This January has had far more cold days than warm ones as compared to our time here last year.
The weather has definitely made it more difficult to get motivated to get out walking, kayaking and biking. Heck, even getting the energy up to be social can be difficult when its cold, misty and dreary out. Many of us here have served shifts of stir crazy.
And this past week has been compounded for us as we passed the one-year anniversary of learning of my dad’s terminal prognosis – which we got sitting right in this very spot. Combine that this week with a loss of a dear close family friend, and Chris’ grandma now in the hospital too… well, some sunshine would be appreciated.
What is it about the last week of January in Cedar Key?
We’re doing our best to embrace positivity and focus on the good stuff.
The new coat of paint on the blog has definitely been a bright spot in our week, and we’re really enjoying the change.
We’ll continue tweaking some things and can say – it’s been a pure pleasure to work with Boondock Marketing. Jason has been hard at work behind the scenes buttoning things up so that the site should be loading much faster than when we debuted it on Monday.
He’ll work with us over the coming days to give us some more training on how we can continue tweaking, advancing and maintaining it ourselves.
We also got our regularly scheduled map refresh out for our app Coverage?. For those who don’t know – we dabble in mobile app development, and this is our app that tracks the four major cellular carrier’s data maps, helping us mobile folks pick our routings, campgrounds and stop over spots based on where we’ll best be able to keep connected. The app, and update, is now available on the App Store.
We’re also making some progress on our next app idea, but most our work time is super focused on preparing for the launch of the secret new exciting project we’ve been involved with shaping.
We can’t wait to share it with you!
Despite the weather doldrums, we have mustered up the energy to get out of the bus and be active and social.
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Other than that, many in our group here are preparing to move on to their next stops as the month comes to an end. Looks like there will be some new arrivals coming in early next week to take their place, and we’re excited to welcome them to Cedar Key.
It’s the ongoing slow roll of an extended convergence, where the participants are always changing as they come and go. It’ll only be a couple more weeks before it’s our time to move on.
We do finally have a plan after we leave Cedar Key – we’ll be attending the Tin Can Tourist Convention down in Brooksville, FL on February 20th where we’ll hang out with our fellow vintage RV community.
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Earlier this week we had a group potluck where each of us prepared our favorite ‘quick and easy’ RV kitchen meal to share, followed by a RV Gadget show-n-tell.
Here’s our recipe entry:
Costa Rican Black Beans & Rice
In our rice cooker we toss:
- 1-2 cups of rice (we used organic brown basmati)
- 1 can of organic black beans (bean juice and all)
- 1 can of Ro-Tel (diced tomatoes & peppers)
- A bit of water to bring the moisture level up
Press the rice cooker button, let it do its thing.. and then top with cheese and Lizano Salsa (a Costa Rican staple).
We have this dish at least once a week. We can also serve it over a salad, in tortillas as a burrito/taco stuffing or over chips. Yummy, vegetarian (could be vegan), gluten free, versatile, cheap, relatively healthy and easy to make!
The weather looks like it’ll be warming up over the coming days – so we greatly look forward to some sunshine, warmth and being more active. Our bodies and minds definitely need it.
And it wouldn’t be a Cedar Key post if I didn’t leave you with some sunset shots:
Sorry, someone has to say it but this story should be titled ” Cherie Cherishes”.
Love your work and appreciate it very much. I got hooked when you were in Billings getting your motor fixed. That certainly worked out well.
I saw your posts on FB and wanted you to know that I’m reading and now commenting. I don’t like to comment unless I’ve got something to contribute or if the content really impacts me; I don’t want to waste your time. However, we’re going to be starting our blog soon and I see your point, if no one comments then maybe no one is reading. So I comment today. The other point is about the guy who only wanted technical content. I think he miss understands the point of a blog. Your blog is so well structured that if he didn’t want the personal stuff; it is easily filtered out. As someone who is going full-time soon, I read the blogs to prepare for all aspects of living life on the road. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for commenting, we really appreciate it. It’s never a waste of time to hear that someone has enjoyed what we’ve taken the time to post.
And we agree… especially with the new blog layout, folks who just want certain types of content – can easily find it.
Thank you for following along, and best wishes in your journey to the road.
Cherie and Chris
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing all parts of your life on your website! I stop in a few times a week and have never left a comment, but felt compelled to tonight after reading a comment by another poster. We think you guys ROCK!!!
My partner and I are not yet full-timers so we live vicariously through you two!! We love that you share with us your lives and experiences and we hope someday to get to meet you personally. So from us to you – Thank you stranger-friends for all you do!
Daniel & Doug
Thank you so much for leaving your first comment.. we much appreciate it! Hope our paths get to cross, always a pleasure to make new friends.
Sorry about the loss of your friend, and sending healing energy to Chris’ grandma. Your photos are great and thanks to your posts we’ve put Cedar Key on our list of places to visit when we go nomad. Water is one thing we miss living in the desert and we would definitely join you on a sunset paddle.
The new layout is nice. I like the mag style format with the slider. We are using a similar format on Travelinas.com but I’m doing the work myself right now. When we have the extra cash I need to pull in a designer to help out.
Sending sunshine from Tucson your way!
Scott
Your site is looking great… we did our own for many years as well. But it was just time to bring in someone more experienced than ourselves to get us started on a new look.
Cheers to future adventures, and rendezvouses!.
Love that last kayak pic…and the hat! What’s up with that crazy FL weather?? Should be warmer already! And sorry for the difficult news. Hugs to you both!!
Nina
We probably should have just stayed west with you guys this year. Glad you’ve found some lovely areas to be in and explore.. enjoy it!
Very cool hat Cherie! I could have used one like that these past few days in Clearwater. We have not seen the sun in the past three days, with rain to accompany the chillier weather. I am told that is very unusual for these parts. Love that photo of the silhouetted canoeist with the sun setting! Wish we were still in Cedar Key. 🙂
It is indeed a very unusual weather pattern for these parts… and while we know our northern friends are having it much much worse, it does make it more difficult to keep spirits up.
So glad we got some time with you guys, a definite bright spot!
We enjoyed our week in Cedar Key and really enjoyed finally meeting you two. Yes, this is the year for RV cabin fever, we sometimes go the whole day without even stepping outside. It is the depressing weather that is causing it, at least for us. We moved on to Lakeland where the forecast looked much better but it is just more rain here so far.
Croft & Norma
It was great to get to spend some time with you guys… sorry the weather was so uninspiring, it would have been nice to see you guys around more. Hope the weather in Central FL looks up, and you get to enjoy what so many come to Florida for!
Hey, regarding your comment on Facebook: Don’t let the bastards get you down! You guys are more appreciated out here in the blogoshpere than you know. Been peeking at your weather “up there” in Cedar Key from time to time this past month and, while the weather in Florida has definitely better than “up north,” it makes me glad that for now we are in a condo on the beach in Venice FL and not shivering in our Airstream.
This probably would have been a good year for us to stay further south, or be out west. Enjoy your winter in Venice – I used to spend a good bit of time over there when my grandparents lived there.
The final photo is awesome! The joys of technology today, lol.
I’ve not meandered over to the Gulf coast yet but am living the convergence vicariously. The weather has been tough to deal with, well, I should say “annoying”- we don’t do this life on wheels without always wanting weather perfection, right?!?
Loss and reminders of those we love are parr of the grand experience. It seems that us nomads are all the types to embrace everything around us to a greater degree, magnified in many ways. So the downs can also be magnified. I wrote a piece “Not Every Day Is Wonderful” about depression while on the journey andreceived messages from other nomads that they’vegone tthrough similar periods, but hesitate to say because they feel a “pressure” to always be upbeatand eenthusiastic about our lifestyle choice. I’d rather show that its “real life”
You’re using your time well! The new layout is very inviting and readable. Have fun with the tweaking, but don’t overwork it, looks great already. My .02 as a WordPress designer 🙂
Thanks for the professional WP designer 2 cents.. much appreciated.
And indeed, there is often a pressure to share only the good stuff, or else we break the illusion that life on the road is all rainbow farting unicorns. Or that we stay steady on our present course and don’t dare consider other options (we’ve gotten the most hate mail when mentioning we might consider other modalities of travel, for instance.)
Let us know if you make it over this way… our time here is quickly running out, and many have already headed on.
Best wishes to you and wherever today finds you.
We feel the same about you guys as the previous poster Micheal, we also find ourselves starting a conversation off with “These friend of ours” then correcting it to this couple who’s blog we’ve been following for a long time.
Our sympathy goes out to you both this past month. January is a tough month for us also, as we lost a family member at 58 years young to cancer two years ago. This year we did a Facebook picture montage, shared with close friend and family, it was happy and also sad at the same time. We learned life can be short, so he is one of our driving forces to making this dream of ours to live fulltime and travel in our motorhome a reality. We will be fulltime by this summer.
We are hoping to meet up with you both sometime, and be able to shake your hand (or give you guys a hug) to thank you for the wealth of information and the insight into this lifestyle that you have shared with all. Until then, we look forward, as always, to your next post(s) on Facebook and your blog.
Wishing you both health and happiness in the months ahead. Thanks, Greg & Margie.
Thanks guys… and cheers to the memories of loved ones lost too young. It’s a great thing to honor them by making every moment count.
Can’t wait to cross paths and share stories around a campfire somewhere. Best wishes on your final push to full timing!
It is morbidly reassuring that cabin fever and cold weather depression can hit even nomads. I’m sorry it’s happening to you, though. I’m sorry that it’s being compounded by a perfect storm of things that only add to it. Even so, this post is so incredibly positive in its tone that it reads, from the first word of the title, as a statement to not letting yourselves be dragged down by your problems and choosing to live in a positive light.
I love you guys! Often I find myself telling others anecdotes about you and have to pause for a moment to keep from starting the story with “I have these friends…”, simply because it’s hard for me to think of someone I only know through Facebook/Twitter/the Internet at large as “friends”. At the same time, it’s hard not to think of someone I’ve “known” for years and earnestly care about as anything other than “friends”. One day I’m going to make it a point to fix that disparity by showing up at your door (in the afternoon, of course, and trying to pay attention to any signs posted. (; ) and spending some time chatting in real life.
I hope things look up for you soon. Maybe the move next month will help.
Awww… blush. That’s very charming that we get introduced as your friends. We love the opportunities to get to know our readers, and level up the playing field and getting to know them as well.
As much as we love Cedar Key, we are indeed ready for at least some different weather patterns… and are looking forward to our next location.
I am late seeing this. Just got in from dinner here on the west coast. I sincerely hope that the bed news is behind you, and that February has you looking up. Keep enjoying your extended convergence, and we will (hopefully) see you down the road one day.
Hooray for February being here… let’s hope it gets better!
January: the month of regrets and rebirth. January seems to be that time of year that many reflect on the past and also look for the brighter tomorrow. It seems that no matter where you are at that it can be a very depressing month, even in Florida. I am so sorry for your guys losses and heartache. Just remember all the fond memories and rejoice in the happiness that those memories bring to you.
I will be making Costa Rica Black Beans & Rice Tonight BTW.
Keep the post coming, we may not comment, but a lot of us read them. Most are what you would call lurkers!
Thanks Wendy – cheers to February being here. A new month, and a step towards spring.
We do appreciate our lurkers, but we really admire those who take the time to interact with us. It’s really the only sign we get that our sharing is appreciated.
The refresh looks and works great. It has a very clean readable look. I too am a fan of white space, and you are using it perfectly.
I did find the Non-retired RV’r Blog page a little visually confusing in this regard; the paragraphs describing each photo are spaced closer to the following photo than to their target photo. I found myself clicking on the wrong photo to continue reading the story. But then I’m also a slow learner.
I know from teaching web design how much time you must put into keeping your site fresh. I read every page, and viewed every video you post. You have an excellent site. Your site keeps the dream alive for the day I too can take to the road.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, skills, and experiences. I suspect you have helped many more people hit the road than you imagine.
Thanks Michael. The plug in for our blogroll still needs some CSS tweaking (as do many other things on the site). Only so many things we can tackle at once, but we’ll continue tweaking things out as time goes on.
Thanks for sharing, we’re heading into a family “convergence” if you can call it that with what appears to be possibly the last time we see one of our family members in March if she makes it that long. Words can’t describe the feelings, but at the same time knowing the suffering this person has gone through keeps us praying for peace and comfort.
Thankful for an extended RV family who understands that with all the fun and excitement of discovering new places, there’s also the reality, the “normal” life things that happen and knowing that sometimes the best way to support our extended family is just to write a note of encouragement.
So sorry for all the emotions this week and the unkowns ahead of you, but really appreciate all your thoughts and sharing of your life.
Absolutely… full time RVing doesn’t get one out of facing real life stuff.
Sending you warm and supportive wishes for your upcoming family convergence, and hoping you get much quality time in with your family member.
Love the hat! I hope it warms up when I get there. Great sunset shot with the kayak. Also, the new website renders great on my phone. 🙂
Thanks Meagan!
Haven’t visited your blog in some time. The site looks great and I appreciate a fast loading site. impatient as I am. Sorry about all the bad and heavy news. March will come soon and things will look up. (it has to right?)
Thanks… we’re hoping February is a step in the right direction for everyone. And thanks for the feedback that the site is loading fast (it seems to vary a bit still.)
Cherie, first off, I love your super cute hat! 🙂
But more importantly, I really like the person wearing it, and feel so badly for all of the sadness you’ve felt this week. Having met you a year ago in Cedar Key as the horrible news hit, and having lost a parent too young, I can appreciate the emotions you are experiencing this week. Hold close to your heart all of the loving memories you’ll always have.
We’ve learned so much from you and Chris this past year, as we continue to try to figure out if RVing even part-time in something vintage, is right for us. Whether or not it ever happens, we’ve gained a wealth of information from you guys, and more importantly, a special friendship.
Thank you for all you continue to share of yourselves, in order that the rest of us can learn and grow.
By the way, love the look of your website refresh. Kudos to you and to Boondock Marketing!
Thank you Karen.. and thank you for making your first blog post, we greatly cherish that!
Despite the weather lately, the people here are definitely a huge bright spot for us here in Cedar Key – you guys included. So glad you’re here, and making new friends.
WOW! Look at the changes to the website since I peeked in last week to read about the new gear from Millenicom. For the most part we have been quite happy with our pairing of the Novatel and Wilson Sleek (for Verizon) antenna. We don’t have the full-time need for connection but are happy clams when it’s there over breakfast and the end of the day. Staying in touch with family for our extended road adventures makes them worry less about us being out and about for weeks at a time.
As for the website changes, having been in the print industry for over 2 decades I appreciate white space. Therefore, I quite like the new look and what ever tweaking comes along can only enhance that. Good onya’s.
Though not a regular contributor here on your blog I had you on my mind remembering when you were in Cedar Key this time last year. January can be a cruel month on its own, wearying one to the bone with it’s sheer winterness. Add moving through bereavement, both old and new, on top it can just creep inside one’s soul and settle there like an unwelcome house guest. Many hugs to you both.
One day we will be in or within driving distance of Cedar Key the same time you are and look forward to the possibility of meeting both of you. This year we will make our first ever visit to the Keys as you are pulling out for the next leg on your journey. Until then…safe travels.
Thank you, Josie… glad that Novatel isn’t causing you too much grief. Thank you for the compliments on the new layout – more white space was important to us in the redesign.
It’s a new month now, so cheers to movement towards spring! Enjoy the Keys, it’s been a long long time since we’ve gone that far south.
I love your blog and hope that things warm up in the weather and your lives soon. Keep blazing the trail!
Thank you… we’re doing a warm weather dance and hoping for the best 🙂
Love Cedar Key!