Hi Tina! We’ve never met but Kiki and I had several classes together at GCC back in 2019 and 2020.
She was a ray of sunshine and everything she made in our classes inspired me- even to this day.
You mention in several of your posts that you have a difficult time staying in one place for too long. I have felt the same way since I could have my own memories. I had always thought a life of travel was just one of those unattainable dreams that people have. Reading your stories has inspired me similarly to Kiki’s art work did. I’m actually taking a leap and going back to GCC to finish my degree. It’s going to be my first step in my dream of traveling through the states making art and sharing it with others.
I love reading about your adventures and learning more about Kiki’s life. I know she is with you every day 🩷
Hi Cynthia, I'm sorry I missed seeing this comment until just now. I'm so happy to hear from you. Kiki loved her time at GCC and I know she had a good feeling of belonging there, and loved the friend connections she made.
I'm glad to hear you decided to go back to GCC. I think the art program there is amazing. You could pay 10x more for art school and not get what they have to offer, especially with the small classes.
I love that you're feeling inspired to figure out a traveling life for yourself. A lot of people manage to do it on a low budget. We've met some traveling artists along the way and I know they're out there, making it work somehow!
It really makes me happy to hear from you. Please stay in touch!
"Never running out of chances for a new start" - yes. yes. yes. that is what the road reveals so well doesn't it. But my goodness lady you are a cancer survivor too. Oh Tina. You are a wonder. Thank you for this one.
Hi Tina, I loved this newsletter. I listened to it because i love hearing your voice. I loved the photos, the video, and the song. I love that we can follow along on your travels. Safe travels, with love.
These trailers are beautiful and I love that each one is used differently. Totally get the man cave - my husband has one too. I look forward to reading about your travels as you head South to the Carolina Low Country.
As always Tina, your newsletter hits it out of the park. I relate so much to how difficult it is to live in a place with too many memories. Living with the daily ache does a toll on the brain and body. Your resilience is admirable and Kiki is beaming from above.
I now also want to go into trailer remodeling and do nit have any knowledge nor the time for that 🤣😭
Tina, I just saw a response from you on John Lovie's Oldster interview this morning and remembered I have this post to catch up on! I always love traveling with you, inside your heart ad soul and outside on your travels. I appreciated the before and after of the motor homes. When I moved to a remote rural area of raw land, I lived in a 17 foot 1970 Rodak, no indoor plumbing (water a hose through the forest from a neighbor until I could afford to have a well drilled and an outhouse.) Then a pink and white single wide to accommodate my husband's young daughter (he was a merchant marine so rarely home.) We did remodel the larger one as it cost $800.00 and was completely rotted out inside, but nothing remotely resembling what you all did here. Love the before and after pics. Can't wait to hear your park-sitting tales, Tina. Keep writing. I love every word.
Thank you so much Kirie! It's so interesting to hear your trailer tales. I think they basically start rotting as soon as they come off the assembly line, it's a constant battle against the elements.
how do you find these free cool volunteer jobs at state parks? love your writing about grief- helps me not feel so alone in mine. grateful for your bravery to write about missing those who are gone
Hi Judith, it's gratifying to know that we can connect this way and both feel less alone in our grief. Thank you.
There are a number of ways of finding jobs. We got our current spot because we had a particular park we wanted to work at, and filled out an application when we were visiting last year. You can also usually apply to all the parks an entire state at once on their state park website.
Another great source for volunteer jobs is the US Fish & Wildlife Service:
I love it when I find other nomads and rv dwellers online! My partner and I live in a newer vintage cruiser full time and move with the seasons. Your story and all your trailers are sweet and inspiring, it seems like you have the perfect situation to have a more permanent place to live in the summers. To answer your question, idk what a normal life is these days, but what feels normal to you is what you must do! Looking forward to reading more stories!
Hi Ashley, I'm always trying to find other nomads too! It sounds like you have found a cool way of life that works for you. We definitely found satisfaction in living outside the norm for many years. Good for you for choosing what you want over what's expected. Thanks for being here 💛
Thank you for sharing and showing180 acres of bliss, an open space for retreat and renewal. You show that life does not demand as much outward as it does inside us. Safe and inspiring travels to the coast.
Thank you Bette! It does feel like the right place to be right now. I loved Pat Conroy's novels when I read them years ago. Rereading sounds like a good idea. 😊
I wonder sometimes if we aren't all living at the edge of the unknown, and tomorrow, if we have it, will become what we make of it. You are making the most of a good life and know what your values are that will carry you forward. If you ever get this far south of the border, which we used to do in our RV's, especially in the winter months, we have a great little campground just down the road where our adventures began here some 20 years ago. https://www.hotelsanramon.com.mx/
Hi Gary! Yes, I think what you said is true. The illusion is that we think we know what's coming and all we can really know is this moment.
I would love to travel south of the border, especially to San Miguel. I was there many years ago, I know it's very different now but still an art town I would love to visit. Thanks for the link! And thanks for reading.
why I love reading your newsletter so much is because you dancing around disaster, make it work with a stubborn grin. You write about real living, not some polished fantasy. Thank you so much Tina!
Loved the tour of the trailer. What a steal for three hundred dollars! I also enjoyed this..."If you don't know what a composting toilet is...you're lucky!" haha
"the second year of grief is different but not easier" I can feel the weight of that Tina. I hope it gets easier.
"We're at the edge of the unknown. It feels right." <-- that's how I feel anytime Jillian and I travel. always feel nervous, but glad when we're doing it.
Beautiful song that Jim wrote. The going from 'three to two' really got me. Our camping days with our children were absolutely our BEST! They are the glue that still holds my heart together on many days. Safe and gentle travels to all three of you as you venture back out onto the road. I have discovered that our children never miss out, ever. A meaningful post as each of yours are, Tina. My gratitude. 💜
Thanks for the tour of your camp and good luck on your travels to come. I also wanted to thank you for the shout out for Jim Terry. Your story was so moving to him and this song was truly from his heart. He connects with people through music and words-maybe someday he might take up a paintbrush!!
Hi Tina! We’ve never met but Kiki and I had several classes together at GCC back in 2019 and 2020.
She was a ray of sunshine and everything she made in our classes inspired me- even to this day.
You mention in several of your posts that you have a difficult time staying in one place for too long. I have felt the same way since I could have my own memories. I had always thought a life of travel was just one of those unattainable dreams that people have. Reading your stories has inspired me similarly to Kiki’s art work did. I’m actually taking a leap and going back to GCC to finish my degree. It’s going to be my first step in my dream of traveling through the states making art and sharing it with others.
I love reading about your adventures and learning more about Kiki’s life. I know she is with you every day 🩷
Hi Cynthia, I'm sorry I missed seeing this comment until just now. I'm so happy to hear from you. Kiki loved her time at GCC and I know she had a good feeling of belonging there, and loved the friend connections she made.
I'm glad to hear you decided to go back to GCC. I think the art program there is amazing. You could pay 10x more for art school and not get what they have to offer, especially with the small classes.
I love that you're feeling inspired to figure out a traveling life for yourself. A lot of people manage to do it on a low budget. We've met some traveling artists along the way and I know they're out there, making it work somehow!
It really makes me happy to hear from you. Please stay in touch!
"Never running out of chances for a new start" - yes. yes. yes. that is what the road reveals so well doesn't it. But my goodness lady you are a cancer survivor too. Oh Tina. You are a wonder. Thank you for this one.
Thank you Sarah!
Hi Tina, I loved this newsletter. I listened to it because i love hearing your voice. I loved the photos, the video, and the song. I love that we can follow along on your travels. Safe travels, with love.
Thank you Peggy, I miss you!
These trailers are beautiful and I love that each one is used differently. Totally get the man cave - my husband has one too. I look forward to reading about your travels as you head South to the Carolina Low Country.
Thanks for reading, Elizabeth!
As always Tina, your newsletter hits it out of the park. I relate so much to how difficult it is to live in a place with too many memories. Living with the daily ache does a toll on the brain and body. Your resilience is admirable and Kiki is beaming from above.
I now also want to go into trailer remodeling and do nit have any knowledge nor the time for that 🤣😭
Haha Taylor I think you could basically do anything you put your mind to, you strike me as pretty unstoppable.
Always good to hear from you and to know you can relate, thanks.
Tina, I just saw a response from you on John Lovie's Oldster interview this morning and remembered I have this post to catch up on! I always love traveling with you, inside your heart ad soul and outside on your travels. I appreciated the before and after of the motor homes. When I moved to a remote rural area of raw land, I lived in a 17 foot 1970 Rodak, no indoor plumbing (water a hose through the forest from a neighbor until I could afford to have a well drilled and an outhouse.) Then a pink and white single wide to accommodate my husband's young daughter (he was a merchant marine so rarely home.) We did remodel the larger one as it cost $800.00 and was completely rotted out inside, but nothing remotely resembling what you all did here. Love the before and after pics. Can't wait to hear your park-sitting tales, Tina. Keep writing. I love every word.
Thank you so much Kirie! It's so interesting to hear your trailer tales. I think they basically start rotting as soon as they come off the assembly line, it's a constant battle against the elements.
Appreciate having you here!
how do you find these free cool volunteer jobs at state parks? love your writing about grief- helps me not feel so alone in mine. grateful for your bravery to write about missing those who are gone
Hi Judith, it's gratifying to know that we can connect this way and both feel less alone in our grief. Thank you.
There are a number of ways of finding jobs. We got our current spot because we had a particular park we wanted to work at, and filled out an application when we were visiting last year. You can also usually apply to all the parks an entire state at once on their state park website.
Another great source for volunteer jobs is the US Fish & Wildlife Service:
https://www.fws.gov/volunteer-opportunity
And Workamper is an organization that lists both paid and volunteer jobs:
www.workamper.com
I love it when I find other nomads and rv dwellers online! My partner and I live in a newer vintage cruiser full time and move with the seasons. Your story and all your trailers are sweet and inspiring, it seems like you have the perfect situation to have a more permanent place to live in the summers. To answer your question, idk what a normal life is these days, but what feels normal to you is what you must do! Looking forward to reading more stories!
Hi Ashley, I'm always trying to find other nomads too! It sounds like you have found a cool way of life that works for you. We definitely found satisfaction in living outside the norm for many years. Good for you for choosing what you want over what's expected. Thanks for being here 💛
I’m in love with Felix and Dot! 😍
Oh I'm so glad to hear that! They are such a sweet couple. I wish we could have brought them along but they would probably hate all the traveling.
Thank you for sharing and showing180 acres of bliss, an open space for retreat and renewal. You show that life does not demand as much outward as it does inside us. Safe and inspiring travels to the coast.
Thank you Cathy, it's good to hear from you. 💛
Traveling to the SC Low Country for the fall seems like such a perfect segue into whatever comes next. Maybe read (or re-read) some Pat Conroy novels?
PS. I loved your comment that "this is Eric's man cave and I don't go in there because, well, it's a mess." LOL. This seems to be a universal truism.
Thank you Bette! It does feel like the right place to be right now. I loved Pat Conroy's novels when I read them years ago. Rereading sounds like a good idea. 😊
I wonder sometimes if we aren't all living at the edge of the unknown, and tomorrow, if we have it, will become what we make of it. You are making the most of a good life and know what your values are that will carry you forward. If you ever get this far south of the border, which we used to do in our RV's, especially in the winter months, we have a great little campground just down the road where our adventures began here some 20 years ago. https://www.hotelsanramon.com.mx/
Hi Gary! Yes, I think what you said is true. The illusion is that we think we know what's coming and all we can really know is this moment.
I would love to travel south of the border, especially to San Miguel. I was there many years ago, I know it's very different now but still an art town I would love to visit. Thanks for the link! And thanks for reading.
why I love reading your newsletter so much is because you dancing around disaster, make it work with a stubborn grin. You write about real living, not some polished fantasy. Thank you so much Tina!
Thank you Mohika! I'm glad you find my writing real, that's what I'm hoping readers will find here.
Loved the tour of the trailer. What a steal for three hundred dollars! I also enjoyed this..."If you don't know what a composting toilet is...you're lucky!" haha
"the second year of grief is different but not easier" I can feel the weight of that Tina. I hope it gets easier.
"We're at the edge of the unknown. It feels right." <-- that's how I feel anytime Jillian and I travel. always feel nervous, but glad when we're doing it.
Thanks Istiaq, I always appreciate your feedback. Travel is a stretch but that's probably part of the appeal. Thank you for being here.
Beautiful song that Jim wrote. The going from 'three to two' really got me. Our camping days with our children were absolutely our BEST! They are the glue that still holds my heart together on many days. Safe and gentle travels to all three of you as you venture back out onto the road. I have discovered that our children never miss out, ever. A meaningful post as each of yours are, Tina. My gratitude. 💜
Thank you Joanie, it's always so good to hear from you. I know that you get it. You are right, our children are with us 💛
Thanks for the tour of your camp and good luck on your travels to come. I also wanted to thank you for the shout out for Jim Terry. Your story was so moving to him and this song was truly from his heart. He connects with people through music and words-maybe someday he might take up a paintbrush!!
Thank you Kathleen! I feel very lucky to have connected with Jim and appreciate his creativity.