Freedom in a Can: Adventures with Hamlet

4 Cities, 4 Shows, 5 Topics, 34 Seminars in 6 Weeks This probably won't come as a surprise to anyone, but we just aren't city people.  In fact, what is the exact opposite of a city person?  Yeah, that feels better.  Though "country" or "rural" doesn't quite fit either.  How far can you get away from human civilization and still remain human?  What's that called? 'Cuz that's what feels like home.   At the same time, being an alien visitor to the strange, though familiar, urban and suburban landscapes has its advantages.  I mean, we speak the language, know how to get around, appreciate a good museum, our credit cards work, and we thoroughly enjoy city cuisine! This isn't our first rodeo, y'all.  We are very grateful for the chance to travel for our work, share our stories and insights with people wanting to explore our world in an RV.  But we miss ours, terribly, and no cozy or hip B&B can possibly compare to our Hamlet.   The citi

"...but I'm even more scared NOT to go." One of our audience members wrote to us after attending our recent _RVing to Alaska_ seminar.  She left renewed in her search for an RV in which to explore North America.  She's recently retired, divorced and taking stock of what she wants to do with her life; "I've often said that I'm scared to death to take the leap, but even more scared NOT to go."  It's the middle of our winter RV show season, and we love that we get to make these types of connections with fellow and future RVers! Fear and desire for change walk hand-in-hand, along the path to personal growth.  When we look at what we have, we fear to seem ungrateful and selfish if we ask for more.  Indeed, gratitude is a core tenet founded in the teachings of philosophy, religion, and the science of well-being.  But this can also lull us into overvaluing what we have, and undervaluing what we might gain from doing something else.  When we're more

When teaching RV Solar 101 seminars at RV Shows around the U.S., we encourage folks to switch their RV batteries to lithium when building a solar powered system -- simply because they are more efficient, lightweight, and long lasting .   But, w e’ve come to realize that there is some confusion about the self-heating device that is included in the latest generation of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries. This blog contains our affiliate links. As Renogy Solar Ambassadors, we can offer you an additional 10% off nearly every product in their line by using our promo code CANLIFE at checkout.  It’s win-win…WE get a small commission, and YOU get a discount.  This income helps keep us on the road and all of our resources and solar coaching free of charge. As a part of our business model, we support a variety of nonprofit organizations focused on reducing carbon emissions, environmental education, sustainability, and youth/community development. Thanks for your support of our carbon n

Do you want to boondock off-grid AND run your higher wattage appliances like you can at a campsite with electrical hook-ups?  This is where installing an inverter in your RV can be a game changer! If you are new to RV electrical systems, let’s talk about different types of power and their respective sources.  Most RV electrical systems run on two different types of power – AC and DC. Alternating Current (AC) runs 120V household appliances that are plugged into outlets in your RV.  This power typically comes from a “shore power” hookup – an external power source that is connected to the electrical grid.  When you pull into a campsite with electrical service and plug the RV into it, the fridge and all of your electrical outlets will run just like at home.  Direct Current (DC) runs your 12V - 48V appliances and charges your batteries through a converter when plugged into shore power, or simply from the RV battery bank while off-grid.  This allows you to power your lights, vent fans, ra