I have said the same thing many times over the years – that I love my house or apartment and I wish I could take it with me – somewhere else. As much as I love The Nest (my adorable rental home in Birmingham), it’s never been the best of neighborhoods. Now with some changes on the horizon, old neighbors moving out, new moving in – I’m feeling more of a little push to relocate. If it hadn’t been for COVID, I would have already been gone after I got my master’s in 2020. Anyway…
This is one of the many reasons I want to live tiny, I really do get tired of being in the same place for too long, not that I plan to move every year (but I love having the ability to do so if I want). Since the transition to that kind of life doesn’t happen overnight (as I am painfully learning), I try to keep my ambitions fed by traveling and experiencing new tiny dwellings so that I can borrow great ideas.
In a last-ditch effort to squeeze out an “end of summer” beach trip, I headed to my go-to location of Gulf Breeze (Pensacola, FL), and ended up booking a THOW in the same RV park as the very first one I ever visited.
There is nothing fancy about this RV park itself, but even with renters coming and going, you wouldn’t really know it. The RVs and THOWs here appear to never move and there’s a sense of permanency. A short walk down the green residential roads and you see million-dollar homes with private docks on the bay. What’s really incredible to me about this neighborhood is the sense of community, regardless of one’s choice or capabilities to live in an RV or a mansion, everyone benefits from this amazing waterside niche.
I now recognize the man with the husky dog who checks his crab traps at dusk. The hipster dude who brings his dog to swim in the boat ramp access, and the old man with the raggedy dog feel like old friends. I love watching the sunset on the water with the now familiar view. It is only my third “long weekend” here.
What I like even more about this neighborhood is having the opportunity to experience tiny living, at least on some scale, before leaping into a commitment of my own. There are a lot of ducks to get in a row even before considering major steps forward, but as I often preach – you must enjoy the process or journey, and not just the destination.
“Tiny Luxury,” the name of this trip’s THOW, is the best I’ve stayed in so far. It’s a newer model, more modern inside with clean lines and white walls and ceiling. The darker wood accents are a great contrast and in-line with what I am thinking for myself. This visit has changed my mind about my design approach – again.
The “Tiny Luxury” was/is the first THOW where I’ve been able to comfortably sleep in the loft bed. Ok yes, you have to crouch, and I’m not going to lie, the hardwood floor on my knees just about killed me (I’m old and have arthritis for real folks). A little carpet could likely solve that issue, as well as the slippery stairs concern. Other than that, I sat comfortably upright in bed for book reading or TV watching. It might take some getting used to going up and down the stairs, especially in the middle of the night, but there has to be a trade-off somewhere.
I loved the bathroom, which is bigger than the one I have now, and most apartment bathrooms. The washer/dryer combo in this THOW looks really incredible, but it’s also huge. I am so glad that I made the choice I did with my recent compact washer/dryer stackable. It is going to be perfect for the future tiny. I have also given up on any idea of a compostable toilet – seriously f*** that.
I didn’t feel like I was in an RV in this house.
If you were blindfolded and walked in here, you wouldn’t have that thought it either. The layout is super-efficient (especially the kitchen), and even though I’d have to make a few adjustments, I felt like I’ve lived here awhile, not just for two nights.
The weather cooperated for the entire trip as far as not raining me out of beach time, but it was unbelievably hot and humid. The ocean water was like a lukewarm bath – lovely – but just a hair of a reminder, even on one’s vacation, that we are amidst a geological climate change. Luckily, the THOW had air conditioning.
I received a great guest review when I left and gained some valuable build information. It was hard to leave when it felt so much like home, but I have a recharged focus to get my ducks lined up and ready.
Months ago I stumbled across the Great American Tiny House Show online while searching for more THOW festivals close-by. I was surprised and delighted that there was one in January (but wouldn’t it be too cold?) I convinced myself it doesn’t get cold in Florida (even as I was planning the trip with it being 27 degrees in Alabama). When I discovered there was not just one, but TWO festivals the same weekend – I bought the tickets and reserved a rental RV in Tampa via my old stand-by, Airbnb. I could not find a tiny house to rent nearby but was open to getting ideas from any tiny space.
I drove the 8 ½ hours on Friday and other than discovering Florida drivers are just horrible, it was a great day for the trip. I was glad to get to the RV while it was still daylight (check-in time was 4pm) – and it was so nice! Stepping up into it I was reminded it was definitely an RV because the whole place shook (of course I am a bull in a china shop most days). After I adjusted my steps it didn’t take much time to adapt. There was more than enough space, but it was definitely an RV. This is especially noted in the bathroom area with the type of toilet and shower. It’s perfect for travel but doesn’t compare to a THOW in my book – I do think this owner is pretty smart for parking it and renting it out. The location is great, only 10-15 minutes from most everything in the area, including St. Pete’s across the bay.
The first night I pretty much just wanted to relax. The host of the Legacy Pioneer (the RV) left a bottle of white wine and my favorite Fiji water. I ran to the nearby Publix grocery store and picked up their amazing fried chicken dinner and enjoyed an evening at “home” watching the large TV and relaxing. It was nice to have an internet connection unlike my last tiny adventure, even though the WIFI was spotty (likely due to the heavy winds we were getting that weekend). The shower was barely big enough for just me, but there was enough hot water for a quick one! The bed was comfortable enough to make up for it.
The Legacy Pioneer (RV)
Saturday morning I slept in, did some work, and then got ready for the first festival (which was really an indoor expo inside a large entertainment hall). Turned out to be a genius location because it was FREEZING cold in Tampa (yes, Tampa!). The wind made it crazy, everyone was miserable, so it was nice to be indoors. The problem was – when I arrived not everyone had set-up yet. There were two tiny houses that didn’t appear to have shown and there were a lot of what seemed to be unrelated vendors (i.e. a cooking show?) Who is going to buy a set of pots and pans if they want to live tiny?) After venting about the parking cost and my unmet expectations on social media – I did immerse myself in the tiny homes that were there – all two of them.
I was really impressed by the Tiny FL model, a more modern style tiny house. Although the living room had the dream feature (the TV that appears out of nowhere), it was actually not designed well for storage. The sleek and beautiful cabinets in that room didn’t even open. The built-in lighting everywhere was gorgeous, without a doubt, and I could truly see it as a luxury rental space. I really liked seeing the french doors in the master to the outside on the main level. Yet, even with two lofts it wasn’t a style that felt “homey” or really inviting to guests. I did think that considering the high-end features that the company was reasonably priced and I liked that they are located in Florida.
Tiny FL
The only other space that was available to tour was from Tiny Studios. The model on display was an aluminum framed dwelling that qualifies for “tiny” just not THOW. It was stunning and due to it being designed for Florida weather, perfect for a somewhat permanent property to rent out one day (because it can still be easily moved). I was also pleasantly surprised by the pricing at this company as well and their flexibility to also use recycled shipping containers. This hadn’t been a consideration of mine before, but I am not necessarily opposed to it if the situation presents itself to be the right fit. The use of space in this dwelling was genius. The shower was big enough for two and it had some of the nicest appliances and finishes I’ve seen without it looking too stuffy. I had the chance to speak with the designer and she was really nice, this is definitely a company for the short list.
Since I had the weekend pass, I left the expo and drove across the bay to St. Petersburg for the Florida Suncoast Tiny Home Festival. First, I stopped by a local burger joint, and I was SO glad I did. Thee Burger Spot was so busy but efficient you knew immediately it was going to be an amazing burger. I got the BBQ with bacon burger and onion “thangs” – it was so messy and I had to eat it in my car (it wasn’t a sit down type place), but it was the best burger I’ve ever had.
The drive across the bay was reminiscent of my visit to Pensacola where there was ocean on all three sides of you and you quite literally feel like you’re driving across the surface of the water. This day being extremely windy made the drive slightly less than ideal, especially with Giselle (my Nissan Versa). I was blowing all over the place, so was everyone else. Then I just looked at the seagulls mocking us all, surfing the wind gusts with zero effort – rats with wings basically. Not a huge fan. It was absolutely cool though, water all around you and seeing signs shaming you if you were to run out of gas along the 10 mile bridge.
The cool blue skoolie
The festival outside was great! Sure it was cold, but whatever, there were dozens of skoolies and tripped out vans. Everyone was so open and willing to share their homes, stories and ideas and it really does give you the sense of community (even when mobile!) No matter what type of THOW I end up with, I definitely hope to take part in these types of events when possible. My favorite non-THOW at the festival was a converted blue bus that was surprisingly high-end. The counter tops were made from rocks with a clear coat on top and custom wood shelves/surround. They even had a comfy built-in bed for their dog! It was nice that it’s possible to travel and also have happy pets – these dogs have a better life than I do!
The “Dad-like” deck
THOW time! The first one I had to see was the cabin-y looking one, although I wasn’t crazy about the inside layout, the back porch “deck” was very much my style. Two other almost identical tiny houses were also on display from Tiny House Siesta (a permanent THOW community that rents out the units on AirBnb). Although I prefer a permanent/privately THOW owned community vs just rental spaces, I am all about seeing other spaces and getting ideas. I was so disappointed in these. I would never spend money to stay in one of those wooden crates. They had absolutely no personality. Even if you can get past the fluorescent color palette, I would be really depressed if I had to vacation in one of those units. I am including the information so that potential adventure seekers can avoid it all together. I think the most beneficial thing about this festival was meeting the people, petting the dogs, and seeing a lot of skoolie options for a certain young lady I happen to know who wants to travel and write too – she has to finish high school first though.
The extremely depressing Flamingo
After the second location I was getting pretty hungry so on the drive back I stopped at a Longhorn Steakhouse closer to the RV neighborhood. I wanted a good bar and ended up having an early diner chatting with the other bar patrons. After another nice evening of relaxation and cramped shower in the RV, I woke up early Sunday and got some writing done. Then I couldn’t stop craving french toast (maybe it was the RV), so I stopped at IHOP before going back to the festivals.
I discovered the previous night that there were other companies expected to be on display at the indoor expo, so I gave it another shot (and paid $8, again, but ok). It was worth it. There were additional THOWs setup and a representative from NOAH as well. They were offering a 5-day online workshop for THOW “dummies” who can avoid costly mistakes when looking into the tiny life. I signed up immediately, as the experts are recognized in the industry and I’ve heard from many of them before.
The Huge Blue Tiny
I re-toured the tiny studios because I just liked them so much, but then I toured the Huge Blue Tiny (link not found) and really liked the tile work and blue theme. It did seem to be “too big” as in just not the most efficient use of space. It was the company Decathlon Tiny Homes’ model that I really enjoyed. Even though it was what I normally consider too big on the outside, the inside would be more than what we would need for long term dwelling. The downstairs master and non-neck breaking lofts were ideal, plus it was just the classic craftsman style I seem to lean towards.
Decathlon Tiny Homes
I was most impressed by the Ms. Blue Sky (Bluebird) bus/skoolie – it was so luxurious on the inside it almost felt like a tiny house. I would happily travel in something like that (if I could get used to driving a school bus). After getting my fill on THOWs, I didn’t have much desire to go back to the other festival at that point and wanted to explore some more of Tampa. When I first arrived and was driving through I was less than impressed. I didn’t want to be negative, but there were very few palm trees, and it basically looked like Alabama. I determined Florida is kind of ugly unless you’re by the water or the city. But a quick google beach search led me to Davis Island only about 10 miles away. It was like being transported to luxury. It wasn’t a swim access beach but rather the classic rocks/seagulls along the bright shimmering blue water type beach. There were a lot of trails and palm trees for miles of walking pleasure. It was perfect! I was able to take some photos and watch the wildlife before heading back to Longhorn (the staff was so good to me the first night) for a beer and to watch the playoffs. The RV didn’t have live TV, how weird is that?
Davis Island
I found it ironic I heard about Tom Brady’s retirement from football while in Tampa – of all places – but it is what it is. I enjoyed the last two playoff games, and headed back to the RV. It was the first time I arrived after dark and was pleasantly surprised by the patio lights and motion detector lights, which made it very easy to see. It was also the easiest lock I ever used via AirBnb properties, so there was that. I packed up and made sure everything was back in place, hit the hay and was on my way home by 7:30. It was a great trip – I learned a LOT more about permits and transport and will learn even more with the workshop.
Most importantly – it’s a lot of fun to be working towards your goals and dreams! Things don’t happen overnight so it’s really important to enjoy the process in whatever journey you are taking in your life! Plans are in the works for “the next one” – stay tuned for more adventures!
If you have been following the beginnings of my tiny house discovery/adventure, you may recall my mentioning an opportunity to stay at the “Royal Iris” in Mentone, Alabama. I had been wanting to go fall hiking for quite awhile so this 2-night getaway in the mountains was perfect! It was very last minute so there was no real planning for my man to join me, but it ended up being quite mentally therapeutic and an awesome little birthday gift to myself.
Mentone is pretty well known around this area, it’s about as north as you can get in Alabama and lies right on the time-zone border of Georgia (made things somewhat interesting). The tiny house check-in and out times were based in CST and the office that rents it out operates on EST. Not that it matters, it was nearly impossible to get a phone signal anywhere near the house or trails anyway. Although they made it very clear on Airbnb that this was a possibility, the hosts of the Royal Iris didn’t provide WIFI either – so basically, I was dead in the water whenever near the house – truly unplugged whether I wanted to be or not!
I drove up on a Sunday and the ride was beautiful with the leaves and colors changing; it was my main reason for taking the trip. Since I couldn’t check-in until later in the afternoon, I planned to explore some of the waterfalls and trails that were a little further out. My first stop was Little River Canyon National Preserve. The falls were easily accessible via a boarded path (that would be the easiest it would get for the rest of the trip). After about a 2 mile (easy) walk, I had worked up an appetite. I stumbled across a local lunch spot favorite as I headed towards the tiny house location – The Hatter. It looked like a cottage from the outside – I decided to go inside and grab a late lunch.
Inside – you quite literally fell down the rabbit hole. The entire place was decorated in Alice and Wonderland theme. It was over the top x10 and absolutely fantastic. In this case a picture is worth a thousand words – here are some of my favorite things inside the restaurant.
After a really fun (and tasty) lunch, I drove the last few miles to where I would be staying. The tiny house is located in a tiny house community, where pretty much every THOW on-site is rented out. It made for a less homey feel than the first RV park I stayed in while in Pensacola, but it was still a really nice location. The Royal Iris was the first house on the left and there was ample parking and a nice pathway to the front door. Of course – I couldn’t unlock it.
I knew immediately it was something I was doing wrong, but the keys were sticking. I attempted it several times before I noticed I had been trying for about 35 min and should probably call the office. How does a hearing impaired woman who uses an app call someone? Answer: she doesn’t! I walked to the road and managed to send a text (thankfully it went through). One of the owners was about 20 min away and so I just walked around a little, looking at the house from the outside (was really nice). When he got there, the first thing I said was, “I’m sure there’s some kind of trick to this, sorry about this.” He was very nice and said it had happened once before – of course the first time he tried it the door opened immediately – whatever.
The tiny house was HUGE! I couldn’t get over the high-end appliances and first real confirmation that there is more than enough space in a well-designed THOW. Even the spacious loft master bedroom reassured me that space will make a perfect office/guest room. The bathroom had a walk-in tub with jets and I may be spoiled forever now. I put all my groceries away and started to explore the finite details of the home. It was very cozy and helpful in providing ideas and inspiration for our own tiny house.
After I settled in, I decided to walk through the park and look around (plus it was the only way I could get reception to text anyone that I had arrived safely). I appreciated the park’s effort to add communal space and a dog park, but it lacked the neighborhood feeling I would want. The area was beautiful, quiet and so relaxing – but it was getting chilly very quickly. I wisely didn’t lock the tiny house when I left this time (just in case).
My evening was very laid back, snacking and watching satellite TV – there was no social media or texting because there was no service or WIFI. It was a gorgeous clear night, so even though it was chilly, I sat outside for awhile just enjoying the quiet and the amazing stars.
Then it was time to try the walk-in jetted tub. Much to my surprise, it was shaped like a throne/seat (I wouldn’t have to try to cram into the small floor space). It also had a handheld for hair washing and rinsing. The first downside to the walk-in tub was the fact that you have to sit on a cold ceramic tub naked before you can fill it up with water. Sitting on a washcloth helped but it wasn’t ideal waiting for the tub to fill. Luckily it didn’t take that long. Although it’s deep, the volume is probably equivalent to a normal sized tub due to it being fairly short and box shaped. As soon as the water level passed the jets, I turned them on. It was awesome, and I could see the TV from the bathroom. I was able to relax and wash my hair (there was plenty of hot water). I may be sold on this idea if they make a two-person walk-in tub, it is exactly what we need.
When it was time for bed, I decided to try sleeping in the loft. On the one side, the roof was high enough that I could sit straight up and not have to worry about bending my neck (it wouldn’t have worked if we had both come, one of us would be knocking ourselves out). I didn’t feel closed in at all – especially with the windows and head room. The bed was pretty comfortable and the temperature was pretty cozy. I was really happy feeling at ease in the loft because I really want that to be my office and guest space for anyone adventurous.
I woke up pretty early as I usually do in the morning and had my coffee outside watching the sunrise over the trees – it was amazing. Today was dedicated to village shopping and waterfall trails. As it turned out, I didn’t end up going shopping. With a little difficulty I found the semi out-of-the-way parking lot for the DeSoto falls – where visitors and would-be waterfall enthusiasts could “pick a path.” They essentially all go to the same waterfall, but there were/are different vantage points.
The trails were coded or labeled based on difficulty. I would soon discover that “easy” and “hard” were left open to interpretation. I chose the moderate difficult path because it would take me behind the waterfall. There were a good amount of people around and some were in worse shape than me – I was confident I chose wisely and started down the path (I had purchased some awesome new hiking boots just for the occasion). Moderate was about right – in the beginning. I am not sure why suddenly I was expected to essentially rappel myself down a 6ft rock face. A few meters in front of me I could already see a pair of women regretting their choice to continue and were struggling to find a way back up.
I decided to turn around, even though I was more than half-way there, and go back to the beginning to take the easier trail. I am not sure of the mileage my little detour added to the hike, but it was definitely not “moderate” getting back up. The “easy” path started out just as I would expect – but it definitely wasn’t smooth and anyone not used to hiking was going to have an issue. Although there were people on the trail – the trails are very long and I was hiking on a Monday morning. The thought did cross my mind, what if someone lost their footing and needed help out of here or had another medical emergency? It wouldn’t be easy.
The “easy” path was longer, but it was absolutely beautiful – I expected the trail to end with a large viewing area with lots of places to sit, but it ends on a cliff with an amazing view and the sound of rushing water. The long walk was worth it – I sat and meditated for quite some time and no one else came along to ruin the moment, it was perfect.
I started the long walk back and was excited to finish off my day shopping in the local shops and eateries. Below me on the trail I passed a family with some small kids and didn’t envy the difficulty the parents must be having in keeping their kids from falling and getting injured.
With my very next step – SNAP – the hot rush of pain flowed from my right ankle up towards my leg. My left foot failed to compensate and felt the full weight of my body squishing it between two huge rocks. I controlled the fall, amazingly not hurting anything else. Stupidly thinking it might be a “walk-it-off” I immediately tried to stand up on – it wasn’t going to happen. I sat down on the ground, grateful for Mark’s USMC army coat taking the brunt of the mud on my ass. I told myself to “relax, breathe, you’re ok.” Not sure I was “ok” but, okay.
I thought about calling to the family below, but I honestly didn’t want to attempt even an assisted walk out of the woods at that moment. So I sat there. It was early morning, tons of daylight and plenty of people within shouting distance – I wasn’t exactly stranded. I did wonder how bad it was going to be and whether or not I’d even be able to get back to my car, let alone get myself to a hospital. I needed to access the damage but I knew I couldn’t take off my hiking boot, or I’d never get it back on or be able to drive. I got myself up on my feet and estimated it was about .5 mi back to the parking lot. I’m not sure if it was sheer force of will or my body was still pumping some adrenaline, but at a certain strange angle I was able to hobble forward.
At that point, I would have accepted some help, but there wasn’t anyone heading my direction at that time (figures) so I just very carefully limped back to the car. Sitting down felt very good but I knew I’d be in for the night at this point and wanted to get some more things for the house (I needed soda and some creamer). I drove to the nearby Walmart and thought I would use the cart as a “crutch” but I couldn’t even put my foot flat on the ground. I drove myself back to the Royal Iris (it was my last night), and my 45th birthday was the next day. I parked as close to the house as I could and used my umbrella to hobble inside (had the unlocking thing down at this point, thankfully). This would be my first “real life” moment in a tiny house and it would be educational.
I made it to the couch (no pets to worry about tripping over, a plus). I carefully took off my right boot (my left foot would ironically have a worse injury, but at the time my right ankle was the one really hurting and non-functional). It swelled up pretty badly, I elevated and iced it right away. That’s the first really nice thing about staying in a tiny HOUSE vs a hotel room. Sure I could have gotten ice from the front desk or a machine but I had cold packs because I brought food so it was exactly the same set-up I would have at home. I even had pain reliever!
I texted my family but there was no use in worrying them when there was nothing they could do (and would have stressed out not hearing from me due to the lousy service in the area). I did tell my man who knew I’d be able to take care of myself and do whatever needed to be done (that’s always reassuring). It did put a slight damper on the mood of the trip, but birthdays never were super exciting after 21.
There were two bar stools in the tiny house which worked perfectly as a walker. After resting awhile, I was able to make myself spaghetti and meatballs and watch some TV to relax. The walk-in tub was a godsend as sitting in the jets soothed all the other aches and pains I wasn’t feeling while focused on my feet. Needless to say I went to bed early that night – I slept in the loft. How did I get up there you ask? Scooting up on my behind, that’s how. I’m telling you that little trick is a damn life saver. I was able to adequately get around the tiny house with little difficulty. It really was a good test; one that I could have gone without, but as always, I find a way to make things work.
The experience at the Royal Iris was a great one overall – I loved the house and got a lot of ideas for our own. I determined no matter where my THOW ends up that I’ll never be without internet or phone service (you can’t NOT have BOTH). The company the owners hired trim their trees showed up at the tiny house Tuesday morning before 8:00AM to tell me to move my car. I explained my walking situation and that I had the house until 10:00AM. I complained to the owners who were apologetic but it was really stressful. The workers proceeded to cut down limbs with my car nearby so I packed up as quickly as I could (I was pretty much ready), and hobbled to the car for the drive back.
I loved the Mentone area, but don’t really feel the need to go back or take visitors – there are a lot of other waterfalls in the country/world and I plan on seeing many more of them. And I still LOVE tiny houses, and the Royal Iris, but you won’t see us reserving another stay here in the future – the neighborhood just didn’t have a homey feel. Made for a good story with a twist ending though.
Update: Since I’ve been home my ankle(s) have improved a great deal. I probably have a long road of healing time ahead (but I am ok!) and will be following up with my doctor over the holiday break.
It didn’t take long to communicate my big dream of tiny living to my better half and immediate family members. The countless benefits were easy to explain from affordability, to the adventure, to it being the solution to having to live apart for the moment. Although I can clearly see the perks – I’m a big believer in figuring out the logistics of a situation by trying it first-hand. It was time to step foot in a tiny house.
Luckily for me, there is no shortage of tiny home builders in the South (or was there?). A lot of the companies I thought might still be in business (based on HGTV and some online research) were closed. Several seemed to have taken a hit even before COVID. Of course the pandemic posed its own set of problems even as recently as just a few months ago. Most of the working shops don’t exactly give tours (why would they?).
I sent emails to locations that I thought might agree to meet with me, and Jamie from Timbercraft Tiny Homes in Guntersville, Alabama responded almost immediately. I was transparent about my intention, which was to step into a tiny house and see what it was like. She knew I wouldn’t be putting down a deposit during my visit, but was gracious enough to take time out of her day to meet with me – so I booked the appointment.
The drive up to Guntersville was a nice way to end my afternoon. I had been there a few years prior to visit local wineries, but forgot how gorgeous the lake is. When I turned the corner and saw the sun sparkling off the top of the water it was such a positive feeling – almost like an affirmation that my exploration would be beneficial.
Jamie was a fun and honest host. After chatting and admitting I had no idea what I was looking for (or doing), she grabbed a 3-step stool and unlocked one of their completed models for me to tour – a version of their Denali model. I knew immediately when stepping inside that it was above our budget at around $75k. It didn’t feel like I was stepping into an RV or a “tiny” anything. In fact, the first thing I said to Jamie was for us, it was too big. It was stunning though – decorated with white wood walls, high ceilings and hardwood floors (my personal fav). The fixtures were high-end, quartz countertops and all the things you would expect to find in a fancy house.
I especially loved the master bedroom being on the first level with space for end tables and a dresser/tv. There was even a closet! There are several reasons I don’t want a loft master bedroom – one of them being I can’t imagine getting dressed while laying down or standing in my kitchen. Overall the house was gorgeous, but not practical for my purposes. This tiny home definitely left a big impression on me, and reinforced my feeling that this is the right path. The idea of tiny living is to create memories and not memorabilia – the process of transitioning and exploring a new lifestyle is an adventure in itself, and there are so many more to come!
For more info visit Timbercraft Tiny Homes’ website.
“Why don’t you just get an RV?” “I could never do that, it’s so cramped!” This has been the immediate response whenever I tell someone I’ve made the decision to live in a tiny house and adopt that lifestyle. I have come to realize that it does seem to be an odd declaration to make out of the blue, so I can understand the confusion. While the choice does appear sudden, I believe tiny living is in my blood. This is a story about how recent life events have caused me to reassess what is important to me and take an intentional journey to discover what I really value in my life.
My father had a natural talent for design and construction. He made his living as a carpenter and mason most of his life. When my grandparents gave my Dad and step-mother land as a wedding gift over 40 years ago, there was really no limit to what he could have created and built. It never occurred to me until recently – he built a fairly small, rectangular, non-inspiring box – made out of brick.
Now don’t get me wrong, it is a beautiful home, and has a stone fireplace like I’ve never seen anywhere else – but overall it was simple, practical and semi-small. I wouldn’t exactly say tiny – but it could have easily been much larger. It was a 3-bedroom which included a decent sized master, a larger bedroom for my older brother and a room large enough for me and my sister to share every other weekend.
My Dad passed away suddenly in May of 2020 and it occurred to me that I never thought to ask him why he built such a small house. As a kid it did feel fairly large in comparison to my mom and step-father’s home (still another 3-bedroom), but I had pretty high expectations of my crafty Dad to have built a “mansion” of sorts. My father being the nature-oriented and old-school man he was, I believe realized, “less was more.” I am convinced that subtle message took root early and influenced my desire to go tiny.
It is always surreal when you’re a grown-up and you visit your childhood home, especially for me since I moved out of state when I was 19 and have never really been back for longer than a week at a time. Being surrounded by all Dad’s creations and tools (and junk) in his workshop and garage (and closets, and truck) after his death was very soothing to me. Yet it’s funny, even with everything he’s made over the years the “thing” that came to my mind was a note my Dad had written on one of the studs of the house before putting up the drywall.
Of course I took some of the beautiful pieces my father created over the years and some other mementos but that memory, which came to mind without any tangible object to trigger it, got me thinking; those memories aren’t gone or going anywhere. They are all right there, fresh for tapping whenever I need them.
The next life event(s) nudging me closer to a tiny life, was a visit to an old high school friend, and the news that my step-father was losing his year-long battle to cancer. Soon after we knew he wouldn’t have long, I made the plan to fly up in July to see him and spend time. Meanwhile, I had rescued a litter of kittens and spontaneously decided to deliver two of them to a young couple in Missouri (only about an 8-hour drive from my house in Alabama). Everyone said I/we were crazy but in my mind it was an opportunity for a little adventure. In addition to feeling great about finding homes for adorable cats, I got to see my dear friend’s dream come true. This girlfriend of mine has a gigantic estate in Missouri with a farm, animals, a fiance and a tiny house! I fell in love with how cute it was, and her entrepreneurial spirit to rent it out and give visitors an experience.
This was also the same friend that inspired an article I wrote a few years ago, about “clipping coupons and going to Paris.” She really taught me that it’s ok to have fun and be a little frivolous as long as you’re smart about it. I knew she would be the one person who would know the secret significance of taking a helicopter ride over St. Louis. It was a ridiculous amount of money for a 20-min ride and I felt absolutely no buyer’s guilt or remorse for spending it – I thought about both my Dads and knew they would approve of living in the moment.
I stayed in a pet-friendly motel outside of St. Louis where it was a little cheaper, and really enjoyed the cable TV since I haven’t splurged on cable in six-years – it was a real treat! Once I found the HGTV channel and put on the closed captions, I didn’t change it all weekend. What was playing on loop was Hometown and Tiny House Nation (you know where I’m going with this). The idea was slowly coming together in my mind, but the dots didn’t connect yet. I was thinking I’d love to just live in the middle of nowhere like my friend, where people care about you and think to check on you once in a while. I also thought it would be great if Erin Napier designed my house (but then I’d have to move to Laurel, MS). Then I remembered how I get bored – easily – and like to move around. It felt good to have this adventure and reconnect with that YOLO attitude, but it was quickly replaced with sorrow and a desire to make some sense of it all.
Although I got to speak with him via video on Father’s Day and several times after that, my step-father passed away just one day before my flight was scheduled to land to see him. It was tough, but as usual with these types of battles there was a lot of relief among us all that he was no longer suffering. His death started to nudge me in a different direction when it came to “stuff” – because much like my father, my step-dad had a lot of stuff.
A LOT of STUFF. He was a Marine re-creating his Vietnam War days with his memorabilia, photos, weapons – all the history. Definitely a lot of aspects that I love, but when I was sitting and looking at all his items, it was the photos and the stories and notes he wrote that mattered (not the “stuff”). I wasn’t glad I had all this to remember him by because just like my dad, I didn’t need it. On some level it kind of pissed me off. Not that he had left it for us to deal with or anything, but at the same time it got me thinking of my own junk drawers. I’m glad these things made him happy – but what I know is that he was truly happy talking about his memories to his friends and family and telling his stories – all intangible and priceless.
It was when I got back from his funeral that I started to really look into how I could adapt to the feelings I was experiencing. I knew I would have to be open to some non-traditional ideas in order to find my path to a new and intentional lifestyle. Will I accomplish “great things from small beginnings” by living a tiny lifestyle? The best way for me to answer that is to get started.
TAMMY BLUE 