I have been wanting a bike rack on Prairie Flower for a long.....time.  I look for them and just don't find one that will work for me. Last week I found just the one for my needs. It is a Swagman, and is on sale at Camping World.

The problem was that my trailer has this old time bumper, and every bike rack available will not fit it.  The RV Store in Springfield Oregon is my go to place for my vintage trailer. The man who owns the store has been in business for a long time and will work on my trailer.

The trailer had a custom welded bracket attached to the bumper, and welded stabilizers attached to strengthen the bumper.  The nice advantage is that I can remove the rack when I don't want it on my trailer.

I am happy to show it to you.

My 1963 Schwinn is in place, just the right bike for Prairie Flower.

Vintage Enamelware Again

I would think with all my junking, flea markets, antique store and fairs....that I would have found 2 plates like this one. I did get a mug about two years ago. The plates are a hard find, I am wanting 2 10" floral plates...meanwhile I have 2 plastic plates to use. I don't want to use any glass in Prairie Flower, rough rides do break things. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Mini Electric Fireplace

from Juli Thorson

One of the Girl Camping women, Juli Thorson, shared her mini fireplace electric heater on facebook. It is a tiny fireplace that puts out enough heater for a small vintage travel trailer. It sits on the kitchen stove, decorated as you wish. They cost about $50 on-line. I would like to get one to use in Prairie Flower, when I have electricity in the fall, or cold spring. I imagine that sleeping with this glowing would be terrific. Cute!!

Aloha Window Screen Replacement Part 2

Here is the window in the two parts, glass and screen. The way these windows are made the 2 parts that fit together is pretty simple. The screen is coming apart and lets in the bugs. The next step is to drill out 2 rivets on the screen center, they hold the lever plate in place. The screen can not be replaced without removing the lever plate in the middle of the screen. 

Now that I have looked carefully at the window...there are a few more gaskets that should be replaced. These gaskets are original (1963) and are dried out, falling apart, and shrunk. I should be able to get those items at Vintage Trailer Supply.
www.vintagetrailersupply.com

1960's Therm a Chest Cooler

A perfect find, a 1960's era metal cooler. I found it a a thrift store. It is in good condition considering that it is 55 yrs old. There is a small bit of rust, that is something to be expected...in this wet climate...and people store them in damp garages.

The size is about 18" long, by 10" wide, by about 15" tall. It is all metal and made in the USA. The red drain plug is really cute, and I am happy that it is still in good condition.

It is mouse proof, and I am currently putting non-perishable food inside it.

There is some type of foam insulation around the upper lid. It is crumbling, and I removed it. I will be able to find an alternative at the building supply store...some kind of home weatherization product will work.

No more plastic tubs for mouse proof storage...that I keep inside the SUV when camping. This is a classic, era appropriate container.

I think that if I had a summer party....this would be fun with crushed ice and cold drinks!!

Camptown Girls at Windy Point Campground

I just got back from the weekend trip, and a friend had already posted photos on meetup. Here are three photos for your amusement. A great campout weekend. I enjoyed getting out into the mountains, with friends. Many of the women have kayaks and really love being on a lake. The weather was good, the storms were east of us...so we had no thunderstorms and rain. There was a bear in the area near the campground so we took extra measures to avoid having any food out, therefore if the bear walked thru....we didn't know it.

Fresh Water for Prairie Flower

I found the way to have fresh water in Flower. There is no fresh water tank and water pump, so I knew that  problem was just fine with me. In fact, I am happy that I will not need to deal with those features. I found a vintage Coleman Water Cooler just like this photo...today. I think that it holds about 3 gallons. I think that is enough, because I can refill it as needed. There is a little rust and 2 small dents in the green metal. The inside is excellent, and the spout is working. After cleaning it well, and using some bleach in the wash water...I am happy with it. Hey...there is one for sale on Ebay for more than $50. 

Personalize a Pillow

Here are some ideas to personalize a pillow, instead of trying to find a unique one. I recently purchased a new Pottery Barn striped pillow at a thrift store. I thought that with some creativity, the pillow will be for Prairie Flower (my trailer). I plan to applique some flowers on it, and maybe a word. I will be able to sew it on, and use a little embroidery to accent the flowers.

Inside the 1963 Aloha Trailer - Before Photos

Here is your photo tour of a very small 1963, 50 year old Aloha. The door is in the back. You enter into this kitchen, pretty much all it is. A sink, working trailer stove, and the really nice original Formica counter top.

Directly on your right is a built-in dresser, and then the table and benches. The Formica is the same, and in excellent condition. The upholstery is a light butter yellow vinyl. I like the dresser, my clothing will fit right in there...instead of packing a duffle.

This is looking directly toward the front. The kiddie bunk is going to used for extra storage, a down comforter, blankets, pillows, musical instruments, and hats. I will have the bed made up most of the time. When the bed is made, there is room underneath for storage during travel, maybe for a folding chair and table. (A small bistro set.) I took the table down and am currently storing it on the bunk right now...there is more space to move around. There is storage area under both the benches, and outside doors to them. That is good because the battery to run the lights is under the left side bench. I will be able to remove it and charge it if needed.

Here is the final corner, this door is right beside the stove, a tiny closet. The electric only refrigerator that is a replacement for the original icebox...it does work. Directly under the refrigerator is a tiny round hot water tank, something that might have been used in a house. The water lines run along the floor, from the water heater thru the closet and to the sink. Fortunately, the copper lines are exposed...and I can remove them. When the water heater is gone...there will be additional storage. I am thinking that a small microwave would be nice...something that I will take along when there are electric hook-ups.

The last owner had the curtains made, and she gave me all the extra fabric. I am going to keep them for now, even if the fabric is faded a little.  As you can see...it has potential, and is in good shape. I am thinking of naming her Prairie Flower. Oh, and BTW the trailer has stopped leaking water! Good.

A Glamper For Me

1963 Aloha Travel Trailer

This really small cutie is 13 feet long, from the hitch to the rear bumper. It features a rear kitchen, a front table that makes into a bed, and the overhead bunk for the kiddies. They also made this model without the overhead bunk.

There is a small window in the rear kitchen. Unfortunately this corner is a problem. She said that it has no leaks...I did not see any. I have had it home and in the shop for a week. It was very frozen from the cold climate near Bend...and now it is thawing out. This corner is draining water to the outside. Well, that said...she did tell me that the copper water lines had splits in them and needed to be replaced. If there was frozen water in the lines...that explains it. The area under the water lines is wet. Yesterday I put a small space heater inside to warm it, and dry it...the windows have water on the inside of them now. Oh Boy. Last night I thought that the heater maybe a mistake, what if the electric lines short...then the whole shop and everything burns. At midnight, I went out in the snow to unplug the trailer.

The trailer does not have a fresh water tank, or grey water holding tank. That is good...I don't need to be concerned with tanks. There is a tiny hot water heater, underneath the refrigerator. My thoughts are to take out all the copper lines...and the old hot water heater. I will then install a single water line from the fresh water cap to the sink...and call that good. See those 2 lines on the back of the trailer, one for a water connection, and one for the sink drain...close. Then I make sure that the sink drains directly to the outdoors...where I will use a container for the grey water. Those two things are very close together, I will slope the expandable plastic water line to the exterior for complete draining, and then the water line worries are over. Yay!

They are parked side by side, in the metal shop. The Terry goes all the way to the back wall.  The Aloha has  farm equipment (a large square hay baler), and riding lawn mower behind it.

Another post will show the interior. To come!

Farmgirl Glamping and Sisters on the Fly, here I come!

I purchased a Toyota 4Runner!

via Toyota website

I knew that I needed a different vehicle to tow a vintage travel trailer. My Highlander had towing ability, but only to 2500 lbs...not enough. The local Toyota dealer had a 2011 4Runner with only 15,000 miles. It was a Certified Used Toyota, and that mean that the warranty is better than a new vehicle...7 years and 100,000 miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance. The towing capacity is 5000 lbs...enough for what I need. The end of the story is that I traded in my Highlander for the 4Runner. I have started my quest for a vintage trailer, and I have my eye on a 1963 Aloha (made in Oregon) that has been restored. The gal who owns it and I are setting a date to see it.