in the studio - and so it begins

presenting sketches at our first rehearsal - "Barefoot in the Park"

Trinity Rep

Providence, RI

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Seems crazy but I've really climbed on this bus again! 

And, once more, I'm thrilled with the ride.

Deep into the early 60's now and trying to make sense of the play's relevancy. "Barefoot in the Park" is like a little jewel box - kept in a private place, unchanged, naive. 

It is about expectations, communication, love in a box, and balancing it all.
Life.

It is interesting to me how Neil Simon creates character. He simply presents reality - everyday moments - and mixes it with a wink of sarcasm. Very Seinfeld like. He wants the audience to see their  own flaws, their own humanness. He truly has an American sensibility.

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So, here I am designing my 2nd show in 4 months after a 24 year hiatus.......

and I was asked to design another in February.

Life.

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The show opens Thanksgiving week. 

I have so much to be thankful for!

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My inspiration for the show

a collage by Richard Hamilton

34 years of adventure!

Just one of the sunsets we have shared

Horseneck Beach, MA

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Wow! 

We have been together longer than either of us were apart. 

We have lived in over 13 residences in 6 states - and yes, have packed and moved just as many times, have raised 1 son,  3 dogs and 2 cats, had 3 motorhomes and have had approximately 10 careers between us.

Truth be told - other  than having another child - I don't believe we are done with that list yet!

34 years of shared experiences.

Some exhilarating, some difficult and some life changing. But - each one shared.

I definitely don't remember each anniversary but I think I will remember this one.

It was another tiny adventure that both relaxed and exhausted us

.... proving that what we really need is sometimes just outside our door.

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A beautiful fall day and the plan was to explore the Blackstone River Valley Bikeway.

 The POD is also the perfect day trip vehicle - bikes strapped to the back, a refrigerator for water and  snacks and a comfy place to change into bike gear or simply put one's feet up in - especially after the 20 mile ride.

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Much of the bikeway follows the "tow way" along what was once the Blackstone Canal - a transport canal built in 1828 between Providence and Worcester. 

Remnants of the canal

Lincoln, RI

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One of the few unpaved off shoots of the bikeway

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One of the dams along the Blackstone River

Smithfield, RI

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The fully paved bike path wound its way alongside the Blackstone River. It was extremely well maintained and there were a fair amount of other riders (of all ages) as well as a few runners and rollerbladers. There are a number of places to access the path with good parking so it seems like it is really part of the community.

The path is fairly level all the way althou from the point where we started there is a large downhill to the river.... which, of course, meant an even larger uphill at the end of the ride!

We ended the day parked overlooking the lake in Lincoln Woods State Park. Sitting in the cab of our POD we shared a beer and some crackers as the sun began it's graceful bow into the tree tops. 

Another day, another year, another adventure awaits!

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Lincoln Woods State Park

Lincoln, RI

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on the street - another POD adventure

Along the Rail Trail  - Eastham

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Grabbing another long weekend to "test" our rig we headed to Cape Cod. A one night stop over mid-cape to see "33 Variations" at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. A beautifully constructed play that takes it's life and flight from an amazing folio of music! The production was well done and the music,  which is practically another character in the play, was superb. 

The stop over allowed us to also test street sleeping.....

The POD was parked on the the street in front of the home of friends and we spent the night in it. Okay, it was only Yarmouthport.... not even some small city...... and it was only the voices of children walking to the bus in the morning that woke us.

But - we need to work up to those bigger challenges because I do know that Tim will, at some point, have us sleeping on the streets of NYC before we are done!!

Stealth camping!

All in all it worked well. The windows on the POD are darkened so even with the shades up it is quite  private. In the morning we made our coffee, dressed and headed out early to our real destination for the weekend.

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The "POD"

slowly outfitting it with all the necessities

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 Atlantic Oaks Campground in Eastham is a beautiful and quiet spot that backs up to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The camp was very quiet this time of year and we secured a spot in the far back that is normally a tent spot. The POD is only 19' long so we can easily fit in smaller, more out of the way places than most rigs..... which is exactly what we love about it!

Since our last adventure we have been refining the necessities that need to be on board. Tim added a back ladder/bike rack combo, redid the lighting, we bought some folding camp chairs that are actually comfortable (!), and worked out better storage options.

We kept the food options to a minimum, making eggs (the perfect food) a big part of most meals. Egg salad, fried egg sandwiches, eggs and salmon. Of course lots of snacks and granola bars, and we did have the saddlebag for the bike so that we could pick up items if needed. 

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LeCount Hollow

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The set up at camp was quick - another good thing about the POD. We did hook up to water at the tent site but we did not have electricity. Knowing that the eve temps were going to be in the low 50's we were still experimenting with how long the battery would last if we had the heat on.

Once all settled we got on our bikes and headed out to the trail. It was a perfect day for biking - full sun with a chilly fall breeze. In the shade of the trail it was actually quite cool. The trail is lined with oak and pine trees and traverses a few ponds and wetlands, The leaves were all beginning to change and the smell of pine needles and damp earth were strong and delicious! 

The focus of the day was totally outward - outside ourselves. And even though we rode side by side for much of the way - we were silent, in awe of our surroundings and just taking in all the visuals being delivered to us. Calming and invigorating at the same time.

It was only 5 miles to the end of the actual trail from where we began so we headed east to the National Seashore along LeCount Hollow Rd. and then up Ocean View Rd. to Cahoon Hollow.

Breathtaking views.

A pristine sky and a forever ocean seen from up high on the dunes. We spotted a lone seal not too far from shore at LeCount and, I do believe, it was the same one that emerged along the shore at Cahoon. I think he was following us.

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 Along the Rail Trail - Wellfleet

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Good thing we had the saddle bag with us, and good thing it was on Tim's bike, because as we started back on the trail in Wellfleet I remarked that we "did not have ANY beer" in the POD. 

Personally, I knew that the first thing I wanted when we got back to the campground was a refreshing beer and some Cape Cod Potato Chips. 

Did I mention that I grabbed those at the beer store?

And just as I thought we were heading into our last 5 miles before I could get my hands on that icy beer, Tim pointed to the Marconi Beach sign and we headed off the trail again. 

Glad we did because the ride in was wide open and sunny and the road was lined with scrub pines. 

We did, eventually, get back to the campground. After a full day biking in the wind and sunshine my legs really hurt! We rode around 20 miles total. Tim has been biking indoors every morning for the last 5 (?) years....... not me. I would like to think it is because I am too busy to have that kind of routine and stick to it...... but, truthfully, it is probably because I am too lazy. 

Beer, aspirin, and a little nap made my legs feel normal again

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Marconi Beach 

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The next morning we had planned to bike south on the trail, however, we woke to rain. Rain drops coated the windows and we turned inward. It was a new experience for us in the POD - a full day of rain. We took it slow - taking our time to make breakfast and shower. 

We added an umbrella and some packable rain gear to our list of necessary items to have on board! Live and learn.

With fully charged iPads we were quite content in our POD.

Tiny living. Tiny adventures.

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Atlantic Oaks Campground

Eastham, MA

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