We haven’t been able to release a new podcast episode for quite a while. Whew! Like all of you, the pandemic and world events have given us pause. So much has changed in such a short time and we are still bracing for what is to come. We do, however, feel optimistic that this too shall pass. In the meantime, here are a few of the things going on here at Tiny Hotelier:
The Boat!
Our beautiful shanty boat is still nameless, it is still charming, it still turns heads as those that pass by see it for the first time. The pandemic has sure gotten more people out for walks. One tiny silver lining? The boat has gotten more attention because of the increased volume of foot traffic, even though we are pretty accustomed to the double takes and interested looks by now, it is still amusing.
The project has been at a standstill this last month. Like many people, we have rearranged our finances to focus more on emergency preparedness. We have stocked up our pantry and freezer and are saving money for what may come, or if we happen to see any jumbo packs of toilet paper around. Just kidding ;). Our hearts go out to all of those that have been laid off or have had drastic cutbacks to their income, or that have suffered setbacks to their health. We too have felt an impact as the track trials of 2020 in Track Town USA are postponed. Our summer Airbnb plans for our mother-in-law cottage and boat have fallen by the wayside.
As playgrounds, state parks, and other loved places have been shut down we decided to work on quite a few projects that have been in the works around the house. The most fun has been a play structure for the kiddos. Using reclaimed materials, an old crib, free wood pile stashes, and paint we already had around we now have a pretty cool elevated playhouse with slide and swinging chair. Ashley has been able to quench her thirst for painting things which include the playhouse, the shed, the new backyard quail tractor, and more. We have been digging up most of our yard to have a big garden this year. . . Victory garden style! Another silver lining, spring in the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous and going for walks is lovely indeed.
Building of the playhouse 
The Happy Builders 
We took “treats” to the neighbors
In some ways changing our timeline is a good thing. We are working with a real estate agent regularly and watching for a property that will be a good match for our Airbnb ideas and a bit of space for some permaculture and self-sufficiency as well. Of course, we are still feel that a co-op or renting a bit of land would work , but it would be nice to just have our own property and we are being proactive about that option. We now have a bit more time to make the right situation happen. Completing the boat project by May was going to be a mad dash. We now have reason to take it a bit slower and work more methodically to make it the best it can be. As all of these setbacks have taken place, there has been one chance for a giant leap forward which brings me to the. . .
Airbnb Unique Fund Contest!
Ryan found out about a wonderful contest Airbnb is putting on. They are looking for Airbnb ideas that are unique, feasible, sustainable, and that give back or are community oriented. They are going to fund 10 lucky winners and give them each 100,000 to complete their unique Airbnb ideas by the end of this year. It feels almost like the contest is catering to us personally, at least the timing of it all couldn’t be more perfect. We feel like the boat really fits the bill and that our vision for what it will be aligns really well for what Airbnb is looking for. We have been working on our 500 word essay which we hope demonstrates this. It is a fantastic opportunity. Even if we aren’t one of the lucky 10 we are still so very grateful for the opportunity the contest has given us to sit down and reflect on what we want this project to become. It has given us that little extra push to outline our ideas and to feel even more excited about it all.
There is so much negativity and anxiety in the world and it seems to be hammering in from every angle. It is easy to jump down that rabbit hole. A favorite sayings is, NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS. This is so true. The hard times make us appreciate the good times that much more. Where there is so much mayhem and misery there are also so many remarkable stories of service, ingenuity, and generosity. If we focus on these positive things we can each make a big difference in our own small ways. We send this update with love and hope!
Ashley and Ryan
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue!
