Meet Rita (short for Chaparrita) - 2000 Ford E450 Skoolie
I (Jenn) adopted Rita from her creator, Craig, in June of 2024, in Sausalito, CA. She's been converted for full time off-grid living. Craig put a lot of love, thought, effort and countless hours into building her. She's 22 feet long, so she's considered a shorty - like me (5'1").
This blog will document our time together...for however long it is and wherever we roam. The good, the awesome, the bad, the ugly and the hysterical.
Rita and I were built for adventures, risk-taking, saying YES to the unknown and spreading smiles wherever we go.
That's just how we roll.
Latest News
Louisiana Beaches and Into Texas
It was only a couple hours’ drive to Rutherford Beach – as Pearly recommended. It really was way out in the middle of nowhere – long, empty roads and not really towns. All the houses are up on stilts. I passed by some nature preserves and the road out to the beach was one lane and through a wetlands area, with alligators (I saw one on the side of the road!) and all kinds of birds. The beach is hardpacked sand and no problem to drive out on it. It is almost like a road on the inland side. There...
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Happy Six Month-aversary to Rita and I !
Six months ago today, Rita became mine! It went by fast and there had been a lot of knowledge going in and money going out and adventures all around. In that time, we have traveled over 10,000 miles through 26 states. Rita is about ready for another oil change. At 286,xxx miles, her motor is just breaking in – this particular motor is known for going well over 500,000 miles. We may be a couple of old gals, but we got a lot of life left in us yet, and many more places to go and adventures to have. ...
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Alabama to Louisiana (Yes, New Orleans!)
When I left Chattanooga, I just had a few hours drive down to a boondocker’s farm in Verbena, Alabama. I was looking forward to being alone – not visiting anyone and not going anywhere. I wanted to get a bunch of little things done (which I did!) and relax a bit, and recharge. I stopped to buy groceries on the way down. I spotted a Trader Joe’s in Birmingham, AL. Why I keep ending up grocery shopping on a weekend is beyond me. It was a total zoo and parking was also a nightmare. Usually, I park way back in...
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New York City to Chattanooga, TN
The leaves were beginning to change and the nights were growing colder and my will to exist was growing dimmer…as will happen in the cold weather. It was definitely time for me to begin the journey south and westward. I was certainly not going to make the mistake of passing another winter in the Northeast. I was excited to get on to the next projects and some fun visits along the way. I stopped through New Hampshire for one more visit with Scott and Adriane. They have had a challenging year, to put it mildly. Adriane is battling the aftermath...
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