Girl Camper

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.

On a photography vacation to the Tetons Mandy realized she wanted to leave her job of ten years and pursue photography full time. She says, "The Mountains Made Me Do It!" I can see why.

After purchasing her Tag Mandy had this tattoo done in her trailers color.

Before her adventures got off the ground, her beloved Aqua Tag was stolen. Although it was recovered, her insurance company totaled it. The wait for a new one was months but Little Guy Worldwide, the makers of Tabs and Tags stepped in and custom made this one for her. She named her new trailer Phoenix.

Tune in to hear where Mandy has been since hitting the road in June.

Here's a hint!

Life brought sadness and joy and Mandy is only remembering the "incredible kindness" of total strangers who shared her post and sent her notes of sympathy and encouragement. She had her tattoo updated with her new trailers color.

https://mandyleaphoto.wordpress.com/

http://www.mandyleaphoto.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mandyleaphoto/

https://www.facebook.com/themandylea

Camper College at Setzer's World of Camping was a great success. We really enjoyed the burgers and salads the Setzer's crew made us!

Lynn Butler, owner of Setzer's, introducing her team and showing us a Riverside Retro model sold there.

The Setzer's team gave "Towing 101" lessons and Michelle did great!'

The great staff didn't let a little heat and humidity dampen spirits!

The icing on the cake was that we all stayed the weekend at a nearby campground! Thanks Lynn!

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.

A pin lock installed on your coupler is another deterrent for would be thieves.

A inexpensive wheel lock on all four wheels can be time consuming to remove for thieves.

A wheel chock that covers the lug nuts is the hardest to remove. It's also the costliest but not nearly as costly as losing your trailer.

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.

Kingsford coals started in a coal chimney with no lighter fluid is the way to go when grilling. No lighter fluid!

The steak should be almost room temperature and patted dry so it sears to the grill.

Once it's on the grill, DO NOT TOUCH IT until the first side is done. Physically restrain spouse if necessary! No flipping over and over!

Steak! It's what's for dinner! The rest of the tips are in the podcast!

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.

Now she knows a wheel chock from a slide out from a tongue Jack. She made me promise there would be no pop quizzes!

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.

Camper College at Setzer's World of Camping is open to all on Friday, July 15 at 5 PM. Come join us!

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.

Beckley's Camping Center in Thurmont, Md is home base for Camper College on August 12, 2016 at 5PM. Something tells me that this is going to be even more fun than normal! " Krazy Kelly" was on board to host the Girl Campers.

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.

This looks like so much fun! I can't wait to get there and join the party!

Tab owners are fiercely loyal and I am so looking forward to infiltrating the group!

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.

Having the Girard Systems tankless hot water heater installed as an after market product in your trailer will provide you with unlimited hot water. No more military showers.  

http://www.girardrv.com

The only real necessity for Girl Camping is a "can do" spirit.

On this week's show I also talk about how much I enjoyed using my new Lynx Levelers and chocks. We have a set of levelers, chocks, caps and a solar powdered LED light to give away for signing up for the blog alerts or tagging an Instagram follower.

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.

My producer, Stephanie Puglusi, enjoying a quiet moment by the fire at a Girl Camper event.

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.

After 40 minutes in the pouring rain we finally got lights and hit the road!

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.

Please be on the look out for sister on the fly Debra Ochoa's Fun Finder trailer which was stolen last week. She had removed all of the stickers from the trailer. She was getting ready to paint it and there are some tan and blue paint swatches on the rear.

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.

I got some help from Flo getting my new trailer insured. All the details are in this week's Campfire Chat!

It was great meeting podcast listener Danielle Thompson who won four early bird tickets to the Country Living Fair. Danielle drives a Class A! I'm so impressed! That's a a Girl Camper!

Katie and friends stopped by and immediately joined the Girl Camper Meetup (Camp Like a Girl) and signed up for a big trip! You don't have to tell these girls twice!

The St George made his debut and was a big hit! I can't even begin to count how many people went inside but the approval was unanimous!

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.

Elaine's lovely trailer "Hootie" which had to be broken into in a hilarious series of attempts to retrieve the keys which were inside.

Elaine hosting at the Girl Camper site at the Country Living Fair in Nashville last April. She is chatting with her good friend Michelle Eash and Michelle's friend Tommy Beard who completely restored her vintage Scotty trailer.

Elaine's trailer, "Hootie" loaded and ready for fun! Note to self - stash extra door keys!

Setzer's World of Camping in Huntington, West Virginia is the site of our July 15 Camper College. You can call Setzer's to RSVP or RSVP through the Camp Like a Girl Meetup site at Www.Meetup.com .

Setzer's World of Camping - 5319 Cherry Lawn Rd, Huntington, West Virginia 25705 . To reserve a space for Camper College,  call 304-736-5287.

It was a lovely evening in the trailerhood at my first campout in my new "St. George."

I think my coffee actually tasted better in my new daybed in the trailer!

This is what happens when you raise your stabilizing jacks and not your tongue jack to match! Expensive rookie mistake. They all need replacement!

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.

We said good bye to our beloved Frolic and set our sights on a little more comfort in our new Riverside Retro 176S. The new owners traveled all the way from Florida to pick her up!

After a delay to have an awning installed and another to fix a problem in our truck with the 7 way plug for trailer lights and brakes, we finally hit the road.

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.

The RPod and the Riverside a Retro are two favorite brands among Girl Campers.

Girl Campers Dawn and Deborah with their prizes for towing alone for the first time.

Even Flo "camped like a girl" and had lots of fun at our "Do You Like My Hat? Party!

The Girl Campers raised $427 for the Holdyou Foundation.