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My Best States for Winter RV Life

October 18, 2022

Fall is in the air, and winter is around the corner. For those of us who live in Residential Vehicles, cars, or vans, this time of year means we either winterize or move to warmer weather. I prefer to chase livable temps than to suffer through freezing cold days, snow, and ice. There are a few states I’ve wintered in, that are comfortable and offer plenty of boondocking. Below are my three favorite states for winter RV Life.

#1 Arizona

Arizona is snowbird mecca. Every year, thousands of RVers from the U.S. and Canada flock to Arizona for the warmer climate and plentiful boondocking on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Quartzsite which is 128 miles west of Phoenix, is especially popular as it hosts the annual Tyson Wells Market and Swap Meet and the Rock and Gem Show. There are plenty of campgrounds, RV parks, Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs offer designated dispersed camping areas for around $180 for the entire season! So, you don’t have to worry about moving every 14 days like you do when dispersed camping on BLM lands) and vast deserts with ample BLM land for free dispersed camping.

Boondocking in Arizona for Winter RV Living

There are thousands, maybe millions, of acres of BLM land in Arizona. Just use an app like FreeCampsites.net or Campendium to find spots people recommend, or get a BLM map and explore on your own to find your own piece of desert paradise. I’ve explored the state from the Mexican border to the Grand Canyon and have found some gorgeous desert campsites. Just remember, when wintering here, stay in the lower elevations for warmer weather.

Temperatures During Winter RVing in Arizona

Just because you’re in the south doesn’t mean you’re going to be warm. Elevation plays a BIG role in temperatures. Remember, for every 1000’ in elevation you rise, the temperature gets three degrees cooler. So stay low for the warmest temperatures! Winter temperatures in the low elevations of Arizona are comfortable. They generally range from the 60s to 70s during the day and high 30s to 40s at night. It rarely drops below freezing at night south of Phoenix, so you won’t have to worry about freezing pipes.

#2 Southern California

From Slab City to Anza Borrego State Park, Joshua Tree to the Mojave Preserve you can find some beautiful, quirky, and remote places to boondock in southeastern California.

Boondocking In CA for RV Winter Living

If you’re not afraid of anarchy and have some street smarts be sure to check out Slab City, they call it the last free place on earth (Learn more in the 4 part video series I did: https://youtu.be/Y3oNM53oEtg). You can actually live in Slab City if you want but it gets HOT in the Summer. Many nomads spend the entire winter there, enjoying the freedom and warmer winter temperatures.

If you’re looking for more solitude and less anarchy, Anza Borrego State park has free dispersed camping and it’s gorgeous! It can be a little crowded in some of the designated camping areas, so keep that in mind when you go.

There’s also camping near the Salton Sea which is a fascinating piece of CA history. If you really want to be alone explore the thousands of acres of the Mojave preserve, a pristine, desert with ample boondocking. But be sure to know before you go by checking out the website. You can’t boondock just anywhere within the preserve. There is also some decent boondocking on BLM land right outside of Joshua Tree National Park, which is a must-see if you’re in Southern California.

Temperatures for California During Winter RV Camping

Winter temperatures in the Salton City area are between 70 and 80 during the day and 50s at night. With Anza Borrego being about 10 degrees cooler and the Joshua tree area about 15-20 degrees cooler. The same weather/elevation rule applies here. The higher you go, the colder. Be sure to always check the forecast before traveling to higher elevations so you don’t get stranded in snow!

#3 Nevada and New Mexico Winter RVing

Both are a little higher in elevation than the areas I mentioned above. But, if you want less crowds and can handle cooler temps, you’re in for a winter RV life treat! There is plenty of BLM land in both Southern New Mexico and Nevada, and you won’t find the snowbird crowd in the heart of winter.

Boondocking in Nevada and New Mexico to Enjoy Winter RV Life

Nevada: there is boondocking south of Las Vegas on HWY 95 at the Dry Lake Bed and plenty in Pahrump, just about 60 miles northwest of Vegas. (Remember to check your camping apps!). Going north of Pahrump takes you higher in elevation, where the temps will be colder, and you’re more likely to get snow. BEWARE: And check weather forecast before you go so you don’t get stranded in snow!!! Storms can come out of nowhere and dump inches, if not feet very quickly in higher elevations.

New Mexico: The southernmost part of the state is the warmest. I’ve stayed in the Carlsbad, NM area, and while not pretty, it is warmer and not very crowded. There is some boondocking not far from the world-famous Carlsbad Caverns. New Mexico also offers an annual State Park Pass, which is a great deal! Most parks are open year-round, and they’re empty. You can go plug-in when it gets too cold!

Temperatures During the Winter in Nevada and New Mexico for RV Living

Temperatures in both southern NM ad NV are similar. The days will be in the 50s to low 60s, and the nights in the 20s to 30s. You’re also likely to get snow – oh and strong winds! But if you don’t mind the cooler temps, and you can handle one or two nights below freezing, without worrying about your pipes freezing, you’ll be rewarded with quiet and solitude.

Before you go, be sure to check out my video below for cheap and simple tips for keeping your RV Warmer in winter without a lot of effort or technical know-how. And if your solar doesn’t quite cut it with the shorter days and cloudier weather, check out the Jackery Power Station. It’s been a great addition to my RV Life for running my laptop, charging camera batteries and phones, running my coffee grinder and Nutri-Bullet and more!

What’s Your Favorite RV Living Winter Spot?

There you have it! My favorite Winter RV Living areas! Of course, many snowbirds also winter in Florida and Texas. I like the Southwest and the drier climate, gorgeous desert sunsets, and lack of bugs!! Where do you like to spend your RV life winters? Let us know in the comments below!

Helpful Links:
My Favorite Things for RV Living
Finding Free Campsites
Safety Tips for Extreme Weather

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DISCLAIMER: Carolyn’s RV Life and Carolyn Higgins share her experiences, thoughts, opinions and ideas in this blog post and on this website for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, instruction or guidance. Viewers/Readers should consult with professionals before pursing any actions or behaviors exhibited in this video. Carolyn’s RV Life or Carolyn Higgins cannot be held liable in the event of any accident or injury that may occur as a result of application of procedures and information provided in this video.

A Nomad Thanksgiving

November 24, 2021

What is Thanksgiving really about?

Well, it is another Nomad Thanksgiving day for me. And while my American brothers and sisters are busy being grateful for Butterballs, the NFL, and $100 Sony TVs on Black Friday, I sit here, alone in the forest, and contemplate gratitude. Do I have a right to feel grateful for having this gorgeous forest camp all to myself? For the sky and the trees and the crunchy autumn leaves?

My mind returns to the remembrance of a tweet from a man of the Cherokee Nation after “Nomadland” came out. “Nomadland is literally a film that wistfully celebrates how white people have ability to become ‘free’ in land evacuated of Indigenous peoples.” he wrote.

My immediate gut reaction was to deny his interpretation. Yet, months after reading this tweet, it has stuck with me. Is it true?

Yeah, it kind of is…

Today, I will give in to that truth.

Today, I acknowledge how privileged I am to live life the way I do; to walk once-sacred grounds, to be one with the trees, the birds, the sky, to feel as though I have a right to this public land, and this life that was stripped away from others.

Original Nomad Life

Nomading is not new. First Nation people have been nomads for tens of thousands of years. The Arapaho, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, and other Plains tribes followed the Buffalo and lived in Tipis. We tend to forget this fact and instead, self-righteously believe we are the pioneers of modern-day America. Boldly shunning a world we do not fit in, do not want, and did not ask for. Sure, in that way we have much in common with the Indigenous Peoples.

But in reality, we could not be more different. Colonialism, war, assimilation, broken treaties, and time have made me the de-facto beneficiary of something lost–no, that’s too easy–something stolen.

So what is Thanksgiving supposed to mean for non-native Americans then? I really don’t know. But I can not just celebrate the day without recognizing this truth.

Let today be a day of honor.

Today, I will make new traditions that will honor and embrace the people, the culture, and the way of life that was vanquished; all but erased from our culture.

Today, I will walk in the woods and let my feet carry my mind to a world that could have been. An old world that is pure, meaningful, and buried too deep beneath the mores of productivity, progress, and profit of today’s world.

Today, I will meditate (oh who am I kidding, I’ll sit in the pine needles and try to pretend I don’t hear the freeway a couple miles away). I’ll watch the trees sway in the wind, shedding their fall sweaters. I’ll watch Sadie sniff out every log and branch and trapper’s hole in the ground. I’ll listen to the birds and breathe in the cool crisp morning air.

Let today be humbling.

Today, I will give thanks to the people, the culture, the way of life that was lost so that I could have the life I do.

Today I will be thankful to our mother Earth, the provider of all life.

Today, I will prepare my camp for rain and wonder what it would have been like living in a tipi during the rain.

I will make a meal and imagine the same ingredients: sweet potato, corn, and onions picked from a garden or field from the tribal camp.

I will contemplate my fortune and my privilege, paying homage to the brave warriors(Dahnawa Danatlihi in Cherokee), mothers(Okasu in Algonquian), and children(wah-ky-yeh-ja in Lakota- literally meaning “sacred gift”) who should be here, celebrating this glorious day alongside me.

Freezing Weather RV Living

October 4, 2021

Simple and Affordable Ways to Winterize Your RV for Full-Time RV Living | Camping in Freezing Weather Tips | RV Life Blog

RV in Freezing Weather?

If you are a full-time RVer like me, or perhaps a Van Dweller, you know the beauty of this life is spontaneity in your travels. But what do you do when your plan does not include an overnight in freezing weather? Would you be able to survive the night with just the items inside your rig and stay warm? In this blog, I share simple and affordable tips on how you can winterize your RV for winter nights and stay warm while it is freezing outside.

During one of my travels, I stopped over just outside of Winnemucca, which is in Nevada. During my two-night stay, it snowed. It was gorgeous and cold! If you thought it never snows in the desert, you have never visited the desert in November! The nighttime temperature dropped (and quick!) down to about 20 degrees. While full-time RVing, I usually do not have a rigid plan of where my travels will lead me. However, I prepare for environmental unknowns, and you should prepare as well!

(*Note: I have Amazon affiliate links on my website and in this blog. DISCLAIMER: Carolyn’s RV Life and Carolyn Higgins share her experiences, thoughts, opinions and ideas in this blog post and on this website for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, instruction or guidance. Viewers/Readers should consult with professionals before pursing any actions or behaviors exhibited in this video. Carolyn’s RV Life or Carolyn Higgins cannot be held liable in the event of any accident or injury that may occur as a result of application of procedures and information provided in this blog and video.)

Preparing the House of Your RV for Freezing Weather and Cold Nights

Here are some simple tricks and tips to help keep the inside of your RV warm and cozy on freezing nights and cold days too.

Start with the Cab of Your RV. The first thing I do is cover up my windshield with a reflective sun visor or Reflectix. The visor will insulate the cab windshield. Heat will remain in this area for a while as the engine begins to cool down. Remember this first step when just pulling into your campsite. You can trap the heat inside longer by placing the reflective visor/reflectix in the window.
Insulate the House Opening from the Cab of your Class C RV. Next, once the truck cab has cooled to a colder temperature than the house part of the RV, hang blankets. Most Class C RVs have a storage space right above the cab area. I double insulate this area using a heavy blanket and thermal blackout curtains. You do not need to spend a fortune on specialty items. You can easily find these at discount box stores, thrift stores, or Amazon. First, place the blanket on top of the shelf and weigh it down. Next, make sure the blanket covers the entire entry to the cab. It should be as wide as the opening and length should touch the floor. Lastly, using the installed RV curtain clips, hang full-length thermal blackout curtains. When you close the curtains, they should reach from wall to wall in width and touch the floor in length to provide more insulation.

Don’t like to read? Watch the video instead on YouTube and follow my channel for more tips.

3. Cover the House Windows. You probably have curtains that cover your side windows. In addition to closing your curtains, you can put up a lightweight fleece blanket that can cover the entire width and length of each window. I hang the blanket by folding it over my curtain rod. A tip for more insulation is to leave some extra blanket at the top when you fold it over the curtain rod. Doing this creates more of a cushion and filler to seal the top of the window and prevent outside air from drafting in. Remember to cover the small window in the kitchen area as well.

Doors can be cold air culprits in FREEZING WEATHER!

4. Cover the Door. The door can be a huge culprit for bringing in cold air. If your weather stripping is old or failing, you need an extra layer of protection against the cold air seeping in. I installed a little curtain rod over my door to hang a thermal blackout curtain panel to cover the doorway. Make sure your curtain is wide enough to cover the whole door and can touch the floor as well.

5. House Battery Compartment. Next, fill in the area where house battery access is. Mine is right in front of the door. If you travel with a dog as I do, you can place your pet’s bed there to create a barrier on the floor. If not, lay a big blanket or pillows from your sofa in the area.

6. Keep the Bathroom Door Closed. Yes, this should be obvious. Keeping this door closed will trap the cold air in the bathroom instead of seeping out into your sleeping quarters.

Preparing Your Sleeping Quarters for Freezing Weather

Don’t Forget About the Floors! If you have laminate flooring in your RV, you will find that they are cold and drafty in the winter, especially if you have an older RV. To combat this, you can place rugs/runners over the floor to provide more insulation. Laying a runner or several runners together along the wall behind the bed can help insulate the seams and keep cold air out. I also use a down comforter to give extra insulation from the floor.
More Windows. My RV has three windows in the back in the sleeping quarters. I have two small windows and a large emergency window behind the bed. These many windows can make the sleeping area cold and drafty. Using blankets over the curtains will make a huge difference in keeping the cold out. I suggest using full-length curtains for extra insulation from the walls as well. To insulate the emergency window, you can place a reflective sun visor in the window over the blinds/curtain. Next, place a blanket over the sun visor. I also use extra pillows to line the wall to hold the blanket in place. The extra pillows create a barrier between the wall/window and my head while sleeping.
Remember Warm Clothes. If you are in freezing weather, the best thing for you to do to keep your body heat is to wear a hat. Sleeping in a zero-degree sleeping bag is also a great way to stay warm and cozy in your bed.

How to Heat your RV When You Do Not Have a Furnace

Whether you are primarily boondocking or do not want to drain your battery using the furnace, or maybe your furnace quit like mind did, there are other ways to heat your RV.

Mr. Heater Buddy. The Mr. Buddy is portable and heats up to 200sqft. It runs on propane, so you will need a separate propane tank, hose, and filter to filter the gas going into the Heater Buddy. I know some of you are gasping: What about CO2? This heater has a low oxygen sensor shutting it off automatically. The shutoff safety feature keeps carbon monoxide from being produced at dangerous levels. CO2 is the result of not enough oxygen being present in the air. As a precaution, your RV should have a CO2 detector/alarm installed, even if you are not using a portable heater. My RV is older and very drafty. I can feel fresh air circulating, even with the extra coverings. But, if you do not feel safe with this, keep reading for more options.
Catalytic Heaters. If you are worried about CO2, a catalytic heater is another alternative. Catalytic heaters use chemical reactions to produce heat, which means no CO2.
Electric Space Heater. If you are at a campsite with hookups, an electric space heater is an option instead of using your furnace. Take caution as these can be a fire risk. I suggest finding a model with built-in safety features for shutting off if knocked over or too hot.

How to Keep Things from Breaking in Freezing Weather

You will never be able to keep things from freezing if you are indeed in freezing weather, but there are measures you can take to make sure your pipes and tanks do not break. Water in your black and grey tanks will freeze when you are in freezing weather conditions.

Don’t keep your Fresh Water Tank and Waste Tank full in freezing weather. In case you did not know or did not remember, liquids expand when they freeze. The liquid in a closed container will expand when frozen and create stress on the container and possibly crack it. Foreseeing that I would be spending at least one night in colder weather, I dumped my waste and only filled my freshwater tank about less than half full.
Turn off your Water Pump and Open Faucets. Water left in your pipes will freeze. Everybody who lives in an RV and dry camps relies on the water pump. Turn your water pump off. Turn your faucets on to empty all of your water, including your shower. Remember to make sure no water is remaining in your toilet. You can pull the toilet lever releasing the remaining water for the flush to drain.

Be Prepared for When Things Freeze

It can take a few hours for things to thaw out. You may not have running water for a while if not hooked up to city water.

Before you go to bed, fill everything up. I have my Britta Water Pitcher that I I fill up before I go to bed to ensure I have water to drink, water to make coffee and breakfast.
Keep another gallon of water on hand for the toilet. You will not be able to flush your toilet if the water is frozen. Have an extra jug of water on hand to place some water in the toilet for flushing. You can keep it in the cabin with you to keep it from freezing.

And that is it! Simple steps to survive some freezing nights. Notice I said SOME, as in a few. These are steps I take because I know I will not be in the cold weather for long. The few times that I have had to stay overnight in freezing temperatures, as low as 15 degrees, the steps I’ve shared have worked very well for me. Enjoy your travels! Stay warm, stay safe. And as always…

BE HAPPY, BE FREE, BE KIND.

Check out my list of places you can Remote Boondock in a larger RV.

Curious about Full-Time RV Life? Here are some fun facts >>> Fun Facts of RV Life

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more RV Life How To and Not To Do Tips.

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10 Must Have Items for Full-Time RV Living

February 15, 2020

I shared the 10 Must Have Items for Full-Time RV Living in a recent video to help you prepare for full time RV or Van Life.

After living in an RV for nearly 4 years, I’ve learned there are some tools, services and products that I can’t live without. I share those with you and why they’re critical to successful and comfortable full time RV Life!

RV Living and Van Life Necessities

Here are a few of the must have items for Full-Time RV Living or van dwelling, I cover in the video. You can get the full list – and why they’re so important – in the video!

Good Road- Side Assistance. Not all RV Road Side Assistance plans are created equal – make sure you know what to look for! Watch now!
Nationwide Guarantees and Service Plans – don”t be stranded in Hell Michigan with a warranty only good in Texas! Here’s how to get the best service plans!
The Right Tools – I go over ALL the tools you need to take care of yourself in an emergency. There might be a few here that surprise you!

You can watch the video here!

What are some of the items you’ve found critical to successful RV Living or Van Dwelling? Leave your comments below!

Free Hot Springs at Tecopa, California

March 19, 2019

My full time RV life took me to a remote and free hot springs in Tecopa California recently. I enjoyed a relaxing dip in the natural warm waters and had the pool all to myself.

If you love nature and exploring remote places and hot springs, check out this video.

Tecopa is just about an hour west of Las Vegas and while there are pay hot springs just up the road at the campground and resort, this pool is free. It can get crowded, but I visited on a rainy day and had it all to myself.

In case you missed it, check out this abandoned hot springs resort I visited in Warm Springs, NV recently. This was one of my favorites.

I also visited Wild Willie’s Hot Springs in Mammoth Lakes, CA recently. Watch that video here!

To learn more about my RV Life and how I got started, read my post, “Full time solo RVer”.

Carolyn’s RV Life Fan Club on Facebook

March 1, 2019

Are you looking for a fun group of like-minded Friendlies? Join the Carolyn’s RV Life Fan Club on Facebook!

Carolyn’s RV Life YouTube viewers got together and decided to create a place to meet, share ideas, inspiration, stories and practical tips and tricks for living the an authentic life. That’s how the Carolyn’s RV Life Fan Club was born! The result is a strong community of like-minded Friendlies where the spirit of independence, free thinking and self-reliance flourish and kindness reigns.

If you’re looking for a place to hang out and meet people, join us!

And if you want more RV Living or Van life resources, check out the resources page.

RV Living: Discovering that Natural is Beautiful (at Fifty)

February 26, 2019

Rejecting Beauty Standards at 50 Years Old Wasn’t Intentional!

When I moved into an RV I wasn’t thinking I’d make a statement about beauty standards and our obsession with youth. But here I am three years later, no red hair, makeup or expensive youth-preserving treatments, flaunting my natural, salt-and-pepper hair, laugh-lines, crows feet and full figured menopause-middle. And I’ve never been happier (or freer)!

I ran across this HuffPost article this morning. First it made me cheer. Then it caused me to reflect upon my own experience as a middle aged woman in America. The article, “Stop Telling Me I Look Younger Than My Age” was written by 30 year old Elizabeth Lavis, who, at the age of thirty started hearing , “don’t worry sweetheart you look ten years younger” (I’m paraphrasing).

Her experience as a woman in her thirties made me think about my own process of ‘going natural’ at fifty. How two years into my nomadic RV life I realized how ridiculous it was to keep up my Loreal Paris Superior Preference 5MB Medium Auburn colored hair. I was, after all boondocking on public lands for days at a time and rationing water! Besides, the fake red didn’t really match my new nature-immersed lifestyle.

Natural IS Beautiful!

In my old life, I spent hundreds each month on hair dye, makeup, anti-aging creams, gym memberships, manicures, pedicures, expensive haircuts. As a result, I constantly heard, “wow, you don’t look your age!”. I cringe now to think I took it as a compliment; not yet ‘woke’ to the idea that there is no shame in looking my age!

Carolyn Higgins, Business Owner

Now that I live in an RV and have made a conscious decision to stop conforming to America’s fake version of beauty (youth and thinness) I constantly read comments on my YouTube Channel like these: “Wow the road has really aged you, you look horrible”; “You’re 51? OMG you look 70!”; “You’ve really let yourself go, you look like an ugly old hag now”; “You really need to dye your hair red again, you look haggard” ; “The road has not been kind to you, you look so old!”

Of course, I laugh these comments off because I recognize what’s behind them; ageism and society’s fear of getting old.

Beautiful at Any Age

How did I go from looking 10 years younger to looking 20 years older simply by going natural? The answer is, I didn’t. It’s all how society views aging women. I find it fascinating that I went from “looking younger” to “looking old and haggard”. There seems to be no room for “looking my age”. Or even looking like me and how I’m supposed to look at 51!

Carolyn Higgins of Carolyn’s RV Life – 50 and proud!

This chapter of my life, as a menopausal 51-year old woman has been fascinating. I’m learning what it means to be invisible as an aging woman who doesn’t conform to society’s expectations of beauty. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it. But it certainly makes me question many of the mores and cultural messages I’ve lived with.

Check out Lavis’ article. It’s a provocative piece. And I’d love to hear from you. What do you think about our obsession with youth and beauty?

If you want to read and understand more about my life as a full time solo woman RVer read more here or visit me on YouTube!

Solo RV Road Trip to Alaska

February 22, 2019

In the summer of 2018, as a solo woman RVer I took an RV road trip to Alaska via the Alaska Highway and the Cassiar Highway. I fortunate to spend 3 1/2 months touring the scenic, wild and remote state of Alaska!

The Alaska Highway, Yukon Territory, Canada

RVing to Alaska

My solo RV Road trip started from my winter home in Nevada and Arizona. I drove through California, Oregon and Washington in the spring, crossing the Canadian border at the end of April. Alaska, here I come!

Traveling to Alaska with a dog took some preparation. Therefore, I took Capone to a veterinarian near Bellingham, Washington for a health check. The USDA verified vet examined Capone and issued a health certificate. This certificate is required to enter Canada and Alaska (I was never asked to verify I had it).

I created a border crossing checklist for RVing to Alaska with a dog Click here to check it out.

RVing Through Canada

Crossing into Canada was so exciting! But as a full time RVer I had some concerns about telling them I was living in my RV. This caused suspicion and questioning by the Canadian Border Patrol. Boy was I nervous! However, after satisfactorily answering everything, I was flagged through. Hello Canada! (To find out all the questions they asked and why I got so nervous you can watch the video. )

Once I crossed into Canada, I found a beautiful free campground in Lillooet, British Columbia where I stayed a few days to acclimate. There was some gorgeous hiking in the area. The temperatures were warm, with daytime highs near ninety degrees.

As I traveled north toward Alaska I realized there were a few things I needed to know about driving an RV in Canada: how tall and wide my RV is in Centimeters and how heavy in Kilograms! There were some underpasses that scared me as I tried convert inches to meters in my head (and I had no cell signal).

I quickly got the hang of it and enjoyed my three week road trip across British Columbia and Yukon. Driving the remote Yellowhead Highway and Cassiar Highway, I visited Prince George, Hazelton and Watson Lakes’s famous SignPost Forest. Watson Lake also has a great Visitor Center where I learned the history of the Alaska Highway.

One of my camps on the remote Cassiar Highway

Is it Safe for a Woman to Travel Alone?

As a woman traveling solo, I felt completely comfortable RVing across Canada. There was only one incident that caused me some alarm. A strange man approached me near the Highway of Tears in Hazelton, British Columbia.

One day, I was having lunch at a roadside pull-out and a man stopped, got out of his car and started lurking. After some awkward silence, he asked me, “are you traveling alone.?”. The hair on the back of my neck stood up and I grabbed my lunch and went inside and locked the door. It wasn’t until later that I realized the stretch of highway I was on is notorious for women disappearing. Yeah, that realization really struck me. But overall, I felt safe traveling alone, even in the most remote areas.

Crossing into Alaska

Capone and I crossed the Alaska border in late May and I made my way to Fairbanks. I spent a few days seeing the city and then mosied toward Denali National Park. My reservation at Teklanika Campground was June 14. Teklanika is the furthest point in the park you can drive your personal vehicle to. Without the reservation at Teklanika, you have to take the Camper Bus to get to Teklanika and all points beyond.

While staying at Denali, I hiked the Teklanika River near my campground, and MonoChrome pass where I encountered a Grizzly Sow and her Cub! On my last day in Denali, I rode the Camper Bus about 50 miles to scenic Wonder Lake.

Grizzly Bear in Denali National Park, Alaska

I spent the rest of July and August traveling to Homer, Soldotna, and Valdez. In Valdez I boondocked near the Valdez Glacier and took the LuLu Belle Cruise to the Columbia Glacier where I got to witness some Glacier calving. It was a rare sunny day (it was a wet summer in Alaska that year) and a gorgeous day on the Prince William Sound. And oh, the views!!

Cruising through icebergs in Prince William Sound, Valdez, AK

RVing the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Ocean

I topped off my summer by driving my RV on the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay. Prudhoe Bay is a giant oil field on the Arctic Ocean.
From Prudhoe Bay you can shuttle through the Oil properties to dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean. You’ll have to watch the video to find out if I was brave enough to go in!

The Brooks Range, Dalton Highway near Coldfhttps://youtu.be/OA7u1a2P1JYoot, Alaska

The Dalton Highway is 415 miles of remote rugged road. Also called the Haul Road, it’s mostly driven by big rigs that service the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay. There are few services, no hospitals and almost no cell service. The Haul Road takes you along the Alaska Pipeline through the Brooks Range and over Atigun Pass, the tallest driveable pass in Alaska. It took me two weeks to drive the road (at about 30 mph the whole way) with no troubles. I only carried one spare tire and didn’t even need that. The wild remoteness of the tundra in the fall is breathtaking. With wild caribou, muskox and bald eagles roaming the wilderness. It was amazing!

Goodbye Alaska (for now)

I fell in love with Alaska and wanted to stay. However, as summer came to close, days were getting shorter and the nights cooler. I knew it was time to say goodbye. With a heavy heart, I pointed my RV nose toward Canada and the lower 48.

When Capone was diagnosed in Yukon a week after leaving Alaska, the trip back to the U.S. became a race. I wanted to be near friends when it was time to say goodbye to my best friend.

My summer in Alaska is a time I will never forget. It was the trip of a lifetime, I highly recommend anyone who has an adventurous spirit and a love of nature to make the journey. You won’t regret it.

For more information about my travels and all the videos of the places I visited be sure to check out the Alaska Road Trip Playlist on YouTube.

Do you love hot springs? How about Ghost Towns? Check out the recent Ghost Town Hot Spring I visited!

What’s life really like as a full time RVer? You might be surprised! Join me for a day on the road!

Have you ever been to Alaska? What is your favorite Alaska memory? Is it on your bucket list? If so, what would you most like to see? Leave your comments below.

Warm Springs, Nevada: Abandoned Hot Springs Resort

February 18, 2019

I recently soaked in some luxurious hot springs at an Abandoned Resort and Ghost Town in Nevada!

As a solo full time RVer I’m always on the lookout for cool, off-the-beaten-path places to visit. In November, I found an Abandoned Hot Springs Resort in Warm Springs Nevada. The Hot Springs are located at the intersection of the Extraterrestrial Highway (Nevada State Route 375) and US Route 6. Warm Springs is in Nye County, about 60 miles east of Tonopah, Nevada.

After I lost my dog Capone to Cancer in October of this year, I traveled south toward Arizona with a giant hole in my heart. The healing waters of the hot spring soothed my soul. Plus, a little adventure is always a good way to take my mind off my troubles.

Abandoned Changing Room Building at Warm Springs Nevada

Real Nevada Ghost Town

I loved this area because of its remoteness and ghost-town feeling. Nothing remains of this old stagecoach route but a couple of abandoned buildings and a restaurant that closed in the 1970s.

” Private Property” and “No Trespassing” signs are posted. However, it seems the owners don’t mind visitors. Just please, respect it and keep it clean when you visit!!

Big Horn Sheep

A large group of sheep hunters were camped inside the fenced area during my visit. Next time I hope to have it all to myself so I can explore the grounds and peek inside the old buildings.

While I soaked in the hot springs, a herd of Big Horn Sheep wandered into the foothills above and drank the hot water from the trench feeding the pool. To watch the entire video on YouTube click here.

According to Wikipedia, ” The first white settlement in Warm Springs was in 1866, when it served as a stopover for stagecoaches and other travellers. Never more than a tiny settlement, Warm Springs’ population dwindled until it became a ghost town. All that remained was a single streetlight, a telephone box, and several huts built over pools filled by the warm springs that give the town its name. ”

If you enjoy off-the-beaten-path spots and hot springs, I highly recommend visiting this one! You can also enjoy nearby Area 51 and the Extraterrestrial Highway!

To read more about my adventures as a solo woman traveler, click here.

Do you love Ghost Towns? If so, Check out all the ghost towns I’ve visited!

A Day in the Life of a Full Time RVer

February 10, 2019

Have you ever wondered what full time RV Life is really like?

As a solo woman and full time RVer life may not be what you expect. I still have to work, shop, pay bills and run errands. It’s not the permanent vacation many think it is. Especially for those of us who aren’t retired yet! Join me on an average day of full time RV life.

As I pack up my dry camping spot outside Zion National Park in Utah, I take you along with me as I do my full time RV Living errands. Join me as I empty my black and gray water tanks, get gas and do my grocery shopping.

Dumping your black tanks isn’t as easy or yucky as you may think. In fact, I did an instructional video on it that shows how easy it is!

I also show you how I shop and store my vegan food for dry camping on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands for extended periods. It’s not as hard as you might think to find vegan staples at stores across the country. I was even able to find healthy, organic food in Valdez Alaska! It wasn’t cheap, but at least it was available.

If you’d like to learn more about how I eat a vegan diet on the road you can visit my YouTube Channel by clicking here.

When my day is over, I treat myself to a Thai food lunch in St. George Utah, before I go off again to explore public lands in search of my new temporary home. After three years of full time RV living, finding camps has become second nature. If you’d like to see how I do it, watch this seminar I gave at the 2018 Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) in Quartzsite, Arizona.

And for more about finding amazing free dry camping for RVs and Motorhomes click here.

I hope you’re enjoying my videos and information on this blog!

Be Happy, Be Free, Be Kind!

-Carolyn Higgins

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