It's about Space

Having determined where we are going and how much time we have for the trip, I am thinking about space; physical and personal. Our physical space in the travel trailer is about 175 sq. ft. and is jam-packed with everything needed for self-contained living plus two adults and a 25 pound dog. It is extremely well designed however, and we deal with it very well having spent 88 nights in it last year. The trick is to stay out-of-doors as much as possible and to establish a routine for indoor living. In our Roadtrek we had what we called the “B-shuffle”, a strategy for passing each other in the two foot wide hallway.  Often, being that close together anyway, we would go ahead and dance!

It doesn’t really take more “stuff” for a three month trip than for a week or two. We are not headed into the wilderness (much) and groceries and sundry can be bought most everywhere. We do have to plan a three season wardrobe but layering is the trick and we bag up different sets of clothes for different temperatures and activities. Most of the toys (canoe, paddles, PFD’s, bikes, etc.)go in the back of the truck.

Personal space is another issue. Neither of us is the joined-at-the-hip type and we are both fond of retreating to our own caves. Three months in a travel trailer is a lot of togetherness! Fortunately Butch and I have lots of experience. Since we started out years ago in VW vans and graduated to a truck camper and then a Class B (van), we consider our TT almost palatial. Most of the time we can anticipate the fraying of the last nerve and find a way to get some space.

"Most of the time" is the operational term here. We are not successful "all of the time" but knowing that up-front is part of the planning for a trip like this. I am thinking about ways to build in opportunities for personal space in the same way that I am looking for containers to enhance our physical space.