A Girl Camping Weekend to Remember on the Salmon River

 

I promised you photos from our group campout at Swiftwater RV Park, on the Salmon River at White Bird, Idaho. And O My Trailer--where to even begin?! We had such a great time that the buzz lasted for days afterward.

That's my big Airstream, which spent the winter at the park in the company of huge, new, gleaming white RVs. For this weekend, all but one of those had gone home, and my vintage tin can cabin was finally among her own kind.

Miss Mig arrived first and set the scene with her very identifiable trailer, Island Girl. The trailer is featured prominently in 'Glamping with MaryJane,' the latest book from MaryJane Butters. But being in a book is nothing compared to being with Mig and Island Girl in person--sensory stimulation, guaranteed!

A veritable explosion of color and fun!


Miss Linner was next, with her red, white and blue theme and patriotic trailer Betsy Ross.( Plus Miss Liberty crown, of course.) I love how the discipline of using ONLY three colors ties everything together in an eye-pleasing way.

The RV park abuts a main bridge over the Salmon. By the time these two campsites were fully decked out, traffic over the bridge had become v-e-r-y slow. (Some drivers eventually pulled in to get a closer look at the unfolding spectacle.)

This, I believe, is what we call a rhetorical question. More photos to come of more glorious Girl Camping, with many ideas and inspirations. Thanks for visiting!

Girl Camping Weekend, Coming Right Up!

After many months of anticipation (mental vitamin A!), two dozen galpals and I will camping together on a bend of The River of No Return. See the tiny blue dot? That'll be our campsite on the Salmon River, outside White Bird, Idaho.

Mr. Ed and I have had our Airstream at this location since the end of October, enjoying several winter getaways. Now I'll get to share this spot with a bigger batch of favorite folks, hoping they'll dig it as much as I have.

We'll surely come up with lots of new photos, so check back in a few days!

Vintage Trailer Names and Numbers

We camped with Sisters on the Fly last weekend, and in that faction of vintage-trailer enthusiasts, every member has a number and many trailers sport a name. Lots of creativity on display for both.

For instance, Sister 3267, owner of a gleaming aluminum Silver Streak, applied decals to an aluminum baking sheet for a sign that seamlessly matches the trailer.

Named for a relative of her owner, this trailer's name is Miss Wilma. She sports her membership number on the front of her step.

Here we have Just Breez'n Along, with her name painted on the front of her curved roof.

Same here with Wild Honey.

Sister 1276 has a patriotic-theme trailer, and boasts her number on her cooler.

We know a lot about Sister 3471 just from this sign. She likes pink, green, lace, and polka dots, and favors Jack Russell dogs.

Trailer Trash Diva announces herself with letters cut from license plates, applied to a piece of driftwood.

Sister 444 (yours truly) employs house letters on a repurposed drawer front.

The trailer's name, Iron Pony, is on the back, the better for other drivers to see it.

Just a sampling, hope to show you more as the Girl Camping season continues!

Camping With Sisters on the Fly in Kennewick, Washington

For the vintage trailer enthusiast, there's nothing quite like that first group campout of the season. All the blogs, Facebook pages and online forums that sustain us over the winter can't take the place of pulling into a campground and seeing one personalized trailer and on-cloud-9 owner after another.

This particular kick-off was a Sisters on the Fly gathering in Kennewick, Washington.  The 50+ vintage trailers and occasional small motorhome were a far cry from the humongous white boxes that make up the modern-day RV inventory.

Even when they're the same brand or model, no two are ever alike.

Some are polished, some are painted, some are 'as found,' and loved just the same.

At a group campout, you always end up seeing something from the vintage trailer world that's new to you. This was my first look at the canvas awning/add-a-room setup that was an option with Aristocrat trailers. Very well made, and sturdy as well, with four roof-brace poles that attach the trailer's exterior.

Original commode and rear kitchenette in a '60s Aloha.

Fresh paint job on a wee Lil Loafer (one of the smallest travel trailers made).

'62 Shasta compact, complete with wings--among the most iconic of all trailer models.


I'll post more pictures as the week goes by. The camera got  a workout!