Rainy Day Downshifting

This post originally appeared on the PlantBased RunnerGirl blog. 

Susanne is your driver for this post. 

It’s our fourth day in Flagstaff, and here’s the current view from the bedroom window. 

It's pouring, sometimes so hard that the rain sends pinecones toppling onto our roof. The Weather Channel indicates that it'll be like this on and off for the next 24 hours. 

So we're going to lay low: get our homeschooling assignments done (Sam's got reading, math, and grammar on the docket), read, update the blogs, pay bills slash adult, maybe bake some fall treats in the toaster oven, maybe head over to the camp playground later if we get a break in the weather. Downshifting for a day sounds refreshing to me. We've been on the go lately, and I'm feeling a bit exhausted. On Saturday I ran 16 miles, followed by a family field trip to the top of Sandia Peak in Albuquerque. Sunday was the six-hour journey to Flagstaff. On Monday, we spent the entire day at the Grand Canyon, and yesterday, both Trent and I and our unacclimatized lungs went adventuring on the Fatmans Loop Trail. 

Seasoned full-time RVers are always trying to warn the newbies: Slow down. You're in absolutely no rush. Don't exhaust yourself. This isn't a monthlong vacation. You have all the time in the world to do all the stuff you want to do. If you don't see everything you want to see at a particular location, you can always come back. If you push yourself too hard, you'll burn out before a year is up. I am not good about following this advice. 

I'm afflicted with what I've diagnosed as Traveler's FOMO: Traveler's Fear Of Missing Out. When I'm in a new place, I have a deep-seated need to see and do it all so that I can really know the place I'm in. It's a well-meaning obsessiveness. But I remind myself that's just mental self-trickery. Nobody is grading us on How Many Things We Checked Off Our List While Living In Our RV. Nobody is docking points for staying in. 

A rest day it is, then. Biscuit, for one, seems fine with this plan:

Working from an RV

Trent will be your driver for today's post.  Susanne and I both earn a living online.  This post is about how I get my work done from an RV.

The key is an unlimited data plan ($45/month) with Verizon in a Jetpack.  The Jetpack pulls in the Verizon service and produces a WiFI signal we can use for work and play (Netflix). We use way too much data to just tether to a normal cell phone data plan. We don't park the RV anywhere without a Verizon signal.



I don't have a specific place I work in the RV.  However, I probably work from our kitchen/livingroom table the majority of the time. I tend to work here if Sam and Susanne are out on an adventure, sleeping, or in their own spaces. This location is good but I have to give it up if they are homeschooling, eating, or if Sam or Susanne are working on their businesses. I also just like to switch up my work locations to keep things interesting and to change my sitting/typing position during the day.




Sometimes I have to do audio recordings for work. For this task I to go to the mobile recording studio (i.e., the car). The acoustics of the car are surprisingly good; the windows allow me to look out while also keeping the tweets of the natives from being picked up by my microphone.




I've also recently started using the passenger's seat in the RV. This is turning out of be a fairly ideal location because it's an otherwise unused space, it's not in anyone's way, and it's comfortable. I've also started working outside a bit more at the provide tables. One major downside to both is they tend to get hot by the afternoon. Outside in Texas gets hot in August (shocker) and the front of the cab isn't tied into the RV AC system. So I have to remember to move from both spaces before I overheat. I'm looking forward to cooler weather because these two spaces will be great more of the time.








Sometime I also just need to get out, give Sam and Susanne more space, or get a little more separation from home and work when I have a big task and really need to concentrate. I thought for times like these I would end at places like Panera or Starbucks but instead I have just been going to the community buildings at campgrounds. They are surprisingly underused and often really quiet. A bonus is that sometimes the WiFi there is good enough that I can leave the Jetpack at home for Susanne and Sam to use.

I get most of this work done using my 15 inch Macbook pro, my mouse, and a good cheap pair of headphones for audio work/music. Have questions about getting work done in an RV? Leave a comment or email us at: nomadicmcdowells@gmail.com

Campground Expenses: June and July

Susanne is your driver for this post.

One of the most common questions people ask RVers is this: How much does it cost to RV, and how do you afford it? Although I don't feel comfortable putting our entire budget on the Internet, I will say this: The cost depends, and we make it work (so far). We are not a wealthy family. Nowhere close to it. Like many families, we work a lot, we worry about money, and we have debts. We chew on our fingernails before payday. Yet we're still doing this. It just means that while on the road, we try (TRY - we don't always succeed!) to be extremely conscientious about spending.

One of the best things about a nomadic lifestyle is that it's flexible: you can save a lot of money simply by being selective about where you park your rig. Some RVers have the funds to stay at fully-outfitted parks that cost hundreds of dollars a month. Other RVers are at the other end of the spectrum: they look for opportunities to boondock (park their rig without connecting to water, electricity, or sewer) at little or no cost.

We're somewhere in the middle. Because we're currently in the hot and steamy southern U.S., we don't want to boondock at this point. On the other hand, we've found ways to reduce spending at campgrounds and RV parks.

Here's a rundown of our camping expenses for the months of June and July (note: in some cases I have not included discounts; I have also not included the Thousand Trails membership fees in the breakdown):

June 1-5: Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns (Mammoth Cave NP, Kentucky) - Full Hookups - The campground was out of our "network" at that time (before we obtained a TT pass for the entire country), so we paid a fee. Cost: $158.40

June 5-16: Thousand Trails Natchez Trace (Hohenwald, Tennessee) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $0

June 16-19: Tom Sawyer's RV Park (West Memphis, AR) - Full Hookups. No pool, but an amazing view of the Mississippi River. Cost: $75 

June 19-20: Shady Pines RV Park (Texarkana, TX) - Full Hookups. Cost: $29

June 20-23: Escapees Rainbows End Park (Livingston, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $63 (with membership discount)

June 23-29: Thousand Trails Lake Conroe (Lake Conroe, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $0

June 29-July 10: Housesitting and chihuahua-sitting in Austin, TX. Honestly, we are SO appreciative of our friends for allowing us to stay at their house while they were on vacation! The opportunity to hang out with a cool chihuahua and some sassy backyard chickens: priceless. Cost: $0 

July 10-15: McKinney Falls State Park (Austin, TX) - Water and Electric Hookups. Lovely trails and natural pools. Cost: $90

July 15-17: San Antonio KOA (San Antonio, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $150, give or take a few cents (Yup.)

July 17-August 1: Thousand Trails Medina Lake (outside of San Antonio, TX) - Full Hookups. Pool. Cost: $0

TOTAL SITE COSTS FOR JUNE AND JULY: $565 (~$283 per month)

What we've learned so far about selecting campsites with money in mind:

• State parks are a great choice, even if they don't have full hook-ups. McKinney Falls SP has a well maintained dump station, and we had no trouble accessing it when we needed to.

• KOA offers well-equipped campgrounds, but for us, they're generally too expensive. We stayed at the KOA in San Antonio because we wanted to wait a few extra days before signing into Medina Lake. KOA was convenient. Maybe it's worth it in a pinch (especially now that we're part of their membership program), but we won't be doing it often.

• Housesitting in early July saved us a bundle. We may look into housesitting again in the future. 

• Thousand Trails is a great deal. Being able to stay in one place for up to two weeks with full hookups and a pool (the pool makes a big difference in the happiness of our child) without paying anything beyond the membership costs is pretty amazing.

• Sometimes, spending a little more money is worth it. That was the case with Tom Sawyer's RV Park. The sites were flat and level, and we were situated right on the banks of the Mississippi River. The unique nature of the campground made it worthwhile for us.

What are your tips for saving money while RVing? 

A Letter from Biscuit: A Day in the Life of an RV Cat

Your driver for this post is (The Illustrious) Biscuit.

Good day, humans of the world, and a happy new week to you! As my previous post was clearly quite popular and well received, I thought I should take a few minutes from my very busy schedule to give you more information about the day in the life of an RV cat. I know you have been waiting with bated breath for me to write again, and I apologize for the delay - but you must understand that I do have other obligations. Patience, please.

My day almost always starts out around 4 AM when, although it is still dark outside and my lazy human family is still sleeping, I begin the watch for birds and deer. This is one of my primary jobs in the RV, and though The Humans do not acknowledge it, it is a critical one.

I generally watch from the window of the back bedroom. The challenge is in shoving aside The Lady, who insists that the pillow is hers and hers alone. (Young felines of the world, I have learned that the key in these situations is persistence: by simply meowing repeatedly, scratching at the window, and sticking your back end in your human's face, you can usually get them to back down and relinquish territory. The Lady, though she doth protest, gives in every time.)

Once I am satisfied that the wildlife has been kept at bay, I request my breakfast. They insist on serving me drivel from a bag but occasionally I manage a nip of whatever they're consuming.

I mean look at this stuff. Would YOU eat it?

This smoothie was quite good, though I'd recommend less mango, more mouse.

Sometimes I have to snuggle with The Lady in order to get some food. Shudder.

After breakfast, I play with my best friend, Sam, and then clock in for my main job as The Nice Man's administrative assistant. 

"Do you have an appointment? I don't think you do."

In between my other obligations, I roam our tiny house and make sure everything is in good working order. Oftentimes the RV is not to my standards.

Like this thing. It keeps leaking water:

I sat in here for a good ten minutes in an effort to alert everyone to the problem. The Humans seem unconcerned. Their cluelessness is rather sad, actually.

In the afternoons, Sam and The Nice Man go swimming, and The Lady does something she calls "yoga." I have been forced to participate.

I protest by sitting in Shavasana the entire time. 

In the evenings, while The Humans are brushing their teeth and getting ready for bed, I blow off some steam.

I mean, they keep me trapped here in this tiny moving box. What do they expect will happen?

Yes, life on the road is difficult for an RV cat, but as you can see, I am mustering my strength and persevering nonetheless. Your messages of encouragement are greatly appreciated. Please keep them coming.

(Just don't expect me to respond right away. I have a lot going on.)

Until next time,

Biscuit

So You Want To Live In An RV: What Will You Need?

Trent and I have received a few questions lately to the effect of, "We're thinking about RVing full time. What should we bring?" Because space in an RV is so limited, it's important to think critically about what you need/want to haul and what you can/should leave behind (we now realize that even though we worked hard to bring only the necessities, we still brought too much!)

We've compiled a list of products that we purchased, use on a regular basis, and highly recommend to other RVers and would-be RVers. (Note: these links are Amazon affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase the product via the link, Amazon will toss us a few cents in loose change. Many digital nomads are using this as a way to generate a little extra income.) We've also briefly described what we use each product for and why we like it so much.

A disclaimer: We can only speak to what's worked well for our 29 foot Coachmen Freelander. Obviously, certain specific products (such as the RV cover) will not work for every type of rig. With RVs, one size does not fit all.

RV ELECTRONICS:

1. Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C Portable EMS RV Surge Protector - 30 Amp

• What it does: Protects our RV from a range of electrical issues and helps us monitor our amp draw so we know how close we are to our 30 amp limit.
• Why we like it: When selecting a camping site, we check the electric post with the surge protector BEFORE we set up everything else. This device lets us know everything is in working order and within acceptable limits. If not, we can select a new site before setting everything else up.

2. Camco 55501 PowerGrip 25' Cord with 30 AMP Male Standard/30 AMP Female Locking Adapter

• What it does: Works as an extension cord for our RV.
• Why we like it: It allows us to park farther away from the electrical post if we need to find level ground, better shade, or a nice view.

3. Camco 55175 18" PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter with Handle

• What it does: Allows us to hook our 30 amp RV to a 50 amp outlet.
• Why we like it: If the only site left is 50 amps, we could stay at that site. Also, sometimes the 50 amp outlet is in better condition than the 30 amp outlet on the same electric post. This device gives us a better chance of a good electrical hook-up.

4. Camco 55165 15M/30F 12" PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter with Handle

• What it does: Allows us to hook up our 30 amp RV to a standard household outlet.
• Why we like it: If we park in someone's driveway for the night, we can still get electricity to the RV.

WATER AND SEWER GEAR:

1. Camco 43051 20' Sidewinder Plastic Sewer Hose Support

• What it does: Keeps the gray and black water moving in the right direction and prevents, well, stagnation...
• Why we like it: Flexible yet sturdy.

2. Camco 40285 RV Green Disposable Dump Glove - 50 Pairs

• What it does: Protects our hands while we deal with the sewage tanks.
• Why we like it: Because nobody wants to touch poop water or contaminate the entire family.

3. Walex TOI-91799 Deodorizer

• What it does: Eliminates unseemly odors that emanate from the black tank.
• Why we like it: Because we'd rather not smell our toilet.

4. Camco 20123 Brass Water Wye Valve

• What it does: Bifurcates a single water outlet.
• Why we like it: With this valve, we can hook up both a freshwater hose and a hose for washing or flushing the tanks.

5. Camco 40043 TastePURE Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector

• What it does: Helps clean/filter water from city water lines.
• Why we like it: Light, effective, easy to install, easy to store.

6. Camco 39062 Dual Flush Pro Holding Tank Rinser with Gate Valve

• What it does: Makes emptying the gray and black tanks easy and sanitary.
• Why we like it: Permits easy cleaning of the black tank to remove any remaining residue.

7. Camco 22783 TastePURE Drinking Water Hose (5/8"ID x 25') - Lead Free 

• What it does: Serves as designated hose for drinking water.
• Why we like it: A standard hose is not suitable for drinking water, and we like to drink water!

8. Camco 22505 90 Degree Hose Elbow - Lead Free

• What it does: Hooks up to your water intake and connects to the water hose.
• Why we like it: It allows the hose to run straight down and not out and down forcing the hose to bend. This reduces wear and tear on the hose.

9. Camco 39761 RhinoFLEX 15' RV Sewer Hose Kit with Swivel Fittings

• What it does: Hooks up to the sewage tanks (black and gray) and runs to the sewage dump.
• Why we like it: It's easy to connect and disconnect and compresses into a much smaller size for storage.

10. ETL 26781 White Body Spa Oxygenics Shower with 60" Hose 

• What it does: Maximizes water pressure while reducing excess use of water.
• Why we like it: You can press a knob to turn off the water flow while you're soaping up; easy to install.

RV MAINTENANCE:

1. ADCO 2509 Clear RV Windshield Cover

• What it does: Keeps the windshield covered while we're in camp and helps manage indoor air temperature.
• Why we like it: Easy to put on and take off; easy to store; relatively inexpensive.

2. Carrand 93210 Long Chenille Microfiber Wash Mop with 48" Extension Pole

• What it does: Allows you to gently wash your RV without use of a stepladder.
• Why we like it: Effective; inexpensive; eliminates risk of someone falling off a ladder and breaking something.

3. Bug Scrubber RV Car Aircraft Bug Remover

• What it does: Removes all of the bugs that attached themselves to your windshield as you were driving.
• Why we like it: It works! Bug guts are sticky and can be hard to remove.

4. Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax 16 oz.

• What it does: Gently removes the grime from the side of your RV without the need for water.
• Why we like it: It's good for fast, effective spot cleaning in camp - no hoses needed.

5. Aero Cosmetics Waterless Car Wash & Wax 128 oz.

• What it does: Same as above - just in a larger size.
• Why we like it: We use this product fairly often, so we like to carry the larger size with us.

6. Dicor 501LSW1 White Lap Sealant - 10.3 oz. 

• What it does: Easily repairs small rips, tears, and weathered areas on roof of RV.
• Why we like it: Easy to apply; quickly repairs potential leak points in roof.

7. Aero Cosmetics Tire Shine Protectant, 16oz 

• What it does: Protects tires from damaging UV rays.
• Why we like it: Easy to apply.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND APPLIANCES:

1. Camco 43753 Hardwood Stove Topper and Cutting Board

• What it does: Fits over the stove, thereby creating additional counter space for food prep and improving efficiency of the kitchen area.
• Why we like it: Sturdy; doesn't move while the RV is in motion (thanks to grippy material on the base of the board).

2. Melitta Coffee Maker, Porcelain 6 Cup Pour-Over Brewer

• What it does: Provides liquid of the gods to sleepy RVers.
• Why we like it: Easy to use; easy to clean.

3. Instant Pot IP-LUX50 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 5Qt/900W

• What it does: Cooks everything from beans to rice to veggies to soups and stews to cheesecake - and in the fraction of time required by regular appliances.
• Why we like it: Fast, effective, and easy to clean and store.

4. Magic Bullet Blender, Small

• What it does: Blends single-serving smoothies and shakes.
• Why we like it: Small, easy to store, easy to clean.

IN CAMP:

1. Camco 42805 60" x 78" Handy Mat with Strap

• What it does: Reduces amount of dust and dirt carried into the RV.
• Why we like it: Helps maintain cleanliness of RV interior; inexpensive; colorful; easy to store.

2. Camco 44432 Wheel Chock

• What it does: Helps keep the RV from rolling away while parked. Whew!
• Why we like it: Light and inexpensive.

3. Tri-Lynx 00015 Lynx Levelers, (Pack of 10)

• What it does: Levels out your RV if you're parked on uneven ground.
• Why we like it: Light, easy to use, easy to clean and store.

4. Modkat Litter Box Kit

• What it does: Provides your cat with a relatively attractive, private place to use the facilities.
• Why we like it: It fits nicely in the cab of the RV (between the driver's and passenger's seats); reduces scatter of kitty litter throughout the rig; includes a reusable, sturdy liner.