Freestyle Living
The Backroad to Bliss
What I love about road trips is taking random side roads and meeting people. I could devote a post just for that but what I really wanted to share here is another road I took that led to this gem.
(c) Britt Nielsen
(c) Britt Nielsen
(c) Britt Nielsen
(c) Britt Nielsen
A few people enjoyed the waters of this gem of a spot on the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence.
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And We’re off…!
Tune in here for tales (or at least pictures) of one woman’s three-week solo road trip from Vermont to the north eastern provinces of Canada in “Sparky” the red van. As is typical in my travels, nothing has been planned beyond the first stop! Headed to Portland, Maine area to stay with a friend. As hard as it is the leave the beauty of Vermont, I’m excited to explore new areas!
The beauty of Vermont–Camel’s Hump through the tinted windshield. (c) Britt Nielsen
I knew my trip was off to a good start when I saw this sticker in a rest area restroom!
Better than “alright!” (c) Britt Nielsen
First quick visit to Portland, Maine left a good impression though best to visit again in the off season! I took a “wrong” turn and ended up on Mackworth Island outside Portland. This was the perfect place to enjoy my picnic dinner and a walk around the island.
picnic dinner view on Mackworth Island (c) Britt Nielsen
Fairy House Community on Mackworth Island (c) Britt Nielsen
Wonderful to stay at a friend’s this first night. Elizabeth has invited me to spend a night in a Lighthouse keeper’s house tomorrow on an island at the mouth of the Kennebunk river. There are tales of it being haunted…
Read MoreBe the “coconut” you are!
Do you ever feel like “a lone coconut” but know in your heart that you are supposed to be just as you are and right where you are regardless of the actions and whereabouts of all the other coconuts!?;-)
#liveyourtruenature
Freestyle Living: Biking Across America in 57 Days!
What says Freestyle Living more than traveling across America by bike? Remember Aidan and Clara, recent high school graduates biking across America earlier this summer? They did it! Not that there was any doubt they would, but it’s still impressive. They biked from the Atlantic Ocean in Maine to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. That’s 3609 miles in 57 days. They share the stats, highlights, and words of wisdom in their final blogpost at bikesoveramerica.wordpress.com. Their adventure is certainly inspiring to those of us biking fewer miles in one day than they averaged every day for two straight months! Is it time to plan your own adventure even if it is perhaps just a 3-day one?
Celebrating in the Pacific Ocean after biking across America in 57 days! Image from bikesoveramerica.wordpress.com
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Home on Wheels for Freestyle Living
I asked my friends Tom and Cyn if I could highlight them in a Freestyle Living post. After reading the last Freestyle Living post about the recent high school graduates biking across America, Tom said, “I don’t know if we’re as inspirational as those who are raising money for the Vermont Land Trust and biking across the states. We just want to travel and see our grandkid.” Indeed they will. They just sold their home and everything in it. They had already bought and created a home on wheels in this 22 foot van they call Frosty.
After a recent mountain bike ride Tom and Cyn humored me by standing with their soon to be home on wheels, Frosty. (©Britt Nielsen)
(more details and pictures of this home on wheels in a future post). It’s outfitted to suit them well as they hit the road driving across the country to spend time with their grandchild.
Teaching grandchild how to make fun noises with his mouth and finger on a recent visit in Burlington, Vermont (©Britt Nielsen)
Later in the fall, they’ll take two or three months to travel around Asia again. They already spent a year bike touring and traveling around the world, so somehow I think we’ll hear about more adventures from them with and without their trusty stead Frosty.
Read MoreFreestyle Living: Biking Across America
What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? There are so many ways to live and choices to make. I’m all about living free and true given what I chose after high school to how I live now. I’m meeting more and more people who are making life leaps and bucking any norms to live freely in ways that work for them. Many more people are desiring big life changes and finding inspiration in others’ adventures as they ponder some of their own, so I’ve decided to share some inspiring adventures in what I’m calling Freestyle Living! In my first Freestyle Living post, I am honored to highlight recent Vermont Waldorf High School graduates Aidan Powell and Clara Slesar biking across America. They wanted to combine their sense of adventure and love of the land by raising money for the Vermont Land Trust. They started in Maine and a mere 31 days later, they are in South Dakota. They seem to have put in quite a few hundred mile days–impressive with fully loaded paniers on their bikes! I’m enjoying following their daily updates. Here’s today’s post of day 31, prickly surprises in South Dakota from their website. Check it out! I’d love to hear of other tales of Freestyle Living. Please share yours or those you know of with me in the comments below or the contact page.
Cycling Coast to Coast, image ©Clara Slesar
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