Author: ElisaMG

Purchasing an annual membership allowed me to boon dock “free” on over 1,000 farms, wineries, golf courses and museums in North America. Of course as a courtesy they hope you will patron the location.

This was easily done at Julietta Winery. I let them know ahead of time that I was coming to make sure they had space for me. I told friends nearby I was coming through town and got to hang out together.

When I drove in from highway five the drive was amazing, I drove along the Sacramento River and over some beautiful photo worthy bridges, further and further back in, hoping my GPS was not misleading me. Of course I could not snap the photos because I had to keep both hands on the wheel, but I will say, if you have not explored wine country near Sacramento it is definitely a treat.

The staff at Juliette Winery made me feel so welcome, from when I first got there and they helped me back into my spot, to enjoying surprising delights in both wine and cheese, both which I walked away buying… so not actually free…. but worth it.

The setting was gorgeous and after the winery closed it was just me and the dog enjoying the trees bending in the wind, a delicious dinner and the colorful sunset.

I even got to hold “Hei Hei” a love of a chicken! Who knew chickens were so sweet! Dudley gave me a good hard look at that point but he warmed up to the little guy.

I hope you enjoy the pictures! And for now good night! Tomorrow is a new day of driving!

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The thought of venturing out alone as a female, I have to admit was a little scarey. However, if I only did stuff when I had someone to do them with a lot of life would simply pass me by. Also as I learned at my first stop on my route on the Central Coast of California, we are never really alone. First of all, we are not alone because we have our own fabulous company to entertain us. And when I talk to myself watching all of the beauty of the world go by, I can be quite entertaining and adventurous. More seriously though we don’t have to be alone because our friends want to join on the adventure. My first guest stayed with me through the fourth of July and we had a lot of fun. (The benefits of a 27 footer is there is room for guests.) You never know when traveling with friends how its going to go, but when things go as peacefully and nice as they did, well, a fabulous time is had by all. Our fun included shared meals, art conversations, photo opportunities, abnd hikes and adventures like the ones below from the beach to Gum Alley.

What I had not expected, was the idea that one is never truly alone because we meet fellow travelers who are amazingly welcoming, kind and helpful. I met Robert and Dorothy, Grandpa and Grandma and their family. John and Brittani and Brittani’s sister and her husband and two children, as well as all of their dogs. It was the children who stole my heart. One boy with a brain injury he sustained at an early age made it a miracle that he was alive. Not only was he alive, but he was full of life, joy, curiosity and was as sweet as could be. And his younger three year old bright eyed blondie, brother Wyatt, who decided I was “too pretty for my name” so he renamed me “Rosie”. How hilarious! I became Rosie for the week! (His older brother became “Superman”) I didn’t take a ton of photos of them as I didn’t want to be invasive. Although, as they were leaving they said we wanted my photo, and they gave me their contact information and said if I needed anything along the way, to call them and they’d be there.

You get invited to join folks and really want to know you are not imposing on them. I soon learned they honestly wanted us to join them. They shared their food and company and stories, as well as road knowledge and RV tips. We brought the food we had next door and joined in. And on the fourth we all sat around the fire pit watching an inbcredible show of illegal fireworks surrounding the park. Yep… all illegal. It was like a war zone, only fun. And hey…. my American flag may have been small, but I proudly flew it out on the front of my Airstream with all of the others. I refuse to stop believing in my countryt, even if not everything is going the way I think it should go. Some of my new friends definitely did not share my political views, but hey… we had fun anyway. It is interesting learning about people who have had a whole different experience on the planet than oneself. Wyatt’s daddy was a bull fighter and motorcross sports bike and dune dare devil…. or something like that. And the girls and other son-in-law worked in the public school system so we had a lot of fun conversations and let the laughter roar when anyone tried to talk politics. Although Mr. D did not particularily like the fireworks display, he was grateful for CBD Oils, lavendar and a cozy back bedroom in the Airstream.

The first stop on my adventure has been filled with beach fun, tasty food at restaurants, home cooked food, country walks and fruit and veggie stands, yummy morning cups of Joe, sand dunes, fireworks, and firepits, starry nights, great neighbors, awesome friend company and fantastic alone time, as well as lovely soaks in the hot tub and pool, (something I miss since my Airstream only has a shower).

I’m thrilled to see what is ahead, and will be having some fun with my new identity as Rosie! Next stop, my first experience in Harvest Hosts, boondocking for a glass of wine on a California winery. Looking forward to catching up with old work colleagues.

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Yes, I live in an Airstream and yes, I take vacations on airplanes too. I am so grateful for a recent opportunity to travel to Peru, South America. I say the name America because so often in the place I grew up called the United States, I am guilty of what so many others are, thinking the United States and America means the same thing. Well, really Canada is America, Mexico is America, and in this case Peru is America. So I’m going to be a bit more aware and start calling my country The United States.

I feel so fortunate to have experienced The Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca in Puno, Peru. Yes, Machu Pichu, Cusco, and Lima were all amazing too, but the people on the Floating Islands really touched my heart. They are Indigenous people from Peru and Bolivia and have lived on these islands for a long time, but tourists have only been visiting for the last twenty five years. And like Machu Pichu, it is very likely that one day tourists will no longer be able to visit, in this case becasue they may no longer exist.

Their lifestyle is simple, beautiful and happy. Today, there are eighty five islands, each made from the root systems of the reeds found in the lake, and maintained by the layering of fresh reeds every fifteen days. They are located in a quiet part of the lake to avoid the ten foot waves that can be found elsewhere. Some of the islands are used to house pigs, each staked in its own area. Most of the islands are covered in a variety of housing. The housing we got to experience were the houses made also of the same reeds the islands are made of. And then there are the big beautiful boats also made of reeds. All of the clothing is colorful and tells a story as to whether someone is single, or married, and more.

The people greeted us with so much warmth, kisses, hugs and songs. They were so happy to see us come visit them. They invited us into their homes and shared their customs. They told us please don’t give them money for tips as it was not worth much to them there. They might use it as toilet paper. Although I suspect they do use it on the mainland.

The children row their boats to various islands for kindergarten and elementary school.  We were fortunate to get to take a ride in one of the bigger boats. If the children choose to go further with their schooling, they attend secondary school on the mainland, where they often seek jobs and leave their traditional costumes for blue jeans, one of the threats to island living. The main threat to island living is global warming. If the lake goes down one more half meter, it will make it hard to get the needed reed roots to sustain the islands.

The people here live by three rules: Don’t lie. Don’t steal. and Don’t be lazy! They are hard working clever people who live off the land, mostly sustained by fishing the lake. The lake is peaceful and noticeabley void of ski boats and jet skis. The community is void of drama, violence, grafitti or any of the other things we see as signs of poverty in the U.S.

When I started tiny living someone asked me to reflect on my values for tiny living, my why. I love tiny living for several reasons. I love the community it builds among others doing the same thing. I love the freedoms it affords in terms of forcing me to focus on what is most important to me, spending time and resources on just that and only that. I love the mobility it offers, allowing me to travel and see friends and families. And I love how stress free (although not problem free by any means) it is.

The people on the Floating Islands I noticed shared a lot of these values. Everything was about working for the good of the whole, supporting comunity within and connecting to other communities. Their life was simple and their homes were tinier than mine, but they were happy with the few possessions they had. Everything was made from what they had, like the reed houses and boats and island itself. They could move if they were not happy where they were, just pick up anchor, their version of hitching up to the truck and driving somewhere new. They didn’t have a heavy reliance on money and could enjoy the arts and each other. They were definitely stress free. Life expectancy is over one hundred years. The last woman who died on the island was one hundred and  twenty six. Life expectancy on the mainland is sixty five. These Indigenous Peruvian folks ae definitely on to something. And even though here in the U.S. living tiny is a newer trendy thing, I think we are feeling the pull from some ancient ancestors somewhere and experiencing our own kind of floating islands.

They say when you make a major change in your life you shouldn’t make any more life changing decisions. Well, in this case it seemed necessary. Everything just fell together, one thing right after another. However, what I did not expect was the accumulation of grief. And I am quite surprised to find I have a need to release a lot of sorrow and loss in a time that is quite joyous and fun. 

I sold my house, downsized into an apartment, and then made the leap to full timing in my Airstream in a park. At the same time I took an early retirement leaving my life long career and jumped on the road less traveled. I listened and honored that small voice inside that wanted to address my inner creative self. In doing all of this I am discovering I am courageous, resourceful and skilled at things beyond my wildest imagination. I am discovering I am adventurous and bold, which really means I have learned to lean on my faith more than some crazy notion that I control my destiny. I am learning to find my truth my voice and speak it. This means changes.

Change involves new ways of relating to a world of things, different choices in how I eat and exercise and take care of my physical and mental health. I have found in going through change, I change, which also changes my relationships.  Not everyone wants to go along for that ride. I shed things that no longer serve me, I also shed ways of being in that no longer work for me.

As I await my upcoming launch out onto the road and get ready to give up having a permanent parking space, I am full of excitement and joy. I also contemplate grief. As much as I am making choices that are good for me, I also am going through great loss, and nobody really tells you how to do that…. So I do it to the best of my ability. Grief, is a part of my journey. When going tiny, I have to be gentle and kind to myself and allow time for that part of the process.

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Everyone kept telling me “OMG, you’ve gotta see the latest John Oliver show!” Then someone sent me the YouTube link, posted below. I wrote this post before I left, and sitting in a Canadian coffee shop listening to some locals have strong political opinions (very different than mine) where I finally joined the conversation just to break up the narrative and throw some food for thought about what it’s like to live at the Mexican border from someone who actually lives near it…. made me realize I never posted my one political post. I know folks hate politics but hey… politics are in every part of our lives even Airstreaming. So… here the post is… late and out of order. 🙂

Watching it made me think about everything goin on right now. The opioids addiction crisis and the fight with “Big Pharma” as well as the challenges in getting descent affordable health care, the toxic work environment narratives where fights between big management and the little worker are showing a push back and growth in union membership all have something in common. Our attempt to hang on to the little collective voice we still have is indicative of the times The homeless and housing crisis, the fight over what constitutes real food or who decides what women do with their bodies and the tiny movement as a response to everything going on are all related. In all cases we’re talking about who has the power. Yes, there’s power in big money, but sometimes we forget there’s also power in numbers. And we may hate politics and want nothing to do with it, but it definitely is not leaving us alone in any segment of our society, including living tiny. And of course, because living tiny is a powerful political statement and action that challenges the very core of who we say we are as Americans.

Yes, Mr. Oliver’s show is about mobile homes. No, I don’t live in a mobile home. I live in a high end trailer that I have privilege in that I can move  it at any time, and that will likely always have good resale if I choose to go back to a sticks and bricks lifestyle. I have privilege in that I am not stuck living in one park. And I am super creative, smart and resourceful as to the multitude of options that I have. That said, I believe and injury to one is an injury to all. As the end to my sort of permanent stay in my RV park approaches and I feel a shift to the excitement of hitting the open road, adventure and travel across the continent, I also am aware that that original dream of living in a tiny house on some property is a dream shared by many that is under attack by the wealthiest in our country. All of the topics mentioned above have that in common. It seems that many of the wealthiest in our country are hung up on having more with no moral compass for when enough is enough. They want more money, and more power. Maybe it all fits under the umbrella of addiction? There is an addiction to money and power and possibly we are witnessing it in all aspects of life, even this nomad RV travel adventure life as parking becomes less and less available.

The past owners of my park did not own the land. They owned the business. They had a forty year contract. We loved them. Their employees, who have worked here forever, made you feel like you were home when you drove in. These owners had to go back to bid to keep their business this year and went for a twenty year contract. Another large company beat them out. When this company held informational meetings for the current residents they said with a smile on their face, “Well you know, we are in the business of making money.” They do not believe RV’s and trailers should be allowed as full time residents, really because they know they can make money on forcing the industry to only provide opportunities for vacation travel, and no parking for long term residents.

The entire moral movement of the tiny house movement is to have a smaller footprint on our planet, to share the wealth, promoting the idea there is plenty to go around for all. What I’m seeing in my park is no different than what John Oliver talks about in his video post about the wealthy using the poor to make more money. The narrative of weather tiny houses should be built to solve the housing crisis, or house the addict or mentally ill, the discussions around how someone in an RV establishes permanent residence and whether or not they are able to get a permanent ID which allows them to vote, or whether they should be allowed to park in someone’s back yard, are not the questions that should be asked. Tiny houses, RV’s, trailer life is not just for the disenfranchised.  Anyone should be allowed to live in a way that supports everyone in the community having resources rather than a small few. The questions that should be asked are who benefits from all of the different rules and regulations, restrictions, permits, lack of allowing permits, lack of parking land? Why does anyone care if someone wants to live in a tiny house, and RV or anything else? Even though John talks about Mobile homes, I think what he uncovers applies to a broader stroke of types of homes including my Airstream.

Yes, I have the privilege to go anywhere, but an injury to one is an injury to all, and I refuse to allow folks to squash the rights of others trying to live simply, or silence the voice of anyone who wants to have a voice, or squish out anyone trying to have a more positive environmental impact on our planet. If they come for the mobile home parks, who is to say they won’t come for us next. Will they attack our right to park on BLM lands next?

I for one plan to stay educated, share what I know and if need be organize as all of these topics have touched my life and all can make a difference on the bigger picture of bringing the power back to the regular folks.

John Oliver’s You Tube video on Mobile Home Parks and Big Investors:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCC8fPQOaxU&list=PLa4DLBASQ-JdWJtn2Wkz-ubfD3Td5rLCT&index=96&t=15s