by Valynne | Jul 6, 2010 | Friends of Caretaking Couple, Travel |
Leaving Falmouth for the Vineyard via the Island Queen
Laura came to visit from Connecticut last week. Neither of us had been to Martha’s Vineyard before and were pleasantly surprised to find that we could take the local ferry there and back for a mere $18.00 (without vehicle). Wednesday was perfect weather-wise and off we went, leaving Paul to his day job. I felt like quite the lady of leisure!
Laura, enjoying a cuppa at Mocha Motts
We arrived at Oak Bluffs and enjoyed a morning of coffee and wandering from shop to shop without a man to hurry us along (hee). My favorite shop was Craftworks, which featured handcrafted items from all over America. I bought a handful of quotes that were typewritten on handmade paper that I will be sure to share with you in a future post.
If I were a big spender and had some space to fill, I would have bought a Sticks piece or two for me. Maybe a jewelry box or a perpetual calendar. And at least one piece for Laura. I fell in love with this Iowa company while wandering Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado a few years back. Below is a nice patriotic piece.
Sticks Lithograph - What We Love About America
We eventually walked out past the touristy section of Oak Bluffs and into the neighborhoods. This is reason enough to come to the Vineyard. The cottages (mostly Victorian and cheery or prim and proper Capes) were all a bit different and each yard boasted a profusion of flowers in bloom. Divine. This cottage spoke to me more than the others for some reason…
Oak Bluffs Beauty
For two dollars we boarded a bus to Edgartown (Martha’s Vineyard is a lot bigger than I thought). A local suggested we have lunch on the deck at The Seafood Shanty. It was a bit pricey (about $25 each with drinks) but acceptable, considering the view, the vibe, and the fresh cod sandwich.
An afternoon on the deck - Seafood Shanty
The view from our table at the Seafood Shanty, looking out at Chappaquiddick Island
The Stairs at Edgartown Books
After lunch, we browsed Edgartown Books and a few other shops. I know I have mentioned it before, but frequenting indie bookstores tends to give one a good feel for the community. Because it was pre-July Fourth weekend, the multitudes had not yet arrived, so we had plenty of time and space to peruse.
Henley's Needlepoint & Fibers (located behind Edgartown Books)
Laura and I were the only customers in the tiny Henley’s Needlepoint & Fibers behind the bookstore, where all the colorful canvases were hand painted. Mr. Henley greeted us and gave us a brief history of the area and how he and Mrs. Henley ended up there. Thank you, Mr. Henley!
Austin-Healy 3000
This Austin-Healey 3000 was parked right off Main Street. Paul loves Austin-Healeys. I offered to write the owner a check right there on the spot but he declined. Sorry, Paul. I tried. : )
Seeing as how we were on daycation, Laura and I decided to splurge once more before heading back to the mainland. Here we are enjoying our blended lattes at MacPhail’s Corner Cafe where everyone seemed to know each other. The weather was perfect, but I am glad I brought my cardigan as my back was getting a bit pink and the a/c was in full-force wherever we went.
MacPhail's Corner Cafe
More MacPhail's Corner Cafe
Having played our Ladies of Leisure roles so well, we actually missed our ferry departure. Luckily, there was one more departure that day. This gave us some time to spend by the water. The beaches were full and I regret not taking pictures of the primary colored umbrellas in contrast with the sand, sea, and sky. Next time. We spied this magnificent sailing ship as we headed back to shore.
Schooner sighting (taken from the Island Queen)
I am hoping to get back to Martha’s Vineyard with Paul before the end of our stay here. We are fortunate to live somewhere so beautiful…somewhere that would cost most people a lot of money to visit. My sister is coming to visit in a week; stay tuned for more Cape Cod adventures! And be sure to let us know what your summer adventures are, if you haven’t already…
PS) H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y , L A U R A! XOX
by Valynne | Jun 22, 2010 | CC Contests!, Friends of Caretaking Couple, Music |
Must be Summer!
As fair as I am, I love the sun. Without it, we would cease to exist, after all. I also have a healthy respect for the sun; ever since my first real sunburn in my early teens. This happened to coincide with my first real rip current experience (Hueneme Beach, CA). Scary. My utmost love (and respect) goes out to the sun and the sea, along with my gratitude. The majority of my best life experiences revolve around the fire and water elements.
For many years, I celebrated Summer Solstice all weekend long at my friend Tom’s place in the Connecticut woods. This spot is filled with natural beauty and is the holder of many a summer memory. It was Tom’s grandfather’s hunting lodge, and Tom and his friends have done their best to honor and maintain the character of the land and lodge. I miss the place and the people.
This year, Paul and I rang in summer with a Jimmy Buffett concert. Can’t get much more summer-ish than that, methinks. Don’t you love it when you go to a concert and the weather is just right and the people are friendly and the beer (or, in my case, wine) is cold; all taking place before the music has even begun?
Friends + music + sunshine + pizza and beer = Solstice
As we walk through the parking lots, I am reminded of wilder times. At one point in my life I wondered if I would ever actually “mature”. I am happy to report that I have indeed matured, yet can still appreciate and celebrate my (sometimes) wild youth. And that I actually survived it.
Bead Me!
What pleased my heart and soul most was the fact that, in spite of the hard times many of us have fallen upon, this place was absolutely packed with Parrotheads and Parakeets. Kudos to Jimmy Buffett for keeping the party going for no less than four decades now…
"With all of our running and all of our cunning/If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane"
Of course I want to know what the Solstice means to you. Do you celebrate it? Do you have any fun summer plans? We do. They haven’t fully taken shape yet, but we are free to roam for the entire month of August. Did you hear that, Colorado friends? Cause we are soo headed your way…you do remember us, don’t you?
Tell us...how do you plan on celebrating summer???
Tip: If you don’t have any fun summer plans yet, feel free to make some up. Then promise me you will do your best to make them happen. We all deserve some summer fun!
A telltale sign that Paul had a good time...
And yes, it has been a while since my last contest. So, for every comment you leave on any CC blog post from now (6/21/2010) through Sunday (6/28/2010), you will be entered to win a prize of the Celebrating Summer Solstice variety…game on and good luck!
"As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man/I have chalked up many a mile"...
by Valynne | May 4, 2010 | Friends of Caretaking Couple, Interviews, Travel |
Meet Sean & Kristy, the Long Long Honeymooners!
A lot of you have heard me mention (with great enthusiasm) Sean & Kristy and their site, www.LongLongHoneymoon.com. I don’t know when or how I found them; I just did and am now happily hooked on all things Long Long Honeymoon. Seeing as these two never cease to inspire me, I thought it would be fun to find out a little more about them, and introduce you all while I am at it…
1) I know it was Sean’s idea to take the Airstream on your honeymoon, but whose idea was it to buy the Airstream in the first place?
S: It was Kristy’s idea to get an RV. I was a little reluctant. I’m a pretty tall guy and was afraid I wouldn’t be comfortable in an RV. But after browsing a bit, we fell in love with Airstreams. You trade a little spaciousness for coziness and style!
K: He’s right, it was my idea! We went tent camping in Yellowstone National Park a few years prior to buying the Airstream and we about froze to death one night in the Canyon campground. The next morning I looked around at all of the campers and motorhomes and thought, “Wow! Those people really know how to camp!” I also thought that having a private bathroom when tailgating at football games would be absolute heaven.
2) Where did the inspiration for turning your honeymoon into a Long Long Honeymoon come from? How did it evolve?
S: We started with the idea of our “road trip” honeymoon lasting several weeks — we thought six would be plenty! But after six weeks passed, we found ourselves 2000 miles from home. So we just kept on going as long as it felt right. We were having fun with our website (LongLongHoneymoon.com), so we decided to offer tips and information to others who might be interested in RV and Airstream travel.
K: Honestly, it was just something that kind of fell into place. The website was originally created to let our family and friends follow along on our trip. Before long, they were passing it along to their friends and co-workers and eventually we started getting comments and email from people we’d never even met! It continued to grow from there, and it’s still growing every day.
3) Did either of you need convincing when it came to the concept of Long Long Honeymoon, or did it just make sense to both of you?
S: I think that Kristy understandably had a few reservations about this journey being our official “honeymoon” because we’d previously discussed visiting exotic places overseas like Tahiti and Greece. As time passed, I began to view our “Long Long Honeymoon” as a brand that everyone could enjoy — it’s a happy thought, isn’t it, that life should be a honeymoon?
K: I did have reservations in the beginning, but once the adventure started I didn’t want to stop! Also, I think that lots of people believe that a honeymoon only lasts for a week — that it is a “once in a lifetime” thing. We wanted to show folks that a “honeymoon” is a state of mind. Whether you’re in Tahiti, the Grand Canyon or your own backyard; as long as you’re with the one(s) you love, that’s all that matters.
4) Were you nervous to do something so radically different than your peers? What was the overall response from your friends and family?
S: Our friends and family were very encouraging and supportive. In the past I had pursued unusual travel experiences (for example, volunteering in early 1990s Czechoslovakia) so this was just another one on the list.
K: (laughs) Yes, we are sort of known for random,wacky adventures so this was a fairly tame travel idea in comparison to some of the others that we’d already done (volcano climbing in El Salvador anyone?). I think my parents were just glad we were staying the United States for a change.
5) What do you say to people that tell you they would love to do what you two are doing if only this or if only that…
S: As John Lennon said, life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans. You may as well pursue your dreams now, because the future is not guaranteed. Most of our impediments are of the mental variety — we let fears about “what if” keep us in our place. While this sort of experience is not for everyone, I hope that everyone is engaged in their own unique pursuit of happiness, however they define it — that’s what this country is all about!
K: I tell them that they can do it! It all goes back to the honeymoon state of mind. Take weekend or one night honeymoons; even if you’re just camping in your own backyard it can still be an adventure. I also tell them about the numerous people we’ve met on the road living a similar lifestyle to ours. Many people have overcome just about every “this and that” you can imagine: “we have small children,” or “we don’t have enough money” or “I’m too old” or “I have physical limitations.” These people have shown me that if you really want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to make your dream happen.
6) Tell us about one or two of your favorite places to visit with the Airstream. What makes these places stand out from the rest for you?
S: My pick would be Yellowstone. I worked in Yellowstone while in college, and it’s just a magical place. It proudly boasts of being the “oldest and best” national park. There’s just so much diversity to Yellowstone, an incredible variety of experiences await. My advice is to go beyond the typical tourist stops (Old Faithful geyser) and spend some time on the hiking trails. You can hike a desert canyon one day and climb a snowy mountain peak the next, all while sharing the park with bison, moose, wolves, and bear. Just steer clear of those wolves and bear. 😉
K: Yellowstone is also one of my favorite stops. So is the beach. Pretty much any campground where you can park next to the beach is a winner, but the stand-outs for me would be Bluewater Key in Key West, Florida and Camping on the Gulf in Destin, Florida. At Bluewater Key our waterfront campsite included a private tiki hut, complete with bar and ceiling fan AND a private pier! The campground in Destin has gulf front sites that have you stepping out from your camper into sand. The water is maybe 30 yards from your door and the sound of the waves crashing at night is the best lullaby ever. Also, Disney World is always a magical and sentimental experience for me. As a child my parents took my there every summer and going back as an adult really does make me feel like a kid again.
7) Your plan is to hit most, if not all of the states that you haven’t been to yet (in the Airstream) this summer. Do you have a route planned or will you simply see where the road takes you?
S: When we started, we had no itinerary. But now we sketch out a loosely planned route of our journey. Even so, we usually travel without set deadlines. If you’re not careful, deadlines will quickly suck the fun out of travel. When we feel like going, we go! When we get tired, we stop and rest. That’s the upside of RV travel.
K: We don’t wear watches, so the RV lifestyle suits us well!
8) How do you subsidize this amazing lifestyle you have made for yourselves?
S: We script, shoot, edit, and deliver original video productions while we’re on the go. After many requests, we now offer compilations of our “Long Long Honeymoon” videos on DVD! Our DVDs are a lot of fun — you get ALL the videos that aired on our website (including never before seen footage) plus original audio commentary tracks by me and Kristy. It’s much better watching these videos on a nice TV, and we hope the new commentary soundtracks help aspiring RVers learn “what it’s really like” to live on the road. It’s like having us sitting right there with you on your couch!
K: Yes, the Internet and the growing availability of Wi-fi makes telecommuting a much more viable option. We meet quite a few freelancers and consultants out on the road.
9) What advice can you give to people (such as myself) who would love to hit the road and make a living while we are at it as well?
S: Consider “work camping.” Many campgrounds will allow you to stay for free in exchange for doing some work. Even better, consider working in one of our beautiful national parks. Those who proudly call themselves “parkies” do just that, working in various national parks around the United States. I did so in college and had a blast. You won’t get rich doing it, but you will enjoy a wealth of awesome experiences.
K: Again, I think any job that allows you to telecommute is the way to go. Who says you can’t participate in that conference call from your camper, OR from the beach? 😉
Amen, Kristy! And Sean, I love the idea of living the “parkie” life…Thank you both so much for taking time out to be interviewed. Can’t wait to experience some vicarious LLH summer adventures and hopefully catch up with you on the road…ideally at Alumapalooza in June (fingers crossed). And to all of you Caretaking Couple readers out there, be sure to visit Sean and Kristy at www.LongLongHoneymoon.com. Oh, and please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment or two… I feel another prize drawing comin’ on…
“Honeymoon is a state of mind”
by Valynne | Apr 26, 2010 | Friends of Caretaking Couple, Travel |
Spring
Paul is listening to the cricket match (Derbyshire v Gloucestershire) while I read my favorite blogs. On Sundays, I also like to read the paper (typically the New York Times) in my PJ’s, catch up on correspondence, and maybe watch a movie with Paul and Milo, my two main squeezes.
Unless it is really nice out – then we are typically in the garden or on a road trip. What do you like to do on Sundays? If you work Sundays (which I have done most of my adult life up until now), what do you do on your “Day of Rest”? Please tell me you have one.
I imagine you enjoy blogs (seeing as how you are reading this one). There is a blog that I discovered a couple of months ago and absolutely love. I love it so much that I have decided to add it to my INSPIRATION links to the right of this post.
The blog is www.bluebirdnotes.blogspot.com and there just happens to be a giveaway going on this weekend…so be sure to stop by and see for yourself how very wonderful said blog is. And enter to win something practical and pretty!
Next week, I am heading to Cambridge to hang out with Cosmo (see adorable pic below). We bonded a couple of weekends ago and I am especially looking forward to hanging out with her at the local dog park…and wandering around Harvard Square.
I'm very sweet and would sure love a treat...
The homeowners here on the Bay will most likely be around in May which means that Paul will be joining me for at least part of the time – FUN! I know he will love Cambridge. Have you been to Cambridge? If so, let us know your favorite spot(s)…I will post pics : )
Speaking of pics, I am a bit behind on some stuff. It has been a great spring so far! We were able to spend another weekend in NYC – here are some highlights…
Dakota Blonde in NYC!
Our friend Mary has the voice of an angel. She is angelic all around, come to think of it. If you aren’t familiar with this Colorado band, please find out more about them at www.DakotaBlonde.com.
We love this band and were so excited to see Dakota Blonde at their first official NYC gig at the Metropolitan Room! Mary, is the compilation CD out yet?!?
Casey & Paul in the Big Apple!
We also got to catch up with our sweet friend Casey, who just happened to be visiting friends in NYC that weekend. Love you, Casey!
Noah, Alexis, and Sarah
Even got to meet some of Caseys besties while we were there. BTW, Noah and Alexis are newlyweds. Congrats, you two!
Paul and Carolyn
Here you see Paul and Carolyn, pondering our next adventure…Baba Ghanoush at Shalel – YUM!
We packed a lot into that weekend – above are just some of the highlights. What was that? You want to see just a little more? Well, OK. If you insist.
How about I tell you a bit more about Carolyn. Actually, I will show you. Carolyn does stuff like this…
Bliss
She goes out for the paper or whatever and comes back with cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Hostess/Mostess!
Her sister is equally wonderful – it just happens that she had a cold that weekend so we didn’t get to see her much. Next time, Amy! And thanks, Andy for joining us – it was so fun getting to know you better!
Ah, Idlewild...
We found a new bookstore to add to our “favorites”. There were Italian language lessons being taught in the back room. It boasted a nice vibe all around and I found lots of travel books there that I had never heard of. Books by writers about other (travel) writers, even. Simply. Fun.
FISHS EDDY - Union Square
This one’s for you, Rach. And Em. And me. Double handled polka dotted mugs. That is, indeed, what I am talking about. OK, just one more FISHS EDDY pic…
More FISHS EDDY
Laura, this one is for you. And me. This is what my kitchen would look like if I actually had one. I try to travel light (like a good vagabond) but I do have a distinct weakness for dishware…
Be the change that you want to see in the world - Ghandi
Found this statue of Ghandi just outside the farmers’ market in Union Square…have I mentioned how much I love New York City?
OK, I guess I have shared enough for one Sunday. Please share your Sunday with us. And if you have been to Cambridge we would love to know about your favorite haunts. The same goes for NYC. And the Cape. You know we love hearing from you…
