Simple Tricks to Improve Year 2 on the Road!
One of our favorite rock formations inside Carlsbad Caverns. We think he looks like a Bearded Dragon. What do you think?
Less Planning, More Spontaneity: Last year we had our trips planned out weeks or months ahead of time. Having the schedule set so firmly meant we lost the flexibility to stay longer in a place if it interested us. This year we are planning about a week at time. This has already paid dividends as we extended our stay in Whites City NM to five full days to explore Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountain National Parks more thoroughly.
Our subtle lighting above our living room cabinets, plus Andrea’s cute little toes.
Subtle Lighting: Airstream lights are a lot like the overhead lighting in an airplane. They run the center of the trailer and light up everything like you would as you prepared for departure from a plane. This caused us two issues last year; one it was much brighter than we needed and two even with LED bulbs it still draws power from the 12-volt system. To address both issues, we added several strings of Fairy Lights in our living and bed rooms. They add just enough subtle lighting for ambience, reading, or hanging out, yet are highly efficient on their own battery supply. Small things like this allow us to prioritize our 12-volt system running off our solar panels for more important uses like the water pump, charging cell phones, and running a diffuser to keep the Queen and us, happy!
Our office with a view! Star Link has been an amazing addition allowing us to stay connected anywhere we go.
Staying Connected: One of our biggest stressors last year was trying to find ways to stay connected. Trying to schedule interviews for our podcast, to do conference calls for new clients or just catching up with family, felt like an enormous task. This lack of confidence in our technology affected the spirit in which you can promote, schedule, and represent your brands. Star Link has been amazing in the two months we have had it. In places with no cell coverage at all we are getting very fast internet speeds and can work confidently no matter where our home is.
Sometimes we can find “beaches” in the mountains. Any guesses where this is?
Mountains instead of beaches: For year two we decided to stay west. Last year’s journey to the southeast United States was amazing, but it was also much more expensive than camping in the west. Here we have many more free camping options than the east coast states offer. Staying in the west allows us to be closer to our children and family something we missed last year.
One of my favorite places to visit.
Just not for what you are thinking. Read below :)
Use Other People’s Toilets and Showers: I know it sounds kind of strange and gross but hear me out. We love to dry camp and boondocking, however, this preference comes the responsibility of managing your resources. To help make our resources last longer, any chance I get to use someone else’s restroom I am in. Gas stations, rest stops, campgrounds, or my hands down #1 rated restroom, Lowe’s! They don’t skimp on toilet paper there 😊 Additionally, many state parks have a dry camping option which affords you a safe and secure spot in the campground, yet since they are not providing water or electricity it is about half the cost per night. We love this option and taking advantage of showering in the campground bathhouses. Nice long, hot showers, with no impact on our tank levels is perfect and usually just a short walk from our camper. Next time you’re out and about drop into your local Lowe’s and give a try for yourself.
We look forward to warm days and cool nights in the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, along with the new memories year two will provide us.
See you all down the road!