ASHEVILLE, NC

June 18, 2014June 20, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / Leave a comment

We’d been looking forward to a stop in Asheville since we started planning this trip. Everyone we talked to had nothing but praises for the city, and we knew it would be a bit like home. The drive in from Tennessee was incredible, as we wound our way slowly up the Smoky Mountains and the air got cooler and cooler. We rolled into a small town just up the road, where we parked outside a friend’s hobby car shop. He was very generous in letting us stay there and hook up to electricity, and he even welded us a makeshift exhaust turndown to keep soot off our motorcycle. Steven had fun talking shop and checking out his current projects.

The next morning, we geared up and hopped on the bike for our excursion into Asheville. We knew we were running on fumes from the last trip, but thought we could make it to the gas station down the road. Of course, we ran out of fuel a couple of miles away. We coasted for a while, but pretty soon we were pushing it along the side of the road. Fortunately for us, a friendly local (as it seems there are many) offered a ride to the station. Steven jumped in his truck and was back in a few minutes with a can of fuel. As I waited, I took in the scenery and was also asked by another local if I needed anything. This experience only further prompted our love of the area. After topping our tank it was a smooth ride into town.

Coincidentally, there was a festival going on that weekend, right on the hillside next to us. It’s called the Firefly Gathering, and it was a weekend-long camp out with a very full and varied schedule of workshops and classes, all having to do with living off the Earth/primitive skills/sustainable living. It was funny when we arrived to see the event organizers staring at our bus, sure that we were there for the event. And we definitely looked the part! We were approached several times that weekend, with concern for our event registration and our “illegal” parking spot. We assured them we were allowed to park there by the shop tenant and also “We’re not part of the group, what is it all about?”. But everyone was very friendly and invited us to join in on the fun, which we would have been interested in had we more time to spend in the area. The class on solar energy wouldn’t have hurt our dry camping ambitions.

Asheville is similar to Portland, Oregon as everyone has told us. It’s just a lot smaller, sort of like the equivalent of the Alberta Arts District and Mississippi Ave. Lots of art, beer, food, and community spirit. The icing on the cake is it’s beautiful location in the mountains. We enjoyed wandering around town, found delicious lunch at a place called Farm Burger (shocking choice for us, I know), and took some time to sample the local craft beer scene. The variety of beer was great, everything from belgian styles to “West coast style” IPAs to sours and wild ales. There is something for everyone in Asheville. We were fortunate to be there on the day of Burial Beer’s one year anniversary, so we picked up a 750mL of their special release Aged Saison to savor at another time.

A locavore’s haven

Downstairs at Wicked Weed

Wicked Weed Brewing Co.

The basement at Thirsty Monk

Double D’s Coffee Bus

Wild Ale flight at Burial

We loved the beer, but I couldn’t leave Asheville without trying their chocolate, either. I discovered French Broad Chocolate Lounge via Joy the Baker, and was eager to try it. My hot chocolate, infused with rose water, cardamom and chopped pistaschios, certainly did not disappoint.

We were a little sad to leave this place, and I think even more sad to leave the fresh mountain air. It was a good reminder of what’s near to our hearts.

CHATTANOOGA, TN

June 16, 2014June 19, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / Leave a comment

After a long day of driving, we finally got to my cousin Marcella’s house in Ootlewah. Tennessee is so great for having towns with such awesome names! She and her husband, Justo, kindly let us park in their driveway (we just fit!) for the night. The weather in Tennessee was a welcome break from hot and stuffy Louisiana and Florida.

Marcella took us all to breakfast Friday morning at a great place called The Farmer’s Daughter. It was screaming NE Portland in there, built out of an old gas station and serving up tasty, simple, local fare. After eating we made our way to the famed Walnut Street pedestrian bridge. Luckily, the weather held up for us.

Marcella is such a good cousin, she wouldn’t let us leave the North Shore area without stopping for ice cream. Her favorite place is called Milk & Honey, and we also give it two thumbs up! They are another locally sourced establishment, and the results are sweet.

We had just enough time after ice cream to get a glimpse from Lookout Mountain. It’d been too long since we’d been that elevated! There’s also an incline railway that brings train cars straight up the side of the mountain. Back in the day, it was the only way to get up and down.

Even though we only spent one morning in Chatt, we think we got a great feel for it. Marcella and Justo were excellent tour guides, and made the day even more stellar by sending us off with some delicious Peruvian food from Justo’s aunt’s restaurant. We left for Asheville feeling revived and ready for our trek into the Smoky Mountains.

NEW ORLEANS, LA

June 13, 2014June 19, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / Leave a comment

You may have noticed our route takes a detour west after Florida into Louisiana. This is because we had the pleasure of staying with Steven’s cousin Carrie and her husband Thomas in New Orleans. They are like projections of our future selves. Seriously. So it was no surprise we had an amazing, albeit short visit with them in the Big Easy. Just to set the tone, here is their adorable, classic New Orleans home.

We magically found a safe parking spot around the corner from the house in Mid City. Mid City is like the next hot place in town; very up-and-coming and full of delicious and almost tourist-free restaurants and bars. Upon arriving we enjoyed dinner and happy hour at Crescent City Pie and Sausage Company, followed by a tour through uptown and a stop for another beer at The Avenue Pub (it was Thomas’ birthday, after all!). Avenue Pub is set in a house, including balcony seating and many, many taps to choose from. A good opportunity to sample the local brew.

On Wednesday, we took the liberty of wandering around the French Quarter while the adults went to their day jobs. We quickly caught on to the fact that New Orleans never sleeps and is usually up to a delightfully no-good time. Our morning started out with beignets and cafe au lait at the famed Cafe Du Monde, because I am not afraid to admit that yes, I am a tourist. But we tried to get a little more “authentic” experience by exploring the streets outside the square where we had been recommended many great options for lunch. The architecture in that city is so enchanting that walking around is a bit mesmerizing. Especially so when enjoying the open container law. (May I just take this moment to say we really are responsible young people and tip very well). 😉

The Mississippi! I think I’d prefer to swim in the Williamette…

We were so busy having fun, we forgot to get a group photo! Too bad, because Thomas and Carrie are the best. See you at Mardi Gras!

LAST DAYS IN FLORIDA: THE KEYS, MIAMI, ST. PETE

June 9, 2014June 19, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / Leave a comment

We finally made it out on the road! The water pump nightmare is finally over, and we got the bus back on Friday night, a week later than we had planned to be leaving. By then, we were bound and determined to get out on the road no matter how late. Which ended up being much later than we expected… Nevertheless, we snuck out in the wee hours and at last embarked on our adventure.

We couldn’t leave Florida without seeing the Keys, so we decided to go south before we head out of state. After being delayed by a week (and having a commitment to get to Connecticut by June 20, more on that later) we took a whirlwind trip through the islands. We camped on Marathon Key, in the middle, and found a gorgeous view of the sunset to relax and sip our pina coladas. The next morning we hopped on the bike and zipped down to Key West for a brief visit. Above is a the view from the tower at the Shipwreck Museum. While the time was short, we enjoyed the view along the way.

After the keys, we headed back up to Miami where a friend offered us a place to stay in the parking lot of his night club in South Beach. We couldn’t have asked for a better tour of the area. He took us to dinner, and then we walked out to the beach and down Ocean Drive. He eventually led us to a little pub called The Abbey and we enjoyed some local micro brews.

We left Miami the next morning and headed down Alligator Alley to the west coast, to meet some friends in Saint Petersburg. The weather was perfect and we spent the afternoon on the beach and in the turquoise water, followed by tacos and margaritas. Definitely a good day. On to New Orleans tomorrow!

With our old friend Amanda

THE DUALSPORT: ADDING TO THE ADVENTURE

June 5, 2014June 19, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / Leave a comment

While we are still in Mount Dora waiting for parts, the delay has at least allowed us the chance to get ourselves a motorcycle. Now we can easily get around town or enjoy some scenic drives without dragging forty feet behind us. Makes for a pretty nice accessory item too.

Meet our 2008 Yamaha XT250! We’re so ready to get out of here.

ON STANDBY

May 31, 2014June 19, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / 2 Comments

Tonight we were supposed to be hanging out in Miami, but we’re not. Currently we are sitting in camping chairs, in our empty house and borrowing wifi from our neighbors (thanks!) because all our furniture is gone and our internet turned off. Let me explain.

The bus has been residing at a local truck shop, waiting for a shiny new water pump. Turns out, our Cummins VT555 V8 is an antique dinosaur, therefore certain parts are scarce. It was supposed to be put back together by last Wednesday, then Friday, now it’s next Wednesday. Of course, we didn’t know this until all the furniture was moved out. Such is life.

Luckily, the guys at the shop are real nice and don’t mind us working on the bus while she sits in their lot. Because of that we have been able to get a lot more work done, including the power/wiring and the sink plumbing. You know, minor details. Also luckily, our landlord is wonderful and doesn’t mind us living here for another week. So things could really be worse. We are grateful for the people around us and at least now we have the time to finish some of those last details we are behind on.

Since the bus is just hanging out at the shop, we went ahead and had them throw on some fresh tires since ours were pretty dry-rotted. We also got some new paint on, inside and out, and hung up the curtains along with the electricity and water solved. Just a few last minute projects left to make it comfortable.

In related news, another big hurdle of our project has been completed: insurance and registration! Along with having our title changed from bus to RV. It took several days of phone calls and a flurry of emails to make it happen, and we are finally legal to be on the road! Feels good.

I feel like a proud mama

Awaiting new tires and sporting a new look

12 cans later, our hands are cramped

Surveying the area

Battery bank, with inverter on the other side of the wall (under our bed).

MOUNT DORA, FL

May 30, 2014June 19, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe we’ve spent a whole year in Mount Dora. (That’s about 45 min NW of Orlando, in case you were wondering). We have really come to love this little town, so full of life and it’s own culture. There’s usually something happening on the weekend, whether it’s a craft fair, music festival, farmer’s market or charity fundraiser. That’s not to mention the nightly live music at just about every bar and restaurant, the monthly food truck bizarre, and the sea planes taking off from the lake all winter. It’s a boutique town, full of mom and pop shops, including a store catering specifically to your dog. The winter months do fill the town with snow birds, but even in the summer the locals keep it interesting; and every evening greets a beautiful sunset over Lake Dora.

Lake Dora

5th Avenue, night before the annual Arts & Crafts Festival

Wandering the Arts Festival. Not unusually, downtown streets were closed off and open to pedestrians only.

Enjoying a Maggie’s wine tasting

Our favorite place in Mount Dora is Maggie’s Attic, a wine bar/bottle shop, and our local beer oasis. We immediately felt at home there, and not just because of the craft beer. The friendly staff was quick to remember us and make us feel welcome, and soon enough we had become regulars. Maggie’s is obviously a great place to imbibe, but besides that it is a community hub. The people we’ve met there and the experiences we’ve shared at Maggie’s events will be remembered for a lifetime. We’ve had the pleasure of sharing the company of people such as the former mayor of Mount Dora, the couple who raises hunting dogs for charity, local home brewers and the ex-soldier retelling his encounters in Europe. It’s a special place.

Inside Maggie’s Attic

I did say beer oasis, right?

Swapping stories at the bar

Jimmy

Jerome

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING

May 26, 2014June 16, 2014 / Lindsey&Steven / 6 Comments

We’ve started this blog to document our summer on the road in our 1984 Blue Bird bus conversion. Eight short weeks ago we brought her home in all her slightly neglected high school glory, and somehow we’ve ended up with a functional motor home put together with just our four hands. It’s a little bit unreal.

Why a bus, you say?

For a long time we pondered leaving Florida at the one year mark, and felt overwhelmed with the possibilities of how to do it. At first, we even considered just picking up and moving to another new town for another year (maybe New Hampshire?), but realized maybe that isn’t the best way to travel. Each time you move you have to settle down somewhere, find a place to rent, find a job to pay the rent, etc, surely only to uproot ourselves again in the near future.

We realized we needed a more mobile lifestyle.

The Rusty Range Rover

There are actually quite a few options when it comes to being young, creative, and not afraid to get a bit dirty. First of all there was the bus idea. We’d seen many beautiful conversion projects online, and were determined to do the same at some point in our lives. But for this trip? Did we have time and energy to work on it? Did we want to have that much vehicle to haul around everywhere? Then we wanted to take the Range Rover and camp. Soon after we discovered that the Range was rusting away under our feet, and therefore not safe. Okay, so we need to get a new truck. Get a canopy and haul our stuff, like when we moved to Florida, but put a pop-up tent on the roof. Briefly we entertained the idea of converting an enclosed trailer into a camper to haul behind our new truck. But all in all, buying a truck that would be reliable, big enough, and comfortable for a journey of this magnitude would simply be way out of the budget. Not enough cash left over for trip costs.

So it was back to the bus idea. By now we were running out of time, and this idea was too crazy to pull off. So crazy, that it just might work.

Shopping The Bus Lot In Tampa

We didn’t set out to buy a 40′ rig, but we did. And we are in love with it. And you know what? I’m positive all that hard work is going to pay off. Besides, it makes a way better story.

New Oregon Trail

Taking The Long Way Home