Welcome to my channel, my name is Christi and after 4 years of living full time in my tiny Casita RV named Gidget, I recently transitioned to my van named Indy. Over 4 years ago I decided I wanted to simplify my life so I sold most of my belongings and said goodbye to a stationary lifestyle. I travel solo and share the places & adventures I find. I think the greatest tragedy is to have life but not live it, so I’m on a mission to enjoy every single day that I’m on this earth with no regrets. My motto is to “enjoy the little things” and not take this life for granted.
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Carry a big bore Glock or Smith and Wesson for protection against two legged and four legged threats.
I do carry :-)
I am a new Casita owner and your video was VERY helpful. Thank you. 👍😃
I’m so glad!!! I remember when I first started hooking mine up,I wanted a video lol
You was having a wonderful time and holy moment from Colorado USA
It was so beautiful 😍
Your great nieces are adorable! ❤
Thank you. I’m a pretty big fan myself ♥️😊
Did you end up getting new tubing for your fresh water jug? I have the same USB faucet and I’m struggling to figure out what size tube I need
Yes, this is what I used. amzn.to/3KhgCjd
@@TinyTexanAdventuresthank you SO MUCH!!!
You’re so welcome!
Fun idea for meet and greet location!
I thought so too. Looks like it will be fall before I get to do it. Texas is heating up for summer 🥵
Your van looks great to me!
Thank you :-). I sure am enjoying it ♥️
Pony tail elastics works great on cabinet doors too.
Great idea thanks!
Did I missed something or she never said where she is? Around where? I mean, you can tell where you are and post the video after you leave. And, can you tell us if the parks are dog friendly? Thanks
lol. Yes I mentioned it’s in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The park is Coleman park and it is dog friendly. I hadn’t thought about adding the dog friendly part on my videos so I’m glad you mentioned it :-). I will try to include that on future videos where applicable.
Oh my goodness those falls are absolutely stunning
I couldn’t believe it was Texas! Just up top outside the canopy it was hot and dry and brown but down into that location it was like a tropical paradise. So cool!
Loved this, you seem like a cool lady,safe travels ❤
Thank you and thanks for tuning in :-). Have a great weekend:-)
Your day seemed to go off without a hitch. But that guitar tree just followed you around the whole time! Except you didn't have to hear it. Your day was spent with the sounds of those lovely birds, that peaceful waterfall, the sound of your own voice in the quiet of your van. When will van lifers give their viewers some credit for being ok with the silence between words, and the beautiful sounds of nature, just like you were comfortable with it while filming. Limiting distractions is hard nowadays. Especially the all too common orchestra trees playing while van lifers are touring, talking, walking, cooking, sometimes even just to wake up! Between relaxing and wanting to tap your foot to music used to be a choice. Now it's mandatory. But as long as there is mute and close caption, the choice comes back to the viewer again. And also the choice to thumbs up. Or down.
Meaning that you felt the music behind the video was too loud/distracting?
WOW! What a GREAT SHARE and FIND! The Glass Bathroom was something else and the REST STOP :) THANKS MUCH for sharing and ALL the BEST! Cheers from Upper Left! :)
Thank you 😊 It’s always kinda fun to just wing it and see what you can find…in this case more than one cool thing found me :-). Thanks for watching.
Omg what a cute little waterfall 😀What a life and I love that you’re living it well and taking us along with you‼️🤓
:-) Thank you for coming along 😊. That city park was a fun little find especially with their little falls :-)
NICE
Thank you and thanks for watching/commenting:-)
Great idea! Now I want a precooked hamburger!😅
😂😂😂 Easy peezy!
how are you air conditioning your van?
Right now I just have the bunk windows on both sides which I open and my Maxx air fan that moves the air through. In the heat of the day I try to park under trees or shade. The plan is to have an ac solution by next summer but in the meantime I’ll be heading North out of Texas for most of the summer.
I have stayed at many a rest stops, especially across TX. It's so big, you can't drive through it in one day. Never had a problem or felt unsafe anywhere except California. I appreciate you pointing out the little things. I never take the time to stop and check out a park or small town on my travels. Always focused on my destination. Glad you have the ability to enjoy the journey.
Glad you’ve had positive experiences (minus CA). I’m definitely adding it to my repertoire of free places to stop along the way. I’ve been trying to be more mindful of the journey not just the destination. There are some interesting places out there I’ve probably been missing.
@@TinyTexanAdventures There is so much to see in every state, there's no way to appreciate it all in one lifetime. I don't know how most people just stay in the same place their whole life and never have the desire to experience all the beauty surrounding them. I never felt truly alive till I left that bubble.
@ramblin.rennae THIS ⬆️ 100%! I didn’t know what I was missing though until I got out here so I guess for many people you can’t miss what you never knew you wanted. You are so right! My list of places to visit just keeps growing and even if I could live another 100 years I’d never see it all. Doesn’t mean I won’t try though lol.
Awww, that was a very cute outro. Glad you are finding all yor wants ❤
Thank you 😊 I appreciate your emails with suggestions and I hope you are getting my responses. I have gotten a returned mail notification to my replies??
Rest Stops that are not too near Major Cities are my favorite. I am from the PNW which is where Ted Bundy nabbed woman from. They were near the city. Love Mineral Wells Texas. I have used that restroom, and it is odd, but hey, you gotta try it, right?
That’s a good point about being away from major cities. Thanks for sharing (although the Ted Bundy reference made my stomach flip a bit lol). lol on the restroom. No way I was going there without trying it 😂😂
Great "day in the life" and rest stop experience video! I think most who have not experienced any kind of RV/van/camper travel do not know how much time and energy it takes to make ALL of the decisions. Your video showed that very well. Glad the rest stop worked ... holy cow ... hard to fathom why a truck would pull in RIGHT next to you ... understand the truck area might have been full but???
Thanks for watching and commenting the positive feedback:-). This life definitely isn’t for everyone and I don’t want to always just show the “everything is perfect side”. It’s my home, it’s real life, and it’s not always a “vacation” day.
I’m not certain my bladder would let me pee being able to see people walking by 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #shybladderproblems
😂😂😂 that comment and hashtag definitely made me giggle. It felt wrong with little kids playing in the fountain and families enjoying the solitude just outside the glass 😂
👏👏👏👏
Thank you and thanks for watching:-)
Love the intro! And love the waterfalls!
Thanks 😊 The waterfall was a nice surprise ♥️
I'm loving your new van!
Thank you! I am definitely loving the mobility and flexibility of van life ❤️
hey girl! love your videos, keep em coming! are you going to be in durango rally? rick kids that he just parks me anywhere close to a bubbling brook and im happy. thanks for showing the day to day.
Hey Cindy! Thanks for watching and yes on the Durango gathering! I’m actually cohosting it :-). Oh I’m all about that bubbling brook too! I am looking forward to some REALLY beautiful water boondocking sites in Colorado after the gathering ❤️❤️
Check out the latest electric bikes and trikes. They are the most popular among RVers for secondary travel vehicles when you have a van or motorhome. They even have fold up models that you could store inside your van, instead of mounting a bike rack outside.
I test drove my brother in laws and loved it. It’s not in the budget right now, but would be a GREAT addition for sure :-)
Very nice and cozy.
Thank you and thanks for watching:-)
About 3 years ago, someone hit my SUV from behind and their insurance was paying for a rental for me. I used the opportunity to rent a Dodge Caravan so I could try out car camping. I went to a state park in Texas and enjoyed the weekend in the Texas Hill Country. I really look forward to buying my own van and using things I already own to set it up. Your set-up is really neat and simple.
That’s cool you got “to try it out” first! Those vans with the stow n go seats just make it so easy to transform them.
Vans seem to be scarce. Please tell me HOW you went about finding the van. I'd rather aquire one here in Texas but will travel for the right van.
Well, I searched for a solid month hours and hours and hours per day. I think I looked at every craigslist every local dealership every marketplace listing. Ultimately, I have a friend that is a car dealer who allowed me to look at auctions across the US. I found mine at an auction in Denver, and had to fly there to drive it back. I was very specific in what I wanted, but I spent many many many hours searching for it. The main problem I had was trying to find one in my price range that didn’t have ridiculous mileage. The one I got had some cosmetic damage and doesn’t have cruise control and some of the other bells and whistles, but it was worth the trade-off for me.
I recently was forced into retirement after 18 yrs at my previous place of work and am in Flux right now waiting on certain documents in order to apply for my pension and S.Security feeling a little depressed and by next yr I will be getting a mini van or something because of the rent hike recently I will have to leave my Apt of almost 40 yrs Just very nervous 😢😮
I’m sorry to hear about the forced retirement and unfortunately the rent hike scenario is one I’m hearing more and more causing more people to consider an alternative way of living. I wish you the best in whatever road you end up taking and hope that you can find what you are looking for. 🙏
Your space heater looks so happy… I honestly thought it was some sort of little robot! I’m so excited to find your no-build build. It’s not built in, but it definitely feels like it’s built. I just ordered one of those shore power adapters and I’m so relieved I don’t have to do any complicated wiring in my van. Plus, hooking my maxx air up to my jacket y just like you did. Awesome.
Ha! This made me laugh and now that I’ve gone back to look at the space heater I can’t unsee it 😂. I’ll need to give it a name now lol. I felt the same way about the wiring initially but it sure is nice having less complicated options! I’m no expert but happy to share what works for me. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you have a great week :-)
Hi, I would like to say. I have just started watching your videos, and I am very impressed that you decided to take this adventure in your life. Hope to watch more and I did enjoy the waterfall in Texas.
Thank you so much for watching and for the positive comment :-). Are you watching from Texas?
It is worth the expense if you drive the van before the install, then drive it after the install as you will notice the reduction in noise. I have to keep in mind where my shocks are mounted as that's where noise will be introduced to the body of my vehicle. Just watching as I have my coffee before I install some 80 mil Kilmat in my 1987 Jeep Cherokee (XJ), not to be confused with a Grand Cherokee (ZJ). I did my girlfriends '89 XJ a few years ago, which I bedlined (Herculiner) the interior for best protection which I'm doing to mine as well. I do need to book an order for some Noico for additional noise and sound insulation. Keep in mind that curtains and bedding absorbs noise as well. 😁
Thanks for watching and for your response :-). I noticed an immediate difference too with the Kilmat and then I installed the insulation shortly thereafter which was a game changer :-)
How long did the hike actually take you walking each way? I’ve always heard those falls are beautiful. Thanks for sharing the park.
It was beautiful and right after all that rain made the falls so full 🥰. It’s 1.5 miles down to the falls. I do stop and take my time and film a bit so I think it took me an hour to get down to the falls but most people probably don’t take anywhere near that long.
Thanks!
Wow! Thank you so much for your generous donation to the channel ♥️. It is appreciated so much!
Really appreciate your taking the time to update. Answered a lot of questions. Thank you.
Thank you for tuning in and commenting:-). I’m glad you found something you could use :-)
I installed mine through the plastic bumper at the rear corner of the van. No holes in the metal! Saw this way on youtube.
Yes I’ve seen that too and I get why some people prefer that for sure :-). Thanks for commenting that here so others reading have that option as well. :-)
I am getting ready to have my maxxfan installed in the roof. Glad I found this as I want to make my electrical easy. Do you know if there if a strip pf 2 or 3 of 12v female connector sockets that I could then attach a 12v male plug to so several go into my power bank? want my maxxfan and 12v lights to run of my power bank
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this helpful video! I am considering buying a Casita and am intimidated by not knowing all of this. Also appreciate you saying that you didn't know anything before and made a list and now that you've done it 10+ times it comes naturally.
Thank you very much for watching and for the positive feedback 😊. I remember how I felt in the beginning and knew I couldn’t be the only one out there! I absolutely LOVED my Casita. Best of luck to you ♥️
Lovely Van, Thanks for sharing.
Thank you and thanks for watching and commenting:-)
So sorry for your loss 🙏🏻❤️
Thank you 🙏 I miss my daughter very much but feel blessed to have found some healing on the road one sunset, waterfall, beautiful hike, mountain view, and ocean breeze at a time ♥️
Excellent walk through: great pace and information! I have owned a 33 foot Class A, 2 slides ... tow a Jeep wrangler for almost 19 years. It has been mostly parked for almost 8 years ... I have been dithering for last 2 years about downsizing. At this point, I plan shorter trips in the Pacific NW and Canada SW ... a van-ish something would work better. Appreciate all of the info about what you've done so far!
Thanks for tuning in and commenting:-). Wow! You are definitely an expert with that kind of experience! A Van would be a walk in the park for you lol. I’ll be visiting that area this summer too and I cannot wait!!!
Omg guinea pig 🥴 you’re a brave one 🤣
When in Rome….lol. It’s not a dish I will add to my list of “must do agains” that’s for sure!!
I appreciate you showing how and what you've changed over time. Lots of great ideas!! Thank you!!
Thank you for tuning in and for the feedback:-). Have a great weekend!
Hi Christi ... Really like the video and the format. The van is coming along and looking great. Life has been extremely busy for me. Will get caught up on your vids (Last couple) So glad I ran across your channel in the last few years. You are an amazing person and have the utmost respect for you! Enjoying the little things .... thanks for that as been getting caught up in all the business of life. Thanks again for the video ... <><
Hi friend! Sorry to hear life has been crazy, I hope you will find some time to get away somewhere pretty before too long :-). I too consider it a blessing to have met you and Apryl last year. The odds of that chance meeting are too high to consider it anything else :-). Texas is already heating up here a bit too much for Van life without a/c so I’m REALLY looking forward to booking it to Colorado and beyond in just a few short weeks!!! Great hearing from you, have a great weekend:-)
Thanks Christi, answered my trailer vs van question. Still not sure what direction i will go. I have been in a minivan for 2 years and it gets wonderful gas milage but i really want something i can stand up in
I’ve actually “car camped” in a minivan before and loved it!! Standing up and getting dressed were the only issues I really had. It is definitely easier to stealth camp just about anywhere in a minivan for sure ♥️.
I am a new subscriber as of today. I commented on another video about my son's struggle with suicidal tendencies. My son has always struggled with the social scene but is very intelligent. I guess I wasn't surprised when he told me his intentions, but at the same time, I am grateful he asked for help. I appreciate your story and making people aware that we should check on our loved ones we think are thriving and happy at face value. We never really do know other's struggles. You are such an inspiration to share your daughter's story and help bring awareness. Thank you for your videos and your kind words of wisdom as I'm sure they are helpful to many.
Very cool doing a Q&A Christi ! You are definitely not alone with the trailer backing up issues. Definitely pros and cons with Van vs trailer ! Right now for me , keeping my Casita . Still thinking about a long journey actually without the Casita ! 🤔Thanks for sharing! 😁👍🇺🇸
Thank you 😊. You’ve been with the channel for a long time and your input is always valued. Yes! I couldn’t honestly answer the question of which I liked better the Casita or the van. I love them both :-). Your long trip sounds fun, how will you travel if not with the camper? (Hotels? Tent? Car camp?)
@@TinyTexanAdventures Actually thinking about back of my truck which has a topper with screened windows. We slept in it right after hurricane Ian for six nights . My daughter’s house flooded . We went through the hurricane with her because it was her birthday day before! Then stayed for 4 weeks to help . A combination of truck / tent cover . Be way cheaper on fuel! Plus it’s 4x4 so boon docking is good. I don’t go to hotels or B&B ‘s . Before Casita it was just Tents for over 60 years. Adjustment to Casita was tough on me ! lol Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your journey! 😁
LOVE this! I did almost 2 week SUV camping stent to Oregon coast (after I bought my Casita) because of the ease and expense. I was ready to stretch out when I got back to Gidget, but I wouldn’t trade for the experience and flexibility I had on that trip ♥️. Sounds like you are already a pro at that. Have a great week and safe travels:-)
@@TinyTexanAdventures Yeah , from bike packing to back packing sections of the AT . We have been in a few tight spots with lousy weather!! I think I’ve tried every freeze dried meal they make ! lol My favorite is the bike packing I think. I’m closing in on 70 in two years, so I’ll try about anything once ! Just depends on the funds to do it ! Thanks for your Van adventure Christi! 😁