Freedom in a Can: Adventures with Hamlet

 One thing about living with only a small tin can separating your sleeping head from the elements is that we get the joy (and pain) of being in touch with what’s going on around us.   It has always been going on, we just weren’t paying as much attention while living in the sensory deprivation tank of a modern, well-insulated home or office.   Since we left Boone in September we have vividly been paying attention to sunrises, sunsets, weather, and moon cycles.    We remember fondly where we were and what we were doing during each full moon.   We spent the Christmas week moon with The Hutchisons on St. George Island, Florida.   While it wasn’t my family’s first Christmas outside of the Midwest, it was their first “destination” Christmas to a place unknown. We are proud of them for coming such a long way to get together.   It was memorable and well worth the time.   Our folks live in a lovely area in northern Michigan, and winter is one of t...

I cannot say that I’m sad to see 2012 go.   It has been a memorable year, but I’m not sure it’s one really worth repeating.    Anyone want to go through that election year cycle again?   Better discourse has been found in a pre-grudge match WWF smack-down.   The functionality of our current federal government at the end of the calendar is so impressive I was inspired to develop a new drinking game, feel free to play along at home while watching the news or listening to the radio at work.   Ready?   Wait for it… “Fiscal Cliff”… Drink!   Add to that the political mire that showed right-up after Super-Storm Sandy devastated the Jersey/NY shore.   Anyone want another go with Sandy?   I doubt it.   And in the waning days of this year, our nation, our people, our world was tragically reminded that violence has no meaning, no message, and no mercy in Newtown, Connecticut.   We are a sadder people collectively after 2012, like 9-11, C...

Ironically, we're posting this from a McDonald's in Woodruff, South Carolina, wher e the wifi comes free with the crappy coffee.  Before we left Boone, some friends expressed concern about what we would be able to cook/eat in our camper.  So, we thought we’d assure everyone that we are eating just fine – better in fact.  We love to eat and we love to cook.  Rather than simply shoving food in our faces as we run out the door to the next thing, eating is now a daily event.  We usually have the time and take the time to have fun with it.  In our working lives we had moments of inspiration and creativity, and now it has become one of the joys of the expedition. Eating good, creative, whole food on a self-induced, tight budget is challenging, but not impossible.  Admittingly, we take every possible opportunity to stop at Trader Joe’s and stock up on some extra special treats at amazing prices while taking advantage of every 2 for 1 deal we see.  W...