Couple travels more than 45,000 miles around North America in a tiny house

An intrepid couple has travelled more than 45,000 miles around North America in their tiny house.

The 130-sq ft house is on wheels which enabled owners Alexis Stephens, 33, and Christian Parsons, 42, of Tiny House Expedition to travel across 36 US states, one Canadian province and more than 17 tiny home communities. The couple met in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA where they also built their house.

They decided to build their house and take it on the road. “Our personal journey to tiny living was born out of a desire to simplify, create more flexibility and embrace everyday adventure,” said Alexis. “No matter if you travel or stay put, tiny living encourages stronger connection to your surroundings, which opens the door to more experiences.”

Their idea was to travel around North America, documenting the people, culture and community experience of the tiny house movement. “The thing that really turned our dream into a reality was bravery. We both had to completely embrace risk and find the confidence to know we could make this all happen, build our tiny house and take it on the road.” The couple have been travelling in their tiny house for more than two and a half years after spending nine months building it.

Christian was the primary builder and took on building the house as his full-time job. The couple explained how they owe a lot of one of their friends, Tom, who allowed them to build on his property and use his tools as well as always being there to offer advice.

“Just about everything is multi-functional, and every inch is maximized,” said Alexis. “For instance, the closet is also a staircase, bench seat and bookshelf. Like every house, we have a kitchen, bathroom and living room. We also have two sleeping lofts. The ‘master suite’ has a queen bed, and my son’s loft has a folding foam bed, fold-down desk, a toy box and a special basket on a pulley system — perfect for bringing toys up and down.”

They have plans to convert a school bus in the future for their travelling so they can keep their tiny house as a home base in a city of their choosing which they have yet to decide. Alexis also had some advice for anyone wishing to follow their example and live tiny or simply take their life on the road. “If you are interested in living tiny, our advice is to just go for it,” she said.

The pair have started a vlog series, and are working on an educational docu-series, Living Tiny Legally, examining the legal obstacles around tiny housing and how these are being overcome in a growing number of cities and model building codes. Learn more on their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube  to follow their adventures and for tiny house inspiration and how-to resources.

By Mark McConville/www.mediadrumworld.com