“Homing in”

On By K.L. HaleIn Essay, Uncategorized

Owning a home is a blessing…..isn’t it? When I reflect on my past homes I vividly recall the tremendous efforts I made towards “perfection”. The home was a direct reflection of me (I was messier at times than the house). I took pride in every room~particularly the kitchen, my favorite spot. My boys needed to love their home. There was comfort there. Despite earthly turmoils and heartaches at times, there were also periods of peace, laughter, and love. ❣

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

2 Corinthians 5:1

If you’re familiar with my essays, or my life, you understand the shifting sands I’ve experienced. And I know for a fact a home cannot be built on shifting sand. I’m not the first, nor the last, to experience it (shift happens).

To avoid confusion between “honing in” and “homing in” I’ll use them in examples: Definitely, I’ve been honing my skills (honing as “sharpening”) through years of valleys and peaks. And now, once again, I’m homing in on my summer territory once again.

Home~*a place where one lives permanently (noun), *to go or return to one’s place of residence or origin (verb), and my favorite verb meaning~*to return by instinct to its territory after leaving it.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Living tiny in a big world

Owning something brings pride. Particularly if you have invested your own sweat, blood, and tears. Ownership is coupled with great responsibility. And after years of shifting and believing that I had finally found “home”, I was ready to downsize and find what fits “me”.

Perhaps the years of walking halls, traveling in the summers, and dreaming big inspired my “nomadic” tendencies (or a born gypsy?). Becoming overly practical and simple supported my healing. It was 5 years ago I was determined I could live “tiny”. Everything I owned fit in a 50 sq. ft. storage unit (still does).

Living in an R.V. definitely has its positive and negatives. Just as owning a home. Should I rent or buy? I almost sold my R.V. (taking down the “For Sale” sign is a good thing for now). For the last 18 months I’ve dreamed of my tiny home. I walked into the office of a local log cabin builder and asked, “Can you build me a tiny log home….on wheels?” A local bank was willing to give me a personal loan IF I placed 50% down. Unfortunately, there are those who might have an Uncle Frank (take no offense Franks) who decides to build a shed (not at all compliant with ANSI or R.V.I.A. codes), put it on a “shifty” trailer, and call it a park model or tiny home. There are many building codes, zoning, and regulations tripping up tiny home owners. Furthermore, you have to have SOMEWHERE to place it. It’s WAY easier to get an R.V. loan than a park model or tiny home (typical salesman: “I’d love for you to buy that $60,000.00 rig for huge interest although we know it will depreciate $10,000 as soon as you drive it off the lot~much like cars”). I won’t stop dreaming of a tiny dwelling. But in the meantime, I’ll enjoy NOT paying mortgage and property taxes and being responsible for anything that could go monstrously wrong with anything bigger than my 34 ft. Rockwood Windjammer. For now, it’s still safe and practical. But I won’t stop dreaming of my tiny home.

“For the record, I have to be in a position to travel to see my amazing grown sons, daughter-in-law’s, and now, the newest loves in my life–GRANDCHILDREN! I guess between J and I we will need at least 4 tiny homes to hold possible grandchildren vacays.”

Grammy K

I’m home in Missouri. Nestled in the rolling hills near lakes and lots of activity, Branson is a great family-friendly place. But truly home is where I “make it”. And homing in at the campground for a season brings me peace. Nothing else to me beats sitting around the campfire with my fellow workkampers. They are family to me. We are a like-minded outdoorsy kind-of tribe who enjoy fires, the outdoors, the ins & outs of R.V. living, and meeting other travelers. We’ve become “ok” to the things that aren’t as “easy” (emptying black and grey tanks, going to the laundrymat, keeping propane filled, etc….). Perhaps it builds our grit while keeping us humble?

One day wheels might take us to a new home, possibly West. But I don’t spend my time worrying. In the meantime, after this season ends, I’ll think about how to hunker down next winter. Our families are here and they need us. And when I need to jet off to one of my own children or grandchildren, I won’t have have anything but a “tiny” place to leave. Workkamping boosts my spirits, energy, and wallet. Last night I visited with some fellow workkampers, both in their 70’s, who had decided to dwell in a condo for the winter. They agreed that their money will be more well-spent on memories. For some of us, we chose this life. And for some, me included, life kind of chose it for us and we found it to be our “home”.

Wherever you are I hope you “home in” on the most important things in your life.

Have faith. 💚

25 thoughts on ““Homing in””

  3. What an interesting article. I didn’t realize that Tiny homes had so much restrictions placed on them. I see that you roam often, as I do. A friend told me of you tubes that have created a community of those living in cars and RV’s, as they alert each other to how to do it, where to find free places to park, and so they get to know each other as they gather at various sites.

    Before leaving West Seattle in 2012, I reserved a tenting site for a week at an RV park on the WA coast. I loved how friendly everyone was but was shocked at the price of an RV site per night. Since I’ve met people who now live in RV’s, on this 7 + year journey on the road, I’ve wondered about the cost as it seemed to add up to so much paying that nightly RV park fee I’d seen at that RV park.

    I’m glad you’ve found a way to make it work for you! Having your own space that is home is important! Happy traveling!

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    1. Thank you for the kind words new friend! 😊 RV nightly rentals can definitely be a “shock”! I was camping many years prior to this but only as work allowed. My guys were young; as a teacher I had some quality time that provided the privilege of the Great Outdoors. I was not alone during many of these years. But found solace alone living in one for several years after my education career ended. Workkamping is definitely the way to go to cut back costs! I’m a Good Sam member which just saves 10% if you find a park that honors it. There are other discounts available and I used to do the KOA’s and belong. Renting monthly is the way to go. Typically, much cheaper~in my case it’s FHU, cable, 600 KW electric allowed, trash,….and amazing workers and owners. Boondocking is great and I’m thankful for our National Forests. I can count a few nights a couple of years ago that I slept in my Subie at a Flying J (do not recommend but we do what we have to). Living tiny works for me~to each their own! I have been in a beautiful patio home in winter~but lots of wasted space and ridiculous price for utilities and the “extras”~hence it limits what you “do”~as in any life expenditure I guess. I have a son & family in Alaska (almost took a job there for summer ~maybe one day, but I’m happy to visit as my grandson is there 😍❤️💚 My other son & family are leaving Montana this week for Washington. It is beautiful there and I told him I need to workkamp there one summer so I can love on the new grand girl coming too 💕💚❤️😍 isn’t life Grand? And ever-shifting? ….might as well embrace it! I’m happy for you and your travels! 😊👏🏻

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    1. Workkamping is exchanging your site fee for duties on the campground. Typically, couples workkamp together. Jobs such as office (reservations, checking guests in & out, store items if applicable), grounds keeping & maintenance, laundry and bathroom facilities,…it’s a great “exchange”. Some campgrounds might hire specific positions. In my case, I work a set amount of hours each month to pay for my site. It varies coast to coast. National Parks often fill work kamping positions. It’s a great way to “work” your way around the country. Although I have a job for this season, I still get a newsletter each day from Workkamper News. It’s so awesome to see all the open positions. The people that you meet at campgrounds are so cool!

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  5. It is an interesting journey, those hills and valleys in our hearts. But eventually we reach that place called home that is that balancing in our heart of loving ourselves. Then it doesn’t matter where we are but who we are…and finally, truly ‘at home’ ❤️
    Great post, thank you for sharing 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽

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