Simple Living and Simple Travel

One can move towards living more green in a small trailer. We definitely leave a smaller overall footprint on the environment than most. Think of how much energy and water is used in houses, condominiums, or apartments compared to that of an RV. Rigs also consume significantly less energy for heating and cooling. Space constraints limit the number of electricity-using gadgets. Hopefully, one would also choose to do with a minimum of these, anyway. RV heads flush with minimal water. And then there are Navy showers to further conserve water. Granted fuel consumption is a factor, but remember total mileage is far less than commuters, let alone what trucks and planes consume. My yearly loop only racks up about 6,000 miles. Possibly the best way to reduce our impact on the environment is to consume fewer resources. RVers can take shorter trips and stay longer at each camping spot, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions. Keep the tow vehicle tuned up, replace the fuel and air filters, ...

(I came back to this entry in November 2012 and rewrote some of it based on what I’ve learned over the years living this lifestyle.) One thing that holds some back is the initial cost. Go small. If you enjoy the outdoors, most of the time you will be outside—so why the big rig? You are not going to be in it all that much. A 17’ or 19’ trailer is plenty for a single person and 22-24’ will be comfortable for a couple. For camping, bigger is NOT better. And when you are in the rig, you’ll generally just be sitting down in your favorite spot. And surely you do not need a big rig so that you can haul more STUFF?! Most start off with a rig way bigger than they need. If contemplating a large rig, be aware of all the complicated systems on board. There is more potential for problems and higher maintenance costs. It just seems there will be more time spent working on the rig or having the work done in a shop—fix this, fix that (while spending money). If you truly enjoy being out ...

In a small camper, like a boat, one has the pleasure of arranging everything one needs to enjoy life. Some thought needs to be given on how you are going to carry/organize all this stuff. Remember, this site is geared to the full-timer who needs to bring along way more than the vacationer or one who will only be out for a season. If you have a tow vehicle and a small trailer like the Casita, consider having a custom rack fabricated for the top of your tow vehicle for bulky, light stuff. Out of season clothing is stored in the tow vehicle. Seasonal clothing is in the trailer. Measured what space there is in the back of the SUV with the seat folded down, go to Wal-Mart, purchase a few tubs, and stack them in the back of the tow vehicle. Pack light, get rid of your nice glass jars, measuring cup, etc. and go plastic. I know, no panache, but lightweight. Try to choose items that can be used for multiple purposes. There are some good hiding places in your vehicle and trailer for i...

Going back to ‘simple living’ has readjusted my focus on many aspects of life&#151travel, for one. A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. Lao Tzu Rediscovering nature can be a good way to get past possession addiction. Backpacking or canoe camping shows us how little we actually need. Traveling in a Class B van or small trailer is not far behind. Some find the ‘places to visit’ are places to avoid. If tour busses are disgorging hundreds of people a day somewhere&#151some of us will be nowhere around. It’s not our kind of wilderness/outdoor experience. Or riding around in a shuttle bus? Nope. One sees so little from the asphalt and sidewalks. The Outdoors is beautiful. The effort to get out in it is well worth it. Those sitting on their butts being pulled along by an engine are never going to understand. One hears about people who go off and drive thousands of miles on interstates during a vacation ‘seeing the sights’. What does one really s...

For decades I thought that when I got close to retirement I would get a few acres of land maybe an hour out of town with a small low-upkeep house; drill a well, set up solar panels, dig a garden, plant fruit trees, and acquire some livestock. A few years ago I started thinking that this would be a lot of work—daily chores, upkeep, always taking care of something that needed doing and it could be a real ball-and-chain if I wanted to go off for a month or so now and then. By simplifying my wants and getting a small trailer, living out on public lands, I have the quiet and solitude, wildlife, stellar views and time. This has proved to be most fulfilling. I only do basic upkeep and rarely do I do little projects. I’d rather go for a hike. Being able to follow the geese, I can also live mostly outside the year round. Living on a small homestead would definitely be rewarding but there is the time factor. At this point in my life I want as much time to do whatever I want whenever I want...

Simplicity is making our way through life with just enough baggage. Life can be pretty easy if we don’t complicate it by striving towards excess. Greater simplicity frees time, energy, and attention for personal growth and other satisfying activities. It’s like renewing one's appreciation of life. You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. Vernon Howard We need little when we are directly in touch with life. It is when we remove ourselves from direct and wholehearted participation in life that emptiness and boredom can creep in. Getting rid of things that one does not need is participating in a symbolic act of releasing everything one does not need in one's life. One can have a hard time reducing one’s needs if one does not have something more fulfilling inside—life is lived from within. Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non...

2006 July—table of contents August—simple living in 95 sq ft August—more on simple living—dreams and cutting down on possessions September—simple travel—between the roads October—packing for the road November—choosing a rig December—tread lightly 2007 January—one foot in the grave - get back in shape and experience the Outdoors March—lake powell June—home sweet home - summer job in Kanab, UT and the Kaibab Plateau September—seasonal work - ideas and resources September—use of time November—heading south—Moab, UT and down rt.191 to southern AZ and Anne LaBastille 2008 January—southern new mexico state parks—full moon, mug, and bowl walks, don’t act your age, and meeting other campers January—let others know - lettering for the outside of your rig February—the lifestyle&#151what it’s like to live like this & security February—odds and ends for off-the-grid vagabonds living in ...