Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo by Harry Thomas/Silver Monkey.net

In the past, bridge tenders were needed to run the electronics and machinery that raised and lowered bridges on major rivers, waterways and railroad bridges. The machinery was kept in a small house near or on the bridge and the bridge tender would spend most of their time in the house, or even lived there. Their jobs consisted of controlling and monitoring traffic around the bridges, keeping the bridge and the raising/lowering mechanism in good condition and running telegraph machines and other communications. Most bridge tender houses were usually built by government departments of transportation.

Delaware and Raritan Canal, New Jersey

What’s appealing about these buildings is that they are located in cities, in the country, and according to the photo on the bottom, in the middle of nowhere. Bridge tender houses have mostly gone by the wayside in the U.S., but a few are still being used to monitor waterway and railroad traffic while some have been converted into private homes or museums. The few that have been made into private homes, I’m sure get their fair share of people trying to look into their windows.

Indian Rocks Bridge, Florida

Treasure Island Causeway, Florida

Jordan Lift Bridge, Virginia

Delaware and Raritan Canal, New Jersey

Chicago Loop, Illinois

Long Island City, NY.

Courtney Campbell Causeway, Florida

Real Life Bridge tenders

State’s oldest swing drawbridge spans history

Former bridge tender kept watch over the original Cunningham bridge

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

Today’s Trilliums are built utilizing the original models. So the quality, design, and floor plans are true to the former manufacturing standards. The overall look of the fiberglass body remains the same. Big improvements are in the area of newer, high tech appliances, modern cushion materials, curtains, and exterior graphics. The trailers have the same dimensions, but will weigh a little more. This is due to the addition of more equipment that users have requested in the trailers.

Tom has opened up his design process to include feedback and ideas from Trillium fans. Some of the new ideas include open storage cabinetry, a small bathroom, modern styling and clean lines.

Trillium RV produces two models: the 1300 and the 4500, two floor plans without bathrooms, a four sleeper bunk,  a three sleeper front dinette, and  a bathroom floor plan. The new Trillium has an even higher level of quality control, some degree of customization, and top notch customer service. The trailers are sold directly to the consumer, without a dealer network.

Both the 1300 and the 4500 include these features and basic equipment:

1300

• 2,000 lb. maintenance free torsion axle – capacity/GVW
• 13 feet 5 inches in length
• 12 Gauge Heavy Duty Steel Frame
• 20 lb. propane tank
• 45 Amp Power Converter/Battery Charger
• Patio Light
• 4″ High Quality Cushions

4500

• 2,200 lb. maintenance free torsion axle – capacity/GVW
• 15 feet 3 inches in length
• 12 gauge heavy duty steel frame
• 20 lb. propane tank
• 45 amp power converter/battery charger
• Patio light
• 4 inch high quality cushions

Both the 1300 and the 4500 are offered in the Classic Model and the Legend Model. The cost of the 1300 Classic is $11,995 and the 4500 Classic is $13,995. The cost of the 1300 Legend is $13,995 and the 4500 Legend is $15,995. The Legend comes with everything that is included in the Classic plus additional items such as:

• Upgraded refrigerator
• LED reading lights
• Cable TV hookup
• Kitchen counter extension
• Day/Night shades
• MaxxAir roof power vent upgrade

If you are interested in a Trillium, but are not ready to buy, Trillium RV trailers are also offered as rentals.

By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]

As mentioned on their blog, Aluminum Bliss, Chris and Lani decided to make the Airstream their new home because of its sleek, rounded, aluminum interior and large windows that open up a small space and dispel the feeling of living in a box. The modern furnishings inspire a clean environment and the numerous storage spaces eliminate clutter. Their classic rig also turns a lot of heads.

Chris works out of the trailer using a Verizon MiFi, satellite dish and free campground WiFi. Lani takes care of the Airstream and the blog and awaits the birth of their new baby. They decided on this lifestyle because Chris is able to work from anywhere and it seemed like a good time in their lives to do some traveling. They were tired of be “owned” by their stuff and they craved the open road and a little adventure. After a year or so of traveling in an Airstream, they have a few insights on living the aluminum life:

“We no longer buy too many groceries that sit in our pantry well beyond the expiration date. In fact, we seem to buy more fresh foods and have learned to carefully plan our meals out in advance so as to avoid multiple trips to the store.”

“Our water consumption has decreased tremendously. When you only have a 15 gallon gray water tank, you quickly learn how to use less water when washing dishes or brushing your teeth.  Showers are quick, even when they are in the campground’s bathrooms.  And, laundry…well I’m pretty cheap when it comes to using my quarters so laundry is only done once a week.  And, with less clothing in tow, we’ve learned that some things can be worn awhile before being considered ‘dirty.’”

“We live in 160 square feet so it takes little to heat and power our humble abode. And, we grow tired of refilling our propane tanks so we are pretty stingy with our propane use. Additionally, we recently began converting the few lights in our home to LED.”

They plan on staying on the road indefinitely, or until they get tired of the lifestyle. In the meantime they have this to say about their decision:

“It’s been an incredible lifestyle change and one that will continue with us long after our Airstream journey comes to an end. I enjoy life so much more without the clutter and junk.  Don’t get me wrong, traveling the country and seeing what we’ve seen is amazing but so is this new sense of freedom from being owned and defined by our stuff.”

The 2010 Airstream Sport

Airstream Sport. Photos courtesy of Colonial Airstream.

For a big adventure in a smaller package, I recently saw a 2010 16 foot Airstream Sport for sale and was impressed with the design and layout. In this new model, the full bathroom from the back of the rig has been removed and has been replaced with a double bed. The reduced bathroom is now a wet bath without a sink. There seems to be plenty of storage space around the bed, in the closet and under the dinette. The tow weight is 3,500 pounds, it has a 23 gallon fresh water tank and a 21 gallon combination gray and black water tank. It also has a a 12,000 BTU furnace and an option for AC.

View the Airstream Sport brochure

The Sport is available in four types of decor: Cinnabar, Mochablue, Oatmeal and Sharksfin, and typical of the new Airstream designs, has clean, sleek retro styling. The price for this Airstream is about $35,000.

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

They initially bought a fifth wheel trailer and a large truck to tow their new home, which they planned to see the country with and do some work along the way. After a few months, they decided to simplify even further by purchasing a 1999 Starcraft pop-up trailer and a smaller Suburban.

Their blog (and nicely done videos) chronicles the lives of two professionals who had enough of the rat race, and decided to hit the road. They work in campgrounds as workampers, usually getting a free camp spot, amenities and a few dollars in their wallets. These jobs are normally seasonal, allowing Duncan and Jessica to stay mobile and work where the good weather is. What I really appreciate about their blog is that they take the time and effort to show important details in the lives of nomads and workampers, including how to find jobs, save money and live in close quarters with your partner.

They are still experimenting with their trailer and see it as a stepping stone to another choice down the road. They’ve done their research and have a list on their blog of the pros and cons of various types of RVs and trailers. The pop-up suits their needs for now and allows them to spend more time outside and by the campfire. There’s even enough room for their dog, Patience.

“We were a young, newly-married couple who was living the life the way that we were told to. We had the house, the car, the big screen TV… everything that society told us to aquire. We had the regular 9 to 5 jobs at an advertising agency. The alarm goes off, we get up, go to work, go home, eat a little something, reset the alarm clock, and go to sleep. Repeat forever. Next thing you know it’s fifty years later and we wonder where it all went.

Sound familiar?

That’s when we decided to break away and leave it all behind. We’ve sold it all, the house, the car, the TV and we’ve bought an RV, hitting the road, making everyday different. New experiences, new people, new life. Turn off the TV and enjoy everything that this world has to offer. Follow our adventures while we are traveling on the outskirts.”

By Christina Nellemann for the (Tiny House Blog)

Today is my wife Janelle’s birthday and I am running around doing house cleaning and errands so we can spend this afternoon and evening together so just a short post this morning. Enjoy the Tiny House Living information and have a great weekend.

Tiny House Living – Issue 36

Michaels latest version of the Tiny House Living is a weekly newsletter that covers the world of tiny houses and the people that choose to live this simpler life. Each entry is a short summary that links to the original article. Subscribe by Email to Tiny House Living and stay up-to-date on the news and events in our community.

This week Michael covers Steven’s Summer Project and Open House, Blast from the Recent Past, 10 Cool Treehouses, Shipping Container House, Jay Shafer on the CBS News, Paperhouse, and my favorite Newton Wells and his Tiny House.

If any of you Vermonters know how to get in touch with Newton Wells please have him get in touch with me. I would like to learn more from him and so far have not been able to track him down. Thank you.

Click on the image above or click here to read the Tiny House Living issue.

by Kent Griswold (Tiny House Blog)

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Tiny House Living is a weekly newsletter that covers the world of tiny houses and the people that choose to live this simpler life. Each entry is a short summary that links to the original article. Subscribe by Email to Tiny House Living and stay up-to-date on the news and events in our community.

In this issue: The Paper House; Small Living Journal – Why a Tiny Home?; Bush Babes; Ziggy’s Cob House; Jalopy Cabins; 8 x 20 Solar House; ReBurbia; and the Clear Village Contest. Click here to read Tiny House Living.

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to our feed

Tiny House Living is a weekly newsletter that covers the world of tiny houses and the people that choose to live this simpler life.

Each entry is a short summary that links to the original article. Subscribe by Email to Tiny House Living and stay up-to-date on the news and events in our community.

This week a few of the subjects are: International Shed of the Year 2009 winner, Garden Office, Zoey’s Tiny House Update, and The Bus is Back, and Earthbag Root Cellar. Read the latest of Tiny House Living here.

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Last night Michael Janzen published the latest issue of Tiny House Living which is his weekly online newsletter that covers the growing world of tiny houses. Here are a few snippets from this week’s issue:

The sheddies in the UK are extremely serious about their sheds. Shed Week 2009 begins July 6, 2009 so be sure to keep any eye on the shedblog.co.uk… finalists for Shed of the Year have just been announced.

Architect Gregory Smith send this photo into Tiny House Blog for Kent’s regular Tiny House in a Landscape feature. It’s a historic weekend cabin near the edge of a river in Cisco Grove, California

Ryan also just launched a tiny house blog and forum in addition to setting up this very novel map that allows everyone in the greater simple living community to add themselves… Please add yourself to the map.

Take a look at this week’s edition of Tiny House Living.

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