Tags
The great Charles Darwin himself once said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Off-grid living is becoming increasingly popular globally and in the United States with more than 180,000 American families adhering to this lifestyle already. While there are many types of off-grid houses to choose from including cob houses, bamboo houses, and repurposed shipping containers, an RV can almost be turned into a very comfortable self-contained home. Although an RV does allow you to practically enjoy your off-grid living anywhere you fancy, there are some places that are more conducive to peaceful, self-sufficient living. The following U.S. states have proven to be particularly enticing to people wanting to break away from conventional utility-dependent living.
Alaska is an off-grid dream come true
Alaska is without any doubt one of the most popular states as far as off-grid living is concerned. Not only is the natural scenery spectacular imagine witnessing the Northern lights right from your own doorstep) but there are also no laws in place that prohibit gardening and the raising of farm animals, as long as you are able to provide fenced pastures and safe housing. If you have children you will be able to homeschool them without any hassles as Alaska has no laws pertaining to homeschooling in place. One of the biggest factors to consider when living off the grid in an RV in Alaska is the inclement weather. In some areas of the state temperatures can reach below -65°F which can prove to be quite testing, especially if you are not used to such cold weather. Luckily the icy conditions can easily be negated with alternative energy sources and a propane furnace.
There is a lot to love about fuss-free Missouri
Missouri is one of the states in the USA that actively promotes off-grid living to the greatest extent. If the extreme weather conditions of Alaska do not appeal to you, Missouri may be a good place for your off-grid RV living as the weather is a lot milder than the northernmost state’s. If you want to keep farm animals such as chickens, goats, and even a cow or two, Missouri is ideal as some areas allow not only for raising livestock but for the growing of grain for feeding purposes as well. As with Alaska, homeschooling is a breeze in Missouri and there is no legal requirement to inform the state of your intention to homeschool your children. While there are a number of superb RV parks across the state where you can live off-grid in tranquil surroundings, you might also want to consider buying your own rural plot of land that you can fully develop to your heart’s content.
Who wouldn’t want to live in Montana?
Montana is an exquisite state with beautiful natural scenery that makes it an ideal place to call home. While the winters can be quite harsh, the state is at its best during summer which, thankfully, does not get exceedingly hot. You will be able to keep farm animals should you wish as the laws surrounding them are almost as lax as the homeschooling laws. You will, however, have to invest in extra feed for your livestock as the growing season is surprisingly short. You will be required to have a permit if you want to keep chickens but there is no limit on how many you can keep and the permit tariff is also very reasonable. More good news is the fact that it is completely legal to harvest rainwater in Montana which is especially welcome as it tends to be one of the drier states in the country.
If you are already a proud RV owner and consider going off the grid, making your camper a permanent home is almost the obvious thing to do. While there is a considerable amount of research and work that goes into becoming self-sufficient it will more than likely turn out to be one of the best decisions you have ever made.
Author: Ali Walker
Jason H. ~ “Dispatch was quick, polite, & fearless. He not only changed my tire, but he also climbed under the trailer to make sure I didn’t have any damage to electrical lines from the blowout. Great experience!”
Everyone knows that summer is the time to get out in nature and camp. Unfortunately, this is also when the bugs tend to come out, something that can make your summer camping trips a little less fun. After all, who wants to walk around with dozens of mosquito bites or deal with constantly batting flies off their arms and legs?
Fire is surprisingly useful for keeping bugs away. Light a campfire or set out some lit citronella candles. Either way, you’re sure to see a decrease in bugs, and if you sit close enough to the flame, they’ll likely stop bothering you.
Dressing in long pants and long sleeves may seem miserable, but it’s not actually as bad as you might think, and it is one of the most effective ways to keep tiny pests off your skin. Just reach for loose-fitting, light-colored garments and you’ll be plenty cool enough and bug-free. As an added bonus, you’ll also be protected from sunburn.
Whether you cook on a grill, oven, or campfire, there is no end to the types of meals you can create wrapped up in tin foil. The easy to make cobbler, breakfast sandwiches, or just veggies thrown together. These are often referred to as “Hobo Meals” as early traveling nomads seldom carried cooking utensils. Here is one of my favorites:
This one came from my assistant who camps in a 5th wheel almost every weekend also attends Hobo Days every year. The grandkids love this she says!
Nothing beats the clean breezes and majestic views that come with camping on the beach, and RV owners are uniquely poised to enjoy beachside living like nobody else. With the luxury of your own kitchen and bedroom right at your fingertips, as well as the rugged beauty of the waterfront right at your doorstep, beachside camping is a must do activity for all RVers. While there are plenty of awesome spots to visit across the U.S., here are our top three picks to get you started planning your trip right away.
There are many “rules of behavior” that apply to RVers and campers while traveling. Some are written on almost every park sign, while some are inferred. Ignoring them is likely to have a range of results, from being shunned by your camping neighbors to being asked to leave the park.
Let’s start with arguably the most important, yet frequently poorly enforced rule, that of quiet hours. This rule is displayed prominently on the signage and literature of every RV park I’ve ever visited, yet it is often ignored. My family is a quiet bunch; We set up camp, explore the area, walk the dog, and ride our bikes. We eat outside but do so while engaged in quiet family conversation. We like to retire to the RV early and usually enjoy a movie and/or game before going to bed. These evening activities generally last until ten o’clock or later. There is always a wide array of family groups staying at RV parks and campgrounds in everything from tents to large Class A coaches, and I find that more than a few of them have young children. When it’s lights out time in our motorhome, it’s after a long day of travel or activity and nothing would be better than to fall asleep to the sounds of only crickets, frogs, or…. nothing. Unfortunately, the serenity of the great outdoors is all too often interrupted by neighboring campers listening to music or talking loudly. This often lasts until the wee hours of the morning, with 2 or 3 am seeming to be the norm. While some RV parks do a good job of curbing this behavior, others, even those with 24hr. patrols, do not. When you are camping with your family or other groups, please be courteous to your neighbors and move the conversation, music, or other socializing inside after the posted quiet hour, which generally starts at 10 pm. Even conversation that may seem quiet to you in your own campsite can carry across the park, especially to those close to you. Note that a tarp is not an effective sound barrier.
RV parks have rules regarding pets. Please be aware of these rules, such as not leaving your pet unattended, keeping it leashed, and cleaning up after it does its “business”. We tend to know when a family has left their pet behind due to the telltale barking, whining, or howling. Even the best-behaved pooch will miss its humans and want to enjoy the sights with them.
In terms of unwritten rules, the one that I most often find causes the most problem, and generally involves children, is crossing a campsite occupied by somebody else. While it is understood that people are inclined to short-cut to lessen travel time, it is considered very rude to cross through another person’s campsite. This is especially true when the offender is running or on a bicycle or other form of transportation. Please educate your family on the importance of privacy and urge them not to travel through campsites that are occupied by others. Stick to the roadway or campsites that are unoccupied. This is not only an annoyance to those occupying the site, but may also be a security concern.
Camping fees aren’t getting any cheaper but thankfully the internet is loaded with free camping resources to lessen the blow of rising camping costs. If you’re like most RVers you love a good bargain, but as the popular saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Before you rely on free RV camping websites to plan your frugal RVing journey, consider this short list of the pros and cons of free RV camping.
