Country Living Fair ~ Rhinebeck NY

Going places and doing things was so much fun this past weekend when Go RVing hosted us at the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, NY. The beautiful Hudson Valley was as appealing as always and the Duchess County Fairgrounds were their usual manicured perfection. Stella Shows makes it all look so easy. They have been producing this show for almost ten years with events in Columbus, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; Rhinebeck, NY and this year as a first timer, Nashville, TN. All my favorite vendors were there and I managed to get a little shopping in. It was all about the people though and as always, meeting and chatting with new friends was the best part of the show. I think we recruited a few new "girl campers"!

Our Sweet Sister Q on the Go RVing sign! @bebacksoonlovemom

 

 My Lake House trailer open for tours

 Sister on the Fly Joni Moomau's cozy A Frame

 Sister on the Fly Nancy Lucier's trailer "Rosie"!

 Every once in a while our amazingly talented sister "Q" does a trailer rehab and although she always wants to keep them, her husband thinks six trailers is too many! Some people "get it" and some people don't! This trailer was "for sale" this year. Completely ready to roll with all the hard work done. A lucky new sister, Kathy, took her home!

 Our Go RVing buddy Dana taking a stand on RVing! She's in favor of it!

 This year we added a new element to the show! RV Lifestyle demos. I volunteered to show visitors how to make the cast iron skillet pizza we generously perfected during last years camping season. You're welcome!

 The delicious results.

 Everything's coming up Rosie! Nancy and her husband take this to Brimfield every year. Not only is it a great draw for shoppers but they get to have lunch and nap in it!

 Q's DIY chandelier! Very Country Living!

 Dana from Go RVing with Kathy, the lucky new owner of this trailer, and Courtney from Go RVing.

 Courtney welcoming Kathy to the RV world with some great Go RVing give aways!

 Catching up with my favorite podcaster, Stephanie Puglisi from RV Family Travel Atlas. If you have never heard their podcast, you are missing out! We chatted so long after the show that we were locked IN and had to get security to let us out!

 Stephanie mixing pleasure with business. I promised her husband Jeremy who was home with three boys under the age of 6,  that I would make sure she got lots of pictures!

 Two new girl campers that went home and signed up for "Camp Like  A Girl" in October. They are already at work getting their cowgirl prom outfits ready!

 I loved meeting 2 Chix and a Barn owners Kim and Leslie! They have the best Airstream for shows. Their site was beautiful, their items so edited and unique and they themselves make it all so much fun to shop! More on them later!

 At every Country Living Fair I have to get to one of my favorite booths, "Hi Ho Home Market!"  I love everything about her booth. Creative designer, Stylist and entrepreneur Heidi Hill-Haddard (we have the same maiden name! ) creates a space that draws you in! I kept getting drawn in over many things but mostly this vintage plaid suitcase on wheels! If it is red, I like it. If it's red and plaid, I love it! If it's red, plaid and wool, I'm done! More on this hardworking lady coming soon!

My favorite purchase of the show!

 

Oh yeah, we were also on the Main Stage talking about all of the fun we have. It was an exceedingly windy day which is my excuse for this wild hair. I don't know why everyone else looks so well coiffed! They must have "people" I don't know about.

 

 

The Country Living Fair is so much fun each year. We meet the best people and have made all kinds of friends along the way. If you have never been to a Country Living Fair you still have two chances in 2015. Columbus, Ohio, September 18-20 and Atlanta, Georgia, October 23-25. I will be in Columbus and will be hosting a Camper College at Haydocy Airstream on Saturday, September 19th.

Happy Trails!

 

 

 



Camp Like a Girl - East Coast

We're doing it! First ever East Coast Camp Like a Girl event! You don't have to know "how" to camp and you don't have to have a tricked out vintage trailer.  You do not have to belong to an existing girl camping group. What you do have to have is a desire to be part of this sub culture of crazy women who like to dress up, sleep away from home,  hike, kayak, go junkin', cook great meals and make new friends!! If you have been stalking Pinterest and Facebook watching all the fun these women are having and not knowing how to get on board, here's your big chance to try it out!!

Here's how simple it is! Join the Meet Up site, "Camp Like a Girl" and register for this event. Details are posted there. It will take place Oct 2-4 in Central New Jersey. Actual location is for members of Camp Like a Girl only!  Make your reservations now as the park is a county park and fills up quickly. There are 64 sites and tents and trailers can share a site to save on costs. There are also three cabins that sleep six each. Grab five girlfriends and come!

 So inviting! I love seeing everyone's personal style come across in their tents and trailers. I love the classic awning on this trailer. Note to self, add fringe to your awning!

 How is a girl camper different than a 'regular' camper? Most women make a home no matter where they are. We like comfort and we like company and we like to be surrounded by things that we love, even when we are camping!!! Notice the red table? It folds down into a suitcase! They were made in the 40's and 50's and came with picnic gear in them. They are hard to come by but after an exhaustive search (on Ebay! and elsewhere) my friend Pam found one at an Ohio estate sale and called me from the sale asking me if she should pick it up and mail it to me. Only one catch, it was $75! Without hesitating I said YES! Paired with my $5 vintage Coleman lantern that means I only paid $40. Girl Camper Math!

 I love anything that is red! Add polka dots or plaid and I'm in love! This trailer belongs to a sister on the fly and I took these pictures at the Rocky Mountain Hi Meet Up in Wyoming last summer on my way to Cowgirl College. So much eye candy!

 So many people think that older is better but this 1980's trailer made me want to move in! Don't discount what you have before you put your touch on it!

 There's so much practicality in old things! Form and function! Who wants an orange home depot cooler when you can have this? Love the tablecloth too. Moda Fabrics makes them and the repros can be purchased at Amazon.

 One of the women had this sign in her trailer! I think it sums up girl campers beautifully!

 Enough said!

 Not only is this adorable, but having a bike at some campgrounds is a real plus. Sometimes the potty and ice machine are far away!

 It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, the neighborhood, the neighborhood!

 

 Ahh! Breathe deeply! You're home!

 One of the more clever trailer names.

 Who says you need a trailer? I love the attitude of women that camp in tents. She is not letting the lack of a trailer stop her from having fun! An inflatable

Aerobed, a few throw rugs and great blankets and your camping in style and comfort! Plus you're saving on gas!

 This is a Girl Camper!!

 I am awestruck by this tent which belongs to Kelley Jewells Parker, a sister on the fly from the Southwest. I have a fantasy that I hit the lottery and get Kelley to come out and completely redecorate my house!! A girl can dream right?

 

 Camp Style! Simple but so beautiful and inviting!

 

 

I hope you are inspired to join or at least check out the girl camping movement! We are "making girls out of women!"

 

Meetup.com

Colorado Camper School !

"RV Business Magazine" has selected

Ketelsen Campers of Colorado as one of the

Top 5 RV Dealerships in North America for 2015!!!

 

 

 

And, here is why! Ketelsen Campers is again hosting a "Camper School" event at their dealership on Friday, May 29, 2015. It will be a weekend long kick off for the summer season with a special time set aside with a trailer technician to explain the "how to's" of owning a travel trailer.

 

 

 

When I am at RV shows and meet women who want to become  "girl campers" there are so many questions! Ketelsens kindly hosted nearly 50 women in April for an evening event to answer those questions and provide hands on demonstrations. As many as did come, there were many sending regrets that the date didn't work for them so Ketelsens is repeating the offer! A noon time cook out is being provided to boot! Bring your hubby along, there might be a toy hauler he likes!!

 

 

 www.wegocamping.com

 

 

 

 

Camper College

On the journey to becoming a Girl Camper there are questions!! Lots of questions. As good teachers will always say, "There's no such thing as a silly question." In an effort to get those questions answered by those in the know,  I partnered with Ketelsen Campers of Colorado to invite women wanting to learn the do's and don'ts of trailer travel. 

 The Ketelsen staff showing the workings of various trailer models

 If you did not grow up camping you will have lots of questions regarding the propane tank. Do I shut it off while I am driving? (Yes!) Can it leak? How long does one tank last? How do I turn it on and off?  Can it fall of the trailer while I am driving? A Ketelsen employee explains!

 Randy Ketelsen addresses the enthusiastic group of would be girl campers. I love that someone is taking notes!!

 The Riverside Retro Trailer is behind Randy. I will admit to an unapologetic partiality to this trailer! If you  can't redo a vintage trailer and want most of the charm of vintage without the worries, this is the trailer for you! I see one in my future.

 A great turn out for a Friday night.

 Now they are sisters!! It's been a while since my mom dressed my sisters and I in matching outfits but it is a universally recognized symbol of sisterhood!

 Explaining how the 12 Volt system works.

 A classic pop up if you are camping with lots of girlfriends.

 A hands on demonstration of hitching up the trailer. This is so important because it is most peoples biggest concern.

Q and A time with the staff.



A great evening was had by all and minds were put at ease. Knowledge is not only power but it is peace. Knowing how something works and knowing that a good dealership has your back gives you the courage to turn dreams into reality.  Follow this blog for postings on upcoming Camper College events in your area.