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 2, 2010 | Travel |
Paul, reading the info folder provided by Carpe Diem. He is such a very good influence on me.
Exit Carpe Diem, turn right, walk for thirty seconds, and you will find yourself here.
Welcome to Commercial Street!
Ross' Grill. Yum. Paul is looking out at the Atlantic in this pic. Apparently I make a better door than I do a window.
A Showgirls diva being carried off stage by hunks after singing "They call me...". FUN!
You know I'm going to have a bookstore shot or two. Please support your Indies, people!
April showers bring May flowers - our private patio at Carpe Diem
Whale Watching on the Portuguese Princess
This guy came up out of nowhere!
Whale Tail. We saw 30-40 whales that day. Can't wait to get the video!
Wine Hour at Carpe Diem. I could get used to this.
Pool party around the corner from Carpe Diem!
Ocean View Lunch at Lobster Pot
New Friends Robin and Jennifer from North Carolina : )
Town Hall
Iris sighting on our daily stroll
The Mews. 285 vodkas from 32 countries = martinis & foodie chat with Michael
And midnight walks and boats
Biking to Race Point Beach along Cape Cod National Seashore
Almost there...
Picnic and a nap at Race Point Beach
Whale watching boat in the distance
Scallops Alfredo and a Gimlet for me at Napi's
Provincetown Public Library in the process of being restored - what a beautiful building!
My Dream Studio
East Coast Americana
Indeed
Little orange boat surrounded by blue...Kit, this pic was taken for you...
We didn't climb Pilgrim Monument there in the distance, but we definitely will next time!
Goodbye, Beautiful Provincetown...
May you always remain both funky and sweet!
by Valynne | Jun 1, 2010 | Travel |
The Henry David Thoreau Cottage at Carpe Diem
I have to hand it to Paul; it doesn’t seem to matter where we go, he gets the accommodations just right. Cue the Henry David Thoreau Cottage at Carpe Diem in Provincetown, Massachusetts (http://www.carpediemguesthouse.com/rooms/thoreau/)
It seems a bit strange, going on vacation and being just as enchanted with the living quarters as we were with the activities we had planned. Competing with whale watching, restaurants galore, the National Seashore and Showgirls is no small feat, after all.
Truly; I had an extra good feeling about this trip. We always have fun on our wanders, but I was excited days before our mini break began. Paul picking out a place to lay our heads that celebrated poets and playwrights definitely set the tone.
Because I have just begun a travel writing class, and because I knew that Provincetown would make for a fun blog post, I emailed Carpe Diem in advance, letting them know of my writing aspirations and asking for their blessing, which I received with enthusiasm (thanks, Jarrod!).
So, what makes this place particularly special compared to your average guest house and spa? Let’s begin with breakfast.
My favorite dining room at Carpe Diem
There is plenty to choose from whether you are the oatmeal and fruit type, the cold cut type, the Yoplait type, etc. I went with whatever Andrew and company (including the owners) were creating in the kitchen (think banana pancakes, French toast, and omelets).
I heard a rumor that Andrew is working on a cookbook and am really hoping it is true…Andrew?
The coffee and tea (gourmet and available throughout the day) with raw sugar, or sugar crystals, and real half and half was superb. What a perfect way begin the day, with staff and fellow vacationers alike. I can’t believe how many interesting people we met, from all over the world!
Paul, enjoying himself at Wine Hour
This typically happened during our complimentary daily wine (and cheese) hour, which began at five-ish and ran a bit over each day, depending on the crowd. Our first evening was spent with Belgians, Dutch, and Germans. In fact, I was the only American out of a dozen or so people!
Oh, and let’s not forget that sherry and port is available in the Walt Whitman Common Room, as well…come nightcap time or otherwise. If Commercial Street and the Atlantic Ocean weren’t a thirty second walk away I would be tempted to not leave Carpe Diem for the four days we were there (luckily for the staff we at least gave them time to restock between breakfast and drinks).
Namaste Spa at Carpe Diem
The weather was perfect and the pre Memorial Day crowds light, so we took advantage of that fact while others chose to use the spa facilities (sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, massage…). In between activities we crashed out on the bed in our perfect cottage, took a bath in our two person (deep and jetted) tub, or read books in our sitting area. Divine.
I like big beds and I cannot lie...
Being introduced to so many interesting and pleasant people was an unexpected gift. I doubt this would have been the case were we not encouraged to socialize over wine and cheese, sherry and port, pancakes and coffee…I miss it already. We exchanged e-mails with a few kindred spirits and I truly intend to keep in touch as our short time as neighbors was such a delight!
And for those of you who feel that one must be gay in order to enjoy all that Carpe Diem and Provincetown have to offer, I leave you with this quote by Henry David Thoreau, which I discovered on the Carpe Diem website, “Could a greater miracle take place, than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?”
Thank you, Carpe Diem for all of the extra touches – they were so appreciated by not only Paul and I, but every other guest we had the pleasure of meeting as well.
Backgammon, Anyone? I could so live here...
If you find yourself planning a trip to Provincetown, consider a stay at Carpe Diem. Peruse their website and pick a room that is named after one of your favorite writers…it makes the experience that much more special.
Carpe Diem Guesthouse & Spa | 12 – 14 Johnson Street, Provincetown, MA 02657
USA Only: 800.487.0132 | International: 001.508.487.4242 | info@carpediemguesthouse.com
by Valynne | May 19, 2010 | Caretaking / House and Pet Sitting, Travel |
I am back with the boys now. It feels good to be “home” after a great two weeks in Cambridge. I sure loved being able to walk or take the bus everywhere, and Cosmo and I had a blast at the dog park (Fresh Pond). Shedding a few pounds (along with the BP catastrophe) has inspired me to make walking whenever I can a priority from now on. Am taking the bike in to be tuned up tomorrow as well!
So many options this weekend at Fresh Pond...
Fresh Pond is packed with people and dogs, all day every day. I loved taking Cosmo there, and on the days where she wasn’t feeling like a long walk, I would come back and walk alone. It energized me, just being around people running, cycling, or walking; most of them with a dog close-by. I am not a runner (although I have done my share of jogging over the years) but I definitely picked up the pace these past two weeks. After our morning walk, I would typically walk or hop a bus to Harvard Square.
John Harvard
Dorms. Perhaps in my next life...
Harvard Writers Featured at the COOP
Wandering Harvard and the Square felt great. Again, the energy was there and I embraced it fully. Check out the guy sitting behind Paul in the picture below. He filled page after page with who knows what while Paul and I chatted away. I wrote like that when I was his age. Pen to paper, sometimes hours on end. Granted it was typically at an all night diner and for a JC or UCONN extension class (or even better, a juicy journal entry)…even so, I bet I felt just as inspired as he was feeling that morning.
Algiers on Brattle - Harvard Square
Trish, this next pic is for you. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon with you and Dave, including a “Belated Birthday Lunch” at Full Moon Restaurant on Huron Ave. Delish.
I had not heard of Marimekko before this sit and while I am more of a vintage material girl, I very much enjoyed the boldness of this fabric at their Cambridge Concept Store. And the sundresses were so pretty…
Fabric at Marimekko - Huron Village
Perhaps you know this about me already, but I do love a good book store. It is fun to visit with others who are just as appreciative and are willing to take their time perusing (T&D)…plus, Bryn Mawr is a non-profit that provides college scholarships. A+.
Replaced my lost copy of Bird by Bird (Anne Lamott) for $3. Nice!
I am not typically big into cemetaries, but Mount Auburn Cemetary is a definite exception. It is a work of horticultural genius, for starters. And I felt true serenity, walking along its endless paths.
“It seems as if Nature had formed the spot with the distinct idea of its being a resting place for her children” . This is what Emily Dickenson wrote (about Mount Auburn) to a friend in 1846. This is exactly how I felt, wandering about the place more than a century and a half later.
Raccoon at Mount Auburn Cemetary
Memorial at Mount Auburn
Chapel at Mount Auburn
Back to Harvard Square (I couldn’t get enough)…remember this band from my last post? I was able to return and spend more quality listening time . They needed no fancy acoustics in order to sound great. I love seeing people put themselves out there BIG and am hoping this was a beautiful experience for them.
A Night in the Box from Minneapolis, MN
These girls seemed to really be enjoying each other and the day. Cheers to being young and happy and most likely very smart to boot!
Relaxing outside Crema Cafe
Post Harvard Square, I caught a bus to Huron Ave and Formaggio Kitchen, then walked the rest of the way home.
Relaxing on the T - so much better than driving!
Amazing what one sees, growing on trees...walking is even better than the T!
The pics below are really meant for fellow foodies. I know there are those of you out there who simply eat and drink to meet basic bodily needs. Try as I might to understand, it just doesn’t compute. For me, being thin means my thyroid is out of whack again or I am depressed. So, if you see me and I am looking too thin, you may want to lower your head; pretending not to see me.
Anyway, Formaggio Kitchen is as artisan as it gets. Alas, my little digital camera does not do this place justice – but it will give you an idea of its greatness. I visited several times for a coffee or a sandwich or something simple like that, mainly to justify my wandering the aisles. Except for the last day, when I splurged on prosciutto and beer infused caramels for Paul, and a bottle of balsamic vinegar for me. And Paul. But mostly me.
I struck up a quick conversation with Euan over gourmet pastries and such, and he was kind enough to grant me a picture (thanks, Euan!). All of the staff here are helpful and they know their food and drink. And flowers. I came in on Mother’s Day and watched several amazing bouquets come together in seconds, one right after the other, over and over.
Fiddlehead Ferns and Such at Formaggio Kitchen
A Section of the Chocolate Section at Formaggio Kitchen
Euan, Manning the Bakery Section at Formaggio Kitchen
Honey, How I Love Thee...Formaggio Kitchen
And Mustard. Honey + Mustard = YUM. Formaggio Kitchen
Cheese. Sigh. Formaggio Kitchen
Oil and Vinegar, Vinegar and Oil...Formaggio Kitchen
Baseball Sugar Cookie. How could I resist? Formaggio Kitchen
I think it only fair to end this Cambridge chapter with the pup who made it all possible. This. Dog. Is. Adorable. Thank you Cosmo, for your delightful company these past two weeks : )
Cosmo - Always There to Help with the Crumbs
PS Did you know that you can click on a picture to make it bigger? Just making sure…
by Valynne | May 13, 2010 | Caretaking / House and Pet Sitting, Travel, Writers and Readers |
I decided this morning to be a bit decadent. My budget for this sit is $20 a day and my typical day is closer to $10 as I eat at home most of the time and walk or take the bus everywhere. Today was the exception. I was going to blow a few bucks and spend my time however I wanted. Fun!
At 7am, I let Cosmo out and got back into bed. I fed her a bit later….then got back in bed. Paul never does this. Once he is up, he makes the bed and doesn’t think about it until a good sixteen hours later. If I get back into bed I feel a bit guilty around him. But Paul isn’t here (tee hee). Decadent.
Around 11am, Kevin joined Cosmo and I for a walk around Fresh Pond Reservoir (2.5 miles). It is lots of fun knocking around ideas and sharing stories with other caretakers. Kevin and Alicia live a couple of miles away from here and introduced us to this sit. Their website is www.KevinandAliciaShea.com.
After dropping Cosmo off at home post-park, I walked to Formaggio Kitchen and browsed their chocolate and bakery sections (yum), then sat down with a Bundaberg (ginger beer) and waited for the bus. Fifteen minutes later and I was wandering Harvard Square. Again. It’s gonna be a hard habit to break.
Crema Cafe has been calling my name, so I got me a latte and a coconut macaroon (it’s been years) and sat down at the balcony to write a few postcards until an outside seat became available.
Latte & Coconut Macaroon at Crema Cafe
A few minutes later I had relocated and was enjoying a healthy dose of sunshine with an older gentleman that lived across the square. He sat at this spot almost every day and I could understand why. It was perfect for people watching.
Men walked by with flowers from the shop next door (I love watching men walking by with flowers) and I admired more than one Red Sox hat. College girls sat in groups of three, giggling away and reminding me of my little Sister Em, who will be a Freshman at Cal Poly next year.
Crema Cafe asks that you limit your stay to an hour and it was time I moved on. Next stop, Harvard COOP. I was wandering the third floor for the first time when I came across this sign:
Tuesday May 11th at 7pm Discussion/Signing with William Morgan
His latest book, The Typewriter Is Holy, claims on its front cover to be The Complete, Uncensored History of the Beat Generation. Are you kidding me?
View from my seat at the COOP Cafe
For this event, I would have to plan accordingly. A couple more stops and I’d be walking back home to hang out with Cosmo a bit before catching another 72 Bus. My first night out in Cambridge. Party animal that I am.
Leavitt & Peirce is mainly a tobacco shop. It also sells chess sets, violet flavoured chewing gum, playing cards, and mustache wax. Say what you will, I love the smell of tobacco. Real tobacco. The kind you find in tobacco pipes, the kind rolled into quality cigars. I like this place.
View from the Chess Balcony at Leavitt & Peirce
And I’m not just saying that because I scored me a wooden Ashton cigar box (Made by Hand in the Dominican Republic) for $1. That was just a bonus. I do love wooden boxes. And this one is perfect for my vintage button collection. Now all I need are some vintage buttons.
What a great way to repurpose!
As I was walking across campus (after being denied entry to Harvard Library), I overheard a tour leader asking a small crowd of would-be students whether they thought the Science Center looked like a Polaroid Land Camera. As they all looked up at it, the leader asked if any of them even knew what a Polaroid looked like. Just then, it hit me. Holy Crap, I’m thirty-seven. For real.
Harvard Science Center
I took the long way home. Typically, I walk down Brattle Street or take a bus down Huron Ave. Today, I walked through North Cambridge. If you asked me to retrace my steps I doubt I’d be able to. Glad I went this way, though. Not all of Cambridge looks like Harvard Square, you know.
Mike hurt his hand (this was his Barber Shop)
This route was roughly twice as long, but I had a great time along the way. Back at the homestead and time to break it gently to Cosmo that I would be going back out. I explained to her that I have this thing for Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burrows, Ferlinghetti… And that Ginsberg’s archivist and biographer of twenty years was only a ten minute bus ride away. Whatever, Lady.
Name of Band TBA
I’m jogwalking to the COOP when this band stops me in my tracks. Cocaine’s … Gonna Kill My Honey Dead. Wow. They’re good. But I cannot be late. I throw a buck in the guitar case and up the stairs of the COOP I go, promising myself I will catch them before the end of the week.
Complimentary Starbucks coffee and real cream with Sugar in the Raw? Nice. And I’ve scored myself a decent seat. Bill Morgan gets up to talk and I’m surprised. He looks more like a librarian than a Herbert Huncke. Oh. He is a librarian. And did I mention he spent twenty years as Allen Ginsberg’s archivist and biographer, editing an essay here and there while he was at it? How did he get that gig?!? It’s a cool story. Half an hour later I am convinced The Typewriter Is Holy will be a cool story as well. So I buy it, and have him sign it when almost everyone has dispersed.
Waiting to get my book signed. Facing the camera is photographer Elsa Dorfman!
I’d like to write more about the “Beats” and am pretty sure I can tie it in with Caretaking Couple. What do you think? In the meantime, I can’t wait to dive into this book, being the Dharma Bum that I am… http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/65501.
OK. Now. To find a bus home. I have taken a bus to the Square, but never from it. I’ve gotta go underground for that. But first, what’s going on in front of Cardullo’s? It’s a small crowd, watching the Red Sox on TV.
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays
The deli is closed at Cardullo’s and the cashier recommends a burrito from Boloco. I walk there and back and find a seat, thinking I would watch an inning or two. Next to me is Bob (who recently retired after forty years with the Cambridge PD), Steve, and Jerome.
A photographer starts taking pics as I shove the burrito in my mouth. Come to find out he is with NPR. Ha. Is this to be my fifteen minutes of fame? I love it. Check their website for sexy pics of me slouching over said burrito.
By the time the Red Sox were leading 6-1, Cardullo’s was closing up shop. I thanked Bob for my Cambridge Police Department Junior Officer badge sticker and found the 72 bus.
Something else happened today (with regards to Mountain Girl Organics) but I don’t want to jinx it. Seriously, what an all-around amazing day. Cosmo didn’t look too convinced at first but she has since come around (convincing by means of doggie treats – I’m not above it).
What does a perfect day consist of in your world? Have you had one lately? I’m hoping you have. If not, what would it consist of? Just curious, is all…
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”
