My rolling office in Cedar Breaks, Utah
I know my life must seem like a non-stop vacation, but I don’t just play hard on the road, I work hard too, making a living as a freelance science and travel writer. Much to my delight, my mobile office is featured today on the science writing blog The Open Notebook:
“In our “Natural Habitat” series, we invite science writers to share their working spaces — offices, spare bedrooms, coffee shops, hammocks — and the accoutrements that help them do their best work.”
My office in the stand-up desk configuration
One of the things I love most about being a freelance writer is the ability to work from anywhere. Instead of paying rent I make a side living as a professional housesitter, which has landed me in some pretty spectacular places like Maine, Montana and New Mexico. My housesitting jobs usually run 4 to 6 months and in between I live on the road. In the past 8 years I’ve been to all 50 states and lived in nine and only once, while I was in grad school in Baltimore, have I ever paid rent or signed a lease.
Last year I started craving some personal space but I didn’t want to settle in one place so for my 30th birthday I bought myself a homemade Teardrop trailer from an 80-year old craftsman in Nebraska who made it in his garage. It’s 5 feet by 10 feet, weighs about 600 pounds and is truly a work of art.
Last summer I lived on the road, driving all over the western US, north to British Columbia and all the way up to Alaska, all the while writing 7 to 10 stories a month for EARTH magazine and several posts a week for my blog Travels with the Blonde Coyote.
For the rest of the tour, go to the Open Notebook!
View from my office of Goosenecks, Utah
Travels with the Blonde Coyote 
Love your house 😉
I love the pop up portion of you tear drop.I am currently debating between a little guy silver shadow,or A liner hard side pop-up camper.I want a low profile rig,so the TaB by little guy wasn’t an option,although they are pretty sweet.Oh,by the way I’m jealous.Great post.
Yes, lots of cool Teardrop styles out there! Amazing what people can do with a basic design plan. Have you checked out the Vistabule? http://vistabule.com/
never doubted it – but, come on, that’s a lovely office!
Why thank you! 🙂
Reading your blog I noticed that we have come close to meeting on several occasions as I live in Colorado and try to spend as much time outside traveling as I can. I really admire you for your choices in life and hope you continue on your travels! You have the best office in the world.
Hey Donna! I hope we cross paths someday! Send me an email sometime and we can try to coordinate a rendezvous. theblondecoyote@gmail.com Thanks for reading! M
I’m sure the dog loves the new scenery all the time. I would love to do that too. My writing and photography would travel well, but I’m not so sure about my other crafts. they have a bit more weight to them
Yes, I’m lucky my creative outlets are pretty portable. I’m still trying to make room for a photo printer in the Teardrop. I’d love to be able to sell more signed prints on the road. Maybe this winter!
Yes, I think that would be great. It’s sad, even though I have more room with a house that I still “can’t” seem to have the things I really want in it
Yeah, the dogs are consummate road trip professionals. It’s pretty amazing to travel with creatures who have no idea where we are or where we’re going or when we’ll arrive and yet they’re totally content and happy. Anywhere, anytime! Best travel partners ever! 🙂
What an amazing life you have! You’ve seen it all and it’s fun to follow your adventures.
Reblogged this on Robyn Caddell, World Dreamings and commented:
The Blond Coyote has been an inspiration to me for a long time! Go the teardrop and those beautiful puppies!
Thanks Robyn! 🙂
Love following your blog! so thank you!!
What a fantastic place to call home! Having spent some years in the ’70’s travelling around in our VW combi, I know the pleasure of having such freedom. Enjoy!
Thanks, Jane. I love it!
Love the “See the Milky Way” postcards on the wall 🙂
Yep, those are my favorites from the National Parks vintage collection. 🙂
WOW! Gorgeous ! I see so many places to visit one day (and paint one day!!) on your blog. Its my escapism from my midwestern business-as-usual. Thanks!!
You’re very welcome. Do you ever paint from photographs? I’d be honored to have my photos serve as inspiration! Thanks for reading! M
OOoooo cool! I DO paint from paintings, and I’ve seen a few of yours that have definitely inspired the urge to paint. I will be in touch… I’m excited!
Awesome! Paint away and send me pix! theblondecoyote@gmail.com. 🙂
You got it!
Reblogged this on livin the life….
on the slideshow saw that you were reading land of little rain which we just ordered last week. i was gonna insist you borrow it when you came back but now i see you have your own copy. now all you have for incentive is desert love and mattys french cuisine. miss you marypie. ❤
Miss you too, Ash! I can think of a few more incentives… See you in October!
Love your “workplace”! The idea that you can move around and change your surroundings by living there for a while is swonderful!
This just sounds so fabulous! Glad you’re young enough to be so free; enjoy it for all of us!
Hi Mary – Great view of the Gooseneck from the teardrop door. We are slowly, but surely, getting closer to being on the road and look forward to such views from the Pony door. Best to you, Carol
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