Two for the Road

Recently both had quit a profitable Colorado tech company, procured a dream bus, and chose to adopt, the new - and becoming ever-so-popular - "digital nomad movement." These modern-day 'nomads' use telecommunication technologies to earn a living, more generally, conducting a life in a nomadic manor - typically creating or documenting a lifestyle, mostly produced while living on the road.

Their particular transport, parked alongside Little Sarasota Bay, was a converted school bus they had tagged, "Rusty" - a 2004 'micro' Blue Bird model - and referred to as, a "Skoolie", popular with today's do-it-yourself travelers.

A month ago, Travis Tucker, a software developer, and Jaclyn Gochoco, a writer and marketer, gathered their 2 pups, Kiwi & Pepper - and rolled out onto a world of their own excitement with a dream list of destinations. Today, they invited me in - being more than happy to share.


"Rusty" - their 2004 'micro model' Blue Bird school bus

Our initial introduction - Travis and Jaclyn (a handsome couple) with little Kiwi & black Pepper.

An ongoing, daily list of destinations

Proud of their new, self-built interior abode

and showing me their 'off the grid' - Wi-Fi connector, which I kinda got

 
and documenting all as they go - with a laptop and camera

sharing their most recent, and sweet, you-tube post (below)

 You-tube - https://youtu.be/Pi1f1Pob12o

 

balanced tested

Concerns now for balance - while riding a motorcycle, jumping in and out of boats, and being well balanced when delivering a "lawn" bowl, in a crouched, standing position from a small rubber mat.

CDP (Computerized Dynamic Posturography)
Sensory organization test. Strapped in, to prevent falling as the floor and walls move independently. Did well, didn't fall.

VNG (Video-Nystagmography)
Rotational chair testing with goggles, eyes covered & uncovered. Did well, didn't get dizzy or pass out.

Doctor Recommendation - specific physical therapy

To Okeechobee and back

(3 days)

Anton, from Czechoslovakia, along SR 70 selling his favorite citrus

Camping on Sammy's pasture land

last year's Christmas tree

Sammy's target range

A 1,500 lb Santa Gertrudis bull, grazing with his sweetheart with the pierced green earrings

4 day old dead cow

from the driver's seat of Geoff's P-body truck

Geoff's 'chuckwagon'

Heading out for a day ride - alongside Geoff's old 'beemer', with his pet carrier for his little pooch, 'Max'

headin' out for a campout

Once a year our boys (BIR) ride over to Lake Okeechopee to camp with the cattle, eat around a big fire and sleep under the stars. Problem today, couldn't find my near 40 year old sleeping bag. Must have tossed it after last years run - that poor old guy, that went through all the wars. It had survived almost everything.

Luckily, just down the road, our local "bug-out" store had one cheap one left, $25.00. Just had to wait till 11:00 before they opened. Seems most of their business is late at night.

lucky me, today felt lucky

Weather - good (sunny, slight breeze, 75 degrees, high cirrus clouds).
Traffic - every signal green, all the way out to Cattleman Road and back.
'Toolie' - happy, chatty, and "a darn good guy".  Got the blower back, works perfect, only $66.34.

My paperwork on Toolie's bench, with some hard-working hands.

Today all felt lucky.

sometimes I miss

For several days now, I've been driving along Siesta Drive, with eyes drawn to a small historic landmark, an early Sarasota "bungalow", after it had recently become surrounded by yellow tape, and after heavy equipment seemingly appeared overnight. I should have stopped.

The home was much older than my time, but always stood out as that example of Sarasota's early, popular, Mediterranean Revival style. I grew to admire it from afar, after a long familiarity and it's local originality, when either coming off the north bridge, or heading back home towards the bay.  We'll today, this small home magically disappeared, reduced to ruble - and all within, let's say, less than an hour.

The house below still stands as an example, half a block up, and on the same side of the road.  One of the few remaining early Mediterranean Rival, 'Spanish' styled bungalows, left on Siesta Drive.