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
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
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
I love these the old sheepherder camps. I've seen quite a few parked on ranches from Colorado to Idaho and even a few in Arizona. I know they aren't highway capable but it seems they could provide a real housing alternative for low-income minimalists who have access to land. Far better than a housing complex … Continue reading A Fine Old Sheepherder Wagon
From the ingenuity of the Roaring 20s. Pack up with your favorite Flapper and head to the wide-open spaces! Novel Camping Trailer Opens Into Comfortable Quarters A NOVEL camping trailer has been produced in London which is hailed with delight by lovers of the outdoors because of the comfort it provides. The trailer, compact when … Continue reading Novel Camping Trailer from 1929
(from the Paleotool vault) I love these things. I saw quite a few parked on ranches from Colorado to Idaho last week. I know they aren't highway capable but it seems they could provide a real housing alternative for low-income minimalists. Way better than a housing complex or apartment for sure. The photos link to … Continue reading Yet Another Sheepherder…
(from the Paleotool vault) Here's a great story I read years ago about being raised in a family of six in a sheep camp measuring about 7 x 8'! (I think that's the floor space). I recently relocated the article in Mother Earth News. Here's an excerpt: "The canvas-covered sheep wagon was roughly about seven … Continue reading Growing Up on the Range…
(from the Paleotool vault) Sheep camps from Wyoming from the Wyoming Tales and Trails webpage. Great photos and some good information concerning everything "western." A self-contained base camp in a sheep wagon provides a cozy home on the prairie. A beautiful culmination of cultures a innovations created this iconic American living arrangement. We can learn a … Continue reading Wyoming Sheepherders Again
Here are a few classic Sheep Camps from the Wyoming Tales and Trails webpage. There are some great photos and some good information on their web page. I personally took a lot of inspiration from these resourceful and low-cost housing solutions. There's a lot of other information and photos of western history here too. Have a … Continue reading Sheepherders’ Camps
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
From the Flying Tortoise:
A Gypsy Camp with Horses, Watercolour by Sir Alfred Munnings.
Epsom Downs - City and Suburban Day 1919, Watercolour by Sir Alfred Munnings.
Not much info on this one. Here's the link: http://www.cheaprvlivingforum.com/post?id=6490162 This guy does amazing work. I could live here.
Gypsies in Hampshire, Watercolour by Sir Alfred Munnings.
Truly a road gypsy dreamhouse. I won't even try to describe this big beauty. See the write up from the Bedford Rally here on the Flying Tortoise.
Charlotte Gray and the Green Caravan, Watercolour by Sir Alfred Munnings
The iconic Toad's Caravan by Arthur Rackham from The Wind in the Willows a great Victorian children's book.
Homemade style from the Flying Tortoise weblog. Having made a couple custom toppers of various qualities, I am drawn to these fine constructions on humble pickup trucks. Click any image to access the article.
The Caravan, Watercolour by Sir Alfred Munnings.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 