WHY WE LOVE OUR TOY HAULER

WE WERE RECENTLY ASKED BY KEYSTONE (THE MAKER OF OUR CAMPER) WHY WE LOVE OUR TOY HAULER AND HOW WE USE IT.  

Our home and garage is so multi-purpose

When we’re in transit it holds our three motorcycles, 2 kayaks, 2 bicycles and camping gear.

When we have guest fly out to meet us (which we absolutely love) we transform it into a guest suite.

Kermit turned the rear door ramp into a porch for us to chill and entertain.

Sometimes we use it as a music studio and jam space.

Since we are parked for a couple of months in Pennsylvania we just pulled the motorcycles out and turned the garage into a temporary living room until we get the wheels rolling again.

Trinity also operates her photography business out of the custom built office/desk area 

Think you could live in 280 square feet? It’s fun to challenge ourselves to make it work based on our work and hobbies.

photo credit:  Mandy @188sqft 

photo credit: Mandy @188sqft 

We recently pulled the bikes out and moved the living room out to the garage temporarily. 

If you'd like to take a tour of our home and see more, click here to explore the rest of our tiny home on wheels. 

  Did you know you can comment below and say hello?  We'd love to hear from you.  If you have any questions, always ask!  Thanks for following along with us on our journey.  

CHRISTMAS IN THE TOYHAULER

Modern, traditional, fun, wacky and cheap! yep! that about sums Us and our decor up! 

I was so excited when fellow professional RV'ers MOUNTAIN MODERN LIFE contacted us about being part of a fun series called "Christmas in the Camper" .  Alongside 15 other RV bloggers, each day 3 new posts go live.  We showcase our RV's and how we've decorated and brought extra cheer to our home on wheels.  Just because we all live tiny doesn't mean we've shorted ourselves on holiday fun!  Be sure to check out #Christmasinthecamper2017 each day on Instagram this week for new people to follow and see DIY inspiration for your own home.   Honestly, we're not huge social media fans but the way it has brought people together has been amazing.  We've met people all over the country by simply finding the right hashtags, haha!  I love how this series alone has already led us to new people and we're only a few days in, yay!  

WELCOME 

Total budget for this year's decorating was:  

CHEAP AS POSSIBLE! I used as much existing stuff as possible to keep the expense low. We already had tons of lights (we use those all year long), lanterns, green pillow covers,  and candles.  My purchases came from Dollar Tree (whoop! whoop! Everything's a DOLLAR! I spent about $15 there) and Target dollar bin (you KNOW that bin area is irresistible! I spent about $20 there).  

TOTAL COST TO PIMP OUT OUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: ABOUT $35.00

MADE:  

• 3D hanging snowflakes. Y'all... this is just 3 pieces of computer paper, tape, staple gun and some finger magic and concentration!  I made these as a kid, I love carrying on the tradition and hanging in our home now (I also added glitter this year that was $1.00 at Target) 
• The green garland. I posted a video on IG a few days ago about how I do this every year. I get two 8 foot pieces of garland from The Dollar Tree ($2.00) and do figure 8's to make it have a bigger impact and look wider to save money. 
• Added the red lantern base to the bottom of our little $3.00 tree, see details towards bottom of post. 

Let's move to the other wing of the house: the bedroom

We use tapestries for so many things around the camper, mostly to cover our comforter to keep dog hair off... we love this tapestry from Kevin & Mandy from @188 from Costa Rica.  It was perfect for our holiday setup and one of our cherished items - thanks yinz! 

Oh, and that Kawasaki green ceiling... that's not a Christmas feature, we're just crazy enough to paint our ceiling that color! 

I love how our little house starts to come alive even more as it gets darker... we have lights up everywhere, always, all year!  I spent zero dollars on light budget for the holidays because these are always on in our home (with the exception of Christmas trees.. only my mama keeps a tree up all year long, haha)

- bathroom -  

Kermit installed blue LED's permanently in our bathroom/bedroom and kitchen. 

LET'S MOVE BACK DOWN STAIRS TO THE MAIN LIVING AREA, the LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO TWINKLE... 

THE TREE WAS $3.00 FROM TARGET AND WE ALREADY HAD THE GLOWING LANTERN IN OUR EVERYDAY COLLECTION.  I SIMPLY SECURED IT TO THE TOP WITH FISHING LINE AND BAM! IT ADDED A BIGGER IMPACT GLOWING FROM THE BOTTOM AND ABOUT 8 MORE INCHES TO OUR TINY LIL TREE.

THIS IS WHAT A TYPICAL SET UP LOOKS LIKE, EVEN IN THE SUMMER FOR US! HAHA. WE LOVE LIGHTS IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW THAT BY NOW.   * disclaimer.. this is not our current outdoor situation, we're in transition and moving further into the Rocky Mountains in Colorado in a few days, soooo... that means all that pretty stuff you see up there in the blogpost.. IT'S ALL COMING DOWN AND HAS TO BE PUT BACK UP!!  (Insert poop emoji and tongue out) 

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This photo was taken by our pal Mandy @188sqft 

To learn more about our toy-hauler renovations, you can check out our how on wheels HERE.

 Or here was our HOLIDAY TOUR LAST YEAR.

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Every day this week 3 bloggers will be sharing their holiday decor so be sure to check out these folks listed below and see what they did in their own tiny homes!  You can also follow along on social media by searching #christmasinthecamper2017 

Click on the links below for more RV Holiday Decor inspiration!

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Did you know you can leave a comment below? 
Let us know you stopped by and say hello!

IT MAKES US HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE!

UPDATED HOME TOUR OF OUR TOYHAULER

Welcome!  Come on in for our updated home tour.  This is our 35ft fifth wheel - toy hauler //  2009 Keystone Fuzion.  When we first purchased our home on wheels the whole thing was BROWN! We've done so much to make it feel like our home and always anxious to start on the next project!  

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LIVING SPACE // We took down window boxes and added curtains, ripped out dinette/couch and added our own, painted walls and built custom desk area.  New flooring, custom light fixtures and wood paneling coming soon, yay! 

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This photo by Mandy @188sqft 

This photo by Mandy @188sqft

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CUSTOM BUILT OFFICE SPACE // Stained wood and added aluminum edging with screws for an industrial rivet look. It easily pops up with a continuous hinge and is held up by painted pvc pipe legs (lightweight)

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OUR COZY BEDROOM // We painted the walls, ceilings, added backsplash, mattress topper, and custom shelving 

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OUR KITCHEN // We painted cabinets dark, added aluminum backsplash and up the wall, installed knife holder, made plant holders, installed led lights and painted walls. 

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GARAGE // We get so much use out of this space!  We lose alot of living space but it's a great multi-purpose room. When it's not a fun jam-music room we have 2 retractable queen size beds to transform into a guest room.  It's also the garage that hauls our 3 motorcycles, 2 kayaks, 2 bicycles and various items (Yes! We can fit all that into this 10ft garage! haha) // Kermit turned our cargo door into a deck also, we love always having a back porch everywhere we go! 

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this photo by Mandy @188sqft

this photo by Mandy @188sqft

this photo by Mandy @188sqft

This photo by Mandy @188sqft

this photo by Mandy @188sqft

this photo by Mandy @188sqft

COMMENT BELOW TO LET US KNOW YOU STOPPED BY TO SAY HI - WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YA!   :)  

HAMILTON POOL PRESERVE // AUSTIN TEXAS

When hanging in Austin Texas we recommend you drive outside the city and take a short hike down to Hamilton Pool Preserve.  The preserve's pool and grotto were formed when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago.  We met up with fellow RVer's that were camping in the area.  It's really cool finding other young people on the road living full time in their RV's.  Here's a glimpse into our day of exploring.... 

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CALLING BEFORE YOU GO!  They often close the trails if it's been raining....... 

What To Know Before You Go:  (From the park website) 

1. Calling the Public Information Line will let you know the current status of the preserve, whether we're allowing swimming and hiking.  Remember the preserve somtimes closes due to recent rain and hazardous trail conditions.  The phone number is 512-264-2740.  It is updated daily at 8:30 am, or when rain changes our status during the day.
2. Reservations are required to visit on dates starting May 1 and ending September 30.  You make reservations online by clicking on the link shown above on this web site.  You will pay for reservations with a credit card, and pay an additional entrance fee in cash when you arrive at Hamilton Pool Preserve.  
3. Entrance Fees paid when you arrive at the preserve are $15 per vehicle, or $5 per vehicle if vehicle has a senior citizen (62 years) or a disabled vet (60%).
4. We accept cash and most checks at the preserve.  We DO NOT accept credit and debit cards at the preserve.
5. Pets are prohibited. No exceptions, not even if the pet is on a leash or kept in your vehicle. Please do not bring them.
6. No Lifeguard is on duty.  Swim at your own risk, when swimming is allowed.
7. Reservation periods run from 9 am - 1 pm and 2 pm - 6 pm.  Recreational activities end at 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm.  No entry is allowed after 12:30 pm or 5:30 pm.  All visitors must exit the preserve by 1:00 pm or 6:00 pm. 
8. Bring drinking water.  Drinking water and concessions are not available.
9. The hike to the pool is a quarter of a mile long.  The trail is beautiful, but it is also steep and rocky, with uneven steps.
10. Glass bottles and the public display of alcohol consumption are prohibited.

YANKEE JIMS ROAD // COLFAX CALIFORNIA

"Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.”  - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

The origin of Yankee Jims Road is as intriguing as the name itself.  Running from Colfax to Foresthill, this 13 mile stretch of road weaves through canyons and over the North fork of the American River.  Initially, the road was used by stagecoaches to travel between mining camps.  Today, it's an adventure filled with scenic views. We visit this road every time we're in the area.  We got lucky and hit it in the spring this time when it's lush and vibrant .....  

YANKEEJIMS ROAD

CALIFORNIA