about traveling the country in such a traditional way. I get to see America's backyard.”

Luckily for us, we get to see it with him. Shipman documents all his adventures on Instagram from his train car. Perhaps running away with the circus isn’t such a bad idea.

 

Just one of the many beautiful things we get to experience while on the #RinglingBros circus train. #CircusXtreme #california #coast #beautiful

A photo posted by David Shipman (@itsdavidshipman) on Aug 10, 2015 at 1:55pm PDT

 

W A N D E R L U S T #happyplace #beautiful #photography

A photo posted by David Shipman (@itsdavidshipman) on Jun 7, 2015 at 1:31pm PDT

 

Yesterday I went chasing waterfalls, I didn't just stick to the rivers and the lakes that I'm used to. #myhappyplace #wanderlust #adventure #connecticut #kentfalls #travel #TLC #waterfall

A photo posted by David Shipman (@itsdavidshipman) on May 11, 2016 at 9:03am PDT

 

I mean, come on. I was gobsmacked. Just...wow. #antelopecanyon #grandcanyon #arizona #page #unbelievable

A photo posted by David Shipman (@itsdavidshipman) on Jun 22, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

 

New Orleans, I adore you.

A photo posted by David Shipman (@itsdavidshipman) on Jul 8, 2016 at 4:33pm PDT