Our Te Araroa speaking tour took us through the Midwest, somehow magically without any winter weather. All 4 stops–Columbus, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Kansas City–were awesome. We both love, love, love standing up in front of people and educating them about our passions and adventures. But I think the thing I enjoy even more is…
In this past week, we went from the serene quiet of the island to the organized chaos of life on the road. We are officially on our Te Araroa Speaking Tour, making 8 stops at REI stores across the country between now and Jan. 13. We started in East Hanover, NJ, with an audience of…
We said goodbye to our 2-month caretaking gig on that secret island today, but want wholeheartedly to come back someday. We are mountain people through and through, but there was something magical about seeing the golden honey and grapefruit sky sink into the ocean every single night. And, we never tired of watching and listening to…
During the past 5 months, I read 15 books and J read 10. It may not seem like a lot for some people, but it was for us. We love to read, but when we’re on the road, we listen to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts. Our summer and fall caretaking gigs afforded us…
Currently living/working in: In the homestretch of island life … unbelievably, there are only 9 days left in our caretaking gig! Current mood: Sad to leave the island, but excited for our winter full of personal development and mountain training in Colorado! Currently excited about: Our New Zealand Speaking Tour!!!! And the fact that our first 3…
J & I have created what we like to call a “life less ordinary,” particularly since 2011. We support this life of adventures by working seasonally ain the hospitality setting. And even though it’s only been 4 years and we still have a lot to learn, we’ve come a long way from where we started.…
With less than 25 days left in our island gig, I’m already dreaming about how we will do this again in the future. Every caretaking gig we take has been unique and we’ve loved all of them (except for maybe one), but this one, this one is really making me gush. I do understand that…
Te Araroa is trending. While the Te Araroa Trust estimates there were 200 hikers on the trail last season when we were out there, those numbers are surely doubling this season. And because I’ve written about Te Araroa every which way—for Backpacker Magazine, the Appalachian Trials blog, Gregory’s blog, the Therm-a-rest blog, Superfeet’s blog and…
We celebrate 9 years of marriage today. And when I say celebrate, I mean it is like any other day because, well, we are on an island with no restaurants or other services. Not that we would do anything different if we weren’t on the island … but I digress. Recently, Backpacker Magazine wrote an article…
Currently living/working in: Caretaking an island off the coast of New England and loving it! Current mood: Happy! Currently thankful for: A simple and uncomplicated life on an island. Currently proud of: A new venture for our “Wandering La Vignes” brand that will be announced shortly … Currently excited about: Upcoming projects and job opportunities (one with…
All the islanders are gone. Well, 1-2 will come back here and there, but for the most part, we are alone (aside from the hawks, herons and owls who haven’t migrated). The outhauls and dinghies are almost all pulled. The sumac and maple trees have turned their brilliant shades of color and are loosing more…
We have settled in for our 2-month caretaking job on an island off the coast of New England. Some of you have been quite curious about this gig! There is only so much I will reveal on the blog and it is merely to protect the privacy of the island’s residents. They have entrusted us…
John Miller!!!!! John, please e-mail us your mailing address at gearandgo@hotmail.com so we can send you the awesome Princeton Tec Helix Basecamp lantern!!! Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to Princeton Tec for providing the great prize! Oh, and happiest of birthdays to this guy who likes to GIVE presents away on his birthday…
We start our new (secret) caretaking gig on Monday, so we’ve been bouncing all over the place these last few weeks since we left Maine. J even took a quick trip out to Colorado to see family while I helped my sister out in CT after she had a minor surgery with a major recovery. …
Who wants to win this lantern????????? We are partnering with Princeton Tec for a giveaway of a Helix Basecamp lantern!! This lantern is highly versatile. Not only is it good for camping, but it’s been the perfect addition to our stash as we roam the country (portable! multiple hanging and placement options!), especially when living…
Currently living/working in: transitioning from one caretaking gig to another!!! I know, I know, you are getting dizzy trying to keep up with us. We finished up our season in Maine and are in route to a 2-month (possibly longer) stint to watch a small, private, residential island somewhere off the coast in New England. Location…
You might have heard the big news. President Obama changed the name of North America’s highest peak from “Mount McKinley” back to “Denali.” You also might have heard that Denali shrunk from 20,320 feet to 20,310 feet. Denali sure is making the news a lot lately, huh? We are going to add to it. J…
J & I used to always say, “someday, we will live off the grid.” Not because we wanted to prep for doomsday or a zombie apocalypse, but simply because we thought it sounded cool. We got our wish. The place we are living this summer is off the grid. We don’t get mail here, have…
Currently living/working in: Maine. And not just Maine, but the North Maine woods off the grid, running a small lodge. view of Lake House from kayak Current mood: dreamy … thoughts of future adventures are burning in my imagination Currently thankful for: a job in order to plan for our next adventure! Currently proud of: 2 things …
Nearly every person we meet in the North Maine Woods spews off something along these lines: “You don’t have a spare tire??” No, we don’t. First of all, we had no idea what the roads were like in northern Maine (to be fair, our AWD car is delicate). Second of all, we actually didn’t realize…