Mountain Life

Well, we are nearly a month into life in my tiny home RV. It is going better than expected and has been such a great experience as both Nash and I discover our comfortable places to pitch and enjoy each day. He doesn't seem to mind too much when I go off without him to visit with friends and family. When I return I am greeted by a chorus of mew mew mew until I pick him up and then all is right with his world. We cuddle for a little bit until he realizes I'm here to stay for awhile and then he jumps down to explore the RV again. His favorite perches are on a quilt that sits on top of my small blue wooden box that my dad built. I store my socks, bras, and undies in there. The box sits up in the loft bed next to the window. He curls up here when I'm away and when we are dirving. He also enjoys the front driver's seat when the sun is on it. He also loves this corner of the sofa next to his tent. He has nearly destroyed the tent, playing roughly and tumbling off the sofa while still inside. That makes me happy. 

He is such a lovely kitty, gives cuddles all the time, sleeps on my bed both in my arms and at the foot of the bed. He hasn't made a single mess outside the litterbox after that first night. He loves to play with just about anything and is content to play for hours on his own and then throw himself to the sofa to rest. I take many photos of him, thanks to digital technology. He comes when I call his name, as well as turns his head to his name - Nash, after Graham Nash from Crosby, Stills, and Nash, one of my favorite bands. I saw them in concert in Portland, Oregon. 

I've departed from Edmonton where I was visiting my daughter. And her roommate, and their three kitties. I've known my daughter's kitties for years and they seem to remember me still. Nash drove very well in the RV as we headed to Drumheller next. I was meant to go there several years ago with my daughter as we drove back from my sister's wedding in Houston, BC. I became very ill in Jasper and ended up hospitalized for three days with strep throat. So I finally made it, thanks to free camping from my RV dealership. It was a beautiful park set in the Badlands of Alberta, and breathtakingly gorgeous leaf display as we moved into Fall. I set up for a couple of days and did a bit of hiking, and some sewing for the first time in the RV. I friggin loved it. The space is perfect for sewing, plenty of natural light, and table space to cut fabrics, and I store all of my fabric below my seat at the table. I made a full curtain to provide privacy from the cab of the RV. I don't want to cover those windows as Nash really enjoys looking out them when the other curtains are all closed inside the house part of the RV. I keep them closed most of the time when city camping, depending on where I am parked, but do open them in the country and at the RV park. There is plenty of natural light whether the curtains or open or not as there are 4 skylights in the RV. They provide excellent ventilation as well as natural light. 

I've cooked and baked in the kitchen and in spite of its small size, it was still enough room. I could spread out to the table if need be, but otherwise, it worked. I don't need to keep ingredients out after they are added so I return them to their cupboard space after that. The oven is still a bit tricky as it's a proopane stove and there is no light indicator to tell me the temperature of the oven. The dial is measured but I'm not sure about pre-heat times, so will need to source an oven thermometer. I also want to add a backsplash of sorts around the stove as it's just painted wood, and very pourous, so need to cover it before it becomes stained. I've found a lovely blue glass tile online so just need to order that. 

I finally have the tv hooked up properly. I needed and HDMI cable to hook up to my laptop. The old method did not work well at all, and I can only use the tv when I'm plugged in as the house battery would drain too fast. I have two more batteries and solar panels to charge them, but they are not yet installed. I'm getting a friend to help me in Victoria next weekend and then I will have tons of power to do as I please. 

I've shifted my belongings around a bit to find the best place for them, based on access and frequency of use. I think I have pretty well found a place for everything and have plenty of space leftover. There is a big cupboard under the sofa but I have nothing in it. The upper cupboards also have plenty of leftover space. That is a first for me, particularily for a tiny home. I was spilling out of the Karma van, but in here, it feels just right, Goldilocks...

After Drumheller, Nash and I headed to the Okanagan Valley to visit a friend who lives on a farm near Enderby. Suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by forest, mountains, horses, turkeys and chickens. They all roamed freely at times around the RV, so provided much entertainment for us both. I found myself herding turkeys with the owner before long, which was definitely a first for me. The horses were gorgeous to watch, though a few times they startled me when I wasn't looking with a whinny or a snort from behind. I nearly pissed in my pants as that hot breath blew down my neck. My friend lives on the farm in her converted school bus, so we hung out there and in my RV. We also went for a drive to see her new place for the winter, a cute little cottage. The sky was amazing at night as we took in the lunar eclipse from the bench seats of the RV. Stunning. 

After a lovely visit, I then hit the road again for a short run to Kelowna where Nash and I are parked in front of my friends' house on a quiet tree lined street. We are here for one more night before heading out to Chilliwack next to visit another friend for a night or two. Then it's back to the island for the rest of fall and part of winter. Who knows after that....

Smitten with the Kitten

Well, in a few short weeks Nash has managed to crawl up into my heart and camp out. He is just such a cute and cuddly kitten, which is just what I needed about now. He loves to get up with me, follow me around, sit on me, beside me., sleep with me, purr and rub against me, the whole nine yards. We have such fun just playing and cuddling up on the sofa, watching Breaking Bad, or a favorite movie. 

Well, that was until my sound card finally quit on me last night. It all began a few months ago when I was still in Australia. I had my desk and laptop below the air conditioner in my living room, so it became quite dusty, and dirt stuck to the keys. I thought I would give them a good clean and used an ajax wipe. Well, it got the keys clean, but in the process the excess cleaner leached into my laptop and most of the keys stopped working and the sound began to fail. At first I thought it was the speakers so hooked up my Bluetooth speaker but it became clear it was the sound card. Sigh...so no more Breaking Bad or anything else on my laptop. I do have my iPads (mini and regular) and my iPhone, but it's not the same, as it'ssmaller and the mini does not have a stand yet. In any event, I did purchase an LED 24" television (LG) and just need to get my solar power installed when I get back to Victoria. In the meantime, I can use it if I am plugged in. I'm heading to Drumheller to camp at a campground so will be plugged in and will likely set my tv up. It's pretty simple as I just store it put together and just stand it up on it's shelf and plug it in. I can then plug in my iANYTHING and watch my shows and movies on the tv screen, or surf the net with the big screen. I still have to sort out the best plan for mobile internet. I'm def overpaying for what I have but needed to get everything else sorted to see just what was out there, what I needed, what I could afford, and what I would require to get that. 

Right now Nash is sleeping on a quilt on top of the blue box my father made. It sits on the loft bed next to the window and he can look out upon the street. He also spends a lot of time in the cab of the RV, sometimes just chilling on the steering wheel, or laying across the dash under the glass, catching the rays. I'm looking forward to camping in the woods soon so we can both enjoy all the windows. I keep most of the curtains closed when I'm curbside in the city, but when I'm out in the country, I'll open them all up and take in the greenery! 

I've managed to plunder through all the chores of cleaning up the RV and getting ready to depart in the morning. I did the laundry, dishes, swept and washed the floors, reorganized some of the cabinets to make things I need more often more accessible. I still have tons of empty space in here, believe it or not. I'm hoping to keep it that way, keep things minimal as much as possible. I will need some room for stock of handmade items and bookkeeping as I begin to work from home in whatever capacity I'm able to do so. 

I've enjoyed my time in Edmonton but am more than ready to start heading south again. The temps have dropped to 0C at night and snow is imminent as summer has departed, leaving fall to let things go. After Drumheller, I'll be heading across the Rockies again, hopefully with no snow. but will deal with it as best I can. I can camp in a Walmart parking lot for free while waiting for any weather to clear, hanging out cozy in my camper. I have a propane furnace that works quite well and heats things up quickly. I'll spend a night or two with an old friend in Enderby, and then onto Kelowna for a couple of days or more before heading back to Victoria for the rest of the year. I may move about on Vancouver Island but I'm not planning on leaving the island again until after Christmas or later, only to head SOUTH. It has been good just to hang out with my daughter, though she has been rather troubled with leaving me to my own devices during the day while she was at work. I was quite happy to hang out in the RV with the kitten, watching shows, surfing the net, napping the rainy cold days away. She has always struggled with being restless, and I can spend hours doing just about nothing, or filling my time with my hobbies, or reading a book, or whatever. I make a lot of phonecalls as I have free anytime minutes in Canada so why not. My daughter thinks she should be entertaining me while I visit, but I am trying to get her to see it from a different perspective. Think of it more as - mom lives in Edmonton right now and I'll hang out with her for a few hours every day or more and when you need alone time or to do something with others, no problem. I will hang out at home, in my own home with Nash. How can I resist that face? 

Home Sweet Home

Well it's been two weeks since I moved into Gertie. In that time I've been setting up house once again, buying all those little things you need like salt and pepper, cotton balls, toilet paper, corn flakes, flour, frying pans, etc the list went on and on. I had been compiling it for some time, thinking about what I would need to start up from scratch one last time. (hopefully). It is an exhausting process, shopping for it all, then carting it home, removing all the packaging, disposing of all the packaging, finding a place for everything, moving things around again and again like tetris pieces that need to fit into place. I had things from several sources that needed to find a way to live cohesively. Several boxes from Australia, bags from Halifax, things bought along the way, and things my daughter gave me. I've come to several realizations in tiny home living:

- there is only enough space to live in if things are tidy. The moment th recycling/garbage/laundry start piling up, things begin feeling a bit crowded as you step over it once more to get to the rest of the camper.

- People really don't seem to notice me in here as they walk past, deep in what they thought were private conversations, I'm sure, based on the content. There is a convenience store just around the corner, so a lot of foot traffic to and from as there are several apartment buildings on this block. 

- you become more aware of water usage/waste. No need to rinse everything to death. Never turn down a free shower at a friend/relative's home. Wash your clothes at the laundromat or at said friend/relative's home. Same goes for bathroom - use it elsewhere when you can to save black water tank capacity. 

- you really can find a space for everything. I still have empty space...for the first time in my life. There are cabinets with nearly nothing in them.  This camper has terrific storage, and I have built in a small display shelf for all my little trinkets and souvenirs from around the world. When I am mobile, I will have to pack some of them tippier ones away, but there is non-skid stuff underneath and a high lip onthe shelf. 

- I can see everything from one place in the RV if I want. Saves on psycho illusions in the shower. 

- A C Class RV is plenty of space for a kitten to explore. Nash hardly stops when he is awake. He plays hard, exploring every inch of the RV and has several favorite spots to play and to nap. His favorite napping spot is still under the front passenger seat in the safe. There is a lockable steel cabinet under the seat, but it has large gaps so he can get in and out. I don't have it locked or anything in it other than his little sheepskin bed. He likes the coziness of under the seat I think. He otherwise sleeps on the sofa, and in bed with me at night. 

- Having a door to the bathroom is a very good idea.. I can trap it...

- having an oven in the RV is awesome... from cinnamon buns to roast chicken, I have all I need. 

- it's rather cozy on a blustery cold and wet day. I just turn the furnace on and within a couple of minutes it's toasty warm.

- having a separate chamber for my bed was an excellent idea. Until I was able to get the mattress for my bed chamber, I was sleeping on the other beds in the camper. The overhead one is huge, probably a queen size, but I needed my foam on top of it, which brought me quite close to the roof...coffinlike. So then I pulled out the davenport/sofa. I plunked my foam on that and it was super cozy, but I had to make up my bed every night, and then pack it up in the morning. Pain. In. The. Ass. Once I finally got my mattress and made up the bed, it has been super comfy to sleep in there. And when I get up I can just close the curtain to the chamber. Bed made or not...

- having a comfy place to hang out is super important. The cushions on the bench seats are not very thick and quite matted down on my side already so I need to get some more foam and make new ones, or try to find some new ones that will work that won't cost me a fortune. I have my sleeping foam cut to fit the sofa in it's folded down state. It is now permanently folded down. Getting it from one state to the other  was another PAIN. IN. THE. ASS. It was quite frustrating to be wrestling with my bed late at night for over 20 minutes, swearing and thumping about. So the comfy place has become the sofabed - nice big space opened up with extra foam and a cozy blanket. Kitty has plenty of space to run and sleep along with me. 

- it really does feel like home once my own personal things were unpacked. 

So Nash is quite a playful kitty and it does me good simply to watch him as he plays and explores the RV. He is fascinated/terrified as big trucks roar past. There is no space he won't try to explore. Loud noises really spook him though, however he is getting better with time. He has a play cat tent that he just loves and he has rolled all over the place in it, thumping down onto the floor several times, hardly stopping to take a breath. I also have several dangly things up for display that are also fine for kitty to play with as he just loves dangly things. Currently he is exploring the loft/storage/bed. I have my solar panels up there still, awaiting installation. I think I may just bring them back to Victoria and have my RV friend B help me install them. 

Well, the sun is trying to peek it's shy face out so I must try to capture a few of its rays...

The Mothership Has Arrived

My daughter has affectionately referred to my new home as "the mothership". I've been an RV owner for just over a week now. Meet Green Gertie, or just Gertie. I bought her in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. She is a 1989 Ford Elite Class C RV. She has about 130,000kms on her, and is in great shape. Everything onboard works well, and the old girl has weathered well. I bought it on a Wednesday afternoon, and by Friday morning I was on my way to Alberta to see my girl. And what an adventure it's been!

I was a bit nervous at first, thinking about handling an RV on the Rocky Mountains, but she handled it like a champ. I was also a bit nervous about driving her onto the BC ferry to reach the mainland, but alas, it was just as easy. It took a bit to get used to the space I take up, and how the RV moves - the sway and how not to hit shit. So far, so good (knock on wood). 

It's been a whirlwind week, stocking up the RV and moving in. I spent a bit more than I had planned, but feel comfortable that I need nothing else for life in the RV. I have a bit of work still to do, but I have all that I need to do it. Here is a glimpse into Gertie in progress.

This is the couch. It usually folds up into a regular couch, but I wanted the extra room, so have it down flat and still have enough room to get around. I slept in the top bunk the first night but it was too claustrophobic, especially with my sleeping foam on top. So I slept on this bottom bunk as the backbedroom  did not yet have a mattress. Once I bought a mattress, I was wondering what to use the foam topper for now that I had my bed. I decided to cut it to fit the top of the couch, making it one heck of a comfy place to hang out for these aging bones of mine. I had thought about putting shelves up on either side of the window but I think I would just hit my head on it. The jury is out on that. I have lots of room left in the cabinets to store things. 

This is my bedroom. It is a single bunk, not a double, nor big enough for a 48inch bed, and there was only support built in for a single. I hummed and hawed about it but in the end went with the single 8inch foam mattress from Foam King and it is AWESOME to sleep on. The bed is also very cozy which I like, and I can stil sit up, swing my legs over the side (that printer won't be there long, nor the sewing machine). I love the light in the room as well, with two big windows. 

There is a privacy curtain to the bed chamber as well. The mirrored door is to the bathroom. I plan to paint the cabinet doors, hopefully today, depending on how my hands are doing.

I use the shower as a closet when not being used for those 5 minutes as a shower. Plenty of space for all my clothes. 

There is lots of light in the bathroom with a window and a skylight. 

I'm using the overhead bunk for storage, which works well. There is plenty of space and I am only using about a third of it. I'm building a shelf to go over the window by the table, with part of the shelf in front of the window in order to show off some blue glass, and give me a bit of privacy with the drapes remaining open. I've cooked in the kitchen and the space is actually just fine to cook in. I can fit all of my dishes, pots, pans, food, and cleaning supplies in the cabinets with room to spare. 

The fridge and stove are propane, which is so nice to cook with and what a chilly fridge. I'm fully stocked and still have room to spare in the fridge and freezer. I plan to mount a television up over the cabinet by Tom Petty. I bought a 24' LED television so can't wait to hook that up today. 

My daughter gave me the Home Sweet Home and put it up for me. The weather glass on the wall used to belong to my grandfather in Newfoundland. 

So that's Gertie. The drive up over the Rockies was stunning the first day, but then the clouds rolled in and it rained the rest of the time and for several days after I arrived in Edmonton. It gave me time to get to know her from the inside, move stuff around, sort through what needed to go where, and maximizing the space. My daughter also took me shopping for two days to stock up on everything I had on my list. I sewed all of the curtains, sewing away in her apartment while she and the roomie were at work. I parked for the first nights in Gertie in front of my friend's house in Victoria. Then I hit the road, took the ferry and drove as far as Kamloops the first night, camping in Walmart for the night. The following night I finally arrived at my daughter's apartment building and parked on the street for the rest of the week. The bylaw for Edmonton is that RV's can be parked for 72 hours in one space, and then has to move, so I moved it once at my daughter's. Now I'm parked in front of my nephew's place and I'm able to plug in for the first time, which is nice. I need to fill my water tank and likely empty my holding tanks this weekend before heading back over to my daughter's. My pack-up to drive is very quick, just about 10 minutes and I'm ready to hit the road again, which is nice. I plan to camp all over the place once I get back to Victoria until probably December when I hope to park the RV for a few months at the marina RV park. For $400 I can get power, water, sewage, wifi, and cable tv, and park legally in the city during the rainy winter. Or I can head south to escape the rain and park in the National Forest for free in America. 

And now to meet the newest member of the family - Nash. I adopted him from a farm just outside Edmonton. 

He is about 10-12 weeks old and such a cutie. He is very playful, snuggly, purrs all the time and loves to hang out with me. He is so much fun to watch as he explores the space and tests his boundaries. It has also helped my mood in oh so many ways. Cats are good therapy, and kittens are miracle workers!

I have to set up the solar charging system this weekend so I can have continuous power and not have to rely on being plugged in - so I'll be off the grid - yahoo! 

So now I must get on with the day. I would love to just hang out and play with Nash all day...but there is still a bit of work to be done. Meow.