We cut down dead trees and built a unique tiny home on wheels with a timber frame! Now, we live off-grid in the middle of the woods. We often have to scare away bears and make our own electricity. When we started this project, we didn’t know how challenging it would be.
We had never built anything before we decided to make a tiny home for ourselves. We made a lot of mistakes and it took much longer than we thought.
However, the beauty of what we built surprised us. The imperfect beams remind us of the many hours we spent working with chisels, determined to finish our project.
Sometimes, we almost gave up on our dream, but we finally made it to our little piece of paradise. We now live in the woods at the edge of a meadow, living life the way we want.
Meet Edwin and Clara. They started building their tiny house in June 2018 on a special trailer, but their journey actually began in 2015 while they were living in San Diego. Both dreamed of living in a tiny home.
Edwin was studying Environmental Engineering at UCSD, and Clara was studying Natural Sciences at a local college. During that year, they both started rethinking what they wanted from life.
The careers they were preparing for didn’t seem to promise the life they hoped for. They didn’t like the idea of taking out big loans for school and a house, then working forever just to pay off their spending. They felt bad about joining that kind of race.
They saw living in a tiny house as the key to the lifestyle they wanted. This is when they began drawing, discussing, and figuring out how to create their own tiny home.
Back in Northern California, a huge fire destroyed the community and hometown where Edwin was from. A close family, Paul, Debra, and their son Connor, lost their home that took them thirty years to build. Edwin wanted to help them rebuild.
Paul, who is an ER doctor but also a builder and woodworker as a hobby, made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Edwin and Clara helped rebuild Paul’s family home, and in return, Paul helped them build their dream tiny home on wheels.
Edwin and Clara knew very little about building when they started. Edwin had taken a few carpentry classes in high school, and Clara had never even held a drill. But they were determined.
While helping rebuild their friend’s home, they learned many new skills like cutting down trees, making their own wood, wiring for electricity, plumbing, building with timber, putting up drywall, and making cabinets.
After they saw the finished barn and house of their friend, it was time to start on their own tiny home. The three-year building process had many ups and downs. They faced high costs, missed time with family and friends, and long work days.
The upcoming wedding gave them the extra push they needed to finish their project. They were excited to show their hard work to all their friends and family.
At the beginning of 2020, they moved their Tiny Home to their own property. Since then, they have been perfecting their tiny living space, making constant improvements and enjoying the results of their hard work.
Their home, built in a timber frame style, feels like a piece of art. The large windows let in lots of natural light and offer views of the beautiful property they live on. Living in a tiny home has made their lives simpler and richer. It has also given them the freedom to explore new ventures.
Follow Edwin and Clara’s adventures: Instagram and TikTok: @TinyHomeWildAdventures
Blog: https://www.tinyhomewildadventures.com/
Original Story: tinyhousebasics.com
