So what is it really like to live our life in a teardrop camper?
That seems to be the question we get the most now.
From both our family and friends, and a few hundred emails to the blog since leaving on September 9th for our one year, 50 state tour.
So we thought with two weeks under our belts, today’s Sunday farm update would be the perfect time to share a little behind the scenes look at life on the road.
And, what it’s like to go from living in our 1054 square foot home on the farm, to just under 140 square feet in our new home for a year, our T@B 400 teardrop camper.
The truth is the first few weeks on our trip have been nothing short of incredible.
And both of us agree 100 percent we wouldn’t trade the freedom of what we are getting to experience for any possession in the world. Hence the name : Live Simple Tour
But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been challenges to overcome. Or that we haven’t had a few close calls and scary moments.
And of course, a few times when we couldn’t do anything but laugh.
So with that said, here is a “behind the scenes look” at the the good, the challenging, and the hilarious of traveling the country so far in our teardrop camper.
Life In A Teardrop Camper…
The Good
As for the good, we honestly could both go on all day. (You can see each day’s wrap up here : (Living Simple Tour Day By Day)
This trip has made us realize how important it is to do things while you can. To take chances. To take experiences over possessions.
Every day on the road, we meet more than one person who says to travel the country is their dream. And our answer is always the same : Don’t wait for someday, do it while you can!
I asked an older gentleman for his secrets to life in a little coffee shop in North Pointe, Nebrasksa. It is a question we try to ask often to folks everywhere we go.
We love to learn from everyone. And the conversation and responses we get back are sometimes amazing. His answer is now one of my personal all-time favorites.
He said: ” So many people always use the term “You only live once.” But heck, I say “You only die once,” so you better get doing what you want to do, because you never know when that might happen!
Adjusting To Life In The Camper
As for the camper, our T@B 400 Teardrop has been flawless so far.
It has been so easy to pull with the truck that sometimes we almost forget it’s back there. And at just 18 1/2′ long, it fits into a lot of tight spaces and campgrounds that larges RV’s just can’t.
And honestly, it has everything we need and nothing more. I think that is what we love most about it.
I can also say that both of us have never slept better than the last two weeks. The queen size bed is amazingly comfortable. Although I am sure all of our daily activities and travel help as well to tire us out.
But if I had to put my finger on the best of the best, it has been the unbelievable freedom of not being tied down by too many things or possessions.
It’s funny, but when you pack for a week at a campground, or a weekend get-a-away – you try to bring everything. All the food you will need, all of the clothes.
But we couldn’t do that. Food won’t last. And we don’t have the space for too much clothing. And honestly, it has been incredible not to have all of that “stuff.” Or more importantly, not to have to take care of it all.
The Challenging
So enough of the happy-sappy. Yes, there have been some challenges to overcome.
Every single experienced camper told us the following advice: Don’t ever pass a restroom or a gas station. And perhaps we should have listened.
Probably the scariest moment so far was the trip from Scotts Bluff, Nebraska to Rapid City, South Dakota.
As we pulled out last Sunday morning with over half a tank, we both thought for sure we would find a gas station somewhere along the way to top off.
Gas was a bit more expensive in Scott’s Bluff than we had been paying, so we decided to fill up out of town on the way. BAD DECISION!
Within an hour out of town, we lost all cell service. And there were no gas stations, or towns, or houses for that matter in sight anywhere!
With 6 miles to spare we coasted into Crawford, South Dakota and fueled up. Never again. Absolutely never again!
The only other challenge has been food. We are used to a stocked pantry at the farm. And with little room or long-term storage ability, we have learned to adapt by having to stop for fresh supplies every few days.
Right now, on this portion of the trip, the towns and grocery stores have been few and far between.
But to turn what could be a negative into a positive, we have had fun with it. We have made some pretty creative “fresh” meals in the camper.
The Hilarious Moments Of Life In A Teardrop Camper
We are learning a lot. And having fun in the process.
The camper has plenty of head room. Plenty. But not when you leave the upper cupboard doors open. I have made up amazing new words each time I forget to close them, and then hit them.
Having people ask us if that is “us” on the camper as we stand outside of it is always a hoot as well. I usually respond “only when we have showered.”
We have had some incredibly self-induced funny moments so far.
Like: the sewer line release valve should not be pulled until Mary has it completely in the hook up. Bad decision again, but we are learning quickly!
Learning A Valuable Lesson – Less Is Always More
Here is one thing we have learned quickly in two weeks: Every day is what you make of it and the attitude you bring to it.
We have loved meeting new people, seeing new places, and simply enjoying it all. When you choose to make a day great with a positive attitude and an open mind, it turns out great.
Happy Gardening & Travelling! Jim and Mary.
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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