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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!

Newsflash: I am preparing for my next phase of life: To leave the rat race to embrace a much simpler life! In the meantime, I am happily embracing alternative living/vandwelling. Click here to see my personal gear list & exit plan: www.lordandcurtiss.tkosites.com/brenda_gear_list.html Forethought & preparation are vital!

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, after my current corporate management “gig” is over (I plan to make that happen before my next birthday) I will then fulltime and travel using my van as a home base while supporting myself primarily through my online businesses, 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 (me included) 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, Camper Van & Boondocking online groups, browsed newsletters and own tons of related books. Now my spare time is filled with discovering new gadgets and gear, helpful and unique ideas/resources/information and photos that those who embrace the mobile lifestyle for temporary enjoyment such as tailgaters or weekend warriors and 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