This Description of Vintage Camper Heaven is No Joke.

Via Kimberly Valzania
on May 29, 2017

A vintage camper is my own private Idaho.

What is it about a vintage camper that gets me all hot and bothered? Do I want to run away? Do I pine to live the life of a vagabond, a nomad, exploring the many secret (and not so secret) pit stops and places that this great, wide, open, and wondrous country has to offer me?

Yes, that must be it.

I imagine myself relaxing inside, (or outside, or on top), reading a book by myself in the middle of Red Rock, Sedona, or Bluegrass, Kentucky, or Big Sky, Montana, while a tea kettle begins to whistle on my little mini stove, and the wind chimes (the ones I bought when I went to see the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico), gently lull my senses.

Is that too much to ask?

I am seduced by these thoughts. These thoughts of vintage campers and wanderlust. They have become a bit of an obsession. Is it possible for you to understand my yearning? And if it isn’t possible, can you at least indulge me for a bit?

I love traveling. Let me rephrase that: I love traveling inexpensively.  A camper provides a way to do it! No hotels. I could easily don a pair of shorts, and live this way for three straight summer months every year.

What’s not to love about that?

There is something to be said for all the activity surrounding the “set up” of a camper as well. Unrolling the canopy, putting out the lawn chairs, building a little campfire. I’m the type of cutesy person who would insist on a darling welcome mat for the doorstep. And I would more than likely pin up little solar lights for simple, twinkling, evenings of enchantment. I would heat up some chicken noodle soup to have in a mug with crackers on the side, after my rugged hike and quick dip in a pristine lake on a glorious day—a day without  worries.

That sounds exactly like what I want.

Also, the thought of campers and wandering sure beats the heck out of scrolling and trolling through my Facebook news feed.

I guess it’s the sort of retirement I dream about. A benign 55+ “community” (shudder) where a perky activities director tries like hell to get me all worked up about going to bingo once a week? Sorry, but no, thanks. I don’t want to go to “mixers”  where they play music from my generation. Honestly, what would that be like? A bunch of gray-haired people, post knee-replacement, dancing around to Jay-Z, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam? (Cue the second shudder).

I don’t want another house. I want a camper. Seriously. I want my own private Idaho. 

Did you know that the word “Idaho” derives from the Shoshone language and means, “the sun comes from the mountains”? I didn’t either, but I love it.

I want to check things out firsthand, go to flea markets, and eat in greasy spoon diners (sometimes). It would be appealing to visit friends around the country, take in a few flea markets, or enjoy our nation’s parks, recreation, and landmarks. I want to camp by the ocean and walk to a coffee shop. I want to sleep in a cramped, but comfortable corner inside four sturdy walls with just a light, six-point Hudson’s Bay blanket to keep me warm, a cool breeze gently lifting the sheer curtains through an open window.

At night, I want to stare at the moon and swim. In the morning, I want to rise with the sun and listen to Earth wake up. I want to wash my damn clothes in a creek. No joke. 

I want to live frugally and respectfully and meaningfully and adventurously. For at least three months a year.

And any vintage camper will do, because I simply love them all.

How about this bright yellow 1964 Thunderbird?

I could live in it, cultivate my succulents, and read novels.

Maybe I could wear bright, busty, apron dresses with retro cherry clusters or birds on them while eating sliced and salted avocados and buffalo mozzarella on a French baguette for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Perhaps I would enjoy a few chilled Moscow Mules right around happy hour. For three whole months I could run in the canyons, float in the surf, and ride my bike through the Redwood Forest.

And my trailer would be tricked-out like a complete bad-ass.

A girl can dream, can’t she?

In my dream, her name is Betty. Betty The Best. 

~

Author: Kimberly Valzania

Luna LED Light - A Good Thing

I found one of these Luna LED Lights ($2, new, in package) at a thrift store. It looked liked a good idea to try. For a cheap price, I took it home to Prairie Flower. I have this little red portable power charger in my trailer (it's about the size of a pack of cards), for cell phones and my e-reader. This little gadget plugged right in and gave great light. It is LED so the power usage is very little, it is rated for 20,000 hours of use. The flexible 9" snake neck allows bending it to use the light many ways. I used it as a reading light for a hardback book. I am very happy with this item, and recommend to other campers without electric lights in their vintage trailers.

Happy Christmas Eve

This is a photo from one of my Glamping friends. So Cute! Love it!

Camping with Groups

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?

Wonderful Glamping at East Lake.

I had a shoreline campsite at East Lake in the background of this photo I took from Paulina Peak at 7894 feet elevation. From This viewpoint, it is possible to see both Washington state, and California....spectacular!!

I parked my 1963 Aloha travel trailer, Prairie Flower, my Glamping Trailer,  so that each morning when I opened my eyes I saw the lake shore. I perfect view just over my feet, a lovely lake and beach. Serenity...Peaceful...Beautiful. Sometimes there were people on the lake in fly fishing floatation gear...and watching the magic of the fly fishing is beauty to behold. There might be early morning kayak's out for a pre-breakfast paddle. The Osprey and Bald Eagles were fishing above the water.

There were four ladies together, each of us had our own trailer, and our own campsite. It is lovely to be with friends who are independent, and self-reliant. Together at potluck dinners, and campfires. During the daytime, we each do our own activities. Things at we do, sleep in hammocks, read in solitude, play ukulele, hike, swim, kayak, pick berries, play cards, and sketch, or color in the new adult coloring books. We go to bed early...and get up early. My body went to the natural day and night cycle. Simply wonderful!