Honestly, I was beginning to think this would NEVER happen! Were you? Starting to think we were just talking smack? Well, it's real baby!!!

I am sorry we have been so quiet! Daisy has been busy learning all she can about her Electric SUV! Trip has been busy trippin' out the pop up Aliner so we can start our CROSS CANADA trip .... this has been attempted ANNUALLY since 2018!

We had planned on the truck pullin' the Hippie Hangout but sadly we had to put that aside! Due to the price of gas we had to make the tough decision to sell our truck, park the Hippie Hangout and BUY A NEW EV SUV to pull a pop up!

You KNOW we weren't going to leave it plain! We don't like to be ordinary! So much for an "introvert" Trip has become an unknowing EXTROVERT due to his incredible talent and vision! That man has visions - sober or not! HA HA Remember to come say HI if you see us and to follow our journey, cuz we're ELECTRIFIED! Oh! And @dreaminsailorman is sending #giggles too! (did you know that Trip started a Facebook page and Instagram page for his new character Giggles?) 

Follow along, check it out, we plan to boondock, moochdock, hit a few campgrounds and meander across this great country of ours! We hit Nanaimo, BC July 20th and will have a week of joyful festivities for Daisy's oldest daughter's wedding! EXCITING!

At a time when the world is so uncertain, after a rough few years, we know the world needs MORE LOVE and less division! So check us out and the NEW HIPPIE HUT as we try to spread a little peace and love! ✌️❤️🌼☮️ #ev #crosscountry #explorecanada #ioniq5 #alinercamper #wecandothis #tripndaisy777 #hippiehut #oldhippiesneverdie #electriccar #roadtrip #hippievibes #giggles 

It is hard to remember to update the website but check us out on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep in touch, see where we are going and I will attempt to hit the blog occassionally! Peace and love, Daisy 
​

Spring feels like it is finally arriving in New Brunswick! We are having very mild days, some up to 14C! Nights don't drop below about -2C and the sun is shining!

We finally unwrapped the Hippie Hangout from it's winter "outfit" and even though it can't come on our long journey, it will still be fixed up and used, but locally!

I love my electric car but I also love traveling with my trailer. We aren't much of the "stay at one campground" kind of people, but we love moving around and seeing the sights! I had even purchased power packs and supplies for more effective boondocking! Oh well, it will happen again! You can follow our adventures through the blog, or on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter, EVEN TikTok! I do tend to go to FB and IG most though!

In fact, since there can be long lines to wait for EV's due to supply and demand issues, I have already placed my "wait list" orders for two trucks that can easily tow my rig, and maybe by 2024 or 25 they will be out! I love the feel of the open road and stopping when you feel like it, getting into the trailer to make lunch or take a nap... There really is nothing quite like it! I hope by '25 there will be a lot more charging stations and extended range so "range anxiety" will be a thing of the past! We are fine with the car when not towing (Yes, I have mapped out our COMPLETE cross country map!) and the trucks I want will be almost double the car range. 

So, even though I sound like a sales person, I am actually just loving my car and passionate about it. In the meantime Trip has done some amazing paintings on the cupboard doors inside the Hippie Hangout, absolutely gorgeous! Here are a few, what do you think of them? 

Have a great day, peace and love, Daisy 

Below: just a few of the cupboard doors for the HH!

You just never know what is going to happen! I would never have thought three years ago that Trip 'n Daisy would still be here together, it felt impossible for awhile! I am so grateful that Trip is now cancer free and that post pandemic (well sort of... endemic?) our lives are starting to return to normal! 

I never would have thought one year ago that I would get my health and wellness into a good workable place! A year ago, I cried every time I came home from my cleaning job due to pain! Since then I have found arthritis medication that works for my back; I have lost almost 40 pounds since the summer; I exercise regularly - I even signed up for a 5KM event,  AND I own my first new car AND it's ELECTRIC! Six months ago, I would not have dreamed I would own this car!

(As my family tells me, I love to talk! So if you want to know about my weight loss method/journey or my fabulous car, give me a shout!)

No, this wasn't the Trip 'n Daisy Journey I was expecting, but we love our little car, "Star" is fun, comfortable and I drive past gas stations, thinking WHAT I would have paid in my truck! I am grateful that a few years ago, when Trip was very sick with cancer, that I knew I had to get my life and independence back. By independence, I mean, credit rating and work history, since being home with the kids and working for myself, didn't get me there! I worked hard and it is worth it! My gratitude is endless!

I also have to be completely honest, without my new electric car, I would not be signing up for a 5KM or a workshop or volunteering my time to the community. I have been very isolated out here the past 12 years without being able to do things due to the ever rising fuel costs, so I am so appreciative of the new found freedom that I have gained! We even go for "Sunday drives" now! 

So, here is a picture of our sweet ride that will take us cross country - no, we will not be towing, but we will help support the local economy as we motel it across! It will definitely be an adventure and I plan to share it! Across Canada in our Hyundai Ioniq 5! 

In the meantime if you want to learn WHAT it means to own and EV, find out what is and isn't true, discover real drivers experiences - come to our ALL ELECTRIC SHOW N SHINE ON SUNDAY, MAY 15th from Noon to 3 at the NBEX Exhibition Grounds on Smythe in Fredericton! With the NB EV OWNERS FACEBOOK GROUP we plan to share our excitement with you! We have been sponsored by Jim Gilbert's Wheels and Deals in Fredericton, Energie NB Power, and we thank them as we wait for our new signage to arrive to share this with you! Need a poster? Send us a contact message!  

Come on Down To Electric Avenue with us!
- learn about rebates
- learn about real costs
- test drive some EV's
- see electric bikes & scooters
- talk to REAL owners for REAL experiences!

You can continue to follow us on Instagram and Facebook as we share -... maybe even OVERshare from time to time, our journey with our little shih tzu McGee.

Our journey has changed, but, we will still be spreading peace, love and visiting communities along our way! We all know the world needs a little more, peace, love and care right now. Peace, Daisy Remember, be kind, always!

DID I MENTION THE EVENT IS FREE? FOR GUESTS AND CAR OWNERS! 

I think the one thing I do best is ... to roll with the punches! Something ALWAYS affects our plans! Which is why, when someone says... What are your plans? I tell them what I know that day and the next may be completely different! I guess this is the joy of being an at home student - not plugged into "the man's" agenda of how I should spend my time!

We have WANTED and DREAMED of driving across Canada in the Hippie Hangout for years & once again, the plan has been thwarted by the universe!

With fuel at $8 a gallon, with a truck that gets about 8mpg when pulling the trailer, it is not feasible . We did worry about the environmental footprint as well but it just didn't seem like we could make it happen in a way that we wouldn't regret.

We started to learn more about electric vehicles and the Federal and Provincial rebates as well as the NB Power rebate for a home charging station and that they didn't change home electricity bills all that much, especially with how much we drive. I started to research it and had hoped to get an EV truck - but there was nothing that was currently available, in our price range or that qualified for rebates.

We narrowed it down - based on test drives, research and the proximity of service if needed. We came up with the Hyundai Kona 2022 but by the time we decided... it sold out! Then the Hyundai Ioniq 5 2022 came out and we didn't think we would get it in time for our trip, but the universe decided to give us a break!

A car came in and the person who ordered it passed on it and we had the opportunity to get it! WOW! We can now make our trip across the country, with less of a carbon footprint (everything in the world has some footprint but this is much less than our truck) and we were able to take money from our trip and put it on the car plus the rebates and we are now the proud owners of this car!

So the camping trip is off, again! We plan to drive the car, a little SUV and since we are so into it, we are planning a Show N Shine in Fredericton on Sunday, May 15 with owners of all different types of EV's and hybrids and we will have information from NB Power on how the rebates work as well as lots of knowledge of the reality of an EV and hopefully break some myths! Watch for more to come!

Peace and love my friends, Daisy
​

It always makes me SO sad to have to wrap up the Hippie Hangout for winter! It's been too cold to go camping and most places have been closed, but we did enjoy a last week at the Mactaquac Provincial Park Campground in October. Such a beautiful place! Our vintage 1973 Golden Falcon may be asleep for the next few months but we aren't!

We have been mulling over what to change or update... We are considering removing the old Dometic fridge and replacing it with a plug in energy saving mini fridge. I also think I would like to have the furnace removed, we don't use it and also the stovetop/oven combo. The oven isn't something I will use and by removing it I can bring from home my multi oven/microwave/airfryer combo and then just a cooktop. We are debating the merits of those ideas over the winter.

The plan is to hit the road at the beginning of May and drive to BC for my daughters wedding. (see engagement photo below!) Along the way we hope to meet many people! We have been unsuccessfully trying to find an electric vehicle (EV) that will tow 4,000 lbs but the ones that do, are well over our budget and the government rebate incentives. So, I guess it will be our old truck pulling us one more time!

If you are looking to see any of Trip's latest work, remember you can always head to his website or to the Creek Village Art Gallery and Café in Woodstock, NB where he has just put in some Christmas signs and some new art pieces! Have a peak below, where I have added some new photos. If you have sometime, you can check out our YouTube channel, where we have shared a few how to videos!

As today is November 11, we are grateful for our freedom and those who have helped us achieve that. I am grateful to be free to move about my country and visit family, friends and new friends to come!

​Peace and love, Daisy

Wow! I can't believe it has been so long since I updated the website! I guess I have been concentrating on Facebook and Instagram! I am also a LITTLE scared to tell you .. but we have been playing on TikTok as well! You can find us anywhere at tripndaisy777 .

Well, we have not yet made it driving across the country! In 2019 we did get to BC but we had to fly... Trip was not yet up to the journey, but after being ill so long, it was good to be with family. As much as we felt a bit guilty flying out west, I am grateful we could in 2019 since the pandemic hit in 2020 and we have not been able to see family for so long!

Much has happened, good and bad, but one thing we have learned in the past 19 months is...

• BE GRATEFUL
• appreciate what we have
• DON'T TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED
• tell people you love them when you see them
• MAKE MEMORIES WHEN YOU CAN

We took about a month, over a few trips to travel along the Acadian coast of New Brunswick - it is stunning! I can't believe it was our first time there. We also had the opportunity to travel the Gaspe in Quebec. What an amazing privilege! Truly some of the most beautiful coastlines in our country! The people were wonderful and we can't wait to do it again someday!

In Sept, 2021, we traveled to Ontario (past Toronto) to see both of Trip's kids and all the grandkids who got together for his 80th birthday! Wow! I know he is 80 but that cute little guy I fell in love with will always be to me! What an incredible experience! A year ago we wondered if it would ever be possible again to travel again. 

One BIG update is... as much as we loved making crafts and offering them for sale... We are adjusting our focus. We have ALL learned that we each need to find our own joy and what is bringing us joy - is meeting all of you. Traveling along and seeing people honk and wave as they pass us (yes, everyone passes us when towing!) The smiles and warm words when we stop at gas stations and campgrounds. The people who come up to us and tell them "how happy seeing the hippie hangout" made them.  THIS HAS MADE IT ALL WORTHWHILE!

So, we still have lots of crafts, etc. and Trip will still paint when the spirit hits him, and he will always write, he loves to share his stories and they will always be available. I, Daisy, have gone back to school (part time to complete my university degree - and MAN it is much harder to learn at 55 than 25!) We simply want to come out, meet you, share stories and smiles and of course continue to ...

          SPREAD    THE    LOVE! 
Because if we have learned ANYTHING in the past year and half, it is that the world needs MORE love! 

Peace and love, Daisy

Sign up to follow our blog as we share what we do, where we go and work together in a positive, hopeful manner to navigate the future!

Well I WISH I could post our video here but I seem to be technologically challenged! I tried for hours yesterday and a bit today to post our fun video to both YouTube AND the website - I think because our internet is a it spotty at the moment it is not working... so... I will continue to try to resolve that for future, since we would like to get our YouTube channel up and running (I might have to talk to our 9 year old grandson for some help!) .... In the meantime, go to this link and watch us draw the winner and tell you a little bit more about the WHY we do what we DO! Peace and love, Trip 'n Daisy 

​Today is a new day, I am updating our website and writing a blog to share where we are at! It has been over a year since I updated this blog - Trip has been to hell and back with his cancer treatments and surgeries but he is on the upward swing, slowly but steady. Looking back I realize I did not update this site but that is because during the darkest times - I wrote long essays on the life of a caregiver on my personal blog "Big House in the Big Woods - The Sherman Journey" and Trip has recently been able to start writing on his personal blog as well "Trippin' with Trip" ... but I am sharing our business card and thought I BETTER update this website! I also look forward with hope for much light and happier times from here on in!

In Sept. 2017 we were heading on a bucket list trip to Newfoundland and Labrador - we were very excited and had planned to borrow a tent trailer from a friend. I was extremely grateful to them since we did want to camp and things were coming together quickly so I had not found us our new "tiny home on wheels." As things turned out through a fortuitous cycle of events - 3 days before we hit the road we became the proud "new" owners of a vintage 1973 21 ft Golden Falcon - we were stoked! Trip spent a couple of days washing and painting the exterior and simply adding the words "Trip 'n Daisy - Born to be wild/mild" on the back and our adventure began! We appreciated the hardtop trailer vs. tent trailer since it rained about 70% of the time!

As we traveled the highways and byways of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Newfoundland and Labrador - we discovered our little rig was drawing some attention.  We very much enjoyed the freedom of driving as long as we wanted, stopping and napping or eating or using the facilities - all at the side of the road and meeting so many kind people. We began to envision a longer more extensive trip - across Canada - East to West and back again! Trip is a graphic artist and illustrator and his talents were vibrating with excitement at the thought of painting our rig in a manner that exuded our inner personalities and alas "Trip 'n Daisy" our alter egos and "The Hippie Hangout" our new home - were born!

Unfortunately, life has the means to kick us down and knock us flat - which it did. We knew he might be sick, but not to the extent of it and by Christmas 2017 we had a rectal cancer diagnosis for him and I had to completely give up working and be his full time caregiver, housekeeper, chauffeur, personal assistant, wife and best friend. We continued to dream but honestly became very low at times. Initially the "spread the love" tour was for fun and just to invoke a little more happiness in the world around us in what can otherwise often be very dreary. My giving up working and having any income coming in, hit hard. The expenses of travel and other related costs due to his treatment and illness were extraordinary and we are so grateful of the kindness extended to us in the form of fundraising, donations, etc. that were offered to us.

Here we are now, the spring of 2019, on the brink of our "Summer of Love" tour and trying to generate income to get us on our way. It is a frightening prospect, watching the price of gas rise and the distance to go, but we are working on it, diligently. Trip was always the artist and the "crafty" one but with so many hours of sitting, waiting and watching over him for the past winter, I too have begun to draw on my inner hippie and have fun making things. So we attended our first event this weekend to share our thoughts, dreams, hippie hangout and crafty items with the public. I am learning that many of us look back at the sixties and seventies with fondness, sweet reflection and a little yearning for a simpler time. 

I was born in 1966 so I missed most of the sixties, but by 1976 I had my days of wearing bell bottoms and wishing I had been about 15 years older and been able to enjoy more of the world with flowers in my hair, love and peace.... I dreamed of hitchhiking across Europe... It never happened but it would have been very cool! It is a simple concept and it resonates with me and how I feel inside. Life has dealt me many blows, like it has to most of us, but we can either dwell on them and shut down or we can open our arms and learn to embrace the beauty around us. Can you believe that until I was 38 years old I had a hard time hugging people? Now meet me and if I feel the vibe, you are LEAVING with a hug! 

So, here we are, this weekend we took the trailer out for its first run of the season. We had planned to boondock in a parking lot over night but here in New Brunswick, Canada, it is still pretty cool at night even though we are into May . (Hell, the ice is still on the lake!) I belong to several trailer and camping groups and have been following them for sometime. Facebook is a time waster in some ways but a great source of news, information and resources and meeting some fabulous people! I put out the request to the Camping Eastern Canada group and I had several kind offers of  a place for the night! We were put up at RV World, Fredericton and were welcomed with open arms and great hospitality! We also had an offer from Durham Bridge RV Resort - but had to come home a day early, so not this time, but soon I hope! So many people have offered up their kindness and friendship - RV life is truly its  "Own World" and I can't wait to meet many more people! We are Boondockers Welcome hosts and plan to be guests!

I think what the past year and a half has taught me is, the world is big and scary and there are awful things happening, but it is also small and loving and there is kindness all around us if we open our hearts to it. I know that when we travel, we will meet people, our trailer draws strangers to us and I LOVE THAT! It is a conversation piece and evokes memories of a bygone era. We CAN HAVE THAT AGAIN! We CAN spread love and kindness and friendship! So, if you are interested in following our journey, like our social media pages either Facebook or Instagram or follow the website which I shall endeavor to keep up to date! Let us know if you would be interested in a visit - to help generate income we would be happy to come do a book reading, a pop up shop, etc, if you think you have people who would like to come out to that. Want to sponsor the journey? We are headed coast to coast and can carry your logo or details...  Just pop us a message or email and let us know what you think... 

Trip is also painting little hearts $5 each and they show those who are spreading the love and sending their hearts across the country. Check it out!

No matter what happens - I am a hippie in my heart and now it has become a part of my persona.   I know that there are many changes in our country and when we see the world from the limits of our own home, it is easy to think that kindness is gone and there is little love left, but I KNOW kindness matters and so many people share love and kindness... every ... single... day!

Our love has carried us this far and who knows, hopefully we shall have it for a long time to come. I know somehow, someway, we will make this happen. My goal is to be on Vancouver Island mid summer and renew our vows and love at our Hippie Wedding with many friends and family beside us.  

Time to update our Etsy shop, empty the trailer and get back to sewing... there is money to be made and time, she is awastin'!

Sending out much peace and love, 
Channel your inner hippie, 
Daisy

PS: Check out our Etsy shop ... I am updating it now - or our FB or IG pages to see our hippie art, flower child fashions, eco friendly sustainable crafts and upcycled items! Made with love for you!

AND don't forget if you need (and we all do!) high quality THC free HEMP oil CBD ... let me know! 

 Life feels a lot like a waiting game these days! So both of us are just pending what comes next. I still hope we get a little trippin' done this summer, few days here and there around the Maritimes. Trip is waiting for surgery so we will see how he comes through before any big plans. 

In the meantime we are keeping busy! He has been painting since life is rather sedentary and I have been sewing and making rugs. (Well, rug! I took a course yesterday on rug braiding so I am making a brightly coloured rug for the Hippie Hangout!) We are posting items on our Etsy page as we create!

Trip has created a beautiful painting that makes me long for the West Coast - an Orca under the Moon... He has written a blog to let you know how you could NAME the painting and WIN a giclee! Check out his blog and follow him for more details! 

I expect winter should end in a few weeks, Peace... Trip 'N Daisy 

If you have been following our story, you know that Trip has just finished his first session of cancer treatment. More to come and it's a long road but we remain positive as he has a great prognosis. It's just a "crappy" situation in the meantime. (Pun intended!)

We spent almost 6 weeks in historic Saint John, NB. On the frozen banks of the Kennebecasis river.  During that time Trip completed two paintings and we both wrote and submitted stories to writing competitions. And of course Daisy baked and cooked to keep Trip eating! So, we used the time as well as we could, being at liberty to the medical system and whatever his body demanded of us at the time. 

I must say that we had some great medical care (at least it seemed that way!) Well set up oncology department, positive techs/nurses/doctors and as "nice"of an environment as there could be, considering the circumstances. He came through and a smile remains on his face (although from time to time it appears to be more of a grimace than a smile...) 

For those of you asking or wondering, yes we are using a combination of conventional and holistic medicine. Surgery/Chemo/Radiation but also CBD oil, health food, good organic diet, organic protein shakes, etc. For his situation this combination is best. Everyone has their own thoughts on how they would deal with cancer or a serious illness and we need to respect that each person has taken their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan into careful consideration. (Yes, we have had much "input" on what we should do and how!)

As a result of our free time, we played a lot of backgammon, crib, monopoly, read copious amounts of books, much mandala drawing, paintings, crafting, etc. As a result of that, we set up an Etsy Shop - so check it out! 

Daisy is busy trying to figure out how she fits in this new world, it is very strange not to be cooking Friday's for the local farm market but she has a few pots on the burner so to speak! We were in the "big town" of Woodstock yesterday and ran into several acquaintances and customers and Daisy was overwhelmed at their words and how they miss her in the cafe. Such a nice thing to hear! Have to figure out how to accommodate them and meet their needs in the future while doing what we need to here. (Daisy is perusing provincial campsites within a day or two's drive for some light summer trips in the Hippie Hangout!)

Thanks for everyone's ongoing support. Remember you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Etsy and of course here! 

Peace and remember to Live, Love & Laugh, Trip 'N Daisy - have a great day! Video: Trip ringing the chemo/radiation completion Victory Bell