Welcome to Nomad Life 180

Jan 1, 2025 | General

So, this is how Nancy and I spent our New Year’s Eve, toasting our toes in sun-warmed sand on the San Sebastian beach in Todos Santos, Mexico. Actually, this was the first of five progressive stops with plenty of people, plenty of tasty treats, plenty of adult beverages, and plenty of fun. Though, despite the joyful camaraderie and engaging conversation, we were home and in bed by 11pm. Resting up for what lies ahead, no doubt.

Happy New Year!  

And what better time to launch our new website than on this first day of 2025.

We encourage you to click around a bit. I’ll admit there’s not a whole lot of content here yet, but I’m confident you’ll get a sense of what will be here as we begin blog-posting.

When we began telling friends that we’d placed all of our belongings in long-term storage and discontinued our apartment lease, all in preparation for 180 days of nomad living, several asked if we’d be chronicling our journey, especially our three months in the UK and Italy. So, we decided to launch this website and blog.

The truth is we’ve already put in a ton of work. Our first three months of travel arrangements (airfares, car rentals, and lodging) are fully booked up until our arrival in Siena, Italy, on August 19. We’ve received our new British ETA’s. And building this website from scratch has been ridiculously challenging. So, over the next five months you can expect a post every week or so, mostly updates on travel logistics and occasional flashbacks to plans already laid. But don’t be surprised if you see a few posts now and then as we live our best lives down here in Baja Sur. It’s a remarkably awesome place and there’s always plenty to highlight. And don’t forget to check that box below if you’d like to receive an email whenever we post something new.

We’ll be in touch.

Recent Posts

Clan Gordon

Clan Gordon

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Family Time

Family Time

So, if you’ll think back to our last Scotland post a few weeks ago, we’d survived a gale force windstorm in Inverness, then were skunked by a tribe of elusive…

Another 45 Hours

Another 45 Hours

So, our first pass through Firenze came and went via train.  This time we arrived by rental car from Bologna and navigated the labyrinthian alleyways to a…

45 Hours in Florence

45 Hours in Florence

So, I began writing this post on a Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed train, leaving the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence at 8:14am and arriving in…

Blown Away by Inverness

Blown Away by Inverness

So, before we get into the details of our soul-stimulating journey into the Scottish Highlands and the country’s northernmost city, Inverness, a quick…

A Fortnight out with the Gaels

A Fortnight out with the Gaels

So, as I begin writing this post we’re on a train from Florence, Italy, to the neighboring Tuscan city of Siena, which we’ll call home for the next 10 days. …

The Long and Winding Road

The Long and Winding Road

So, an early flight from Dublin put us into London’s Luton airport just before 9am, and after a suggested – never should have listened to her –…

Dublin Down

Dublin Down

So, I may have bitten off more than I can chew.  (And I can certainly chew my share, as evidenced by the images and specifics of the exceptional dining and…

Put a Cork In It

Put a Cork In It

So, in case you missed the theme of that last post, let me reiterate: we absolutely LOVED Galway and would go back in a second.  Just sayin’.  But next was…

49 Comments

  1. Jim A

    Drank a Punk IPA on the top of a hotel in Bangkok!
    Indeed, they are everywhere!

    Reply
  2. Jim A

    I would still be walking from the Firenze train station to your first airbnb!!!!
    I’m sooo sorry you had to suffer through the gelato tastings to find the One. Somebody had to do it!
    I totally agree about the sangiovese grape. One of my favorite wines is a Super Tuscan. Mainly made with indigenous grapes blended with non-indigenous vines like Cab Sauv and merlot. One of the top wines in the world! And a bargain price.
    In Nancy and your honor, I made a Tuscan chicken dish the other day. Except it didn’t look like the food you pictured….and didn’t taste like it, I’m sure!
    Enjoying your trip with you!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Hey Jim, love that you’re following along, and appreciate your comments. The Tuscan wines are truly a joy, though we did enjoy a Puglian red this evening while in Vieste. Awesome town. You’d love it!! A festival tonight with music or comedy every night a stone’s throw away.

      Reply
  3. Eric Gordon

    Ah, the Pantheon, one of my favorite buildings, especially considering its age.

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Yes, we’ll be back in Florence in Wednesday and Thursday next week. We’ll tour the Pantheon then.

      Reply
  4. Jim

    Okay! I will have the house tagliere board for two! For myself! And 2 glasses of wine??? You can’t fool me.
    Just read an article about the area where Nancy’s family lived. An area known for its unique buildings with a purpose to evade taxes!
    Trullo buildings in Alberobello! Also, now B and B’s. May your safe journeys continue!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Ahh, the Trulli of Alberobello. We won’t be lodging in one, but plan to spend a morning or afternoon visiting Alberobello. Thanks again for your comments, Jim. We head to Montecino and Montepulciano today. Puglia in a week.

      Reply
  5. Jim

    We loved Dublin (actually ALL of Ireland!) but didn’t have enough time there.
    The library was amazing as well as the Book of Kells but I see the books are all gone! Must be renovating.
    Big fan of Jamie…..sooo jealous!
    Totally agree on Guinness tour.

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      They’re restoring (un-dusting) the books in the library at Trinity College; only about 10% on display. It’ll be a several-year project.

      Reply
  6. David Carlson

    Glenn, not surprisingly your lilting eloquence embellishes the accompanying pictorial fare and invites one to pour a wee dram with which to enjoy both!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      My hope has been to capture the spirit and flavor of the places and people we encounter on our journey. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

      Reply
  7. Janie

    Wow, that all sounds so lovely, except for the driving part! That would make me so nervous.

    Reply
  8. Jim Aker

    I’m really not trying to dominate the comment section but………
    Where you are brings back sooo many memories of Derry (wife, not place!). She, also, was my navigator and her job was to pick the ivy off the passenger side mirror because I was so close to those damned rock walls avoiding a lorry coming at me @ 100Km/hr on a 1 & 1/2 lane road!
    We went to Connemara National Park, climbed up most of the way, and went to visit the great love story that Kylemore Abbey represents.
    The walled garden was amazing, too.
    I have watched the very perplexing movie “The Banshees of Inisherin”
    I agree, Galway is awesome!! We did indeed have a brew or two @ Monroe’s!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Keep your comments coming, my friend. We love having you along for the ride.

      Reply
  9. Jim

    I love vicariously eating and sight-seeing with you two! And I’m glad I’m not splitting the bill!
    Asheville and the Blue ridge Parkway were the some of the highlights on my trips around there. We, also, skipped the Biltmore tour. $50-head to see someone else’s ostentatiousness!
    And I now have to put Curate on my list…..love me some Spanish tapas!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      No doubt, our joy of good food has us reevaluating the dining budget! 😉

      Reply
  10. Jim A

    Have been hearing a lot lately about Charleston’s foodie scene!!!
    I want a raclette burger and order me the trout with crawfish at Vern’s!
    And be careful driving out there. Might get a little wet!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Stepping out of Vern’s last night it was dumping!! Thankfully they loaned us an umbrella for the short walk home, but with sandals . . . pretty sloppy. And yes, both of those food items were incredible.

      Reply
  11. Matt Minton

    Excellent post! I love how the architecture helps avoid the taxman… brilliant!

    Reply
  12. Jim A

    What a fun day!!! And then, to a Spanish restaurant serving some of my favorite tapas and vino!!

    Reply
  13. Kylene

    A new post after just 24 hours? You spoil us, and set a high bar for the detailed story-telling of your adventures! If the rest of your trip is half as enjoyable as your first day out to be, you’re in for a treat. Love you both and enjoy the humidity (and everything else, of course).

    Reply
  14. Jim Aker

    Hola to you two!!
    A word of caution, kinda. Watch out for Travis Decker in Leavenworth!
    Not that I have vast knowledge for packing for long trips, I would think taking along some “tradeable” clothing you can bargain with! Like a nice BBB shirt in exchange for a nice Italian sweater! And save room for souvenirs and fun stuff! No one will care if you wear the same shirt three days in a row, except Nancy!!
    Also, I can partner with you about losing family. It certainly speeds up as we get older.

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Yeah, definitely one of the downsides of aging!

      Reply
  15. Brock Lynch

    What a great surprise it was to have you and Nancy swing by Green Lake, looking forward to hosting you both in Tucson next year! I had forgotten to mention during our conversation that there are two new Matador restaurants in S. Carolina if you are feeling nostalgic. Thanks again and safe travels, already excited to follow along!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Thanks for the heads up re. the Matadors. I see it’s actually a restaurant with a separate “Mezcaleria by Matador” next door. It’s 1.5 miles from our AirBnB. We’ll definitely go there. Glad to know you’ll be following along on our travels. Take care.

      Reply
  16. Janie

    Wow! I bet you’re both getting excited for your continuing adventures. Love reading about them. We miss you guys!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      So excited! Already loving our “vacationing” in our hometown, and chomping at the bit to truly hit the road. Miss you two, as well. Glad you’re following along. Hope your summer’s starting off great.

      Reply
  17. Laina Florio

    Whooohoo! You’re on your way! 👏🏼🌟

    Reply
  18. Sandy Fussner

    Looks like you two are loving and living life well. Love the narratives and the photos

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Thanks, Sandy. Yes, life’s awesome.
      (And Kirkland is just so cool, as I’m sure you remember.)

      Reply
  19. Kelsey

    We love Kirkland, especially Isarn Thai 🤤🤤🤤 One of my favorite Thai restaurants! It looks like your adventures are off to a great start. Enjoy your time with family and friends!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Thanks, Kelsey. Isarn Thai is one of our daughter Kylene’s favorites, as well.
      Hope you and Scott are enjoying your early summer.

      Reply
  20. Matt Minton

    Godspeed my friends. See you soon, hopefully it will involve libations and excellent conversation. Miss you guys!

    Reply
  21. Nancy

    So very excited for you two and looking forward to being on your adventure with you! I must be on your roster twice as I received 2 email notifications. Enjoy every minute and I hope to see you at one of your visits to BB!

    Reply
  22. Stan

    Jealous…can’t wait to see and hear all about it

    Reply
  23. Alison

    Bon voyage, and we’ll see you in Asheville!

    Reply
  24. Kylene

    I could not be more excited for you both! Have an amazing time in WA (wish I was joining for graduation) and on your stateside portion of this adventure. Can’t wait to see you in the Burgh in a few months. Cheers to new adventures!

    Reply
  25. Al Lynch

    Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience, Best of luck Glenn and Nancy. Safe travels🙏🌺

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Thanks, Al. Glad you’ll be following our adventure.

      Reply
  26. Lisa Minton

    OMG this sounds absolutely amazing!!!!!!

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Thanks, Lisa. See you soon!

      Reply
  27. Angela Gordon

    Hello Nancy and Glenn!

    What an exercise in travel planning and what a tremendously exciting and interesting journey it will be.
    From reading your update, I’m not clear on the exact date you will be departing the US and/or Mexico and when you are scheduled to return. Could you confirm, please.
    Are you going to be measured for your dress Gordon kilt while in Edinburgh?

    Looking forward to ‘sharing ‘ your adventure.
    Love, Angela

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      Thanks, Michele. See you at the shop in a couple of weeks.

      Reply
  28. Stan Lucas

    I think I already signed up but…maybe not? Anyway, should be signed up now

    Reply
    • gdgordon3

      You’re golden.

      Reply
    • gdgordon3

      You’re good to go.

      Reply

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