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News Flash! I am no Ashton Kutcher.

November 26, 2018 by Chris


Hi everyone!

As you know, we’ve been living and traveling through Latin America since we sold V in September of 2017. It’s been an incredible experience, and one that we never imagined would have continued for this long. Initially when we sold the boat, the plan was to spend a few short weeks in Antiqua, Guatemala while we hatched a plan to get back to the states.

This many months later, the experience continues and it’s been both challenging and rewarding. Recently, after a lot of soul searching, Mel and I made the decision to return to the states after the first of the year. We’ve been away from family and friends for almost two years and it’s time to reconnect and spend some quality time. Even though we’ve made the decision, the plan seems to change. From minute to minute; day to day.

It plays out something like this. “Okay, we’re going back and it’s going to be so fun to see everyone again!” Then, over coffee the next morning; “Wow, it’s going to be so expensive. We’ll have to sign a lease. We have no furniture. Maybe this isn’t the best idea.” Now, I don’t know if you experience this sort of wavering on a regular basis, but second guessing is not fun. We flip-flop so often, we could run for office.

“We’re in! Oh, wait. I’m sorry… we’re not in.

“Yeah, let’s buy another boat! Another boat? That’s a terrible idea.”

It’s in these moments where I begin to spin like a small dust storm. One that picks up small farm animals and deposits them on top of a Walmart miles away. I start looking at every option available that might keep us from becoming snared in the normal life trap that we worked so hard to escape from in 2o12. And, when I say every option, I mean EVERY option.

I could totally live in this little beauty, but I think I’d be doing it as a single man.

By now I don’t have to tell you that I’m a huge fan of tiny houses. I love everything about them. First, it’s tiny and I’m all about small spaces. Cozy, well-lit spaces are calming to me. I also like the challenges that small spaces present. One must be concise and a master of efficient design to make it both comfortable and functional. Most tiny houses are mobile. After living on a sailboat for six years, I cannot imagine being stuck in one place for long periods of time. The ability to move a house that was specifically designed for the way we live is absolutely mind blowing to me.

Just one of many great designs driving the tiny house movement

Of course that’s also a big downside to owning a tiny house. Where do you park it and what do you pull it with? That’s the big one for Mel. The constant worry about having to move our house would become a stress that would offset the benefits. Yes, there are tiny house communities springing up all over America, but a lot of them are incredibly expensive. I mean, what’s the difference in paying $1000.00 a month in rent or paying the same to park on someone else’s property? The out-go is the same.

Once we realized the tiny house wasn’t an option at this time, we revisited the idea of another sailboat. It’s a life we know well and one we absolutely love. The freedom and simplicity are huge pluses for us. But the reason we moved off the boat was Jet’s health, which has actually gotten worse. Getting on another boat, even if we weren’t actively cruising, would be putting him back into a difficult environment. Add to this the fact that we don’t have the budget to buy the boat we truly want and it becomes evident that we’d be making a lateral move.

Honey… I got a great deal. We can park it on the dinghy dock!

I think upon reading this, Melody will discover for the first time that I’ve looked into purchasing a yurt. Yep, I said it. A yurt. There are several on Craigslist or (my personal favorite) one of these babies. Now, before you go all half-cocked; they are strong, simple – utilitarian structures that can be as luxurious or as spartan as you want. They are affordable and easy to move. How can anyone argue against a dwelling that’s been time tested by nomadic Mongolians for thousands of years?

3000 years of R & D

If you plan to leave your yurt for an extended period of time (like say to go cruising on a sailboat- ahem), a twenty-foot yurt can be packed into a van and stored in a very small space. When you return to chill for hurricane season, it can be set up in less than an afternoon. That is awesome! BUT- there’s always a but- where does one put their yurt? Do I want to set it up in my mom’s back yard? Nope. Alas… no yurt.

This ain’t your mama’s yurt!

How about a converted school bus? Ashton Kutcher lived in a converted bus. Mel said, “You’re not Ashton Kutcher.” RV? Too expensive. Mobile home? Um, those things are anything but mobile, not to mention tornado magnets.

Okay… so Ashton’s “bus” is a stretch. Btw A.K., this could fit way more than 2 1/2 Men.

So where does that leave us? The answer is, I’m not sure. Our time in Oaxaca comes to an end in few weeks when we’ll be schlepping our little gypsy caravan eleven hours north to the city of Guanajuato. What’s there you ask? We don’t know yet. We’ll be spending Christmas and New Years in a fresh city. We’ll count our blessings and make a plan. And, like every plan we’ve made thus far, it’ll change.

If you’re living the minimal life, chime and let us know how you’ve been successful. We love hearing about how others have paired down and solved their homesteading issue. Living minimally is something we are hugely passionate about. While we aren’t extreme to the point of living in vans or tents (we still love some creature comforts), we believe in living on less, consuming less, and experiencing more. Tell us how you guys have met some of these challenges.

Until next time, take care Vacilando Crew! Remember… Be Nice & Do Good!

 

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Filed Under: Musings, People, Travel Tagged With: Ashton Kutcher, cruising, sailing, Tiny House, Yurt Living

Comments

  1. Lauren says

    November 26, 2018 at 4:47 pm

    Hey Chris! We were in touch about a year ago, when Brian and I were busy getting ready to open our first post-cruising venture, a seasonal restaurant on an island off the coast of Maine. We had a good first season and are comfortably living in the one-room attic/apartment we built above our restaurant waiting for season 2 to arrive (Of all the decisions we made, I can’t tell you how happy we are that our business is zoned residential/commercial). We’ll be doing a little traveling this winter, but we’re mostly getting antsy to address the big question of what we’ll do/where we’ll spend our winters in the future. Your search resonates with me big time – I feel like we’ve explored all of the same options, but nothing feels right yet. And we’ve got dogs that limit our options. Looking forward to hearing where you guys end up. Cheers, L

    • Chris says

      November 26, 2018 at 8:05 pm

      Hey Lauren! So great to hear from you. I remember you and I remember following the opening of your place in Maine. I love that you can live above the restaurant and keep things simple. I also understand that it could present a challenge as you’re always right there at your place of work. I can imagine you have to work a little harder at getting the separation you need to keep your sanity. I will keep you posted on how it all goes. We are excited at all of the possibilities. It’s truly a great time to live a nomadic lifestyle. Technology (for all it’s downsides) has one huge up!

      Take care you guys! Thanks so much for reading along and for taking the time to comment. All the best!

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ABOUT US

CHRIS: Singer/Songwriter and author from Philly, (and also the author of this blog), transplanted to Nashville, took a break from the music biz and somehow convinced his girlfriend (now wife) to live on a boat and began writing books. You can check out his music on iTunes or his books on Amazon.

MELODY: Thought her husband was crazy for wanting to live on a boat, but never one to shy away from an adventure, decided to play along and fell in love with cruising. She blogs about how to make money while cruising at Saving to Sail and helps solopreneurs build 6-figure digital product businesses at Soloprenista.

JET: Dutch Shepherd rescue who traveled more miles in his 14 years than most people do in a lifetime. Refuses to vacuum his own hair and instead insists on shrimp tails and belly rubs. (Update: Jet crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday, May 23, 2021 but will always be our favorite crew member and is dearly missed.)

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