Where we're at.

Chillin’ in the ‘dell has been nice to us as we practice the art of unwinding. We’ve been eating lots at family gatherings, catching up with old school friends and even getting into the city for some truly New Orleans style partying. The holidays in shorts and a tee shirt are very different especially with no beach around. It is not so hot that you don’t want to be outside but there are biting bugs to drive me in. Nearly all of the school friends are Julies’ as this is her home town and they are very curious what it is that we are doing. Always there is excitement for our travel plans and awe at the simplicity of moving around with a small home on wheels. The questions probe into the mystery of our choice to leave the great beauty of Vermont behind. We have some answers for the kinds of questions which come to why, what, and how but they don’t follow a logic which so much of our society desires.
Julie and I now have all our belongings in a 1981 VW Vanagon called Naranja. We put this scheme in motion earlier this summer after much meditation on our quality of life. Harnessing the power to make choices about our lives from a clear place within our hearts attracted us both. So rather than allowing circumstances to bring to the surface quality of life issues we are allowing our spirits the chance to pave the way. We want to bring conscious living into everyday practice. Mostly what this means for us is listening to the inner dialog of our heart, mind and ego. There are many subtle signs which show the way forward. So far we can say that the forward journey is the guardian which keeps fear at bay. When we have a day or more where the path is imperceptible to the light of our hearts we need not regret the choice to leave behind that which we have loved such as Vermont, for we know that that love which was also shall be. The forward path is not always traveled quick and straight. Some turns along the path require a slow pace or we might never negotiate them. Right now these are the turns of which Julie and I are becoming aware. We no longer felt satisfied careening along, a passenger on the rails of circumstance. To awaken consciousness from circumstantial living we have begun to surrender and forgive. We have a lot to learn about these powerful ways of being. And so for now we give ourselves a home on wheels, which likes to drive very slowly, from which to explore the variety of ways to surrender, forgive and love in this world.
In little more than a week we will be headed to the USVI to join my parents for more lessons in these practices. I still hope to catch you up on the adventure around the tip of Florida so stay tuned. Love Zach.

Happy holidays

Peace and love on earth!

Julie and I have made it around the horn of Florida and finished up the gulf coast for now with our arrival into Slidell, LA.  We took it slow thru FL and got a lot of beach time in.  The Orlando visit with Liz, Warren and Chunk was a major highlight.  Friday night bike tour of the down town bars and city atmosphere Started after a fabulous pizza and ice cream night.  We were treated to the sabor of fresh churned maple vanilla ice cream, which broke the churn it was so perfect.  Then fueled up we mounted our bikes to cruise the warm night air through the park to our first libation.  A beer at each venue and some live music thrown into the mix set us up to whined down the evening at the community spa in the hot tub and pool.  Excellent!  We are already think of a fun reunion with these 3 compadres west coast style.

Miami is what comes next.  Two night in the south beach district and lots of neon lights.  There we happened upon the International Art Basel, a 3 day contemporary art showing of multitudes of galleries.  We were given passes to an exceptional venue with lots of outrageous art to look at.  We ran into our friend Kristine randomly.  She was in town for the art basel.   Fun to catch up briefly.  

The Cuban food was the other point of focus for us in the city.  We ate a variety of dishes and found that the ceviche attracted us alot as we were craving raw fresh food.  After a taste ice cream cone we got our van out of long term parking and drove to buy a kayak.  Yup we found a tandem kayak on craig's list and after looking at it we put it on top of our van and headed to the Keys.  See you in the Keys>

We've hit florida!

Florida is the perfect temperature right now and we are all about the right now.  Disney World was great yesterday. And . . . I'm just kidding we didn't go to fantasy landscape of central Florida, we soaked up the pure waters of Wekiwa Springs.  A beautiful fresh water springs gushing out into a tranquil river.  The most amazing events conspired for lunch at a lovely grill.  Fresh cobia fish grilled over a fire while our bread toasted.  The sandwich which ensued was no ordinary Po-Boy.  We happened upon a little french bakery in New Smyrna Beach with superb baguettes.  On this bread was put butter and cream cheese, tomatoes, avocado, and of course the fabulous fish.  This was amazing.  Try it sometime if you find great bread.  

     We love our friends in Orlando.  More later after I eat and drive to Miami.

Out on the Banks

Julie and I have joined our friends on Ocracoke, NC voted best beach in America 2007 (november being the perfect month to visit.)  For 5 perfect days high pressure sat over us as we celebrated and gave thanks for all we experience.  Approximately 15 miles of clean sandy beach to walk and frolic, a vast shallow sandy sound to kayak across and flat roads to pedal classic cruiser bikes around and around the old shaded streets.  We nourished ourselves with fresh seafood (and I literally mean only hours out the the water,) a wonderful repast filled us on Thanksgiving and we even found some organic bacon in our provisions to compliment the eggs in the morning.  The gang, Jacquelyn, George, Scott, Brab, Terry, Clay, Julie and I steamed up most of our bushel of oysters we bought at the local seafood cooperative.  We ate them off our newspaper table cloth with cocktail sauce, butter and lots of fun.  

The beach during sunrise is a favorite of many, especially Jacquelyn.  The frosty sand numbed my feet but the ocean water revived them enough for the morning walk.  What a beautiful way to greet the day!  Numerous windless days we spent on the flat water of the sound out in the kayaks.  Wow! Fun!  The weather is changing the vermonters are returning home for the winter and Julie and I will move on to something new.

One more play on the beach! zach

we're on the road

We, Julie and I, started this journey out of vermont and our old-selves bound for experiences to the south.  The start has picked up speed and first dropped us for a visit to NYC.    We got to drinking late night in NYC and we have this blog to show for it.  Thanks to all the help out in the City. We love Manhattan and all the wild things that go on there.  Bright and early we are leaving for Washington DC, well early for the wild revelers of the previous night but certainly all would agree that a sunny day at 1:00 pm was bright.  

headed south!  zach