Adjusting to Stationary Lifestyle in Tennessee

The next day after closing on the house, I asked my friend to help out yet again moving, and finally after over 2 years of keeping my things in boxes, it was time to unpack. With three small bedrooms, I had more space than ever before, so unpacking went smoothly in less than a week. I realized quickly that my first order of business was to order two beds with mattresses so that I didn't have to sleep on my 3 inch mattress I used back in Knoxville (although that arrangement worked just find for me). I ordered a medium-firm and a firm mattresses of different sizes to fit my small bedrooms. It was odd having a brand new bed to sleep on.

I started noticing sounds around the house. The dog next door yapped in the high pitch voice at least several times a day with the owners not bringing it in; the traffic noise from cars driving by was higher than expected for the subdivision, especially during the morning and evening rush hour; the house made odd cracking noise in the evening as the temperature dropped down. Most of these were annoyances that I would ultimately get over except for the yapping dog. After a few attempts talking to the owner who said they could not be bothered shutting the dog up, I accepted my fate of living with a noisy neighbor's dog, yet again.

I changed the location of my room three times (well, I have 3 bedrooms). I started out with the master that faced out to the road and the neighbor's dog across the street, then I moved to the bedroom across at the back of the house only to realize that my other neighbor likes to drag metal things at midnight occasionally. I settled in the smallest bedroom of the house located between the other guest bedroom and the kitchen. Also, there was a fan in this bedroom, hence, the final decision. I had to downsize to a full size bed and left the queen one in the master bedroom. Small spaces appeal to me, they make everything feel cozier.

I started gardening pretty much right after I moved in. I ordered 13 trees to plant in the back and front yards, 3 peaches, 7 apples, 2 pears and 1 plum. I made 4 raised beds and planted a variety of vegetables from tomatoes to peppers. The harvest was the best I have ever produced, although there were quite a few failures.

I learned that it takes garlic a long time to grow, and that onion needs well-draining soil.

Cucumbers (after blight set in), tomatoes and jalapeño peppers

This is the only corn that I got from my 7 plants - fail!

Beautiful cucumbers before blight set in

Tomato plants - only 4 plants total, but produce a bunch of tomatos!

One yellow squash, he just survived. So far produced 2 fruit with 2 more on the way.

I bought a ton of furniture in the first month, but tried to keep the house minimalistic as I like it. I bought my first book, "Flour Water Salt Yeast" to make a variety of breads, I caulked the bathroom, replaced the kitchen faucet and stained the deck, bought a bike, planted succulents that ultimately died and got at least 10 estimates on the basement renovation which I never completed - all that in just a few months.

I started looking for my community, like-minded people who might be outliers among the mass in the area. I began volunteering for a local animal rescue farm and even joined a young professionals group realizing that I no longer belong there. 

The need to travel never goes away though; the desire to live in a small place with limited expenses is still there. Perhaps I am taking a break and ultimately will continue with nomadic lifestyle in the next few years, but for now I need to start enjoying the routine, relative stability and Kitty's satisfaction with my house choice. Heck, I bought a house for my cat!

Back to the East Coast, Asheville + Search for a House

After staying in Las Vegas for 3 months, it was time for me to head back east with the intention to settle down somewhere more permanently. Asheville, NC was the destination. But that destination was pretty far away, 4 driving days away, to be precise. 

My first stop was Albuquerque, NM, a place I called home for a month just a little while ago. I rented a small cottage in the north of the downtown. After a long drive with Kitty being pretty upset being in the car again, it was a decent place to stay for the night. I didn't love it as it felt a bit too claustrophobic, but it wasn't bad. I headed out early in the morning the following day after saying hello to a few goats who were roaming around in the yard. 

Our next stop was Oklahoma City, OK where I rented an apartment. I was hoping for something nicer than the place in ABQ, and indeed, I was pleasantly surprised after a brief scare when the host did not message me the entrance code 30 minutes prior to the check in time. It all worked out okay. Kitty wasn't really eating well being so stressed out from the trip. He had lost a bit of weight already and I was getting concerned. We had a very peaceful night in OK, and the bed was fantastic. 

The following morning I headed our before the sunrise to drive 6 hours to visit my friend in Arkansas where we stayed for a night before getting back on the road to Knoxville. It was the longest driving day, but we successfully arrived at my friend's house before 8 pm. Kitty desperately needed a break from all the driving, and I knew that would be the case, so I planned to stay in Knoxville for 2 nights before driving another 2 hours to my rental tiny house in Ashville.

Upon arrival to Asheville, I took a few photos of the tiny house before bridging in all the boxes. I knew that the tiny house was just that, tiny. 125 sq ft total + the loft with a queen sized bed. I was very concerned that this place would be too tiny. It really felt that way when I first walked in, and Kitty didn't like it one bit.

The table in the main area and part of the kitchenette

The loft with a bed - I had to stack pillows at the edge to ensure I or Kitty won't fall down at night

The entry door and the only closet + the ladder leading to the loft

First night while lying on the couch

A fabulous view from the window

It took Kitty a day or two to get comfortable with the ladder. I was really worried he would be too scared to climb it

During the first week I was really stressed out that this rental was not going to work out as the Internet connection was very poor despite what the owner told me during the initial contact. I could barely get any work done. The main reason was because they were just using an extender from the main house, and it worked very poorly during rainy weather. I was able to find a temporary solution by using my 50 ft. cable to directly connect to the main house's router. This was not the first time I used this cable in my traveling!

I loved the neighborhood where it was peaceful and quiet. There was a trail just quarter a mile from the rental that led in the forest to the Mountain-to-Sea trail. I had never lived so closely to a hiking trail before, so I took every opportunity to go there. It was a bit of an exercise as well as the trail led straight uphill. 

I saw bear tracks once in the forest, but the bear only once, on my last hike there right before I moved

The views from the trail were also not too shabby.

But nobody could beat the sunrises with the mountains in the background.

While Kitty found the place too small with no space to play or run around (I felt bad about it), he found another avenue for getting his exercise by harassing me to take him outside on a leash. We would go outside every single day for 15 minutes or so at a time several times a day.

He also humored me once by allowing me to put him in the cat stroller.

He was not a happy camper, but compared to my previous attempt to carry him in a cat backpack, he didn't vomit

At the same time, I started my house search in the area. I looked at dozens of places in the following few months. Some places were nice, others not so much. The radius of search widened to 1 hour away from Asheville in any direction.

Some places looked like this...

...while others were much nicer

I took a ton of pictures and videos of each place to commemorate the process, seriously considered making an offer for at least 4 houses, but ended up with only one offer in Tennessee that I actually put. The offer was originally rejected, and I was ready to walk away and continue my search, but then the seller made a more reasonable counter that I accepted. After a successful inspection, and a whole bunch of other paperwork, I was a home owner.

Perhaps this is a much shortened version of my search for a home. I changed 3 real estate agents, looked at over 50 houses in different conditions, drove hundreds of miles just to end up back in Tennessee. Whether it was a good decision or not, time will tell. For now, my nomadic lifestyle was ending until I felt ready to travel again (spoiler alert: it happened pretty quickly). My empty storage unit was the end of something important and the beginning of something else.

On the closing day

Grand Canyon in the Winter

In early January, I embarked on a memorable trip to the Grand Canyon, a destination that transformed into a winter wonderland during my visit. The journey was marked by freezing temperatures and a blanket of snow, creating a serene and breathtaking landscape that was unlike any other time of year. With the freezing temperatures came a low lodging price and half empty hotels. It was 100% worth it!

Driving there was a piece of cake as the storm has not started yet. In general, navigating the snowy roads could have been a challenge, but my trusty Subaru handled the winter conditions remarkably well. The all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction and stability, making the drive both safe and enjoyable. Upon arrival, the Grand Canyon was cloudy and chilly, but I was still able to drive around on the scenic roads that I knew would be closed after the snow fell.

Before the storm...

In the morning thought, the Canyon was cloaked in a thick layer of snow, turning the iconic red rocks and cliffs into a magical winter scene. The cold air was crisp and invigorating, and the sight of the snow-dusted canyon was awe-inspiring. The layers of snow highlighted the intricate details of the canyon's rock formations, creating a striking contrast between the bright white snow and the deep, rich colors of the canyon walls.

The snow added a new dimension to the Grand Canyon's beauty, accentuating the depth and contours of the landscape. The normally vibrant reds, oranges, and browns of the canyon were softened by the snow's white blanket, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Icicles hung from the edges of the cliffs, and the occasional snowdrift created soft, sculpted shapes along the trails.

Despite the cold, the trails were still accessible, and I ventured out on a hike along the South Rim. The rim trail, which is typically bustling with tourists, was isolated, offering a more intimate experience with the natural surroundings.

As I walked along the rim, the panoramic views of the snow-covered canyon were simply breathtaking. Each viewpoint offered a new perspective on the winter landscape, with the snow-capped peaks and cliffs stretching out as far as the eye could see. The hush of the winter air added to the sense of solitude and tranquility, allowing me to fully appreciate the grandeur of the Grand Canyon.

They were not even afraid of people!

One of the highlights of the rim hike was reaching Mather Point, where the view was nothing short of spectacular. The snow accentuated the vastness of the canyon, and the play of light and shadow on the snowy landscape created a constantly changing, mesmerizing scene. The rim trail provided numerous photo opportunities, and I found myself stopping frequently to capture the beauty of the winter wonderland.

The last morning was the coldest, yet the sun was shining brightly. I woke up in the early morning to catch the sunrise. It was stunning...

For anyone considering a winter visit to the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend it. The snowy landscape offers a unique and serene perspective of this natural wonder. However, it's important to be well-prepared for the cold weather. Dress in layers, bring plenty of warm clothing, and ensure your vehicle is equipped for winter driving conditions. Also, check the weather forecast and trail conditions before heading out to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike.