Perfect R&R for Memorial Day Weekend

As much as I hate to say it, I usually spend Memorial Day Weekend doing yard work. There's a lot of it to do, because Mr. Ed and I live on acreage that likes to grow, grow, grow.

This year was different! Miss Debbie hosted a private campout at her splendid country home in northern Idaho, and the lucky guests, including yours truly, had an absolutely wonderful time of easy R&R. We set up our trailers on her expansive and perfectly groomed yard, and had her stocked fishing pond all to ourselves!

We rowed the pond, practiced fly fishing, and even caught 'Big Walter,' the pond's resident lunker. We put him back, of course, but he did get to see daylight for a few moments!

Debbie and her husband, Denny, spoiled us the whole time. Denny started our morning campfires and coffee, and then went inside the house to make us breakfast, which was served in the great room overlooking the pond and yard. And he refused to let us do the dishes! That's Miss Kim, above, warming up by the fire.

Check out the lovely shaded area for picnic tables. It was better than being at any public park.

Our thanks to Deb (shown above) and Denny for their gracious hospitality and pampering. What a treat!

My Newest Old Trailer: 1972 Red Dale, 'Meadow'

I pictured it, held out for it, and it finally happened: A mid-sized vintage trailer with bathroom, well cared for and ready for camping, came up for sale in my local area for $1,500 or less. This is her, backed into a soon-to-be-shaded parking spot at my place.

I knew I wasn't going to get 'perfect' in that price range--as you can see, she could use some new paint--but what I did get is a 17-foot 1972 Red Dale with a lot going for her. (Coincidence: My cowgirl-biker trailer, Iron Pony, is also a 1972 Red Dale. But smaller, at 14 feet.)

The previous owners, a retired couple named Ethel and Dave, had upgraded all the trailer's systems and  painted the interior a crisp white and apple-green. Ethel made the matching curtains. So this is what I saw when I opened the door. CLEAN was the word. Dave demo'd the water, battery, electric, and propane systems for me. He said they would work, and they do.

He produced a clean title and a spare tire, we made our deal, and I drove the trailer home. (I know you're dying to ask the question, so I'll divulge: I offered and paid $1,000.)

It took me about three quick trips into the house to get the trailer decorated, because truth to tell, I love green and have collected it forever.

Hubby Dearest, Mr. Ed, took one look and came up with the right name for this trailer:

Meadow.

I love how the various shades of lime, apple, and grass greens update the original avocado green of the stove.

 And I couldn't resist adding some dandelion decals to the little bathroom--for 'going potty in the weeds.'

Meadow will be going on her maiden Girl Camping voyage in a few weeks. Then she'll be going to Girl Camp for the summer.

Fun ahead!

Impromptu Spring Fling

I love it when a no-plan comes together.

First, Miss Mig bought this Aristocrat LoLiner and had to make a 10-hour trip to pick it up. She took Miss Sherry with her. The perfect layover spot, for the trip back, was at the same campground where the three of us each keep a trailer for the winter.

No way could I miss this! I hopped in my truck and 2 hours later, arrived at the campground just minutes after they pulled in with the trailer.

Mig (on the right) set the table, Sherry (on the left) rustled us up some grub, I brought over a bottle of wine, and we inaugurated the 'naked' trailer right then and there.

Miss Anna, who owns the RV park we love so much, got a trailer tour the next morning. This trailer will be for Mig's mom, Dickie, who loves to camp with us.

In her 90s, Dickie reigns as our oldest Girl Camper and possibly the youngest-at-heart. Yes, friends, you are looking at a gal born in the 1920s! This is where Mig gets her spirit!

Here are Mig's trailers, side by side. The huge banner says 'Happy Camper Girl.' Mig is an artist by trade, and probably whipped that banner up in her sleep!

(Tip: Pay close attention to the first photo in this post--it's the one and only time you are going to see this trailer unadorned.)

I took advantage of the beautiful sunshine by pulling out a table and chairs in front of my trailer, The Big Chief. (The Big Chief is a behemoth of a trailer, 31 feet long and weighing in at a tonnage of 5,600 lbs. with nothing in it.)

Sherry set herself up behind the trailers, for a view of the roaring Salmon River.

Sherry's dog Jada had a view, too, but from inside on her cozy bed.

Sherry's trailer, Pistol Pete, has lots of big windows that afford a river view. It always seems light and bright inside, even on cloudy days. Like The Big Chief, Pete makes an excellent semi-permanent camping cabin.

Meanwhile, back outside, we each contributed to a drinks-and-eats bar on a table set up over one of the trailers' hitches. I love this means of providing for a meal between camp breakfast and communal dinner. Everyone can graze on what she likes and no one has to go to a great deal of effort.

We also had campfires, enjoyed visiting with Anna, went for hikes and short local drives, and paid visits to our favorite local emporiums in historic White Bird, Idaho.

All in all, a perfectly lovely time that evolved without a plan. So glad we all acted on the urge to GO, and get hooked up!

Annals of Trailer Trolling: Hood River, Oregon

'What is trailer trolling?' you might ask.

Think of it as active birdwatching. Or as similar to hunting for big game and bagging it with a camera.

It's a favorite pastime among certain Girl Camping Girls, including Miss Patty, above, and yours truly.

We're into the exploration of back roads and fresh neighborhoods anyway, and the trailer hunt--spot it, take a picture, move on to find another--is a bonus.

On our latest girl-getaway adventure, to Hood River, Oregon, we learned that the 'food trailer' concept is alive and well in this area some 60 miles east of Portland. We spotted several vintage trailers converted for use in mobile vending--with serving doors set into the side.

We spied this newly painted Oasis in a newer neighborhood and gave it a camera-salute. Note the big front window, and the distinctive arcs in the paint design--two Oasis characteristics that help make the brand easy to ID. We concluded that this trailer is very likely to be somebody's Girl Camping baby!

We've seen hundreds of trailers over the last few years, but this was the first time we saw one like this--with masonite construction (a type of plaster over wood) rather than metal. The sign said the trailer is a 1949 Traveleze. It would have been fun to know more about it, but no one was home.

At a place that was having a yard sale, we noted a 1962 Aristocrat sitting in front of a much newer motorhome. The owner gave us a tour. He even coughed up a price when we asked if he wanted to sell it. I gave it some serious consideration--have ladder, can inspect roof--but ultimately, it wasn't roadworthy enough for a trip of any distance to get it home.

The only trailer we went home with was this birdhouse trailer, plus birdhouse truck, that we sleuthed out at the Rite Aid store in Hood River. Much easier on the fuel bill for the homeward trip!