Carpe Camping! Girl Camping Moments, 2015

'Carpe camping!' In other words, camp whenever you can.

I love all chances to go somewhere with my own little home(s) on wheels, and seize them often. Here are some carpe-camping snapshots from spring and summer 2015.

March: First outing of the year for Iron Pony, 1972 Red Dale. A group of us got pre-season campsites at Hells Gate State Park on the Snake River, Lewiston, Idaho. It was great just to be out that early in the year, but also an unforgettable Girl Camping weekend for the exciting jet boat trip we took up the Snake River into Hells Canyon.

Hold on, everyone, big rapids coming up!

End of April: Girl Camping on the Salmon River for our Spring Rendezvous at Swiftwater RV Park, White Bird, Idaho. The Airstream, third trailer from left, is my aluminum abode; it spends the winter here, and goes home right after the Rendezvous weekend.

Like Iron Pony, the Airstream is a 1972 model. Name: Big Chief. ('Big' is right, because it's over 30 feet long and weighs 5,600 pounds, empty.)

Mid-May: Girl Camping weekend at a friend's country place for her birthday celebration. Maiden voyage with the 1965 Chief trailer I bought late in 2014. It earned an A+ for remaining dry during a steady downpour!

The Chief brand was manufactured in Seattle, and that's about all I know about it. This model has beautiful turquoise/aqua appliances, and I named it Crazy Horse.

Early June: Iron Pony gets all dolled up for the Farm Chicks campout in Riverside State Park in Spokane, coinciding with the annual Farm Chicks Antique Show.

This is always a fun gathering, with attendees from far and wide.

Mid-June: An impromptu overnight stay in Montana with several fellow members of Sisters on the Fly--the log-cabin trailer belongs to Miss Linda, who was traveling with Miss Patty. I was treated to a
bunkhouse stay, as I didn't have a trailer with me.

However, I was able to furnish the first round of Happy Hour drinks on the front porch of our hostess!

July 4th Weekend: A Girl Camping weekend at GIRL CAMP! The little mountain town of Elk River, Idaho, puts on a great fireworks show, and there's nothing quite like the parade of locals down Main Street. Since we do believe in 'Sum Boyz OK,' this is a co-ed camping weekend.

Obviously OK with Mark, hubby of Miss Mig, both of whom were in the parade!

There's been more in 2015, but I'd better end this post here just so I don't keep you forever. Thanks for coming along on the ride so far!

Every Vintage Trailer Has A Story

Meet Delbert. Delbert is a 1960 Aljo 1900, named after his original owner who purchased him new, 52 years ago. Until a couple of weeks ago, when acquired by Mr. Ed (spouse of Girl Camping Girl), Delbert had been with his first family all that time--being passed down from one generation to the next, to the next.

Much of Delbert's history as a travel trailer was affixed to his ample backside. The seller--grandson of the original owner--had many stories about camping with Delbert, purchased the same year he was born. He'd taken his own daughters camping in the 19-foot trailer after inheriting it.

But with one thing leading to another, Delbert had gone unused for almost 10 years, and was sitting in a barn, gathering dust. And hence, was offered for sale. When Mr. Ed hooked up and drove him out into the sunshine, you could almost hear the old fellow go 'Ahhhhhh--fresh air!'

Delbert, it turns out, is built like the proverbial tank. Which is a good thing, because the next part of his life story began with a 10-mile haul down a one-lane gravel road that had not been graded in some time. (To the good: Not one of his cabinet doors sprung open during the bumpy ride!)

Speaking of cabinets...Delbert has all kinds of them, made of beautiful birch.

His sinks and appliances are butter yellow and in remarkably good condition for their age.

Grandpa Delbert's American flag was still in the rear closet. After the trailer received a good cleanup, inside and out, the flag went into its holder.

Delbert is now making friends with the Hacienda del Sol, a 1972 Airstream Land Yacht that was the first of Girl Camping Girl's vintage trailers.

And guess where you can find Mr. Ed--or should we say, Girl Camping Guy--whenever he has a spare moment?

If this is 'enabling'--we're into it!