Kelsey’s Caravan - Adventure Hostel
Tiny Home Hostel. Guided Adventures. All In One Place.
Travel affordably, play accordingly!
Tiny Home Hostel
I have a grand idea.
An idea that welcomes weary travelers, local adventurers, families, and friends.
An idea that runs on off-grid, eco-friendly, and sustainable living principles.
My idea is to create a space where you can book a stay, and book to play, affordably.
This vision involves multiple Tiny Homes on wheels, situated on a plot of land nestled somewhere in the Bow Valley, Alberta, Canada. These Tiny Homes will be designed to house 4 to 6 people, be they friends, family, or adventurers from abroad. Accommodation will be set up as advertised - Hostel style, including multiple bunks, living areas, and cook areas in shared spaces.
The goal is to keep accommodation spending to a minimum, so you can spend your hard earned moola on what matters - on Adventures! But hey, if you want an entire Tiny Home to yourself, or your group? We can arrange that too.
As a traveler, you are hard pressed to book somewhere affordable to sleep between the Calgary Airport and Banff; my goal is to change that.
Focusing on sustainable and off-grid living, these Tiny Homes will run off of solar, wind, and propane to suit your every need. They will be on wheels, so there’s no need to establish foundations, or put in underground lines of any kind.
Picture a couple acres, with uniquely colourful yet rustic Tiny Homes scattered about; a large central fire pit and gathering space to lounge and connect; an area specifically designed to store and secure your prized adventure possessions (kayaks? mountain bikes? skis? you name it); and of course, an office where you can book guided tours with yours truly.
These concepts are just the start. Other ideas include partnering with local outfitters to offer gear rentals; offering a shuttle service; offering space to park your live-in vans, or your own Tiny Home; small tent camping plot; communal garden and green house; and honestly, so much more.
This grand idea of mine started in 2017, by starting to offer guided adventures. I’m working toward seeing the rest come to fruition.
My goal is to begin building the first Tiny Home by Summer of 2021, and search for land for the Hostel by Winter 2022. This endeavor takes a lot of money, a lot of patience, and a lot of will power to bring into reality, so bear with me as I continue this journey forward one step at a time!
It was a long road, but I’ve finally reached my destination. I’m so proud to introduce to you the company that will be building the first tiny home for Kelsey’s Caravan - Adventure Hostel.
Fritz Tiny Homes is a local family run company that builds with intention, and works with you to bring your custom ideas to life. They are welcoming, friendly, and are very driven to bring the Tiny Home movement to the forefront of today’s society. If you have ever thought about living tiny, these are the people you want to talk to.
This first tiny home will be where I live and work out of full time. The design process has begun as of March, 2021, with Fritz establishing the shell of the build: utilities, framing and insulation, exterior, windows and roof. We have created a partnership where they get the important stuff in place, and I take over to finish the inner concept.
I’m so stoked they were willing to work in this capacity with me. Being budget conscious, I wanted to make sure the integrity of the home was built soundly. In this way, I can add the personal interior design aspects my self (with the help of some contractor friends!).
If you want to watch the process, follow us both on social media and see how this Adventure Hostel gets it’s start!
-April, 2021
Let the building begin!
Who’s the Builder?
“Kevin and Heather Fritz are passionate about intentional living. Their tiny home journey started in an up-cycled Edmonton city bus before moving into a garden suite loft. They now build tiny homes in the Albertan countryside and keep a mean hobby farm with their 4 children.
Kevin is a highly-skilled craftsman with years of design and building experience in the high end custom home world. Heather currently serves on the board of the Tiny Home Alliance Canada as Vice-Chair. Together, they create intentional tiny homes for purposeful living.”
Tiny Home - construction
My, what a process the building phase has been! Covid19 sure threw in some hiccups, but at the end of the day the construction phase was an amazing process to witness.
I was lucky enough to be able to visit the build site a few times and watch the layout unfold. My girl Gypsy even enjoyed herself as we checked out all the wiring, windows, and ran over some details.
Thanks to Fritz Tiny Homes, I don’t have to worry about installing any of the gas or water lines, hook ups, the electrical wiring, insulation, heating or venting….basically all of the important ‘guts’ of my home is taken care of. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
They have been so diligent about confirming decisions with me, and really flexible on changes and updates as they arose. I truly appreciate Fritz’s willingness to make sure things are done well, done efficiently, and that I’m always kept in the loop.
Next step - delivery and take over!
-August, 2021
DELIVERY DAY!!
My little home was finally delivered to the Bow Valley, and I cannot wait to share updates with you all as the interior building process begins!
-September, 2021
We Are Parked!
We are parked and living in the tiny home FULL TIME!
After some kerfuffles and a location change, I am finally set up on a piece of property where I can take my sweet time finishing the interior.
My contractor friends have completed the kitchen and shower install, and now: I do the rest. Shelving, artwork, sliding doors, cabinets, hooks, dishware and so much more is slowly getting organized and put in their allotted places.
If you click the picture, you can take a tour of my most recent updates. In the meantime, stay tuned on my social media pages to see all the little additions and builds that I’ll be completing.
-January, 2022
Interior work is well underway!
It’s been a loooonnggg Winter and Spring of 2022, but the interior is well on it’s way to being finished! All appliances are installed, my bathroom is fully functional, and so is my kitchen. I’ve finally installed a fold up table, and the sliding barn door that I’ve been talking about for AGES. I couldn’t be more pleased with how all the wood, tile, and colours of everything are coming along.
If you want to see a video tour going more in-depth about what all is new and coming along, you can watch me lethargically give you an update here. I, like many, contracted Covid this Summer, so that had me isolating in the Tiny with a few projects getting finished.
Stay tuned for more updates, and newer photos being added to the carousel below!
-August, 2022
The Interior Tour
Things have come a long long way since August 2022, and I’m stoked to finally share an inside tour of the tiny home!
There’s more work that needs to be done, and the two specific jobs I would like to finish is the loft organization, and my under counter storage. The other odd bits and bobs can be finished after I move (YES i am moving in May! Surprise!)
These next few months will be all about prepping for guiding season, and getting stuff in order for one of the biggest personal trips I’ll ever go on : kayaking the Grand Canyon. For 21 days this Spring, I’ll be on the Colorado River with friends, going on a once in a life time trip.
Then when I’m back, it’s GO TIME. With last Summer being the busiest I’ve ever been, I’m excited to bring on a new hire to help me out with what I hope to also be a super busy guiding season.
Stay tuned my fellow Adventurers! Exciting things are up and coming!
-February 2023
