We’ve added some cool new stuff to our tiny home on wheels
When you’re traveling in a 23-foot Thor Gemini motorhome, there’s not a lot of room for extra stuff. The cupboards and bins are stuffed with stuff. Recently, however, we’ve found space for a few things we didn’t know we needed. Here are those MVP discoveries.
We’re both bargain hunters, but what’s better than free? Leslie’s the queen when it comes to saying yes to product samples. (This practice dates way back to the 1980s when she wrote about Washington wine for The Grapevine on the pages of The S-R.) For years, we’ve had to take a pass when offered a new product to try, but now that we have an actual physical address, LK says bring it on.
Not everything’s a hit. She’s still trying to figure out a portable exercise system that promises the same results as going to the gym. Then again, maybe she’s just too lazy to sort that one out.
One of the samples to make the biggest impression was a set of knives that takes pride in its price tag. Cutluxe offers premium-grade, razor-sharp, and ergonomic knives that are affordable and get banging reviews on Amazon. We packed the new set of knives for our trip to Mount Rainier in August and you’ll never guess what happened next. While prepping for a family potluck, Leslie sliced her finger. Ouch and where are the Band-Aids? The takeaway from that comedy of errors was that the knives in our current quiver desperately need sharpening. It was another one of those never-a-dull-moments for the Going Mobile team, but we’re on board with the slicing power of those new knives.
Another product to bring some unexpected joy to the party is part of a low-sugar treats lineup called Skinny Dipped. We absolutely adore those chocolate covered almonds, so when we heard about a new batch of sweet-and-salty offerings, we were all in. Here are the flavors now available:
- Vanilla Crunch Almonds
- Maple Crunch Almonds
- Cinnamon Crunch Cashews
There was a spirited discussion about which we liked best. Fortunately, our differences meant we didn’t have to share, as Leslie loved the Maple Crunch and Johnny went for the cashews, especially as a protein-rich snack while hiking.
Speaking of hiking, Leslie is over-the-moon with her beautiful new backpack from Exped, a company that features Swiss-designed gear for the trail. The Typhoon 15 holds a surprising amount of stuff and while LK isn’t likely to head into the woods for an overnighter, it has come in handy for day hikes and beach picnics.
We can’t wait until our next trip to try our new NESTOUT modular outdoor power banks, which are bundled with light accessories and solar panels built to be shockproof, dustproof and waterproof. While we’ve got the generator as a backup when we’re dry camping, this system promises to harness solar energy to charge batteries in an eco-friendly – and far less noisy – way. Check out our Instagram feed for a review.
What’s your go-to gear? We’re always on the hunt to improve our road trips and would love to hear your suggestions. Whether it’s some high-tech gadget or an essential pantry product, please let us know your favorites at goingmobile@spokesman.com or drop us a postcard at 999 W. Riverside Dr., Spokane, WA., 99201. Let us hear from you and we’ll send you a postcard for your efforts!
