Last month, our host of this site since we started it way back in 2007 – DreamHost – moved us from our legacy server to a new one. The website went completely down in the process, but thankfully they were able to restore the content and most of the formatting.
However, for reasons unexplained – commenting on the blog has been disabled for weeks. After a month of lots of troubleshooting by our web developer and elevating up the DreamHost support team – the issue is still not resolved the issue is FINALLY resolved (comment away!)
We unfortunately discovered this right after Chris’ 16-year Nomadiversary post and being baffled as to why no one was commenting to such a milestone.
It’s been very frustrating, and has left us uninspired to post much here – because interaction with you is our greatest reward for sharing.
But, we have some new stuff up and wanted to at least keep this space updated – so this is a quick update that we made before comments were restored.
New Mobile Internet Post
Mobile Internet is our day job over at Mobile Internet Resource Center (MIRC), but we do enjoy continuing to share about our personal setup here on the blog – as we have since the very beginning.
We just put out a brand new video showcasing our van’s mobile internet setup that features Starlink and two cellular embedded routers from Pepwave. We have one very connected van:
We’ve also updated our personal mobile internet setup page with all of the latest gear & data plans we’re using for both van and boat (I was planning a major new updated post on the topic.. but with comments down, we’ll get to that later):
Technomadia’s Personal Mobile Internet Setup
A lot of has changed in mobile internet since our last major personal post on the topic a year ago – in which we updated then on the state of 5G and Starlink (we advised holding off back then).
In the last two months, Starlink has become much more feasible for RV and boat portable use – with them enabling roaming. This allows you to use Starlink at locations away from your registered service address. Coverage is now nationwide as well – even covering Mexico and the southern parts of Canada. And for those who don’t necessarily have a fixed location they want to use service at – ordering Starlink without a long wait is possible too.
Some of our initial concerns remain however – it’s not perfect for everything. Obstructions, congestion, drop outs and slower than ideal upload speeds means we still supplement with cellular data.
Over at MIRC, we have created a comprehensive and free guide to getting & using Starlink:
General Updates – Projects & Friends
We have been back aboard Y-Not in Sanford since late January – and it’s been a whirlwind of projects, exploring a new friendship and some van travels.
We’ve already shared about the major re-carpeting project in our 5-year boat update. We did just pick up our custom made pilothouse area rug, and it has completely transformed the look!
We have removed the Recaro pedestal helm chair (if anyone is interested in it, do be in touch), and will be shopping for a moveable one similar to what came with our boat, that can double as an office chair.
Workwise, we’ve had a lot of transitions as we prepare to step back from daily operations by the end of this year. We’ve brought on some amazing new team members over at MIRC and have been super focused on getting everyone up to speed and trained up. We’re feeing confident we’re on track, and that feels good. Which means we’ve been spending a lot of brain power contemplating what is up next for us.
We’ve been enjoying getting back into Sanfording (a verb meaning exploring the little historic city of Sanford we love so much) – attending live theatre, dining out and sharing it with friends passing through.
And probably the most delightful surprise awaiting our return was connecting with long time online friends Dave & Stacey aboard m/v Stinkpot, also wintering in Sanford.
We all quickly realized the connection and as nomads do, embraced the limited time we’d have together. We enjoyed a couple months being dock neighbors with frequent shared dinners, walks, projects and hang outs. Dave is an amazing folk artistic, singer and songwriter and scored a gig playing in the downtown Irish Pub – so we probably spent more time in a pub than we ever have before!
As their departure date of April 1st approached, we were all feeling the call to draw out the agony of parting ways – so we joined up with them to cruise down river as they headed north.
We spent several days ‘joined at the hip’ rafted up in some amazing anchorages and just enjoying sharing in daily life together.
It’s a rare thing to find people you just get along with so comfortably.
Special times exploring a new frontier together, and we already miss them.
If you want to virtually meet them, they joined us for two Live broadcasts on our YouTube channel (both feature tours of their boat) and they had us on two episodes of their Folk on the Water radio shows (chapters 20 and 27). We also interviewed them for our Ramblings series as a special upcoming episode (a series we’ve not done much with in nearly a decade).
You can also track their travel adventures on their Our Adventures on Stinkpot Facebook page (sounds like there may be future live Dave Rowe concerts coming up, stay tuned there!).
We’re all planning to reconvene this winter in Sanford – so like all nomadic friendships, it’s never good-bye.
After parting ways, we then went off on a couple week van trip – hitting up the Sun n’ Fun airshow in Lakeland (meeting up with friends Larry & Marybeth, and Anthony and Ben), and then some mountain biking at Alafaia River State Park. Followed up by some time with family for the Easter holiday weekend.
We’re now back in Sanford aboard the boat, wrapping up our routine annual medical stuff and contemplating just how we’ll spend our summer.
Hi Ya’ll. Sounds like a very good life has erupted from the ashes of COVID. Glad to hear it from others like you. We continue to rove and enjoy this amazing lifestyle as well. Sun n Fun in Lakeland is an amazing event and work camping opportunity that we have attended annually for better than 20 years (not in a row). This venue is also the home of an FMCA rally. Thanks for your continued commitment to the connected want-a-b’s.
Hi Cherie, Chris & Kiki, Enjoyed your talk regarding your internet set up. Interesting to hear your thoughts on Starlink. So glad you have been having a great time with your friends and were able to accompany them for an extended Bon Voyage. As always I look forward to your next post.
Testing, 1-2-3…. Glad this thing is working! Can’t wait to get the band back together. Bloopot anyone?
Blooperuby I guess was happening already in the parking lot, so Bloopot needs to happen too!
You guys are obviously having a great time and I really enjoy seeing your pictures!
It definitely… stinks not. 😀
Rats!! Second.
Enjoyed the update. Thanks.
Second is awesome.. fabulous to see comments around here again. Thank you!
You guys have been busy with some great stuff! So glad you got the comments area fixed. Usually I just comment on Facebook or YouTube but I’ll try to take turns so the blog doesn’t feel lonely! LOL!
Thanks for being the first comment on the blog in a month! Woohoo!