The Backstory

AwedPod was our pandemic strategy. Though both Steve and I grew up camping, I opted out when he began backpacking with our daughters. As fans of rented beach houses, mountain cabins and trips to faraway places, it never occurred to either of us that we'd be hitching our new vacation home to a truck, driving in the slow lane, and having a blast in the same campgrounds we visited as kids. The pandemic/retirement/tiny trailer trifecta seemed like the perfect answer for us. In fact, it may be my best idea ever.

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Our trailer is a 2021 Rpod 171 and we've spent almost 200 nights on the road, all in the Western U.S. We usually choose state and national parks, though we've had more than a few nights in RV resorts (resort being a generous term).

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In our past life, Steve and I owned a graphic design firm, Tackett-Barbaria Design, and now we spend our time making our own art. I write, he paints, and we're figuring out how to use this chapter to be in nature, enjoy each other, and live a creative life. I've self-published two chapbooks—Just the Noticing and Coffee with Birdsong and Pine, and am always working on the next one. I'm also a collage artist and seem to have little scraps of paper following me wherever I go. (Steve's beautiful, thought-provoking paintings are at www.stevebarbaria.com)

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We live in Davis, California and our two daughters are in Portland, Oregon. Chances are we're on the road in between, just waiting to flash you a peace sign.

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The Wayback Backstory

I've been blogging since 2008, at Tour of No Regrets 1.0. I've had a few sidegigs, like Coffee Served Daily, where I collected 1000 photos of coffee, and This is Plan Be, where I gave away thousands of Be Kind stickers. Today (when we're not camping)  I hang out on Instagram and Words with Friends, plus in our ever changing backyard. Writing is how I pay attention to the small moments, hopefully collecting enough words for a story or two. Thank you for visiting.

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