The Jayco Years: Before We Knew We Needed Tidy
Jayco (August 2013)
✨That little Jayco, shining in the sunlight.
It wasn’t just any trailer; it was our trailer. The one that made us feel like RVers for real.
Not Our First RV, But the One That Got Us Hooked
Before there were checklists, systems, or Louie... there was a little Jayco. It wasn’t our first RV (that would be the Coachmen Truck Camper — a story for another day), but it was the one that made us feel like real RVers. If you’ve owned more than one rig, you know the feeling.
There’s one that teaches you something new, shifts the way you travel, and sticks with you.
A Camper, a Project, and a Whole Lot of Paint
We bought it used. Nearly 20 years old. Definitely not the kind of RV you’d expect to last another weekend, let alone four years of steady trips to the shore. But somehow, it did. We got lucky—no major structural issues, just a lot of cosmetic work. And I mean a lot.
That Jayco became my project. My proving ground. I learned how to demo cabinets, install trim, rebuild drawers, and paint every inch of paneling. I laid new flooring, scrubbed the aluminum siding until it gleamed, and made peace with the imperfections. I poured about six months into that little camper—probably more time than it ever spent in a factory line.
Salt Air, Long Weekends, and a Break We Needed
It was a labor of love. And maybe more than anything, it’s where I really learned the kind of organized systems we now build our travels around. That Jayco had everything we needed: a cozy sleeping nook, a tiny but functional kitchen, and just enough storage space to make me feel like I could breathe.
For four years, we rolled that rig out for long weekends—usually toward the coast—chasing sunlight and sea breezes. It was the perfect escape during a time when we really needed one. A break from work, responsibilities, and the endless to-do list that never stops at home.
We were happy campers—in the truest sense.
For a While, That Jayco Felt Like Home
Looking back, I realize now that the Jayco was more than a project. It was the first time we truly felt like RVers. Not just weekenders with a trailer, but people who thrived with our world on wheels. That old camper taught us that it wasn’t about luxury or size—it was about having a place that felt like home, wherever we parked it.
And for a while, that Jayco was home.
Catch you at the next stop,
— C
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