Is it simply us, or was 2021 one way or the other more durable than 2020? That first stroke of midnight 364 days in the past felt like a recent begin for the world…however as a substitute, it turned a ready recreation of “When will this get higher?” Upon realizing there wasn’t going to be an “finish date,” we bought vaccinated and moved ahead with warning. Buddy the Camper continued to be our rock, as did housesitting, to maintain exploring whereas having a protected haven. We RVed 11,366 miles across the US, visited our forty fourth nationwide park, backpacked Mexico for 2 months, and took to the ocean in French Polynesia. We took on difficult new initiatives, like launching an NFT Artwork & Gear Assortment, reviewing two books, studying to crew a sailboat, and main a #RecreateReponsibly marketing campaign for brand new outside lovers. And whereas 2021 wasn’t probably anybody’s favourite 12 months on document, we’re excited to share this annual highlights weblog and say that nothing can cease the magic of journey.
SoCal Residence Turf Highway Journey
I grew up in Southern California however had no thought how a lot there was to see inside a half-day drive of my childhood residence. In January, Mike and I took three weeks to discover the Mojave Nationwide Protect Desert, Alabama Hills, Loss of life Valley, Pink Rock Canyon State Park, Fossil Falls, and Vasquez Rocks Pure Space Park, and we have been blown away by their geological wonders and the way few folks find out about this aspect of California. The most effective half in regards to the journey was that we didn’t cowl an excessive amount of distance and took time to savor every place. For instance on the unbelievable Fossil Falls, we moved our tenting spot every night time, however by no means greater than a half-mile. its cinder cone and fossilized waterfalls from barely completely different angles and occasions of day reminded us that discovering new issues could imply wanting slightly nearer.
tenth Wedding ceremony Anniversary in Mendocino
March 12, 2021 marked 10 years since we tied the knot! For our anniversary, we street tripped up the PCH and returned to certainly one of our favourite spots in California…Mendocino County! North of the Bay Space, the redwood forests grow to be thicker, the coast extra rugged, wine nation extra familial, and all the things extra right down to earth. We stayed on the progressive Stanford Inn, one of many nation’s first sustainable and vegan motels—and having natural, homegrown, plant-based delicacies delivered to our ocean-view balcony every morning was a slice of heaven! From our Mendocino basecamp, we had all kinds of adventures alongside the coast—canoeing, rail biking, volunteer gardening, whale watching, and much extra…see this gallery.
Changing into Glamping Journal Columnists
In spring 2020, Worldwide Glamping Enterprise Journal launched their “Who’s Who of Glamping” subject and guess which peeps made the duvet? Writing the primary ebook on glamping in North America definitely bought their consideration, however our more moderen work consulting for glamping camps gave them the thought to not simply function us in that subject, however invite us to be common columnists for his or her journal. We printed one article per quarter in Glamping Enterprise Americas, sharing takeaways from our 200+ boutique lodge & glamping stays around the globe and the way property homeowners can create an unforgettable visitor expertise. Take a look at these articles on the Artwork of the Verify-in, Rooms to Bear in mind, and Facilitating Enjoyable.
Dwelling in “The World’s Finest Metropolis”
Mexico is a spot we may see ourselves residing sometime, so after we bought invited to housesit a villa in San Miguel de Allende this spring, we stated ¡Si, Señor! Not simply among the many nation’s most interesting, it was named 2021’s “World’s Finest Metropolis” by Journey & Leisure. We spent a month right here, having fun with all the things this UNESCO World Heritage Website, artist colony, and heartland metropolis have to supply. Highlights included, impromptu beer making at an underground brewery, my mother becoming a member of us for Easter festivities, geodesic dome glamping, exploring the road artwork tradition, and having probably the most lovely kitchen to hone my Mexican vegan cooking. Cactus tacos anybody? Take a look at extra of our adventures in San Miguel and the encompassing state of Guanajuato on this weblog and the remainder of our Mexico journey by way of Jalisco, Morelia, Guerrerro, Oaxaca, and Chiapas on our Instagram.
Our Closest Brush with Loss of life
As if driving Oaxaca’s Freeway 175, with its a whole bunch of hairpin turns over an 8,000-foot mountain move (with out seat belts or guardrails) wasn’t harrowing sufficient, it was pouring rain and our minibus driver was vying for a velocity document. Seems he was no match for the slick roads, and hydroplaned to the left, then whipped the steering wheel to the precise, and despatched us careening towards the cliff. I noticed the underside of the ravine approaching and time slowed simply sufficient to ponder demise or dismemberment, then—WHACK! We slammed sq. right into a phone pole. It snapped in half and our transmission dragged alongside the remaining stump of jagged wooden till it introduced us to a halt—a number of ft over the sting. We scrambled to the again of the van to maintain it from tipping ahead and hopped out the rear door. Fortunately nobody was injured and dozens of locals stopped to convey our automotive again to security (with a rope, a chainsaw, and brute energy), however this expertise definitely spent certainly one of our 9 lives. For happier tales from Oaxaca , try our journey information to discover this state’s colonial cities, historic ruins, mezcal nation, and beautiful seashores.
Official E book Reviewers
Although we don’t write about vanlife an excessive amount of, we’re proud that we’ve earned some road cred as long-time RVers and authors and have been requested to evaluation not one however two fabulous books on the subject: RV Hacks and The Falcon Information to Van Life. In each books, we bought HoneyTrek quotes on the backcover and have been even requested to contribute a piece. These are must-reads for glad campers, examine them out and help these stellar authors!
4 Years in a Camper
Buddy joined our HoneyTrek in 2017 and has grow to be the hero of our nomadic way of life. Residence, workplace, and journey cellular, our quirky camper has allowed us to discover North America on a finances (underneath $30 per day) whereas residing life to the fullest! To rejoice his 4th 12 months within the household and shed some gentle on why we determined to grow to be RVers, we made this video (above) about our life on wheels. Full with footage from our first days campervanning New Zealand and a current inside tour of our 1985 Sunrader, it’s a have a look at 4 years of full-time RV journey in underneath 5 minutes.
Driving the Seattle Warmth Wave with a Treehouse-sit
Throughout the hottest days of summer time, we attempt to give Buddy (and ourselves) a break, and thought we had discovered the right hideaway…a two-week housesit with an Architect-designed treehouse and two Corgi showdogs on Bainbridge Island, Washington. It seemed like a fool-proof plan, however then this nook of the Pacific Northwest had its hottest temperatures in recorded historical past—in the course of our keep! We made the very best of it, kayaking within the Puget Sound, taking gradual walks underneath the shade of the cedar and fir forest, engaged on show-dog tips, and hanging within the kiddy pool with our proficient pups. And Buddy was thrilled to not be driving (with out AC) within the 108-degree climate!
Dropping My Cousin to Covid
My cousin Bobby had a vaccination appointment on April twelfth, 2021 and the week prior, he bought contaminated with Covid. A born athlete and 45 years younger, he was not within the at-risk class, nor did anybody know he had lung abnormalities. He was within the hospital for 3 months, principally in an induced coma and respiration by way of a grip of machines, till he handed away on June thirtieth. He left behind a 10-year outdated son, a beautiful spouse, my Thumel household, and numerous mates who miss him dearly. After going to the memorial service in Denver, we returned to Washington State, solely to search out out his spouse and son have been coming to Lake Chelan, WA to scatter his ashes. She invited us to hitch, so we cleared our schedule on the drop of a hat and drove throughout the state to spend per week with them. Collectively we celebrated Bobby’s life, swimming, cliff-jumping, wine-drinking, bocce balling, and having enjoyable in his honor…will all the time love you, cuz!
#RecreateResponsibly Montana
Of all of the work we’ve carried out for tourism boards, we’re most pleased with our current #RecreateResponsibly marketing campaign for Glacier Nation, Montana. In gentle of the pandemic’s name for wide-open areas, Western Montana didn’t want extra vacationers—they wanted extra aware ones. In order that they requested us to take what we all know as eco-conscious vanlifers, who’ve spent a whole bunch of days tenting in public lands, and present folks learn how to depart the forest higher than they discover it. Over the course of a 12-day street journey, we shared the methods we discover accepted boondocking spots, correctly put out a hearth, clear up camp, examine our kayak and boots for invasive species, and volunteer and donate wherever we are able to to conservation orgs. We wrote this weblog in regards to the street journey (you’ll love the Worldwide Chainsaw Carving Competitors and the tipi glamping we did on the Flathead Reservation) and a Accountable Boondocking article for GlacierMT.com (coming quickly).
Launching an NFT Artwork & Journey Gear Assortment
I can’t consider we did this, partly as a result of it was so on-trend (we’re by no means that cool) and it was such freaking onerous work, however we launched an NFT artwork assortment! Uniquely mixing the crypto+artwork+style worlds, our mates at Wearable NFT Artwork invited us to collaborate with their resident artist to interpret the HoneyTrek story into three distinctive items of digital artwork, with an identical product line. We brainstormed, sketched, and dreamt up three artworks with the proficient Argentinian artist Santi Soulas and really feel they really converse to our 3,500-day journey and what we love about journey. We’re so proud to have bought all 30 items of artwork, raised over $200 for charity (NRDC, FLYTE, & The Bee Conservancy), and created gear we love.
Talking on the Journey & Journey Present
The main shopper journey present within the US has invited us to hitch their speaker circuit! Presenting alongside a few of the business’s greatest names (Locations to Love’s Samantha Brown, CBS’s Peter Greenberg, Discovery Channel’s Josh Gates, Patricia Schultz of 1,000 Locations to See Earlier than You Die, Frommer’s Pauline Frommer, and extra!), we’re coming collectively that can assist you plan higher journeys. On the fall occasion in California, we spoke about RVing and Glamping and this January we’ll be in New York to steer a panel on sustainable journey. We hope you possibly can be a part of us at one of many upcoming Journey & Journey Reveals throughout the nation, plus get in on all their offers, giveaways, cultural performances, hands-on actions, and extra enjoyable happenings.
Island Hopping French Polynesia
The islands of the South Pacific have lengthy been calling our identify, so we’re tremendous excited to lastly be in French Polynesia for a two-month journey! It’s a spot with extra than simply postcard-perfect islands, it’s the middle of the Polynesian Triangle and wealthy with tradition and extremely pleasant folks. Although to take advantage of this magical but expensive collection of archipelagos, we’ve needed to get artful…hitchhiking, couch-surfing, working for room & board, vegan cooking with an electrical kettle, and bartering a number of honeymoon-worthy experiences. See our photograph gallery from Rangiroa (one of many greatest atolls on this planet), video from scuba diving the legendary Tiputa Move, dreamy pics from The Blue Lagoon, and all our travels—together with our upcoming crusing journey by way of the beautiful Society Islands (Moorea and Bora Bora to call a number of) and exploring the tiki-clad Marquesas—on this Instagram spotlight reel.
Studying to Sail
One of many huge highlights of French Polynesia (and maybe HoneyTrek total) was crewing a sailboat within the Tuamotu archipelago. It was a shot at nighttime, however posting our rookie expertise on the French Poly Cruisers Fb Group discovered us our good captain: Jasna Tuta…a licensed crusing teacher, printed writer on French Polynesia, and all-around badass girl. With one video chat, we immediately linked as nomads and made a plan to sail the size of Fakarava, a shocking atoll and lagoon with UNESCO Biosphere standing. We got here aboard her luxurious Oyster 56 monohull and rapidly realized how a lot we needed to be taught…crusing rules, vocabulary, mechanics, navigation, and the mandatory upkeep of a million-dollar yacht. It was slightly intimidating, however Jasna was such a pure instructor and allow us to be taught trial by hearth. She had us hoisting sails, setting anchors, checking valves, fixing bilge pumps, cleansing mildew, sprucing chrome, and scuba-dive-scrubbing the hull…and we beloved each minute of it! We gained a lot from our week collectively, and whereas we might not all the time keep in mind learn how to tie a sheet bend, we’ll always remember our time underneath sail in French Polynesia. Watch the video above of tropical paradise and see how this pair of landlubbers faired at sea.
HoneyTrek within the Information
We’re honored that media shops look to us as journey specialists on all kinds of subjects. Listed here are a number of of our favourite clips from 2021:
- The Knot, the venerable bridal journal, posed the query, “How lengthy is a honeymoon” and we stated…100-day minimal 😉 Simply kidding, see the article for our solutions…
- Nationwide Geographic Journey observed the large uptick in glamping this summer time and requested for our insights and favourite locations on this fascinating function on how “Glamping helps ‘indoorsy’ households get outdoors.”
- RM World Journey, America’s #1 Journey Radio Present, introduced us again on for his or her “Private Connection” section to speak about our newest information and ideas from the street.
- Wildpreuners, an inspirational web site and lively neighborhood of dream-chasers, inquired about our unconventional path, masking all the things from honeymoons to Journey Coach to Comfortably Wild and our good day at work.
- Trip Professionals interviewed Anne for her finest recommendations on our 1,000-mile Grand Circle sojourn.
- We let all of it grasp unfastened on one of many main journey podcasts, Further Pack of Peanuts, dishing on our greatest journey mishap, our penchant for closing out events, and behind-the-scenes tales from our glamping journey.
- The Polish newspapers bought wind (slightly late) that we have been trapped of their nation for the primary seven weeks of Covid.
- The Camper Report Present did a video interview with us about full-timing with Buddy.
- The Estonian enterprise newspaper, Aripaev, requested some very private questions on how we succeed as digital nomads.
- We have been named one of many Prime 40 Journey Blogs of 2021 by Let’s Roam. Take a look at the listing for tons of superior content material creators to comply with within the New Yr.
- The OG Journey Web site, Go Nomad , picked our mind on housesitting for a complete information.
- Outdoors Journal’s resident gear man was reviewing glamping tents and needed the couple who wrote the ebook on this journey type to chime in. Coming Quickly.
Final Journeys for Two: The Quest for a Second Version Continues
All through this 12 months, we’ve put collectively a bunch of movies, articles, giveaways, and interviews about Final Journeys for Two. And also you in all probability know why by now…Nat Geo stated they’d greenlight a second version if we are able to present an uptick in vacation gross sales! With the assistance of our HoneyTrek followers we made a great dent this December (because of anybody that supported!) however we nonetheless don’t know if it was sufficient. Eek! We have now till January twentieth, so it’s not too late to get copies of this timeless coffee-table ebook (it simply went on sale for $14 btw) and assist us make our New Yr’s dream come true!
2022 Preview: 10 Honeymoons for 10 Years
January twenty second 2022 marks a full decade on honeymoon! We left residence to discover the world for 16 months, and ten years later we’re nonetheless going. Ever since 2014, it’s been known as the “world’s longest honeymoon,” so whereas we didn’t have a Guinness World Data man following us round (as a result of that’d simply be creepy) to validate our 10 years of honeymooning, it’s definitely a milestone value celebrating! To try this, we’re planning 10 honeymoons to rejoice our tenth 12 months. To us, a wonderful honeymoon is a mixture of romance and journey—with out sacrificing sustainability. We have now a number of locations and experiences in thoughts…however we’d LOVE to listen to your options.
Thanks to everybody who has adopted our journey over time and we look ahead to having you alongside for one more thrilling 12 months!
