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Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:59 am
by gypsywoman
Hello RVers, Right off the bat let me say that I'm not an RVer, just a wannabe. My dream for several years now has been to rent/own a tiny rig and travel all over the country. I'm hampered by lack of funds and a 4-cylinder Forester, otherwise wonderful but has no towing capacity. So, I'm living vicariously through talking with RVers I meet while car camping. Thanks Karen at Silver City KOA for introducing me to this forum, and for so generously sharing your experiences as a work-camper. I'm interested in how others like me got started in the RV lifestyle.
My upcoming car trip is to Missoula, Montana to visit my daughter, by way of Cheyenne, Wyoming where I'll tent two days at the Terry Bison Ranch. Have any of you found "not to miss" scenery or activities around Cheyenne, Idaho or Utah? I'm a photographer and like to document my trips with unique photos.
I live in northern New Mexico, am currently between paying jobs, and am working on a book with my neighbor who used to work for Georgia O'Keeffe here in Abiquiu. So that's me.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:41 am
by Nasoosie
WELCOME, Gypsywoman!

How nice that you joined us, and I am sure there are many on here who can answer tons of questions you might have about RVing. It's nice to have a tent camper in our midst, as I tented for all my life until I got my trailer just a few years ago. I am still addicted to tents, and LOVE staying in them! (I have about 10 or more in my cellar at this very moment!)

Hope to hear from you on the forums, and when you learn how to post pics (see Beth's instructions in the Techy section) will love to see your picture and your tent!

This is a wonderful group of camping women.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:48 am
by retiredhappy
Hey Gypsywoman, WELCOME. It was nice to meet you in Silver City. Glad you're enjoying the forum. Great bunch of ladies with lots of information. I think a lot of us started by tentcamping. We're all looking forward to your pictures.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:11 am
by avalen
I have a tent, although I haven't been able to use it lately and my car too is a little
4 cyl but hey, gotta love that gas mileage :D Welcome to the forum and I hope you
find time to post and join the chit chat, breakfast and campfire. We love pictures
of places you find to camp or even tour through so post away.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:15 pm
by VickieP
Welcome Gypsywoman! Great group of women here, jump right in, you'll both learn and teach. Glad you're here!

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:37 pm
by OutandAbout
Welcome Gypsywoman, tent camping is just another way of enjoying the same lifestyle. You still get to go to the same places and campgrounds as the RVers. Glad you found us. I am looking forward to seeing some examples of your photos. Linda

Thanks for the encouragement

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:14 pm
by gypsywoman
Thanks to everyone who replied to my first post. It's encouraging to know that many of us started as tent campers. When I have some time to spend at the computer I'll figure out how to get some travel pics up. Happy trails.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:36 pm
by WickedLady
Welcome, welcome. As far as Utah is concerned I think any of the SW areas are on the top of the list....Zion, Archs, Canyonlands, etc. Great places for a photographer.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:28 pm
by bluepinecones
Welcome. There are a few of us on here who don't (yet) have an RV so do not let that bother you - couple of us don't even have a tent, so you are already ahead.

You asked about do not miss scenery; I just saw an article on America's 10 Best Views. Zion was among them:

"If a fairytale were written about the American southwest, then the illustrations would take their inspiration from the magical scenery in this southwest Utah wonderland. Angels Landing is one of Zion National Park’s most popular day hikes, and rightfully so. Views of one of the park’s iconic rust red monoliths from here—so seemingly inaccessible that only an angel could land on it, an early 20th century explorer once said—will leave you speechless. And the hike might leave words caught in your throat, too, with vertigo-inducing drops and chains bolted into the rock to act as handrails through the sketchier stretches."

Okay, we are all waiting for photos. Have fun.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:27 am
by Cedar518
Welcome Gypsywoman,

I'm glad that you met up with Karen and have joined us! Your Forester would pull a small Aliner or the Chalet LTW easily. Both of those are very light weight. I used to own a Chalet Arrowhead and have recently moved up to a small TT. While owning a Chalet I was a member of an a-frame forum and a woman there was collaborating on a book about Georgia O'Keefe and lived in Abique. Is that you, Linda? (Asked adknan)

Hope to see more posts from you and pics of your travels!

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:39 pm
by mitch5252
.

A big, ol' WELCOME to you, Gypsywoman!

I think (you'd have to check your manual) that your towing capacity is 2,400# ???
Here's a little guy that you could easily tow:

................................................Image

...........................................................http://www.taylorcoach.com/


You'll enjoy the women here - smart, funny, helpful and then some!

Michelle

.

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:17 pm
by BirdbyBird
Welcome traveler and adventurer! You will find your way. Once you get the bug, there is no limit to the creative ways that you can figure out how to answer the call. The most important thing is not to wait to get out there. (Says the woman who is staying close to home these days to support the 87 year old step mother.) Travel as often and where ever you can. I doubt that you will ever look back and say to yourself......I'm sorry I did all that traveling :-) and saw all those amazing things.....

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:07 pm
by rvgrammy1953
Welcome, aboard!!! We started "camping" in a tent......2 summers for 3-4 weeks at a time....then we moved up to a Hybrid camper which we could tow with an Explorer...even full-timed in it for 2 years....til we grew up to a 26 ft. 5th wheel.....Got to start somewhere... :lol: Hope to hear alot from you...and isn't Karen wonderful...I'm sure she's answered alot of you questions with humor and honesty.....

Again, Welcome!!!

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:51 pm
by Bethers
Welcome!

I just merged your posts - as you started a new thread when I think you wanted to respond to the one you had originally started. You'll get the hang of this board - :)

I just sold everything I owned and bought a small (22 foot) Class C and left on the road. I never cared for tent camping - so wasn't a true camper - but I love seeing the country. So, my home on wheels is how I do it. And probably is no more expensive for me than you travelling with your car and tent. Well, maybe a tad, but most likely not as I boondock so often.

That said - you'll get lots of different ideas here -

Oh, and as to must see in the areas you mentioned - ALL OF IT. I love that part of the country. Well, isn't much of the country I haven't felt that way about - but Utah and Wyoming were 2 of my favorite places that I didn't expect to love so much. WY has my favorite mountain pass and I just fell in love with Hobo Hot Spring (don't think it's on a map with that name, but it's what I call it).

Re: Wannabe

PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:05 am
by jemek
Welcome...they have those little teardrop trailers...not sure what the weight on them is..it is not much...mostly just a bed inside with cabinets and room for a TV for raining days. Then the kitchen area is outside.

This is a great place to chat and share.