No Destination Update

We just want to apologize for our silence over the past few weeks. We are alive and well, but so busy that we forget what day it is (and sometimes what month it is!) The RV, for the interior, is in the last phase: Flooring. We are so excited that we can hardly contain ourselves! At this very moment we are creating an online photo gallery so everyone can see the progress.

In addition to the RV work, we have spent a couple-hundred-hours with WorKamp. WorKamp is where we help our host with domestic chores and special projects, and they allow us to camp in their driveway, and use facilities and electricity. There will be a blog dedicated to this as well. And, of course, there is the time consuming Daily Grind that pays the bills. We have a couple of web projects that are near completion, so we are marketing for new and refreshing jobs and projects.

We are also revamping the NoDestination.org blog for an easier way of following our journey. So please stay in touch! A big thank you to all of our friends and new acquaintances that write to us frequently. You truly help us stay focused on our No Destination project.

We decided to sneak away to the beach, but the
Wrightsville Beach draw bridge slowed us down a little.

Renovation Sneak Peak

We’re midway through our complete RV renovation. Our new bedroom has gone from 1980s shabby and worn to modern and clean. Here’s a little sneak peak of our work in progress.

Left to right: Original; In Repair; Bones Fixed; Almost Done

Taking A Break

We took a break from working and renovating to stop by Aunt Gail’s house. She prepared a lovely vegan dinner for us! Pasta with veggies and beans, and adorable little fruit cups.

And it wouldn’t be summer or North Carolina without some sweet ice tea. She took the trouble of adding real peach wedges.

Thanks Aunt Gail!

Press: Modern Day Nomads

Our favourite local NPR radio station, WYPR, recently interviewed us about No Destination. We will be featured on The Signal at 12pm and 7pm today (Friday, May 9th) and you can listen to the show on The Signal Website after the show airs.

You can also download the Podcast on iTunes »

We had a great time talking with Aaron. Make sure you tune in to The Signal for regular updates from No Destination from across the country.

Lena with Aaron, from WYPR’s The Signal

The Best Of BALTIMORE

Mr. Chan’s Szechuan Restaurant
If you find yourself hungry, craving Szechuan and anywhere near Baltimore, do yourself a favor and find Mr. Chan’s in Pikesville. Mr. Chan’s serves Szechuan cuisine to the delight of carnivores and vegans alike. Delicious food, very affordable prices, and a smart and friendly staff. The menu has a special vegetarian and vegan section so ordering is easy. Favorite dishes: Kung Pao Veggie Protein Nuggets; Orange Seitan; and Tofu with Kale (special request this as it may not be on the menu).

Mr. Chan’s is located at 1000 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, Maryland

Vegetarian Desserts
Coincidence? I think not. One evening while gathering at a VRG MeatOut at Mr. Chan’s, the group had a surprise guest. Baker extraordinaire herself, Charmane Baker, brought savory and delectable desserts. Cupcakes, muffins and cookies - all absolutely delicious and all vegan. We left very happy. And, fortunately for Baltimore, you can order Charmane’s Vegetarian Desserts from her website: www.veggiedesserts.com

Ben Shaberman
The Best of Baltimore is not all about food. Ben Shaberman was our neighbor, and is our friend and fellow-vegan. Ben is not only a great guy, but witty, humorous and smart - and we have proof. He is a frequent contributor to respected newspapers and magazines and he is a commentator on the radio every now and then. His written and audio articles usually stem from his experiences, but in the end, they transform to something personal within all of us. We think Ben makes Baltimore a better place. www.benshaberman.com

Brick Oven Pizza
One of our favourite things to do in the whole world is hunting down a great vegan cheese pizza. It’s not easy, but if you can find a good one, it’s always worth it. Brick Oven Pizza, in alliance with Compassion Over Killing, have an awesome vegan cheese pizza. The secret to this award-winning pizzeria is the wood-fired brick oven, which is kept burning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Brick Oven Pizza is located at 800 S. Broadway in downtown Baltimore.

RaWednesday

While traveling in the RV, Wednesdays are dedicated to eating raw. All food and beverage consumed will be completely uncooked. Needless to say, our meals will consist of vegetables, fruits, nuts and raw liquids (water, juices, and raw milks such as coconut or almond milk). But my favorite is the green smoothie. Delicious!

Why? Heat depletes vitamins, damages proteins and fats, and destroys enzymes. Raw foods have the best balance of water, nutrients, and fiber to meet your body’s needs. Plus, I just love green smoothies!

Look for more RaWednesday posts here on No Destination.

Learning From The Pros

After 20 years, a college friend reconnected with me via skype and email. He now has a lovely family and an interesting, fun life. I updated him, in brief, on my past 20 years and also expressed how excited we were to launch our No Destination project. Steve, that’s his real name, no protecting the innocent here, immediately told me about his parents and how RVing is a major part of their lives. Uber-RVers, the Hablerstadts are.

Well, within the same 24 hours of Steve contacting me, we had exchanged several emails with Bill and Annette Halberstadt and even scheduled a rendezvous. They offered to travel to our place, in their RV, and give us pointers, recommendations and share their experiences. We are so grateful!

Bill loves his gadgets and was very thorough with his explanations of mechanical and electrical upgrades and renovations. They shared details of all the RV networks and what works best for them. Annette is co-captian, she drives the 36-foot beast while cooking a stew in the crock pot! They have all bases covered. We have a lot to learn from the Halberstadts, and we also think they are simply great people that we would have fun hanging out with.

To hang out with the Halberstadts, check out their blog > http://blog.halberstadt-net.com/

As for Steve, poor thing, he now has another RV couple willing to camp in his yard, use his electricity and tell him crazy RV adventure stories.

Bill and Annette Halberstadt

Home Sweet (Motor) Home

After months of searching, days of waiting, multiple trips to the ATM, and a whole lot of positive thinking, we brought home our RV today! A beautiful 1988 Winnebago Chieftian. This is 22ft of Class-A RV goodness. We purchased the RV from a great couple called Cyndi & Larry. They were really helpful, friendly, and gave us some great advice. We’re hoping to meet up with them in Pensacola in the summer.

The RV is great fun to drive - about 3-inch play in the steering and you have to stand on the brakes to get them to work - just like a real truck. The engine is amazing, and feels powerful, even on those long, slow hills that torment many larger vehicles. It handles really nicely around town, too. Doesn’t feel too big or awkward. Who knew driving an apartment around could be so much fun?

So what now? We have a little work to do on the engine, and a lot of customisation to do on the inside, and we can’t wait to get started! We have to budget everything in order, though. So boring stuff like safety and mechanical first, surfboard racks and bamboo flooring after that. But we’re thrilled, and we can’t wait to hit the road.

Blue is also really happy we have the RV. She was never that fond of it.

Press: Couple on a roll as foreclosure hits

From the Baltimore Messenger. 3rd April 2008. Pg 2.

The nation’s foreclosure crisis has hit home for KK Ludwig-Lapper, and it’s not even his home.

The house in which he and his wife, Lena, rent an apartment, a large property known as the old Slagel mansion in Roland Park, is being sold at a foreclosure auction.

“That’s actually why we’re doing what we’re doing,” said Ludwig-Lapper, 25.

In a life-altering move, he and Lena, 39, are preparing to move out, buy a recreational vehicle and set up a mobile Internet connection for their graphic design business.

“We don’t have a destination,” he said. “We’re just going to hit the road and live in the RV. Right now doesn’t seem to be a very good time to buy a house.”

View the clipping here.

Sweet Business Cards

I know… eating overly sweet, zero nutrient cereal is not a good idea, especially for an otherwise conscientious vegan, but I think this may redeem Lena’s weakness for kid’s cereal (a little). We created business cards from the box. Good ole recycling at its finest.

Front shows our details, reverse is whatever cereal box we tore apart.