Girl Camper

On today’s show I’m starting a five part series on transforming. I know lots of us have made New Year’s resolutions and set goals for what we want to accomplish in the coming year. It has been several years since I set a New Year’s resolution. I stopped doing it because I never finish them. Statistics show that 80% of people abandon their goal by February. Only 8% accomplish their resolution. I decided to look into the psychology of why we don’t accomplish the goals we set and look for ways to tackle the obstacles to our success. I invited transformation expert Bob Thompson to join me in delving into this topic. Bob is the CEO of Legion Transformation Centers and has changed thousands of lives through fitness. Bob’s clients are not gym rats though. They’re me! The reluctant, the pessimistic. Those that want to be fit and healthy but really don’t like exercise. How he helps them transform was of great interest to me and it all starts with the mind. If we want to change the way we behave, we need to change the way we think. Our best (or worst) thinking got us where we are now. Bob says that changing our mind set starts with a belief in yourself. Whoa! This is my first stumbling block. I believe in myself when it comes to homemaking, podcasting, child rearing, trip planning, traveling afar etc… those are the things I know I’m good at. I have no belief in my ability to get a handle on my health! In fact I’m a proven failure in this area. I’m the direct opposite of what one needs to succeed in this arena. Bob’s specialty is helping motivate the unmotivated. In other words, people like me who have a desire to change but lack the proper mind set for doing it. Here is Bob with two of the winners from one of his 6 week challenges. I asked Bob if you can suddenly get a belief in yourself. What if you grew up in a family where you were never encouraged? What if your whole life you have felt “less than?” Bob says that yes, you can but you have to start by asking the “why?” question. Why do I want to lose weight, save more money, get rid of the clutter in my house, be more active? On the surface we may say we want to lose weight to look better but dig deeper. When your “why” is vanity based, it’s easy to drop the goal. Over time we come to accept our shortcomings. That’s how we end up thirty pounds overweight instead of ten pounds. We passed ten by accepting it and rationalizing it and got ourselves to thirty. When our “why” is to look good at our nephews upcoming wedding we may get 15 pounds off and feel better and make that good enough but when we dig deeper and find a better “why” our goals may find better staying power. If the goal is to be healthy for our grandchildren and be able to be active in their lives or to gain better health to be around for your spouse, it’s loftier than vanity and more likely to have staying power. Everyone has different goals and different motivations. It’s not your starting place that matters. It’s not how much you want to lose or save or get rid of. It’s about where you’re going and having a plan and support team to get there. Team building!! Once we find a deeper “why” we can build a sense of belief in self in a few ways. Have the mind set that you will not be defined by the past. You are in charge of your own choices everyday. Be kind to yourself in your own mind. Speak highly of yourself to yourself. Treat yourself as you wish to be treated by others. Don’t replay a loop of past failures in your head. Stinking thinking will not get you anywhere, You are the author of your life story. Write a feel good story!! It’s your book! Remind yourself that your value comes from your own humanity. You’re a human being created in the image and likeness of God who, as we know, doesn’t make mistakes. He created you for a purpose and you are infinitely valuable. Remember that it is His opinion that matters most. Who cares if your boss doesn’t appreciate you or if your kids don’t call often? It’s painful but, its them and not you. It’s a broken world and when the brokenness of others spills over onto you, you have the choice to believe their narrative or pray for their healing and move on. Count your past victories and relish them. When you start feeling like you are nothing, get a George Bailey attitude and remind yourself of all the ways in which you have contributed to goodness in this world. All the meals you’ve prepared and cleaned up. Feeding people day in and day out is gigantic. Count your volunteer hours and time spent on the phone with a sad friend. Working full time everyday and paying bills month after month is an accomplishment. If you don’t particularly like your job or boss it’s even bigger. Do you have a pet that relies on you to care for it? Accomplishment! Your past is full of victories. Don&#

On this weeks show we continue our exploration of the different types of RV’s and their pros and cons. The Class A motohome is the largest in the motorized family ranging in length from 21’ to 45’. This list of attributes and drawbacks is not meant to be a comprehensive study of the coaches but my observations from years of viewing them at RV shows, talking with owners and former owners and as an RV owner myself. Girl Camper Jo Lynn Black’s Class A all set up at the campground.   Pros Home Feel. The Class A really feels like a stick and brick home with full size appliances, marble counters, walk-in closets and master bedrooms. For many full timers and snow birders the interior finishes may be as nice if not nicer than their house. Storage The Class A offers incredible storage below the coach as well as inside. Many newer models have walk in kitchen pantries and bedroom closets. The basement storage offers plenty of space for chairs, grills and golf clubs or whatever hobby you want to do on the road. Comfortable Ride Most Class A owners report a smoother ride than their Class C cousins. The bus chasis doesn’t feel the bumps in the same way as the truck chasis Class C’s have. Amenities The Class A’s are loaded with amenities from multiple televisions, built in WiFi and Bluetooth speakers to faux fireplaces, ducted air conditioning and lighting packages. Pet Friendly The large open space in Class A’s make them a great choice for pet lovers. You can travel with multiple pets and have room for them to roam while you’re out for the day and while you’re driving. Room With a View The viewing window from the cab of a Class A is hard to beat. When you have traveled thousands of miles to see Yellowstone, it’s nice to see all of it. Auto Leveling Most Class A’s have built in leveling as a standard feature. No messing with cranks and blocks. The push of a button does all the work. Larger Tanks. With a larger coach comes larger everything, including the holding tanks. Gray water, freshwater, black tanks and gas tanks as well. This allows you to boondock longer without needing to refill or dump tanks. Full Season Class A coaches have all of their plumbing contained within the motorhome. Unlike a travel trailer and some other motorized vehicles, the waste pipes are not exposed allowing them to be heated in cold weather for year round use. Tow Ready You can tow behind a Class A motor home making it possible to bring a day use car, boat, or trailer carrying motorcycles or a golf cart. Cons Big Size Limiting The large size can be limiting in many ways. Not all campgrounds can accommodate the length. State and National Parks that were built in the 1930s often have limited availability for motorhomes of this size. HOA’s may have regulations against parking somethings this size in your driveway. Not all roads can accommodate Class A’s. Tunnels and bridges are sometimes too low and narrow for them to pass through. Tourist sites often have limited parking for vehicles this size and parking can become an issue. Maneuverability The size of Class A’s make getting around a little harder than smaller models. It’s not easy turning around on single lane or back roads. Getting gas requires some skill and maneuvering parking lots can be a challenge. Expensive Bigger also means costlier. More materials, more components, more labor costs, and higher shipping rates equals bigger purchase price. Repair costs will ge higher. The larger the trailer, the more working parts, the more things that can go wrong. Slides, pumps, multiple AC units are all subject to needing repair. The more complicated the coach, the higher level technician needed to work on it at a higher hourly rate. Maintenance and use will also cost more. The larger the coach the higher the cost of gas, insurance, maintenance and replacement parts. Need a Day Use Car All motor homes are the ride as well as the sleeping and living space and unless you want to unhook and unplug every time you want to go somewhere, you will need to tow a day use vehicle behind you. That’s an added cost of not only the car but the trailer dolly as well. Resale More Difficult The higher price limits the pool of available buyers on the resale market. The resale market is also more saturated than the travel trailer market. Steeper Learning Curve The more moving parts and components, the more to learn. Getting to know your operating system can be time consuming and possibly frustrating if you’re not inclined to technical reading material.    

On this weeks show I welcome Joel Holland, owner and COO of Harvest Hosts, a network of wineries, farms and unique locations that offer overnight parking for fully contained RV’s. Joel and his wife took an extended RV vacation crossing the country and enjoying the open road. The feeling of freedom often left them though when they pulled into a crowded campground and spent the night sandwiched between other trailers with obstructed views. They were members of Harvest Hosts and really enjoyed the opportunities that membership offered them to meet new people, stay in beautiful settings and experience what life is like “on the farm.” Joel liked the experience so much that he tracked down the founders and owners of the company and got to know them. After many conversations and mutual agreement they sold the company to Joel. He is now honoring the founders original intent while taking the company in new directions. Harvest Hosts is membership based with an annual fee of $49. With that fee you gain access to over 600 sites that offer overnight parking on their property. There is no fee for this parking but you are encouraged to make a purchase at the location. Some owners allow multiple night stays but that is at their own discretion. With membership you will receive access to a site map with locations and contact information to make reservations. Drop ins are not allowed. There is also an App that allows you to search by RV size and preferred location type. Harvest Hosts is offering a 10% discount to Girl Camper Podcast listeners when you join. The coupon code is Girlcamper. Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula is the site of this farm with its award winning barn, guord art classes and monthly barn dance. The Navajo Museum in Window Rock, Arizona is one of many museums offering overnight stays. The Purple Haze Lavender Farm I’m Washington State offers fragrant breezes and beautiful vistas. I have had a membership to Harvest Hosts for a year now but still have not used it. I have bookmarked several properties though for my fall trip down south! SHOW NOTES We also have a give away this week in celebration of our Fall Season. We’re kicking off Fall with a drawing for a Camco Big Red Campfire. . Some of the things I love about my Big Red Campfire!! quick set up – without the fuss of firewood and kindling I have an instant fire. it’s usable at most state and national parks when there is a fire ban in place no smoke! I get to enjoy the fire and warmth without the stinging eyes and wheezing lungs it’s cost effective – the fireplace pays for itself in the savings on firewood time saver – I love that I can use the campfire for fifteen minutes and turn it off To be in the running go to Instagram and Follow Camconet and tag a friend. You also have to go to www.girlcamper.com and subscribe to our email list. A winner will be chosen and announced on our October 16th show!    

On this week’s show I am taking a fresh look at ways in which to find money for travel and possibly a trailer purchase. RV travel is the most budget friendly way to see the country. It offers a flexibility that resorts and hotels cannot. You can choose different levels of campgrounds and services, types of travel trailers and ways in which to eat – all of which impact the bottom line and increase the amount of travel you are able to do. Whether you are in a Class A coach at a high end RV resort or rented used trailer at a state park, when you are taking in the majestic beauty of our National Parks, the view is the same for all!! Today, I am taking a look at some new ways to find money in your budget for travel and trailers.   Facebook Marketplace – Sell stuff you’re not using. Marketplace was started two years ago as a rival to Craigslist. Its’ user friendly, has features that let you set a radius to promote to, has a payment feature and allows you to set the terms for pick up. I have used it several times to get rid of things that are too valuable for a Goodwill donation. I am still not recouping what I paid for antiques I’ve owned but aren’t using now. but I am getting more than garage sale prices and I am putting it in my travel account. The trick is to not get caught up searching and buying instead of selling!! Food Delivery Services – There has always been local pizza delivery but now a wide range of restaurants offer food delivery through Apps such as Post Mates, Door Dash and now Uber Eats. It’s a flexible job that allows you to work when you can and when you want to. You can work every other weekend and still have time for your normal weekend activities. With most of these services you need a valid drivers license, proof of insurance, and be at least 19 years of age. Weekends between 11 PM and 1 AM are peak in big urban areas. Automate your Savings – Like an old school Christmas club or vacation club but now automated. Ask your employer to automatically deduct a percentage of your paycheck that goes straight into an account designated for travel or trailer savings. If the funds never get into your checkbook they won’t be there to use for other discretionary purchases. It’s the old “pay yourself first” idea but not for retirement, for something fun! Freelance Your Skill Set – It’s never really been easier to get a side hustle going. You don’t have to post homemade paper ads for lawn cutting or window washing on the supermarket wall or laundromat anymore. Social media sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and Up Work allow you to market your professional services. Up Work can be used by consumers and providers to search for or provide services such as photography, accounting, party planning, IT help, legal work and web design. Both sides pay a fee on a sliding scale and the site provides the platform for users to chat, file share, track time and get paid. Consider what skill or hobby you have that is easy for you but torture for others and put your talent to work making money for you. Rent Your Trailer – If you already own a trailer and it’s sitting in your driveway when not being used by you consider renting it locally through Outdoorsy, RV Share or Campanda. Rules vary within each company but you choose the price per night and whether you will provide linens and provisions or the renter will need to bring their own. The RV industry research shows that RV owners use their units 3-4 weeks a year. That’s a lot of driveway time that could be used for passive income. Cancel Subscriptions you are not using. We all sign up for “introductory” offers at great prices with an auto renew button that automatically charges our credit cards at a higher price when that initial offer is up. The Wine of the Month Club, the Quarterly Box subscription or the health club membership that we don’t really want anymore can add big bucks back into our accounts. A new company called TRIM will do the dirty work for you if you don’t want to. You will have to fill out your consumer information and they review your credit card bills and send you a list of charges you may want to eliminate. You check off the boxes of the things you are not really using and they cancel for you at no charge to you. Go Go Internet Airplane is their number one requested cancellation request. Review Your Insurance Policies – Cut your insurance bills by bundling policies with one company. There can be steep discounts when you consolidate your plans. You can also choose a higher deductible on policies to reduce the monthly charge. Consider cutting the collision insurance on old cars that are likely to not net a big return if totaled in an accident. Take a defensive driving class. Many insurers offer a discount for those who have taken the class. Check your homeowners policy to see if you are payi

On this week’s show I visit Arkansas and Petit Jean State Park with Arkansa native photojournalist Linda Henderson. Linda was kind enough to give me a tour of some of her favorite photography spots and she provided tips on taking better pictures with your IPhone as well as some tips on how to photograph the Milky away, a specialty of hers. You can follow Lunda Henderson on Instagram at @lindahenderson . I also chat about an article by Christina Nellemann for DoIt Yourself RV on State Towing Guidelines. A recent photo by Linda of the Super Moon of November 2016 One of Linda’s favorite subjects is old churches. This is one of my favorite photos of Linda’s. The view from the Lodge at Petit Jean State Park into the holler below is breathtaking. I took this one in my iPhone with some coaching from the expert!

On this weeks show my guest is Walter Canon, President of the RV Safety and Education Foundation. Walter’s career spans forty years in the RV industry and he has helped countless people enjoy the RV lifestyle in a safer manner. On this episode he is answering some of the most frequently asked questions from the Girl Campers. Walter is a frequent speaker at RV shows and safety seminars. I am also sharing all that I learned at Camper College this week at Princess Craft RV in Round Rock, Texas. We were made so welcome by PJ Buerger and her knowledgeable staff. Princess Craft RV in Round Rock, Texas has a very large selection of trailers for Girl Campers and all RVers. PJ Buerger was recently awarded the prestigious “Blue Ribbon” by the RV Dealers Association which named Princess Craft one of the Top Five dealerships in the country! It’s always great fun meeting podcast listeners and connecting with people we know through social media. The Camper College was another great night of learning and new friendships.  

On this weeks show my guest is a Mary Grace McKernan, photojournalist and girl camper extraordinaire. Mary has worked internationally photographing everything from rock stars to Orca whales. She lives in Seattle, Washington and works at REI’s media office. She has worked for CBS Network News and her photographs have appeared in REI social media outlets, Fortune Magazine and TakePart.com.

On this weeks show I interview Tim Dennig from Gulfstream Coach about their Woody version of the Vintage Cruiser. All the details on what makes this vintage styled modern camper a top Girl Camper contender are discussed. If you grew up near the Wisconsin Dells or any lake you might really connect to the beauty of a birchwood interior! Our Camper College was a great success at Southland RV. Brett and Matt from Southland walked us through all the functions of a trailer and then we broke up into small groups for hands on demonstrations. It was great meeting podcast listeners Zack and Leigh! Thanks for using your date night to come out!! A second Camper College of the weekend was hosted at the beautiful Stone Mountain Campground. Another great Country Living Fair took place in Stone Mountain, Georgia this weekend and the Go RVing team was on hand to promote the RV lifestyle. Susan showed off her beautiful 1959 Fan trailer at the Country Living Fair. Girls just wanna have fun!’ It’s always fun to talk up girl camping on the Main Stage at the Country Living Fairs!

On this week’s show I have a conversation with Girl Camper, Mari Parsons. Mari has a love for travel and is especially fond of the Great Smokey Mountains. She came to camping later in life and is making up for it. She shares her adventures and future travel plans. Mari on a trip to Yosemite this past summer. I will be talking about Girl Camping at the Texas Lifestyle Collective’s Chautauqua event on October 6, 2016. Tickets are available at the door. It promises to be a great day of inspiration with guest speakers Eddie Ross, Caroline Harper, Michelle Nussbsumer and Mary Emmerling. The party continues afterward on the town square with vendors, open shops and food trucks. Come and join the fun! Tickets will be available at the door for this event. We had a great farm stay weekend camping on the farm of family friends last weekend. I used the St George this weekend with the daybed out and the table in. It came in handy when it rained on Friday night. We had a great hike through all the equestrian trails on Trilogy Farms. We circled our wagons at the farm of friends and enjoyed a soggy but fun weekend.

On on this week’s show I interview Gary Perschel, the grandson of Serro Scotty founder, John Serro. Gary shares his family’s story on the founding of the Scotty company and their excitement about the brands rebirth. The next generation Scotty’s are out and the grandson of founder John Serro is sharing his family memories. The newest member of the Scotty family debuted at the Hershey RV show in September. I will be speaking on Girl Camping at the Texas Lifestyle Collective event in Waxahachie, Texas on October 6th! Also appearing are Eddie Ross, East Coast style director for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine; Caroline Harper from House of Harper; Mary Emmerling, author of 25 books and editor of Country Homes Magazine.

On this week show I speak with Erica Bohm  of healthydiningfinder.com. Erica shares the many ways in which her site helps us become healthier and stay healthier at home and on the road.  I also talk about Little Guy Worldwide’s Wave One roll out of their new Scotty line of trailers. While some were disappointed that they did not see the reproduced classic Highlander in the first wave, their new “every man’s” trailer has something to offer the entry level buyer that is sure to please. Hershey RV show news and our fourth Camper College at Haydocy Airstream in our Campfire Chat!   

[fruitful_ibox_row] On this week’s show I talk about coping with the unexpected car (or trailer) breakdown on the road. Who to call? What to do? Roadside assistance benefits and who to trust are some of the issues discussed. I review what happened when my well loved F150 broke down on the Pa Tpk on my way to Ohio alone. 250 miles from home my truck broke down and I needed to have it towed to The nearby Ford dealership. The truck was placed on a flatbed and the trailer was towed behind.! I got an unexpected little retreat when I landed at a campground alone while I waited for my truck to be evaluated. My wonderful next door campers treated me to pizza pies for dinner. The truck was declared unfixable but the weekend was still made up of all the things I love about camping – Making friends of strangers, camp fires, walks and fun food! The Base Camp by Airstream is out and debuting at the Hershey RV Show this weekend. Airstream of South Florida will have them on site by October 1st. The Hershey RV Show begins September 14 and runs through the 18th. Stop by and see the new Serro Scotty at the Go Little Guy booth.

My guest today is Lisa Patterson from Classy Chassis Vintage Trailers. Lisa and her husband Gregg started their vintage trailer restoration business in Mattoon, Illinois four years ago. This year they designed and built their own vintage inspired 10′ travel trailer complete with bathroom which they named Grace. The little 10′ trailer also has a bathroom. The booth folds down to a bed of 52×80. The front kitchen of the Grace trailer.

On this week’s show I talk about my first summer as an RVer with a new RV. The things I love about my new Riverside Retro and the things that I’m not so crazy about. There are also a few Love/Hate things in the list. One of the things I dislike about the modern trailers are the Windows. They open by sliding to the left which really restricts airflow. The awning was something I was on the fence about but am now so glad I went with it. One of my regrets is having taken the booth out and opted for a daybed. I am missing the table for morning coffee and am going to have the table and chairs put in.

On  this week’s show I am answering Girl Camper’s FAQ’s. From solo towing to RV show help I go over the questions most asked by listeners. I also talk about some upcoming events. The beautiful Caroline Harper Knapp will be there with her fashion inspiration. Tickets are available at $50 for the day or $100 if you would like to join the headliners for dinner at the Dove’s Nest on the square in Waxahachie. The $100 ticket price includes an autographed copy of Modern Mix. Eddie Ross, East Coast Style Editor for Better Homes and Gardens will be headlining the event and signing his new book, Modern Mix. Princess Craft RV will be on site with the Girl Camper favorite Tab trailer by Go Little Guy Worldwide. I’m excited to be speaking at the Texas Lifestyle Collective event in Waxahachie, Texas on October 6, 2016. Tastemakers and trendsetters will be talking about Home Decor, Fashion and Food at this full day lifestyle event.! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/texas-lifestyle-collective-tickets-27158552963 http://www.houseofharper.com

On this week’s show my guest is Todd Henson, director of sales and marketing at RV Inspections.  Todd discusses the RV Inspection industry and all the benefits to consumers who have an RV inspection done before purchasing a pre- owned motor home or travel trailer. I also chat about all I learned at the latest Camper College at Beckley’s Camping Center in Thurmont, Md. Todd Henson giving a presentation in Texas on the RV Inspection industry. Paul (the Air Force guy) was a wealth of information for even the seasoned travel trailer owners at Beckley’s Camping Center’s Camper College event. Camper College events are a great way for women to get their questions answered as well as meet like minded women to travel with. The Ohio Country Living Fair is coming up September 16-18 and Go RVing will be there with the Girl Campers. Stop by and see their booth!

On this week’s show I am chatting with Karen Redfern,  the Senior director of marketing and communications at RVIA, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. Karen discusses the changing RV industry and how RVIA is adapting to bring their message to a new generation and to those who have never considered an RV vacation. We also talk about our visit to Blog Her, the annual gathering of the top female bloggers in the country. I share stories of a few of the wonderful women I met at the event and what their blogs have for  all women! The GoRVing team posing with Jennie Garth in front of the Riverside Retro on display at the Go RVing VIP dinner. It was my absolute pleasure to meet Lifestyle blogger Jennifer Hunter. Her blog, Lita’s World,i is going to be a favorite! Her daughter Libby is an avid Girl Camper podcast listener and was so excited that we got to meet! http://litasworld.com I had a great time with actress Nia Peeples who in addition to having a beauty and lifestyle blog, is a motorcycle mamma and a girl camper! She’s also a down to earth beauty free of pretense and full of joy! I can’t wait to camp with her! Theae two accomplished women’s inspired me in so many ways. Lisa Nivers is the founder of We Said Go Travel and a media host. Her site hosts travel writers from around the world. Hannah Schwartz ( right) is a San Diego native with a wicked Boston hangover. She’s a journalist with a Masters degree in Writing and Publishing and her blog “it’s a seahorse” is sure to please. Hannah Schwatrz’ blog. https://itsaseahorse.com Lisa Niver’s travel site; https://wesaidgotravel.com

On this week’s show Beaver Creek State Park Camp host Gail Bable shares what is happening at this East Liverpool, Ohio state park. Gail is a naturalist,  a reenactor at the Pioneer Village there and a fiber artist who spins her own wool.  She will be talking about hat a camp host does as well as what upcoming events visitors can lol forward to. The Grist Mill at Beaver Creek State Park in East Liverpool, Ohio. On the “set” of our fun GoRVing photo shoot about Girl Campers. The whole crew being good sports! Our set visitor who managed to get in the crews van and swipe a bag of potato chips! Photo by guest Gail Bable of our Girl Camper dining room!

My guest this week is photographer Mandy Lea who made headlines when her trailer, a Little Guy Tag named Birdsong, was stolen just a week before she was about to venture out in it as a full time photographer. Her Facebook plea for help finding it went viral with 80K shares. Mandy is here to share the second half of that story and tell us how living life full time in her new Tag is working out. I also share what I learned at Camper College at Setzer’s World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia. We had a great time at  gathering to learn hands on, ask questions of the experts and share tips and tricks. On a photography vacation to the Tetons Mandy realized she wanted to leave her job of ten years and pursue photography full time. She says, “The Mountains Made Me Do It!” I can see why. After purchasing her Tag Mandy had this tattoo done in her trailers color. Before her adventures got off the ground, her beloved Aqua Tag was stolen. Although it was recovered, her insurance company totaled it. The wait for a new one was months but Little Guy Worldwide, the makers of Tabs and Tags stepped in and custom made this one for her. She named her new trailer Phoenix. Tune in to hear where Mandy has been since hitting the road in June. Here’s a hint! Life brought sadness and joy and Mandy is only remembering the “incredible kindness” of total strangers who shared her post and sent her notes of sympathy and encouragement. She had her tattoo updated with her new trailers color. https://mandyleaphoto.wordpress.com/ http://www.mandyleaphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mandyleaphoto/ https://www.facebook.com/themandylea Camper College at Setzer’s World of Camping was a great success. We really enjoyed the burgers and salads the Setzer’s crew made us! Lynn Butler, owner of Setzer’s, introducing her team and showing us a Riverside Retro model sold there. The Setzer’s team gave “Towing 101” lessons and Michelle did great!’ The great staff didn’t let a little heat and humidity dampen spirits! The icing on the cake was that we all stayed the weekend at a nearby campground! Thanks Lynn!

On this weeks show our topic is “reducing the chances of trailer theft.” All too often I see on social media a request to share a picture from a heart broken trailer owner who’s beloved trailer has been stolen .  Frequently a trailer owner will come out to their driveway in the morning and find their trailer has been taken. I’m going to discuss some ways which you can help deter these thieves. A pin lock installed on your coupler is another deterrent for would be thieves. A inexpensive wheel lock on all four wheels can be time consuming to remove for thieves. A wheel chock that covers the lug nuts is the hardest to remove. It’s also the costliest but not nearly as costly as losing your trailer. I am also sharing five tips for grilling the perfect steak at your camp out. I’ve tried and tried to grill the perfect steaks and these tips are based on delicious experience. Kingsford coals started in a coal chimney with no lighter fluid is the way to go when grilling. No lighter fluid! The steak should be almost room temperature and patted dry so it sears to the grill. Once it’s on the grill, DO NOT TOUCH IT until the first side is done. Physically restrain spouse if necessary! No flipping over and over! Steak! It’s what’s for dinner! The rest of the tips are in the podcast!

On this week’s show I am talking about camping with your dog and how to be a conscientious dog owner at a campground. Many a camping trip has been ruined for the non dog lovers by dog owners unwilling to make adjustments to their normal “house rules” regarding dogs. I outline a few things to consider so that all the campers, dog owners and not, enjoy the campground. I also am chatting this week about “trailer lingo!” So many listeners are new to camping and listening and learning so I thought I would define a few terms we banter around at Girl Camper headquarters without realizing that not everyone knows a tongue jack from a wheel chock. Now she knows a wheel chock from a slide out from a tongue Jack. She made me promise there would be no pop quizzes! I’m also spreading the news about upcoming Camper College events. Setzer’s World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia is my next Camper College event on Friday, July 15 at 5pm. Dinner is on the house. Camper College at Setzer’s World of Camping is open to all on Friday, July 15 at 5 PM. Come join us! Beckley’s  Camping Center in Thurmont, Maryland is hosting a Camper College event on Friday, August 12 at 5 PM.  I will be on hand for both and look forward to meeting all the Girl Campers. Pssst… Spouses are welcome too. Beckley’s Camping Center in Thurmont, Md is home base for Camper College on August 12, 2016 at 5PM. Something tells me that this is going to be even more fun than normal! ” Krazy Kelly” was on board to host the Girl Campers. Lastly, I am off to Tearstock 2016! Go Little Guy Worldwide is hosting their fourth annual gathering of Teardrop, Tab and Tag owners in Mineral City, Ohio. I’m dropping in for some old fashioned camping fun and the factory tour as well as some great upcoming interviews. This looks like so much fun! I can’t wait to get there and join the party! Tab owners are fiercely loyal and I am so looking forward to infiltrating the group!

On this week’s show I interview Chris Holland from Girard Systems about their third generation tankless hot water system. I had  this system installed in my new Riverside Retro and it is by far my favorite upgrade. While most RV hot water tanks hold six gallons and continually use propane keeping it hot, the Girard system provides endless hot water on demand. Chris discusses the features and benefits of this cost effective  upgrade. Having the Girard Systems tankless hot water heater installed as an after market product in your trailer will provide you with unlimited hot water. No more military showers.   http://www.girardrv.com The only real necessity for Girl Camping is a “can do” spirit. On this week’s show I also talk about how much I enjoyed using my new Lynx Levelers and chocks. We have a set of levelers, chocks, caps and a solar powdered LED light to give away for signing up for the blog alerts or tagging an Instagram follower.

On this week’s show I am turning the tables on RV Family Travel Atlas Podcast hosts Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi and interviewing them on their recently published book, The Idiot’s Guides, RV Vacations. The co-hosts of the highly rated podcast tell how the book came about, how they managed the writing schedule on such short notice and what we can look forward to in the future from them. My producer, Stephanie Puglusi, enjoying a quiet moment by the fire at a Girl Camper event. I also chat about the St George, my new Riverside Retro by Whitewater and the work he required after accidentally rocking him off his stabilizing jacks. After 40 minutes in the pouring rain we finally got lights and hit the road! I’m also sharing a sister on the fly’s stolen trailer to be on the look out for. It was stolen this week from Missouri, City, Texas. Please be on the look out for sister on the fly Debra Ochoa’s Fun Finder trailer which was stolen last week. She had removed all of the stickers from the trailer. She was getting ready to paint it and there are some tan and blue paint swatches on the rear.

On this week’s episode Jeremy Puglisi from RV Family Travel Atlas Podcast talks about his top picks for the RVing Dad or Mister Sister. If you are unsure of what to get the special man in your life for the RV these products have been used and reviewed by Jeremy and Stephanie and the recommendations are personal. I also welcome my new sponsor, Little Guy Worldwide whose full line of lightweight camping trailers are Girl Camper favorites and I am delighted to partner with them in bringing more Camper College events to RV dealerships across the country. I got some help from Flo getting my new trailer insured. All the details are in this week’s Campfire Chat! It was great meeting podcast listener Danielle Thompson who won four early bird tickets to the Country Living Fair. Danielle drives a Class A! I’m so impressed! That’s a a Girl Camper! Katie and friends stopped by and immediately joined the Girl Camper Meetup (Camp Like a Girl) and signed up for a big trip! You don’t have to tell these girls twice! The St George made his debut and was a big hit! I can’t even begin to count how many people went inside but the approval was unanimous! Jeremy’s 9 Picks for your Mister Sister: Truma LevelCheck TastePure 25′ heated drinking water hose RV Lock 4.0 Weber Q1000 Bristle Free Grill Brush Andersen Camper Levelers Igloo Freestanding Ice Machine Camelback Forge 16 oz Travel Mug Estwing 4 lb Special Edition Fireside Friend wood splitting axe

On this weeks show my guest is Girl Camper and Sister on the Fly with the funniest bone of all, Elaine Smith. Elaine’s journey to Girl Camperhood started way before she became a sister on the fly and unlike most Girl Campers, Elaine started with a huge travel trailer and zero experience and set off towing on her own. Her life on the road as a construction inspector was not easy but she made it cozy with the travel trailer and truck she bought and towed from job to job. She missed those days when she retired and she joined the sisters on the fly where the travel pals are way more fun and her rig is a little easier to lug around. Listen in on Elaine’s funny tales. I also recap our first weekend out in the new Riverside Retro and the rookie mistake we made that’s going to be expensive to repair! In the news round up I talk about the latest Camper College event in Huntington, West Virginia at Setzer’s World of Camping. Mark your calendars for this July 15th event. Elaine’s lovely trailer “Hootie” which had to be broken into in a hilarious series of attempts to retrieve the keys which were inside. Elaine hosting at the Girl Camper site at the Country Living Fair in Nashville last April. She is chatting with her good friend Michelle Eash and Michelle’s friend Tommy Beard who completely restored her vintage Scotty trailer. Elaine’s trailer, “Hootie” loaded and ready for fun! Note to self – stash extra door keys! Setzer’s World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia is the site of our July 15 Camper College. You can call Setzer’s to RSVP or RSVP through the Camp Like a Girl Meetup site at Www.Meetup.com . Setzer’s World of Camping – 5319 Cherry Lawn Rd, Huntington, West Virginia 25705 . To reserve a space for Camper College, call 304-736-5287. It was a lovely evening in the trailerhood at my first campout in my new “St. George.” I think my coffee actually tasted better in my new daybed in the trailer! This is what happens when you raise your stabilizing jacks and not your tongue jack to match! Expensive rookie mistake. They all need replacement!

On in this week’s episode my guest is a special, special guest! My husband Rick joins me to chat about his “destination” mindset about travel versus my “journey” mindset. How do couples merge their travel styles so they can be happy campers? Tune in and find out! I also talk about why we decided on the Riverside Retro as our new couple/family/girl camper. We said good bye to our beloved Frolic and set our sights on a little more comfort in our new Riverside Retro 176S. The new owners traveled all the way from Florida to pick her up! After a delay to have an awning installed and another to fix a problem in our truck with the 7 way plug for trailer lights and brakes, we finally hit the road.

On this week’s show I interview Lynn Butler, wife, mother, grandmother, Girl Camper and RV entrepreneur. Lynn is the owner of Setzers World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia. Listen as Lynn shares her love of camping, how she bought the dealership from her mother and her plans to host “Camper College” for the Girl Campers. The RPod and the Riverside a Retro are two favorite brands among Girl Campers. Girl Campers Dawn and Deborah with their prizes for towing alone for the first time. Even Flo “camped like a girl” and had lots of fun at our “Do You Like My Hat? Party! The Girl Campers raised $427 for the Holdyou Foundation.

On this weeks episode I interview Singer/Songwriter Ruthie Collins of Curb Records about life in Nashville; women artists; her vintage Argosy and Girl Camping! I also share my favorite Glampers to follow on Facebook! Glitzy Glamper, Angela Boone Leachman and Tabatha Marie at Extreme Glamping. Glitzy Glamper Angela Leachman putting the finishing touches on the Chevron Cowgirl. The beautiful trailers of Angela Leachman aka Glitzy Glamper, can be rented like a hotel room at the Lone Star Gallery in Round Top Texas. It’s the countries first indoor campground and Antiques Shop. Make plans for a great girls weekend in around Top, Texas! The renovated popup trailer of Extreme Glamping Club founder Tabatha Marie.! Tabatha’s beautiful trailer can be seen on her Facebook group, Extreme Glampers Club where Glampers share their ideas and renovations and go for inspiration!

On this weeks podcast I interview sister on the fly Kathy Doty about how she first heard about girl camping and her bucket list trip with several hundred “sisters” across the entire length of historic Route 66. Kathy shares the story behind her vintage camper, Little Elvis and the what it has meant to her to be part of the Sisters on the Fly. I also review the obstacles that many would be girl campers feel keeps them from joining the movement and how they can be overcome. Kathy made the quilt over the winter. It has printed images of Elvis from the 50’s. When your 7000 “sisters” are shopping they see things they know “belong” with you. This Elvis doll was a gift from the husband of a sister on the fly. Now he’s a “mister sister!” The poster at the foot of Kathy’s bed is a sweet serenade for bedtime. Kathy wanted to keep her trailer in the most original condition that she could. She added new piping for running water to the kitchen sink and had to replace the countertop and resurface the kitchen table with period correct boomerang laminate.

On  this weeks episode we’re talking about all you can do in Wichita for a weekend. My recent trip to Wichita included a visit to WAM, the Wichita Art Museum where we enjoyed the Dale Chihuly installation, Confetti chandelier; the Gordon Parks exhibit,  Back to Fort Scott; and the many beautiful paintings that are part of the museums permanent collection. A walk along the river to see the Keeper of the Plains sculpture; a great lunch at The Old Tasty Mill soda fountain; a visit to the Aviation Museum all made for a great weekend destination . In the Campfire Chat I talk about tire safety and things to look for when evaluating your tires lifespan. I’ve included a link to Mark Polk’s excellent article on tires.   http://www.rvuniversity.com/staticpages/index.php/tires_101 https://www.wichitaartmuseum.org  

On this week’s episode I share the inspirational stories of the women who are making the Girl Camping world a better place to live. Behind the scenes act of kindness and encouragement are happening everyday and lives are brighter and campier because of them. I also announce the winners of some contests and talk about my Riverside Retro purchase. Campfire Chat is all about the Go RVing upcoming seminars on camping hacks at the Country Living Fairs.

On this weeks podcast you can hear Kyle Mundt, director of marketing and new product development for Sylvansport discuss the Coolest. Camper. Ever. The “Go!” trailer by Sylvansport is a new age version of the age old pop up trailer. One of the greatest features of the “Go!” is the ability to stop for the night and use it without having to take the gear off the top. Sylvansports new Mobile Adventure Gear trailer gets all your gear where you’re going! View the video of Sylvansports pop up camper! Sisters on the Fly Karen West and Susan Ford West’s book on their bucket list trip across the iconic Route 66 Sisters Get Their Kicks on Route 66

On this week’s show, Matt Baker, Superintendent of Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia gives us an insider’s view on the most visited park in the state. He talks about the many hats he wears as the Superintendent and what his favorite job perk is. Janine also discusses her trip to Blackwater Falls and the surrounding area including her meeting with local pottery artist, Ben Nelson. Ben will be “throwing”  the new Girl Camper coffee mugs on his wheel in his shop, “MUD”  in Thomas, WV. Listener emails are also answered.

On this week’s episode the talk is all about buying a trailer. I’m going to break it down for girl campers and give some food for thought.  Before you make a big purchase you might want to ask yourself a few questions; How many people will be using it? Where will you park it? Do you know what your camping style is? Tune in and find out! I will also be chatting about the Philadelphia RV show and my guest blog for the Sisters on the Fly’s, On Age and Attitude feature. I also share the story of 90 year old Norma who opted out of cancer treatment and decided to hit the road in an RV with her son and daughter in law. Driving Miss Norma Spring Gulch RV Campground Timothy Lakes Campground  

I am wrapping up the coverage on my big trip to the Arizona desert to camp in January. It was on my “to do” list for so long and I enjoyed every minute of it. Unlike some bucket list items, this dispersed camping is not a “one and done” thing. I know I will make it part of my winter for a long time to come. Craggy Wash BLM spot near Lake Havasu, Arizona I had the opportunity while I was there to meet Frank and Sandy Schrader who were all set up for a winter of free camping in exchange for about 30 hours of work per week. I met Frank on my second day there when he pulled up in his truck to say hello and give me my two week tag to be placed on my dashboard. It is Franks job to welcome people, lay out a few ground rules and make sure no one overstays their welcome. Camp hosts do not handle things like unruly campers. They are there strictly to alert local authorities to any trouble that may require the law to become involved. Frank was happy to report that it is indeed a rare occasion for him to have to contact authorities. I wondered what would make Frank and Sandy want to spend the whole winter in one place when in reality, they could camp for free all over the place with no responsibilities at all. So many people talk about camp hosting and workkaming that I thought their story was intriguing. You can hear it from both the husband and wife’s perspective on today’s podcast! Frank and Sandy loving the simple life! Also, Congratulations are in order for the winner of our R Pod Charity Raffle trailer. We chose the winning ticket on Valentine’s Day and the lucky winner was Michelle Wyland of Pennsylvania. Michelle was at work when she checked her phone to see if the winner had been chosen. When she saw her name she let out a scream that made her co workers fear she had been hurt!! She will be picking it up in March at Setzer’s World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia. They were gracious enough to detail it and are going to do a thorough walk through with her when she attends Camper College there on March 21, 2020. Camper College is open to all and starts at 10 AM. There’s no charge…just come and we’ll fit you in. Nancy’s craft and sewing tent on their Camp Host site. She uses this as her little she shed over the winter.