Rene | Live Work Dream

Santa Fe’s Time Machine: Civil War Days at El Rancho de las Golondrinas

May 13, 2008 by Rene

El Rancho de las Golondrinas living history museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico hosts Civil War Days.

The Loretto Chapel: A Miraculous Event, or Just Another Fugitive Story?

May 8, 2008May 8, 2008 by Rene

You might have guessed by now, that I’m not the churchiest person. Spiritual, yes, churchy, no. But, as anyone born into Catholicism can tell you, once you’re in, you’re in for life. You can run away from it, but it never leaves you. Just when you least expect it, you’ll put up a velvet Last Supper painting above the TV, and stick a dashboard Jesus in your SUV.

As a recovering Catholic, I love checking out old churches. Maybe I’m subconsciously facing my fears, but the more realistic Saint statues and lit up candles they have inside, the better.

In Santa Fe, I had no shortage of Catholic churches to choose from, but the Loretto Chapel was first on my list. Briefly, the story about the Chapel’s Miraculous Staircase goes:

Live Work Dream Expense Report: April 2008

May 7, 2008May 7, 2008 by Rene

Our RV road trip budget expense report for April 2008.

Fun at the Fiddle Festival in T or C

May 4, 2008 by Rene

2008 Truth or Consequences New Mexico Fiddler’s Festival.

Warm Beer in Hot Weather is No Way to Live

September 4, 2023April 30, 2008 by Rene

Time for another reality check.

Ten years ago, Jim and I moved to Eureka on a whim. I knew it was rainy there, but I thought I could tolerate it, because I’d lived in San Francisco. But after a while, the rain forest was getting to me. The endless cold gray days, coastal winds and thick fog was wearing down my psyche. I constantly griped about what I knew I could not change; the weather.

So I started to have these fantasies about living in the desert. I wanted to feel the warm sun. Munch on chips and hot salsa and wash it down with cold beer. Sit next to a saguaro cactus and play my guitar. Go out at night wearing a summer dress, flip flops and a tan.

I thought that workamping here in T or C would convince Jim that living in the desert was a good idea. But after just one month, I’ve discovered that I’m too much of a wuss for this kind of environment.

Get to the Point, Callers

June 1, 2022April 29, 2008 by Rene

In 1992, I’d just finished college, and in order to pay my student loans, I took a job as a receptionist at a big marketing firm. I was the lowest admin on the org chart, and it was an awful, demeaning experience. But little did I know that the skills I learned on that job would come in handy so many years later.

Here at Riverbend, we answer the phone when we aren’t giving tours, cleaning the pools or doing laundry. Although I do my best to sound cheery, I really hate picking up the phone; it just takes me back to that awful job. Many conversations are an exercise in Buddah-like patience, especially on busy weekends.

“Riverbend Hot Springs, how can I help you?”

Making Contact at the Very Large Array

March 9, 2023April 25, 2008 by Rene

in April, geeks can take a technology tour in New Mexico at the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Trinity Bomb Test Site near Socorro.

Walk Among The Ghosts of the Nuclear Age

April 22, 2008 by Rene

When you think of New Mexico, what do you envision? Scorching desert landscapes? Native American pueblos? I did. But since arriving here in March, we’ve learned that this dry, arid place is also a haven for technology geeks from around the world. From observatories, to military technology development, to the world’s first private space port, New Mexico offers something for the geek in all of us.

April is a perfect month for technology buffs to visit. For one day only, propeller heads can walk amongst the low-level radioactive earth on the Trinity Test Site (home of the world’s first atomic bomb test).

Coffeesister’s Budget Tip for Fulltimers: Choose Virgin Mobile

April 18, 2008 by Rene

Coffeeister says Fulltime RVers can save big money by using Virgin Mobile’s Pay as You Go Option

Don’t Leave Home without Reading “Road Trip Dream” First

September 4, 2023April 14, 2008 by Rene

“The difference between whether you can make it happen or whether you can’t is not how many obstacles you have, it is how badly do you want to do something totally life-changing????totally for yourself.

We will give you the tools to change your dream into reality, but the implementation is yours to enjoy.”

???? Phil and Carol White, authors of “Live Your Road Trip Dream”

And enjoy we have. When we first entertained the thought of taking a sabbatical, my search on the topic came up with Phil and Carol White’s book, “Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a Year for the Cost of Staying Home??

I bought the book because I wanted to figure out how we could take some time off without going broke, and Road Trip Dream succeeded in helping us do just that. With the release of its second edition, the Whites’ book is as vital as ever when it comes to considering every critical aspect of how to plan, execute and live your own road trip dream. Don’t even think of embarking on a journey without reading and following the advice laid out by these two seasoned road trippers.

Confessions of a WalMart Shopper

April 10, 2008 by Rene

Let’s get one thing straight. I’m well aware of the damage that WalMart inflicts on local economies. Jim and I come from a town whose citizens actually kept WalMart from setting up shop along our waterfront. What a great moment it was, when Eurekans came together to stand up for their small businesses.

Because we didn’t have big box stores in Eureka, I shopped at my neighbors’ businesses. Sure, prices were a little higher than at big city chain stores, but knowing that more of my dollar stayed in the community was worth the extra pennies. At the time, Jim and I had a good income stream coming in, and although I made plenty of frugal choices, we could easily afford to shop local.

But once we hit the road, we came out of our Humboldt County cocoon. In most small towns around America, big box stores like WalMart are the only shopping choice. From Yuba City California to Fort Stockton Texas, most cities have allowed chains to come in and kill off many of their independent businesses.

One Free Canon G9, Coming Up!

April 8, 2008 by Rene

Fulltime RVers will find credit card club and rewards cards are a handy tool to use while on the road.

The Truth and Consequences of the Resort Life In New Mexico

June 1, 2022April 5, 2008 by Rene

Our RV road trip takes us to workamping at a resort in Truth or Consequences New Mexico.

Live Work Dream Expense Report: March 2008

September 14, 2015April 4, 2008 by Rene

The end of March marked the end of the first quarter of 2008. Back in the old days of running the business, I used to measure all of our accomplishments and setbacks by the end of the quarter. It was a time to celebrate or drown our sorrows. But this time, for the first time in years I’d totally forgotten that the quarter had ended. …

Greener Pastures in the Scorching Southwest

March 31, 2008 by Rene

We’ve seen many places in the U.S. where human habitats are completely at odds with the environment. In places like Florida, builders continue battling nature, despite all of the evidence that this is a bad idea. Living there is a constant struggle between the land, the animals, and the humans, and as a result, few things about the place feel natural. There is complete and total disharmony with the environment.

But here in the harsh lands of New Mexico, humans seem to do a better job of working with their surroundings. From the ancient style of adobe buildings that naturally insulate homes, to suburbanites doing xeriscape conversions, people seem to be more willing to work with nature.