Girl Camper

On Episode #14 of Girl Camper Tim Jones from White Water is the guest and we will be talking about the new "old" trailer, the Riverside Retro. This trailer is hand built by Amish craftsmen and is a solution to the dilemma faced by many  Girl Campers who want that vintage vibe but with hot water on demand and without the drama of  rebuilding a 50 year old trailer. Tim shares the construction elements of this trailer, the design details and why it is timeless. I will also be chatting about how to keep mice out of your trailer over the winter and sharing some fun mail from excited new Girl Campers. Riverside Retro Trailers Mouse - Free RV's Fresh Cab Packets

On this week's episode Walter Cannon from RV Safety and Education Foundation discusses the formula for determining your tow vehicle's maximum towing capacity and your trailer's true weight. He will also tell us how to determine the tongue weight of your rig. The tongue weight is the downward force that the tongue of the trailer exerts on the hitch attached to your tow vehicle. To tow safely and control sway one should have a tongue weight of 9 - 15% of the trailer's total weight. Listen to Walter as he explains the true weight of your vehicle and rig. Insurers estimate 70% of the trailers being towed do not fit industry standards. Does yours? In our Girl Camper News Roundup we have a new trip - The Great American Road Trip through the north western hills of South Carolina. The Girl Campers will be leaving from Gaffney, South Carolina and taking the historic Rt 11 trip through the foothills to the Georgia border. Waterfalls, roadside stands, B & B's, Table Rock and lots of other tourist attractions await the traveler on this trip. Also on this episode is a segment on safe caravanning. When a group of people are all going to the same place, is it best to stay together or leave some room on the highway?  Outside Our Bubble has some great advice and a Dash Cam "don't " to view.

On this weeks episode we have an interview with Girl Camper, Sandy Newkirk from New Jersey. Sandy's story of how she transitioned to being a Girl Camper will inspire those who are watching the fun from the sidelines. Sandy shares the obstacles she overcame, the trailer hunt and the joys of  'finding her people!'  In the Campfire Chat I share some great tips from the Snowmads, full timers Jason and Kristin Snow on RVing safely through bad weather. Snowmads Top Five Severe Weather Tips . An update on the sign ups for Go Girl, Go and news about my Go RVing blog.   weather.com Storm Prediction Center weather underground

On this weeks episode Mike Harlan of Haydocy Airstream will talk about the partnership between GMC, AAA, Kampgrounds of America and a group of RV manufacturers aimed at making it possible for anyone to take that all American vacation; The Road Trip. Mike discusses the details of the partnerships and all the benefits to participants from the comprehensive support from AAA to the safety and security of the KOA network. In addition Mike discusses the Apple software that comes with the rental allowing travelers to access their chosen motor homes operating manual as well as chart their trip through AAA. Airstreams, Vintage Cruiser by Gulfstream and the Tab trailers from The Little Guy Company are among the trailers would be road trippers can choose from. The Road Adventure website will go live on January 15th just in time to make your summer travel plans. In our Girl Camper News Round Up I talk about out latest "Camp Like a Girl" event taking place in Davis, West Virginia from May 12-15, 2015. "Camp Like a Girl" events are designed for anyone who wants to experience a weekend of Girl Camping. If you have been watching all the fun on social media and want to join in, here is your big chance. Find the details for this trip which is open to Girl Campers from all groups as well as newbies and wannabes, at  http://www.meetup.com/Camp-Like-A-Girl/ . www.haydocyairstream.com www.koa.com www.gmc.com www.aaa.com www.gulfstreamrvtrailers.com www.golittleguy.com  

On this weeks episode my producer Stephanie Puglisi and I review my top five favorite Girl Camper RV's from the RVIA show in Louisville. We will talk about the Lance 1/4 ton truck trailer with the cab over Queen size bed as well as the Little Guy Company's sleek Sofitel model. Also included in our top five are the Riverside Retro by White Water; the Vintage Cruiser by Gulfstream and my personal favorite of the whole show, big, little or in between, the Class C Trend by Winnebago. There are a few shout outs to runners up and all the Girl Camper news and Campfire chat. www.Lancecamper.com www.riversidervs.net www.golittleguy.com www.gulfstreamrvtrailers.com www.winnebagoind.com www.RVIA.org www.rvsafety.com www.rvsolarsolutions.com www.knoxvillervshow.com      

Our guest on Episode #9 is Mark Polk from RVeducation101.com. Mark will be sharing his tips for what to look for when buying a vintage trailer.  Mark is an expert in RV repair and maintenance. With his son, he completely restored a vintage Keystone trailer and that restoration was captured on a DVD which Mark and Dawn are gifting to a lucky listener. You can be in the drawing for the 4 DVD set by signing up for the Girl Camper newsletter. Just enter your email address into the box on the sidebar and you will be entered into the giveaway! Mark has also graciously made a PDF for would be vintage trailer buyers with the check list of what to look for when purchasing one.  I will also be talking about an upcoming Sister on the Fly trip, Waltz Across Texas and sharing how you can get in on that fun. Girl Camper News Roundup and Campfire Chat!

On this weeks episode we have an interview with Dawn Wilson, wildlife photographer, writer, full time RVer and Brave Woman. Dawn shares what life on the road with two cats and two Huskies in a Class C motor home is like. It is Dawn's goal to photograph all the mamals in North America. Girl Camper News Roundup gives the details on how you can support a good cause by buying a raffle ticket for a 5 Wide trailer donated by Little Guy. Tickets can be purchased from Haydocy Airstream in Columbus, Ohio. Our Campfire chat focuses on making your first trailer purchase and what some girl campers bought when they took the plunge.  

On this week's episode of Girl Camper, we will be chatting about what constitutes family and how the holidays are ever changing. We are heading to a campground in Maryland this weekend and will be spending the holidays with our camping family. This is new to us and we will be eating at a restaurant but coming back to the campground to do dutch oven cooking of pumpkin treats. Thank you to the folks at KOA for supplying this recipe. Special thanks to Ronda Ellis of Baton Rouge, LA who submitted it! http://koa.com/camping-recipes/pumpkin-pie-crunch/ We also be talking about the REI #optoutside campaign on Black Friday. We will be heading to the "Mall" in DC to check out the National Park monuments on Thanksgiving morning and on Friday we will be hitting the Smithsonian Institute and we will be Instagramming our Parks to share and would love to hear where you are.

  I had the pleasure of traveling to the Airstream factory in Jackson Center, Ohio in September and touring the factory where those beautiful trailers are made. Afterwards I had the privilege of interviewing Mollie Hansen, the executive Vice President of Marketing for Airstream. Mollie herself is an Airstream addict who cranes her neck to see what is parked in people's backyards that might need airstream rescuing. She owns FOUR Airstreams and also gets to borrow one from work and travel in it to see if there are any kinks in the design that might need tweeking! That has to be one of the best perks of her job! The interview with Mollie is on Episode #6 of Girl Camper,  the Podcast but here are some pictures from that road trip and the factory tour and offices of Airstream. Enjoy!  

" I had a plan and it was all downhill from there!" On Episode #5: Life's Left Turns, we will be chatting with our Girl Camper correspondent, Ginny McKinney about the big left turn her life took when her dear husband passed away unexpectedly. All of their plans to travel and enjoy this great country were washed away in one cruel moment. How Ginny endured and thrived is inspiration for all of us. This funny and brave woman will inspire you to put your big girl panties on and brave the storm. From grieving  widow to thriving  full timer she will share the ups and downs of her unexpected change of plans. Ginny can be found on Facebook at Marshmallow Ranch  

Do you harbor an Airstream dream? I do, but when I sit in the showroom and look at the price tag I wonder if the dream would turn into a nightmare after the purchase. What if I pay beau cup bucks and then don't like the floor plan I chose? What if it's too big or too small? If only there were a way to preview before the purchase. Now there is. On Episode #4 of Girl Camper, I chat with Mike Harlan, the GM of Haydocy Airstream, about the new Airstream and GMC tow vehicle rental program with AAA. Who knew? You can reach out to Haydocy at: www.haydocyairstream.com Where to rent an Airstream: www.haydocyairstream.com FYI! You can also rent a Vintage Cruiser or Little Guy "Tab" trailer through Haydocy! I will also continue addressing the "objections" to becoming a Girl Camper. This week I will be talking about how to operate a travel trailer and the Girl Camper, Camper College program.

As the song says, there are fifty nifty United States and each of them has gems for us to explore. On Episode #3 of Girl Camper, I am speaking with Jessica Scowcroft,  Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau  of Tucker County in Davis, West Virginia. This beautiful part of the country offers so many opportunities for outdoor fun and is the location of our next 'Camp Like a Girl' event. News Round up - Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty, Indiana. Casting for Recovery fundraising by the Sisters on the Fly. I will also be working on the objections I hear about why women can't become a Girl Camper. This weeks objection I address is "towing". Be not afraid. Towing help is on the way. www.uhaul.com www.wvcommerce.org    

Do you know about the Find Your Park program? The good ole USA is celebrating the Centennial of its national parks, and on Episode #2 of Girl Camper, I am chatting with Ranger John Slaughter,  Superintendent of National Parks from South Carolina about the centennial and the beautiful national parks in the Palmetto State. Where to find me: www.girlcamper.com ; Instagram: girlcamper528 ; email, girlcamper528@gmail ; Meet-up, http://www.meetup.com/Camp-Like-A-Girl/ I will also be talking about the next "Camp Like a Girl" event that is going to be in Wild, Wonderful, Almost heaven, West, by God, Virginia.  "Go Girl, Go!" May 13-15, 2015. Details as they are available. I am also talking about overcoming objections to being a girl camper.  This weeks objection? No trailer! No problem. I will be dishing on how to be a girl camper without having a tricked out trailer! Tune in! www.canaanvalley.org www.daviswv.com www.wvcommerce.org  

Welcome to the very first Girl Camper Podcast!! Join me as I talk to Stephanie Puglisi of RV Family Travel Atlas about all the things a Girl Camper needs to know. What is a girl camper, and how can you become one? Head over to iTunes and download this episode. You will hear about the goals of the new Girl Camper podcast, and the places we will be going and the things we will be doing! The Girl Campers are having a party and you’re invited. Stay tuned while I share what’s happening on the back roads of America the beautiful.