This morning, I woke up to about twelve inches of snow outside our RV. It is gorgeous. Quiet. Sparkly. The kind of view that makes winter glamping sound like a fantastic life choice. And then you remember that your furnace has developed a personality and your water system is actively plotting against you.
Yes, we are glamping. Technically. Although right now our heat situation is being held together by space heaters carefully placed like they are part of an advanced science experiment. The furnace still works… occasionally. It just prefers unpredictability, which is not ideal when it’s freezing outside and you enjoy things like consistency and sleep.
Water is where things really get entertaining. The water lines are frozen, which already complicates daily life. But even when I can scrounge water, there’s a catch. The kitchen gray tank froze and would not drain. So, I had water, but nowhere for it to go. Which means no dishes, no rinsing, and definitely no pretending this was a functional kitchen.
Winter glamping has a special way of teaching you lessons like “just because you have water doesn’t mean you can use it.” Every task turns into a mental flowchart. Can I get water? Should I use water? Where will the water end up? And is that a problem I want to deal with today?
Mornings now start with a systems check instead of coffee. How cold did it get overnight? Which heater is winning the MVP award? What froze this time? It’s less “slow winter morning” and more “RV survival trivia, lightning round.”
And still, somehow, it’s beautiful. The campground is silent. Snow absorbs sound and turns everything calm and still. Standing outside bundled up, it almost feels worth it. Almost. Because the view is stunning, even if the inside situation is a little ridiculous.
Winter glamping is not glamorous. It’s space heaters, frozen tanks, and learning to laugh when your kitchen is technically off-limits. It’s adapting, problem-solving, and accepting that some days the goal is simply to make it through without creating a bigger mess.
So yes, it’s beautiful. Yes, we’re having issues. And yes, we’re still here, making it work one frozen system at a time.