HoneyTrek 2021 12 months in Evaluation

Is it simply us, or was 2021 in some way tougher than 2020? That first stroke of midnight 364 days in the past felt like a contemporary begin for the world…however as an alternative, 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 secure 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 tasks, like launching an NFT Artwork & Gear Assortment, reviewing two books, studying to crew a sailboat, and main a #RecreateReponsibly marketing campaign for brand spanking new outside lovers. And whereas 2021 wasn’t probably anybody’s favourite 12 months on file, we’re excited to share this annual highlights weblog and say that nothing can cease the magic of journey.
 

SoCal Dwelling Turf Street 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 house. In January, Mike and I took three weeks to discover the Mojave Nationwide Protect Desert, Alabama Hills, Loss of life Valley, Crimson Rock Canyon State Park, Fossil Falls, and Vasquez Rocks Pure Space Park, and we had been blown away by their geological wonders and the way few individuals find out about this aspect of California. The most effective half concerning the journey was that we didn’t cowl an excessive amount of distance and took time to savor every place. For instance on the unimaginable 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 trying 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 every thing extra right down to earth. We stayed on the modern 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” situation and guess which peeps made the duvet? Writing the first book 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 characteristic us in that situation, however invite us to be common columnists for his or her journal. We revealed one article per quarter in Glamping Enterprise Americas, sharing takeaways from our 200+ boutique lodge & glamping stays world wide and the way property house owners can create an unforgettable visitor expertise. Try these articles on the Art of the Check-in, Rooms to Remember, and Facilitating Fun.
 

Dwelling in “The World’s Greatest Metropolis”

Mexico is a spot we might see ourselves dwelling 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 Greatest Metropolis” by Journey & Leisure. We spent a month right here, having fun with every thing 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 essentially the most stunning kitchen to hone my Mexican vegan cooking. Cactus tacos anybody? Check out more of our adventures in San Miguel and the surrounding state of Guanajuato in this blog and the remainder of our Mexico journey by 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 lots of of hairpin turns over an 8,000-foot mountain go (with out seat belts or guardrails) wasn’t harrowing sufficient, it was pouring rain and our minibus driver was vying for a pace file. 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—just a few 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 power), however this expertise definitely spent certainly one of our 9 lives. For happier tales from Oaxaca , check out our travel guide to explore this state’s colonial cities, ancient ruins, mezcal country, and gorgeous beaches.
 

Official E-book Reviewers

Although we don’t write about vanlife an excessive amount of, we’re proud that we’ve earned some avenue cred as long-time RVers and authors and had been requested to evaluate not one however two fabulous books on the subject: RV Hacks and The Falcon Guide to Van Life. In each books, we bought HoneyTrek quotes on the backcover and had been even requested to contribute a bit. These are must-reads for comfortable campers, test them out and assist these stellar authors!
 

4 Years in a Camper

Buddy joined our HoneyTrek in 2017 and has grow to be the hero of our nomadic life-style. Dwelling, workplace, and journey cell, our quirky camper has allowed us to discover North America on a finances (underneath $30 per day) whereas dwelling life to the fullest! To have a good time 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 latest inside tour of our 1985 Sunrader, it’s a take a look at 4 years of full-time RV journey in underneath 5 minutes.
 

Driving the Seattle Warmth Wave with a Treehouse-sit

Through the hottest days of summer season, we attempt to give Buddy (and ourselves) a break, and thought we had discovered the proper 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—throughout our keep! We made the most effective of it, kayaking within the Puget Sound, taking gradual walks underneath the shade of the cedar and fir forest, engaged on show-dog methods, and hanging within the kiddy pool with our gifted pups. And Buddy was thrilled to not be driving (with out AC) within the 108-degree climate!
 

Shedding 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, largely in an induced coma and respiratory by a grip of machines, till he handed away on June thirtieth. He left behind a 10-year outdated son, a stunning spouse, my Thumel household, and numerous associates who miss him dearly. After going to the memorial service in Denver, we returned to Washington State, solely to seek out out his spouse and son had been coming to Lake Chelan, WA to scatter his ashes. She invited us to affix, 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 done for tourism boards, we’re most pleased with our latest #RecreateResponsibly campaign for Glacier Country, Montana. In gentle of the pandemic’s name for wide-open areas, Western Montana didn’t want extra vacationers—they wanted extra conscious ones. So that they requested us to take what we all know as eco-conscious vanlifers, who’ve spent lots of of days tenting in public lands, and present individuals the best way to depart the forest higher than they discover it. Over the course of a 12-day street journey, we shared the methods we discover permitted boondocking spots, correctly put out a hearth, clear up camp, test our kayak and boots for invasive species, and volunteer and donate wherever we are able to to conservation orgs. We wrote this blog about the road trip (you’ll love the International Chainsaw Carving Competition 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 laborious work, however we launched an NFT artwork assortment! Uniquely mixing the crypto+artwork+vogue worlds, our associates at Wearable NFT Artwork invited us to collaborate with their resident artist to interpret the HoneyTrek story into three unique pieces of digital art, with a matching product line. We brainstormed, sketched, and dreamt up three artworks with the gifted 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 affix their speaker circuit! Presenting alongside a number of the business’s largest 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 will help 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 guide a panel on sustainable journey. We hope you may be part of us at one of many upcoming Travel & Adventure Shows 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 individuals. Although to take advantage of this magical but expensive sequence of archipelagos, we’ve needed to get artful…hitchhiking, couch-surfing, working for room & board, vegan cooking with an electrical kettle, and bartering just a few honeymoon-worthy experiences. See our photo gallery from Rangiroa (one of many largest atolls on this planet), video from scuba diving the legendary Tiputa Pass, dreamy pics from The Blue Lagoon, and all our travels—together with our upcoming crusing journey by the beautiful Society Islands (Moorea and Bora Bora to call just a few) and exploring the tiki-clad Marquesas—on this Instagram highlight reel.

Studying to Sail

One of many large highlights of French Polynesia (and maybe HoneyTrek total) was crewing a sailboat within the Tuamotu archipelago. It was a shot at midnight, however posting our rookie abilities on the French Poly Cruisers Fb Group discovered us our good captain: Jasna Tuta…a licensed crusing teacher, revealed creator on French Polynesia, and all-around badass girl. With one video chat, we immediately related 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 shortly realized how a lot we needed to study…crusing ideas, vocabulary, mechanics, navigation, and the mandatory upkeep of a million-dollar yacht. It was slightly intimidating, however Jasna was such a pure trainer and allow us to study trial by fireplace. She had us hoisting sails, setting anchors, checking valves, fixing bilge pumps, cleansing mildew, sprucing chrome, and scuba-dive-scrubbing the hull…and we cherished each minute of it! We gained a lot from our week collectively, and whereas we might not all the time bear in mind the best way 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 retailers look to us as journey consultants on all kinds of subjects. Listed here are just a few 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…
• National Geographic Travel observed the massive uptick in glamping this summer season and requested for our insights and favourite locations on this fascinating characteristic on how “Glamping helps ‘indoorsy’ households get outdoors.”
• RM World Travel, America’s #1 Journey Radio Present, introduced us again on for his or her “Private Connection” section to talk about our newest information and ideas from the street.
• Wildpreuners, an inspirational website and lively neighborhood of dream-chasers, inquired about our unconventional path, masking every thing from honeymoons to Journey Coach to Comfortably Wild and our good day at work.
• Vacation Mavens interviewed Anne for her finest recommendations on our 1,000-mile Grand Circle sojourn.
• We let all of it cling unfastened on one of many main journey podcasts, Extra Pack of Peanuts, dishing on our largest 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 had been trapped of their nation for the primary seven weeks of Covid.
• The Camper Report Show did a video interview with us about full-timing with Buddy. 
• The Estonian business newspaper, Aripaev, requested some very private questions on how we succeed as digital nomads.
• We had been named one of many Top 40 Travel Blogs of 2021 by Let’s Roam. Try the record for tons of superior content material creators to observe within the New 12 months.
• 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 wished 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 videos, 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 (due to anybody that supported!) however we nonetheless don’t know if it was sufficient. Eek! We’ve got 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 12 months’s dream come true!

2022 Preview: 10 Honeymoons for 10 Years

January twenty second 2022 marks a full decade on honeymoon! We left house to discover the world for 16 months, and ten years later we’re nonetheless going. Ever since 2014, it’s been referred to as the “world’s longest honeymoon,” so whereas we didn’t have a Guinness World Information 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 price celebrating! To do this, we’re planning 10 honeymoons to have a good time our tenth 12 months. To us, a wonderful honeymoon is a mixture of romance and journey—with out sacrificing sustainability. We’ve got just a few locations and experiences in thoughts…however we might LOVE to listen to your strategies.

Thanks to everybody who has adopted our journey through the years and we stay up for having you alongside for an additional thrilling 12 months!