December 15, 2014

The Arctic Fox


"The Arctic Fox is an incredibly hardy animal that can survive frigid Arctic temperatures as low as -58° F (-50C). Arctic Foxes have beautiful white, blue-gray coats that act as a very effective winter camouflage. The natural hues allow the fox to blend into any landscape."
National Geographic

On December 12, 2014, exactly 2 months after we ordered our Arctic Fox 25P, we received these photos from a very cool representative at Northwood Manufacturing. Our new trailer is slowly working its way through each production station.

These select photos, all of our chosen model and floorplan, highlight different phases of completion while on the production line. Although there is no way to determine which one of these units is the one we ordered, this line is quite special...for it will be the final time Northwood Manufacturing will produce the Arctic Fox 25P floorplan.

The below photo shows the stand up shower, framing for the fridge and the frame of the storage box below the queen bed.




This next photo is of another angle showing the under bed storage frame on the left, the enclosed shower and bathroom and the kitchen counter located in the rear of the trailer.



In this photo, more of the kitchen has been completed and some structural walls. The fridge frame on the left, completed counter, double sink, range, oven and cabinets and drawers. The small booth dinette is also almost complete. 



This driver's side photo shows the booth and kitchen. The 
"big hole" is for the sofa bed slide out. By the way reservations 
for that sofa bed have been submitted for a multitude of dates 
so they will need to be chosen by the "lottery" due to the huge number of requests.


Here is the what the completed slide out room looks like.


Almost complete...but you can get an idea of what our Arctic 
Fox 25P will look like when all dressed up with the new graphics, colors and front cap design for 2015


Pretty exciting, huh? Our own Arctic Fox...in our eyes the best 
4-season trailer built. We look forward to testing it's ruggedness in those off the grid "hidey-holes" or in harsh and extreme weather. Although we prefer fair weather conditions, we are confident we will be snug as a bug if Mother Nature chooses to offer us a test.

But in the meantime, we must wait until Northwood Manufacturing finishes our rig with our chosen interior color scheme and upgraded options. Once the trailer is out of production, the manufacturer will complete a thorough Pre-Delivery Inspectionn (PDI) prior to shipment to our dealer. Once our dealer takes possession of the trailer, they complete their own final PDI and then install the additional after market options that we requested. Until that day, we will enjoy the holidays with family. 

Now readers...after looking at this small sampling of photos, would you be able to find the space for everything you need for a minimum of 6 months of full time travel living? It is not easy to change a lifetime of formed behaviors, in fact very hard to do, especially when you include egos and desires whispering deep within your mind..."you will need me, pleaseeeee take me". Fortunately we've had great mentors to help us along the way and look forward to meeting others out there who will no doubt teach us even more. Fellow Nomads, based on all your experience, we would love to see your most most important suggestions or tips toward long-term RV living by responding in the comment Section at the end of this post.

P.S.  Since the very first time I had the opportunity to experience living full time on the road, my mantra has been...Simplify, Prioritize and Downsize. Heck, the less I have, the less I have to dust. And over the years when I became WE, Imkelina had the same mindset. And for those that know us...we do walk our talk!
"Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how 
uncomplicated and happy your life can become."  
Paramahansa Yogananda


At Waypoint 35°33'03.60"N 121°05'11.40"W…holding pattern.