Ah, the summer of 2023, heralded as a scorching inferno, challenges even the most audacious of modern nomads. Picture intrepid souls, living and journeying in cars, vans, or RVs, yearning for a respite from the relentless heat. But fear not, my fellow travelers, for I have a revelation that shall leave you spellbound – the secret art of making ice without a fridge! Yes, you heard it right – a frosty oasis amid the sweltering desert of summer.
Historical Prelude: A Chilled Trip Down Memory Lane
As we quench our thirst with ice-cold beverages, let us journey through the annals of history, where the thirst for chilled drinks shaped cultures and economies. Behold the Persian ice houses, magnificent yakhchāls, storing ice collected during winter or forged amidst cooler desert nights for year-round refreshment. Delve into the Chinese wisdom, with references to ice harvesting dating back to the 7th century BC. And in the 19th century, witness the revolution brought forth by the ‘Ice King’ Frederick Tudor, whose venture in harvesting New England’s winter ice transformed our consumption of cold beverages and food preservation.
The Power of Science: Sublimation and Desublimation
Now, let us unveil the captivating science behind transforming water into ice without a fridge. Behold the magic of sublimation and desublimation, where a substance gracefully transitions from gas to solid state, eschewing the liquid realm altogether and vice versa.
Method 1: The Salt and Ice Bag Technique
A dance of basic science unfolds in this ingenious method. Picture simple kitchen salt lowering the freezing point of water, causing ice to melt and, in the process, whisking away heat from its surroundings.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Imbue a small Ziploc bag with water.
Nestle this bag in a larger one, cradling ice and salt.
Embrace the role of an alchemist, shaking vigorously for about 5 minutes.
Behold! Your water metamorphoses into ice before your very eyes!
The Ingenious Ice Makers: Thermoelectric Cooling
Let us now explore the realm of portable and whisper-quiet technology – thermoelectric cooling. As if conducting a symphony, this technology transfers heat from one side of the device to another through the enchanting Peltier effect.
Method 2: Portable Thermoelectric Coolers
Revel in the ease of this method, where you become the conductor of ice formation.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Pour water into the dedicated tray.
Empower the cooler with a source of energy.
With patience as your virtuoso virtue, await approximately 2 hours for your ice to unveil its frozen allure.
The Ancestral Techniques: Harnessing Nature’s Cool
Before the era of fridges, our wise ancestors devised varied means to create and store ice. Let us heed their wisdom and adapt their techniques to our modern endeavors.
Method 3: The Ice House Method
Like a sorcerer embracing the elements, wield nature’s cool with this ancestral technique.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Fill a shallow tray with water, shrouding it beneath a black cloth.
Bestow this tray outside on a clear, freezing night.
At the dawn’s embrace, harvest your ice – a trophy of resourcefulness.
The Convenience of Modern Technology: Portable Ice Makers
And now, we unveil the epitome of convenience – the portable ice makers, a blessing for modern nomads. Behold the marvel of ice formation, orchestrated by these compact and efficient devices.
Method 4: Portable Ice Makers
Partake in this symphony of convenience, as you become the maestro of ice creation.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Populate the water reservoir with liquid sustenance.
Empower the ice maker with a suitable source of energy.
Artfully select your preferred ice cube size.
Engage in tranquil anticipation for 7 to 15 minutes, as the ice weaves its frozen tale.
A Frozen Overture
With these newfound tools and techniques from the annals of history and the wonders of modernity, you, esteemed nomads, now hold the power of icy delight in your very hands. Whether atop the Rocky Mountains or amidst the embrace of the beach sun, remember that the power of ice rests in your hands. Embrace these innovative techniques, and let the summer of 2023 become a frosty affair to remember, a symphony of chilled delights that accompany you on your nomadic odyssey. Here’s to cooler travels!
While cruising around one of the many fabulous vanlife/RV/camping groups that the internet has to offer, we came across an interesting question:
What should I have in my RV?
Naturally, we quickly replied asking just how detailed of a list they were asking for. When the poster said they were ready for everything we had–we rose to the challenge and created our ultimate RV Supply Checklist (completely editable, tyvm).
And thus, Our ~Definitive RV Supply Checklist~ was born!
What’s in the List?
We drew inspiration for this list from the gear we carry along on our rig. The mega checklist is broken up into eight categories:
RV Essentials
Kitchen and Cooking Supplies
Food Staples
Clothing and Bedroom Items
Outdoor Gear
Remote Working Gear
Vanlife Essentials
Each of these categories lists items that we carry along. However, we’ve left blank pages in so you can add items unique to you and your rig!
Let us know what you think? What will you be adding? We’d love to hear from you!
Happy travels!
Join the Adventure!
I see you sitting there…Eddies on The Move is a close-knit community of over the road travelers. We aim to provide support for everyone from the occasional road trip to the full-time road warrior. We’d love to have you, so please come learn about #thewaywemove.
In one way or another, I have been a nomad my entire life. It can be said that adventure is at the core of every nomad; surely having a clean, comfortable place to rest is the bedrock on which the nomad plans her next adventure! In our series: Places To Stay, we will endeavor to present to you campgrounds, county parks, and hidden national gems that can provide a place for safe respite. We will begin with the list of campgrounds owned by people of color.
Honorable Mentions: Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is not actually owned by African Americans but rather is a Campground within the State of California park system. It is mentioned here because this site was once a town established, funded, and governed by African Americans in 1908.
While I have not personally visited these sites, I plan to visit the East coast sites in 2020 and report my findings in an upcoming post. In the interim, please feel free to comment or share other sites. We will map them and add them to our database. Until next time:
Ah, Florida. Just the word conjures up imagery of sunsets, sandy beaches, and that charming mouse fellow over in Orlando. With more than 126 million visitors annually, it is no wonder that Florida ranks among one of the best places for digital nomads to temporarily call home.
Boasting 5 Water Management Districts which encompasses nearly six million acres and another 800,000 acres dedicated to state parks, Florida has no shortage of campsites. Not only are these sites affordable but they are also digital-nomad friendly. There are a number of sites that surround metropolitan areas making for a healthy balance between the untamed and the urban.
I know what you’re thinking: “Okay, great. I’m ready, but how do I choose?” No worries, I got you. We’ve listed eleven of our favoritedigital nomad friendly campsites. We even broke them up by region! Before we get into it, let’s talk about what makes a campsite digital nomad friendly.
What Makes the Cut?
What exactly makes one campsite more nomad friendly than the other? Simple! It really comes down to three factors:
Location
How close it to a major city or town and how close is it to major amenities like a grocery store, laundrette, café or auto mechanic.
Cell Signal
The digital in digital nomad can’t really be facilitated if there’s no internet. So these places need to have at least 3 bars to make the list.
Price
When you’re spending one to three weeks in an area, the cost of where you lay your head can quickly add up. These sites are all $25 or less.
We focused on nine major cities in Florida that can be roughly divided into North, Central and South/Southeast. It is pretty important to note, particularly in Florida, that the further south you venture the higher-priced things are and the further from civilization you get. South Florida is home to both the Everglades National Park, Everglade Nature Preserve and the Big Cypress Nature preserve which takes up a huge amount of space
With all that fun housekeeping out of the way, let’s get into this list.
North (Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville)
1. Coe Landing Campground
Address: 1201 Coe Landing Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32310 Distance from Major Town/City: 24 minutes (13.5 miles) Cost per night: $24 per night (+ taxes) Major amenities: Dump station, hot showers, wireless internet, pet-friendly
This is a Florida county park right on Lake Talquin. It has 20 sites and they take online reservations. I don’t know about you but waking up to a glimmering lake seems like a pretty nice way to start (or end) a stint in Florida. Learn more here: Official website
2. Little Talbot Island State Park
Address: 12157 Heckscher Dr. Jacksonville, Fl 3226 Distance from Major Town/City: 32 minutes (26.7 miles) Cost per night: $24 per night (+ tax and a one-time fee of $6.70) Major Amenities: Dump station, hot showers, electrical hookups, recreational equipment rental
Saltmarsh at high tide Photo Courtesy of Florida State Parks
While this park’s address lists it in Jacksonville, Little Talbot Island is actually one of the barrier islands surrounding Jacksonville. It offers views of both marshland and undeveloped beaches and access to the metropolitan area of Jacksonville. There are 32 sites (12 of which are tent only) but its scenic beauty and closeness to Jacksonville make it a popular destination so be sure to book well in advance. I checked today (12/17) and the soonest booking for my selected site (038) was July 2020! Learn more here: Official Website
3. Paynes Prairie State Park
Address: 100 Savannah Blvd. Micanopy, FL 32667 Distance from Major Town/City: 14 minutes (10.4 miles) Cost per night: $18 per night (+ taxes) Major amenities: Dump station, hot showers, wireless internet, pet-friendly
At less than 15 minutes from Gainesville, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a real catch. This allows for all the amenities of a large town/city and all the beauty of undisturbed nature. The park also offers equipment rentals, which allows you to immerse yourself in nature without necessarily having to lug around a kayak. This state park has a total of 37 sites, 7 of which are tent-specific. This is a really popular site, so be sure to check availability before showing up! Learn more here: Official Website
Central (Orlando, Tampa, Palm Bay)
Okay, so maybe Tampa isn’t technically central, but it is just 1.5 hours from the happiest place on earth.
4. Wekiwa Springs State Park
Address: 1800 Weikwa Cir. Apoka, FL 32712 Distance from Major Town/City: 22 minutes (16.7 miles) Cost per night: $24 per night (+taxes) Major Amenities: Dump station, hot showers, campground host, a concession area, equipment rentals, pet-friendly
Rock Spring Run Photo Courtesy of Florida State Parks
Wekiwa Springs is the Orlando area’s hidden gem. Less than 30 minutes away from Church Street and the hustle and bustle of downtown, Wekiwa Springs transports you from urban jungle to tropical paradise. The park is located along Rock Spring Run and is a great spot to canoe or kayak on a lazy day. Wekiwa has 53 sites, some of which are only accessible via watercraft. Like the others, Wekiwa is an extremely popular destination so be sure to plan ahead! Learn more here: Official Website
5.Magnolia Park
Address: 2929 S Binion Rd. Apoka, FL 32703 Distance from Major Town/City: 22 minutes (19.5 miles) Cost per night: $23 per night (+taxes)* Amenities: Pet-friendly, dump station, restrooms
Also in Apopka, Magnolia Park lies on the edge of Lake Apopka and is operated by Orange County. This county park hosts 18 RV or tent spots and offers full hookups. If you happen to be a resident of Orange County, you can receive a discounted rate of $18 per day. They also allow the use of the dump station by non-registered guests for a nominal fee of $5. As with its sister park, Magnolia is less than 30 minutes from downtown and only an hour and ten minutes from the space coast. Learn more here: Official Website
6. Hillsborough River State Park
Address: 15402 US-301, Thonotossassa, FL 33592 Distance from Major Town/City: 33 minutes (27.7 miles) Cost per night: $24 per night (+ taxes) Amenities: Concession stand and restaurant, pet-friendly, a shower station, a dump station, equipment rental, recycling center, pressurized water
With a massive 100 sites, Hillsborough River gives you all the charm and beauty of Florida wilderness plus the benefit of Tampa’s bustling downtown. This park is situated along the Hillsborough River (surprise, right?) and has tons of water sports. Learn more here: Official Website
7. Edward Medard Conservation Park
Address: 6140 Edward Edward Pkwy., Plant City, FL 33567 Distance from Major Town/City: 26 minutes (21 miles) Cost per night: $24 per night (+taxes) Amenities: partial hookups, on-site dump station, pet-friendly, bathhouse, fire pits
This is a first-come, first-serve site, so be sure to call ahead! Edward Medard sits on a 700-acre reservoir managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. There is an on-site dump station, as well as a bathhouse! The park has 42 sites, but some are primitive, so be sure to check beforehand. Learn more here:
South/ Southeast (Naples, Fort Myers, Miami)
Remember when I said that things get more expensive and farther apart the further south you go? So, here we are at our waterloo. There are a couple of good options still relatively close to the Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale/Miami area but some step outside of our $25 a day budget.
8. Larry & Penny Thompson Park*
Address: 13601 SW 176th St. Miami, FL 33177 Distance from Major Town/City: 29 minutes (25.4 miles) Cost per night: $33.90 (+tax)* Amenities: full hookups, restroom and laundry facilities, beach access, pet-friendly (in RV sites), hot showers
Okay, so I wouldn’t be doing my job as a dutiful curator by gushing about all of the sick amenities without first mentioning one potential sticking point. In doing this research, I stumbled across a review where someone said their truck was stolen from in front of their rig while they slept and claimed there were tons of squatters.
Okay. There. I said it. Now, I cannot speak to the truth of this claim, but I can say that it may have been an anomaly because all of the other reviews are absolutely glowing.
So now that that ugly business is out of the way, I can gush. This site looks so lush. Not only does it have hot showers/bathroom facilities (which in itself is pretty nice for a county park), it has laundryo n – s i t e. AND, it also has monthly and weekly pricing, which works out to be $18.83 and $27.40, respectively. And the fluffy, Publix icing on the top? This site is less than 30 miles from Miami, a major hub for everything from art to food.
Address: 3300 North Park Rd. Hollywood, FL 33021 Distance from Major Town/City: 27 minutes (21 miles) Cost per night:Nov to April 30 $40 per night*, May 1 to Oct. 31 $35 per night Amenities: Bathhouse, Laundry, full hookups, pet-friendly*, fire ring
As with Larry & Penny, TY is a county park boasting a ton of amenities from a full bathhouse to laundry facilities. This park is less than 30 minutes from Miami and very near to I-95 which runs up and down the southeast coast. This park also has a ton of fun activities, like a castaway island and a waterpark. Learn more here: Official Website
10. Collier-Seminole State Park
Address: Distance from Major Town/City: 24 minutes (17.2 miles) Cost per night: $22 per night (+taxes) Amenities: Pet-friendly, visitor center, hot showers, fire ring, flushing toilets
Less than 30 minutes from the Naples Area, the Collier-Seminole State Park is an affordable option for nomads looking to stay on the Southwest coast. This park has 95 sites, 77 of which are suitable for an RV. It’s also conveniently located near the Big Cypress National Preserve and only an hour and a half from Miami. Learn more here: Official Website
11. Koreshan State Park
Address: 3800 Corkscrew Rd. Estero, FL 33928 Distance from Major Town/City: 26 minutes (15.3 miles) Cost per night: $26* per night (+taxes) Amenities: Dump station, full hookups, hot showers, flushing toilets, equipment rental, laundry facilities
Koreshan SP Bamboo Trail Photo Courtesy of Florida State Parks
Koreshan State Park is located less than 30 minutes from Cape Coral, Naples & Fort Myers. It offers pretty good amenities and is home to one of Florida’s hidden gems–a bamboo forest…well, trail. While the park is very near to the major areas, it’s quite the cultural gem in and of itself. Koreshan has 59 sites and dump station use is available to non-guest for a nominal fee. Learn more here: Official Website
Honorable Mention
Oscar Scherer State Park
Address: 1843 S Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229 Distance from Major Town/City: 19 minutes (12.7 miles) Cost per night: $26 (+ taxes)
Amenities: Dump station, full hookups, hot showers, flushing toilets Learn more here: Official Website
Myakka State Park
Address: 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 Distance from Major Town/City: 24 minutes (18.8 miles) Cost per night: $26 (+ taxes) Learn more here: Official Website
Both Myakka and Oscar Scherer are located near Sarasota and are roughly an hour south of the Tampa Bay/ St. Petersburg area. They made their way into the honorable mention because there is a wealth of options within an hour of Orlando and Tampa, and Sarasota is one of those places people aren’t terribly familiar with, in general. Both parks are near water and relatively near to the Gulf coast.
And there you have it! Eleven stops down the state of Florida that will let you get your entrepreneur on without skimping on Instagram worthy content.
What do you think? Have you ever stayed at any of these spots? Do you think something is missing? Comment below, we’d love to hear from you.
I see you sitting there…
Eddies on The Move is a close-knit community of over the road travelers. We aim to provide support for everyone from the occasional road trip to the full-time road warrior. We’d love to have you, so please come learn about #thewaywemove.
