Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
I began version one of my Vardo Caravan eleven years ago this month. As I published updates and details along the way people have for a detailed "how to" for building a vardo. Since everyone's needs, skills, and resources are different, I will leave the task to others. My suggestions are this. Decide on your … Continue reading Building Your Own Vardo
These ratty old moccasins have spent a lot of time in the woods. These have been my winter moccasins for over two decades. I can't remember exactly when I made them but it was a quick and dirty sewing job. They have been re-soled at least twice and need it again. The uppers are an … Continue reading Moccasin upgrade time again
A LITTLE CARAVANNING HISTORY At the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, the young artist Frances Jennings became a semi-invalid and was advised by her doctor to spend as much time as she could in the open air. Being a Victorian lady at loose ends, the obvious choice was to take to … Continue reading Happiness in Simplicity
I want to re-share this camper I posted about back in 2010. I would still like to know more about it but love what I've seen so far. I see some definite similarities to my own concept of a vardo but I really like to metal sheathing as a modern, low maintenance exterior. Also, the … Continue reading ProtoStoga
Peter van Beek has documented the difficult life of nomads in a modernizing Europe. Fear, stereotypes, and unfamiliarity dominate their way of life and place them into a partially self-imposed, marginalized portion of society. Although there is terrible poverty, he documents family life and survival of these remarkable people. But it isn't all oppressive … Continue reading Romanian Gypsies
A tiny accommodation, side entry single horse style. It is documented that the adults with this style wagon generally slept outdoors except in very bad weather. It was a good way to confine the children and the valuables. This is part of a series of images, mostly Romany, Irish and Scottish Travellers collected from around … Continue reading Paris Travellers
I would like to re-share this older post I wrote about a caravaner, scholar, and philosopher I am quite intrigued by - Dugald Semple Dugald Semple was a Scottish philosopher of the early 20th Century and an advocate for simple living. After becoming and engineer he took to the woods and, for a period, a … Continue reading Dugald Semple and a Simple Life
Because there's always room for improvement. In my case, a lot of improvement. Rehung siding, new paint, fresh varnish, little fixes, and lots of cleaning. We're hooked up to get out of town for a bit. Dietz lanterns, Kelly kettle, fuel, and lamp oil packed away in the pan box. The steel disk serves as … Continue reading Vardo – Topper Makeover
Seen on the Road to Glamperland Facebook page.
After several requests for information, here is my short list of inspirational sites found on the web. Culling the web for Vardo style so you don't have to. I will try to morph this into it's own page soon as a place to add more links as they become available. Romany and Traditional Style Sheepherder … Continue reading Update from the vault: Vardo and Sheepherder Links
Continuing my search for backpacks and rucksacks throughout history, I keep coming across various types of boxes and baskets strapped to people's backs. While querying the web today for variations of the Asian pack box, I saw this nifty solution. Cheap, easy to construct and extremely functional. I can imagine this as an excellent platform … Continue reading Pack Box
From the Spiritsintent website...Open Fire Yurt Open Fire Yurt with smoke cowl This is our latest afghan yurt, or the open fire yurt as we call it, seen here with a smoke flap type wheel cover, to allow for the open fire whilst ensuring the rain does not enter. Check out the rest of their remarkable work HERE.
A couple modern bowtops by the wayside in Britain. Great colors.
For the Ultra Minimalists, Part 1, click here. Modern Minimalists Everything I Own: My 288 Things By Joshua Fields Millburn Life Tools & Accessories - 33 items, including my car, guitar, books, hairbrush, toothbrush, etc. Consumables - 5 groups of items, including food, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, office supplies and paper goods Kitchen Items - … Continue reading Ultra Minimalists, Part 4 – Modern Minimalism
As unveiled at Winter Count 2014 near Maricopa, Arizona. This classic kite shaped beauty is built into the bed of an old Dodge Power Wagon. Like all projects of this nature, she's a work in progress but is already and awe-inspiring thing of beauty. The layout is a traditional elevated cross-bed with a kitchen down … Continue reading Jed and Hilary’s Power Wagon Vardo
For those who know the Snail, you might notice something different. I'm making a little post about the new look but I just loved the sunset picture from today after work. I have a very short window of light at the end of the work day but try to use it best I can. More … Continue reading Road Check
Roland and Mary Conklin of Huntington, N.Y., made house-car travel a family experience. Their bus factory built the Gypsy Van, shown above, and in the summer of 1915, the Conklin family set out to see America. Photo & caption courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, the Huntington Historical Society (New York), and Home on the Road: … Continue reading The Conklin House Bus
From the Flying Tortoise:
from Pinterest:
Everything old is new again..
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 