Who Lives in a Tiny House?

Infographic found here: http://www.thetinylife.com/tiny-house-infographic/

The "World Is My Oyster"-Style Travel

I am visiting my boyfriend in Seattle this week. Last night while enjoying sitting on the back deck in the cool breeze drinking a beer he asked me a question I really didn't have an answer for. He asked me:

“Once you are moved to the tiny house in the boonies, what will you do to vacation? It seems like you will be permanently camping, in a way.” 

I took a long drink of my beer, turned to look at him and replied:

“Dammed if I know.” 

That man is forever asking me questions I have no answer for, but then they bug me until I find an answer. Today I have been considering travel once I am living my dream.

Part of building a tiny house is that there is an expectation of traveling around for a time offering “Open House” travel tours to those who would like to learn about tiny house living. I will, for a period of time, travel from Arizona, through California, and up into Oregon, stopping at prearranged sites to set out the welcome mat. I will be offering information on the benefits of living in a smaller, greener footprint. But, ultimately, my house is not for traveling, but for living. So, once it reaches Oregon, onto my property it will be parked. It won’t really move unless there is a forest fire or I decide to buy land somewhere else and relocate it.

Since camping is such a popular activity for those of us trapped in the city or suburb setting, and I will, indeed, be living where I would typically love to camp, I think most would think I will have to go the opposite way when I travel. Being from Philadelphia I am used to large cities. I lived in Chicago for a time as well. No, I think theme vacations are the way I am going to go.

Here are some themes I would like to try: 

• I adore Early American History, so I could plan a series of trips to historical sites. Revolutionary War battle sites, Underground Railroad Tours, Plantation Tours, Salem, MA Witch Trial tours, etc. would all make for interesting vacations. Famous Civil War sites would be good as well. 
• I could also go on tours that focus on animals, such as bird or whale watching. Following the butterfly migration might be cool too. 
• I could take an Amtrak from the west coast to the east coast to see the landscape the comfort of my own sleeping birth private car, writing as I go along. 
• I could try to travel as much of the old Route 66 as I can, photographing vintage motels and tourist traps along the way. 
• I could finally travel overseas and take the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Mongolia clear to London, stopping to see places such as St. Petersburg along the way and enjoy meeting people and exploring the local culture.

The fact is that restrictions on my money will be less and that will open many more doors when it comes to travel. I am limited by my budget now, but won’t be so much in the future (if all things go as planned). I can write anywhere I go and that will allow me to continue “working” even when I thousands of miles from home. Right now all my travel is limited as my life revolves around family and this tiny house project. However, the future is my oyster. 

So, in response to the question of last night, I plant to crack open that oyster and find a great big theme-style pearl inside!

Government Furlough Affects This Blogger

Tonight I decided it was important to make sure that I put a disclaimer (per FTC rules) on my blog that I get compensated (monetarily or by product) for reviews on my site. Companies send me stuff to try out and I write an honest review of it. Yesterday I received a new Flipeez Monkey Hat (see the picture of my goofy boyfriend taking one for the team and trying it on) to evaluate and I figured while it was on my mind I would get the disclaimer written and added to my website. Tonight I sat down to write it and went to the FTC website to double check what the law requires. Instead of finding a useful website, here is I what I found:

Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came,—

The Ashes, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The sunshine spread a carpet,

And every thing was grand;

Miss Weather led the dancing;

Professor Wind, the band....

The sight was like a rainbow

New-fallen from the sky....

~George Cooper, "October's Party"

I suffer from Sesonal Affective Disorder. Ever heard of it? The Mayo clinic defines it as "a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes depression in the spring or early summer." I fall into the "less often" category. The fact is I dislike summer intensely. I wouldn't define how I feel as depression as much as resentment. Let me explain why I hate summer, but I adore Fall and Winter!

I grew up for the first eight years in Philadelphia. I lived in Florida for four and then we moved to Arizona. I have lived in Arizona for 32 years minus five (college in Boston and a brief 2 years in Chicago).  We moved here in July and from day one I have hated the heat and intense sun. That first summer, and every summer since, I slip into a hibernation mode. I hide inside all day and only come out in the evening. I guess I have always been a night owl, but this quality intensifies every year when the days get longer and the nights get shorter.

"Why don't you just move?" some have asked. I did. For almost eight years I lived in the northern part of Arizona and commuted 101 miles each way to work every day just so I could enjoy rain and snow. If gas prices hadn't become such an issue I would most likely still be commuting. My other strategy is to travel all summer, simply getting out of Arizona for cooler cities. But, alas, my son was young and my family is here so traveling for several months wasn't so easy. Thank goodness, summer only lasts five months around here and temperate, more reasonable conditions, return. 

However, this summer was the hottest summer on record in Arizona. We had the most triple-digit days consecutively since we began keeping records. Scientists and environmentalists say it is because of cement and blacktop retaining heat and reflecting it back during the evening hours. I would agree that is an issue since I can feel the heat through the bottom of my shoes and radiating up into my car from the road as I drive. This was the year I said, "enough!"

Buying land in Oregon has become so important to me because I don't want to continue to live in such hot conditions. I resent summer with its long days, intense sun, and lack of rain. I hate that in the morning I drive into the glaring sun on my way to work and do the same on the way home. I hate the headaches the bright light triggers. I hate sweating every time I leave the house. I need, I desire, I WANT, gray days where cloud cover mutes the glare and filters the suns rays. I want to hear the rain on the roof and have gray, cool days where sweaters are required. I want to wake up to the clean, white blanket of snow covering the earth, to experience the odd quietness of snowfall. Dammit, I want WEATHER!

This week I am headed up to Seattle for fall break to visit my boyfriend. Of course I am glad to be able to see him since long distance relationships really suck, but I am also looking forward to rain. I want to see the leaves beginning to change color, feel cold wind on my cheek, to wear sweaters and light jackets, to feel a cold wind and a chill. This time of year and weather in other parts of the country mean Pumpkin Spice, sweaters, boots, hats, hot coffee, hot coco, umbrellas, and long restful nights.  I want to eat hot soup and fresh break and thick stews. Oooh, ya! 

Not all things about summer are bad. I know this, however I stand by my mantra: "You can always put more clothes on to stay warm, but you can only take so much off." I love you, Fall. Welcome!