Tag: the naked hippies way

“Not All Who Wander Are Lost” – the Naked Hippies Latest Adventure

On By Trisha BarnesIn Personal Growth, Travel6 Comments

“Not all who wander are lost” is the quote by J. R. R. Tolkien that I wrote on the back of our camper.

It’s been there from the first day we set out on our dream come true, living and traveling and exploring in our truck camper.  

There has been lots of wandering for the past several years, thousands of miles traveled, and we have  been lost when Siri confuses me, but only lost temporarily until redirection takes place and we are guided to our destination.

Funny to me to consider this quote in terms of what we do to fund our travel lifestyle, to realize it so perfectly fits what has changed over the last couple of years.  I’m sure it would appear that we have been lost because we just disappeared.

Those who have been following our travels for the past six years know that we were pretty much always sharing various ways to make money online, for that has been our “ticket” to living the life of our dreams. And the programs we offered through all these years were fun and valuable …

but, we burned out big time.

It got old … every single time the same thing happened – excitement exploded at first, high hopes shared, expectations were fueled by testimonies of success. And then, the energy fizzled like air being let out of a balloon – pffffffttttt.  

Excitement dwindled as so very few were making any money … going, going, gone. Another one bites the dust – again and again and again.

So, we withdrew for quite a while to take a deep breath, check in with ourselves, and figure out what’s next, knowing that we have endless possibilities. Holding on to the assurance that no matter what,  we always have been and always will be just fine – even though we’d lost the drive and motivation to go back to the same ‘ol, same ‘ol.

That’s when e-commerce became a beacon of light to us. It was still online marketing, would still allow us to use the skills we had acquired over the years, and best of all … no more recruiting, no more “selling” the hope while we held our fingers crossed behind our backs.

That’s when we started creating mugs at Gear Bubble, set up a shop on Etsy, Amazon and E-Bay, thinking we were pretty damn saavy to get this all going … and we waited for the $$$ to pour in. 

Guess what happened?

Piddly sales, a mug here and there, once in a while.

Out of the plethora of mugs we listed on Etsy, we had any very few sales, nothing to jump up and down about as we sold about 3 YEARLY.  On Amazon, we couldn’t make the monthly fees, and on E-Bay we couldn’t make the required delivery times.

Pfffffftttttt.  

That’s not gonna buy much gas for our truck.

Sigh.

rope sandals

Then, we partnered up with our hippie friends at Eastwind Community to sell rope sandals.

(Have you read my blog post about our first visit to this commune two years ago?)  We spent last winter selling these sandals at our booth in Quartzsite, Arizona and on Etsy.

And while we’ve got a pretty good thing going with the rope sandals, we are limited because of the constraints of production by those who make the sandals at Eastwind. It’s not a huge operation, the sandals are handmade one by one, and expansion to sales of even just 20 pairs a day would not be possible.

We’ve been wandering. Not lost, but waiting for the redirection, the guidance to get us back on the right “road.” 

It happened this past week,  coming to us as things always do – out of the blue, at the right time, and at the right price.  

GearBubble got our attention with its offer for a 30 Day Challenge which promises to help anyone get started with E-Commerce.  And … it’s free!  At least for now it’s free, but this course will be costly when it’s officially released after this 30 Day Challenge (probably will be a $2k course.)

We’ve been part of GearBubble for several years now as I mentioned before, and impressed with the level of training its owner Donald Wilson provides. He’s sharp, he’s generous and he’s had tremendous success with e-commerce product launches he has done with his partner/girlfriend/amazing marketer Rachel Rofe. 

When we got the email announcing this latest course for free, it didn’t take long for us to agree that we would jump in.  

We want what Donald and Rachel have …

We’re ready and willing to listen and learn what we can do at this crossroads in our business. 

I don’t know if you have any interest in launching an e-commerce business.

Or  maybe you already have one going and it’s not doing what you hoped it would. 

I’m just sharing this to let you know what has come up for Bruce and me, knowing that we aren’t alone in the burnout and dismal results we’ve experienced.

So, to those who are feeling a bit of a nudge right now, a prickling of that old familiar feeling of “this could really work for me” … I invite you to take just a few minutes to listen to Donald Wilson talk about this 30 day challenge and see if the nudge gets stronger.  (I believe it will!)

And to those who have not one iota of interest in e-commerce or doing something to add extra income to your monthly budget, I ask that you hold a space for Bruce and me … a space of love, encouragement and support, wisdom and clarity. (I believe you will!)

Meanwhile, the open road still calls us to come, see, explore and enjoy.

the naked hippies bruce and trisha

We’re still wandering,  still making the most of every opportunity to see and experience all the beauty of Nature,

still spending time with family and friends as we travel, still making new connections, new friends.

And still very much loving all that we do, who we are, and how life’s adventures continue to teach and bless us.

Love and light to you,

Trisha

P.S.  The Challenge kicks off today, August 12. This is my kick in your ass to go NOW and sign up – we’ll be doing this together for the next 30 days … wandering through the maze of e-commerce with expert guidance so we don’t get lost. See you there!  

How to Find Copyright Free Images So You Don’t Get Sued

On By Trisha BarnesIn Blogging, Marketing Tips, Recommended Tools, Social Media Marketing

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How to find copyright free images? This matters greatly to any blogger and anyone who posts images on Social Media sites.

We’ve all done it – hurriedly and excitedly grabbed an image from Google to use in a blog post, a Facebook meme or a sales page. It’s so easy and there’s so many great images available on the internet.

Plus, it seems everyone else is doing it, so what’s the big deal? Why should you be so very careful with the images you use? Here’s why! You could be sued for using a copyrighted image.

That quick download of an image could end up costing you big money in a lawsuit.

Roni Loren experienced this firsthand when she was sued for an image she used in a blog post.

Recently an avid internet marketer was sued for the image he grabbed from the internet.

Roni Loren explains It DOESN’T MATTER…

  • if you link back to the source and list the photographer’s name
  • if the picture is not full-sized (only thumbnail size is okay)
  • if you did it innocently
  • if your site is non-commercial and you made no money from the use of the photo
  • if you didn’t claim the photo was yours
  • if you’ve added commentary in addition to having the pic in the post
  • if the picture is embedded and not saved on your server
  • if you have a disclaimer on your site.
  • if you immediately take down a pic if someone sends you a DMCA notice (you do have to take it down, but it doesn’t absolve you.)

How to Find Copyright Free Images

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1. Use your own pics.

With the ease and technology that smart phones have provided, you have the means to stay safe by using your own pics.

2. Subscribe to an image service.

The costs for subscriptions like Shutterfly varies but it can get pretty pricey if you use a lot of images.

3. Use copyright free images.

Ever since I read the first horror story of a blogger being sued for using a copyrighted image, I always refrain from just grabbing any image from Google. The great news is that I’ve always been able to find exactly what I needed when my own pics just didn’t suit the intent of my blog post or Facebook meme. This is where I find copyright free images. *** My first go-to source for images is Pixabay.com. Pixabay is a vibrant community of creatives, sharing copyright free images and videos. All contents are released under Creative Commons CC0, which makes them safe to use without asking for permission or giving credit to the artist – even for commercial purposes. Set up a free account and begin using this amazing service. *** My second source is actually Google images! But it’s more involved. I do an advanced search to find images that are copy-right free and available to use and modify, even commercially. Here’s how to find copyright free images  on Google

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.80″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.80″ text_font_size=”16px”] 1. Do a Google search for your subject, then click on “Images.” In this example, I searched for mountains images. Look at that – 27 million images! I hit the mother lode! But before I use any of these images, I narrow down the search to find copyright free images. Next … [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://nakedhippiesroadtrip.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/image_search.png” _builder_version=”3.0.80″ use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#0c71c3″ url_new_window=”on” alt=”How to find copyright free images is possible, even with Google images” url=”http://trishahippie.com”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.80″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.80″ text_font_size=”16px”] 2. Click the settings tab and on the dropdown menu, click “Advanced Search” [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://nakedhippiesroadtrip.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/google_image_settings.png” _builder_version=”3.0.80″ use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#0c71c3″ url_new_window=”on” alt=”Copyright free images can be found using the tips I share here ” url=”http://trishahippie.com”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.80″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.80″ text_font_size=”16px”] 3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the drop down for “Usage Rights.” Choose the “free to use, share and modify, even commercially” setting; then click the “Advanced Search” button [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://nakedhippiesroadtrip.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/images_free_to_use_example.png” _builder_version=”3.0.80″ use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#0c71c3″ url_new_window=”on” alt=”copyright free images are available, even from Google. Learn how to find them” url=”http://trishahippie.com”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.80″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.80″ text_font_size=”16px”] 4. Now, safely choose from the available copyright free images that you can use, share and modify. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://nakedhippiesroadtrip.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/images_you_can_use_safely.png” _builder_version=”3.0.80″ use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#0c71c3″ url_new_window=”on” alt=”copyright free images are on Google, using the right settings you can find them” url=”http://trishahippie.com”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.80″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.80″ text_font_size=”16px”] There are many other places to find copyright free images, but I’ve often been dragged down the rabbit hole searching for the perfect picture amidst all that’s available. These two resources have provided endless photos quickly and easily, saving me loads of time. I truly cringe when I think of how many people do not realize the jeopardy they may be facing if they don’t use copyright free images. If you’ve been partaking of the plethora of Google images without a second thought of copyright, I hope my warning and suggestions help you protect yourself. Any other ideas or resources to share on how to find copy-right free images? Please comment and share. We’re in this together! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.80″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https://nakedhippiesroadtrip.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Sedona-Naked-Hippies-Roadtrip-22.jpg” _builder_version=”3.0.80″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.80″ text_font_size=”16px” inline_fonts=”Covered By Your Grace”]

Trisha Barnes

Are we connected on Facebook yet? Have you signed up to get our updates? I answer text messages and voicemails! 573-881-6715

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You might also enjoy

Camping For FREE – We Proved It Can Be Done

Free Camping – How The Naked Hippies Do It

Whole Brain Integration with PSYCH-K

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Wild Wild West on the Cryptocurrency Frontier

On By Trisha BarnesIn Bitcoin Cryptocurrency

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The Wild Wild West was exciting and dangerous and filled with opportunities.

There are times, as we travel along, I think of all the explorers who were the first to gaze upon the land that I now see.

I imagine the pioneers trudging along in the first RVs – the covered wagons – pressing onward to land and freedom and opportunity.

It definitely wasn’t an easy journey. There were hardships and battles that I cannot fathom as I sit in a comfortable seat in our pickup truck, protected from rain and cold, able to travel to destinations in a matter of hours instead of days and months.

I guess I’ve watched enough movies and read enough stories to grasp the magnitude of the Wild West – a time when a new frontier beckoned people to come, to see, to seize the opportunities of a new and different way …

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enough to realize that right now, in the cryptocurrency industry –

it’s the Wild West happening again.

 

There are the adventurers, the explorers – who are navigating through the new world of blockchain to discover how and where and when and why this technology works.

There are the greedy scammers who are selling “Fool’s Gold” – selling coins with a guarantee of a return on your investment just to get your money.

There are those who are pulled to “GO WEST” – much like the Gold Miners, who hold that vision of freedom and abundance in their hearts so strongly that they begin to dig (invest).

There are those who are selling “picks and axes” to the Gold Miners – in the form of education and training about cryptocurrencies.

 Yep! It’s the Wild Wild West …

and right now, in the cryptocurrency frontier, a lot of excitement is erupting as more and more “settlers” arrive.

On our own trek to this new frontier, we were lucky. We picked up the right picks and axes to go mine for “gold.” It didn’t cost us our life savings to get these tools.

 

And ever since, we’ve been striking gold!

 

We’ve learned how to invest, what coins to invest in … and watched the value of Bitcoin jump from $700 when we first started to over $6000 now. That definitely ain’t fool’s gold!

We’ve got a party of determined pioneers traveling the “Crypto Trail” with us …

Ready to come along to the Wild Wild West of the Cryptocurrency frontier? 

Start here for free, but to get the ultimate picks and axes, you’ll want to upgrade.

Sit around the campfire with the other pioneers here. 

I’ll meet you at the saloon to celebrate! 

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Let’s go dig for “GOLD!”

Trisha

Message me with your questions!
c:  573-881-6715 or Facebook

P.S. For a limited time, all new “pioneers”
receive a “bag” of FREE Raisr Coins!  No
digging required!

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Why the Heck Should I Invest in Bitcoin

The Good, Bad and Ugly About Bitcoin

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Free Camping – How The Naked Hippies Do It

On By Trisha BarnesIn TravelLeave a comment

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Free Camping! We love it and this is how and where the Naked Hippies do it!

We’ve been to 19 states this year, traveling nearly 11,000 miles and not once did we pay for a campground! My last blog post told the “inside” story of why were were able to do this.

We have received so many questions about the nuts and bolts of how we actually do this.

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For those who want to know HOW we manage free camping so easily, this is for you.

 

This is our way, The Naked Hippies Way for free camping. Take whatever ideas you think you can use – but remember, this is all part of being willing to be uncomfortable to live your dream. Our Big Foot pickup camper provides us shelter, a comfortable bed, a fridge and a stove. The kind of free camping we do is for those who want to get off the grid and do it as cheaply as possible.

 

WHERE DO WE FIND FREE CAMPING?

We have slept on the mountaintop in Colorado, in the woods in Minnesota and yes … in WalMart and Flying J truck stop parking lots. It’s all a matter of location and convenience. Since WalMarts are everywhere, they are always the sure backup when a site out in nature is not so readily available.

These are the resources I use to find free camping:

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1. BUSINESS LOCATIONS:

First, get the AllStays App:  This is a lifesaver for us. It’s not free, but it has paid for itself over and over again. I think I use this app more than any other on my phone.

This app gives you a multitude of selections from free and paid camping sites, casinos, state parks, national parks, public lands, RV stores, rest stops and truck stops.

TIP:  When putting in a location, always type in city and state (not abbreviated)

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When we camp at WalMart, we always call to make sure it’s okay to park overnight. It just makes sense to make sure before settling down for the night. You definitely don’t want to be awakened by security telling you to move. Most WalMarts do allow overnight camping; but in some towns and cities, a local ordinance overrides the WalMart nationwide policy, so always ask.

We also usually do a little grocery shopping in the WalMart – a way of “paying” for the privilege of camping there for free. And, we never “set up camp” in the parking lot. We don’t pull out the camp chairs and announce in any way that we are camping. (seen it many times and wondered who really thinks watching WalMart activity is relaxing?!)

Casinos are also a great place to park for the night. The AllStays app will give you the location and a review from those who have camped there before. Again, it always is a good idea to get permission.

Flying J is our number one truck stop for overnight camping. There is always a good number of RVs parked at Flying J along with the diesel trucks. We have become so accustomed to the rumbling noises of the diesels that it’s like white noise to us now as we sleep. There’s also usually a Denny’s available. Or if not, Flying J does a decent job with their convenience food.

One more perk for staying at Flying J is that most of them have RV dump stations and propane tank filling available. We signed up for a Flying J rewards card and can dump for a discounted price of $3.00 – instead of the $10 fee.

2. CAMPING FOR FREE IN NATURE:

We use two websites to find free camping at national parks and on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land:

Campendium and FreeCampsites.

These are great resources that have helped me find amazing, beautiful and free camp sites as we travel. I start by putting in the state and then zoom in to see what is available close to our destination. Most of the free campsites have a 14 day stay limit.

TIP:  Always look for the camp sites that have reviews to help you find the best spot – or to avoid the ones that aren’t so favorable. Read the reviews to find out how scenic the site it, how the roads to access the site are, and what kind of reception your wireless carrier has there. I love the reviews that include pictures as well.

Once I find a location that sounds perfect for us, I have the directions sent to my phone. Easy-breezy!

3. AIRPORT CAMPING!

Now this is one that is definitely outside the box when it comes to camping. We learned this easy and valuable way of visiting cities when we attended an event in Utah a few years ago. Then, we had reservations at the event hotel but our pickup camper wouldn’t fit in their parking garage, so we parked at the airport, used the shuttle and slept in the hotel for 3 nights. 

LIGHTBULB MOMENT! Why are we paying $199 a night when we could go back to our camper every evening and pay only $10 a night for parking?

Since then, we have parked and camped at LAX in Los Angeles, at O’Hare in Chicago and at the San Diego airport. We hop on the shuttles and city transit systems to get wherever we want to go. The bonus – we sleep in our own bed every night and pay a minimal fee for Economy parking and transit services. Plus, we don’t have to drive our camper in horrendous city traffic.

Camping at the LAX economy lot is a thrill for us! We watch the huge jets come in right over our heads. The rumble is amazing, the constant stream of jets is astonishing. How can we sleep with all that noise? We just do. We’re safe as security patrols the area regularly. We’re comfortable because we’re sleeping in our own bed. It’s an incredible hack for free camping!

 

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WHAT ABOUT SHOWERING?

First, you need to know that we converted the shower in our camper to storage. If your RV has a shower, you won’t have to be concerned about this.

You’re going to love our solution. It’s brilliant! We are hippies, but not so much dirty hippies,thanks to this amazing fix to our non-existent shower!

Here’s what we did. We got a membership at Planet Fitness. The “Black Card” membership which I pay $19.95 a month for allows me to take a guest (Bruce) to any Planet Fitness facility in the country. With over 1400 clubs, it’s easy to find a location on our road trip travels using their app. Plus, they are open 24/7!

We’ve had this membership for nearly a year now and have yet to work out! We just shower there. Maybe one day, we’ll actually work out – ha ha!  Flying J has showers available, but only if you are a commercial truck drive, so this solution at Planet Fitness has been perfect for us.

With that said, in between the Planet Fitness stops, we are quite comfortable with sponge baths and baby wipes!

 

WHERE DO WE DUMP OUR SH*T?

As explained earlier, we usually find a Flying J for this necessary but yucky job. The discount we get there makes it worthwhile to bypass Love’s where the fee is anywhere from $10-$15.

We also found that in Iowa and South Dakota, the rest stops provide FREE dump stations! That was such a great service we wish every state would offer RVers.

Now for the grim reality. Sometimes, we are miles or days away from a dump station and the tank starts getting dangerously full.  I have to thank my Grandma Day for guiding me to use coffee cans or jugs for the excess. (she always kept a pee can in the car.)  I started using a “pee can” when we lived in a tent for one summer and were not close to the campground bathroom. Ever since we hit the road in 2013, I’ve kept them handy.

Yep! Lived in a tent in 2009! Want to read the full story of how our dream began when we got rid of everything and moved into a tent? Get my book “RV LIVING: The Naked Hippies Way.”

HOW DO WE GET MAIL?

This is only applicable to full time RVers. We don’t really need an every day delivery of all that usual junk mail. We pay bills online and have online banking services. But, occasionally, we do need to receive mail.

For that, we have a mail service from Escapees which forwards our mail to whatever address we give them. When we know we’re going to be at a friend’s or family member’s home for a visit, we call to have them send our mail there.

 

HOW DO WE GET BY WITHOUT PLUGGING INTO ELECTRICITY?

Until we figured out how to do this in order to charge our laptops and phones, we had to pay for campgrounds. Many RVers have generators for this purpose. Our pickup camper has no extra room for even the smallest generator. We had to figure out something else that would work, and we did.

We have an inverter that is now wired to our truck battery. Our truck has become our generator. We are able to charge our devices as we travel and also when we are parked. Sometimes we run the truck, sometimes we just run the inverter off the battery. This has been the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place so that we can truly camp for free.

Without electricity, our coffee maker sits idle but we have an antique drip-o-lator that makes awesome coffee using the gas stove in our camper.

 

WHAT ABOUT FLAT TIRES AND BREAKDOWNS?

We’ve had 3 blowouts on this trip, plus we had to be towed over the mountains in Arizona when our truck lost power and couldn’t make the steep climbs. We’ve been rescued many times by Good Sam’s Roadside Assistance. Of all the expenses we have, this one is vital to our peace of mind.

You can imagine how difficult (as well as humorous) it would be for Bruce and me to tackle changing a tire on the pickup when the camper is weighing it down. Not gonna happen. Good Sam’s Roadside Assistance has always provided quick and efficient service, sometimes above and beyond the limits of their rules and regulations.

There you have it – The Naked Hippies Way for free camping.

 

It ain’t always pretty and definitely not always comfortable, but we’re free. We’re traveling this gorgeous country now, not waiting for everything to be pristine and top of the line.

We also have the immense blessing of visiting friends and family as we travel. Their hospitality showers us with the luxury of showers, laundry, electricity and meals. But, as the open road continually calls us, we stay to enjoy the conversations and luxury, but eventually, the itch to get moving has to be scratched.

Our next free camping adventure is taking us to Quartzsite, Arizona where thousands of RVers gather for the winter on hundreds and hundreds of acres on BLM land. We will pay for a long-term pass which gives us camping from September to April for $180. With that pass, we’ll have access to a dump station, water and trash disposal.

You might have your own hacks for camping for free! We’d love to hear them. Leave a comment below and we’ll let you know if we try it.

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Maybe we’ll see you on the road!

We’ve visited with many of our Facebook friends this year.

Have we connected on FB yet?

 Trisha

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We’ve been to some AMAZING places this year.

Enjoy the tour!!

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Camping For FREE – We Proved It Can Be Done

On By Trisha BarnesIn Travel

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 Camping for free was our goal when we set out on the open road in April. 

We have traveled nearly 11,000 miles through 19 states in our Big Foot pickup camper – and we have not paid for one night of camping!

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It was a challenge we set for ourselves to see if we were truly set up to be self-sufficient. That was the necessary obstacle to overcome to begin camping for free.

We proved we can do it! In a few days, we are heading to Quartzsite, Arizona where we won’t have electricity to charge our laptops and phones. We’ll have to drive a mile or two every week to dump our black tank, toss our trash in a dumpster and refill our water containers. Our journey this year proved we can absolutely do this boondocking thing in Quartzsite. 

We’ve been on the Naked Hippies never-ending roadtrip pretty much continuously since 2013. We’re living our dream. How are we able to do this? It’s definitely not because we had a huge savings account or lucked out with an inheritance from a rich relative. No, there’s two reasons:

1. We didn’t wait until we had everything perfect.

If we had waited until we could afford a spiffy RV and had a nest egg of savings to pay for gas and camping and all the other expenses of the road, we would still be sitting still in Missouri (and shoveling snow in the winter!)

Instead, we were open to opportunities and blessings that came our way; and mosttof all, just took a huge flippin’ leap of faith believing that everything would be okay, that we would be safe, and that the Universe would provide what we needed. That’s exactly what happened, and it still is happening.

Read the full story of how we began to live our dream – RV LIVING: The Naked Hippies Way: Live Your Dreams, Don’t Wait for “Someday”

2. We are comfortable being uncomfortable

This is really why most people aren’t living their dreams. Most people desire to do something different than they are now, to be free to live life on their own terms … but not if it requires being uncomfortable.

It’s an old Dodge Ram pickup with an even older camper on it. Things wear out. Stuff quits working. We either find a work-around solution or fix it. Most of the time we choose the work-around because sinking a lot of money into something that will have no resell value seems pointless.

So we are comfortable using duct tape and bungee cords to hold things in place; comfortable using coffee cans when the black tank is full and we’re nowhere near a dump station; comfortable making coffee with an antique drip-o-lator on the gas stove because the electric coffee maker requires too many amps to use the inverter; and comfortable with sponge baths instead of daily showers.

The mother of all “get-out-of-your-comfort-zone” is to on occasions be comfortable sleeping at WalMart and truck stops where diesels rumble all night and the lights on the parking lot make it so bright we can almost read a book at night. It’s definitely camping for free and sometimes, all we need a place to sleep for one night before heading on to the more picturesque free campsites we find. 

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Comfortable, too, when one by one, our tires blew out; when our truck lost power and we had to be towed over the mountains in Arizona; when every mechanic we talked to had a different idea about the truck issue; and when a passing car honked to let us know our wonky back door had flown open again.

Good grief! I’m getting a bit grumpy writing about all that uncomfortableness … but then, I remember.

I remember sinking my feet in the sand at Santa Monica beach, gasping in awe at the bluebonnets and Hamilton Pool in Texas; seeing the magnificent and grand Badlands, viewing the battlefield at Little Big Horn, driving through the Black Hills and standing under the Presidents at Mount Rushmore …

stepping in the headwaters of the Missouri River in Montana, the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota and Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron; crossing the five mile Mackinac Bridge; spectacular mountaintop camping in Colorado; touching the border of Canada; tasting pasties for the first time; the mountains, the canyons, the forests, the wide open spaces …

and I say to myself, “It’s worth it all!”

Most of all, I remember all the friends and family we were able to visit. We had a joyous family wedding in Missouri that brought so many family members I hadn’t seen in years; we met in person for the first time many of our dear Facebook friends; we reunited with friends whom we always make sure we stop to see when passing through; and I had days instead of just a couple of hours of uninterrupted, loving and deep conversations with my sisters for the first time in my life.

It’s the friends and family who offer a parking space and an extension cord who have made our journey of 11,000 miles easier. Who have excitedly welcomed us saying, “Come … stay … shower … do laundry!” Who load us up with movies and books, garden produce, boudin, roasted green chilis edible cookie dough and garden produce. Who provide a free massage, a home-cooked meal of fresh crappie or stew, a boat ride and a campfire.

 

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Could we have done all these miles without their gracious hospitality? Of course, but we’ve learned to never turn down these kind of invitations, these gifts. The time we spend on the deck, around the kitchen table, at a restaurant, or in the backyard or living rooms of our friends and family is a treasure that we cherish.

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Thank you for everything Rick Katz, Vincent Molina, Franco and Pammy Gonzalez, Thell and Julia Prueitt, Stephen LeBlanc, Theresa and Pat Griffith, Andrew and Rebecca Christus, Hannah Christus and Patrick Shami, Nick and Sarah Christus, Allison Saufnauer, Russ Mayo, Debby and Dallas Lancaster, Danny John and Marla Jane, Phil and Carol Walsack, Ray Hopkins, JJ Lahr and Keith Haddrill, Barbara and Jim Murdock, Karen and Jim McKy, Dale and Sherri Schlotzhauer, Tom and Janie Sanderford, Tim and Barb-Sanders Cole, Petra Tenwalde, Harold Tsosie, Alan and Niki Schlotzhauer, Robert Tremblay and Carol Begnoche, and Kimberly and Ron Olsen. You have truly made this year’s journey memorable.

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Everything ahead is unknown. We’ve never camped at Quartzsite with the massive number of RVers who come there every year. We know a little of what to expect, but not a lot. But this we do know for sure – whatever comes up, whatever uncomfortable issues we have – we’ll figure it out and have an amazing experience. That’s The Naked Hippies Way!

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HOW and WHERE We Find Free Camping – The Naked Hippies Way

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Enjoy what we saw and experienced on the Naked Hippies Roadtrip 2017!

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Unplugged and We Survived Beautifully

On By Trisha BarnesIn Personal Growth

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Unplugged for four days in the Rocky Mountains!

We really had no choice. As we climbed the roads leading to a camping spot among the tall pines in the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado, we lost contact with the rest of the world.

It was a forced detachment from our phones, but we welcomed it as a weary traveler welcomes a vacancy sign.

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What would we do all day without the internet? Without checking emails and sending text messages and keeping up with everyone on Facebook? What would we do, now that all that we usually do every single day was null and void … and impossible?

Nature called loud and clear, “Come, sit and be still. There’s nothing else required of you.”

 

Our camper was nestled in among the tall pines of this forest. Downhill it sat, at an angle that made us hold on whenever we climbed out of bed so that we wouldn’t gather speed and head out the back door!

Downhill, a mountain stream sang its sweet melody, luring us to come, to listen, to observe. We sat there for hours and hours, eyes, ears and hearts wide open to a magnificent, magical opera.

There was not an abundance of wildlife here in these woods. One had to be aware and watch closely to see a hummingbird, a butterfly, a squirrel, a snake, a hawk. There was not a cacophony of morning songs from the birds. One had to listen intently to catch a distant song carried on the breeze.

There was silence. This was holy ground.

We had carried books and notebooks with us to this worship service. But, we were in Nature’s church, being filled with the spirit of creation, lessons on life, death and abundance being revealed.

It felt sacrilegious to us to even open a book or write. So, we sat still under the pine trees, beside the mountain stream, among the boulders and wildflowers … just BEING, not DOING.

That first night I awoke to complete darkness. Pitch black. No outside lights illuminating my path to the bathroom. No flashing blue lights from phones and laptops. Blackness like the sensory deprivation I experienced several months ago in a float spa.

I opened the back door and stepped outside, looked up and gasped. Finally, I was seeing what I have yearned to view for so long … the starry sky, pure and brilliant and massively grand. I KNEW it would be like this, but now I was here, at an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet, being dazzled and awed by stars that felt close enough to reach if I climbed one of the pine trees.

This visual experience was the highlight of all that I saw in these mountains. This has been my quest for as long as I can remember … to be so removed from what is man made in order to view what Nature displays every night in full glory.

We came down from the mountain yesterday. We soon were back in the frenzy and noise of the daily life of most people. But, the silence that had stilled our minds held on … in spite of all that surrounded us. Our mountaintop experience had given us peace, assurance and strength to step back into chaos … but only for a short time.

As shared in my story about the Canadian border fiasco, we will be removed once again from routine, from our connection to the world as we immerse for the next several days in the next class for PSYCH-K.

We have spent the last four days letting go of everything in order to connect with Nature. Now, as we continue with the advanced PSYCH-K class, we will be letting go more fully and more deeply of all that holds us back, that keeps us stuck, that limits our dreams.

This is for you as much as it is for us. Because you, as well as all our friends and family struggle, too. It’s so very evident in all the conversations we have. It’s what we are here to do … to help you change limiting beliefs that are keeping you from living the life you desire.

Until we found PSYCH-K, we continued on as best we could, stumbling along, trying to find that breakthrough, to end the struggle, to be free of the prison of limiting beliefs. No longer do we stumble. No longer do we cross our fingers and HOPE we have found the answer.

We KNOW, we have experienced and witnessed first-hand miraculous and magical changes in our lives and in the lives of others we have worked with through the balancing processes of PSYCH-K.

Our time in the mountains was an experience of emptying ourselves in
order to be filled with what comes next.

 

And what comes next will include you and similar miracles of transformation as you instantly and easily change the limiting beliefs which have clouded, guarded and held you firmly – a place that feels less than what you are capable of being and doing and having.

The training we have committed to since finding and experiencing PSYCH-K is costly to us. We stepped out in faith for the first class, incurring debt in order to attend. We have recently been graciously offered this class without the means to pay for it right now.

We know this is our path, this is what we are here to do. We are freedom fighters of a different kind – helping you find your freedom. Your donation to our commitment, our dream, our vision is requested and so greatly appreciated. Details on how to donate are found here.

May your heart guide your decision.

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Love and light and freedom,

 

Trisha
c:  573-881-6715
f:  FB Connect and message

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