Airabess Life

We are no longer in travel mode.  We are rooted.  And LOVING it. Making our house a home. Nurturing relationships.  Experiencing life in one place.
So, the nature of this space has changed.  And while I am not going to abandon it forever... it's just not about the travel right now.
So, until travel is in the forefront again,  I have started a new blog.  The focus is less on Airabess life, and more on the things I am doing.  Yoga, writing, homeschooling, vino, food...You get the idea. 

If you are so inclined, check it out.  If not... until we meet again.

http://findingmywaylivingthisdream.blogspot.com/

Finding Our Way

I am finding my way to teaching.  I am finding my way to writing. 

Hubs is making our house a home. Hubs is finding his way back to the water. 

Coco is Coco. Living a big, beautiful dream. I hope she remembers. I wonder what of this time, these last few years will resonate?  

We are making our space.  

We are so happy. And that is everything. 

#findingmywaylivingthisdream 

My Cup Runneth Over

The lack of blog posts is due to the fullness of life living. 

This crew has been adjusting to life in one place and enjoying everything that involves. 

Still not taking ourselves too seriously though. And that's how we like it. 

Doors are Magnificant

What a busy few months. What an UNDERSTATEMENT.  

Since we've parked the RV Airabess we have (collectively):  bought 2 vehicles, sold a house, bought a house, begun a serious overhaul of said house, joined a swim team, performed in a theatre production following a 6 week theater camp, worked an ungodly amount of hours in the dog days of summer, gotten a promotion, began a new phase of teaching (yoga), lost some LB's, made new friends, connected with old friends, had our first house guest, completed the 3rd grade, took a dive trip, played tourist (officially as locals) and still found time for lots of love. 

Oh, and we have doors now. They close. It's magnificent. (At some point I'm going to write about 'comfort stations' aka public/community showers and bathrooms.  Every bona fide traveler knows that struggle... All are not created equal.)

I miss the down time. And, while I still don't think it's always a healthy thing, I'm embracing the glorification of busy. For now. While we reconnect to life in one place it's what is right for us. 

Having a permanent address means life is going to have a predictability to it. It allows for busy in a completely different way than travel did. It is just as beautiful. The trick is not getting caught in the hamster wheel. 

It's such a wonderful feeling to come home.  To create a space that is ours, from scratch, with our hard work. It's super rewarding. It's freaking hard.  But it's amazing. 

We had a blank canvas when we got here. We are painting our dreams and vision. We are creating the life we want. The days are full of struggle. They are full of moments of joy.  We are, I hope, finding the balance between the two. 

Back to Life

We have finally made back to the place we will call home.  

Is the wanderlust gone?  
No.  
I don't think once you've really started to see what the world has to offer you can ever really be satisfied in one place.  The next trip will be aboard a plane though!  Europe anyone?

But, we aren't really gypsies.  So, it's time to get back to reality.  Or rather the reality we want for our family.

So, when choosing the place we would settle down it was important to look at what brings us joy.  Jobs, work~ that's available in lots of places.  But, we had to consider what, outside of income, would be comfortable, attainable and in line with what our lifestyle is about. 

And, duh.  Just, duh.  Of course we knew where we wanted to make our roots.  We had already started before and came back during this great big Airabess adventure.  We keep coming back.  
Again and again and again; where layers include a bikini and sarong~ not fleece leggings and flannels.  

The Florida Keys really is where this crew calls home.  
I think we have known for a long time.  But... we thought maybe.  And now there is no question.  No, "what if?" 
What if... we could sail the Caribbean and set ourselves up in the Virgins?
What if.... we see the west coast and really, really love it?
What about... a cabin in the mountains?
Why not... where we have a house?
Why?  Because none of it worked, or worked out (i.e. the USVI).

It feels absolutely amazing to be able to know for sure. 

We get this life to experience and I don't want to look back at the end of it and wonder what it would have been like if I had put it all out there.  
It's all out there.  No regrets or questions.

I was welcomed back to the job I had last Summer before we took off to the Bahamas and the beyond that never happened.  RV Airabess is a convenient bike ride to and from.  Which is perfect because when you step out of life for a year or two there are a ton of things that need to come together- car, housing, furniture etc...)  

It will all work out.  I'm not worried.  Not stressed.  Just super hopeful and excited about this next chapter.  

Life is so full of every day moments that are worthy of recognition.  So, I am still going to post about our adventures. Maybe not as regularly, or maybe more.  For right now, we are getting into the groove of Airabess life here, at home, and still living this amazing dream.

Decisions, decisions

This last year has been so amazing.  But if you had told me a year ago that I wouldn't be living on our boat in a tropical local, well I would have been really offended.  I mean we worked so hard to get to that place.  We had spent years and years planning and making shit happen.  So, how could we NOT be 'there'.  
Well, 'there' is a funny concept.  For some people it's a very specific destination, be it financial, spatial or mental.  For me it's been about finding myself.  I am so fortunate that I get to go on the journey with my love, my partner and that we have been able to show our kid that changing your perspective really can take you places; financially, spatially and mentally.  

And while the journey is never really over, it's time for this crew to put the wanderlust on the breaks for a bit.  It's really hard to travel for extended period of time.  Even if you take your house with you.  Even if you had every intention of that destination tropical local LESS than a year ago.  Especially when you sell one travel home for another.  I mean we had plans.  We acted on them and well... Life just says, "Try this... see what happens."
What can I say?  There IS something to be said for a full size kitchen (we love to cook) and level floors with a roof (can I say Yoga!).  And doors.  Doors are really nice.  From sea to the road... doors.  Don't shut a door in your house for just one week and see how it changes you. 

We are currently hanging out on the Oregon coast.  We are enjoying our freedom, but we are also ready to plant ourselves and make some roots.  Our biggest decision is deciding where we want to grow, where we want to be.  Because we are really ready to just be in one place.

Well,  I'm pretty sure we've got it.  We have seen enough to know where we fit, and what fits for us.    And, though we put it out into the universe on a many different levels, it's not here.  We found viable employment (thank you so much for the pats on the back~you know who you are).  We imagined ourselves in so many different homes that were so perfect for us.  Just.  Just not here.  We so wanted it to be.  We sort of planned on it.  Well, damn.... plans. Lesson learned.  Again.

You can tell when you visit a place if it will work for you.  You can feel it.  We felt it in Morro Bay, unfortunately the amount of work to living life ratio didn't fit.  Just because we want to settle down doesn't mean we want to become slaves to the man. 
So, while we aren't really ready to tell the world, we have decided were we call will home.   

I will say this....  we are selling our house in St. Augustine.  So it's not there.  But it is somewhere we have loved for a very long time.

I'm not trying to be obtuse.  I am just being real... we could change our minds again.  We already did 3 times this week, even after telling part of our world.  

The Redwoods

When I asked Hubs to describe the drive he responded with "Wet and sporty".  Which took me immediately to a conversation we had with our friends from Shambala.  "Wet and Sporty" really means, "I know today sucked, but look at what we are doing!" There are so many things that translate so easily from boat to RV.  You would be amazed!

The sporty drive took us through the Avenue of the Giants.  Again super challenging for Hubs to fully appreciate as he was driving, though the idea of me behind the wheel would have proved a lot more frustrating I'm sure.

We camped amongst the Redwoods, tasted sorrels from the forest floor, took a ranger guided tour (where we learned about burls and burl poaching) and Coco earned another* Junior Ranger badge.  She also wrote a poem :)

Redwoods

 Tall and majestic.

Growing to the sky 

and big over the years.

Falling,

burning

and living.

Inspiring us and awe-inspiring us.  

Magnificent trees.

 


*She has too many to count.  She has worked her way across the country earning badges.  So proud.  I love homeschooling!

The Worst Drive EVER

We said good-bye to our friends Shabumi and proceeded to white knuckle our way out of Yosemite.  It was the worst drive ever for Hubs.  Twisting, turning, up and down to get out of the Sierra Nevadas. The scenery was incredable, not that we could appreciate it because it was also so treacherous.  RV remember.  
After smoking breaks and one lane bridges we found a sweet spot outside of Sonora on lake to stop for the night~ Tuttletown Recreation Area.  Still dry camping.  But found the sun again after being in the mountains. And there was not a single person around. It was a nice treat after so many people in Yosemite. 
Coco and Hubs scavenged for rocks (we have so many rocks from so many places) and found sticker burrs like tacks.  We are still picking them out of our shoes weeks later. 

Spring Break

 

We have seen and done SOOOO much since my last post. 
If you follow us on Facebook, you will have seen a picture version of our adventures. 

After Red Rock we set up shop in an RV park in Bakersfield, California.  Not our normal M.O. I know.  But we were there for two reasons; take care of some business, and meet up with our friends Shabumi. 
 
We met them in 2013 in Marathon and instantly clicked. On their way up the intercoastal last April on their boat (Shabumi) they stopped in St. Augustine and we showed them the nation's oldest city.  A great time was had by all.  So, when we knew we were headed out west we contacted them and made plans for Spring Break.  I am so glad we did!

We had an action packed week criss-crossing the central part of California.

The first stop was Morro Bay.  And it was the first time we had seen the coast since visiting Hub's mom back in Texas.  
The Cali coast did not disappoint.  From driving through vineyards, stopping at the James Dean Memorial, coastal fog, to scoring the last campsite at the State Park, the drive getting there proved to be an amazing experience.  

Once we set up camp we visited Morro Rock and beach.  We were greeted with insane inlet breaks, fog horns (not as common on the East Coast), playful sea otters, and sand dollars everywhere.  
It's incredible how different the west is from the east.  But for this sea-loving family it felt so good to breathe in the briny air.   
 

We woke up early the second day and, after a scrumptious breakfast prepared by Chef Hubs, we all hopped into the Shabumi van and traveled north on 1.  We stopped at Moon Rock Bay, San Simeon State Park, an elephant seal area, had a picnic on a random beach (which was amazing) and finally hit up Morro Park on the way back.  Afternoon cocktails were had, then dinner out~ finished by stories by the fire. 





 
 

And... we were just getting started!

The second leg of this trip took us to the Sequoia National Forest.  But not before we stopped for a wine tasting in one of the many vineyards in Paso Robles.  We saw lots of happy cows along the way... and a few factory farms too.  We drove through orange groves while admiring the mountains waiting for us in the distance. 
And true to traveling with Shabumi we landed a nice campsite at the foot of the mountains next to a river.  It was warm and breezy.  The kids LOVED it.  There were wide open fields to run and play while the grown-ups enjoyed a little more wine, this time with cheese.  
After our repast, the kids (and dads) went to the river to swim.  The moms enjoyed the quiet :).  
Another early morning led to a breathtaking day.  We piled into the van and went up into the park proper (something we could not have done in the RV).  And wow.   Just wow.  





There were moments when Coco would just stop.  My girl who is ALWAYS moving and SO noisy was stunned.  It was such a beautiful thing to see her overcome in that way.  I was.  Hubs was.  But she really got it.  All of it.  She let the whole experience wash over her.  It's one of those memories that I will always hold in my heart.  It was also one that I only took a mental picture of.  I've learned on this trip that not everything can or should be documented.  It needs to be felt.  She felt it and it's now part of her soul and it's going to be with her forever and I am so grateful that we got to share the experience.  
 
 
The last stop on the itinerary was Yosemite National Forest.   It was a CRAZY drive with so many twists and turns that I was sure Hubs was going to stroke out.  But he handled it like a champ... like always.  We didn't have a campsite (because there weren't any available) but Shabumi rolled the dice and won.  Someone didn't show up for their reservation.  Score.  I will say we never would have rolled those particular dice.  It's not the way we travel.  But, I have to say we probably should in the future.  I talk about being open to possibilities... well they get it in a way we don't.  So taking it in as a lesson~ trust the universe even if you can't schedule it.

Yosemite was everything that you think it would be.  It was grand and spectacular.  There is no way you can truly experience it's majesty in only a couple of days.  But a couple of days was all we had.  

It did remind me a lot of the Grand Canyon in that there were SO MANY PEOPLE!  I had no idea. Getting up early helps.  You have the trails all to yourself. Or, if you go off the most popular trails (like Hubs and Shabumi Hubs did later in the day). 

Redrock Canyon State Park

Another long drive, but gorgeous.  Mountains surrounding us most of the way.  We saw the famous Joshua tree while driving, and then again sprinkled around the Canyon.  

Another dry camp in the desert.. the last for awhile.  The temperature

was so nice.  Not too hot or cold.  

We explored the canyon around our site.  All of us agreed the walls looked like the drippy castles we use to make at the beach back home.  

Our first night we had a fire... the first one since Louisiana.  It was an amazing night~ sitting by the fire under the stars.  

After school the next day we hiked to the rim of the canyon.  I am still so amazed at the flowers in bloom here as well as the variety of rocks and minerals in the area.  

Pretty stoked that I was able to get my mat out as well.  Practice on the mat has been more challanging than I thought it would be on this trip.  Yoga as of late has been hiking and reflection and breath work.  But the weather is so nice now, and I can almost always find a semi-level spot.   Live is good. 

 

Mohave Desert National Preserve

The longest drive EVER!  We had to stop for gas and groceries.  So, while we left the Grand Canyon at around 10:00, we didn't arrive at the Mohave National Preserve until after 5:00.   There as also a side trip to the Mohave Desert BLM Office for information.  Super nice guy on duty who hooked Coco up with some Junior Explorer books.  We then took the wrong exit off the interstate.... but eventually we made it.

And wow, is it springtime in the desert!  The whole area is teaming with life. We have yet to see a rattlesnake... not that I'm too keen on seeing one, but we did see cattle crossing, sheep, a desert tortoise, prairie dogs and a few jack rabbits.  We could hear the coyotes too, though they also remain unseen. 

We got up early the next day, knocked out a little math and language arts with Coco and then hiked the "Hole in the Wall" trail.  Such a beautiful hike and we saw more petroglyphs (these were the real deal).  Depending on which direction you approach the trail from you either have to climb two sets of rings to get into or out of the canyon.  We climbed up.  It was an interesting process hauling Ms Willow up... but she made it too.  We should have named her Billy, as in billy goat because she loved jumping up and down the rocks. 

Coco picked up another Junior Ranger workbook the day we left (the visitor center was closed the two days we were there).  She is going to work though it and mail this one in. 

 



The Mohave is home to the Joshua Tree, and while there is a Joshua Tree National Forest, this site is home to the oldest and biggest of the majestic yucca.  They grow only a foot every tens years (according to the park ranger).  So, the big grandaddy 40 footers are around 400 hundred years old!  

Unfortunately, because we are in a single unit motor home... the road that leads to that part of the Mohave was inaccessible this time.  We could have gone around (about a 100 miles out of the way), but decided it would be worth it to try again another time.  We were also itching to get going.  There was another place we wanted to see before we were to meet up with our friends.