Traveling the open road and finding freedom living in different places across the states. Home is where we roam. Checking out different towns, cities and countrysides taking in the atmostphere of each. Exploring nature and expanding our grasp of the beautiful lands around us.
Foggy Morning
Woke up to a thick blanket of fog, no sunrise to be had. Drank morning coffee standing up since the layer of clouds occupied all the seats outside. Couldn’t see the street or any buildings other than the dock house. Water was a dark void, still as glass. Past daybreak the sun started to play against the high-rise windows.
Of course my favorite subjects to take photos of, the birdies.
What was in that coffee? Or as one of our fellow boat dwellers had to ask, what was in my “bowl” this morning?
An unexpected place to call home
After years of working and saving, (and a little loving convincing) we finally made a significant purchase to fulfill a tiny little
dream. A 1991, 28ft Hunter sailboat. Willow is her name, she was perfect. Not quite what we originally intended, and with only a few minor flaws, she felt right for what we needed. A caring former owner, clean enough and ready to be used. We slowly started to move it, took a few free sailing lessons from the seller and started getting to know her ropes.
The marina she sat in was not too keen on allowing the transferring of slips to new owners, we had no particular place in mind to anchor her, but as we live free as the wind this was not that big of an issue. So, one day we planned to test out a few places nearby and see where we might want to stash the old gal. When fueling up and getting some ice at the dock, we happen to just ask out of curiosity about the availability of slips, by a stroke of luck the right person chimed in and asked what size, says “oh yeah i think we do have one opening for that size now” by the end of the day we had an appointment for inspection and paperwork filled out to rent a slip.
Saint Petersburg Florida. A city we had never been to prior to shopping for a boat. Nice touristy downtown area, clean, walking distance to loads of restaurants, shopping, and grocery stores. We figure why not stay for a while, stay off the road for just a little bit. Relax.
Several weeks off, miles of walking and exploring, meeting tons of new neighbors, eventually we have to make money. So off and on we go, few weeks gone, this isn’t working. New job time. Better schedule, three-day weekends, this will work. It’s been years since we’ve been able to “go home”. We get to spend time at home again. It’s a nice change. Home doesn’t have to last forever, but for now, this is home.
Fast forward a year later, we are still here. Still just enjoying life on the water. We may not take her out too often, but I can’t say
enough about how grateful we’ve been to be here. After a rough hurricane season, some high anxiety and almost having to say goodbye, we (Willow included) have survived another chapter. So for the meantime, we decided to stay and continue our current situation. Try our hand at some more repairs, get her sails up again during sailing season, and having some open water adventures.
Willow purcahsed September 2023, survived hurricane Milton October 2024
It has been a long, long road
Said goodbye to the moody northwest beaches of Washington state, crossed the mountains. Hit up a few roadside hikes and scenic points across the country. Visited family along the way, landing after nearly a full month in the bright white beaches of southeast Florida. What a drastic change. Another chapter in the journey of life was done.
After a few days of pure play time, as all have to have in the sometimes sad world, it was time to find a means of income. A travel job… well that’s right up our alley. First assignment in Tampa, big city but hey beaches not far. Few weeks later we are going where? Connecticut? What is in Connecticut? Wonder how long that set of projects will be? The work assignment was better for sure. Definitely a few unexpected months bouncing around New England, few weeks or a few days at each hotel, but hey not the worst way to travel on a company dime.
From Late 2021
Messages
When the world starts dropping hints to move on, you move on.
As exactly 2 years pass by, another chapter coming to an end, decided to open up the laptop for some keyboard action. This first statement started as a draft, exactly 2 years ago. Strange how things fall into place sometimes. But boy did we move on, and on, again. Let a few things in our path lead us to unexpected places. Had a few setbacks, things literally falling apart, but nothing that didn’t eventually lead to something better. Learning to let the small, less important problems in life go, is one of the best life choices you might make.
It might not be the advice of others, or some online influencer that send a message, but the subtle roadblocks or open opportunities that arise out of the blue that are often the loudest hints to move on. The path is endless, but you might never know what’s around the corner until you move on.
World of Tidepools (Part II)
This cloudy day did not disappoint our curiosities. The smallest things are often the most interesting if you take the time to slow down and zoom in on what’s below.
Rocky ancient looking creatures chitons are a common find. They do not often stick out and appear more like fossils than living creatures.
Most would easily fit in your hand, except the largest variety the gumboot chiton, you can see where it gets it’s name. and yes it’s larger than your boot.
It’s a rough life living on the edge of the world. These pools will only stay calm for a while. This little blood star has probably had a few hard days with those little scarred arms.
Time to go in before the waves return. See what we find on the next visit. See ya!
World of tidepools (Part I)
Walking the edge of two colliding worlds. Waiting for the tide to temporarilly subside long enough to poke around a unique world of strange creatures and mini landscapes. A facinating change from the usual land dwelling friends we live around. A single cloudy afternoon during a week of heavy rain and wind would turn out to be prime conditions for taking a peak into this exposed underwater world.
One of the main things we will find are sea anemones, common on the PNW coast. With a few different sizes and colors they seem more like something from a sci fi world. Although they appear more like a flower when under a pool, these little preditors wait patiently for something meaty to tickle those little sticky appendages and pull it in for a meal.
We got curious and brushed a stick against one. It got stuck and pulled the stick inward. After it realized the stick was not in fact food, the appendages seem to loose their grip. After a second brush with the stick it stayed halfway stuck to itself but was no longer interested in our non edible offering. Perhaps smarter than a sticky looking rock creature would appear.
As we explore we do try and tread lightly along the rocks, as we may seem like giants but are bound to squish a few things along the way. What else can we see next?
The Coast is Calling
There is something about the ocean that keeps pulling us toward it. Being on the coast is like standing at the edge of a world we barely understand. Even those that dive, surf, or sail around the world have only expeirenced a small fraction of what thrives below the surface. Seeing the power of the waves that shape the edge, often carving out layers of the land and revealing features and reminents of the past. Staring out along the edge of constant motion, yet the water and land seem to dance in place. A dance accompanied by the deep roaring rumble of the waves and smooth rustle of beach pebbles rolling back and forth.
Sometimes a silent call, sometimes a loud one. When and how will you answer? I’ll answer from the land. Strolling the line where these two massive worlds naturally collide and creature a unique world within itself.
Join next time for a tidepool adventure!
Basic Van Dwelling Needs
A basic subject that comes up in Van, RV, or tiny home life is where do you have all your stuff? Well first off, you simple have less stuff. After some long thoughts and life re-evaluations everything just had to go. Decided what we couldn’t live without, packed up and drove away. Most things will be replaced as we went along.
A comfortable bed. Must have a cozy place to sleep. An inexpensive foam type mattress does the trick, and foam can be custom cut to fit to how you make a bed inside any vehicle. Cannot have too many blankets and pillows either.
A vehicle in good running condition. Even though we are not blazing through miles of the country yet keeping our location options open was a must. The better it runs the more miles it can roam.
Good walking shoes. Blisters are no fun. But every foot is different, some of us get lucky and our feet will be happy with a cheap pair of tennies. Wildlife and mountian folk could care less about the fashion on your feet. Still for the girls a fun pair of sloshers for the beach, rain, or snow does make you feel more fancy.
A shower, well there’s lots of ways to take care of this. Gym membership for starters, community centers, good swimming holes, a gallon of water in an inconsipicuous place, occational campsites. So for now we go without. (And back to shoes, shower flip-flops are not a bad idea.) And yes we roam with no toilet for moment as well. Think about it this way, where do you go to the bathroom when on vacation? At work? Out shopping? Out to dinner? It’s way easier than we had thought. Plus, no cleaning a bathroom or dealing with RV black tanks, been there dont that. A lot a van dwellers poop in a bag in a bucket which haven’t had to do that one just yet.
Power! We started small, haven’t needed to upgrade just yet either. A portable lithium battery (our is a Jackery, wonderful product if you go shopping for one) we simply charge from the van when driving. Amazing, a van can drive you to work, take you on vacation, be your home, and provide you power. The option of adding solar pannels is a good possiblility as well.
Mounts, bungie cords, hooks, ropes, whatever you need to hold things in place, hang up a towel or jacket. Can’t have stuff bouncing around your home all the time, and floor or counter space just doen’t exist much anymore. All kinds of hooks or cords will become your best friend. Everything will rattle and shake, and break over time so keep that in mind if the home is on wheels. Letting that worry go will however make backroads way more fun!
Organization! This isn’t a thing but where and what you store things in becomes an issue. Rearanging was a battle at first, and still is. But becomes easier once you figure out which items you grab most often and when. Even in a small drawer you have to pack tight the most often reached for items will stay toward the front. Oh and those canvas storage cubes stay put pretty darn well. (Cabinet and drawer latches in the RV didn’t always last long, and plastic drawers flew out on bad corners more than once) A little mess in a house can be a major issue inside a small space.
Stickers. Yes stickers, or magnets. It’s like a must have collection for nomads in general. As a kid I started my travel collection with hat pins, then added the magnets, and have now started keeping an eye out for stickers. But for van life stickers will stick and stay anywhere.
Cookware. One. Whatever it is you prefer to use you only need the one. No you don’t need 3 sizes of skillets you need one. Found that spatulas and spoons are better without the slits in them, solid clean surface is way easier to clean. Having certian dishes is a preference. Paper plates are just fine but I still prefer a sturdy plastic bowl for soup or cereal.
Cold food storage. Try not to skimp on an ice chest. But there is a lot of brands cheaper than a yeti. I do kinda miss the RV fridge, but a regular house fridge I don’t. Looking foward to trying out a plug in travel cooler soon as well.
Anything else you have a question about? There are so many youtube video reviews of travel related products there can be lots of decisions to make on what you need. But seriously the best advise I ever heard and wish to share is move in first! Whatever it is, small home, RV or other vechicle move in with nothing but your clothes and beding and see what you can live without before going shopping. If you’re leaving the sticks and bricks behind you’ve most likely already planned on adventure and simplicity being what life is all about! Not the stuff you own!
Thanks for taking a look!
Fluffy Fresh
A few fresh photos while that fluffy white stuff was around. Enjoy!
There we had a few sexy trees and a few below the ankle shots.
And now a not so distant view across the lake. Gray days definitely have their charm.
So what would you rather read about from a minimalist perspective, a list of items we find important and why. The observations about where we tend to live and other worldly views. Or better yet a list of important items more for van life in particular? Daily routines of a full time van dweller with a full time job? Just let me know. Thanks for stopping for a visit!
Mini Story of a Daily Walk
With all the extra Halloween goodies on clearance I had forgot about this mini story that happened back in October. Even with a simple laidback lifestyle it gets busy to keep up with this new found blogging business.
October walk in the park.
Ducks bathing, squirrels frolicking, turtles sunning. Walking along a path and come across a dead rat, throat ripped out and a terrified look of horror on its face. Uneaten, simply murdered by a larger creature with predator teeth. Terrible being slain and not even used for substance. Not a pleasant sight for that day.
Two days later walking around the same path, darker now and covered in leaves, careful not to come across the tiny bloated corpse. Discussing the scene again in remembrance and the horrible thing that must have done it. Get back to our vehicle and behold, a suspect pops out from underneath and scurries into the leafy yard ahead. The suspect: a typical black cat with glowy yellow eyes.
While I passed this crime scene skipping the photo opp, I’ll leaf you with a different sunny image as the colors have all but faded and chill continues to rise in the seasons.
Thanks for reading along!
Journey About Nothin 