camping

goodbye tiny camper...

by the Artist

Last night I watched our tiny 5th wheel drive away. I felt sad. Even though we made the decision to sell it in order to buy a bit larger and bit newer rv… I still felt sad. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted my very own "playhouse".. well this was my playhouse. It certainly fit the criteria. It was 19' long with no slide! Cozy. We bought it back in 2006 quite used and not very loved. I gave it new life. 

I covered the window valances with an updated fabric, sewed curtains and the loft privacy curtain, from striped canvas curtain panels from Target. (I asked the Carpenter if we could replace the countertops, flooring and carpet- they were all a lovely shade of mauve. I wanted to update the cabinet hardware too. This didn't happen.) I decided to embrace the mauve and pale pink countertops by introducing navy blues, reds, burgundy's and hints of gold.

Every time we camped I would bring decor items from our house, even towels to match my color palette. I loved to create our home away from home on a budget. It was challenging and it was fun! 

We enjoyed our camping vacations for 10 summers and falls in that tiny house on wheels. We made do and then some. I burned scented candles (to get rid of the winter dryer sheet odor-which keeps mice out) and brought in little table lights. (I have overdone it with outside canopy lights… this past summer I had so many lights going it was a beacon for about 10 miles out for all bugs in the area… was a long night swatting the lovelies who decided to spend the night in our camper. Nothing like waking up with squashed bugs on the pillow!)

But this summer the Carpenter and I realized that we needed an easier set-up and a larger space. (our snack manager can not jump up on the bed or sofa anymore and we had no floorspace for her to sleep).

So a couple of weekends back I removed all our stuff, deep cleaned and staged for sale photos. We had that tiny used camper sold within 24 hours with a bid war to boot! We were simply amazed. The Carpenter said it was because of the size- easy to tow a boat and the price. I knew better.. it was the staging. I just know it. I've never seen a camper staged like a model home. And of all things.. stage an old tiny camper?? Crazy. Call me crazy. It worked.

Tomorrow we head to look at a potential camper to buy. I look forward to making it home. It's a bit bigger and a bit newer. The snack manager will have room to spread out, we will not have to use the table area for a bed… it will be a very good thing. 

I look forward to the challenge ahead. It won't be quite the same challenge and I will sort of miss that… but it will be fun to make it ours. 

Don't ever think staging doesn't help sell. Or that there is no value in that. It does.

PS We sold our fishing boat too. I told the Carpenter that if it hadn't sold I would have been happy to "stage" it for him. A pack of beer, some fishing poles placed just so. I'm kind of disappointed I didn't get a chance to do this!

Building a vacation

by the Artist

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Going, going, gone. Back.

We were gone last week "building a vacation." And that about says it all. I commented that camping is the equivalent of recreating your home environment outside. You bring your bed, table, clothes, food, furniture (to sit on under the blue sky and by firelight), and if you are so lucky… your toilet, sink, and "HVAC".. (for you Mr Carpenter.) 

You work like a dog to pack it all away, kick the camper tires, check to make sure when you turn the lights on in the truck, that like dominoes... they are on all the way back to the boat. We then pray that we will arrive in a timely manner with the wagon train in tack. Fingers crossed that all 10 tires stay nicely inflated, and that the boat doesn't decide to turn left when we take a right. 

And added to the fun for this year.. a severe summer storm on the eve of departure. No electricity, roof, tree and sunflower damage which had the Carpenter pounding some nails that morning. And bless his heart… he helped me prop up all my sunflowers that decided to fall flat on their faces during the storm.

Upon arrival we circled the wagon train and spent yet another three hours (we have a "vintage" camper which is quite fussy) setting up our "outdoor for a week home". It's hot, and we're already maxed out tired from the pack-up and drive. Are we relaxing yet? 

This year has made me really think about what we have to "build" to enjoy some time away. I do believe some changes need to be made. Because as much as we love to "build"… we really don't want to work so hard for vacation. And I'm sure for those of you who do not like to camp… you would whole heartedly agree!

So here's to building… anything but vacations!




Camping.

by the Artist

Full on summer is here. We are through the 4th and soon to head on our annual family camping trip. As I review yet one more list… my mind spins with all that still needs to be done. Why do we camp? That's a very good question. 

Camping is massive prep on the front end and massive set up upon arrival. Then we crash and relax to recover. We work so hard during the year.. perhaps we need to take a cruise or stay in a beautiful resort with spas and gourmet meals.. with a staff ready to take care of all our needs. 

That's not really our style. The Carpenter and I love lakes. We love sitting by a lake, fishing on the lake, swimming in the lake, listening to the lake creatures… loons calling as they fly over. The smell of campfires, water lapping against our boat. And it's really appealing to us to do nothing unless we want to do something. To just chill. Get off the hamster wheel for a few days and contemplate. Or maybe not.

We don't like to think about the business when we are gone. And that's a good thing. We've been very busy this summer with many projects. We are starting a screened porch project the end of the month which will be fun to do. The last screened porch we built in the dead of winter. 

So we look forward to the relaxing part and returning hopefully relaxed and rested… that is the plan!