Riding the Rails

Has anyone done any train traveling on Amtrak recently?  My Amtrak trips consist mainly of covering the Washington to New York route. I have been an avid Eurailpass fan.

My current travel plan involves covering several of my remaining 'bucket list' states across the northern tier of the country - Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dalota, and Montana. Planning to avail myself of the US Rail Pass which sounds like a good deal. However, the spontaneity of European train travel is missing - the US pass requires advance planning and reservations. Oh, well, better than missing the trip.  So, if anyone has any insights on this trip or any other US train journeys - hope you'll share.

Here's hoping this will be a train dream come true - very soon!

Tiny House Movement

One of the most sensible lifestyles can be the tiny house movement.  The tiny house can work for nearly anyone interested and willing to minimize possessions and live simply.  The appeal of a compact, everything-in-its-place home is something that, as a senior, I can totally embrace.  Most of us don't need most of what we have, so I'm setting out to create a plan to dispose of most of the trappings of a years past. 

Taking on the tiny living lifestyle will require a place to "park" the tiny house.  That is one of the primary concerns.  One creative arrangement involves leasing just a small portion of a large property.  The agreement would include a provision that the tiny house becomes the property of the landowner since as an individual without heirs, no one is in line to inherit it!  The search will begin for someone who might consider this arrangement.

Stay tuned for another chapter of the tiny house progression.

Tiny Houses

Seems I have found the newest all-consuming interest:  tiny houses!  Now think this is the way to go for the retirement years.  I have seen so many tiny houses, some on wheels, some not - but the most appealing thing is their size!  Wouldn't need more than 400 square feet with non-conventional furnishings and appliances - just must have a washer and dryer and outside space - then the only sticking point is probably where to put it?  Maybe leased land would be available?  Or what about a community of tiny houses?  That would be a great solution.  Need someone to build the tiny house since I don't have the necessary skills - can do interior finishing chores but my builder is gone.

Are there many people out there who also share this all-consuming tiny house obsession?  Every day there is something new to learn - will have to take this on the road one day to find a wonderful combination of tiny house and livable land - where is that? 

What are some suggestions for finding the land to live on?  Where can a small lot be found - is there someone who wishes to rent/lease a portion of large acreage so that you wouldn't even notice the tiny house? 

Thoughts and plans are forming and, with help from the friends I don't even know yet, maybe the tiny house will be real sooner than later! Anyone have comments and information to share??