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Whether you just want to take a long weekend every once in a while to camp or RV, you are a tailgater extraordinaire, you  want to cut down on land-line type energy, or, you are either currently living the full timer lifestyle, or preparing to do so one day, this is the place to be for: Community, Info, Resources and heavily discounted Cool (as well as Practical) Products, Gadgets & Gear! This day and age we are fortunate to have all kinds of amazing portable and alternatively powered options to assist (and even at times delight) us!

I am a 50 year young, God loving divorced mom of one adult son. I have spent most of my life working far more hours than I should. I am very responsible and have always worked myself to the ultimate (& at times ridiculous) to build other people's businesses... and I have been pretty successful at it!  At the same time, most of my life I have been a single parent, so though I made a decent income compared to many women in my shoes, living on one income and paying all the bills solo, I didn’t have anything extra for savings. Often I felt like I worked from can ‘til can’t, and the only thing that kept me going was the ongoing motivation to provide a good home and environment for my then “growing up” son.

I have gotten burnt out from time to time amidst the mad crazy pace of management and business life, but I’ve always ended back in the rat race due to the responsibilities and demands of being a single mom for the most part. Since my son is now grown and a man on his own, I was able to finally step off the roller coaster ride of my final corporate gig, a very intensive corporate management position. I am learning to breathe again and remember what life is supposed to be, and who I truly am at my core. I got so used to the lightening speed, maddening workload and the stress of the responsibilities that came along with all of it. I was so fiercely committed to the company that I put the well being of the company as a whole before my own needs most of the time. Unfortunately at the end, though I gave my all, I was taken advantage of. More often than not in the corporate "rat race" no matter who you are and/or what title you carry, especially in today’s crazy economy; it can all turn very quickly! Life is crazy and things can & often do change in a heartbeat. It is wise to be prepared as possible for whatever comes down the pike. As of  October 7, 2009 I will officially be a "fulltimer" using my van as a home base in the mountains with some cross country travel while supporting myself primarily through my online ventures, occasional consulting and speaking engagements, and my true passion: writing.

How did I come to discover this free (& honest) nomadic gypsy spirit that lives inside of me?  First, I always have been drawn to small spaces inside, and wide open scenic vistas outside. Love nature, love scenic beauty, love exploring, love uniqueness and discovery of all kinds… I loved every movie I saw with the actors living in a well kept RV or travel trailer… actually, although I don’t remember the names of the movies, those are the “clips” that live in my head: an older woman with a bird on her shoulder sitting at the table of the nice travel trailer she lived in since her husband died, she was happy and at peace though others didn’t understand her choices. Another movie I remember vividly was about 2 women who traveled the country heading to Canada (with breathtaking footage along the way). An unhappy waitress who joins them along the way has a very unique personalized (too pink and frilly for me but cool nevertheless) travel trailer that she just gives away without thought when she meets the “man of her dreams”. (What????? Don’t give that away!!! What was she thinking???) As long as I can remember I have been drawn to the gypsy life, from the travels to the ornate cozy gypsy wagons, travel trailers, and small RVs and campers to the biggest perk of all: Independence and Freedom to live life outside the “societal box”.

When my now adult son was from the ages of 7 to about 14, we often went camping in various places on many weekends. Not having much money for extras, we also vacationed as campers. Two of our most memorable vacations camping, were at The Great Smoky Mountains NP in NC & TN and at the Shenandoah National Park in VA.

With the current economy affecting so many people so strongly, discovering alternative more cost effective ways of living can be a God send! You may just find that what started out as a temporary "hardship" measure, to be something you actually enjoy. If nothing else, you can discover how to live well for far less. Please feel free to ask any questions, make comments, or tell us about yourself on our new forum board "Let's Talk" (see the link above).

I have intermittently lived and traveled in “portable and mobile” dwellings (travel trailer, pick-up camper and van) over the last 10+ years for various reasons (to save money & enjoy the freedom it gives among others) as well as enjoyed camping and the community that stems from campers, frugal travelers and RVers. I have always loved the freedom the portable lifestyle offers. For many years (since the pre Y2K days) I have been the member of RV, Alternative Dwellings (earth sheltered, cob, strawbale, underground, etc.), Camper Van & Boondocking online groups, browsed newsletters and own tons of related books. Now my spare time is filled with discovering helpful and unique gadgets & gear/ideas/resources/information and photos that those who embrace the mobile lifestyle for short term enjoyment such as tailgaters or weekend warriors, as well as for those of us who choose to live it full time. By the way, if you are a "wannabe" who just finds it all intriguing, you are welcome here too!

Whether we meet here or you pass me down the road... I'm sending a hello wave your way. Come'on in and click around! This site is constantly being added to, so come on back and visit often! Blessings for Your Journeys, Brenda