~Henry David Thoreau

Remember us?

Even though we’ve been negligent in keeping you up to date on our blog (Psst. We do update our Facebook page regularly.) [Read More...] ]]>

It is not enough to be busy.  So are the ants.  The question is:
What are we busy about?

~Henry David Thoreau

Remember us?

So, what ARE we busy about?

Even though we’ve been negligent in keeping you up to date on our blog (Psst. We do update our Facebook page regularly.) it doesn’t mean we’re not busy with some worthwhile projects.  Since our last  ”Reflective Update” was a year ago this week, I thought it was as good a time as any to review the goals we had set and give another update of where we’re headed next.  There’s a lot to cover so we’ll share it over 3 posts:

Post #1 = Goals of “Continued Travel Blogging” and “Writing a Tiny House Book“

Post #2 = Goal of “Planned Breaks from Cycling & Coverage of Projects Important to Us“

Post #3 = Goal of “Digital Dandies & Creating Community“

Goal :: Continued Travel Blogging

We’ve posted 21 journal entries over the last year, sharing our experiences as we traveled through five beautiful Mexican states.  Kai also managed to write “A Bicycling Guide to Baja California Peninsula” for BajaInsider.com.  We’re currently updating the “Guide to Baja” with tips, tricks and GPS tracks, which we intend to offer as a free e-Book through this site.

We have a backlog of posts about our time in Jalisco and although it never feels like we’ll have enough time to “catch up”, we’re working on it.

And what about that traveling bit?  Well, although we still ride our bicycles around and between the lakeside towns most every day, and we have taken time out to do some bike overnights, it’s not the same as long-distance touring.  We are yearning to be on tour again and we will be on our way once we achieve that pesky goal listed below.  Right now the plan is to continue cycling south near the end of the rainy season, in September or early October.

Ah, yes, cycle touring…..didn’t we used to do that?

Goal :: Writing a Tiny House Book

Our goal was to take a break last summer to start & finish writing a book about our experience designing and building our Tiny House.  We actually didn’t get started on this project till late fall of 2012.  It’s been slow going since we had never written a book before and had no clue where to start.  We flailed around for awhile until we got our groove on but, to be honest, writing a book takes more effort than we ever imagined (hats off to all you disciplined writers out there).

In addition, we’ve had our share of distractions from writing, namely the need to work on letting go of some baggage that wasn’t helping our relationship.  Yes, it’s been one hell of a year, a year of letting go, of awakening and of gratitude.  And a year that never would have happened if we had not decided to simplify our lives, build our Tiny House and fulfill a dream of cycling around the world.  We feel like we’re exactly in the place we’re supposed to be right now and that’s a great feeling.

We’re currently busy writing the final chapters of our Tiny House book, touching up the sketch up files, and editing the photos and diagrams we’ll include with the book.  Our goal is to try to wrap it all up by the end of August or beginning of September.  If you’re interested in keeping up to date on our progress and want to gain access to subscriber-only discounts and giveaways of our book, please subscribe to our Tiny House Newsletter.

Our Tiny House

Tiny House Related Resources

In the meantime, while you’re waiting for us to finish our book, check out these great links and resources, made especially for the Tiny House Enthusiast:

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“You Can Buy Happiness (And It’s Cheap) : How One Woman Radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too“, a book written by fellow Tiny House owner Tammy Stroebel.  I just finished reading this book and it’s an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning how to simplify, one step at a time.  Tammy’s fresh take on our things, our work, and our relationships spells out micro-actions that anyone can take to step into a life that’s more conscious and connected, sustainable and sustaining, heartfelt and happy.  And if you like that book, you might also be interested in her book, “Smalltopia: A Practical Guide to Working for Yourself”.

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Don’t Miss Out on Tiny r(E)volution’s “Small Home. Big Life.” e-Cours[E].  We’re very excited that Andrew & Crystal, who built their own Tiny House, are offering the first-ever AFFORDABLE & ACCESSIBLE e-Course for those interested in learning how to build a tiny house.  Perfect for those who don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on travel, accommodation, workshops or plans just yet.  This is a 30-day self-paced course offering detailed information and How-To’s.  REGISTER NOW TO PARTICIPATE in the JUNE 23rd COURSE.

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Next up :: An update on our goal “Planned Breaks from Cycling & Coverage of Projects Important to Us“, where we’ll share projects we’ve been working on related to our website, activism, fundraising and volunteerism.

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Kai surrounded by flowers, Ajijic

A bright and happy abode.

Chapala Market Day

[Read More...] ]]> More photos of our time spent on the north shore of Lake Chapala, taken in various locations between Ajijic and Chapala.

Kai surrounded by flowers, Ajijic

A bright and happy abode.

Chapala Market Day

Chapala Market :: Prickly Pear

Kai walking through the Monday Market

Wook rugs for sale along the highway.

Stopping to chat with the local bicycle shop mechanic/owner.

Close up of cobblestones that run throughout the towns.

Cool gallery in Ajijic.

Street vendor setting up off Ajijic Plaza.

Ajijic Street Scene : Murals by Efren Gonzalez – absolutely gorgeous!

School’s Out for the Day.

Beautiful flowers, growing on thick, thorny stalks.

Vendors selling goods along the highway.

View of Lake Chapala from Chapala’s Malecon

Lake Chapala, Chapala

Indoor market, Chapala

Meat Market

Flowers in San Antonio Tlayacapan

Kids playing in the plaza, Chapala.

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We found an organic vegetable market just down the street from us that happens every Tuesday and that’s become our go-to market every week but when we first arrived we rode the 7 km to Chapala [Read More...] ]]>

One of my favorites at the market :: candied sweet potatoes. YUMMMMMY!

If there’s one thing Kai & I love, it’s good food. And we can find plenty of it around Lake Chapala.

We found an organic vegetable market just down the street from us that happens every Tuesday and that’s become our go-to market every week but when we first arrived we rode the 7 km to Chapala to check out their Monday Market.  It’s a much larger market, stretching for blocks through the city, and you can get great deals here on almost anything.  Broke your glass coffee pot and need a replacement?  They’ll have it.  Need clothes, a bed or shoes?  They’ll have that too.

Check out the video below of our stroll through the market:

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Bicycling Around the World :: Chapala’s Tianguis (Monday Market) from 2 cycle 2gether on Vimeo.

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