Girl Camper

There are so many places I want to camp in and foreign countries make that list as well. When I see pictures of New Zealand I always imagine myself there. My sister lived there at one time and I have many friends who have traveled there on vacations but not to camp. On this week’s podcast I interview world traveler Jackie Gishbaugher about her recent trek to New Zealand for a van camping tour of the lush island. Jackie and her partner Nate are taking a gap year to explore the continents and New Zealand is best explored on four wheels. Jackie and Nate share their experience as well as trip planning and camper van rental advice for camping in New Zealand.

Jackie writes a blog, A Gish Out of Water, all about her and Nate’s adventures abroad. Nate also does a podcast, Oyster World Radio which can be found on ITunes and other Podcast outlets.

 

 

On this week's show I am taking a fresh look at ways in which to find money for travel and possibly a trailer purchase. RV travel is the most budget friendly way to see the country. It offers a flexibility that resorts and hotels cannot. You can choose different levels of campgrounds and services, types of travel trailers and ways in which to eat - all of which impact the bottom line and increase the amount of travel you are able to do. Whether you are in a Class A coach at a high end RV resort or rented used trailer at a state park, when you are taking in the majestic beauty of our National Parks, the view is the same for all!! Today, I am taking a look at some new ways to find money in your budget for travel and trailers.

 

Facebook Marketplace - Sell stuff you're not using. Marketplace was started two years ago as a rival to Craigslist. Its' user friendly, has features that let you set a radius to promote to, has a payment feature and allows you to set the terms for pick up. I have used it several times to get rid of things that are too valuable for a Goodwill donation. I am still not recouping what I paid for antiques I've owned but aren't using now. but I am getting more than garage sale prices and I am putting it in my travel account. The trick is to not get caught up searching and buying instead of selling!!

Food Delivery Services - There has always been local pizza delivery but now a wide range of restaurants offer food delivery through Apps such as Post Mates, Door Dash and now Uber Eats. It's a flexible job that allows you to work when you can and when you want to. You can work every other weekend and still have time for your normal weekend activities. With most of these services you need a valid drivers license, proof of insurance, and be at least 19 years of age. Weekends between 11 PM and 1 AM are peak in big urban areas.

Automate your Savings - Like an old school Christmas club or vacation club but now automated. Ask your employer to automatically deduct a percentage of your paycheck that goes straight into an account designated for travel or trailer savings. If the funds never get into your checkbook they won't be there to use for other discretionary purchases. It's the old "pay yourself first" idea but not for retirement, for something fun!

Freelance Your Skill Set - It's never really been easier to get a side hustle going. You don't have to post homemade paper ads for lawn  cutting or window washing  on the supermarket wall or laundromat anymore. Social media sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and Up Work allow you to market your professional services. Up Work can be used by consumers and providers to search for or provide services such as photography, accounting, party planning, IT help, legal work and web design. Both sides pay a fee on a sliding scale and the site provides the platform for users to chat, file share, track time and get paid. Consider what skill or hobby you have that is easy for you but torture for others and put your talent to work making money for you.

Rent Your Trailer - If you already own a trailer and it's sitting in your driveway when not being used by you consider renting it locally through Outdoorsy, RV Share or Campanda. Rules vary within each company but you choose the price per night and whether you will provide linens and provisions or the renter will need to bring their own. The RV industry research shows that RV owners use their units 3-4 weeks a year. That's a lot of driveway time that could be used for passive income.

Cancel Subscriptions you are not using. We all sign up for "introductory" offers at great prices with an auto renew button that automatically charges our credit cards at a higher price when that initial offer is up. The Wine of the Month Club, the Quarterly Box subscription or the health club membership that we don't really want anymore can add big bucks back into our accounts. A new company called TRIM will do the dirty work for you if you don't want to. You will have to fill out your consumer information and they review your credit card bills and send you a list of charges you may want to eliminate. You check off the boxes of the things you are not really using and they cancel for you at no charge to you. Go Go Internet Airplane is their number one requested cancellation request.

Review Your Insurance Policies - Cut your insurance bills by bundling policies with one company. There can be steep discounts when you consolidate your plans. You can also choose a higher deductible on policies to reduce the monthly charge. Consider cutting the collision insurance on old cars that are likely to not net a big return if totaled in an accident. Take a defensive driving class. Many insurers offer a discount for those who have taken the class. Check your homeowners policy to see if you are paying for things you don't need. If you are paying for flood insurance and live on the hill, cancel it. It may have been part of a bundle of add-ons that you didn't notice on closing day. Get rid of PMI insurance if you have 20% equity in your home. The insurance is paid for by consumers but is for the benefit of the bank. Lastly, sit down with your agent and ask to go over all of your policies looking for ways to reduce them.

Cut Discretionary Spending - It's amazing how much we spend without even realizing it. Do a little test and cut your spending for two weeks to see how it adds up. For two weeks pack a lunch; make coffee at home in the morning and take it to work with you; grocery shop with a meal plan and a list. Consider eating in on weekends. Make is special, potluck with friends is a great way to see important people without having to cook for a crowd. Have a steak for two dinner at home rather than dining out. Two organic rib eye steaks from Whole Foods costs about the same as one entree at a good steak house and you are not paying for marked up wine, a la carte side dishes and adding a tip. Don't swipe! Stay off the prime buying sites for two weeks and see how much you save. I feel I often save money when I just order what I need. When I go to the store to buy it, I often buy other things too. Try and separate what is necessity from what is an impulse purchase.

Use these ideas to put more money in your pocket for travel and possibly for that trailer you have been coveting!

On this weeks show it’s my pleasure to welcome Laura Fahrenthold, author of the Pink Steering Wheel Chronicles. Laura and her husband, Mark Pittman were living their dream life in New York. They were both writers, Mark in the financial world for Bloomberg and Laura as a featured writer at Woman’s World. They were raising 8 and 10 year old daughters when the unthinkable happened, Mark suffered a fatal heart attack at home one night and passed away before their eyes.

 

Laura had no choice but to carry on. Marks congenital heart condition made insurance impossible for him to obtain so Laura was suddenly the only parent and principal bread winner as well. After months of watching the girls sinking in sadness she decided to take them on a summer camping trip away from the house where it all happened. Away from the spot where the medics worked to revive Mark. Away from the bedroom he passed away in. Away from the room mommy comforted them in. Laura thought that camping would move their minds from trauma to fun. That first tent camping trip led them to HaRVey, an old motor home looking for a family. The spontaneous purchase changed their lives.

The Pink Steering Wheel Chronicles is not a book about widowhood and single parent survival tips. It’s a book of hope and humor and overcoming your fears. Laura and her daughters eventually took HaRVey across the country leaving Marks ashes in his favorite places, places he would have wanted to see and going full circle and finishing up in his hometown in Kansas. The stories along the way are funny and poignant but mostly full of love.

 

Laura is now on her book tour in HaRVey and is teaching her daughter to drive him. Their adventures continue and a new generation takes the wheel. Tune in to hear Laura’s story of inspiration and determination.

 

My topic on this week’s podcast is forming a regional Girl Camping group and my guest is Sharon Cormican, co founder of the Rocky Mountain Glampers. Sharon is a member of several Girl Camping groups but was looking for more regional camp outs with women who lived in her area and had similar interests. When she didn’t find these people in the groups she already belonged to, she started her own group. They say you write the book you wanted to read, well Sharon formed the club she wanted to join.

Some of the issues she was experiencing have been stated by many members of larger groups.

* Events close up before you can sign up for them.

* They can be clique with older members reuniting with old friends they’ve camped with before and leaving newcomers feeling left out. Although you may meet new people there can be a feeling of being on the outside when groups are too big. Old members think someone else is making newcomers welcome and in reality no one is acting as hostess.

* Camp outs themselves can be too large and the intimacy can be lost.

* It’s not always easy to find people with your camping style in large groups. The large events tend to be more of a party than a camp out and finding the hikers, fisherwomen, kayakers or whatever form of camping activities you prefer can be harder.

* The events taking place in national groups are sometimes too far away to be able to participate in on a weekend.

* Many of the posted trips are big events planned months in advance that require non refundable deposits and big fees for things you may not want to do.

* Sometimes the “rules” within groups are just too daunting to those who just “want to camp.”

Although I keep my membership in bigger groups because I love the parties and celebratory gatherings once or twice a year my main goal is to camp more often in small groups with people who like to hike, kayak and fish. I understand the frustration of those who aren’t crowd people and are looking for a truer camping experience. The best of both worlds would be to keep the big groups if they make you happy and you enjoy the camaraderie which takes place at events as well as on line. It ‘s a great resource for tips, tricks, advice and recommendations but if it’s not feeding your inner Girl Camper, consider these ways to find  local groups to camp with in the way you enjoy it.

Start looking for like minded locals using:

* Facebook. Pick a name, state your goals, and run a targeted ad finding those people and host a get together. It’s not much harder than that. Just start. I have used Facebook targeted ads to find women in all different cities when I do speaking engagements and they have been very successful. You don’t need hundreds of people to respond. My NJ tribe of Girl Campers is about 18 women who come and go as lifes demands allows. We can usually pull a few trips together with 4-5 of us with a few weeks notice.

* Meet-Up. Start a group on Meet-Up.com and find a tribe the same way.  Write a good mission statement about what your goals are. Limit the rules to keep it simple. Plan an event to kick it off and let it evolve from there. I found my NJ tribe through Meet Up and have been camping with them for a few years now. We have a simple system for weekend camp outs. A hostess picks a date and location and everyone makes their own reservations. There are no fees with any camp outs. We meet and share appetizers or light snacks on Friday nights. Breakfast and lunch are on your own. On Saturdays we do BYOP – Bring Your Own Protein. Someone offers their site for for cooking and we eat leftovers from the night before as side dishes and cook up a protein on the community grill. Normally someone offers to bring a salad, side dish or dessert. We never go hungry.

* Community Outreach – Public libraries,

On today’s show I am talking towing technology with Brian Bell, the Ford Marketing Manager for F150’s and the Ford Ranger. Each week in my mail bag I receive letters from women wishing to hit the road in an RV and they often express the same fear –  towing! “I’m afraid to tow.” “I don’t think I can hitch a trailer up by myself.” “I won’t be able to park it at the campground.” “I’m so afraid of trailer sway.”

I can tell you this – these are concerns for many people and the engineers at Ford have been developing technology that makes towing easier and safer than ever before. Today Brian Bell is talking about the F150, Ford’s biggest selling truck. I have had an F150 fan since I bought my first truck over 11 years ago. That V8 5.7L work truck had very few amenities but was as comfortable and reliable as an old shoe. When I replaced it my husband insisted I buy one with a few more bells and whistles considering the number of miles I drive each year. I bought the Lariat V6 3.5L ecoboost with lots of bells and whistles.

* The rear camera is great for backing up and hooking up the trailer especially when I am traveling alone. Rather than getting in and out of the truck cab to see where I am I can maneuver the truck to the trailer hitch in one move.

* My new truck has a built in trailer brake controller for use when I need a little extra braking power.

* Tow Haul Mode allows me to not have to figure out myself what gear I should be in for the conditions I am driving in. It automatically “reduces gear hunting, improves power delivery.”

* The Smart Trailer Tow Connector lets me run through a check list to make sure I have not forgotten any of the steps in hitching up.

Ford has many other towing features that provide not only safety but confidence on the road.

Trailer Reverse Guidance offering three cameras to assist in backing up and maneuvering a trailer. This is a great feature for those new to RVing concerned about backing into a campsite, getting in and out of a parking lot and getting gas in tight spots.

Lane Keeping Alert sounds to let you know you may be drifting out of your lane.

The Smart Trailer Tow Connector allows drivers to be alerted to problems with their trailer lights and battery,

Anti Sway Technology

Trailer Reverse Guidance

In addition to all of the smart towing features I really love my rear step that folds out of the tailgate allowing me to get in and out of the bed of the truck much easier; the heated and air conditioned seats; the hands free features for using the phone while driving and the leather seats which are not only comfortable but so easy to clean and maintain. Last year I drove close to 30K miles and this year it’s looking like I will match or beat that number.  I am so glad that I decided on the Lariat since in so many ways my truck is my office, home away from home and safe harbor when I am on the road.

I really hope that knowing about these available features helps ease the fears that  those new to towing have. It has never been more comfortable or safer to tow an RV. Click here for more information about the F150. 

 

 

On Part Two of my interview with Karen Peterson, solo woman traveler, I ask Karen the questions that wannabe solo travelers submitted on line. Many people are drawn to the open road and adventure. They seek the opportunity to spend significant amounts of time in places they’ve only seen in photos or stayed in for a week or two vowing to return to when time and budget allowed. Those dreams can sustain you when you are counting down the days until retirement but there are practical concerns that need to be addressed when taking months long road trips or endeavoring to become a full timer in an RV. I asked the Girl Campers what they wanted to know about the practical side of Karen’s life on the road. Here are a few of the questions.

* How do you get mail?

* How do you address health issues far from home?

* How often do you connect with family?

* Does someone know where you are at all times?

* Have you been ripped off for motor home repairs because you are a woman?

* What do you do in really bad weather?

* What about safety? Do you carry a gun?

* How do you fend off loneliness?

* Do you have any hobbies on the road?

* Do you travel with pets?

* Do you create a routine for yourself?

* Are you on a budget and have you had to increase it?

* Does your RV depreciating concern you?

* What are your favorite travel APPs?

* What would you live in and where would your pets go if your motor home needs a repair?

Each person considering such a big life change has a different set of concerns. I appreciated that Karen was willing to be so honest in sharing what her own reasons for pursuing the nomadic life were. It is hard not to be inspired by this woman who is forging a life without regrets. Leave a comment or question for Karen and be sure to share this podcast episode with a would be traveler.

 

 

On this weeks show we are continuing our exploration of the different types of RVs available and their advantages and disadvantages. My guest is Class B owner Carole Steinberg who has been full timing in her Mercedes Sprinter for four years now. Carole purchased a new Sprinter and outfitted it to fit her needs.

Before transitioning to the Class B Carole owned many vintage trailers and was an experienced trailer flipper. In our interview Carole talks about her decision to go full time and why the Class B was the right RV for that time in her life.

Pros and Cons of the Class B Motor Home

Pros

* Easy to park and maneuver

* Costs less than a Class A or C

* Can be used as your main vehicle as well as RV

* Gets you outside more – more of a sleep space than lounge area

* Easy to store. Can be parked in a driveway

* Good way to test if you like RVing before you make big purchase

* Easier to customize – can be purchased empty

* Better fuel economy than Class A or C

* Offers passenger access to kitchen, bathroom, food while driving

* Good touring vehicle for day trips – tailgating

* Extra  guest room at your home

* Can still tow something – boat, travel trailer, bikes

* Diesel or gas powered available

* Can travel under the radar in an unmarked version offering increased safety for solo travelers

* Can leave an unsafe situation without having to get out of vehicle unlike travel trailer

Cons 

* Small space with limited storage

* Stuck inside in bad weather

* Pricey compared to travel trailer

* Limited flexibility in floor plan options

* Appliance sizes are much smaller

* Only comfortable for one or two people

* Have to unplug it every time you leave campsite to sightsee

To listen to the podcast, click the arrow!

 

This is a Petite Podcast while I am on a month long sabbatical. In June our regular podcasts will return.  I didn’t want to leave you without a Girl Camper weekly fix so I’m recording little podcasts during the month of May.

I’m starting off this week by answering one of the questions I didn’t get to in our last Q and A. Anna wrote in and asked what to expect when she attends her first rally coming up soon.

It can be a little intimating to attend a rally in which you don’t know a soul. I did it myself at my first Sister on tbe Fly trip. The good news is that the kind folks who plan rallies generally do it because they enjoy helping people, bringing people together, and seeing people enjoy  themselves. You are walking into very friendly territory.

The question I want to piggyback to your question is how can you be a good guest ?

Recognize that the hostess is working hard trying to make a lot of people feel comfortable. Try to be a go with the flow person who is not too demanding.

Don’t sit in your tent or trailer waiting for someone to come and get you by the hand and lead you around introducing you to people. Step out of your comfort zone and walk around saying hello.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If it is your first time backing up a trailer by yourself, feel free to reach out to other campers. Most people are more than happy to help those who are learning. There’s no shame in being a beginner. I camped for two years at pull through sites before I made up my mind to just get that backing in thing down once and for all.

Bring a little hostess gift to show your appreciation to the person who planned the event. It needn’t be anything big. Maybe local honey from your town or something you’ve made? A bottle of wine is always appreciated.  I also bring a load of firewood to the community fire each time I camp with a crowd.

Leave politics and hot button topics at home.  Most people camp to get away from stress and it’s not the place for airing opinions and taking stands.

Hostesses can make people feel at ease by letting them participate at their own comfort level. Rallies range in activities from laid-back to highly scheduled.  Cowgirl proms, game playing, and dress up themed parties  are not everyone’s cup of tea.  I always think it’s best to let people find their niche at their own pace.

As a hostess, when it comes to food, I always let the first timer is off the hook. I have found that driving to your first event alone, possibly towing alone for the first time, is stressful enough. I like to treat the newbies To a weekend free of worrying about food. It gives them the opportunity to see how food is handled and the next time they come they will know what the system is. It’s a nice treat for first timers. If they are insistent that they’d like to bring something I suggest a dessert.

 

 

To listen to this weeks podcast, click on the arrow.

On this weeks show I have the pleasure of chatting with Yuma, Arizona resident Doris Manner. I met Doris in Texas when we were camping at the same campground and she came by to say, “Hi!” Turns out that Doris is a fellow sister on the fly, a Class C motor home owner, a nearly full timer and a lifelong RVer. She is also a pilot, quilter, painter, mother of six, grandmother of nine and great grandmother to boot. She is nearly 79 years young and is traveling solo for the next five months investigating her family history, meeting up with friends and taking the long way home.

This remarkable woman married at age 15, had six children, started a business with her husband and was widowed in her early 30’s. She pulled herself up by her boot straps and simultaneously earned  high school and college diplomas. She became an RN and worked the emergency room for many years. When she met her second husband they decided they would learn to fly and began their lessons together. Sadly her husband passed away from cancer in his early fifties. Doris postponed her lessons to care for him but returned to them after he passed away and became a single engine pilot. She bought a small plane, built a house on an airstrip with its own hangar and when she wasn’t RVing, she was flying for fun.

When Doris and I were visiting I quickly realized that she possessed a whole lot of wisdom for those new to RVing and particularly those who desire to travel alone. She has owned every kind of recreation vehicle out there: travel trailers, Fifth wheels, and now a motor home and we spoke about the pros and cons of each and why she chose them for the type of travel she was doing at the time. I also asked her what she does on the road, if she gets lonely, how her kids handle her adventurous nature, how long she plans to continue her solo traveling and what wisdom she has for those who are just starting out.

I think you will enjoy this interview with this inspiring woman who attacks life with gusto, humor, practical wisdom and a “how to” mindset. Doris doesn’t as “if”,  she sets her mind on something and then plans “how” she will get to her goal. She plans on RVing for a bit longer but when she hangs it up I thinks she will probably start hot air ballooning.

 

To listen to this weeks podcast, click on the arrow.

https://girlcamper.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Girl-Camper-2018-Fredericksburg.mp3

On this weeks show I interview Amanda Koone, Director of Communications for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Fredericksburg, Texas. This Texas Hill Country town settled by Germans in the mid 1840’s offers something for everyone. Museums, restaurants, shopping, festivals, wineries, art galleries and lots of campgrounds! It’s a great destination for couples, girlfriend weekends and family getaways.

I had the opportunity to spend a few days just scratching the surface of this classic Texas town. As a fan of all things “pioneer” I really loved the Pioneer Museum. This is more like a living history museum with many original buildings relocated to its Main Street location. I enjoyed being able to tour the buildings and hear the motion activated commentary on the history of the White-Oaks School House where families paid an annual $8 fee and 45 cents per month for their children to attend; the Sunday House once owned by the August Weber family as a place to spend the day away from the farm while attending church services, visiting friends or keeping a doctors appointment; the Walton-Smith Cabin which has been restored as closely as possible to what it would have looked like when it was originally occupied. The museum offers a glimpse into life in Gillespie County in the mid 1800’s to mid 1900’s and is well worth the $3 admission fee.

I also visited the National Museum of the Pacific War located across the street from the Visitors Center. It is a six acre, three building complex with many interactive exhibits and artifacts displayed in a meandering path that leads the visitor through the history of World War II and Admiral Chester Nimitz, a Fredericksburg native. A 48 hour pass is offered for $14.

Fredericksburg is also a great place for shopping, dining and experiencing the nearly 1000 Bed and Breakfasts available. City code prohibits chain stores in the historic section and as a result the town has more than 150 unique Mom and Pop shops to browse. My hands down favorite was Camp Hayden at 306 E Main St. This family owned shop was chock full of vintage camp items on display among a great selection of funny t-shirts, felt pennants, great vintage style camping items and Pendleton beach towels.

There are over 80 restaurants in Fredericksburg including the Woerner Cafe in the warehouse district where I enjoyed a great lunch in a restored grain mill and then hit the Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities mart next door.

Fredericksburg and all of Hill Country in Texas is a great RV destination with over 761 RV sites available in the area. I stayed at the Lady Bird Johnson RV Park for the bargain rate of $40 a night for a full hook up site with better than average RV Park Wifi and cable included. The park is a city owned park connected to the Lady Bird Golf Course and a small county airport where I really enjoyed watching the single engine planes come and go.

You can learn more about visiting Fredericksburg here.