Link Love

Airstreaming 

Airstreams have been in the news a lot lately. First there was this article about the rise in popularity of Airstream hotels. After reading this my first thought was, we should open an Airstream hotel! But then I thought about it for a minute. I thought about the land we we need to purchase (in a popular area where people want to vacation), the fleet of older Airstreams we would need to acquire, the renovation of those Airstreams, managing the hotel…and on and on. Okay, maybe not.

Then there was an article about how Airstreams makes trailers for the Modern Traveler. Which is true, but it’s also true of all new RVs, which these days come outfitted with the latest electronics and modern conveniences. I suppose the difference is that Airstream remains the only RV company who has figured out how to make an RV with a modern look to go along with those modern conveniences.

And finally there was this NPR story about Airstreams making a come back. Truthfully, I’m not sure they were ever on the decline enough to call it a true come back, but the article does mention that “production is at its highest level since the 1970s” and, “sales for travel trailers this year alone are up 33 percent”, so maybe they’re on to something.

Get Moving!

I knew it! Finally, some proof that Hiking Makes you Happier & Healthier. The healthy part is obvious, and if you think about it the happy part is as well. I mean what better way is there to get your happy on than by spending a few hours on the trail surrounded by nature, lost in your own thoughts, and pushing your physical limits? Personally, I can’t think of better way to lift my mood than a brisk hike in the mountains. Works every time!

Good news in the running world. It turns out that regardless of how fast or far you run, you’re still going to live longer than your peers who shun running altogether. Since I’m not a fan of running very fast, or very far, this article just made me feel pretty good about my running habits.

Peachy Keen

Let’s talk about my favorite summer food. Peaches! These juicy delights are pretty popular here in Colorado. We’ve seen roadside stands selling baskets and baskets of fresh picked beauties in nearly every town we’ve visited this summer. Most of the Colorado peaches come from a town on the western edge of the state called Palisade. They even have a annual peach festival in Palisade celebrating all things peachy. Since it starts tomorrow, and we’re on the wrong side of the state, I don’t think we’ll make it this year. But it’s definitely something to keep in mind for future visits.

Guacamole with peaches? Yes please! I will be making this for our dinner guests on Friday. Let’s hope they like peaches.

And then I came across an article with 62 peach recipes! They all sound pretty good, but my favorites, and the one’s I need to make ASAP, are Grilled Peach-and-Mozzarella Salad, Peach Mojitos, and Grilled Pork Chops with Blueberry Peach Salsa. What a peachy meal that would be :)

Ocean Lure

Everyone loves the ocean. Well, almost everyone. I am sure there are a few people out there who find the sound of the surf annoying and smell of the beach revolting, but we’re not talking about those weirdos. For the rest of us, the ocean holds an unparalleled allure that calms the mind and refreshes the soul. In case you’re wondering about the science behind this attraction, here’s your answer – Why our brains love the ocean.

Some people love the ocean so much that they live on a tiny, remote island in the middle of the south Atlantic Ocean. Tristen da Cunha, located halfway between Buenos Aries, Argentina, and Cape Town, South Africa may only have 225 inhabitants, no airport, no hotels, and little connection to the rest of the world, but for the majority or residents this is the only place they want to be. With a lifestyle that relishes tradition, living off the land, and a tight knit community, it not hard to understand why most natives choose to spend their entire lives on the island.

If that’s too extreme for you, how about an ocean vacation a bit closer to home? For many people lighthouses hold as much allure as the ocean itself. Take a trip to any lighthouse on any coast and you’re bound to see large numbers of visitors snapping pictures and taking tours. But did you know that you can take it one step farther? Check out these 8 Lighthouses Where You Can Stay the Night.

The New Normal

It seems that this whole working from the road thing is really catching on. As technology improves allowing us to connect from nearly anywhere, and more people take on jobs that don’t require a typical office setting, there is no doubt that we will see this trend continue to grow.

There’s more to it than that though. I think what we’re seeing right now is a shift in the what we consider normal. Gone are the days of your hard earned college degree guaranteeing a good job – or even a job at all. Instead people, especially younger people, are forced to think outside the box and come up with alternative ways to make a living. As the job market shifts, so does what we once considered the American dream. A house (that comes with a giant mortgage), 2 cars, a bunch of kids, and a 9-5 office job is no longer as appealing, or as feasible, as it once was. All of this has lead to a new batch of thinkers, adventures, and Digital Nomads who are busy creating what we may one day call the new normal.

By far the most important aspect of becoming a successful digital nomad is figuring out how to get and stay connected on the road. Lucky for us, and all of you, the dynamic duo from the Technomadia blog just came out with a brand new version of their book, The Mobile Internet Handbook. Here you will find a vast resource of well researched, detailed, and easy to understand, collection of everything you need to know from phone plans to tips and tricks on cell boosting. I just began reading my copy, but can already tell that this is without a doubt the best, most complete guide to mobile internet available.