Category: Travel

A Yellow Tulip & The Emerald City

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This time of year always reminds me of the land of tulips, literally! Skagit Valley in Mount Vernon, Washington is home to this gorgeous rainbow of colors that goes on for miles & miles. It is absolutely stunning and one of those memories that never fades – for good reason!

I mean look at these….

Tulip Festival, Skagit Valley, WA – Dare To Stand Out!

Skagit Valley, WA

Skagit Valley, WA

At the time these photos were taken, I lived in a suburb of Seattle. Such a gorgeous part of the country, where we filled two bags of fresh produce for less than $25 at the best Farmer’s Market in the U.S, appreciated the pristine mountain top when it came out and went exploring every chance we got, even under the bridges. 😉

Mt. Rainier

                                   

Fremont Troll

Fremont, WA – Super fun, hip neighborhood that has a bohemian feel to it.

Tell me, have you ever been to Seattle?? What was some of your favorite things to explore?

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Much love!

XX,

Renee

Love Notes ~ The Handwritten Kind…

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How awesome is to give or receive a hand written note? That warm & fuzzy feeling you get when reading it or thinking about what the person may be doing when they open your note? In our modern-day age with all of the options for technology and instant communication, the simple art of taking a few minutes to write out a thank you card, love note, or hey I’m thinking of you card is becoming more & more uncommon. It is an act of kindness that is truly so meaningful and brightens the receiver’s day in such an unexpected way!

Love Notes

Maybe it was the memory of finding little love notes written on a napkin every now & then tucked away in my lunch as a kid from my Mom that I remember or being taught the importance of sending a thank you, either way, it has stuck with me.  😉

One of my favorite places to stock up on inexpensive stationery is at Target,  especially in the dollar bins up front! (Caution: try not to get sucked into everything else!!! Easier said than done) Really though, they have such an awesome selection of sizes, styles & colors. I tend to navigate towards the blank cards or more simple ones so I can use them for anything. Marshalls & TJMaxx also have a nice selection. When traveling, I tuck a card or two away in my bag for that just in case moment of need – and am always so happy I have something when it comes up!  Not a fan of your handwriting, meh – it’s the thought counts.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day!

 

A Yearly Sister’s Trip — This Year, We Take On Nashville, TN

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For a few years, I lived outside of Nashville in a suburb called Murfreesboro, but due to my travel schedule, I did not get to spend a ton of time there, but did get a pretty good feel for the city.  Funny, but true,  we often explore parts of the area we live in the most when hosting guests! For this particular trip, I was both a guest and a hostess as my sister and I returned for our yearly sister trip. When my sis, Crystal and I first started doing these, we said, “Yes! Once a year we are going to commit to a sister trip!” What a great idea, right? Especially as adults,  the years start to fly by and before we know it, years have passed. We are live in the moment type of girls, so making time for us is important. Our first one we met up in vibrant  Chicago and while we haven’t quite nailed every year since we first set out to, two out of four years means we are winning at 50%! Yeah!

Parthenon Museum, (replica) Nashville, TN

Nashville, TN – The Iconic “Batman Building” AT&T Building

Nashville, Tennessee is home to some amazing country music legends, has an incredible list of up & coming artists, gorgeous rolling countryside, an eclectic collection of neighborhoods – each with their own unique vibe, a nightlife scene that will provide a lifetime of memories and so much more. The southern charm is something to experience and truly, there is something for everyone.

It just so happened that we booked our visit for the third week in January and it was unseasonably COLD in Nashville. I am talking 14 degrees and SNOW! I came in a couple of days early for a few appointments and the city literally shut down on that Friday due to weather. I mean weather has been crazy this winter, but that’s a lot of snow in the south! I stopped into the grocery store on my way home from the Y and the check – out lines were wrapped around the front of the store to the fresh produce area, all karts were gone and there was no bottled water left! Instead of fighting the crowd, I walked out and stopped at a wine store I found conveniently enough located right down from our rental and gathered the essentials – bonus, they had water! We were going to be just fine!

While we were all snowed in on Friday (my sis wasn’t scheduled to arrive until Saturday afternoon) I have the privilege of working from anywhere and the Air BnB that we booked was not only located in a prime area and close to everything, but offered super cozy amenities to enjoy in the down time. Feeling a little adventurous, polar bear plunge, anyone?!

Look @ this snow!

Not a Bad Thing At All!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where To Stay

There are a ton of options for accommodations while visiting Nashville. Hotels, Airbnb’s, Home Away Rentals, B & B’s & RV Campgrounds to mention just a few. Depending on the time of year and what is going on, as with anywhere, rates will reflect what’s happening and with Nashville becoming more & more popular, it is always a good idea to get a feel of the time of year you are visiting and how that compares against accommodation options & rates.

Side – note here, when we come to visit in our Coach two of our favorite RV Parks are: Two Rivers Campground which is located right next to the absolutely stunning Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville which is a MUST see during the holiday, but honestly is great to check out anytime of the year and of course is always an option to stay at. My sis and I escaped the cold a little bit and enjoyed the sights inside of The Gaylord, warming up! The other RV Park is Nashville Shores located on Percy Priest Lake and offers cabins as well. Admittedly, we have ONLY stayed here in November during the off season, (it is a water park) but it offers a lakeside sites, cabins & is away from the busy, busy area of Nashville, but still within driving distance of all the hot spots.

Sister Trip 2018 ~ Gaylord Opryland

So Fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nashville Shores

 

Our Coach, “Maybe” 😉 Nashville Shores, TN

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food!!!

So. Many. Options. I mean, BBQ, smothered & covered grits & gravy, southern comfort food galore, the Nashville Hot Chicken scene, bread pudding, you name it, you can find it. My sis and I went more of a what we were feeling in the moment, plussss, we were balancing all those yummy cocktails out! We discovered a couple super trendy & fun spots. Within walking distance of where we were staying in Midtown is The Tavern. This is the CUTEST gastro pub that is both cozy and upscale. The menu has all kind of options from garlic infused fries to buffalo cauliflower. The drinks are a creative blend of ingredients that refresh and impress. Yes, yes, yes – a fantastic place to kick off our girlie trip. It does have an outside seating area, but again, it was about 9 degrees!

A Sister Is Such a Gift

Kicking off our trip – The Tavern

Buffalo Cauliflower – YUM!

Puckett’s Restaurant & Grocer has a few locations, with the original being in Franklin, TN and one in downtown. Live music is offered nightly at both locations and a menu that serves up brisket, fried green tomatoes & ribs among other southern treats & nightly specials.  We opted for the one downtown this time around and enjoyed a great performance with bbq salads – it was the last day of our visit and we choose to go light!

We had to get in a little exercise and we figured why not run Nashville’s Music Row, check out many of the music production studios and grab a quick bite afterwards. No celebrity sightings to report, but there is this adorable cafe offering the freshest ingredients and loads of healthy options called Caviar and Bananas located in Midtown. It is known for its brunch scene, but we just did a quick stop by and tried the overnight turmeric oats while having some sister chat.

Located in Nashville’s ever so popular neighborhood, East Nashville there is an array of restaurants, boutique shops, vibrant wall art, pubs and antique stores. It’s a great place to grab a bite to eat, walk around and have a few photo – ops! The Pharmacy is a burger parlor (yes, parlor!) and beer garden that has some of the juiciest burgers around, fries with garlic or wasabi aioli and a wide variety of beers on tap. The outside area is so much fun in the warmer temps with huge picnic tables for big groups to enjoy.

Three of the five, Five Point Bears in East Nashville

Five Points Nashville – I am an AWESOME Photographer! Ha, ha! Any CMT Viewers recognize this wall?!

Take #10. I swear I was JUMPING! My sis needs a little help with the camera! Lol

Entertainment

As you have probably noticed, food & entertainment easily go together in this amazing city.  When visiting, a stroll down Broadway is an absolute MUST as it is lined with bars and country music pouring out of each.  Stop in, enjoy a drink(sss) and maybe even a line dance depending on where you go. If you are looking for a new pair of boots as a souvenir, there are plenty of stylish options here. The old Union Station, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Riverfront Park are all within walking distance of each other. Tootsies Orchid Lounge is a world-famous honkey tonk and definitely worth the wait in line for a first time visitor who enjoys the country music scene, the drinks kept us toasty!

Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Nashville, TN — Fur Hoods UP!!

We may or may have not Marco Polo’d our parents and sang “Friends in Low Places” from here! Because, why not?!

A trip to Nashville is truly complete with a visit to  The Bluebird Cafe and / or catching a show at the Grand Ole Opry. A couple of important things to consider when planning: The Bluebird is a quaint, legendary club that showcases some of the best talent in Nashville.  It may be recognized from CMT’s show, Nashville or seen in movies. While it is a fantastic way to experience true country music, Nashville style, it can be tough to get into and there are steps to making a reservation, be sure to check the website for details. It is not unlikely to stand in line outside of the club for hours before the doors open to get a seat.  The Bluebird is located about 7 miles outside of downtown Nashville.

The Grand Ole Opry is one of the longest running radio shows, broadcasting since 1925. For most of the year, is at the Grand Ole Opry House (located a few miles from downtown Nashville near the Opryland Hotel), but from November – February each year, The Grand Ole Opry is at its former home The Ryman Auditorium which is located right in downtown Nashville. There is great history to the Grand Ole Opry and tours are offered at both venues. Having the incredible opportunity to visit each, I can happily say there is not a back seat in the whole house! Eight artists are guaranteed to be in the nightly line – up and often, surprise additions are sure to make an appearance.

I surprised my sis with tickets to the Grand Ole Opry and the show was amazing — complete with on – air commercials and all. Such a unique experience!

Grand Ole Opry @ the Ryman Auditorium

Grand Ole Opry @ the Ryman Auditorium

 

Downtown, Nashville, TN

Grand Ole Opry @ The Grand Ole Opry House

WOW!! And, that is a Nashville sister trip wrap – up. I didn’t even get CLOSE to covering everything, but this should be a great start. Most importantly, we laughed, cried, skipped, ran, and even had a sister spat or two for good ol’ times. The memories we make in life are the true treasures.

If you have been to Nashville, I’d love to hear about your favorite memories and suggestions. Please feel free to share in the comments! Also, if you have any questions, please reach out and ask away! This website is also super helpful for all things Nashville. Visitor’s Guide to Music City.

Thank you so, so much for stopping by and reading. Have a wonderful day!

~ XX Renee

All It Takes Is One Conversation To Change Everything. Gratitude + Abundance Magnified

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A little backstory about what triggered the thought for this post. I am currently reading book #3 of a 4 book series written by Rhonda Byrne. Of course I am reading them out of order (no surprise, that’s my style!!) which does not impact the flow of the books, the author explains.  The book reviews of the series itself are amazing in themselves with many sharing that these books have literally changed their life. As with anything though, use it or lose it — so the author emphasizes  it is crucial that the reader practices what they learn in their life immediately.   Book #3 is called, the Magic and is all about the insane power of gratitude and how to truly understand it, use it and experience it more than you could have ever imagined.

Gratitude + Abundance Magnified.

Today’s exercise (day #12)  asked me to think of three people in my life and thank them out loud for HOW they have affected the course of my life. To truly visualize that moment in time, speak it out loud and thank them. I closed my eyes, cleared my thoughts and focused on the thought to bring in the people who came to mind, first.

Within seconds, the man who’s name I  wish I knew so I could reach out and thank in person came to mind. While I don’t know his name, I took his advice straight to heart & put it into action, that’s how good it was.

Here’s a look into what he shared with me

fifteen (HOLY MOLY!!!) years ago and how that ONE conversation was so impressionable in my young adult life.

During my college years @ Kent State University in Kent, Ohio I worked alongside of being a full time student, like many do. I was truly so fortunate to have found a job that was considered on campus, paid well and I could walk to (nearly all 4.5 years from my freshman dorm & college house) that didn’t involve food or being a resident assistant. I considered being a RA long & hard, but I just couldn’t bring myself to having to put a stop to those early a.m. parties that I was the one guilty of being at! I would have wound up turning myself in because I couldn’t handle being a hypocrite! Just about as I was feeling the freshman frustration of adapting, juggling & stressing just a bit I came across a job posting for the KSU Phone Center….

I tried to ignore it. I realllllly did.  It continued to pop up all over the place – SO, I accepted the message staring point blank right at my face and I looked a little closer. I mean to a broke college kid, the hourly pay looked incredible.  I told myself it would only be for a semester or so, ha, ha -come to find out the joke was on me.  I officially became a student caller at the Kent State University Foundation Center raising money for KSU through alumni. Yep, a telemarketer in all of it’s glory.  Oi. I didn’t like the title (never been fond of titles), but I did like the hourly rate, bonuses & incentive program. The job taught me A LOT and I made some incredible life – long friends.  After my freshman year I applied for a position as a Phone Center Manager (yayyy, I didn’t have to call as much!), got the position and 4.5 years later I was still there, which leads me to my mystery man.

I was a December graduate and every now and then, us Supervisors would jump on the line to do a few calls,  lead by example and keep our experience relevant & relate-able.  This specific night, I spoke with an Alum who had three kids of his own, put them all through college and understood the importance of alumni support. I, personally was just on the brink of graduating and honestly was already feeling the fear of being unsure of where I was going, what I wanted to do in just a few short weeks and where I was going to live among many other things. As the man and I were building rapport, he asked me my plan — the dreaded question that weighed so heavily on me at the time. I believe I responded by telling him I wasn’t sure; but I was thinking about going somewhere for a little bit before I had to “commit” to the real world — which in itself is a whole other story, but I’ll save that for later! The man shared with me that there was only ONE requirement he had for all of his kids and that was for each to take a few months / weeks and travel before jumping into a full – time position, marriage, kids, life in general. He paid for it, that was his gift completely to them. He shared with me where all of his kids chose to go and a about each of their unique experiences. He really emphasized that NOW was the time he expressed to them to do it, because life happens no matter what and many times, really fast.

That night

after I thanked him for his generous contribution and ended the call, I decided 100% that this is exactly what I needed to do – travel. I committed, to myself. I found the place (a 14  – hour plane trip away) that felt right and I took out an additional, small student loan to help fund my decision. I put it together in few short weeks and traveled / worked for travel for six beautiful months in the gorgeous country of Australia.

I am so, so grateful for that man. The man who’s name I am not sure of, but I KNOW he was placed into my life at exactly the right time to be the messenger for exactly what I needed to hear. If I had not had that conversation and been open to it, who knows if or how long it would have taken me to leap and truly appreciate the wonderful world of travel. I know for a fact, every decision I made after that would look much different than it does now if I had not had that conversation.

My question to you is: who in your life has truly impacted your path? How would your life look if you didn’t make THAT specific decision or have THAT specific conversation? The next time you make a choice, will it be slightly different?

The mind blowing  thing is

that often, when we take the time to look back we can identify how truly one choice leads to another and we can absolutely design the life we desire based on our choices & an open mind.

On the gorgeous Emerald Coast of Miramer Beach, FL – A Winter Escape

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a beautiful day and make sure to create more magic in your life!

 

XX

Renee

Lunch On the Go – Go! Healthy Eats, Little Time…

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People are always so curious about how much we eat out given that we are almost constantly traveling. Truth be told, with a little pre- game thinking, maybe a  tiny bit of prep and some creativity, my lunch looks more like this on a daily basis.

While I am all about spending a couple of hours a week doing some things to make meals & snacking easier, I totally bought everything up above all ready done. We had limited time and limited resources, so I made it work. Yes, we can now purchase eggs already boiled in our modern day society and I love a flavorful, but not mayonnais – Y  tuna and the quinoa really hit the spot! Green olives stuffed with feta, ummm, yes. Protein, savory & satisfying all around

The container is fantastic as it has several different dividers for a girl who loves variety. Really, they are available all over, so please don’t pay more than $12 for it and that’s a bit much. I think I found mine @ TJMaxx or Marshall’s for about $8.

Cheers to a healthy lifestyle on the go – go! Small changes do count and will add up -promise!! Plus, your body & mind will thank you!

Thanks for swinging by and be sure to show some love or share with someone who may!

xx

Renee

The Easiest Way to Stay Fit on the Road…

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I often wake up in  a different place on a nightly, weekly or sometimes (very infrequently) monthly basis. As a runner, I sooo appreciate this and often times think about not only the miles my tennis shoes have put in, but all of the cool spots that I get to explore right out of my door and burn some calories while doing it!  Running is one of the most convenient  ways I know to stay in shape when traveling and requires nothing but a pair of tennis shoes. Well, I like to use my armband, Yurbuds & my running app too, but still – very little equipment and so easy to pack.  If you’re not a runner, try walking and work your way up to power walking.  I have a friend who is the power walking queen and she makes me work for it, every time! You truly can get in a good sweat session and end up working different muscles in the calves. Trust me on that one. 😉 I felt it the next day! Ok, let’s say you are just not the exercising type (dun, dun, dunnnnn) Here’s something easy to incorporate into your weekly schedule whether you are traveling or not…

  • If I am catching up with family & friends, I love to put on my headset and walk while we are chatting away. Before you know it, you have been on the phone for 30 minutes and walked over 2 miles! Do this every time you are trying to “find a good time” for that catch up call and you will be surprised how many calories you burn and how you mayyyy just start to look forward to it! (I start my running app right before I make the call. It tracks time, calories, pace & distance. Check out MapMyRun)  Added perk, you feel GREAT afterwards, really!

A few years back I was training for the Tough Mudder (yes, while on the road) and became obsessed with different types of exercises using only  body weight. Because, I mean, who can tow around weights with them all of the time? Or better yet, who wants to?  Plus I couldn’t depend on wherever I was staying to have a good selection of weights , so I had to come up with a concrete plan. That way when I had a variety of weights it was an added bonus to my work – out and didn’t dictate whether I had a good training session or not . Boom! That’s how you control what you can – and forget about the rest!

I’ll share some of my favorite body weight exercises that you can do from anywhere in a future post! They are SO simple and the best part, effective!!

In the meantime, be sure to get out & move it, move it!!

A Chicago Escape – Things to Know When Planning Your Visit

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Chicago – deemed the “Windy City” sits on Lake Michigan is the third largest city in the United States. It is home to the Cubs, a stunning skyline, top notch museums, parks, theater, architecture and if you are a foodie, the city is like a dream come true. It just may be possible to eat at a different restaurant every single day for years and years and something tells me that you will not be disappointed! Ohhh, and the nightlife, where do I start?! It is just something you have to experience for yourself!

I have found myself in this city several times for work and many times for fun, most recently a girls’ weekend! Such a blast and I highly recommend it! Here’s a few tips and things we learned over the years from the locals & just figuring it out…

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Planningcan be fun!

  • If you are taking a summer trip, the third weekend in August is always a blast as the Air & Boat Show is happening and it is FREE with plenty of cool spots to view it from, such as the North Shore Beach. (Yes, Chicago does have a “beach” and it is not on an ocean. 😉
  • Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the river is dyed green. It is stunning to see (have only ever been able to enjoy by pics) and I hear it is a blast celebrating the Irish holiday!
  • The city is just magical in the winter. Lights, snow and good cheer will serve as your backdrop as you explore. Just be sure to bring lots of layers and dress for the weather! The horse drawn carriages are also draped in lights, very “romantical” if that is your kind of thing!
  • Chicago has two airports – Chicago Midway International Airport & O’Hare International Airport. Midway is actually closer to the city and the “L” train has a line directly from the airport into the city. Really easy to navigate. O’Hare is located on the far Northwest side of Chicago and also offers access to the train. FYI – If you are a Southwest flyer, they ONLY fly into Midway.
  • If you choose to drive in and are planning on staying in the city, be prepared to pay for parking at the hotel and everywhere you go. This is something to think about when choosing a place to stay, while you are paying for parking, Chicago is an extremely easy city to navigate on foot, if you are able. There is a pretty big convenience to walking straight out of your hotel to start your day! Staying in the city cuts down on travel time into downtown (especially if you have limited time) and the money you put towards the train, bus, taxi or Uber is used for hotel parking. There will always be traffic in Chicago, it is just a given, so be sure to put some thought into where you want to stay. (FYI – Parking is extremely limited in Chicago)
  • Hotels come at a premium price in the city, but you can find some great deals. Check Kayak Hotel Search for a quick comparison. Don’t forget options such as Airbnb and VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner). If you choose to stay a little further out, look for hotels that offer easy access to the “L” train – Chicagos’s rapid transit system. It is color coded by line and truly easy to figure out, plus all of the attendants are super helpful, just ask!
  • Here’s a hotel that we recently stayed at and was literally steps to the train: Renaissance Chicago O’Hare
  • Here’s an option that we stayed at in the city. Perfect location to everything! The Wit – Doubletree

What to see & Do

Chicago truly offers something for everyone and so much more. It just depends on what exactly you are looking for. Here’s a few of my faves:

  • Millenium Park – Gorgeous park to walk through where you can get a glimpse of the iconic “bean” also known as Cloudgate, a public structure by British artist, Annish Kapoor.
  • Super cool photo-op! 081613Chicago w Sissy (16)
  • Before you venture away from Millenium Park, cross the street to the Chicago Athletic Club and take the elevator up to Cindy’s Rooftop Bar.  This open air bar gives you a great place to enjoy a cocktail and the view from above is incredible! No cost to hang out, but please do enjoy a drink! I highly recommend Howl at the Jun — delish! Non-peak hours will give you the least wait and best viewing ability! IMG_20160821_195748205
  • About a half a mile or so further down the road is Buckingham Fountain. For those Married With Children fans, this is the exact fountain in the opening credits. Apparently, there is a light show at night and it does close at 11 p.m. We missed the evening show, but still enjoyed it during the day.  65035
  • Navy Pier – there’s always a ton happening at Navy Pier. While it is definitely touristy, some may really enjoy the Ferris Wheel, shopping, dining and a leisurely stroll along the water.
  • John Hancock Center – another great way to view the city from up above. You can pay for the full experience which includes a “tilt photo” that appears as if you are floating above the city or you can take the other route and go to the 96th floor lounge for a drink & a view. IMG_20160820_173412241_TOP
  • Don’t miss the iconic Chicago Theater Sign – this pic will make for a great souvenir of your trip. Located on North State Street in the Loop area of Chicago. Catch a show while you are there! 081613Chicago w Sissy (27)
  • And, if you would prefer to see Chicago by water, the Wendella Architectural Boat Cruise is an excellent way to see & learn about the city!

And, no trip would be complete without some…

Great Eats!

  • Giordano’s – Original deep dish Chicago style pizza. Head to the Rush street location. Lots of places to grab & drink and digest before you hit up some great spots dance it all off!
  • Portillo’s – home to Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers & salads. Oh and don’t miss the chocolate share – they put an entire piece of chocolate cake in it, seriously!
  • Garrett Popcorn – mouthwatering popcorn that hits the spot after every meal. A must try is the mix of cheddar & caramel, my personal fave – almond caramel!
  • Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse – one of the BEST steakhouses in Chicago. Great atmosphere, amazing food with a side of light entertainment & people watching.
  • Billy Goat Tavern – cheezborgers it is! Be sure to ask about “the curse” while you are there. Simple, cheap and satisfying eats at this little dive.
  • Mercadito – great for drinks & fun for dinner
  • Stout – don’t miss this hot spot on Fridays for happy hour!
  • Untitled – speakeasy with live music and a super fun scene. Had a BLAST here! Check it out  after dinner for drinks & entertainment.

As with the “things to do” list I really could go on, but this should give you a nice jump start in planning your getaway to Chicago! Girls trip, Bachelor party or family weekend escape, you will LOVE this city, I promise you that!

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xoxo

Renee

Our Version of a Tiny House

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Some may (and have) call it a gypsy lifestyle, a wanderlust soul or even afraid of commitment. I like to say I love a life of small & large adventures. The travel bug bit right after graduating college. I chose to spend six months in Australia living, working and affording travel up the Gold Coast before I dove into the “real world” with a full on career. I don’t think I knew it at the time, but even then I had a great appreciation for time freedom. I discovered that I would much rather have a passport full of stamps & an album of memories than “stuff” to fill my space with.Since then,  I have traveled the country for about 10 years, roughly 10 months out of the year managing live events, nationwide. This means I am 100% mobile, all of the time. With the exception of about two months out of the year, this is considered my “off” season. Crazy to envision, I know – but, my norm is actually being somewhere no longer than two weeks at a time!

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A lot has happened during this time…

found an industry that I fell in love with, met friends who became so incredibly close to my heart, have been present for more family memories than I could have ever made possible stationary, met my Luv, who we now co – manage together, lived (loose term) from one side of country to the other, learned to manage Crohn’s Disease without a stationary home base (no way in hell I was going to let that stop me), visited 49 states – many more than once, downsized from a 1,200 square ft. apartment to a 320 square foot Motorcoach, invested in a virtual business (because, well, we already do everything else mobile, so why not?!) and to think, those are just the highlights!

So, why did we decide to swap a brand new apartment for a  bus?

Well, logically, it just made sense, when we weren’t on the road for work, we were traveling for pleasure! Yes, a bus is our version of a tiny home, all 320 square feet of it. We’d get home from a project, unpack only to pack again and head off on another adventure or to catch up with family & friends. Then one day, being the genius thinker that Eric (the BF) can be, he mentioned to me, “What do you think about living in a bus when we are NOT on the road for work?!” I looked at him, cocked my head to one side and attempted to gauge his seriousness level (I can be gullible, sometimes), yep, totally serious. I regained my breathe and managed to stammer out something along the lines of, “WHAT?! A bus, you have to be kidding me!” Well, low and behold, it turns out that this was no ordinary school bus that Eric had in mind – we’ll get back to that. 😉 We went about our lives; traveling the country all while Eric started the research process. He discovered many, many things about RVing full time, exactly what that would mean and started to explore the cost of being 100% mobile versus paying rent + utilities 12 months out of the year. During that time, we slowly started to wrap our minds around what it would mean for us to transition from a 1,200 square ft. apartment to a 320 square ft. bus. I, being an extremely visual person like so many ladies are, would often find myself in small galley kitchens on the road saying “OK, so, this is what it would be like, do you think we can handle it?” Visualization is KEY!

About a year after actually verbalizing the idea, we found ourselves exactly on the route to pass up a bus Eric kept coming back to in his research. We were enroute to Miami for a cruise, so we stopped before setting sail. The seller was extremely generous and allowed us to spend as long as we wanted getting to know the 40,000 pound beauty.  And get to know her, we did – five hours and 150 pictures later, Eric and I had to continue on our way, but not without a wealth of information. A few more months had passed and this so called crazy idea was getting closer & closer to becoming a reality every day. The new phrase that was often tossed around was, “This is either going to be the BEST thing we have EVER done or the absolute WORST” really, there is no true in-between when you make a big move like this. We were very careful not to share the news with many people until we were 100% sure. Not in the effort to be secretive, but more so because we knew everyone would have their opinion and this was a life choice as a couple, we wanted to make without any influence before the purchase. Some may say that is just crazy, but that is what worked for us. Most friends & family understood this after the fact and were extremely supportive!

There was a bit more that needed to be done in the form of research & things that had to check out with the bus and of course thinking about how to downsize, where the bus would be kept when not in use and so on. You know, the nuts & bolts of actually how to pull this off, not to mention, when to make the purchase & pick it up, because remember, we already travel 10 months out of the year.

This brings us to the very BEST part….

It just so happened (again, ha, ha, funny how things work out) we were scheduled to be IN the same small city right outside of Orlando for an event scheduled a couple of months into the Spring. Ok, ok, we don’t walk around with a Magic 8 Ball (90’s child, whoop, whoop!) but we were not oblivious to the fact that the stars were aligning, perfectly for such a HUGE decision. The Tylar / Baus Team (yes, our friends may have given us this title ;-)) had made the decision that THIS was the bus for them, but, we still had to work out when & where in our schedule to make it happen. Work put us there. With that said, there was a small time frame to meet with the seller & write the largest check Eric had ever written in his life. Deep breathe. He woke up that morning with lots on his mind & chest, needless to say. We had every single emotion you can think of – excitement, amazing energy and a of course, a little nervousness. We went about our morning routines, half giddy, half who knows what! This is where it is important to mention that as freelancers, we choose what projects fit our skills & qualifications best. Before choosing the current project that just so happened to put us in that small town outside of Orlando, Florida, we turned down a different project. Eric, being the one with the heavy checkbook that morning had some silent conversations with the man upstairs and asked for ONE more sign that he was doing the right thing. We walked outside of our hotel to get in our vehicle to head over to the Coach Distributor and also in the SAME parking lot was the other vehicle we would have been driving if we accepted the first project. Fifty states, hundreds of thousands of cities, many, many hotels in the Orlando area and there it was. Talk about answered prayers. Not just a “sign”, but a brightly-colored, fully-wrapped Tour Vehicle sitting there delivering the answer from upstairs “I was going to put you here to do this no matter what. This is your bus, now go get it.” Could NOT believe our eyes. Our hearts fluttered, stomach churned with excitement and off we went to become 100% mobile.

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The Day We Became Coach Owners!

The day we purchased our Coach we weren’t exactly able to take her (yes, our bus is a lady!) out right away. We had to wait patiently to hit the road with her as we had four more months on a work project to finish up. Remember, I mentioned that work put us in the place we needed to be at that time. When we wrapped that contract, we had exactly six weeks to pick up our new home, show her off to my parent’s (not after spending the initial night on the beach, though) on our way back up north, downsize & move out of our apartment, all while working out indoor storage when not in it. Whirlwind to say the least – but, such an incredible experience! I’ll post more about the process of downsizing in a future post. 😉

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Pulling out from our Apartment for the FIRST TIME – 100% Mobile Lifestyle!!

With that said, welcome to the adventures of the Tylar / Baus Team. We made a vow that if this 100% mobile lifestyle ever became “too much” or we weren’t making more memories than ever, we would rethink our plan. So far, it has been the best decision we have ever made! Please feel free to ride along with us virtually, until one day, our paths cross and we can say hello in person! Questions, feel free to comment below!!

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Fully “Hooked Up” for Night #1!

 

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Flagler Beach, FL – First Night Spent in Motorcoach

Much Love,

XOXO

~ Renee

Live & Travel Healthy — Tips for Eating Out While Traveling

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Who doesn’t love a nice meal out every now and then?! A night off of cooking, meal prep and the best part — no clean up!! We all do. But what happens when that now and again becomes the norm? Even if it is for just a small stretch of time, eating out can catch up with you. Given that my weekly schedule looks like an organized train wreck more often than not, as much as I plan with snacks ahead and prep in a kitchen while I have more than two pans to work with (hey living on the road means one must improvise on a daily basis!) I thought I would share some of my tips for eating out, when you have to versus choose to! 😉

If you feel like a burger

  • Ditch the bun and ask for a lettuce wrap. Most restaurants will accommodate, especially in a gluten & wheat free world. Plus, you can really taste the awesomeness of that burger & fresh ingredients. Skip the cheese & add avocado for a healthy, fulfilling good for you fat! Replace fries, chips or slaw with steamed veggies. May be a small up charge, but it is worth it.

Hotel Breakfast

  • Steer away from the bread box, sugary cereal dispensers, strange meat in a pan & oil options, the fun hotcake machine (I know, I ruin all the eating fun, but you will thank me in that swimsuit later ;-)) with chocolate morsels & “fruit” juice machine. Truuuust me on this one. While all of those items are appealing to the eye, they will give you an instant sugar spike, followed by a crash and leave you hungry soon after. Instead, look for hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, oatmeal (my fave!) — just not the flavored kind in a packet. Many hotels actually have a large container of plain oatmeal that you can flavor to your choice. Cinnamon, almond slices, fresh fruit, a little bit of honey are all good choices. Yogurt can be a great addition, plain and then have fun dressing it up!  Enjoy milk, a cup of tea or even coffee and snag an apple for your bag on the way out the door!!

Fast Food Made Right

  • Nope, not every fast food chain is made the same way. When having to choose where to eat when fast food is your ONLY option, here’s a few easy picks that won’t wreck havoc on your body…

–  Chipotle: Burrito Bowl for the win. No rice, double black beans, add your meat, corn,

salsa, lettuce & guac. Say no thank you to cheese & sour cream. Healthy, protein

filled and full of flavor. A no regret choice right there!

– Panera Bread – Pick two. Salad (dressing always comes on the side here) + veggie soup

(love the black bean soup) + an apple for your side. Ready to conquer the afternoon

after this winning combo. The afternoon siesta can wait for another day!

– Wendy’s –  Side salad or Mediterranean Salad with a cup of chili. (NO cheese, sour cream,

or crackers) Those items are just fillers and there is plenty of flavor in the chili!

– Chick-fil-A – Excellent grilled chicken salad (I truly do enjoy mine with no dressing! Call

me crazy, but I love the taste of the ingredients on their own, not covered up) but

they do have lower calorie options. Creamy dressings are not your friend. The grilled

nuggets are awesome. Grilled chicken sandwich, yes, please! No bun, of course  or just eat

half the bun with the lettuce as your lid.

Eggs aren’t just for breakfast anymore…

If you happen to be at restaurant for lunch or dinner that serves breakfast all day, think outside of the box. Have a made to order omelet with spinach, mushrooms, tomato & avocado! Fruit or steamed veggies on the side and wallah , breakfast is served! Lean, mean, energy machine!

The Grocery Store!!!

Is a great stop to pick up a few items to make a meal out of. Grocery stores have gotten really good at providing fast grab & go items. You can often find a variety of salads, soups, kale & protein salads in the deli and much more depending on the grocery store. I love to pick up a bag of carrots & hummus as a quick snack. Most hotels have a mini refrigerator and you can always ask for one if your room does not come with one to store any leftovers for the next day. Don’t have a cooler? Simply ask for two laundry bags. Fill one with ice from the ice machine & the other with your food items, combine & put in back of car until you get home!

There ya have it, some easy tips to incorporate into your travel schedule. Whether it is for work or play, there IS a way!

Enjoy!!

~ Renee

 

Texting + Driving = Major Accidents

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We’ve all heard it, read about it and most of us have seen the words posted on the highway signs as we pass by. Don’t Text & Drive. Considering how much time I spend on the road, I wanted to share my thoughts on the whole texting, holding the phone while talking on speaker and surfing the web as we drive down the road at 70 mph generation. 

To say, “don’t do it” is one thing. To stop and think about how little time it takes for something to happen is another. Take it from a girl who travels constantly, like 10 months out of the year, most of that on the road, in a vehicle, driving herself. I should probably say that the vehicle of choice is not your standard SUV, but more often than not, I find myself responsible for a truck, trailer or  bus. That’s about 40,000 lbs or 20 tons of metal in most cases. Let me help to put that into perspective, an average sized elephant weighs 4 tons. For good visual purposes that is the weight of 5 elephants screaming down the road. Needless to say, making abrupt stops when they are cut off is a major challenge!!

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Here’s some staggering facts about texting. Did you know that while driving  it is comparable to:

– Drinking (4) beers and then getting behind the wheel — woah! (Thank you NATL. Hwy Transportation Admin)

– About 6 times more likely to cause an accident than being intoxicated.

  • FIVE, yep, 5 seconds is  the minimal amount of time your attention is taken away from the road when you’re texting & driving. IF you are driving at 55 MPH, this equals the length of a football field, without looking up, once!

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  • Your risk of crash increases by 1.3x when talking or listening, 1.4x when reaching for something, 2.8x when dialing and…23x when texting. Twenty – Three times more likely to crash!
  • Let’s be real, it is not just teens that text and drive, adults are guilty too!

Moral of the story, it can wait, your life and the other lives you impact are wayyy more important than answering that text. Five seconds, the blink of an eye, that’s all it takes.

In the meantime, if you are looking for a great Bluetooth and soooo over all of the static noise in the background, check out the Blue Parrot B250 Headset. Do I often get asked if I am on my way to lead a work – out class, why yes, do I wear it in public when just running errands, why yes. But, I don’t care how it looks, it works amazing, everyone tells me it is SO quiet (and I am in a bus!!) and best part of all, it is safe for when I do have make & take calls.  Texting can still wait.

reneeStay safe, my friends! And please, the next time you want to swerve in front of that bus or goose-neck trailer, please think about the small herd of elephants that just may kiss you from behind. Thanks in advance! 😉

xoxo

~ Renee