The experiences of two Nomadic Bohemians aka NOBO’s
When Bob Met Wendy: A Pecos River Love Story Plus A Life Lesson To Go First Defining Moments: On November 4, thirty years ago, Bob and Wendy crossed paths during a life-changing team-building exercise at the renowned Pecos River Learning Center outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Bob was a high-powered Silicon Valley CEO, and Wendy was a VP with one of the most renowned [–Read More]
The Paradox of Pointlessness: Embracing the Void of Non-Opinion In a world teeming with perspectives, ideologies, and convictions, there lies an unexplored path to enlightenment: the deliberate abandonment of opinion itself. This philosophical stance, rooted in the concept of non-attachment, suggests that true enlightenment may be found not in the accumulation of viewpoints but in their complete dissolution. The Illusion of Perspective Our opinions and [–Read More]
From Jet-Setter to Choosy Traveler: Why 6 Million Air Miles Left Me Craving the Simple Life After traversing the globe and accumulating over 6 million air miles (3 million on American Airlines alone), I’ve realized the allure of exotic resorts and all-inclusive hotels has lost its shine. My twenties and thirties were filled with adventures to far-flung destinations, but now, in a twist that would [–Read More]
From Frequent Flyer to Sky-High Mileage Millionaire: My 6 Million Mile Odyssey When I recently tallied up my lifetime air miles across all airlines, the staggering total of over 6 million mile treks left me speechless. This astronomical figure includes more than 3 million miles on American Airlines alone. As friends inquired about my cumulative mileage, I realized this wasn’t just a number—it was a [–Read More]
The Soul-Enriching Power of Cultural Immersion: How Embracing Local Life Transforms Your Worldview Immersing yourself in the local culture of the places you visit has the power to profoundly shape your perspective on life. By diving deep into the authentic heart of a place – its customs, traditions, food, art, and people -, you open yourself up to eye-opening experiences that challenge assumptions, inspire personal [–Read More]
NOLA Blues I have always been a fan of blues music. Even when the white boys in the East thought they were “Soul Music” black, I was hanging with the fusion jazz and blues musicians in NOLA. I remember clearly walking down Bourbon Street and hearing the sounds of Fusion Wizards coming from a dark alley. Scary, but alluring. Today, I am a firm follower of [–Read More]
San Diego’s Swingin’ Past: A Jazz Journey Through the Decades San Diego, known for its stunning beaches and perfect weather, also boasts a rich jazz history that often goes unsung. From the early days of the “Harlem of the West” to the thriving jazz scene of today, the city has been home to legendary musicians and iconic venues that have left an indelible mark on [–Read More]
You have read in the past about our long-term connection with Ibiza and, specifically, chill music. As we continued to explore our music, a producer suggested that Chilltravelers needed a theme song. My first attempt at lyrics and vocals resulted in the lyrics below becoming the foundation for our theme song. When we thought about where to place the scene, it was obviously Ibiza. Ibiza [–Read More]
Where to Begin? At the Beginning? My first foray into music came at birth. My mother was a concert pianist whose musical aspirations were ended by World War ll. I was exposed to nightly classical piano concerts, and my mother attempted to teach me the piano, saxophone, and horns. I was terrible, or at least not interested. Then, in my early teens, I was exposed [–Read More]
The Visionary Virtuoso: Ray Kurzweil’s Journey from Reading Machines to Revolutionizing Music and AI Ray Kurzweil, a renowned inventor, futurist, and computer scientist, has made significant contributions to various fields, including assistive technology for the blind, music synthesis, and artificial intelligence. His groundbreaking work has not only improved the lives of countless individuals but has also pushed the boundaries of what we believe is possible [–Read More]
Key West’s Eclectic Music Scene: Where Island Vibes Meet Global Beats This is my second foray into a chill instrumental musical travel log. I feel I have captured that little segment of a place that has been a second home for many years. Key West, the quirky Caribbean island technically part of Florida, boasts a vibrant and diverse music scene that reflects its unique blend [–Read More]
Kermit’s Key Lime Pie: A Taste of Key West Sunshine For over 30 years, Kermit’s Key Lime Shop has been delighting taste buds with its iconic key lime pies and other tangy treats. What started as a small stand in front of Papa’s Restaurant in Key West has grown into a beloved institution, thanks to the vision and dedication of Kermit Carpenter and his family. [–Read More]
The Tipsy Tale of the Original Florida Keys Rum Runner Recipe 🍹🏝️ Ahoy there, rum lovers! 🏴☠️ Get ready to set sail on a boozy journey through the colorful history of the iconic Rum Runner cocktail, born in the sun-soaked Florida Keys. 🌴Our story begins in the 1970s at the legendary Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada, where a crafty bartender named “Tiki John” Ebert [–Read More]
Many of you know I have made my own Gin/Genever for Wendy for years. Well, it won some competitions a few years ago, where I went up against other various boutique gins like Aviation and won. Sad but true, the cost to make 750ml production puts it in the cost category, rivaling a patented pharmaceutical. So, I reserved my production for Wendy and close friends [–Read More]
Chill Travelers: by World Music In a world where wanderlust and creativity collide, two intrepid explorers have embarked on a remarkable journey that has taken them to the far corners of the globe bring you Postcards From The World. Bob Root and Wendy Steele, the dynamic duo behind Chill Travelers, have not only traversed the world together but have also captured the essence of the [–Read More]
Gone With the Wynns Jason and Nikki Wynn, the dynamic duo behind Gone With the Wynns, are living the life we had once envisioned for ourselves – a life of boundless exploration fueled by an insatiable curiosity that knows no bounds. As we gaze upon their adventures, a bittersweet longing tugs at our hearts, for their journey resonates with the dreams we once harbored before [–Read More]
Red or Green, Not Red vs. Blue: The Great Chile Debate Heats Up as Zozobra Burning Approaches We met 30 years ago at Larry Wilson’s Pecos River Ranch. The chance meeting, blossoming romance, and numerous trips make Santa Fe, NM, a warm spot in our hearts with years of fond memories and good friends nurtured over the years. Please keep in perspective that New Mexico [–Read More]
We sold everything and moved to higher ground. Sold Florida because the waters were rising and the philosophical tide was falling. Oregon went by the crumbling cliffs of our ocean view. Road life became far too weird, so that was also sold and abandoned. Now we are far, far away from normality and have set sail on new adventures. Embracing Change: The Key to Personal [–Read More]
Completely custom designed 2009 Showhauler 45′ Twin Drive. This corporately owned coach was industrial designed by Steelfish in the Netherlands as a mobile office and living quarters for its owners that operate a high technology manufacturing natural products company. The coach was designed for livability and state-of-the-art technology, permitting its owners to stay connected to the internet and providing gourmet features for easy living. The coach has been professionally maintained and kept up-to-date by Showhauler factory team. This coach is contemporary in every aspect, low mileage, and feature-rich. It is one of a kind.
The coach is being sold to make way for new build [–Read More]
SOLD! Chill Travelers East Coast Base for Sale – View of Nature & Rockets We have just listed our site in The Great Outdoors for sale. Our business expansion in the west has consumed us for the last few months and the foreseeable future. The reality for us is that we will be on the east coast sporadically only a few weeks a year. We [–Read More]
After talking about my experiences learning from the Creole master, Paul Prudhomme, it was time to put my money where my mouth is. A Creole dinner for Dick and Pam [–Read More]
It is the 2.4Ghz band which is especially problematic in RV communities. To cut to it, people often speculate that bandwidth issue are between wifi access point and the internet provider. “The cable isn’t the problem,” but a clogged 2.4Ghz wifi band is the cause. [–Read More]
Traveling west with a stop in Las Cruces New Mexico. A feeling of home, it was a nice few days reconnecting with our favorite State. [–Read More]
Imagine that your girlfriend wakes up one morning and says, ” we ought to trade in the Jeep before it starts costing us to much in repairs.” Okay I say. “What do you want to buy?” “How about a new Corvette Grand Sport!” Its true! Its true! [–Read More]
We went on a 10 day Windstar vacation wondering if we could escaper the surly bonds of the internet and cell phones to emerge with the outline of a new book Really! After 15 years, we finally took a real vacation form people, phones and the internet. …and we actually survived! Read about our exploits. [–Read More]
As the story goes, Wendy and I were passing through Midland Texas and I had heard that the Jim Hall Chaparral wing of the Petroleum Industry Museum was about to open. So we stopped by… [–Read More]
We went into deep undercover to penetrate the inter-sanctum of a southern religion and now tell our story of a gathering of like-minded followers steeped in lore. Read our story and see it in pictures. [–Read More]
The launch of CRS-6 by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as seen from our lagoon. Chill Travelers looking skyward [–Read More]
A Chill Travelers presuppositions is to look up and see what you are missing in life. Sometimes when you see something, you have to imagine what it would be like to speed things up or slow them down. Technology lets us do that if you are patient.
Spring warm weather clouds and thunderstorms make for a spectacular show. Even more spectacular when animated at one frame every three seconds. This was shot from our lagoon over a time of one hour. [–Read More]
Making left turns is part of our everyday life. And yes, three lefts make a right and you see a whole lot more. Eyes up and when it is right, everything falls into place. Read about a decision to avoid I-75 and what turned out to be a stellar weekend with new friends added [–Read More]
Two baby great horned owls make the entry into the world known and Chill Travelers were there. Here are a few photos of the new borns. [–Read More]
Bob Root and Wendy Steele are Chill Travelers who chase defining moments in their nomadic lifestyle. This episode is about rockets, Carlos Santana and self-actualization. [–Read More]
We are working on some very exciting new developments for Keys at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. This morning we had the opportunity to get up close and personal at the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch. At 4:55am, this is the picture I got. [–Read More]
Twenty years ago today I met a woman that changed my life forever. [–Read More]
Seeing the sun rise over the mountains, a fresh brewed cup of coffee in hand, the smell is intoxicating. So, next time you are cruising through Santa Fe from mid-August and through September, follow your nose. [–Read More]
20 Years of Defining Moments: It is coming up on the 20th anniversary of when we met at a team building event near Santa Fe at Larry Wilson’s ranch on the Pecos River. A chance meeting that changed our lives. Read our book, it might just change yours into a hunting expeditions for Defining Moments. [–Read More]
Jasper turns four years old today [–Read More]
As we travel around the country visiting our dealers and customers, we happen upon some really fine cooking. As Paleo types, this usually restricts us to more conventional restaurants. Sometimes, we will go out of our way to chase a particular food looking for the best America has to offer. We have chased down the best fried chicken, crawfish etouffee, boudin balls and, of course, [–Read More]
A Spa & Car Experience?. Nestled between Grand Junction Colorado and Moab Utah, this spa caters to car guys and the not so car guy. It could become an annual event. [–Read More]
We are lucky to be able to chase 70 degrees in our adventures. We have to stop once in a while to change locations for the better good and to take a stand. We are no strangers to airplanes, airports and congressional hearings. Late in 2013 we were asked to join Companies for Safer Chemicals. Things are now heating up with many more activities [–Read More]
This has been a uniquely demanding and interesting beginning of our annual summer tour. The business is growing again after a year long battle to regain dealers and end user confidence. Strange times indeed. Bob is into his outline for his book about the dark side of the natural products industry. Seven Deadly Sins! All in One Convenient Location So the tour began in [–Read More]
Just another adventure for this little dog. [–Read More]
Our simple rule for the motor coach is that anything that comes on board must be able to do at least two things and hopefully more. A fine chef’s knife wins over a food processor and a roll-around computer cart has to double as a dinner table, snack table or movable outside drink table. It is a good rule even if you do not live in a smaller space. [–Read More]
Yep, 16 years ago we were standing at sunrise looking out at Wheeler peak in Taos New Mexico. After all these years we can reveal that we were married by Shirley MacLaine in a quiet ceremony with a few friend and the deep sounds of native American flutist Alex Maldonado. [–Read More]
A great philosopher named Hen3ry (the three is silent) once said that you can tell an imminent purchase by the size of the smile. Well, if Wendy’s smile is an indicator, there is a Porsche racing track car in our near future. [–Read More]
We started a Google+ Community because we felt the need to find like-minded freaks. You can view it here and maybe join in. [–Read More]
This has been an interesting few days with the end of the world coming on the 21st (;-]) and Ray Kurzweil being named Director of Engineering at Google. Since leaving the corporate world more than 15 years ago, I cannot imagine Ray tolerating employism. [–Read More]
A Day at Disney World for Chill Travelers. This is what happens when you have to deploy Plan B. [–Read More]
We have been in Cheyenne, Wyoming establishing our new corporate entity here. While we were visiting our bankers and the economic development people, we heard that the UP steam shop was based here. A little further investigation and enlisting the help of Wendy’s dad, a railroad veteran and expert, we found out that the UP 844 steam train would run east beginning June 8, 2012. It was an [–Read More]
This is a story of how a birthday present turned into a historical photo assignment to document the Reagan Rancho del Cielo using HDR for the Presidential archives [–Read More]
So, it is Christmas day, edging 70 degrees and sunny in California’s Anza Borrego Desert. We are not much for the commercial aspects of the holiday. In fact, we mostly enjoy the peace and quiet that the day brings. There is not much in Borrego Springs to begin with and what normally is open here is not today. [–Read More]
I have come to believe that CNN is a terrorist conspiracy to depress America and send us into eternal negativity. Well, maybe FOX News as well. Okay, NBC, ABC and CBS as well. Not Dianne Sawyer though! I have been studying youthfulness, chemicals, prescription drugs and anything I can reach to figure out why we age and why we look older. Aging is gradual or [–Read More]
When I was creating the video of Jasper and the Beach Soccer, within the editing process, I noticed some interesting things during the frame-by-frame transitions. It is funny and interesting to view a video in slow motion and often it inspires. Jasper has a new neighbor friend here in Newport, named Satchmo. He is from Sedona , Arizona. They became friends on the beach in Newport Oregon. [–Read More]
Well, ever since the realization that Jasper is a true Texan, we decided to see how this horse chasing head strong critter would deal with the Pacific Ocean. In true fashion, the score is Jasper 1 and Pacific 0 🙂 We are in one of our favorite places at Pacific Shore RV Resort in Newport Oregon trying to mix a lot of work with [–Read More]
Our accountant Jim reminds us to never never offer any positive comments about California because of the California State of Mind tax rules that make our income taxable if we even infer any kinship to California. So, with that in mind, one of our media friends from Sedona Arizona created a video using a technique called tilt-shift to create a toy-like overview of a [–Read More]
HOT AIR by Bob Root Just started reading Richard Branson’s new book “Reach For The Skies.” What impresses me so far is that he honors the heroes that succeeded in changing the world of flight with an equal emphasis on those that tried and failed. Reading the first few chapters, it dawned on me that I had captured some video at the Santa Paula Airport this past February. When I reviewed the [–Read More]
Our life is certainly eclectic and never boring. When people visit us on the coach, they see a bit of our lifestyle at SeeLevel. Jasper has been a wonderful new addition to our family filling a huge hole for all of us. He is his own dog for sure. He may look like Disney, but he is very different. He has become a great pal [–Read More]
We travel to the San Francisco Bay Area about two or three times a year for business. Finding a place to park the hulk Grizzly is challenging in this area because there are so many people and so little space. This trip we stayed, for a brief time, at the Alameda Fair Grounds. And yes, it is very close to Lawrence Livermore National Labs where [–Read More]
Being a car guy is somewhat difficult to explain given my treehugger work life. Growing up as a car guy in the 60’s was an extraordinary experience. My dad and I customized cars, built them, rebuilt them and drove them on the track as well as a few misguided moments as a street racer. The list of cars ranged from my first which was a 1951 Studebaker, [–Read More]
Let It Go! by Bob Root Many people say that we live an idyllic lifestyle. What we know for sure is that it is by design and has to be a work in process to maintain the freedom, liberty and adventure. Living 365 on the road in some fairly exotic places would seem like a plan for two retired people. The fact is that we [–Read More]
We travel North America on business 365 days a year. During parts of the year we like to find a place to rest and work at a little slower pace. The Springs at Borrego in Borrego Springs is just one of those places. By far, this is one of the finest best maintain RV parks that we have seen. The amenities, care, attention and offerings [–Read More]
Borrego Springs has been full of adventure for us and we plan more excursions into the desert and mountains. Bob used to off-road race in the are and made the trek over the mountains when he lived in SoCal. Our trip here continues to be amazing. Last night was the Lunar Eclipse and it arrive late on the 20th and the full eclipse occurred in the early morning of [–Read More]
If you have been following us, you know that the second half of 2010 has been hectic for us. So, when Wendy had the idea of spending the holidays and the end of 2010 in a place that would help us wind down, we jumped on the idea. Last year on our way back to the factory we stopped in Borrego Springs, California. We were [–Read More]
There is no question that our normal is on the move. Jasper is learning to discover, explore and enjoy all the things that we experience. Jasper went from a whirlwind first month traveling over 2000 miles to a month of staying put in one of our favorite places, Malibu California. This is Jasper’s second trip to Malibu. His first four weeks video captures that first [–Read More]
Jasper’s first four weeks with us was an adventure for even an adventurer. Can you imagine being a young puppy of just 11 weeks and being whisked away from you family, loaded onto an RV and driven 1500 miles in your first three days. Then a few days in Malibu, then to Long Beach and then onto Anaheim before heading to El Capitan State Beach [–Read More]
Jasper is now growing like a weed, shedding his baby teeth and starting to discover all that this world has to offer him. We had been in Malibu for a short while and were invited to a gathering of Bichon’s that were bred by the wonderful lady that brought us Jasper. Marlene lives just north of Dallas Texas and is the president of the Los [–Read More]
We have been in the process of creating a video depicting Jasper’s first month with us. We have planned all along to create a series of videos that capture his life and growth. Camera on the ready we have been shooting many wonderful sequences of Jasper’s exploits. As always, there are those moments that you capture that stand on their own. We have been on [–Read More]
Introducing Jasper! Affectionately known as Jasper, Jibby, Buckwheat, Zydeco. Its a long story! Okay, let’s try and capture this in an understandable way! When we lost Disney, friends in the Bichon community rallied. Most specifically our friend Myrna. The sympathetic outpouring for Disney’s loss was world wide. Sincerely! Myrna wanted to make sure that our void was filled in some way and helped us by suggesting a 1 year [–Read More]
October is quickly becoming a month of exploration for us. Early in each October is the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was our second year and we park on the balloon fiesta field near the museum. Early mornings before dawn we trek to the field to watch 12-15 balloons go up before dawn. After that, the field fills with over 500 hot [–Read More]
There are few places in the US that you can chase 70 degrees during the summer months. The far southwest coast of Oregon is one of them. It is our choice for the summer months because it is cool, mostly cloudy and provides us a central location in the Northwest. The picture above is a panorama from the beach just below where we are staying [–Read More]
On our trip south from Canada we stopped in Seattle to visit our dear friend Traci. We arrived on a weekend that was forecast as sunny and warm….we thought Seattle Washington…Sunny and Warm? It was. Our friend Traci is an entrepreneur chef creating fine dining healthy meals that people can serve at home. Traci creates a weeks menu and cooks multiple course meals for the [–Read More]
Wendy has always wanted to see Yellowstone National Park and I have wanted to go back and spend time just exploring it rather than a quick auto tour. So we made that left turn on I-90 at Livingston Montana and headed for Yellowstone. We spent the day exploring the things we wanted to see at the pace that we set. Here is a video of [–Read More]
We left Rapid City with hopes of punching through the rain and the snow with a weather forecast predicting the 70’s in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. A conversation while heading for Billings caused some left turns. As it turns out, Wendy has never been to Yellowstone National Park. Truth be told, I have only been there for business meetings flying a corporate jet in and out [–Read More]
Well, it is snowing in Rapid City on May 12, 2010 We are heading to Canada for business. History and our plans should find 60’s to 70’s. We left Topeka being chased by Tornado’s and headed north and west through constant rain. When we arrived in Rapid City, our hope was to take off a day to go to Mt Rushmore. With the weather ceiling obscuring the [–Read More]
Official Storm Trackers? Yes! We recently made a quick run back to the factory after visiting our newest sale team member in Texas. A quick stop in Knoxville to vist old friends and then onto the Baltimore Annapolis area. We spent about ten days back at Deep Forest, our house, and at the factory. We headed west again stopping at the birthplace of our coach [–Read More]
Dateline: Johnson City Texas The Chrome Bull! Seems appropriate for the place Lyndon B Johnson called home. On a hard run from Kerrville Texas, where we were staying, to Austin Texas for a Saturday meeting, we were just outside of Johnson Texas heading east when we spotted a chrome bull standing aside route 290. We swerved to get a shot and noticed a sign. It [–Read More]
What can you say when you have lost your best friend of 16+ years. Disney ,our ball of energy Bichon who traveled throughout the country with us, died on Valentine’s Day 2010. He was active and happy until the day he was not able to survive a heart complication and fluid in the lungs. We were with him as he went peacefully and without [–Read More]
Happy 99th Birthday Ronnie! By Bob Root They say you can tell a lot about a person based on their birthday. Wendy’s mom, the Gypsy, introduced us to a Dutch book titled apply, “The Birthday Book.” Written by Gary Goldschneider an online version can be viewed at http://www.mypersonology.com Born February 2nd, the birthday book says that I am sophisticated, dynamic and original for the good [–Read More]
When we built the Grizzly, we had the option of adding some special RV style driver and passenger seats. We opted to stay with the standard Freightliner Cascadia seats because, they came with the truck and we actually liked them better. The standard seats are “Air Ride,” which means that they supported by air bags to smooth out the ride. The seats also has various [–Read More]
Up in the Air…Movie Review For all of our friends that emailed, called and contacted us wondering if the new George Clooney movie “Up in the Air.” was written by or about our lives prior to meeting, it was not. All of the calls, story line and what we have drove us to see the movie. Today is December 31, 2009. Tomorrow is our wedding [–Read More]
Chill Traveling is a state of mind, lifestyle and philosophy. SeeLevel is a made up word that describes a chosen mode of transportation. They are mutually exclusive and inclusive. [–Read More]
Happy Holiday from Mesilla New Mexico Wendy and I are the least likely people to follow tradition. As close as we get is to be in Mesilla New Mexico for the Christmas Eve celebration. How to describe this place on Christmas Eve? Mesilla is probably what Santa Fe was like 100 years ago. At one end of the town square is the Catholic Church. The [–Read More]
Bob & Wendy’s Galactic Adventures at Spaceport America Near Las Cruces New Mexico by Bob Root New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment the license plates and signs say! As the Christmas Holiday approaches my days have slowed a bit allowing me to reflect and breath. My day today began as usual with a cup of home brewed coffee made with our high tech [–Read More]
Chill Travelers – HDR Photography A new look to our images. In the pursuit of our SeeLevel business travels, we stop frequently to view events, nature and things just plain worth seeing. Many of them are nearly impossible to put in perspective and capture. Many months ago, we decided to create this blog as a sort of “next book” in this electronic form. It is [–Read More]
By Bob There is nothing ordinary about us. In fact, we have gotten use to being 180° from ordinary. We just seem to stumble on things in life. Situations, things and unusual people are just the norm for us. Last week, we went to our favorite bakery in Nye Beach Oregon. There was Panini Joe and the usual unusual crowd was there. The pirate, coffee thief, Goth [–Read More]
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