Freedom in a Can: Adventures with Hamlet

A Smile and a Parking Spot We hear a few muffled words emanating from the car behind us, sounding something close to a frustrated,  "You Can't Park There!"  S he's just getting warmed up, and she hasn't even rolled down the window -- this ought to be good.  I prepare for a local tongue lashing involving a lot of "You people!" and something disparaging about respecting private property -- even though we're just trying to get out of her way.   Ginning up a big smile, she confirms our suspicions by repeating herself, only this time much more demurely.  I can see the tired frustration in her eyes, this is not the first, nor the last time, she'd had to do this.  I lean out to where her fluffy Pomeranian practically licks my nose and say, "Hi there!  We're not going to park here, we just need to get turned around and figure out where we can; we just want to go out for a paddle."  Our collective smiles, and eagerness to stay positive steer...

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have  ended up where I intended to be.”  ~ Douglas Adams Our 10th Nomadiversary: Celebrating Ten Years on the Road together! Just a month before our launch date in 2012, this quote by James Belasco & Ralph Stayer gave Hutch the nudge he needed to make the final leap of faith into the next chapter of our life; "Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have – and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up." Looking back 10 years later, it was a great trade. On September 3rd, while enjoying our time in stunning Seward, Alaska and Kenai Fjords National Park , we officially celebrated our 10th Nomadiversary and 22nd Wedding Anniversary -- on the same day.  It was intentional that we kicked off this solar powered, midlife-venture on the day that we exchanged our vows.  Those days, both 10 and 22 years ago, are still etched into our brains.  Driving away from ou...

SAVORY CREPE CASSEROLE WITH SMOKED CHEDDAR BECHAMAL SAUCE Back in 2012, we volunteered on a number of small, family-owned organic farms as we traveled across the country.  We discovered these special havens via the WWOOF program , and found that being able to stay in our camper while volunteering on the farm was a perfect match for us!   While working on our first WWOOF farm in southern Maine, we discovered one of the many great reasons to hang out with farmers...they love to cook what they grow and group potlucks were plentiful!  At one of these evening gatherings, this layered dish of deliciousness was presented before us. It was love at first bite! The idea here is that you'll make all the parts of this recipe separately --  crepes, cheese sauce, and veggie filling, then layer like you would a lasagna. Check out  more delicious recipes  and subscribe to our  FREE Almost Monthly Newsletter  to get a new recipe (and lots more RV camping tips...

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD When I was a kid, I'd run the other way if anyone made mention of the words "Brussel sprouts."  While I liked many vegetables, these boiled, mushy, over-salted green balls were simply...YUCK!  Even as my taste buds got more adventurous, I continued to shy away from this particular cruciferous vegetable. One Thanksgiving, a number of years ago now, our lovely sister-in-law Sue reintroduced us to these tiny, green, cabbage-like vegetables, prepared in a completely different way.  She brought forth a steaming bowl of roasted Brussel sprouts, which had been coated in olive oil, fresh garlic, sea salt, and cracked pepper.  Tentatively, I tried one, then another, and within a few minutes, found myself guarding the serving bowl, hoping that no one else wanted any seconds.  Where had these been all of my life?  A new love affair began...and we started thinking of all the different ways to use and eat roasted Brussel sprouts! ...