I don’t know about you but I do not enjoy cooking in the camper kitchen to begin with but when you add high temps…I’m out!  Between chasing the kids out of the kitchen area, searching for my ingredients and getting the pans warmed up I was already in full on workout sweat mode!

I finally started using my brain and coming up with a few ideas on how I could keep it a bit cooler in the kitchen.

Are you ready to learn about my top ways to keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer?

Read on sister!

Meal Prep

One of the easiest ways is to prep your food in the morning when the temps are cooler outside.

Meal prep is nothing new but doing it to help keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer may be a new idea to some.

If you focus on doing the cooking in the morning you get two great advantages;

1. You can relax in the afternoon because most of your dinner is done
2. You don’t have to worry about that boob sweat as you prep your sweetie’s dinner

I don’t know about you but both of those reasons alone have my vote for early morning cooking!

Now if only I could get my act together and actually put that plan in to action!

Don’t fear though if you are not a morning kind of person, there is still help!

Meet your new best friends – The Crockpot and Instapot

These two are great at helping keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer because they keep the steam/heat inside a lid and once again all your prep is done and your food is just in there cooking itself!

The crockpot is great because you generally just throw all the ingredients in and let it cook for a set period of time.  If you have one of those fancier ones it will even put it on “keep warm” after the cooking period is over.  One of the issues that occasionally may happen is that you overcook the meat and it turns into a mushy mess, depending on the recipe and meat.  The other issue relates to comparing it with the Instapot, you may dirty more dishes with the crockpot.

The instapot is super helpful in that it can do a variety of cooking tasks!  You can saute it, then pressure cook it…think a roast where you want to sear the meat first.  One less dish right there!

It’s great for boiling eggs, making chili, and more!  Some models have options for baking, soups, and homemade yogurt.  You can find the model I currently have here and other RV needs here!  I even have a few accessories to go along with it.

Use your convection oven(newer models) instead of regular oven

I have found that the convection oven puts off a bit less heat than the regular oven in the camper. Both get a bad rap for cooking in a camper though.  The regular oven is so small, a pain to light and it often seems to take forever or burn your item to a crisp!

The convection oven is still on the small side but bigger than the regular oven.  You don’t have to bend down or get on the floor to light it (or light it period)!  It can still be tricky though as it seems that you can’t always go with the same temperature or cooking time as what is called for in a typical home oven.

If that is still too much heat in your kitchen try these options…

Use your fire pit

Fire pits are great because they take the cooking outside.  Sure, you may have a side item or two that you want to do inside but those can be a simple choice or at least something that requires less heat.

There are a lot of great meals out there that can all be done over the fire.  You can seriously cook just about anything over a camp fire!  If you are like me and need help getting creative over a camp fire check out Pinterest for some suggestions.

This one is great for that nostalgia feeling of camping too!  Bonus points because your kids might think you are cool for starting a fire AND cooking over it too.

Checkout my Pinterest Board for more great ideas!

Use your grill

Another great option for cooking outside is a portable grill.  Depending on what type of grill you carry with you will determine how much you can actually cook on it.  We just tote around a little one that could hold a couple steaks or plenty of burgers/dogs for a small gathering.  We like to keep it simple!

A charcoal grill may give you more grilling space than a portable gas one but they are also a bit messier to clean up.  You need a bit more planning as well so you get it lit and heated up before cooking.

I have to admit that grilling is not my go to cooking method.  I love the taste of grilled food but lack the skill and experience in preparing anything on there.  I usually pawn it off on my husband if he will be home at a decent hour.  Which translates in to, we don’t eat off the grill much!

Make salads

If you are not in to grilling or just want to change things up a great dinner option to help keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer is to make a salad!

Salads are one of those things that I loathe to make because in my mind there are so many different steps before you get to eat it.  Plus, I feel like they never compare to some fancy salads I have ordered at restaurants in the past.

In reality though, it’s simple and versatile!  You can keep it simple with just your standard vegetables or add in some different proteins to change it up.  I love adding some bean varieties or some quinoa!

What’s great about salads too, is that you can prep most of the ingredients days before making the salad OR make several different salads ready to eat in just a few hours.

I love the majority of recipes found here!

Well, there you have it…my top ways to keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer!

Do you use these methods now?  Do you have other suggestions not listed?  Comment below and let me know what works best for you!

As always, thanks for reading

-Katie

This campground review was our second campground experience with the pipeline.  This job would take us to Seven Mountains Campground in Spring Mills, PA.  The area is known as Happy Valley, home of the Allegheny mountains and close to Penn State University.

Highlights

Seven Mountains Campground– Spring Mills, PA

• RV rentals, cabins and RV parking spots
• Full hookups
• Cable/wifi
• On top of a mountain
• Friendly owners
• Small store/snacks
• Wooded and rainy

Layout

We stayed at this campground the first time from about May 2009 to August 2009.  The campground was on top of a mountain about 15 minutes outside of State College. Right off on US-322, it was easy to get in, out and on your way. It was heavily wooded with dirt roads around the campground.  A majority of it was filled with seasonal campers who were set up permanently.

This was my first experience with seasonal camping.  I love the idea of it!  Being able to get away to your camper on the weekends and holidays.  Knowing your neighbors.  Building a deck or patio alongside the camper for additional space. Maybe someday when we stop traveling full time!

Most sites were back in only.  There was sufficient space between neighbors.  The sites were gravel with grassy patches for picnic tables.  Plenty of shade with all the trees.  Plenty of parking for at least two vehicles at most sites as well.

Towards the back of the campground were several cabins for rent.  They had several varieties of cabins; park models, parked rvs, and traditional cabin style.  Same setup back there, wooded, dirt roads and decent parking.  If I remember correctly they had a few other cabins mixed in with the other RV spots.

Story time

As you will find with most of my posts, I have a story to include with this campground review as well.

I didn’t spend a ton of time at this campground initially.  We had just gotten married a few months prior and were in the middle of our first home purchase.  I ended up making several trips back to Michigan to sign papers for the house as well as move in to it on my own (with the help of family & friends).

One of those trips also involved the adoption of the cutest pug EVER!  We found him on Petfinder.com.  He was part of a Michigan rescue and his profile pic melted my heart! I should have saved that one!!

We thought our current pup, Piglet, could use a friend.  He bonded so well with the raccoon we took in when we were in Missouri that we thought it was time.

I had to do some sweet talking in order to convince the rescue that we should adopt him.  Their policy was that you needed to live in the state.  I explained our situation and that we were Michigan residents, just traveling for work.

They agreed to let me meet Mater, the pug along with our dog, Piglet.  Piglet had a multitude of issues that included him needing to be held like a baby after eating to allow his food down.  If you didn’t, you usually had a mess to clean up.

The visit

On the day of the visit, Piglet had eaten before we left our home to drive the 40 minutes to the rescue. We were running late so, I didn’t have a chance to hold him properly.  He was also a high anxiety kind of dog so he would get nervous at new places.

We got to the rescue, made our people introductions.  It was now time for Mater to come out and meet Piglet.  Piglet was so excited to see another dog, he started racing around the room.

After a few minutes of this he stopped abruptly.  Took a wide stance and began moving his head back and forth.  I knew what this meant.  If I didn’t act quickly, we were going to be scrubbing the carpet!

I dove hands first towards Piglet with my hands cupped!!  I made it just in time for the vomit to cascade from his mouth in to my hands.  YUCK!!!

NOT a drop hit the floor!!

The rescue owners were so impressed they brought out the papers for Mater immediately after I washed my hands!

We were now a family of four!!

Our new addition was a hit at the campground.  During our many walks around, it would often takes us about an hour to complete from all the people stopping to see the pups.

Any who, back to the park info…

The park owners were pleasant and we had no issues while we stayed there.  One of our friends had an issue with their camper and the owners were very helpful in getting the assistance our friend needed.

There were no additional amenities besides cable/WIFI and a small store with a few parts and snacks. My favorite part were the views(once on the road out of the park) and the local trails nearby for hiking.

The town

Spring Mills is just a tiny blip on the map.  There was a little bar down the mountain about a mile that had a bit of food and you could get your 6 pack from.  Other than that, not much there besides the campground.

Nearby

State College was closer to about a 15 minute drive down the mountain.  Home to Penn State University, it has just about everything a college town should…bars, food, laundry and a mall.  It’s only a two lane road up and down most of the mountain so traffic could be a pain sometimes.

This is the closest big town without having to drive an hour or more.  Harrisburg, the capital of PA, is a little over an hour away.  We didn’t end up going over there on this trip.

On the other side of the mountain is a small town, Milroy.  There you will find a camper service & dealership, Lerch RV.  We ended up buying our second camper from them, the second time we were in the area.  I was on the hunt for those front living rooms when they first came out and they happened to have one that we loved!

Overall, we enjoyed our experience in Happy Valley and would recommend Seven Mountains Campground to anyone passing through!

I hope you have found this review and information helpful!

If you are looking for other campground reviews please check them out here.

Please remember that anything written above was my opinion and experience of the area/s.  I have also linked to the RV park page and State College, Pa website for more information.

Let me know if you have visited this place or surrounding area!  What did you think?

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

https://www.visitpennstate.org/about-us/state-college/

http://www.sevenmountainscampground.com

Consider finding work while you travel.

Traveling with your significant other can be filled with fun and new adventures but it can also get REAL boring and lonely too.

We all have different reasons for wanting to make money while traveling…maybe it is

• a creative outlet
• extra income
• meet others
• need more than being a stay at home mom (me raising my hand!)
• security in case something happens

Whatever the reason, there are options, EVEN while traveling.

Seasonal jobs

Most large corporations as well as some small businesses will often look for seasonal help.  That season depends on their industry. Sometimes it is summer help for outdoor companies or businesses related to warmer temps.  Other times it is focused more around the holidays, usually end of October to January.  This type of work provides flexibility because it is temporary.

Nationwide companies

If you want something steadier, look for nationwide companies that may allow you to transfer as you change locations.  For part of my time with Con-way Freight (now XPO Logistics), I was able to transfer to different terminals since they were a nationwide company.

Work at home

This type of work provides the ultimate flexibility because it can go wherever you go!  In most cases you are the boss as well so there is no checking to make sure you can transfer your work.

• MLMs

MLMs often get a bad rap.  They get called names like pyramid and Ponzi schemes but their structure is very similar to corporate America.  You have a president, then VPs, then Managers, then workers.  If you drew it out it would look much like a pyramid! There are a variety of different industries/products out there that involve MLMs.  Find one that fits your interests!

• Create something

Maybe you are a creative person.  Do you love to craft?  Have you designed something unique or improved on something already out there?   You could start an online store and sell what you make.  Depending on what it is you are creating, will determine how easily you could run the business on the road.

• Virtual assistants

Do you have administrative or specialized skills, a computer, phone and time to complete the tasks?  Do you enjoy helping others get the job done?  You could sign up to be a VA for online companies or better yet, start your own VA business!

• Transcriptionist

Transcription is another great option for working from home.  You need fast typing skills, a computer and an ability to pick up words from a variety of people.  Most people think of medical transcription in this category but there are many other types. Check out Rev.com for a listing of current jobs as well as opportunities to do captions for TV programming.

• Recruiting

If you are detail oriented, enjoy working, helping and talking with people then consider recruiting.  Recruiters get to help others find jobs.  Although many companies require a degree for this position you do have the option of creating your own freelance business.

• Customer Service

People skills are a must for this type of work!  A good portion of this position is done from a phone and/or email.  So, as long as you have good signal and enjoy talking to people this could be a great fit for you!

• Writer

Do what I do, share your thoughts with others!  You could write a book or blog, depending on your goals around writing. Both formats have the potential to bring in income and you definitely have the flexibility of working from anywhere. If this interests you, feel free to message me about any questions you have.  Check out the course that got me started here

Help others

Not all significant others travel with their Pipeliner.  We all know that they put in long hours most days and could use an extra hand.  If you are looking to make money while traveling, consider offering some of the following services to help out the other Pipeliners on the job;

• Pet sitter
• Baby sitter
• Laundry or cleaning
• Grocery shopping
• Running errands

Improve your skills

This option is not great on a resume if repeated over a long period but it does get you out of your small living space and meet others!  If you choose to, look for places you could get a discount like your favorite retail store. You could also find your favorite coffee shop or bookstore.  Another idea is to think of a new skill you would like to learn or improve on and try a place that offers it.

Work with significant other/on pipeline

Another option is to also work on the road.  This could be a bit more difficult if you have children only because of the added need for childcare if you both are out of the home for long hours.  If you can make it work then there are a few options;

• Many women opt to be their significant other’s helper (welders)
• Laborer
• Safety
• X-ray teams
• Office staff

Some choose to work directly with their significant other while others choose to work on a different crew.  Take in the factors of needing childcare, amount of time spent with each other and the type of work to help you decide if this would be a good fit for you and your family.

As I mentioned before, there are a variety of reasons to take up employment while traveling.

Here are my reasons…

In the 12 years we have been traveling together I have held a couple of the jobs above and also spent about 2.5 years at home while he traveled.

I worked at a tanning salon because I wanted to meet others.

We needed the extra income so, I took a job at Con-way and stayed home for 2.5 years and then transferred terminal to terminal.  His job was not very stable at the time (long lay-offs) and we had acquired too much debt.

I worked my first MLM because of pregnancy hormones and boredom.

My second MLM was started to get healthy and have extra income.

My current endeavors have been started to begin an exit strategy from this line of work.  Our kids will be starting school and we have chosen to be stationary for them.  This means our family will be split until we can get my husband off the road.

If you decide to seek employment, I encourage you to find something that you have an interest in and do enjoy.  Remember that it is ok to try something, not like it and then try something different. Don’t trap yourself in a job that makes you unhappy.

Please feel free to comment or send a message to me with any questions about working on the road.

If you are currently working or thinking about working on the road comment below.  I’d love to hear what you are doing!

If you are looking for other ways to beat the isolation, check out my post here.

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

How about an RV?! Sounds simple enough, right?  It can be but first check out these 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

Continue reading to find out what those questions are and how it will affect your decision.

10 questions to consider before buying an RV

1.What type of RV should I get?

There are a variety of different types of RVs to choose from; The motorhome which allows you to drive and live in the same space.  These can also be broken down into Class A, Class B, and Class C.

There are travel trailers that are pulled behind a vehicle attached to a hitch at the bumper.

Fifth wheels are pulled behind a pickup truck and attached at a hitch in the bed of the truck.

Finally, a few other types, like the van and bus conversions, not as popular but still great options depending on your situation.

Learn more about the different types of RVs here, https://www.thorindustries.com/rv-types

2.Will you be staying in it full time?

If you plan on staying in your trailer for the majority of the year there are a few features you may want to consider.

The top 2, in my opinion, being a bigger fridge and storage.  These two are my necessities in a trailer that we will spend a lot of time in.

I am not a big fan of going to the grocery store every couple of days so I like to have more fridge space.  Plus, my two littles eat like they are teenagers already!!

Lots of storage is great for being able to rotate your clothing in seasons as well as toys if you have kids.

Having lots of storage inside and out means you can bring a few more of your favorite things and also have space to store the tools and necessary RV items.

Our current camper has the most storage I have seen in a fifth wheel to date.  We found this one in 2017.  It is a Grand Design Solitude 375RES.  It has a middle kitchen and elevated bedroom in the front and elevated living in the back.

In the kitchen, there is a pantry as well as wall and bottom cabinets.  The elevated living room in the back allows for more basement storage with a slide-out tray in the middle.  Seriously, SO much storage!!!

3.Will you be traveling to cold climates?

If you think you might be spending lots of time in colder climates you may want to check out the insulation packages for the trailers.

Many claim to be 4 seasons but I can tell you from experience that our 2007 Forest River Flagstaff with the rear kitchen was NOT!

It was our first job in the camper in northern Missouri.  We had bought the 4-season camper because we were unsure of where we would be.

I believe it was November. It had gotten pretty cold, quickly. After the first real cold night we had (maybe high 20s) we woke up the next morning with our pillows frozen to the walls!

In the camping industries defense, most are meant just for a weekend or a week or two trips and not long term.  So, when they say 4 seasons you could handle it in mild winters or for a weekend.

4.If considering a travel trailer or fifth wheel, how much can I tow?

This question really depends on the vehicle you have to tow.  Usually, a diesel dually will give you the most towing power but there are many full-size pick-ups that can handle the load as well.  Some travel trailers and fifth wheels can be pulled by a light truck (F150 or Chevy 1500).  This is what we initially started out with, an F150 pulling a Forest River Flagstaff lite(not in the picture below)

5.What is my budget?

RVs range anywhere from really small pull behinds around $20,000 brand new and go up to as much as $500,000+ if you look at motorhomes.

We have always bought brand new but I have to say that I would recommend buying used and an older model!  You lose SO much money buying brand new.  There are plenty of trailers out there that have been well taken care of or just didn’t sell the first year on the market.

Consider the time of year you buy as well if you are buying from a dealership.  It is better to buy towards the end of the camping season (Oct-Dec).  Most places aren’t wanting to have to store older inventory through the winter so they may discount them to get em’ sold!

After you answer the above, check out these questions to consider before buying an RV;

6.How often do we cook?

The kitchens in most trailers are not big. The industry is changing a bit in order to get a bigger kitchen but in doing that you sacrifice space elsewhere.

So, you have to be honest with yourself.  How often do you really cook?  Do you need that oven or can you make do with a stovetop and convection microwave?

Speaking of ovens, how awkward are those?!  Who wants to get down on the floor to light the pilot??  Am I right?

For those of you that do cook a majority of your meals, check out a few of these trailers…

https://www.rvingplanet.com/blog/top-5-best-fifth-wheels-with-front-kitchen/

I would also suggest

Grand Design Solitude 375RES (our current model)

Keystone Montana 3820FK

7.How much time do we plan to spend inside?

Think about how much time you will be spending inside your trailer.  Will you be spending most of it in the living room?  Kitchen?  Will everyone be there at the same time?

In most trailers, your biggest areas are your living room and bedroom.  If you will be inside a lot you will want more space that allows you to convert areas to function for multiple activities.  Think pull out couches or tables that convert to other sleeping areas.

8.How much storage do we need?

If you are like a good majority of the country, you have a lot of stuff!  Moving into about 200 sq. ft is NOT going to accommodate ALL of that stuff.  But it can hold quite a bit.  So, make sure you take into consideration how much storage, both inside and outside, you will need to hold your items.

Need help deciding what you might want to have in your RV?  Check out my post here for some ideas.

9.How old are your kids, if you have them?  Don’t forget about those pets too!

Accommodating babies and toddlers is way different than accommodating teenagers.  They need privacy and take up more space physically.

Most people with children, no matter the age, opt for trailers that offer a bunkhouse and a half bath, a toy hauler (has a “garage”), or something with a mid-bunk room. This gives a bit more privacy to your kids and a place to close the door on clutter and some noise.

10.Will your family grow in the near future?

Same as above, think about how your family might look in the future and what kind of setup you may need. Not that you can’t sell your current and upgrade to a different layout but wouldn’t it be nice to have something that would last!

There you have it!  My initial 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

I know there are a ton more factors to consider when buying an RV.  This was just a list to get your mind going and really think about what is important to your family for this purchase.

If you have already purchased, what was your biggest deciding factor in choosing your trailer?

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

For a lot of women, the fact that summer is approaching means that we need to start thinking about how we will look in less clothing. No more layering and bundling to cover up our bodies.

So, now that you are traveling, where are you supposed to work out?

Read on to find top tips on working out in small spaces…

Here are a few options;

In your trailer/hotel/rental

Let me just tell you that if you truly want to work out, you can make it happen in any size space! I have completed yoga programs, weight lifting programs, and even cardio programs between my two couches and recliners. You may have a few extra steps to prep your space or clean up after but it can be done!

Trailers

Those of you that have opted for a toy hauler may have a bit of extra space in the garage to set up some sort of workout area.

The door in between is a bonus if you opt to work out while kids or hubby are sleeping, although I’m sure the trailer still shakes a bit as you jump about. LOL.

Could be soothing for the little ones! Our oldest used to sleep on the couch right next to me while I worked out. It seemed to help him sleep a bit longer most days.

If you don’t have a toy hauler, you can still accomplish your workout goals! Two of our campers had front living rooms so I was able to work out in between the couches. This usually worked out pretty well because it was a nice square space.  Talk about working out in a small space!

I envy those that have the kitchen and living room on one level. Those campers usually have the most floor space for a workout. Depending on what extras you have brought in to the camper, you may have to do some temporary rearranging to give you room.

Hotels

These really aren’t much more spacious than our trailers as far as room to workout but many often offer a gym.  If you would rather stay in your room than look for a corner of the room.  Most TVs rotate or use your laptop/phone and move a chair or two out of the way.  Voila!  You have space to workout!  Plus, you can get these great bands to help provide a bit more resistance!

Rentals

If you opt to rent apartments or homes while traveling then just pick an extra room or make some space in the living room.  This is by far the most spacious option so you should be able to make it work.

As my kids have gotten older, they think it is fun to work out with me. Awesome BUT it sure is cramped in that space! Just remember to be extra careful with any weights or jumping moves! Heck, even the squats can take a little one out! I may have done that a few times.

If you know you are not a self-motivated person or just prefer to work out with others, these top tips for working out in small spaces may help give you ideas;

Local gym

Local gyms can be an option but there is a cost, of course. Many gyms offer group classes or personal training if you are unsure where to start. A bonus too, if they have a child watch or daycare option!

Downsides to a gym are that some places have a difficult exit option when you no longer want your gym membership. Which can occur quite often with our type of travel. If it is a nationwide chain, you may be able to transfer to your next location or back home.

The YMCA and Planet Fitness have been pretty easy to exit out of and are mostly nationwide if you can transfer your membership.

Walking/Running

Walking/Running is a simple form of exercise but not everyone enjoys doing it on their own. You may be able to round up a group of others to walk/run that stay in the same campground or wherever you may be staying.

There are many apps out there to help you train for a certain distance or just help keep you motivated. I personally like the ease of the Couch to 5K but recently found a new one, Better Me, that gives a bit of variation to your runs.

Gym at campground

A somewhat rare option is a gym at a campground. I have only found this a couple of times at campgrounds but if you are staying at a hotel or apartment complex you may have a better chance of finding this option.

Even if the campground does not have a typical gym there is generally more space to move safely (not as much traffic).  There also might be a playground to act like a kid again while increasing your muscle strength.

Church/Community Center

I’ve noticed lately that local churches or community centers have started offering workout classes for groups. Most popular has been Zumba but you may be able to find other classes as well.

Workouts

Now that you’ve figured out where you can work out, let’s talk about some program options.  Another top tip for working out in small spaces is to utilize a streaming at home service.  There is no need to carry around DVDs and you can use it with most smart TVs or Roku, Chromecast, etc.

I have used Beachbody’s On Demand (BOD) off and on for about the last 2 years.  It’s easy to use, low cost and you get access to over 500 different workouts!  They offer videos for all different levels and anywhere from yoga to dancing to weight lifting.

BOD is great but I know there are other streaming services out there as well as a ton of YouTube videos with lots of variety as well.  Do a search for exercise videos and try some out!

Nutrition

Movement is super important to stay healthy but don’t forget about the nutrition side of things as well! You can bust your butt doing the latest workout but if you are not fueling your body and providing the energy it needs for those workouts then you will not always get the results you desire.

Remember to focus on whole foods. Avoid processed foods. A common tip for grocery shopping is to shop the outside aisles of the stores. This is where the fresh produce, meats, and dairy are generally kept.

Check out the EWG’s suggestions for the dirty dozen fruits and vegetables that should be purchased organically. For meats, try to find free-range, non-GMO, and grass-fed. Once you get items home, be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables. Check out these tips.

I am no expert but I do have experience in losing weight after having babies!! My best results were after our oldest. Breastfeeding certainly helped along the way but I put in the work too! I dropped 60 lbs within 13 months!

While we may be talking about getting in shape for the summer, it is important to remember that taking care of our bodies should be an all-year process. Eat well, get good sleep, and follow these top tips for working out in small spaces. I know it can be a challenge but you are worth it!

Let me hear how you are focusing on your health!!  For other tips on maintaining your overall health while traveling, check out my post on mental health.

If you would like to hear about how I lost the weight, send me a message or comment below!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

Do you struggle with loneliness while traveling?  Even if you are not traveling alone it can still affect you.

Loneliness isn’t just an issue for those of us traveling but it is definitely a common feeling among us. Once the excitement of a new place has worn off and we start working on our schedules, it can start to feel a little mundane.

These are the moments that we would generally lean in on our family and friends.  Ask someone to go out for lunch or a drink.  Come over for a movie or talk in general. 

Unfortunately, when we are traveling those people are not generally available.  A phone call may work for a bit but sometimes you just need someone to physically be near you.

I know I do!  Don’t even need to have conversation with them (introvert here), I just need them near.  

My experience

For the first few years I relied heavily on my husband and on phone calls home.  This wasn’t fair to those people or myself.  I would find myself so frustrated when my husband worked late or stopped with the guys on the way home without me.  

I recall a particular moment within the first year of traveling.  My boyfriend (we weren’t married yet) went out with the guys before coming home.  He didn’t call initially so I got worried about where he was.  Once he did call, I was already worked up and upset.  We got in an argument on the phone which in turn, he stayed longer.  By the time he came home I was curled up in a ball, crying my eyes out.  I felt so alone.  

What was strange for me in that moment is that this wasn’t the first time I had traveled somewhere new and didn’t know anyone.  I had done it for almost 7 years prior to meeting him.  

Why is this so different?

What was different is that I was staying home all day by myself and expecting to socialize with him when he got home.  I had been doing that all week and by the end I was just plain lonely.

The same for my family, if someone didn’t answer the phone (usually because they were working) I would get so down.  Thoughts came to me like, “They don’t want to talk to me” or “They don’t have time for me”.  I was in the middle of depression and didn’t even realize it.  

I stopped calling people for a while, I just couldn’t handle the “rejection” of an unanswered phone. This lasted for a few weeks, the sadness, crying, laziness and just being a recluse in general.  It wasn’t until I had a conversation with a family member, that I realized I was depressed.  This person helped me understand what it was and offered suggestions to try to bring myself out of it.  

Whew, that got a little dark but I have to tell you that it is not always rainbows and unicorns traveling like this.  There are definitely plenty of amazing, beautiful, “I can’t believe we are living this life!” type moments but there can be just as many like what I mentioned above. Be aware of how you are feeling and know that there are ways you can change it with help!

These are a few things that I tried….

I asked the campground if they needed help.  They did! They hired me to work in the office a few hours during the week and Sunday mornings.  In exchange, we got my hours knocked off of our rent.  I watered the plants, organized/cleaned the small store and also assisted with reservations and parking.  This helped because I had to get myself together each morning to take care of the plants.  I also got to talk to other people and help them get situated for their stay.

I started looking for activities to keep me occupied during the off days.  There was a big city nearby that I checked out.  Shopping can be a good outlet with a budget in mind.  I became a “tour guide” for visitors (my brother in law’s girlfriend, a friend and some family).  

I started my phone calls again including a more regular call to the family member that helped me.  When I made calls I was more conscious of what time.  This way I could have a better chance of them actually being able to answer.  If someone wasn’t available then I took my dog for a walk to clear my mind.

Other options that I was not aware of at the time or are now available…

Pipeline groups on FB

There are a ton!  Find one or two that you feel you have a connection with.  Ask if anyone is near where you are and have a meetup!  There is also a Pipeline Ladies Lunching group where groups of ladies in different locations get together once a week to have lunch and socialize.  This is such a great resource!  I wish I had known about it sooner but did not until about 2015.  These groups have helped me meet quite a few ladies on different jobs that have been so supportive while we were together but also continue as we move to different places.

Company sponsored events

This is generally more common in the warmer months or around a holiday.  Some companies will put together a cook out or potluck.  We had a company this past year put on a trunk or treat for our families so we had a safe place to go.

Volunteer/community work

Find something you enjoy and volunteer in the local community.  This 

gives you a great avenue to meet some local people and give back.

Join a gym/YMCA

Exercise can do wonders for your mental health!  Join a local gym to improve or maintain your health.  Try a new class out and meet some new people!!

Find a job

Boredom is definitely hard to deal with and if you end up using shopping all the time as a coping mechanism then it could cause financial issues as well.  Finding a job can help break up boredom, give you extra money and might introduce you to a new friend.  Look for something that you would enjoy and maybe something different than what you are used to.  Don’t torture yourself and get something you dread going to each day.

We are social people by nature whether we are an extrovert or an introvert.  We crave being around others.  Don’t lock yourself away in your home on wheels when there is so much to see and do!

IF you are struggling with depression, reach out.  Talk to family, friends or a professional.  I’m here too!!

Here are a few links;

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.orgor 1-800-273-8255

https://www.crisistextline.org/depressionor text CONNECT to 741741

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie