Silver Sisters Online Rally

[dougjamie]

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.

-J

[Babeebloos]

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

[Mrs. Tin Hut]

Count me in girls. I'm more of a Gray Sister than a Silver Sister. Is that ok?

[BamCamper]

Absolutely Gray Sister! All sisters of any age, size, or status are most welcome. And I have to agree that this Airstreaming thing is not as difficult as it may seem. Read the forums and learn what you can and then just do it. Get lots of help the first time, less the second time etc. and pretty soon you'll be a champ. The guys didn't know what to do the first time either. It just takes practice. And do some "trial" runs in the driveway or the local park or campground. You can do it!
Laurel

[juel]

Great idea. Some of us are still working full time and this is our only way to "meet". BUT.......how about Airstream Sisters. I have the cute cream colored Airstream. Do have some silver hairs though....guess that counts. I was single since 1987 until Bob came along in 2002, say, I think that's when those silver hairs came along too. You know when you've been alone and independent for such a long time, getting use to the male mind is a little frustrating. Good thing Bob is such a sweet, loving person. I don't understand his thinking processes some times, but he's very sweet. He's a Construction Manager soooooooo there are loads of tools and lots of Argosy restoration expertise that came with him. And he loves camping in the Argosy as much as I do. Now that's a catch. A man with tools, who's sweet, loves to go camping, has a great job and does what I want with the Argosy.

[tin sista]

I love this thread! Kudos Jamie. whereyabeen Mrs. Tin Hut?

What a fun idea an online ongoing rally. Great thoughts expressed here.
So great to have this space to chat and share ideas!

I have been inspired seeing and meeting women who tow their Airstreams, like Carol(wheel in(terested), Michelle (thecatsandi), reading about Paula's adventures (Foiled Again), and of course seeing all the cool stuff in the rally threads women are putting together!

Happy to share in the Airstream sisterhood! Go girls!!

[maxandgeorgia]

Sitting here by the campfire with all of you, I'm relaxed and ready for Mrs. TinHut to share more of her experiences with life and Airstreaming. . .~G

[dougjamie]

Hiya, Debra! Thanks for getting us started. I'm married, but still have an independent streak from years of being on my own. I like doing things with the family, but I also like to know I can do it myself if I have to, and sometimes I just like to get away by myself. The family is really understanding (and, truthfully, they're probably ready to push me out the door some days. ) The Airstream was actually my idea. I think I was looking for a room of my own, but with wheels. As it turns out, my room just happens to be a great family camper too.

Juel -- Oops, sorry about the 'silver' slipping in. Yeah, silver hair, that's what I meant! -- silver hair, or gray. Whichever it is, I've got plenty enough to qualify me as a silver sister. Argosys, mohos, all the Airstreaming sisters are welcome here!

Mrs. Tinhut -- So what's new with you and the Mr.?

Hey Bambcamper, TinSista, and Georgia -- glad to see you found your way over.

[BamCamper]

The campfire stories start...

I traveled from California to Alaska and back in my former SOB...a cute little round white Scamp trailer. I went all by myself except for my Golden Retriever for the 9000+ mile round trip. And I had never even trailered before. All went well and I had many adventures and took loads of great photos of awe inspiring scenery.

I used a lot of common sense like: Always stopping to set up camp before dark, always camping in actual campgrounds (rather than out in the wilderness alone or in isolated rest areas) and if the campground looked a little sketchy, I would just keep going. I never let my gas tank get close to empty (and I did carry an extra gas tank which I never had to use) and I carried jumper cables which I did use once.

People were very nice and helpful...especially to a solo traveler. I have heard of other solo women travelers using tricks like putting a large pair of man's boots outside the trailer at night or a large dog bowl even if you don't have a dog.

There is so much out there to explore and sometimes it is not possible for others to go with us. So just go! And with all these great people (men and women) on this forum, there are so many rallies where you end up in the company of other nice Airstreamers once you get there.

Laurel

[janetb]

Ok, I'm in! A terrific thread idea! Does this count as my first rally? Sure seems like an exceptional group of silver mavens!
Although I have one of those sweet, competent husbands, too (and funny thank God) I don't think 30 years of a good marriage has gotten in the way of a comfortable streak of independence. If anything, he encourages it, in both me and our "20 something" daughters. That made for some pretty good head-butting by stubborn women during those teen years! But well worth it.
However, I didn't marry until I was thirty, and my mantra to the girls has always been "You can live a terrific life on your own, and you only invite someone into it if they are going to add something positive." If they don't make it more fun, more interesting, more enjoyable, why bother? They're messing up your plan. And that loneliness thing? Far worse if you experience it with someone in the room.

Janet

[wheel interested]

Debra you really expressed the quest for independence and growth so eloquently. I think our internet rally is going to be wonderful. I will have to think a little harder for a more thoughtful response. And Georgia hand me another marshmallow, will you please? Seems the fire is just about right.

Ok, Jamie said I was going to do a jig, but I decided to share one of my most favorite production numbers with you instead. I may look a bit strange but I am sure you will be able to empathize with me.

production number

[GT1963]

Hi all you Silva Sistas.....from across north America and the rest of the world....lets Rally....

How about I provide the.......

[BamCamper]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Ok, Jamie said I was going to do a jig, but I decided to share one of my most favorite production numbers with you instead. I may look a bit strange but I am sure you will be able to empathize with me.
production number

LOL! That could be me in the morning...
Pass me a marshmallow too please. I love s'mores!

[Kevbo10]

Originally Posted by Babeebloos

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".

sincerely,

K.