Gone Glamping!

 

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Summer’s flown by! For us, it wasn’t the best of summers (disgustingly humid, extremely rainy and boiling HOT), though we did have some great moments. The highlight this summer was last weekend: we (finally) got to go camping and participated in our second-ever vintage camper rally!

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We almost didn’t go. Pip, our chihuahua, had been ill again. For over a week before we were to camp, I’d been babying him day and night, with six runs to the vet! It’s heart wrenching when you have a sick furbaby! The day before, the vet gave us the blessing to go. Pip loved every minute, and I’m happy to report he’s feeling better.

The oppressive heat and humidity, not typical for Connecticut, gripped most of the summer. My yard and gardens aren’t up to their usual par, and while I hate complaining, it was too much for me- and I grew up in humid Texas heat!

I’ve been getting veggies, but weeding and keeping up is hard in the swampy weather we’ve had this year.

I’ve been getting veggies, but weeding and keeping up is hard in the swampy weather we’ve had this year.

I definitely don’t think sleeping in a canned ham without air conditioning would make me a “happy camper” in that weather! New England also suffered never-ending rain, more than usual. (I heard it rained twenty out of thirty days)! However, it was meant to be, as Mother Nature promised us a weekend with a high of no more than 80, and a short break from high humidity.

Earlier in the week, I packed up Gidget, and we took her for a spin around the neighborhood to check all was up to task…turn signals, lights, wheels- so we could make any needed adjustments before leaving on our journey. At the end of the week, we headed out to the campsite.

The drive was beautiful. Back roads of farmland and mountain views made for a picturesque ride. We stopped for lunch at an organic farm stand/deli that makes out-of-this-world sandwiches.

This was the view from the parking lot when we stopped for lunch.

This was the view from the parking lot when we stopped for lunch.

We arrived around five and set up. It was great to see familiar faces-campers we’d met last year, now friends, stopping by to greet us. By dusk, we were eating steak marinated earlier in the day, with “foil veggie-packs” of garden goodies picked that morning. Making dinners ahead of time means more time enjoying the weekend instead of prepping in the kitchenette. Packed in the cooler, I also had a chicken broccoli casserole (60’s recipe) for the vintage campers potluck, and chili to warm in the slow cooker, just in case we got rain and couldn’t use the grill.

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Happy campers!

Happy campers!

The evening was warm but comfortable. We closed the beautiful night sitting with 18 other vintage camper enthusiasts around a cozy campfire, happy to catch up with friends we knew while meeting new ones- all sharing the hobby of vintage trailer camping!

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Saturday morning, we enjoyed coffee perked in our 60’s percolator, and began setting up for camper tours that would happen later in the day. Gidget sparkled inside and out. Before the tours started, we spent the day with quality, unplugged family time while eating lunch outdoors, walking the campsite, reading and playing cards and Bingo.

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“I’m King of the World!!”

“I’m King of the World!”

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The vintage camper tours were tons of fun. We met many nice people, toured other campers, and gave tours of our little time capsule.

Showtime! Let the tours begin!

Showtime! Let the tours begin!

Welcome to 1966!

Welcome to 1966!

My “boys” and their matching shirts relaxed between visitors. <3

My “boys” and their matching shirts relaxed between visitors. Aren’t they handsome?

So many different camper makes and models attended, all unique inside and out.  We all had a blast!

So many different camper makes and models attended, all unique inside and out. We all had a blast!

Most visitors are excited to see inside a vintage camper, and enter with care. Vintage camper owners share a passion for preserving these little gems of the past, that recall simpler times. We love to share our hard work and to see the joy on others’ faces. While we all stay in our campers, visitors should remember peeking in a vintage caravan is a bit like entering a museum. (It’s also someone else’s home away from home). Enjoy, but be respectful. Some things aren’t replaceable or are difficult to replace. I’ve heard stories from other classic camper rallies of overly-eager kiddos slamming doors (resulting in broken antique mirrors), and floors being damaged from too many visitors at once. Gidget was left unscathed, thankfully, but I did get a wee nervous when large groups entered at one time. (It reminded me of a clown car at a circus! Next time, I’ll politely ask to limit the number of people at a time inside).

After the tours, my family took a quick, refreshing dip in the pool before heading over to the evening’s potluck for the vintage camper tour participants. Fresh corn, casseroles, meatballs, salads and more was served, topping a great evening.

Cutest cake ever!

Cutest cake ever!

Campers were asked to sign this amazing puzzle, started at last year’s rally. It took one staff member almost a year to complete!

Campers were asked to sign this amazing puzzle, started at last year’s rally. It took one staff member almost a year to complete!

Afterwards, Pip and I walked the campsite with my friend Sherry and her adorable pup, Marlon, and then everyone headed over to the camp pavilion where a DJ played retro music.

Kim, Audrey and I made a few s’mores before retiring, a good exhaustion! The weekend was was short, but we returned home after two relaxing days of sun and old-fashioned family fun. It was nice to have the chili I’d made on hand, because after returning home I didn’t want to cook!

It was a great weekend, but I did come home to THIS. Sigh...there’s just so much protesting going on these days.

It was a great weekend, but I did come home to THIS. Sigh…there’s just so much protesting going on these days.

After the weekend, Gidget was dirty inside from visitors, the three of us, and the dog. I was having a hard time getting her floors cleaned with just a broom. For less than $20, I found a “3 in 1” stick vacuum by Bissell in a “limited edition” camper color! It works like a charm, fits in my itty-bitty camper closet, and doesn’t weigh a thing! Gidget sparkles again!

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Inside the camper, it’s 1966. Truly a perfect weekend, it was a much-needed break from the bustle of 2018! My daughter said it was just what she needed before starting back to high school the next day (as a JUNIOR, gulp! Can you believe it?)

Hope your summer was a good one! Leave me a comment here so I know you stopped by! XoXo

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Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

 

 

  1. Jeanne Jones says:

    Where can I find a tractor sewing machine prefer red.
    Thx
    Jeanne

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi there, Jeanne. I don’t have one myself in my collection, but I did check Ebay and Etsy for you. Both sites have repurposed vintage sewing machines made into cute tractors for sale. Happy Hunting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  2. Mlarlene Capelle says:

    Looks like such fun. Am heading home from a long weekend at our cabin (our brick and mortar camper). It was wonderful but fall is definitely in the air in the Rockies.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Marlene! It sounds like you had a great weekend, too! The kids have gone back to school, but today was an early dismissal because of the severe heat and humidity. Doesn’t feel like Fall here yet, but soon, I hope! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  3. LaRoyce Eskew says:

    Sounds like a great time! Always enjoy your posts!

  4. Laura says:

    I loved your weekend wrap-up! Made me reminiscent of my family’s trips to Tonganoxie State Park in Kansas back in the late 70’s. Daddy would fish and I did a lot of summer reading and hiking. Nothing tasted better than food prepared outdoors!

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Laura, thank you…I am so happy you enjoyed the blog post and that I made you think of such happy memories. I am hoping that years from now, my daughter will remember the fun we’ve had camping. And I agree, nothing tastes better than food prepared outdoors! Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  5. Debbie says:

    Your hard work has really paid off.
    Gidget truly is a time capsule! And I love that it’s a family thing, too! What could be better than making new friends and lasting memories?
    We survived another hot and humid, New England Summer and still had fun!
    Here’s to cooler weather!
    Farmgirl hugs,
    Deb

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Deb! Thanks so much! I hope Audrey remembers the fun times we have gone camping when she is older. We really enjoyed the weekend together. We were lucky we got that break…we’ve had the same hot and humid weather here. Hopefully it breaks again soon! Right now I can’t get into Gidget without melting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  6. Marilyn says:

    I love reading about your vintage camper. Hope the dog is feeling better. He is so cute.
    Marilyn

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Marilyn, thank you. Pip has had us very worried the last couple of weeks. Thankfully, we have a wonderful vet office who has been monitoring him closely with us. Fingers crossed he continues on the road to improvement. Thanks so much for the well wishes for my little guy! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  7. Beverly Battaglia says:

    Great blog and love picture of Kim and Pip!
    Love, Mother

  8. Dorothy Ann Steiner says:

    Hello Nicole, Sure enjoyed reading about your adventure. Love the pictures too. They add so much to the story. New Friend Dorothy

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Dorothy, Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the post. Welcome… so happy to have you join me here at the Suburban Farmgirl blog! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  9. Vivian Monroe says:

    I LOVED all the pics…cant wait until me and my sweetie can go again in ours…Hopefully soon…I would love to go to a vintage camper rally..I loved the puzzle…and your furbaby is ADORABLE….we have two little furbabys that travel with us as well.. 🙂 Your camper is awesome…keep camping and having fun…And sharing with us too…Neta.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Vivian, I can’t wait to go camping again…so sad that I will have to wait until next year! In the meantime, I “play” in mine until we wrap her up for the long, cold winter! Give your furbabies a pat from me. Thanks for reading and always leaving me a comment. Means a lot. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  10. Amy says:

    I love your camper!! My house is a petite 1950 box, and while it has been challenging to comfortably downsize into it, I love getting decorating inspiration and space -saving ideas from vintage camper refurbished such as yourself. Thanks! Also, I’d love to hear of humidity-beating ideas from others facing oppressive heat and humidity without central air or good ventilation. I am not super outdoorsy, but when it’s cool and dry out, I enjoy taking walks and light gardening and hanging with my daughter and our 3 chickens… however our rural Maryland 1/4 acre has been an oppressive swamp since the winter snow left us. How can I enjoy being at home, let alone outside, or exercising, when constantly cocoons in a layer of sweat? Thanks!

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Amy, thanks for reading and commenting! I am so glad you enjoyed the blog. I tell ya, I grew up in heat and humidity and it is harder for me than it used to be. Even with the A/C in the house, I was uncomfortable this summer. However, as long as the air is moving, it’s better. Fans! I always have a fan going, and when it gets humid and hot, I like cool, wrung out wet washcloths on my neck, even when I sleep. Hope that helps! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  11. Priscilla Dalton says:

    I am 73 and want a camper like yours. I have been wanting to camp out since I married 12 years ago. Finally I saw my hubby discreetly looking at the ads in our town for campers. I hope that there is more to it than looking lol. Loved reading your adventure.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Priscilla, I hope you get your camper! I have a friend who is about your age and she just got one this year. It is being all glamped up. It’s so much fun! Let me know if you get one! Fingers crossed for you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

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