So About the New Look…

“Drink Vicariously” has been reborn as “Love and Barley.” The inspiration for the new name is from a collection of poems by the Japanese haiku master Basho, who eschewed material possessions and devoted his life to traveling. The new name pinpoints our passions: barley, travel, and writing. Befittingly, the compilation “On Love and Barley” begins with poetry…

2014: This is what gathering moss looks like.

It seems like just yesterday we wrote about the insanity that was 2013. To create balance in the universe, 2014 has been THE YEAR OF STAYING PUT. At least by our standards. We visited the Canadian Rockies, Alaska, Hawaii, and Portland. And staying put has its own rewards: like spending time with family and reconnecting with old…

Squirreling away for the winter

As we were hiking in Alaska, we saw a mushroom high up in the tree. It turns out a squirrel put it there as part of its overall winter-proofing strategy. Good job. What are you good at squirreling away? How do you maintain a balance between saving and stashing for a long winter and unhealthy…

Spoiled Brat Tourists

We’ve all been disappointed. A hyped movie wasn’t what we expected; a vouched-for restaurant’s food seemed bland. It happens with places too. A few places I’ve been didn’t live up to my expectations, though certainly not as many places as surpassed them. One thing I would never ever do is stoop to the level of these self-entitled…

Southern Mexico Upcoming Trip: Got Tips?

ISO: Your tips! Dates: January-February 2014 (7 weeks total) Methods: Car Key Points: Mexico City Puebla (with possible deke to Xalapa) Oaxaca and surrounds Oaxaca coast (Puerto Escondido and Huatulco) Free/Flex Time: About One Week. Would like to visit Chiapas and Palenque.