Girl Camper

On this week's show I am chatting with Karen Redfern,  the Senior director of marketing and communications at RVIA, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. Karen discusses the changing RV industry and how RVIA is adapting to bring their message to a new generation and to those who have never considered an RV vacation. We also talk about our visit to Blog Her, the annual gathering of the top female bloggers in the country. I share stories of a few of the wonderful women I met at the event and what their blogs have for  all women! http://litasworld.com Hannah Schwatrz' blog. https://itsaseahorse.com Lisa Niver's travel site; https://wesaidgotravel.com  

On this week's show Beaver Creek State Park Camp host Gail Bable shares what is happening at this East Liverpool, Ohio state park. Gail is a naturalist,  a reenactor at the Pioneer Village there and a fiber artist who spins her own wool.  She will be talking about hat a camp host does as well as what upcoming events visitors can lol forward to.

On this week's episode we have retuning guest Chris Baum, Chief Operating Officer of Go Little Guy Worldwide, the largest manufacturer of tear drop trailers in the world.  Our interview was recorded at the Tearstock rally and includes thoughts on brand loyalty, the girl camping movement and their commitment to Camper College events.

My guest this week is photographer Mandy Lea who made headlines when her trailer, a Little Guy Tag named Birdsong, was stolen just a week before she was about to venture out in it as a full time photographer. Her Facebook plea for help finding it went viral with 80K shares. Mandy is here to share the second half of that story and tell us how living life full time in her new Tag is working out. I also share what I learned at Camper College at Setzer's World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia. We had a great time at  gathering to learn hands on, ask questions of the experts and share tips and tricks. https://mandyleaphoto.wordpress.com/ http://www.mandyleaphoto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mandyleaphoto/ https://www.facebook.com/themandylea

On this weeks show our topic is "reducing the chances of trailer theft." All too often I see on social media a request to share a picture from a heart broken trailer owner who's beloved trailer has been stolen .  Frequently a trailer owner will come out to their driveway in the morning and find their trailer has been taken. I'm going to discuss some ways which you can help deter these thieves.   I am also sharing five tips for grilling the perfect steak at your camp out. I've tried and tried to grill the perfect steaks and these tips are based on delicious experience.

On this week's show I am talking about camping with your dog and how to be a conscientious dog owner at a campground. Many a camping trip has been ruined for the non dog lovers by dog owners unwilling to make adjustments to their normal "house rules" regarding dogs. I outline a few things to consider so that all the campers, dog owners and not, enjoy the campground. I also am chatting this week about "trailer lingo!" So many listeners are new to camping and listening and learning so I thought I would define a few terms we banter around at Girl Camper headquarters without realizing that not everyone knows a tongue jack from a wheel chock. I'm also spreading the news about upcoming Camper College events. Setzer's World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia is my next Camper College event on Friday, July 15 at 5pm. Dinner is on the house. Beckley's  Camping Center in Thurmont, Maryland is hosting a Camper College event on Friday, August 12 at 5 PM.  I will be on hand for both and look forward to meeting all the Girl Campers. Pssst... Spouses are welcome too. Lastly, I am off to Tearstock 2016! Go Little Guy Worldwide is hosting their fourth annual gathering of Teardrop, Tab and Tag owners in Mineral City, Ohio. I'm dropping in for some old fashioned camping fun and the factory tour as well as some great upcoming interviews.

On this week's show I interview Suzanne Saunders who is a life long camper. She was first a girl scout and then a family camper in the 1970's with a Starcraft pop up trailer.  When she and her husband Gordon retired they crossed the country several times in their fifth wheel trailer.  After losing Gordon nine years ago Suzanne continued her travels as a solo woman traveler in a scaled back Class C motorhome. She visited family and friends along the way and even went to Alaska alone. She did not belong to any women's travel groups preferring the freedom of an untethered schedule. She is on the show today to share her experiences, wisdom and advice for women facing the question of whether to continue in the RV lifestyle after the loss of a travel partner. Suzanne is a dynamic traveler who has been to 62 countries with more trips on the planning board. In addition to being a terrific role model for Girl Campers of any age, she is my Aunt Sue!

On this week's show I interview Chris Holland from Girard Systems about their third generation tankless hot water system. I had  this system installed in my new Riverside Retro and it is by far my favorite upgrade. While most RV hot water tanks hold six gallons and continually use propane keeping it hot, the Girard system provides endless hot water on demand. Chris discusses the features and benefits of this cost effective  upgrade. http://www.girardrv.com

On this week's show I am turning the tables on  RV Family Travel Atlas Podcast hosts Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi and interviewing them on their recently published book, The Idiot's Guides, RV Vacations. The co-hosts of the highly rated podcast tell how the book came about, how they managed the writing schedule on such short notice and what we can look forward to in the future from them. I also chat about the St George, my new Riverside Retro by Whitewater and the work he required after accidentally rocking him off his stabilizing jacks. I'm also sharing a sister on the fly's stolen trailer to be on the look out for. It was stolen this week from Missouri, City, Texas.    

On this week's episode Jeremy Puglisi from RV Family Travel Atlas Podcast talks about his top picks for the RVing Dad or Mister Sister. If you are unsure of what to get the special man in your life for the RV these products have been used and reviewed by Jeremy and Stephanie and the recommendations are personal. I also welcome my new sponsor, Little Guy Worldwide whose full line of lightweight camping trailers are Girl Camper favorites and I am delighted to partner with them in bringing more Camper College events to RV dealerships across the country. Jeremy's 9 Picks for your Mister Sister: Truma LevelCheck TastePure 25' heated drinking water hose RV Lock 4.0 Weber Q1000 Bristle Free Grill Brush Andersen Camper Levelers Igloo Freestanding Ice Machine Camelback Forge 16 oz Travel Mug Estwing 4 lb Special Edition Fireside Friend wood splitting axe

On this weeks show my guest is Girl Camper and Sister on the Fly with the funniest bone of all, Elaine Smith. Elaine's journey to Girl Camperhood started way before she became a sister on the fly and unlike most Girl Campers, Elaine started with a huge travel trailer and zero experience and set off towing on her own. Her life on the road as a construction inspector was not easy but she made it cozy with the travel trailer and truck she bought and towed from job to job. She missed those days when she retired and she joined the sisters on the fly where the travel pals are way more fun and her rig is a little easier to lug around. Listen in on Elaine's funny tales. I also recap our first weekend out in the new Riverside Retro and the rookie mistake we made that's going to be expensive to repair! In the news round up I talk about the latest Camper College event in Huntington, West Virginia at Setzer's World of Camping. Mark your calendars for this July 15th event.        

On in this week's episode my guest is a special, special guest! My husband Rick joins me to chat about his "destination" mindset about travel versus my "journey" mindset. How do couples merge their travel styles so they can be happy campers? Tune in and find out! I also talk about why we decided on the Riverside Retro as our new couple/family/girl camper.

On this week's show I interview Lynn Butler, wife, mother, grandmother, Girl Camper and RV entrepreneur. Lynn is the owner of Setzers World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia. Listen as Lynn shares her love of camping, how she bought the dealership from her mother and her plans to host "Camper College" for the Girl Campers.    

On this weeks episode I interview Singer/Songwriter Ruthie Collins of Curb Records about life in Nashville; women artists; her vintage Argosy and Girl Camping! I also share my favorite Glampers to follow on Facebook! Glitzy Glamper, Angela Boone Leachman and Tabatha Marie at Extreme Glamping.  

On this weeks podcast I interview sister on the fly Kathy Doty about how she first heard about girl camping and her bucket list trip with several hundred "sisters" across the entire length of historic Route 66. Kathy shares the story behind her vintage camper, Little Elvis and the what it has meant to her to be part of the Sisters on the Fly. I also review the obstacles that many would be girl campers feel keeps them from joining the movement and how they can be overcome.