775-764-8115
howa@homesonwheelsalliance.org

Blog

The First WRTRs!

During the 2014 RTR Suanne Carlson led two sessions for women only. Due to the popularity of these sessions they were continued during the next three RTRs but many women requested more time to connect and explore issues important to them so in 2018 the first WRTR was held for three days after the RTR. The format for the WRTR is slightly different from the RTR focusing on interaction and mentoring with breakout sessions after the seminars. Between 100 to 200 hundred women attended the WRTR and based on their feedback the 2019 WRTR was scheduled before the RTR so that new attendees could meet other women and then feel more comfortable attending the much larger RTR.

As news of the camaraderie, fun, and learning experiences women found at the 2018 WRTR spread across the nomadic community, the WRTR planning committee projected that between 800 and 1,000 women would attend the 2019 WRTR . . . and that became the reality! Each day, women pulled into the WRTR entrance glowing with achievement that they had overcome hurdles, obstacles, setbacks, fears and anxiety to travel, for some, thousands of miles alone for the first time in their lives. They were greeted at the entrance by other women who had volunteered to help set up the event, greet participants, manage the sound system, and provide information and assistance where it was needed. These volunteers arrived at the WRTR site three days early to receive training and do all the tasks involved in setting up the event. Thousands of people learned about the origin and mission of this newly formed nonprofit organization during the WRTR and RTR. Homes On Wheels Alliance Trustees and other dedicated volunteers manned the booth eight hours a day for two weeks to spread the word and take donations

Read more

Emergency Gas Money

Another great testimonial from a nomad who used the emergency fund.
We are so happy that you were able to find us in your time of need.

“Due to some minor bad luck I was in the middle of the month with zero dollars. I met a friend who let me know about the Homes on Wheels Alliance and their emergency fund to help nomads stay out of bad situations. I contacted them and requested $50.00 for gas money for heat because I am in a very cold place up north and within a few days I had the money in my paypal account. If you’re a nomad get involved with these folks. It’s a smart idea to have friends. Good luck and happy travels. May  kindness and goodness meet you every step of the way.”

Read more

Emergency Van Repairs

 Charlene contacted HOWA for assistance with repairs to her van. After supplying all of the necessary information to Charmaine of HOWA her request was approved. Nick DeCarlo of DeCarlo Auto Pros in Show Low Arizona worked with Charlene to make repairs so that her van was roadworthy and she was quickly able to be back on the road.

Read more

Solar panel awards

Day one of the solar panel awards was an absolute success!

We provided 15 people with life-changing solar panels and the accessories required for installation. A huge thank you to Santan Solar for the donation of solar panels and Berger Foundation for funding the accessories.

We are thrilled to help out more nomads today. A big thank you to all the wonderful volunteers. We couldn’t do any of this without you. @ Quartzsite, Arizona

Read more

Meet Walt, a HOWA volunteer.

When Walt was 23, this Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA) multipurpose volunteer left Boston on a backpacking trip to Kathmandu, Nepal. He knew a lot about camping thanks to his involvement with the Boy Scouts. Walt was gone for six months.

Many decades later, he moved to Arizona. It was his base for journeys to most of the national parks and forests. Walt said he wasn’t familiar with boondocking or how to live on BLM lands and spent those early years in RV parks and fee campgrounds. Knowing there had to be a less expensive way, he watched many YouTube videos such as Cheap RV Living.

Open and inviting, Walt enjoys meeting people and helping new people on how to live their best nomad life. “Fire, Food, and Friendship” is his mantra and he said that a night never passes without a fire (unless circumstances prohibit it). No one is out here alone unless they really want to be.

He has served on many boards and organizations. Walt said there are “lifters and leaners in the world.” Leaners are people who complain about how something is run, but when asked for their recommendations, go quiet. Unless people are willing “to lift” their criticism is not as meaningful. He has helped with the annual HOWA meeting and the live feed.

If you want interesting unguarded conversation and wisdom, look for Walt. He’ll be the one extending an invitation for blueberry pancakes at breakfast or chili at dinner.

Post contribution by: Diana Hollenbeck

Read more

Simply Lesa

Originally from Maine, Lesa has been part of the Cheap RV Living nomadic community since 2005. After years on the road, Lesa was blessed with a piece of property and spent her time as a nomad in her SUV.

In 2018, health issues required that she stay on her property in a travel trailer that was not roadworthy. Healthy again, in April of 2019, Lesa hit the road in her SUV. In September, Lesa returned to her property to sell the trailer to travel full-time and, within two weeks of selling the trailer, the SUV developed an oil leak and her dog was diagnosed terminally ill. Lesa contacted Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA) for a tent to sleep in while her application for wheels was being decided.

Lesa just spent her first night in her HOWA no-build build minivan and reports that the bed is “great” and she slept soundly even without the planned window coverings.

Many of Lesa’s life events led to stoicism and her pursuit of minimalism. All of her creative pursuits were taken away in very traumatic ways which led her to connect more with nature while finding meaning and freedom in less. According to Lesa, being a minimalist doesn’t mean living without, but living with things chosen with respectful intention. With gratitude to HOWA, its donors and volunteers, this intelligent and thoughtful woman is looking forward to her next adventure and giving back to the nomadic community in her own special way.

Post contribution by: Diana Hollenbeck

 
Read more