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We Quit Our Jobs, Built A Tiny House On Wheels And Hit The Road

Two years ago my partner, Guillaume, and I were both burdened by high rent, a multitude of belongings, college debt and careers that allowed us to maintain that lifestyle. I was beginning to believe I’d never be able to pursue my passion for writing and Guillaume felt the same way about his photography. Then we came across tiny houses. These artistically designed tiny dwellings inspired us to upend our lives and pursue our dreams. We came up with a game plan: 1) Build a tiny home, 2) Travel around North America for one year, and 3) Create a travel journalism portfolio about alternative lifestyles. He’d photograph. I’d write.

We began our tiny house build with zero construction experience and a “we’ll learn as we go” attitude. What we didn’t realize was that we weren’t just building a home, we were also challenging ourselves to rethink the idea of “home” altogether. After dozens of mistakes, life lessons and a brutal downsize, we hit the road with our one-of-a-kind tiny house on wheels!

Six months and 10,000 miles later, our tiny abode has taken us on a wild adventure. Along the way, we’ve met numerous like-minded people who build and reside in small structures such as: tiny homes, tree houses, yurts, homemade house boats, etc. Guillaume photographs these alternative lifestyle pioneers in their innovative dwellings, while I write down their stories.

More info: tinyhousegiantjourney.com | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Two years ago we were burdened by high rent, a multitude of belongings, college debt and careers

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-24

I was beginning to believe I’d never be able to pursue my passion for writing… but then we came across tiny houses!

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-1

We came up with a game plan: 1) Build a tiny home, 2) Travel around North America for one year, and 3) Create a travel journalism portfolio

We began our tiny house build with zero construction experience and a “we’ll learn as we go” attitude

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-5

What we didn’t realize was that we weren’t just building a home, we were also challenging ourselves to rethink the idea of “home” altogether

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-7

After dozens of mistakes, life lessons and a brutal downsize, we hit the road with our one-of-a-kind tiny house on wheels!

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-6

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-18

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-12

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tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-13

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Six months and 10,000 miles later, our tiny abode has taken us on a wild adventure

tiny-house-giant-journey-mobile-home-jenna-guillame-19

183Kviews

I travel around in a tiny house on wheels, tour alternative dwellings and document my journey online.

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I travel around in a tiny house on wheels, tour alternative dwellings and document my journey online.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

ChloeClik 9 years ago

What a fantastic adventure and home, it looks like an amazing time and thanks for sharing, I loved reading about it and the photography is b

21points

DebbiePatterson 9 years ago

Every time I read about these tiny homes it makes me yearn for the open road!!

17points

AuliaVriconella 9 years ago

where the bathroom? and how to supply water for bath,etc. energy for lamp etc?

10points

BoredPandaCancer 9 years ago

Here is their website and what they did with the plumbing. Your Welcome ;)

10points

Load More Replies...

BoredPandaCancer 9 years ago

From the looks of this it looks like a great place to live. I need this when I come out of my shell.

6points

CielRed 9 years ago

Great lifestyle with congenial company & the cozy living space. My folks were 20 yr full-timers in their Airstream.

5points

gailhart 9 years ago

Good for you...

3points

ViviRingel 9 years ago

I Love it, how beautiful. I always dreamed about a House like this.

2points

SharmynMcgraw 9 years ago

Looks like it's been worth the sacrifices. Looks amazing and meaningful.

2points

DianaShively 9 years ago

Love Love Love this!!

2points

SharonJHackney 9 years ago

Wondering how much it cost you to park the 'small house' whenever you went in for a night's rest or more?

1point

CielRed 9 years ago

Sure would like place captions on the photos!

1point

JennaSpesard (Post author) 9 years ago

Good point! Next time. In the meantime, you can check out our website which has the details - www.tinyhousegiantjourney.com

1point

Load More Replies...

cest_nayce 9 years ago

i want to do that too one day! this is awesome!

1point

GinaMessina 9 years ago

Where did you buy the ottomans? I live in a travel trailer and would like to build a couch like the one you built.

0points

SarahCorreia(APositiveBeginning) 9 years ago

if you ever wanted to travel abroad, how would you arrange that?

0points

SarahCorreia(APositiveBeginning) 9 years ago

if you ever wanted to go on vacation, how would you make sure your home was secure? Would you leave it at a relatives or lock it up in storage? I very well plan on doing this as every day I'm more eager to live with nature and become a minimalist. I know with some saved up money and the right resources this can be done. Thank you for the share and I cannot wait to have my mini mobile home :)

0points

SusannaVesna 9 years ago

This is EPIC!

0points

martrix 9 years ago

What a great adventure, self growing and learning experience this must have been! When I see these tiny homes I feel I'd love to make one.

0points

HannaElQasem 9 years ago

it actually a pretty good old idea !,i saw it on an egyptian movie from the 1980's but their problem was that they couldn't afford a house

0points

AlejandraSandoval 9 years ago

This is totally amazing! It warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing. #lifegoals

0points

MatthewNikolich 9 years ago

Amazing Journey. Congrats on the experience

0points

CarolynMadorie 9 years ago

Wonderful !!

0points

KadriJärve 9 years ago

Wow, what a brilliant idea.

0points

กัมพูชาไทย 9 years ago

I think that is the great I want. www.ehowshare.blogspot.com

0points

HowardLewis 9 years ago

A+ You aren't collecting food stamps and welfare, are you?

0points

HowardLewis 9 years ago

A+

0points

MariaNoonan 9 years ago

0points

JudithMeighan 9 years ago

This is awesome! Wish I had the courage to do something like this. Your home is so inviting inside and cosy! What terrific views!!

0points

NormanConstantine 9 years ago

Wow. A long time ago when I thought I was a good chess player ( I am not bad) I dreamed of going around the country like this playing chess.

0points

KushalKamra 9 years ago

wow(y)

0points

LindaRhyne 9 years ago

My dream is to live in a tiny house near the ocean!

0points

KarenRiner 9 years ago

AWESOME!! I want to read about this lifestyle change!!! We are in our 60s, retired & ready!!

0points

GvancaLejava 9 years ago

perfect...!

0points

MarcosGonzalez-Perez 9 years ago

Awesome!

0points

MarcosGonzalez-Perez 9 years ago

Awesome!

0points

SherryFoulk 9 years ago

Absolutely amazing pictures, story, and of course house. Love the decor!!! Thanks so much, sharing this with my fb friends!! Happy Trails!!

0points

FrankBasta 9 years ago

Love your adventure.I would like to build one in Maine. So I can do my work.

0points

DrMoonMusic18 9 years ago

Love it more that they have a dog!

0points

TerrieGilland 9 years ago

I'm curious, what are the advantages of this vs. a camper? Aside from the cute factor.

0points

DeedoeDarrow 9 years ago

How is that any different than a Mobil home

0points

FayDevlin 9 years ago

I would change nothing, except switch out the dog for our cats. Inspiring!

0points

EmaCâmara 9 years ago

My kind of dream! <3

0points

GlynisLailann 9 years ago

Big Thumbs Up for having the courage to do that!

0points

SandieChetcuti 9 years ago

What a fab space well done looks like you had fun along the way, my husband Frank and I have retired now bought an RV and travelling Europe

0points

PeterKrishnan 9 years ago

My Dream Just Flash By!

0points

HarmlessHamster 9 years ago

So this is what rich people do with their money - travel around instead of helping people...

0points

Fernandito 9 years ago

Spectacular, enchanting.

0points

BUTCHWRIGHT 9 years ago

cool

0points

9 years ago

I like your dog!

0points

JoAnneBlanchard 9 years ago

0points

Frecklebuddy 9 years ago

Make sure not go on the I-10 out of Louisiana because it's really bumpy and I wouldn't want thaf awesome house to break! :)

0points

gila1959 9 years ago

Fantastic.

0points

SandiHollenbeak 9 years ago

I think I will follow their lead.

0points

DonnaMusick 9 years ago

love it and good for you both...

0points

ElizabethKingsley 9 years ago

i want to know how u get paid for travel blogging?

0points

SuperAlliekat 9 years ago

i wish i could have this life! how beautiful and free!

0points

DelyseRamos 9 years ago

Very brave of you. What an adventure! I LOVE your little house

0points

FidgeFodge 9 years ago

After watching Tiny House Doc on Netflix, I looked into this. Seems impossible in Canada due to all the bylaws. Boo hoo.

0points

FidgeFodge 9 years ago

I would love this. But there are so many bylaws in Canada and it would be very difficult to do this here. Boo Hoo.

0points

EvaKlevska 9 years ago

I remember hearing about a great depression when an entire nation was forced to live in their T-Fords. Wasn't anything much romantic there..

0points

Sky 9 years ago

Why didn't you just buy a camper?

0points

JennaSpesard (Post author) 9 years ago

A camper would have been fine for travel, but we were looking for an alternative lifestyle home. We built the home to match our personality.

0points

Load More Replies...

POST

ChloeClik 9 years ago

What a fantastic adventure and home, it looks like an amazing time and thanks for sharing, I loved reading about it and the photography is b

21points

DebbiePatterson 9 years ago

Every time I read about these tiny homes it makes me yearn for the open road!!

17points

AuliaVriconella 9 years ago

where the bathroom? and how to supply water for bath,etc. energy for lamp etc?

10points

BoredPandaCancer 9 years ago

Here is their website and what they did with the plumbing. Your Welcome ;)

10points

Load More Replies...

BoredPandaCancer 9 years ago

From the looks of this it looks like a great place to live. I need this when I come out of my shell.

6points

CielRed 9 years ago

Great lifestyle with congenial company & the cozy living space. My folks were 20 yr full-timers in their Airstream.

5points

gailhart 9 years ago

Good for you...

3points

ViviRingel 9 years ago

I Love it, how beautiful. I always dreamed about a House like this.

2points

SharmynMcgraw 9 years ago

Looks like it's been worth the sacrifices. Looks amazing and meaningful.

2points

DianaShively 9 years ago

Love Love Love this!!

2points

SharonJHackney 9 years ago

Wondering how much it cost you to park the 'small house' whenever you went in for a night's rest or more?

1point

CielRed 9 years ago

Sure would like place captions on the photos!

1point

JennaSpesard (Post author) 9 years ago

Good point! Next time. In the meantime, you can check out our website which has the details - www.tinyhousegiantjourney.com

1point

Load More Replies...

cest_nayce 9 years ago

i want to do that too one day! this is awesome!

1point

GinaMessina 9 years ago

Where did you buy the ottomans? I live in a travel trailer and would like to build a couch like the one you built.

0points

SarahCorreia(APositiveBeginning) 9 years ago

if you ever wanted to travel abroad, how would you arrange that?

0points

SarahCorreia(APositiveBeginning) 9 years ago

0points

SusannaVesna 9 years ago

This is EPIC!

0points

martrix 9 years ago

What a great adventure, self growing and learning experience this must have been! When I see these tiny homes I feel I'd love to make one.

0points

HannaElQasem 9 years ago

it actually a pretty good old idea !,i saw it on an egyptian movie from the 1980's but their problem was that they couldn't afford a house

0points

AlejandraSandoval 9 years ago

This is totally amazing! It warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing. #lifegoals

0points

MatthewNikolich 9 years ago

Amazing Journey. Congrats on the experience

0points

CarolynMadorie 9 years ago

Wonderful !!

0points

KadriJärve 9 years ago

Wow, what a brilliant idea.

0points

กัมพูชาไทย 9 years ago

I think that is the great I want. www.ehowshare.blogspot.com

0points

HowardLewis 9 years ago

A+ You aren't collecting food stamps and welfare, are you?

0points

HowardLewis 9 years ago

A+

0points

MariaNoonan 9 years ago

0points

JudithMeighan 9 years ago

This is awesome! Wish I had the courage to do something like this. Your home is so inviting inside and cosy! What terrific views!!

0points

NormanConstantine 9 years ago

Wow. A long time ago when I thought I was a good chess player ( I am not bad) I dreamed of going around the country like this playing chess.

0points

KushalKamra 9 years ago

wow(y)

0points

LindaRhyne 9 years ago

My dream is to live in a tiny house near the ocean!

0points

KarenRiner 9 years ago

AWESOME!! I want to read about this lifestyle change!!! We are in our 60s, retired & ready!!

0points

GvancaLejava 9 years ago

perfect...!

0points

MarcosGonzalez-Perez 9 years ago

Awesome!

0points

MarcosGonzalez-Perez 9 years ago

Awesome!

0points

SherryFoulk 9 years ago

Absolutely amazing pictures, story, and of course house. Love the decor!!! Thanks so much, sharing this with my fb friends!! Happy Trails!!

0points

FrankBasta 9 years ago

Love your adventure.I would like to build one in Maine. So I can do my work.

0points

DrMoonMusic18 9 years ago

Love it more that they have a dog!

0points

TerrieGilland 9 years ago

I'm curious, what are the advantages of this vs. a camper? Aside from the cute factor.

0points

DeedoeDarrow 9 years ago

How is that any different than a Mobil home

0points

FayDevlin 9 years ago

I would change nothing, except switch out the dog for our cats. Inspiring!

0points

EmaCâmara 9 years ago

My kind of dream! <3

0points

GlynisLailann 9 years ago

Big Thumbs Up for having the courage to do that!

0points

SandieChetcuti 9 years ago

What a fab space well done looks like you had fun along the way, my husband Frank and I have retired now bought an RV and travelling Europe

0points

PeterKrishnan 9 years ago

My Dream Just Flash By!

0points

HarmlessHamster 9 years ago

So this is what rich people do with their money - travel around instead of helping people...

0points

Fernandito 9 years ago

Spectacular, enchanting.

0points

BUTCHWRIGHT 9 years ago

cool

0points

9 years ago

I like your dog!

0points

JoAnneBlanchard 9 years ago

0points

Frecklebuddy 9 years ago

Make sure not go on the I-10 out of Louisiana because it's really bumpy and I wouldn't want thaf awesome house to break! :)

0points

gila1959 9 years ago

Fantastic.

0points

SandiHollenbeak 9 years ago

I think I will follow their lead.

0points

DonnaMusick 9 years ago

love it and good for you both...

0points

ElizabethKingsley 9 years ago

i want to know how u get paid for travel blogging?

0points

SuperAlliekat 9 years ago

i wish i could have this life! how beautiful and free!

0points

DelyseRamos 9 years ago

Very brave of you. What an adventure! I LOVE your little house

0points

FidgeFodge 9 years ago

After watching Tiny House Doc on Netflix, I looked into this. Seems impossible in Canada due to all the bylaws. Boo hoo.

0points

FidgeFodge 9 years ago

I would love this. But there are so many bylaws in Canada and it would be very difficult to do this here. Boo Hoo.

0points

EvaKlevska 9 years ago

I remember hearing about a great depression when an entire nation was forced to live in their T-Fords. Wasn't anything much romantic there..

0points

Sky 9 years ago

Why didn't you just buy a camper?

0points

JennaSpesard (Post author) 9 years ago

A camper would have been fine for travel, but we were looking for an alternative lifestyle home. We built the home to match our personality.

0points

Load More Replies...

We Quit Our Jobs, Built A Tiny House On Wheels And Hit The Road

Two years ago we were burdened by high rent, a multitude of belongings, college debt and careers

I was beginning to believe I’d never be able to pursue my passion for writing… but then we came across tiny houses!

We came up with a game plan: 1) Build a tiny home, 2) Travel around North America for one year, and 3) Create a travel journalism portfolio

We began our tiny house build with zero construction experience and a “we’ll learn as we go” attitude

What we didn’t realize was that we weren’t just building a home, we were also challenging ourselves to rethink the idea of “home” altogether

After dozens of mistakes, life lessons and a brutal downsize, we hit the road with our one-of-a-kind tiny house on wheels!

Six months and 10,000 miles later, our tiny abode has taken us on a wild adventure

Games

Jenna Spesard

Jenna Spesard

We Quit Our Jobs, Built A Tiny House On Wheels And Hit The Road

Two years ago we were burdened by high rent, a multitude of belongings, college debt and careers

I was beginning to believe I’d never be able to pursue my passion for writing… but then we came across tiny houses!

We came up with a game plan: 1) Build a tiny home, 2) Travel around North America for one year, and 3) Create a travel journalism portfolio

Share icon

We began our tiny house build with zero construction experience and a “we’ll learn as we go” attitude

What we didn’t realize was that we weren’t just building a home, we were also challenging ourselves to rethink the idea of “home” altogether

After dozens of mistakes, life lessons and a brutal downsize, we hit the road with our one-of-a-kind tiny house on wheels!

Six months and 10,000 miles later, our tiny abode has taken us on a wild adventure

Games

Jenna Spesard

Jenna Spesard