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

Sisters on the Fly

Eugene, Oregon's... Good Earth Home and Garden show starts today, and some of my friend's are putting their trailers on display. They are representing Sisters on the Fly, to provide inspiration for women to join.

This is Anne's 1969 Aloha. She is from the Portland area. This trailer is currently on the front cover, and featured in Vintage Trailer magazine.  

This is Marie's 1960's Oasis trailer. She is from Salem Oregon. Marie took this trailer on Route 66 for a month last spring. The turquoise color is great, she told me that it is a wrap...not paint. I see that she has changed the bike rack, I am going the see what she did. I want a bike rack on my trailer, Prairie Flower.

I love the large front window on her trailer. It allows a nice bright light inside.

This 1950's trailer is very tiny, but oh so cute. The step is a good idea, I like the handle on it, makes it easy to carry. The windows are much smaller, and sometimes dark inside...but that is made better with the lovely original birch interior. I like the interior wood...I don't like the painted over birch.

Glamping - Use an Umbrella Light

This small light is terrific to take along camping, when there is only battery availability for lighting. I took this one along last weekend. I put up the umbrella beside the picnic table and attached this light. I found the light to be very useful. A few AA batteries, and 4 LED lights make a good thing for me. The lights can be found for $10 and up. I think that I got mine at an off season clearance somewhere, it was inexpensive.

The Beehive Cottage Glamper

Hi, I have not been inspired to post this last week. I follow this blogger because she posts about her trailer. Look at her last post...I love it, there are many photos of her "new decor" in her trailer. The Beehive Cottage

Goldie the Chevron Cowgirl

I really admire the women how really know how to personalize their trailers...and do it all by themselves. Meet "Goldie the Chevron Cowgirl", from the blog Glamping Nation. This trailer is all hand painted with Anne Sloan paint. Fabulous!! Here is the link www.glampingnation.com. I enjoy reading the blog, and seeing the trailers posted there.

Girl Camp Trailer

Some gals put their thoughts on the back of their trailers...how does this one work for you? Really..............not sure about that.

Cute Little Trailer

I was driving thru a small town, Brownsville, Oregon...down Main St...and look what caught my eye. I have no idea what brand of trailer this is. I would guess it is 1960's era. I wish that the owner had not parked right beside a speed sign.

This paint is very cute. It is nicely done...with the fun shapes in green. I am inspired to paint my trailer myself. Note that each side of the front window there is a plate sized metal ornament attached with sheet metal screws. Over the back window there is a name Wabai Sabai.

I think that this trailer is 6 ft wide and about 9 ft long. Small and light...and it can be towed by a jeep. The back window had the curtains open...I do that when towing so I can see right thru my trailer. I peeked in the window, and there is a tiny kitchen across the front, and bed/table combination across the back. It is very small....and very cute. I wish the owner would have been around so that I could have talked with her/him.

I stopped at the building supply store, got some custom tinted paint made to match Prairie Flower. I am going to touch up some spots...someday I will do the entire trailer.

It is Time to Come Out and Play

The Aloha Trailer on the left is mine! The Terry on the right is the big one Hubby and I use together. The sizes are very different 13 feet compared to 27 feet. The big Terry is a cabin on wheels.

Today, I hooked up my 1963 Aloha (Prairie Flower) and took her out of the shop for the first time this year.  I needed to go inside and take care of a few things. I stored my camping gear inside her during the off season...so some things are not needed for the weekend and came out for right now. I still need to check the tires for proper inflation. I used to stop by the local tire center and the young men there would do this....but no more, the place is shuttered...closed. I do not have water tanks, so no checking water lines or un-winterizing them. 

I cleaned and made up the bed with fresh linens last fall. I washed all the dishes, etc. and stored them inside plastic totes last fall. I put all the food in a plastic tote inside the house. 

I had two incidents with one mouse, each time, last summer...and there is no sign of any rodents now.  This is good, because I spent time last summer to close up any tiny place where there might be entry. I am hopeful that it is a success. It is a big deal, to trap them and then cleanup the whole trailer and get under the trailer to find any spot that might be an entry place. I know that both times the mouse got inside while parked in the shop.

Well, I hope that I got it done....but, I still have two mouse traps stored under the sink, in case. The Girl Scout Motto, Be Prepared.  I didn't have any traps with me at the time...and none of my Camptown Girls had any with them. It was a bummer! I had to travel to the nearest town to get some. I did not care to hear one mouse running around when I was trying to sleep. To tell you the truth the first night I heard something, but wasn't sure. The second night the noise was more and I knew. I trapped it on the third night. I really don't want that experience again................ugh. When I removed all the copper pipes, there were holes between cabinets and that was a perfect spot for the mouse to move thru, these are now all covered with metal screwed into place. I also found three holes to the exterior that went through the floor. These are currently covered with metal and screws holding them in place, inside and outside.....I am not taking any chances. (You know what....I did not have this happen during the summer 2013. This is why I was shocked last summer.)

Summer 2014

Yellowstone Souvenirs

I went out and about junking today....and look at these finds.  Two Yellowstone Souvenir plastic bowls. I think that they are from the late 1950's to the early 1960's. Very unique, and fun for putting into a vintage trailer.  I think that these would look great in a cabin themed room, or the hunters cave (the basement).

Vintage Surfing Tablecloth

You probably know that I love vintage tablecloths and other textiles. These items are very attractive to me, and much so when they are made in the USA 70 years ago. They do survive, and I find them from time to time in thrift stores. My Sis took me to an out of the way store in a very small town. My eye's are always looking for this kind of thing...they are well trained. This cloth is small, about a 36" square. My friend Debbie has her trailer decorated in a Tiki theme, and this is perfect for her....next time I see her she is going to get this one. I owe her an I'm sorry gift (for something I accidentally broke).

A Vintage Trailer with a Quote

This is found on the side of a girlfriends 10' Compact 1962 Aloha Trailer.
I didn't know the Aloha made a trailer smaller than my 13' trailer. She and her hubby restore 2 or 3 vintage trailers each year. They do a great job.

Here is the door side of her trailer, it has a tiny kitchen in the front, a couple of small cabinets on each side, and the table/bed across the back. After dark, she has a large light-up crown to put on top of her trailer. The crown came from Lowe's, they sell them online for about $50.

This an Aloha Compact is the original condition, after being stored in a barn for 40-50 years. This gal was so lucky, this trailer was given to her...just because the man wanted to have it off his place. How about that? I know another gal who got a trailer in a similar deal, her trailer cost a case of beer.