Solo RV Travel with Randy and her rig Daphne

My first solo woman RV interview is with Randy Williams. I first “met” Randy on the Girl Camper Facebook page and we met in real life September 2020 at Round Lake State Park in Idaho near Sandpoint.

Randy is a full-time solo RV woman and an inspiration to me. It was great for me to pick her brain and learn from her how she manages to make a living on the road, find community and find great places to camp.

She’s trying to stay warm in Arizona, while I watch the snow fall outside my window in Oregon. She agreed to share with us a bit about her solo RV life.

Kathy: First tell me how long have you been living in your trailer and what spurred you to do so in the first place?

Randy: I have been full-time on the road since early November 2017, so over three years. Somedays it feels like forever and other days it’s as though I just got started. I am still learning new things all the time: new things about my own perception on life. Pictures in my mind are becoming so clear: what I care and care less about, about other people and how I interact, or chose not to, with them. Most of the time I have nothing but time. That lends itself to a lot of thinking .

 I adopted this way of life because I needed a change. I was living outside of a small town and all aspects of my life had become stagnant. We stop growing when we’re bored. My church life changed. Several good friends moved out of the area. Work had become a chore rather than a delight. It felt as though I may never find a partner. And the weather on the Oregon coast…sucks! The lack of sunshine had driven me to go find it. So here I am, living in the sunshine with occasional rain rather than the other way around.

Tell me about your trailer (does it have a name?) How you decided to pull a trailer vs the other ways to RV? What do you love most about her and what is something about her that is challenging?

  My little home-on-wheels is named Daphne, a 2014 Jayco 14.5′ travel trailer.  She chose the name. I rarely travel the Interstates as it is not much of a delight to me., but early in my adventure I was traveling along I-10, just inside Alabama state lines heading east. For no reason at all, I turned south off the Interstate. The sudden decision took me a little by surprise. As I approached the next town a big sign “Welcome to Daphne” was right in front of my face. That’s it, her name is Daphne. 

In my past I have owned two motorhomes and a very short 5th wheel. I knew I did not want either of those. So my search for a travel trailer began.I knew she was the one for me the minute I walked in but the price was a couple grand more than I had allotted. By this time I had already sold my house and was staying with friends in Eugene. I needed to find something quick.

I spent the next day looking again and became frustrated so I stopped what I was doing and went to a movie. In the middle of the movie, I received a text from the salesman at the lot. He said he had just gotten in a little Scamp. The Scamp was not fit to live in. I asked to see this one again. I walked right in and said “I’ll take her!!”

What I love most about her? She’s small and easy to maneuver. There are no fancy gadgets, so less to break. She Uturns on a dime and that’s a good thing as I can quickly change my mind. Because of her size she’s easy to park, just about anywhere. 

What is challenging about her? She so small! The interior space is 98 sq ft. I can’t own much and it’s easy to get in my own way. I am constantly shuffling things around.

 She has been good to me for three years of full timing. I have made her into my home and I like the way she plays. So we’ll continue life together for now.

How do you support yourself financially? How do you make money?

When I first started this life, I knew I would be finding jobs along the way. I’m willing to do just about anything in the name of adventure. My sister employees me to sew in her upholstery shop in the Florida Keys,  best spot. A friend in Denver employees me twice a year for 5-6 weeks each time. I worked in a sweet shop on the Oregon coast for a summer. We sold ice cream, fancy coffees, fudge and assorted snacks. That was super social! I drove a big tri-axel truck for a sugar beet  farmer in North Dakota during harvest one season. I will be returning to that this year. I have done various sewing projects for folks as I move around. I’m open to just about anything…all in the name of adventure!!

Any advice or tips for women regarding feeling safe on the road?

My best advice about safety is this: God gave us an intuition on purpose. If the situation you’re in doesn’t feel right, then chances are it’s not! I have no desire to figure out the logistics about carrying a gun. I carry no personal protection other than common sense and intuition.  They have served me well for years.

What’s it like out there now with COVID-19? How are you keeping yourself safe? I’ve heard a lot places asking outsiders to stay away. Have you had anything uneasy happen?

Like all others, I have had to miss out during Covid. The biggest impact is missing out on seeing dear friends. I have rerouted several times now. But in the rerouting I have been able to visit places I would not have this past year. The only disappointment there was not being able to go into the buildings and reading the details or history about the place. Not once have I felt unsafe. I quickly learned to wear my mask and keep a space between myself and others. 

As far as places being closed…I don’t seem to have any issues. I have had Harvest Hosts tell me that they wouldn’t turn us away. Many parks remain open. They all know us Full-timers need to stay somewhere. my traveling hasn’t changed much, I will be so happy to see an end to Covid!

How do you find places to stay while on the road? Any favorites you want to share with us?

I use AAA’s paper maps so I can see the whole state in front of me. I look for secondary roads and farm to market type roads. The roads less traveled. I also consult an app called Parkadvisor. It’s easy to use. It doesn’t show everything available but the choices listed show pictures, amenities, elevation, distance, reviews (very helpful) and approximate cost. 

Also, I belong to a travel group called Harvest Hosts. For a small cost each year I have access to staying on property at hundreds of farms, winery/vineyard, distilleries and museums. This has become my first go to. The farms are my absolute favorite! I have camped among Alpacas in Colorado and Mississippi. Hogs and chickens in South Carolina. Ostrich in North Carolina. Rescue horses, goats and donkeys in southern Georgia.  Cattle in Montana and Tennessee. Bees in eastern Texas. Corn fields in Washington. Alfalfa in Wyoming. It’s not just the animals that bring me joy. It’s the owners themselves, the way they cherish the land they live on. They are not pretentious. The hard work is rewarding and they like sharing it. I have developed a deep respect for farmers. Side note: I have stayed at some fantastic wineries and occasionally get a chance to share a glass with other members. I don’t have a favorite because each one reveals its own treasure.

What do you miss being out on the road?

I miss being a part of a community and knowing my place. Before life on the road I was very involved with my small town life. I was involved with my church, I ran the local food pantry and delivered a local paper. I knew so many people. I miss belonging.

Thanks so much, Randy! Can’t wait to see you again out on the road.

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