Instead of collecting poorly made shirts from Forever 21 and Shein, I now have only a few key pieces that I research and invest in that make sense for my lifestyle and comfort, year round.

If you’re moving into an RV, about to take a cross-country trip or just want to start from scratch on a practical wardrobe, here’s some advice on how to get started.

FabricS

Fabrics are one of the most important things to consider in your wardrobe. Living in an RV, you may have less opportunity to wash your clothes, or you may choose to wash them by hand. With this in mind, you need to choose fabrics that don’t absorb smells and dry quickly.

The best fabrics to look for when living in an RV are synthetic fibers, like polyester or nylon. I also recommend merino wool for items like socks and sweaters. These fabrics will dry quickly and won’t absorb moisture, which is ideal for RV living.

THE KEY PIECES

To start your wardrobe, you need a few foundational pieces to build off of. Below are descriptions of my wardrobe pieces and how many I have of each.

Here is a list of clothes I keep with me, but keep in mind that not every piece here is a one-size-fits-all for every RV-lifer.

• Two Tank tops/Undershirts: Nylon or polyester. Pick tank tops with neutral colors that you can easily pair with other clothes. Make sure the tank top straps match the style of your bra straps.
• Three Short Sleeve Shirts: Nylon or polyester. Pick thick, durable fabrics. Avoid pieces with excessive accents, beads or graphics. Keep it neutral in style and color.
• Two Long Sleeve Shirts: Nylon, polyester or merino wool. Thermal shirts and UV protective fabrics are great to have in your arsenal.
• One Cover-Up/Button Up Shirt: Nylon, polyester or synthetic blend. Great for layering, I keep a thin button-up top with me which I can easily put on or tie around my waist depending on the weather.
• Two Pairs of Shorts: Nylon, polyester, or nylon-spandex mix. Make sure that the length is comfortable and practical for long car trips.
• Two Pairs of Pants: Nylon, polyester, or nylon-spandex mix. Play with your preferences here; leggings, cargo pants and hiking pants are all great options. Avoid denim material.
• Ten Pairs of Underwear: Polyester. Avoid uncomfortable pieces or intricate lingerie. Stick with bikini or boy short styles (or whatever is most comfortable for you; but always pick comfort).
• Three Bras: Polyester. Pick an appropriate level of support for physical activity with simple designs. Avoid underwire; comfort is key. Stick with neutral colors. I recommend having black, skin tone and white colors in your arsenal.
• Six Pairs of Socks: Merino wool keeps your feet cool and dry like no other material. Stick with ankle height socks; they’re the most versatile. 
• Two Pairs of Shoes: Keep a hiking or work boot and a casual sandal in your closet. For the sandals, choose a pair that go on quickly in the car, but have ankle support if you need to run.

EXTRA PIECES

Depending on the climate you stay in and activities you engage in, the pieces you add on to your wardrobe may look very different from mine. We tend to stick to living in warmer climates, so if you’re planning a trip in Alaska anytime soon, this part is probably not for you! With that in mind, here are some small pieces I’ve added on to my wardrobe and why I have them.

• Bandana: I use a bandana regularly to keep my layered hair back from my face. In a bad situation, it can also be used as a tourniquet.
• Swimsuit: Since a lot of our camping is done in Florida, I keep a swimsuit with me for impromptu beach visits.
• Rain Poncho: In case of unpredictable weather, a rain poncho is a portable option that doesn’t take up a lot of backpack space.
• Trucker Hat: It keeps the heat off my face, but it’s also a fun accessory.
• Winter Shell or Pullover: We don’t often camp in freezing areas, but we do sometimes experience the range of 20° – 30° weather. When this strikes, I like to have a thick layer to put on top of my basics. I recommend fleece or merino wool.
• One Nice Dress: I keep one versatile, semi-formal dress with me at all times. Even though our life is pretty rugged, you never know when a wedding, funeral or other formal event may pop up! 

BRANDS

Sustainable, durable clothing is a worthy investment when you have a limited wardrobe. Once upon a time, I only hunted on the clearance racks. Now, I would much rather pay a bit more for a high quality piece that I don’t have to replace again in a few months. I’ve learned the hard way that buying cheap always comes back to bite you when it falls apart later. The added bonus is that if you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can also support ethical and sustainable businesses while you do it.

By minimizing your wardrobe to a few high quality pieces, you’ll almost never have to shop for new clothes, and ultimately save more money. Here are some brands I recommend that make long-lasting, sustainable clothing options for your RV life. This post is not sponsored.

Teva

Teva makes versatile sport sandals made from recycled materials. Their sandals are a great option for a quick-go, comfortable and sporty shoe that will last a long time. They also come in a lot of great colors and styles to choose from!

REI

In addition to selling some great sustainable and long lasting brands, REI has its own line of clothing with RV-friendly fabric options, including some recycled fabrics. If you are on a budget, they’re a great mid-grade price option without compromising quality.

Patagonia

A great option for your winter shell, Patagonia makes durable and versatile clothing. They use low-impact materials and pay living wages to their workers. On their website, they even sell their own secondhand clothes at a discounted price!

Smartwool

As long as Smartwool exists, I will never look for a different brand of socks. At the risk of sounding very weird, I cannot stress how much I love these socks. (Again, this post isn’t sponsored…but I wish!) These socks are comfortable, extremely durable and one pair can last you for years. They’re a great choice for summer or winter. They also use some recycled materials in their products.

Do’s and Dont’s

To summarize what we’ve covered, here are some basic do’s and don’ts for your RV life wardrobe.

Don’t: Wear cotton or denim. Cotton and denim absorb sweat and moisture, which is not friendly towards the labor-intensive lifestyle of living in an RV!

Don’t: Pick clothes that are a part of a passing trend. No one wants to drop good money on a piece that you’ll wind up embarrassed to wear in a couple of months!

Don’t: Pick impractical pieces. Avoid pants and shorts without pockets or with difficult buttons that you’ll fight to put on.

Don’t: Pick bulky clothes that won’t dry out and are hard to pack. With minimal space, you need to keep how large your clothing pieces are in mind for ease of packing.

Don’t: Buy clothes that don’t match and coordinate with each other.

Don’t: Buy clothes that are poorly made. Please take my word for it; it really is a worthy investment!

Do: Wear synthetic materials like nylon or polyester to keep you smelling fresh between laundry days.

Do: Stick with classic pieces and colors that are tried and true.

Do: Ensure that you’re comfortable in all of your clothing. Clothes should fit you well and feel great on your skin.

Do: Wear clothes that are lightweight, easy to layer and don’t take up too much space.

Do: Purchase clothes that have variety, but that can all mix-and-match well together.

Do: Invest in a few high-quality pieces that can withstand your lifestyle.

Do: Make sure that whatever pieces you choose to buy, they are 100%, unapologetically you!

What clothing pieces are a must for your RV life? Let me know in the comments below!

The post the Ultimate Clothing Guide for Full-Time RV Life first appeared on Old South Paw.

When we’re not in nature, we’re usually swinging by a nearby town to pick up groceries or take in the local sights. There are so many amazing towns in the US with their own culture, history and people; many of which are suffering from hard times in their economy right now.

Living in an RV can provide you with a deep appreciation for our planet, and the unique people that inhabit it. In all of your many travels, there are things you can do to leave a positive impact everywhere you go. 

IF YOU SEE IT, CLEAN IT

How many times have you driven down the road and spotted garbage thrown carelessly out of someone’s window? How about when you’re walking a nature trail and it’s littered with beer cans? 

Instead of shaking your head in dismay and leaving the scene of the crime, take it as an opportunity to be the difference. Always keep some garbage bags and a good pair of gloves handy in your vehicle, backpack and RV so you can easily make a big change everywhere you go. All it takes is a few minutes and a can-do attitude.

Sustainable Products

In an RV lifestyle, you only have so much room for all of your effects. Since you’re already living the life of a minimalist, you may as well take the opportunity to further reduce your clutter and waste by implementing some sustainable products in your RV. Here’s just a few we use to give you some inspiration. This post is not sponsored by any of these listed brands.

Dr. Bronner’s Soap

Despite the crazy packaging, Dr. Bronner’s soap is the king when it comes to minimalism and sustainability. It can be used as body soap, shampoo, dog wash, laundry detergent, shaving liquid, veggie wash, household cleaner and so much more. It has wholesome ingredients and the plastic bottle is 100% recyclable. Dr. Bronner’s is the only soap we keep in our RV for any of those aforementioned purposes, which helps us save space while also helping the environment.

DIVACUP

Did you know that tampons, pads and panty liners create 200,000 metric tons of waste every year and some of the parts and packaging can take anywhere between 500-800 years to fully decompose?

I’m a huge advocate for DivaCup for a laundry list of reasons, but they’re particularly relevant in this conversation about avoiding unnecessary waste on the road. Just like my mention of Dr. Bronner’s soap, they also help you save space; no more clunky tampon boxes in your little RV cabinet.

LIFESTRAW

There are many ways to conserve water usage while living in an RV. One of my favorites is keeping a LifeStraw Water Bottle in our RV or on my person at all times.

You never know what the quality of water will be like at your next campsite. While a lot of people circumvent this issue by purchasing single-use plastic water bottles, you can rise above and still feel good about what you’re drinking with your own on-the-go filtration bottle.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS EVERYWHERE

When you’re on the road, it can feel tempting to swing into the nearest Wal-Mart to re-up on your supplies. What if instead, you swung into that quaint, family-owned corner store to see what you can find? 

Avoid the big box stores and support local businesses everywhere you go; even though you’re not a local! Not only does it help that area’s economy, but you may be surprised by some of the deals you can snatch.

Did I mention restaurants, too? Take a few extra minutes on Google Maps to find the town’s local gem instead of another predictable experience at McDonald’s. Eating at locally owned restaurants returns almost 79% of revenue to their community, compared to just over 30% when you eat at a chain restaurant. (civiceconomics.com) 

Staying in Town? Use Public Transport

Like most all methods of transportation, driving an RV around everywhere does have it’s impact. One way you can challenge this is to take advantage of public transportation wherever you’ve decided to bed down for the day. Choosing to use an area’s public transportation to get to-and-fro can reduce CO2 emissions by 45%.

Even better than that; keep a bike strapped to your camper for another great option to reduce your footprint and avoid taking the bus or subway. You can stay in shape, too! 

Just Say “No” To Fast Fashion

Focusing again on the topic minimalism; why would you want an RV full of cheap clothes that take up space, when you can have a few well made pieces that last for years? Taking the time to thoughtfully build your wardrobe doesn’t only reduce space in your RV, but it also reduces the negative effects of fast fashion.

There are hundreds of reasons why the fast fashion industry is killing our environment. It generates tons of toxic chemicals, misuses millions of liters of water, puts plastics in the ocean, and so many more atrocities. Don’t even get me started on how fast fashion companies treat their workers.

Instead of supporting cruel businesses like Shein, choose to invest in a small and thoughtful wardrobe that you love and can feel good about.

Leave No Trace

Leave your campsite better than you found it. Anytime you arrive at a new campsite, scour the ground for litter left from previous campers. Ensure that you do a thorough check for your own waste before you get ready to drive on to the next site. Even if you think you didn’t leave anything, mistakes happen and taking the time to double check is key.

Mind Where You Park

Only park at established camping spots. If you’re like us, you may boondock a lot in your RV. Boondocking is a great option for RV living, but parking right on top of untouched natural areas contributes to the destruction of that ecosystem. Choose to park where you can clearly see that someone has parked before you to reduce your footprint.

Insulate your RV

Curb those hot summer days and cold winter nights by well insulating your RV. Not only will it keep you more comfortable, it can cut into your need for propane, electricity and gas, which benefits the environment (and cuts costs).

Even if you have a 4-season RV, there are things you can do to upgrade your insulation. Insulate the underbelly with foam or fiberglass, or make DIY thermal window covers out of Reflectix.

Use Renewable Energy

Solar panels are one way to avoid the emissions put off by generators, which helps the environment. They’re a very popular option for creating energy on the road. While less common, there’s even the option of using wind turbines for your RV. Do some research on renewable energy sources to see what may be a good fit for you.

If you’re not interested in switching to a full solar set-up, you can implement smaller solar panel products to use your power supply less frequently. Take a look into solar powered battery banks and solar powered flashlights for ways you can curb your emissions on a smaller scale.

Conserve Water

Living in an RV; especially boondocking, can give you a unique appreciation for water conservation. My husband, my dog and I go through 11 gallons of water per day on average. That’s just over 3.5 gallons each per-day (when divided up equally between the three of us). On average, the standard person living in the US uses a stunning 101.5 gallons of water per day. Not to toot our own horns; but that’s a pretty huge difference, wouldn’t you say?

The more you practice curbing your water usage, the more shocked you’ll be by how much you can save without majorly altering your lifestyle.

Volunteer Where You Go

There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer your time to worthy causes on the road. Give some of your time to help people in need or help the environment with some worthy causes that use RVers to their benefit.

One of these groups is Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanners. They use RVers to help build homes for people in need with two week building projects; no experience necessary. They also have a disaster rebuild team that you can work up to joining. They currently work out of the US and Canada.

Check out RV Care-A-Vanners and the amazing work they do here. 

The post How to Sustainably Live in an RV first appeared on Old South Paw.

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Here are the products I recommend:

• Calliger Clothes Wringer
• Collapsible Laundry Bins
• Portable Clothesline
• Basic Toilet Plunger
• Eco-Friendly Detergent Strips

If you prefer to watch a video, you can see my laundry explanation on TikTok:

The Steps: Doing Your Laundry

Set-Up

Now that you know what products I use, here are the steps to using them.

To start, grab your two Collapsible Bins. I recommend using collapsible bins because they save space living in a small camper. Fill one bin with clean water, and fill the other with water and an Eco-Friendly Detergent Strip. Detergent strips are more space-saving than a jug of detergent. Stick with Eco-Friendly Detergent because you likely will be dumping the detergent water outside when you’re done.

Now that your bins are filled, it’s time to set up your wringer. You can mount your wringer wherever works best for you. I often use tie-down straps to mount it on a table (as seen in my video), but you can also make a platform or use a sawhorse; as long as the wringer is situated evenly between both of your bins.

Doing Your Laundry

Now that your wringer is in place, it’s time to start doing your laundry.

Pile your laundry into the bin with the water and detergent. The water should just cover the laundry.

Once your laundry is immersed in the water, let it soak for awhile and then begin agitating it with your Toilet Plunger for several minutes. Hopefully this doesn’t need to be said, but only use a brand new toilet plunger that you’ve designated for this purpose.

Once your arms are feeling tired, it’s time to pass the clothes through the wringer and into the collapsible bin with clean water. This step helps remove the detergent from your clothing. When all of the clothes have been passed through and are soaking, go ahead and dump out the old detergent water. If possible, it’s best to locate a nearby sewage drain to dump into. If not, a ditch will do, as long as you’re using Eco-Friendly Detergent.

Now that your dirty water is dumped, it’s time to dry the clothes.

The laundry in the clean water should not have any detergent left clinging to them after soaking in the clean water. Pass your laundry through the wringer again into your now empty bin to dry them.

Once your clothes are dry, hang them out on your portable clothesline and they should be dry within a few hours, depending on the climate. This whole process should take around 30 minutes.

Tips & Tricks

• Keep tie-down straps handy incase you have a shaky set-up with your wringer. If you’re using picnic tables or whatever surface is available at your campsite, it may require additional stability.
• You can drill holes in your toilet plunger for less resistance when agitating your laundry.
• If the water is very dark after soaking and agitating in the detergent, this may be a sign that you want to pass it through another round before continuing.
• Do not overfill your collapsible bins. The weight can make the plastic bend. Only fill your bins halfway for each load.
• Mind where you dump your water. No one wants dirty detergent water filling up their campsite!

Enjoy your sunshine-fresh laundry!

The post How to do Laundry Without Electricity first appeared on Old South Paw.

On April 6th of 2023, we arrived at Meriwether Lewis Campground near Hohenwald, TN after driving the full length of the Natchez Trace and stayed for two weeks.

Meriwether Lewis Campground is a free campground with water spigots, trash services, restrooms, fire rings and cement parking spaces; mostly pull-through. There are no areas for dumping, no showers and no water or electric hookups. There is moderate cell signal depending on where you park in the campground (we usually maintained 2 bars at our site).

The Meriwether Lewis Campground is surrounded by beautiful dogwood trees and walking trails galore. The site is deep off into the woods, so there are no traffic noises. The max stay duration is two weeks, dogs are allowed and there are quiet time hours; so no running your generator at night. There is a campground host present, and park rangers visit daily. The campground is overall very clean and peaceful.

Hohenwald, TN is the nearest small town that we regularly visited in our stay. They have a Tractor Supply, gas stations, some fast food joints, dollar stores, a Walmart and some local grocery stores. They also have a small local library with free Wi-Fi. The drive into town from the campground is about fifteen minutes. Everyone in town was warm and friendly. If you go by the Tractor Supply earlier in the morning, you may find someone in the parking lot selling eggs and other farm fresh treats.

Things to Do at Meriwether Lewis Campground

Things to Do: Walking Trails

Meriwether Lewis Campground has at least four trails (by my count) for you to enjoy. There is a very short D.A.R. historic trail near Merriweather Lewis’ gravesite, the Meriwether Lewis Loop Trail, Swan Creek Trail and Old Trace Trail. We walked all of these trails in our stay, with Swan Creek Trail being my personal favorite. Expect mild elevation gains, plenty of creeks to cross and an overall very secluded feeling. There are generally not many people on these trails.

Things to Do: Historic Site

The campground is named for Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expeditions. His memorial grave as well as the foundation of the Grinder House where he met his end are located here. You can also see the replica of the Grinder House and walk in for a short history exhibit.

If you don’t know the story of Meriwether Lewis’ unfortunate passing; it’s a story filled with mystery that historians still haven’t figured out to this day. If you enjoy the darker side of history, I encourage you to take a dive into the strange tale during your stay.

Things to Do: Natchez Trace Historic Markers

With Meriwether Lewis Campground being located at the end of the Natchez Trace, there are many historic markers you can visit while cruising the iconic, scenic drive. There are a plethora of nearby parks, waterfalls, walking trails and tidbits of history to explore on the north end of the Trace. Among our favorite areas to visit on the Trace were Jackson Falls and Fall Hallow.

How to Dry Camp at Meriwether Lewis Campground

With only some resources available, dry camping for the full two weeks at Meriwether Lewis Campground can be a bit challenging if you don’t have the right tools. I highly recommend having a Portable Tote Tank so you can empty your tanks and bring the waste to the nearest dump station without moving your camper. Be sure to also have plenty of Water Jugs handy for refilling your white water tank, as there are no water hookups; only spigots. To read more about the tote tank and water jugs, you can read my review here.

The nearest dump stations available to Meriwether Lewis Campground is David Crockett Campground (about 30 minutes away).

The post Best Tennessee Free Camping: Meriwether Lewis Campground first appeared on Old South Paw.

As soon as we started off-grid living in our 13ft Scamp Trailer full-time, we quickly realized that

there were a lot of things people said that we needed, but we never ended up using them!

Living in our Scamp, there are only a few things we truly couldn’t maintain our lifestyle without.

If you’re considering living in a Scamp trailer or any other tiny camper, here are five essential items we highly recommend purchasing, how we use them, and why. I’ve also included our favorite and least favorite things about each product to help you decide if it’s right for you.

The Essentials

BPA Free Collapsible Water Storage Carriers with Spigot

Our collapsible water jugs are a life-saver. Living off-grid, we regularly camp at locations without a water spigot available. Being a collapsible water jug, they minimize space. They’re 5.3 gallons each, which isn’t too heavy for me to carry when they’re filled. Four water jugs lasts us about two days off-grid without refilling (two people drinking, taking navy showers and washing dishes 2x a day).

PROS:

• Collapsible/space saving
• BPA free
• Not too heavy (filled or unfilled)
• Easy to refill

CONS:

• You may need to purchase several depending on how long you intend to off-grid at a time
• May not be easy to clean after years of use due to the small opening
• May puncture easily (ours haven’t yet)

You can purchase these water jugs through Amazon here.

Moisture Absorber Boxes

Our Moisture Absorber Boxes aren’t a particularly sexy product, but if you live in an area with any humidity at all, it’s a non-negotiable for living in a camper. Our very first month in our Scamp, our linens we kept in our small cabinet were quickly riddled with mildew and I knew we needed a simple solution, fast. These boxes are economical and get the job done. This particular set of 6 was just the amount we needed for our cabinets.

Pros:

• Compact/fits in all cabinets without using up much space
• Simple to use (by comparison to electric dehumidifiers)
• No electricity required
• No leakage (I’ve never seen it drip, not even in transit)
• Economical
• Leave it and forget about it
• Scent isn’t noticeable (maybe a con, depending on how you feel about scents!)

Cons:

• Not aesthetically pleasing (I keep one on our floor; it’s not the prettiest)
• Expect to repurchase every 3-6 months (depending on humidity levels; we’re primarily in Florida)
• Probably not advisable to keep around animals or small children

You can purchase these moisture absorbers through Amazon here.

Camco Rhino 15-Gallon Portable RV Tote Tank

If you’re planning on living off-grid in your tiny camper, one thing you must confront is how you plan on dealing with your “dirty deeds”. If you have a built-in bathroom and plan to live off-grid like we do, don’t expect to have sewage readily available everywhere for you to dump your black and gray water tanks. This portable rolling tank allows you to empty your camper and cart the tank to the nearest dumpsite by hand, truck bed or vehicle hitch.

Pros:

• Extremely tough and durable body
• Multiple options for transporting (includes tow adapter)
• Includes everything you need (hose, elbow and all)
• Easy to use
• Easy to keep clean

Cons:

• Hose is somewhat flimsy in comparison to the rest
• Extremely heavy when full (my husband and I both have to lift it)

You can purchase this rolling tank through Amazon here.

Propane Tank Gauges

In our Scamp trailer, we depend on propane for cooking, warm showers and heat in the winter months. With how important those things are to us, being able to keep an eye on our propane levels is a must. These simple Propane Tank Gauges couldn’t be easier to install and keep an eye on. Never get caught without hot water!

Pros:

• Simple screw-on install
• Easy to read
• Includes two gauges
• Install it and leave it
• High quality

Cons:

• Only really gives you a rough idea of your levels (don’t expect exact accuracy)

You can purchase these propane gauges through Amazon here.

Bluetooth Battery Monitor

We charge our Scamp trailer with an inverter generator, but staying in some State and National Parks, there are “quiet hours” where we can’t use it. There’s nothing worse than realizing that your camper battery died while you’re in the middle of showering and can’t run your generator again to recharge. That’s where the Bluetooth Battery Monitor steps in. It allows us to keep an eye on the status of our camper battery 24/7 from our phones.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Durable and weather safe (we’ve had it on through several storms)
• Install it and leave it (shouldn’t require taking it off or any maintenance)
• Simple and readable app
• Doesn’t require cell reception or WiFi
• Sends battery updates if it’s running low

Cons:

• Built for vehicles, so there are some unnecessary in-app features for campers

You can purchase the Bluetooth battery monitor on Amazon here.

The post 5 Essentials for Living Off-Grid in a Scamp Trailer first appeared on Old South Paw.

Growing up, I was a military brat and missionary kid with a case of chronic homesickness. I was the only child you could find being dragged by her ankles around the Louvre and Parthenon. There was nothing more that I wanted than to become a permanent fixture to a sleepy town tucked away somewhere in the South.

At the age of eighteen, I was jaded, already dealt several bad hands and ready to build something stable. I moved to Tallahassee, Florida to pursue a career in cosmetology. With my hair a different shade of the rainbow every month, it felt like the logical deduction. Despite that, I still found myself out of place and unfilled in my classes. À la Grease, I quickly became a beauty school drop out, stumbling around the city without a clue of what to do.

Struggling & Awakening

About two years later, I was living in a perpetually filthy townhouse tucked away in a section 8 neighborhood. I wasn’t on section 8, but I bargained with the landlord to let me stay there low-rent in exchange for installing new flooring by myself. My only income was in fleeting part-time work and questionable gigs, so I didn’t mind the odd job for the opportunity to avoid homelessness.

On this particular afternoon, I had just woken up and was sweeping up the broken glass bottles on the floor after a night of partying. Despite being a firm atheist, I still regularly listened to Elvis Presley’s Peace In the Valley album. It reminded me of the stability of the quiet South that my heart was always craving. Somehow, the gospel crooning hit me differently that day.

Before I knew what my hands where doing, I found myself on the phone with my dad asking him questions about the Bible. Everything I had believed in spun around all at once; what I thought was logic suddenly flipped into idiocy as I fell into the real truth. There is a God, and He loves me. Not only that, but He had been watching my aimless bumbling for all of these years. In glorious awe and desperate embarrassment all at once, I knew I had to make quick changes.

That same month, I enrolled in Tallahassee Christian College and Training Center to uncover more truth. Despite being raised in church, I realized that what I heard in Sunday School lacked the depth that I needed. I had so much to learn about what God expected of me, and I craved that knowledge.

Self Development

I volunteered at the Christian college and my parents kindly helped me move into a safe apartment complex in town. Between getting my education, trying to recover the shambles I had left my life in and anxiously trying to spread the gospel to everyone who looked my way (whether they were willing to listen or not), my time was occupied. Despite that occupation, I still needed a stable job.

After a year of praying and countless failed interviews, I realized I hadn’t done the one thing I dreaded; confess to the people in my life that I was struggling to find a job. The same day I begrudgingly opened up about my problems to my friends, they were solved. I was offered a job at a local print shop a few hours after my transparency.

I worked at the print shop for four years, from 2019 to 2023. I received real-time education in graphic design, web design and marketing. I even got to know one of my coworkers, who I coincidentally crossed paths with many times at college; my now husband, Matt. He had been working at that print shop since he was seventeen years old and was a graduate of the same college.

Craving More

With four years of experience under my belt and seventeen under his, Matt and I found ourselves ready for change. While the job had been good to us, there was nowhere further to grow. The “stability” I always dreamed of, I finally had. Unfortunately, I began to realize that it felt more like monotony; and I hated it.

It wasn’t that the things in my life weren’t good; they were fantastic. I loved my job, I love Tallahassee, I love Matt. The problem was that it was the same thing, every day. It felt like living in Groundhog Day. I could move to a new city and get a new job; but wouldn’t I just feel the same way again in a few years?

After Matt’s own life of consistency, he was feeling the same way. We were tired of our own materialism, insane rent prices and selling hours of our lives to someone else just to keep our heads above water. We found ourselves dreaming about being self-made, operating our own lives, seeing the world and getting out from under all of the “stuff” that the world tends to throw on you.

One way we thought about doing that was moving into an RV. Let’s be real, though; my family went through several RV’s in my life. They’re expensive, break constantly and heavily depreciate in value. From there, we looked into “van-lifing”. It felt better, but premade vans are exorbitant and we lacked the time to build our own. That led us down the rabbit trail of wondering what we could tow with Matt’s Hyundai Tucson.

Finding Ourselves, Together

In October of 2022, the 13ft Scamp fell into our laps. They’re affordable, long-lasting and towable. Best of all, we wouldn’t have to buy a new car. We found Elsa and Barron’s videos on YouTube, giggling about how silly it would be to try to pull off living in such a tiny (but cute) space. There was no way.

As we kept pushing through the days and feeling more miserable by the second, the idea of the Scamp still loomed in the back of my mind. Was it really that silly? Matt and I never cared much about our belongings; he already chose to keep most of his possessions in one backpack. I loved my thrifted nick-knacks, but I would let anything go for a life that wasn’t this anymore.

I began sifting through Facebook Marketplace for used Scamps and joining all of the online forums. On December 4^th of 2022, I found a seller asking $18,000 for a practically untouched 2019 Scamp 13ft only a few hours away in Pompano Beach, FL. By that afternoon, we were on FaceTime, looking at what we both knew would be our new home. The only issue is that we weren’t married yet, and didn’t want to live together until we were; and the seller had other interested buyers.

After four years together, we knew we wanted to get married; we had conversations about it for the last two years of dating and planned to marry sometime in 2023. Would it really hurt to bypass a big wedding for the sake of moving into our new dream life together? We both quickly knew in our hearts the answer to that question.

By December 18^th, 2022, Matt proposed. On December 23^rd, we were married in a private ceremony at the Leon County Courthouse. December 30^th, we drove to Pompano Beach and picked up our new tiny house on wheels. We left our jobs on February 28^th and moved into our trailer full-time in March 2023 with some money in our pockets from selling our possessions and the road in front of us. We rescued our dog, Koda from a neglectful owner that same month.

The Present

We now travel, blog and create content on social media and YouTube. I still pay my half of the bills with graphic design, but I aspire to spread education about how to get started as a nomad and share my life experiences with you full-time. We don’t yet understand everything that is cut out for us, but we’re going to continue walking in faith and pursuing our calling.

If you’re reading this because you’re feeling the same burnout of monotony, maybe an outside-of-the-box lifestyle is meant for you, too. Follow along with my life and sign up for newsletters to receive educational tools on how to start seeing life as a journey again.

Thank you for reading and following my adventures.

The post Destined to Roam: My Story first appeared on Old South Paw.

If you’re considering living in a Scamp Trailer, here are some things to help decide if it’s right for you.

Problem Solving Skills

Here’s a scenario: It’s 3 a.m. in your camper in 80 degrees Florida. All of a sudden, your A/C shuts off and the heat wave creeping under your door wakes you up. Your eyes open to realize that your generator is out of fuel. You begrudgingly step outside to grab your gas can for a refill, but it’s empty. There is no way to start your generator. What do you do?

This horror story is a real experience my husband and I have had; in addition to countless similar scenarios. Living in a Scamp Trailer requires patience, problem solving skills and a keen ability to self reflect. Expect to create plenty of your own problem experiences, especially within your first few months of transition. If traveling with a loved one, you will need keep your communication skills sharp to avoid yelling matches.

The problems may feel like a mountain for the first couple of months. If you’re patient, you can sharpen your knowledge and ability to adapt to this lifestyle like a pro.

Budget Management

Living in a Scamp Trailer may seem low cost, but there are things that change that without careful budget management. Initial costs we had from the start included purchasing a generator, camper modifications, air conditioning and so much more. Those things may not be relevant to your needs, but you should expect to spend a good bit on your set-up.

Our regular expenses include gasoline, generator fuel, propane, dump stations, our camper and vehicle payments and insurance for both. Be weary of splurging on road trip snacks and activities that you didn’t budget for along the way.

Make decisions to curb your costs by thinking about the lifestyle you want, sticking to your plans and budgeting. It is absolutely possible, but it takes a lot of thought and rigidity. 

The Struggle for Minimalism

Living a minimalist lifestyle is something my husband and I have deeply desired for a long time. We felt worn by the consumer culture that so many of us are subject to. Everywhere you go, there’s some new piece of tech or a new fashion trend to buy into. For that reason, the idea of living in a small space felt perfect. If you’re pursuing this lifestyle, I’m sure you can relate.

While being minimalist was an aspiration for us, it was also a ton of work to get to this point. Because we got married shortly before getting our Scamp Trailer, both of us had apartments filled with stuff to organize. We knew around October of 2023 that traveling full time in a camper was definitely our goal. From that point through officially moving into our camper in March of 2023, we were sorting our things daily. We had garage sales, Facebook Marketplace listings, and more donation runs than I can count. 

Even more challenging was figuring out what was worth bringing with us in such a small space. There were many times that I cried over my sentimental possessions that I knew I had to let go. In addition to the difficulty of the purge, it can be hard to maintain our minimalism on a regular basis. I still sometimes catch myself staring at that cute little dress in the window that I know I can’t have.

Being minimalist does come with it’s emotional hardships. Despite that, it feels great to know that we’re spending less money on “stuff” and not contributing to consumer culture.

Common Q&A’s

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How often do you empty your tanks in a 13ft Scamp Trailer?

We empty our black water and grey water tanks every two days. We use our 15-Gallon Portable RV Tote Tank to cart things back and forth without having to move our camper.

How do you power a 13ft Scamp Trailer?

We power our Scamp 13ft with a 2000 watt Predator Generator from Harbor Freight and a Deep Cycle Battery. You can also use Solar Panels or a Solar Generator, depending on what’s best for your lifestyle and budget.

How do you get drinking water while boondocking?

We get our water from parks, natural water sources, or by asking store owners if we can use their spigot. We have BPA Free Collapsible Water Containers that we keep with us that are small enough to carry around.

How do you do your laundry while boondocking?

Many people choose to go to laundromats to do their laundry. We chose to create a laundry set-up that consists of two Collapsible Bins, a Clothes Wringer and a toilet plunger. You can watch my TikTok video below of my set-up and explanation. If you use this method, be sure to use Eco-Friendly Detergent, as you’ll likely be dumping the used water outside.

How do you cook in a Scamp Trailer?

Our Scamp has a mini fridge, kitchen sink and two small propane-fueled stove eyes. I use a Dutch oven, cast iron skillet and one small pot for dishes such as rice. We also have a Camping Grill for when I feel like cooking outside.

Can I tow a 13ft 2019 Scamp Trailer?

Our Scamp’s dry weight is about 1,500 pounds. Once we add all of our possessions to that, it’s safe to estimate about an additional 500. Check your specific vehicle’s tow rating to see if it’s something you can cart.

How do you go to the bathroom in a 13ft 2019 Scamp Trailer?

Scamp Trailers offers more than one layout option. One includes a bathroom, and one includes bunks. We chose the version with the bathroom, which includes a toilet with a small sink and a shower. If you choose to not get the bathroom, you will have to park near bathrooms or use the great outdoors.

How do you shower in a 13ft Scamp Trailer?

Our shower is small, but it gets the job done. We use Shower Organizers to hold our soaps, toothbrushes and other items. The water pressure wasn’t great with the original shower head, so after some research we chose the highly recommended Oxygenics Fury Hand Held Sprayer. We’ve been really happy with the shower ever since.

Do 13ft Scamp Trailers come with A/C?

Our Scamp came with a MaxxFan and a Dometic A/C unit. We love our fan, and it can cool and ventilate the small space incredibly well. The Dometic A/C unit…not so much. Even when we have hookups, we still choose not to run the Dometic A/C because it makes it unbearably freezing.

Our solution was to purchase a Window Air Conditioner that we slide in when we need it. When the weather is in the 60’s or lower, our fan and windows are plenty to keep things comfortable.

Is there heating in a Scamp 13ft Trailer?

Our Scamp came with a built-in propane fueled heater and a temperature controlling thermostat. We punch in what temperature we want to keep and it will automatically turn the heater on if it goes below temp.

How do you sleep in a 13ft Scamp Trailer?

The main bed folds out from the table, otherwise known as a dinette. We have the “big bed” upgrade, which means my 6ft husband can lay down fully extended without his toes touching the wall. 

When we first stayed the night in our camper, we brought sheets and a duvet. We quickly realized that trying to wrestle sheets on every night was time consuming and frustrating. Instead, we ditched our traditional bedding and decided to go with two Sleeping Bags. One functions as our “fitted sheet” to sleep on top of, and lay the other over us for a blanket. 

What organization tools should you get for living in a 13ft Scamp Trailer?

In this small of a space, organization is absolutely key. Below are some links to some of my favorite miscellaneous pieces to help with organization. 

• Adjustable Wall Mounted Shoes Rack
• Adhesive Hooks Heavy Duty
• 4 in 1 Adhesive Sponge Holder
• Toothbrush Holders Wall Mount
• Towel Holders
• Shower Caddy Shelves
• Adhesive Wall Hooks
• Hammock Organizer
• Compression Bags
• Magnetic Knife Strip

How do I know if living in a Scamp Trailer is right for me?

If you love the idea of a simple life out in nature, living in a Scamp Trailer is right for you. It also helps if you love a cute vintage look. Just be prepared for all of the attention you get on the road while hauling your cute little mini camper!

The post Can You Live in A 13ft Scamp Trailer? first appeared on Old South Paw.