One more week in NY before we head back and are re-united with Olive. Contemplative.

Thinking about stuff and possessions and space this morning. A bit overwhelmed by the “too muchness” of it all.

Things like: I purchased a third pair of jeans while I’ve been here. That means that one of the other pairs will have to go.

I didn’t NEED a third pair of jeans. But there’s something about having more space in which to put things that means the space gets filled. I hemmed and hawed over a new cardigan. It’s really lovely so I decided to keep it. The kind of piece I can wear a few days a week, casual or dressier, cool or moderate temps. The sweet spot I now seek. Now I’m doing the mental configuration of what it will replace. Someone admired one of my other sweaters, I hope they’ll enjoy having it.

Here at my parents’ house, I can keep it all. In my chosen home, I’ve got only a certain amount of storage. Yet, amazingly {insert sarcasm here}, I am never without anything to wear while I’m traveling.

Spent 30 minutes this morning cleaning for the cleaning people.

I think cleaning for the cleaning people is the most ironic first world privileged problem ever, don’t you? They are only even necessary because we have too much stuff, too much space. Found items I didn’t remember having here, duplicates even, since more space means more places for items to hide.

I’ve felt the consumerism in every corner while back in NY. Walking around Manhattan the other day was an exercise in overwhelm. What do we need it all for? What’s the point? Nobody looked happier for it. In fact, it was rare to see a smile. They rushed in and out of store doorways, full bags, onto the next. Is it style or trend or peer pressure that makes us do it? All of the above and more. I just no longer feel it.

Someone the other day asked me “What’s it like to be back in the real world?”

Wow, if this was the only version of the real world that exists, we have a real problem.

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I absolutely love this lifestyle and can’t imagine it being over any time soon. Only two things were standing in the way: my back, which was injured many years ago and had been pretty stable for decades, was starting to yell at me. Ms Piggy doesn’t have full standing height throughout all but 2 feet. In addition, the rear door was usually covered by the Vespa and the carrier, so I had to enter and exit through the driver’s side door 90% of the time. Again, hunching over. I love the rear door of Ms Piggy and wish there was a different solution, but the Vespa was non-negotiable.

Plus, as much as I have divested myself of belongings, I still have “stuff” and was starting to feel boxed in by lack of storage. I had removed the dinette and added cabinets and that helped a ton, but that change made having a fellow traveler aboard a bit more of a hassle.

The decision to get a new-to-me rig became clear in December after my mom stayed with me for a week in San Antonio and then I stayed in an RV park in Austin for 9 days. I need to slow down a bit and not cover as many miles. And I want to do it in something that has a ton of character, space, storage and full standing height.

A mere three days after determining this is what I would do, I had narrowed down my choices to 70s or early 80’s. I love Airstreams, but wanted a drivable unit, so an Argosy was my plan. Then a member of a small RVers group I belong to sent me a link to a unit for sale on Craigslist and I was smitten!

Only catch: I was in Marfa, Texas and the rig was in San Diego. I had to trust my gut and put a lot of faith in the current owner being a good guy. I could sense almost immediately that he was terrific and he gave me detailed responses to my email messages. I’m realistic to know that any older vehicle requires work all the time. I’m not afraid of that, but don’t want a gut-reno project.

These were the questions I asked that were most important to me:

• Is there a Class 3 or 4 hitch- which is 2″ across in the interior- so I can use my Vespa rack?
• Is the length under 23 feet?
• Has the rig been used and driven in the past few years?
• Are there any leaks that have not been sealed and any interior water damage?

Yes…
Yes, Yes
No…

And that’s how I came to leave Marfa, TX on a 19 degree New Year’s Eve and drive 1000+ miles by Friday!

Meet… our new home!

She is a 1973 Dodge Travco Two Twenty with a 413 engine. The interior had been restored by a previous owner 2-3 years ago, resurfacing the cabinets in black walnut and laying down hardwood floors. The twin rear bed layout was changed into a QUEEN bed platform. We slept in her last night for the first time and felt a bit like drowning with all of that space, but we’ll get used to it! I’ll take more interior pictures once we have things sorted and put away, but here is a few from the listing:

Front kitchen and loveseat (with storage underneath), mid bathroom and cabinets and rear bedroom. With big windows all around the bed, it feels like you are floating. I’m sitting in here typing this and can see this becoming a very cozy alternate work spot, too.

Bruno the Vespa is still catching a ride on the rear and we no longer need to worry about the carrier being in the way! It also rides over a foot higher, so more clearance. Although the additional length means I won’t have as much maneuverability, it is still a pretty short rig as far as RVs go.

So all told, I’m under 26 feet with the carrier. I’m currently backed into an angled spot at the Oceanside Harbor, north of San Diego and we fit nicely. $28 for all day and night right on the ocean. Not bad! I won’t stay more than the one day, but it is lovely.

Generally, she needs a really good bath. Over time maybe some exterior work, but nothing major. Some fiberglass sealant will do wonders to shine her up. The engine runs strong, there are already added batteries in the house and I can easily connect my solar set-up within the given space and layout.

The name:

I must name my rides, I talk to them!

Being an early 70’s vehicle, I wanted a name that felt mid-century, quirky or fun and had some meaning to me. I was going to conduct a poll and let you all decide between the four names I had come up with:

1. Sally (for Sally Ride, first female American astronaut)
2. Chrissy (for the character played by Suzanne Somers on Three’s Company- the epitome of late 70s tv and she was a hoot!)
3. Amelia (for flight pioneer and avid traveler Amelia Earhart)
4. Olive (for my Grandma Sessa, who had a tremendous role in my life, and also a reference to the rig’s green stripe)

(I had a lot of time to think over 1000 miles of driving!)

Then… I arrived at the home where the Travco was parked and….

she was sitting in the middle of an olive grove!!

Sorry, all, but the name was a given.

Wish us well with Olive!

Next steps:

Ms Piggy is going to be for sale, but I have the luxury of keeping her for a bit while I get everything sorted. She’ll be in the San Diego area and going for $5000 OBO. 41K miles on a GMC 400 6.1L engine that runs like a champ. She’ll make someone a great starter travel vehicle, a weekend camper or whatever they dream up. She’s done very, very well by us and I will be happy to see her move to another enthusiastic explorer.

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Despite traveling all over the country and spending a lot of time exploring new places- and finding new interests in familiar ones, I do indeed work every day. When your work is all based online, connectivity is a constant concern. You may notice that I spend more of my time in urban areas than boon docking on BLM land like some RVers, and staying connected, along with personal safety, is a major reason why.

I carry two different WiFi devices with me from different networks, but no matter what, it costs a lot in data. I do my best to use other people’s connections whenever possible (gratitude!!). Sure, you immediately think of Starbucks when you envision the world’s digital army getting their work done every day, but not only is this expensive in a different way, they’re not the most conducive environments for getting lots of focused work done. (Even the least expensive drink is over $2 and I don’t advocate going into a retail location like this and not buying something.)

This enthusiastic (!) library is in Boise, Idaho.

In comes the community public library. You’ll rarely encounter a library that doesn’t allow visitors to log onto their internet. There are usually various seating areas, from comfy club chairs to desk and chair combos. And, when you need some inspiration, just look around for an amazing array of resources!

Full disclosure: I am the daughter of a librarian/ professor of library science. So its in my blood. We were brought up to read, research and even play at the library. But most people don’t consider the branches outside of their community.

Google maps + “library” usually yields a few results near wherever I am. Pick one and point the Vespa or Ms Piggy and we’re good to go. I’ve yet to step into a library that wasn’t welcoming and suitable for getting work done. Bonus is the super fast internet connection.

I create a lot of videos, so even if I record and edit on my own connection, I try to wait until I’m at a library to upload. Connecting to the internet when you live in a motorhome requires some patience, but its all worth it, I promise.

Plus, if you are so inclined, there is usually a community board of activities, from movie nights to craft classes. Usually free or low-cost, these are great activities when traveling through a town.

Check out the library in the next area you visit and enjoy connecting to the internet when you live in a motorhome.

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I’ve been told that there were just about 100 of these Jimmy Van Coach made, so running into another one is certainly rare. And it made me very glad we found the one we did.

You know those studies where they’re always looking for twins who didn’t grow up together to see the effects of nature vs. nurture? Well, this would qualify!

This one hadn’t worn sunscreen, probably smoked too much and certainly partied like a rock star, including trashing hotel rooms.

But hey, it’s available if anyone craves a project.

So how do you think our Ms Piggy has held up?

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These have all interested me for quite a while. When I downsized from my house to small apartment, I was inspired by many blogs and articles. Jay Schafer, originally of Tumbleweed and now Four Lights was one of the biggest sources of information.

Yet, I had actually yet to see a tiny home in person!

Our time in Northern California afforded me a rare chance to see a whole bunch of them at the same time. The Sonoma County Fair was hosting a Tiny Town.

With examples ranging from currently occupied homes to student projects to new plan reveals, it was a tiny house enthusiast’s dream spot. Many people moved in and out of the minuscule spaces, most unable to imagine that they were more than carnival attractions.

Then there were those of us who lay awake nights thinking of such spaces. We were easy to spot.

We were the ones asking questions about plumbing and systems and appliances. Measuring spaces with our hands and arms. Quizzing each builder or owner about particular choices.

While a tiny home is adorable to me, they don’t actually fulfill my desire to move around. Although built on wheels, this is more for size and zoning regulation fulfillment than actual movement. They can withstand seasonal trailering, but you wouldn’t want to move them daily.

The time spent made me more aware of my choices with the motorhome and solidified my desire to live in one. Yet, my ultimate goal motorhome is still one I’ve not set foot in, but have swooned over from a distance.

Note: the door behind the cab is for a Vespa!

All the more reason to get to work!

Enjoy some shots… they aren’t easy to get, being as you rarely have more than 5 feet max between a camera lens and the subject. But hopefully you’ll find them to be fun! (be patient while the slideshow loads…)

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But not every place loves a motorhome, even a classic that hardly resembles one.

Ms Piggy and Bruno at the Coast north of Santa Cruz.

I intend to continue to travel near constantly, first northerly and then moving back East. My goal is a 3:2:1… 3 nights in free parking, 2 nights in inexpensive campgrounds, usually without electrical hook-ups or waste dumps and 1 in a full-service RV park, so I can refresh the tanks, empty what I’ve accumulated, do laundry and so on.

Several resources are making this possible.

OvernightRVParking.com and HarvestHosts.com for no-to-low cost parking.

Since my “rig” is relatively small, I’ve had no problems with street parking for now. Blackout curtains are important for both my own privacy and for diminishing the visibility of the motorhome. I’m not a partier, and enjoy going to sleep early, so this keeps me fairly invisible.

View from a free spot found on OvernightRVParking.com. Dinner and a sunset, anyone?

Harvest Hosts is a terrific program for discovering out of the way wineries and farms, but although there may be no overnight fee, there is an expectation that you will purchase something while you are visiting. Take this into account.

Javelina Vineyards, south of Sedona, AZ, provided a beautiful spot for a night.

Enjoy-America.Net and State and National Parks for discounted campgrounds.

Rates can be as much as a cheap motel room, so take care in searching out a price and location you are comfortable with. I love the coast, so am willing to pay a bit more to be close to the water. There are less expensive options inland, but don’t be surprised to see +$65/night rates! (Over $100/ night in high-end areas like Newport.)

Good Sam for 10% off full-service campgrounds.
Like AAA for campers, Good Sam is accepted at a wide range of places. I’ve stayed at some truly wonderful parks in their system, averaging about $35/ night.

There are lots of choices where these types of discount programs are concerned, these are the ones I found best for my needs. While I want to join something like Thousand Trails for ease, the Zone system isn’t broken up in a way that makes sense for me right now. I’m going to use the discounted camping at this point and consider the TT program when I’ll be in one zone for longer.

Of course, staying at a friend’s house, parked in their driveway or in front, is cheap, but not all neighbors appreciate the beauty of Ms Piggy. In all cases with free parking, respect of the locales is the biggest factor. But it sure is nice to grab a hot shower and coffee inside.

Parked on the cliffs, Ms Piggy has quite the view.

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Was This Motorhome “Thing” Planned?

When I set out on the Vespa trip, it was truly going to be a few weeks on the road, yet I didn’t have any real plans for a conclusion. Over the past several years, I have become very interested in the tiny house movement along with motorhome travel. As I was riding across the country, using Priceline or Airbnb to make my nightly arrangements, the only complaint I had was packing and unpacking each night. Onerous!

The saddle bags had to be taken off the bike and everything inside unpacked. The top case needed to be emptied. Sometimes the motel would have outside room entrances, so I could bring the bike practically to the door. Other times, it was necessary to load onto a cart and wheel my belongings to the room. The worst was upstairs rooms in motels with no elevator.

As the trip went on, from East to West across the US, the winds became an increasingly daunting factor. I stayed in towns for two and three days hoping to be able to travel in less windy conditions. For people who lived there, the winds were part of life. For me, they were the only source of annoyance on my trip besides the packing and unpacking.

So, the notion I had been toying with for a long time began to seem more immediate: get a small motorhome, use the Vespa as the “toad” (RV language for towed-behind vehicle, or the daily rider) and live on the road.

Enter Ms Piggy.

A 1979 GMC Jimmy Van Coach, custom built for the original owner on a Van Dura chassis, with an extra wide body, low profile and fully self-contained… which means I get to carry my water- and my “waste”- with me. 19 feet long, with an extra 3 feet for the Vespa carrier.

There is a tiny bathroom with shower and a galley kitchen. Sleeper sofa and dinette that converts to another bed. Everything I need for life on the road.

The funny part is that I had already minimized my possessions for life on a Vespa, so there is plenty of storage space for my needs on board. I even went the extra luxury of buying new cowboy boots (you might remember that I have only really missed having my beloved black Justins and a cute pair of shoes along.)

The proprietress had been holding these beauties in the back “until the right person came along”.. That’s Me!

Compartmentalized storage, hyper organization and a few cute touches are all that I needed to make living in Ms Piggy truly feasible. I wonder if I could have jumped in so easily if I was moving down from a larger apartment as opposed to moving UP from a Vespa?

Since this unit is small, I can park it pretty much anywhere. The carrier for the Vespa makes it a bit long for the average parking spot, but not unreasonably so. In places where I can stay for a few days, the Vespa gets rolled off and used as transportation- and fun.

For now, I am meandering up the West Coast. I’ll talk in the next post about finding places for the night, which is part of the adventure. But at least I can answer my most-often asked question of “Where do you sleep at night?” with…

IN MS PIGGY!

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I’ve been mulling this word, “Claustrophobia,” around in my head for quite a while now. When I made the choice to move into 466 sq ft and felt like I had “more” than when I lived in 2000+. When I stay in either of my family’s homes that are not overly large, yet make me feel out of sorts. When I get into a motel room, the cleanest, least expensive I can find, and I feel relaxed. When I get into a large hotel room, mostly because its a score on Priceline, and its more than I need.

Its weird that the word claustrophobia keeps coming to mind. After all, that’s the fear of small spaces or being closed in. Yet, that is pretty much what I feel when I am in a large (interior) space. Is there a good word for that?

Defining Space

If you’ve met me in person, you know that I have a very small sense of personal boundaries- the amount of space one person feels is necessary to keep between them and another person, without feeling like they are being invaded. Jerry Seinfeld might call me a close talker. I’m quick to give a hug, touch an arm, sit right next to you when we are talking, even if we just met 10 minutes ago. I lean in to conversations. I’m a loner by nature yet can strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere. So I certainly don’t suffer from Claustrophobia in the true meaning of the word.

A Murphy Bed and a Castro Convertible Table (and a micro dog) are just a few of the pieces that make compact living possible

As I moved into my Brooklyn apartment, the statement I heard over and over was “Wow, how can you live in such a small place? I couldn’t do it.” I generally smile and tell people, “You see, the thing is, with a place this small, you don’t live in it, you do most of your living outside of it.”

Besides, I think the architect of our building made a ton of stupid choices and there is actually 150+sq feet of very wasted space. (I’ll write about this another time)

Right-Sized

Living small is the right size for me. It affords getting out into the world, spending time in public spaces, exploring, adventuring, relaxing and dreaming. It brings new people and new places into my life at a regular clip. Without having a wardrobe that requires an entire floor of a house anymore (yes, I truly used the third floor of my Buffalo house as a closet, it was 800 square feet) it’s easier to get up and get moving. Less choices to make every day means more time can be spent on living my dream life.

As much as I try to live consciously in terms of environment and waste/usage, this actually isn’t a motivating factor for me. But I do notice the waste all around me and it drives me to make choices to mitigate my own part. I can live with less. But I don’t preach that you need to. Make sense?

The Test

Saddlebags and a 42L Topcase contain just about everything. Add a fun cooler and we’re all set!

This trip wasn’t meant to be a journey of self-discovery. I’m a pretty self-actualized person already. But, secretly, it was a test. My personal shake down run for all of the things that have kept me awake at night for too long.

Could packing just what fit onto the Vespa be really all I need? Would I miss having a choice, for example, of 5 colors of my favorite Angelrox wrap and be satisfied with just the black one? Would leaving my fabulous high heeled shoe collection behind for a while make me feel less feminine? Did I really get a tiny dog for all the right reasons? Could my relationships be sustained more through social media than in person interaction?

One month in (plus the test trip the week before) and most of those questions have an answer. I’d like just a few more clothing choices, and at least one pair of non-practical shoes, but I’m about 90% set with my belongings. I’ve had more fun chatting with friends through Facebook and texts this past month than I’ve had in a while, and renewed some friendships and made some cool new ones. Purl was an indulgence 5.5 years ago (my first non-adopted dog)… but probably embodies what I had been coming to in my life more than anything else. I truly can’t ask for a better companion for this life of mine.

And, for the first time in quite a long time, I don’t have that sense of “claustrophobia” about having too much space… even though I quite literally now have all the space in the world.

Adjustments and Announcements

I’ve received an offer that came by surprise but isn’t out of line with where my head has been going. If you follow my tastes on Facebook, you know I have a tiny home/ trailer obsession. And anything vintage lights my eyes up. The very day I had come to the realization that I’m totally fine with the amount of “stuff” (plus a cute pair of heels!) I have with me, but am just not loving the packing and unpacking every day, the Universe must have been listening.

“Hey, Jill, if I want my fiancé to become my wife, I need to get rid of Piggy. She really, really hates it. Interested?”

Piggy is a 1978, mint condition mini-motorhome. Basically a stretched out van conversion without screaming “creepy person who lives in a van.” Its a rock solid, self-contained, parking space-sized piece of Americana. And I love it.

From the practical side, it also has a Class 3 rated hitch, which means it is capable of hauling the Vespa easily as a “toad” (rv language for towed vehicle, or second set of wheels), on a rack right behind.

Yeah, I’m interested!

Details to follow, but in the coming few days, I not only retrieve Bruno, my two-wheeled love, but also Piggy. I can already feel the claustrophobia slipping away.

I’ve hedged the questions for the last couple of weeks from my NYC friends and family, “When are you coming home?” Now you know why, I think home may be where Piggy and Bruno, and Purl, of course, are, for a while at least. I’m going to Costa Rica for a business-focused retreat (so excited!) and then a week with my Mom while my Dad takes a bike trip in September. But other than that, no location-based plans.

We’ve covered 3800+ miles this month. The pace won’t be quite as brisk, but we’ll still be on the move. Purl is doing amazing and adjusts to every new situation, as long as she has one of her balls to play with, of course. Along the way, we’ve acquired a great new account/ client and have kept a steady stream of work coming in. I also have a marketing push coming in the next week that will keep me busy enough for quite a while. My apartment is occupied, which pays the traveling expenses.

So now, we are Vespa + Laptop + Tiny Dog + Mini-Motorhome. And all the space in the world. Thanks so much for tagging along on the journey, stay tuned for so much more!

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There are downsides: it can be expensive in a world of early deals. Sometimes I find myself in sticky situations because I hadn’t looked far enough ahead. But it is just not in my nature.

Thanks to Jennifer Goodson for taking this shot. When you travel alone, you don’t often get great photos of yourself!

So here I am, over a month since I announced to my business partner and family, “Hey, I’m going to hop on the Vespa and maybe ride across the country.” The route was decided on the fly, sometimes after an argument with the GPS chick, and it could change at any moment. I’ve seen stunning beauty and hilarious kitsch. The Vespa performed better than I could have imagined and the only issue was minor in and of itself, just happened at the most inopportune time. What was I going to do, mope? No, deal with it, roll with the punches and see what happens.

Do I really only need the Vespa and my laptop? (And Purl!) While those are shorthand for “minimal amount of possessions”, my conclusion is that I am just fine with what I’ve got. However, the desire for a mobile or tiny home has only grown. The only thing bothering me about the journey is actually packing and unpacking nearly daily. Silly, as it’s not much, but being able to leave things for more than a day is the only missing piece.

My conclusion is that a small mobile home, with the Vespa as the daily transportation, truly is my idea of bliss. I’ve been leaning that way for a few years and this trip has made it very clear. Our week in the (rather large) home in NoCal also confirmed that I just don’t like living with a lot of space. For me, it’s not just the wastefulness of it, although that plays a part, but it is also that it encumbers you. Whether my tiny apartment, the Vespa and a small motel room, or now a mobile home, my living space is chosen not for what it is, but what I then have access to. I don’t live IN my space, rather, it is the resting spot. I live IN the world around me.

My ultimate dream mobile home is the Tonke Fieldsleeper. It even has a Vespa garage! However, they cost plenty and its not a financial commitment I’m ready to make as we grow our business. So I’m snatching up a test unit. A motorhome of similar size and amenities that can hold the Vespa on a trailer. I need to learn to take care of the mobile-ness of it all, all by myself. There will be a learning curve, but I’m up for the challenge.

I’m not giving up my Brooklyn apartment nor the freedom to have that place be one of my resting spots, as there are many upsides to maintaining it. But you are more likely to find me out on the road than at 34, I’m pretty sure. My heart is “out there” and wanting to keep my eyes on the expansive horizon. I’ve got the wanderlust something fierce, and I’m ready to roll with it… whether on 2 wheels or 6.

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