WORKING ON THE ROAD
I am lucky that I have the enthusiastic support of my clients, so the only real question is reliable communication. Working on the road means I need to make sure I can connect to the internet almost daily, and with free wi-fi spots and my Verizon USB modem, I haven't had a problem. Sometimes I don't have access from home (the Airstream), but as long as I can drive someplace nearby, that's fine with me. I work in cycles, so I can predict when I'll need a regular internet connection and when it's not so vital. Sometimes I also need to receive overnight packages, and I've found the best way to do that is by General Delivery at the closest main post office. I just check with the local post office, and let my client know the address.

As a designer, I've brought along everything I need to ensure an efficient workflow. Most of my computer peripherals are wireless, and when possible, bus-powered. I've got a spare power supply and battery, just in case I'm in the middle of nowhere and something happens to either one of those. With a Verizon USB modem, I can almost always get online in all but the most remote places. It can be slow sometimes, but it works well enough for email. If I need to up/download big files, i sometimes need to hunt down a wi-fi spot. I have found that the local library, even in very small towns, is usually a good bet for wi-fi.

When not at work, my office packs away nicely into a backpack, so it's ready to go when I'm ready to go.

 

ANIMAL PALS
Having Peyote and Riley around is a daily source of fun, and their antics never fail to impress me and make me smile. With them around, I have to choose my activities and location a little more carefully though, as I don't like to leave them alone for too long. They get more attention from me now than ever before, and I think they like it that way. Both of them travel with me in the 4-Runner when we're towing, and both of them prefer to be in the front seat, no matter how much room I make for them in the back. I try to ensure that they are enjoying this adventure as much as I am.

PEYOTE (the cat): She likes to remind me it's time to get up and watch the birds by pawing at the blinds in the morning. Not my favorite thing. She's become very skilled at opening the bathroom door to go to her bathroom, and at maneuvering acrobatically around the interior. It took her a few weeks to find her "special spot" in the trailer, and it now happens to be on top of the fridge, where it's warm, central, and high. She has recently graduated to off-leash status, and that makes me proud. I still don't let her out of my site, and she almost always comes when I shake a can of treats. It's great to watch her run and leap through the grass. She's got a booster seat in the back seat of the 4-Runner so she can look out the window, but still prefers to spend most of her taveling time in the front seat with Riley, much to Riley's dismay, because she takes his extra laying-down space. She does do a fair amount of moving around in the car, though, and often walks all over Riley.

RILEY (the dog): Riley is the friendly ambassador and protector of The Silver Snail. He loves to carry his own leash around camp and knows which home is his now. He is completely unselfconscious about his lumps, though they are often the subject of discussion. He's allowed in the bed now, because it means he's not underfoot and he likes it there anyway. With all his 90 pounds, he does take up a bit of room in the trailer. In the car, he INSISTS on resting his head in my lap, and it can be difficult to peel him off. He loves to laze around outside, but if I'm inside working, he'd rather come in. He's also a great security system - ever watchful for anything that doesn't seem right. And even though he makes friends easily, he's still very protective. That's my dog.

 

LIVING IN A SMALL SPACE
I like having to be conscious of what I carry and buy. I like not collecting things i don't need or barely use. I really like the simplicity. The great outdoors expands our living area considerably, so the twenty-foot trailer is just the right size for the three of us. I like that it is relatively small, which makes it easy to tow and manage, but still has a floorplan that is comfortable and convenient to live in. I do find that I say "sorry" and "excuse me" to Riley and Peyote much more frequently now, as we bump into each other a little more often. Because Riley's so big, it's like having another person around, so when someone visits or travels with me, it can start to get a little tight. We've gotten used to dancing around each other and I'm always aware of where I step, especially during those late-night calls to the bathroom.

 

HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Things I have added/modified while on the road:
• LCD TV/DVD combo, mounted on an articulating arm so I could watch it from the bedroom, or the dinette/galley
• New, extra firm twin mattress to replace the custom-sized foam factory mattress. it just didn't offer enough support, and I sent the original mattress to Cleveland for safekeeping
• Thule roof box to hold those things that i don't use everyday.
• Electric heater - since electricity is included in the campsite fee, why use up my propane?
• Mobile GPS unit - it was really really great until it got me stuck on a dead end road. Still very useful, especially when navigating big cities.
• Indoor/outdoor patio rug and stair covers - helps keep the inside clean and is nice on my bare feet.

 

REGRETS
My bike! I want my bike! It would be nice if Airstream would design a bike rack that integrates elegantly with their trailers.