Just getting this thread going for all you Rivettes and other online silver sisters out there who want a central place for chat among the east, west, north, and south Airstreaming womenfolk.
I'm just getting the campfire going now, so anyone who wants to join in and offer a story, or song, come on along. I think Carol's going to do a jig or something for us.
I was thinking that there might be a conversation among us where we can share some of our own personal growth with each other. So many of us are single now, maybe retired, maybe widowed, or maybe even never married. If one were never married she would be accustomed to her independence. Being married, a woman can have her own independence still but must be still thoughtful of her husband or partner...and in my case it seemed I was always in the 'passenger' side of the vehicle....you know, the men are the ones in the 'driver's' seat! LOL...(or so 'they' think.... ) Now being single, I'm the ONE....or nobody is... I want to have FUN and I'm 'adventurous'...that's why I bought my Bambi. I'm feeling very empowered by all this! I've only been to two rallies...the first I felt comfortable because I caravanned with Uwe who is quite knowledgable and happened to be very patient with me, guiding me along the road...GREAT! I was successful! WooooHooo! Then came my second Rally...and I was on my own! Sure I was a bit overwhelmed but I had pulled my little (BIG for ME!) Bambi behind and got to that feeling where I was comfortable with it following me so close, pulling off the exits from the freeway, changing lanes, pulling into a gas station ....the necessary things to do ...right??? So what made me comfortable enough to go on this second rally? Knowing that someone there would have the knowledge and willingness to be of help with me setting up, unhitching, all the electrical cords, sewer hookups, leveling, etc ...gee...that's what rallies are for! Learning how to handle my Bambi and share in this joy of camping! So I am now so grateful to have the FREEDOM to go where I want to go when I want without having to be by a man...(sorry Guys...) But I think that when WOMEN get together by themselves we experience that sense of walking without holding a hand...but still 'holding' a hand if you know what I mean Gals??? I think we become so accustomed to having a male there to fix things that we don't have the opportunity to feel that sense of exhileration by doing it ourselves. We need to get out there ...on our own, first with SISTAS, and then eventually by ourselves. I just want to encourage ALL the wives out there, all the women who might not have payed enough attention to what the guys were doing to set up the trailer, that it's not THAT hard a thing to do! We are ROSIE RIVITERs ! So all you women, if you've never pulled, just somehow even if it's having your man hitch you up proper the first time, come on down to one of these Women's Regional Rallies...just pull straight to get there, and all the Sistas will be there for support and FUN...WE CAN DO IT! Debra
__________________
Officer says ..."Step AWAY from the toaster Ma'am"
I was thinking that there might be a conversation among us where we can share some of our own personal growth with each other.
/// MASSIVE SNIP /// Debra
debra,
i agree w/ everything you wrote 1000%. i'll tell you why. it's from your heart. somtimes, boys, who are all about what you write, are unable to express that support without being taken the wrong way. so all i can do is "VIBE KARMA and SUPPORT YOUR WAY".
OMG Carol - that was way too funny and just perfect timing - some of the sistas here are getting a bit too Mushy.
I'm married hmmm coming up to our 25th next year - unfortunately no children - but that is life too sometimes....my man - he is great and all the other things we say about our guys - but he really is great, has the looks, has the job, has the talent and LOVES me to the ends of the earth as I do him. - okay that is enough mushy for me....
But I just gotta get out of here! and get me some "girl power".
someone pass me a drink please my glass is empty....and I just bought my new 1963 Globe Trotter today!!!!!!!!!
__________________ Streaming in the spirit of Exploration... "To go places and do things that have never
been done before-that's what living is all about." - M. Collins
Ok Sharon, I have my wine and I guess I'll take a real turn and show my mushy side this time.
My husband and I will be married for 37 years, this 4th of July. We actually have been together for four more years since we met right out of elementary school. The one thing that I have never done is live on my own. Traveling in the Airstream gives me an opportunity to exercise some independence and develop self-reliance and confidence. Leaving travel plans open ended, I can make decisions that I would not otherwise have the opportunity to do. Sometimes I worry and sometimes I get into a minor jam of sorts, but mostly I am pleased to make my acquaintance, if you know what I mean. I may never really "find" myself, but the search is near euphoric. I especially love seeing the sun rise and set on the road during the "magic" hours. I not only see one awesome sight but it travels right along with me, ever changing and lighting up my world with the effect of wearing rose colored glasses.
Ok Sharon, time for more comic relief and another glass of wine. Who brought appetizers? I'm starving!
__________________ CJ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.-Eleanor Roosevelt It is never too late to be who you might have been.-George Eliot
I don't post very often on The Forums and just stumbled on this thread. I've been encouraging women of all ages and marital status to learn how to tow on their own since I started with my first Airstream in 2001. I pulled my varies trailers all over the country on my own for five years until I met my husband at the International in Salem! I'm trying to keep some of my independance by insisting on sharing the "wealth" when we head out with one of our "shared" five Airstreams!
I have LOTS of stories about traveling as a single female on the road!
I am 40, never married, no children except my 3 dogs. Been towing my Airstream (Lucy) for 5 years now, the best decision I ever made was to buy Lucy and hit the road. Many adventures have been had and many more to come!
Hey Cody Bear nice pictures!! You are rallying in Northern California, and having fun, that is cool. You will have to tell us about it all when you can.
Welcome Julianne! Tell us about your adventures. Where do you travel, do you work on the road? How about pictures? We love 'em. What kind of furry friends have you? They do make great companions, so they must love traveling. I hope we get to rally together some day. A few have been hoping for a central location to bring the East and the West girls together.
__________________ CJ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.-Eleanor Roosevelt It is never too late to be who you might have been.-George Eliot
I live in Surprise, AZ, Northwest of Phoenix. Moved here a year ago from Seattle. Miss living by the water but love it here. My work these days consists of making hand knitted gifts so yes, I can work on the road. My 3 dogs are Hannah the Great Dane, Shane the Rott/Lab/ Shepard mix and Rex Luther the Shiba Inu, they love being on the road and lucky for me they are great dogs, very well behaved. I've been busy discovering places here in the Southwest. Love Durango, CO, Cottonwood & Jerome, AZ and this weekend we are headed up to a Dude Ranch near Prescott, AZ.
Hope someday we can meet up and Rally with the Silver Sisters! I never see other single woman on the road, living lige and having a ball along the way.
What a great Rally! One of the best things in life I did on impulse was to go get my girl "Lucy" 2003 International CCD. I had never towed anything in my life but I don't believe there isn't anything I can't do if I want it bad enough. It has taught me so much. And everytime I hit the road I learn something else and pat myself for getting off the sofa to experience life Airstream Style. People are quite shocked when I pull in and get settled. The last spot I was at two women had an arguement whether I was alone or not (sisters) one mistook my Great Dane sitting in the back seat for a passenger. LOL.
We just got our 05 22' CCD I went to pick it up myself. I was a bit nervous as I was so used to towing the little ladybug - only 7' wide and I can see right through to the back and did not need the towing mirrors and she is much lighter.
So the first 20 minutes was a little serious - but as soon as I got my barings with the tow vehicle to the lines - I was all set as to my new fat AS staying between the lines.
I wondered about my bit of a bounce - did not feel really tight - turned out my shocks were spent - so with new heavy duty shocks on the TV she rides just fine with our late model GMC Yukon.
We are about to head out on our first long trip or extended vacation - okay long for us anyway - 3 weeks out East.
I hope to take lots more little trips - solo to get in some sites around Ontario and do some fall photography.
__________________ Streaming in the spirit of Exploration... "To go places and do things that have never
been done before-that's what living is all about." - M. Collins
We just got our 05 22' CCD I went to pick it up myself. I was a bit nervous as I was so used to towing the little ladybug - only 7' wide and I can see right through to the back and did not need the towing mirrors and she is much lighter.
So the first 20 minutes was a little serious - but as soon as I got my barings with the tow vehicle to the lines - I was all set as to my new fat AS staying between the lines.
I wondered about my bit of a bounce - did not feel really tight - turned out my shocks were spent - so with new heavy duty shocks on the TV she rides just fine with our late model GMC Yukon.
We are about to head out on our first long trip or extended vacation - okay long for us anyway - 3 weeks out East.
I hope to take lots more little trips - solo to get in some sites around Ontario and do some fall photography.
You will be a pro in no time! I lived in Downtown Seattle and you wouldn't believe the areas I towed her threw!
Have a wonderful time on your trip. Longing for fall here! One thing I miss about the Pacific NW.