Many women enjoy camping, and feel most comfortable when with a group of like minded women. I am a member of three women's camping groups...and a private group of 4 women. The private group seems to be the best fit for us. We might allow others into the group, but it is only by invitation only, and agreement with the others. No dropping by, or inviting oneself to the group.

I talked with the "leader" of one the groups recently, and she expressed the problems that have been occurring with the group. She finally experienced firsthand the excessive consumption of liquor. She now agrees with me that the person(s) need to be told that they are no longer allowed to participate.

The drinkers flaunt their booze in front of others, just to annoy people. The bullies want everything for their personal interests. The dog owners with the barking, biting, horrible beasts...........ignore the fact that the group hates their dogs. The non-paying non-members weasel into the camping weekends, when they "con", naive, new members into inviting them. They then expect the group to accommodate them, and allow them to share personal campsites. These are the main problems. What to do? Rules....and members willing to enforce the rules and follow the rules. Do I see that happening with this group? Well.....not really...the women seem to be fearful of saying anything to the offenders.

The private group is good, we all enjoy each other and a smaller group is great. We can share campsites with our small trailers, or camp near each other. 

I want to ask my followers who camp with groups, how do you do it?

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.

Hitting the Road

Oh Yeah! Happy, Happy, Happy! Heading out to East Davis Lake CG, and then to Crescent Lake Windy Point CG for a Camptown Girls weekend camping trip. The weather is forecast to be 70's, but a threat of thunderstorms. I will have Prairie Flower and will stay comfortable. I love the East Davis Lake campground view shown in this photo by RV Sue. The Mountains in the background are L to R, the South Sister (in the 3 Sisters Wilderness), Broken Top, and Bachelor Butte (Mtn Bachelor Ski Area). The central Oregon Cascades are majestic.

Speaking of RV Sue, she is a retired full time RV'er, who travels all over the USA, and has a blog about her journey and adventures. She is currently staying in this campground, maybe she will still be there tomorrow...when I arrive. That would be cool.

If you are interested here is a link to her blog. RV Sue and Crew

Skipping a Campout with Camptown Girls

This is the beautiful Magone Lake in Oregon. The Camptown Girls are having a camping trip there over this weekend. I didn't go because the distance from my home is too far. I calculated that I would need to tow Prairie Flower for 7 hours to get there. My opinion is that I don't want to do that, not many of the other women are going....only 5. 

Prairie Flower is Heading out for Fun!

I am so excited! I am taking Prairie Flower out for a Campout...a week! I will be in the Bend Oregon area. There are no forest fires in that area. Yes, it is going to rain a tiny bit....but I will be cozy and very happy anyway. I will post again in about 8 to 10 days. Hip, Hip, Hurrah!! On the road again.....

Kayak with Camptown Girls

Judy H.

Most of the members of Camptown Girls have Kayaks. I have been considering, or teasing myself with purchasing my own.  I admit that it is fun to paddle around a high mountain lake, enjoy the quiet, see the wildlife and hear the sounds/songs of nature. I make it seem so desirable...if fact, I want it very much. My truth is that I have skin cancer, having all 4 kinds removed from my skin. I am very fortunate to have not had it kill me, I have survived for 17 years. I know that I have a responsibility to myself to avoid sun exposure. I can do that with good sunscreen, clothing, hats, and being smart about my sun exposure. I must not get into a kayak and tease my health to enjoy the adventures that await. My decision is made.

Camptown Girls at Big River Campground

Here I am. Hooked up, stocked up....and ready for the trip. I only wish my friend was on time....I had to wait a half hour. The drive was great, a Thursday morning, and little traffic. It took about 1 1/2 hours to reach our destination....Big River Campground.

Here is the campsite, a lovely place in the Ponderosa Pines along the river.

The river, so lovely......is known as the Deschutes River, in Central Oregon.

My picnic table, with floral tablecloth and solar candlestick.

Prairie Flower with the "trimmings", all ready for the weekend.

My friend Connie playing her violin beside the river. I snuck up behind her to get this pic. Her playing is very lovely, and I enjoyed the music very much.

The Big River Campground is very close to Sunriver Resort, and Bend Oregon. 

Happy Trailering...until next time. Have a nice campfire, and roast your favorite treat!!  Sharon

2014 First Camptown Girls Weekend

Next Weekend! First Campout of 2014! Happy, Happy, Happy!!!!

I am busy getting everything ready for the coming weekend, and looking forward to nice weather, too. I have missed taking Prairie Flower out camping for so many months. We are planning to go to Big River Campground, on the Deschutes River...about a two hour drive from home.

When Camping....

I think that this old photo shows how simple a gal can be when she goes camping. A blog that I follow has a great post about the current trend of women's camping groups. I will tell you from experience that many (50%) of the women that camp with Camptown Girls stay inside their vehicles or in small backpacking tents. A woman doesn't need to get a trailer or go beyond her means to participate. Here is the blog for you to read, Girl Camping

September Glamping Retreat

I just returned home from a 5 day Glamping Retreat. I met up with some gals and we camped together, near Sisters Oregon. The area is beautiful, and there are many activities. It rained lightly over the weekend. Meanwhile on the home front....it poured about 4 inches of rain. This is just a quick photo of my water heating pots or coffee pots. The travel mug is in the photo to give you an idea of the sizes. The tiny pot heats just enough water for the travel mug...and very quickly too. The large blue has been living with us for a long time now, and going on many trips. I just have to make certain that it is totally dry, or it will rust inside.  A junking and antique trip to nearby Redmond was really fun...and I found....next time...........

Storms in the Mountains

The past week has brought many storms to this area. The fortunate thing is that there has been heavy rainfall. This means some fires...small and only a few fires...a good thing. The Forest Service has most of the fire fighters out of the state, Idaho has a big one in Sun Valley.

The camping trip that I just missed, had several storms and heavy rain. I am kinda relieved that I stayed home. I went junking today, and found a few great things for Prairie Flower...another vintage enameled metal floral dish and 4 vintage wood hangers for my clothes. I also found some crafting supplies, always good!

Good Friends!

This is very true. Laughter is the best medicine, and cheaper than therapy, for your health. This is one of the reasons that I joined the Sisters on the Fly, Camptown Girls, and Vintage Women with Trailers. I am enjoying the company of women friends this summer.

My new friends love my double chocolate brownies...I bring them to every potluck. I am missing a camping trip this weekend...however, the forecast is for T-storms. Happy weekend!

Love the heck out of Life!

This is a really good poster from my mentors, Brave Girls Club. They are the wonderful teachers and supporters for women, to take charge of our lives. I might not have done some things without BGC.

I am back from my camping trip to Diamond Lake with Camptown Girls. The area has many places to visit and things to do. I put a return trip on my list for next summer. The campground's are closed after Labor Day. I am thinking about a fall foliage day trip in 4 to 6 weeks. The campgrounds are Forest Service and have nice amenities, flush toilets and hot showers!!

Camptown Girls are Camping at Diamond Lake

This is the lovely lake where we will be for 3 to 5 days. I have never been there and I am excited. It is not very far...75 miles, and should take a little over an hour to drive there. The reason that I say 3-5 days is that there are 6 large forest fires southwest of Diamond Lake. I am concerned that there may be heavy smoke from the fires. If that is the case...the time will be shorter, as I have trouble breathing that smoke. There is also the forecast of lightening storms over the weekend, and that may be a factor. I am planning for all to be good, and that I will have a good weekend. A visit to Crater Lake National Park is sure to be included.

Gone Camping with Camptown Girls

This is the Newberry Caldera in Central Oregon. I am camping at the far lake in this photo. I will be back with new photos to show you.

Vintage Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Yesterday I went junking with Sis in Eugene Oregon. I found a wonderful vintage dutch oven...similar to this one. It cost $10.50...wow, new ones are about $50+. It is unmarked, I have been searching the Internet for information...unsuccessfully. Well, I do know that it is old because it is very finely made...probably dating to 1920-`1930 era. The interior is very smooth, and the lid is unusual. The lid has indented basting spots, I have never seen one like this. I don't know if this will be gift to someone...but, for now it is going to travel in Prairie Flower. I can use it on the stove, or in the campfire coals. Not a camping dutch oven, but I can make it work. The Camptown Girls need better food at their camp outs, and I can assist in that endeavor by making main dish items, fresh bread, or desserts.

Glamping at Little Lava Lake

Oh, what a weekend. First off, Prairie Flower back lights were giving me fits, so I called my friends who have an auto repair shop....come on over they said, we'll take a look. After about 3 hours, I had new tail lights, but then we were 2 hours late leaving town. Now, we were leaving a day early (Thursday), to get good spots near the group camping area. Of course, by the time we arrived...each towing our own trailer.......the entire campground was full at 5 pm. The camp host was very nice to the two of us, opening an area for us to spend the night. He assisted in directing me backing into a very tight space, around two corners and between closely spaced trees. Here are a few photos.

South Sister, from Little Lava Lake

A Beautiful Full Moon, for the Summer Solstice

Early Morning Mist on Little Lava Lake

Boats on Elk Lake, Mt Bachelor in Background

One of the gals with her Teardrop Trailer and her two King Charles Spaniels

I am in the red clothing in these two photos. We are practicing the ukulele. The gal wearing purple is very good on the uke, we are learning from her. An impromptu class...per Se. I am using a good friends $$$$ custom made (one of a kind) ukulele. It is very nice...and plays very well. (I would not spend that much money. There are really exquisite ukulele's for under $1000.)

There were 12 women there, and 10 dogs. I think the dogs are not exactly a good thing...especially so many, but I understand that when a person is single, they need to bring along their pets. Many interesting ladies, many life stories...some really good, and some not so good. I enjoyed the conversation, however, at times too much.  When that happened, I took myself on a walk along the Deschutes River, or along the lake shore. One time I went on a drive for some fun. 

Six of the gals stayed in their back packing tents. It rained Saturday night, and they all got up early and left. I decided to pay dues and join the group, they having a camp out each month, until November. They camp at nice lakes in the Cascades in Central Oregon. 

4 of us stayed Sunday night, we were given 3 large freshly caught trout.
We decided to have a camping dinner party, and invited the camp host. It was a great evening, with good food, wine, conversation, and table (camping picnic table) was set with a nice tablecloth, flowers, and real dishes and goblets. A truly special time. Our campground host said that it was a rare treat.

Camptown Girls are going to Little Lava Lake

Camptown Girls is a fun group of ladies from the Central Oregon - Bend area. Some of them are Sisters on the Fly. They are getting together for a weekend of fun at Little Lava Lake. It is just a few days from now. They are staying in the group camping area and some gals are getting campsites in the regular campground. This area is just south of the Three Sisters Wilderness area and is incredibly beautiful. The snow capped peak on the left is the South Sister.  I am planning to take Prairie Flower and get a campsite near them. I want to meet them, and possibly join the group. This area is about a 2 hour drive from my home.