Sisters on the Fly
Howdy ladies! This post is for all those cowgirls, or wanna-be cowgirls out there…and the men who love them.
Sisters on the Fly is a group of nearly 1,000 women from around the U.S. who own and restore vintage camping trailers. They take their colorful homes on wheels on the Cowgirl Caravan to partake in outdoor adventures like fly fishing, horseback riding, rafting, or just eating fried food and watching fireflies.
Button Willow (Sister #595)
Each sister is designated by a number and by the name of her trailer. The Sisters also engage in vintage trailer sales, restoration, customization and registry. For a $40 annual fee any woman with a vintage or new trailer can join the cowgirl caravan.
The Sisters were started in 1999 by two real sisters, Becky and Maurrie. They wanted their female friends to experience their love of fly fishing and began to invite and teach other women about the outdoors. Their motto is “WE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYONE”.
Miss Rodeo (Sister #6)
Each of the Sister’s trailers are about 12 feet to 24 feet in length. The trailer makes vary: Holiday, Shasta, Aljoa, Scotsman, Aloha, Fireball and even an Airstream thrown in for good measure. Each trailer reflects its owner’s personality with its theme and sister number proudly posted on the rear of the trailer. They are decorated inside and out in usually a western kitschy theme. The Sister’s believe after a hard day of driving and having fun it is pure bliss to fall into your own feather bed at the close of the day, and awake to the smell of coffee and bacon right outside your door.
Rockin' Robin (Sister #269)
Norma Faye (Sister #250)
Jadite Jane (Sister #71)
Puck (Sister #847)
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Teardrops & Tiny Trailers
“It has often been said that owners of travel trailers (and especially vintage travel trailers) are some of the friendliest people on earth…it also appears that the smaller the RV, the friendlier the owner.”
- Douglas Keister, Teardrops and Tiny Trailers
How would you like to get rid of everything and live in a tiny trailer? Once you take a look at Teardrops and Tiny Trailers by Douglas Keister, you will realize how stylish tiny trailers can be, and will want to run off with one of your own.
Keister, who has written books about and photographed everything from cottages to cemeteries has a new book about teardrops and tiny trailers. Last May, I attended the 15th Annual Dam Gathering of the Tears in Lakehead, Calif. with my Little Guy Rascal. I was able to meet Keister and view a slideshow of his teardrop and tiny trailer photographs. I also realized that teardroppers really are the friendliest people in the world. So, of course I had to buy the book.
Kit Teardrop from 1941
New Teardrop and Mini Cooper tow vehicle
Keister emphasizes the neighborly warmth that emanates from the owners of tiny trailers. Because of their small size, owners are really forced to spend more time outside their trailer or RV and interact with the people around them. Teardrop owners will even decorate their camping space to mesh with the design of their teardrop.
The other benefits of a teardrop or tiny trailer are:
- You don’t need a large vehicle to pull a tiny trailer. I pull my Rascal with a Dodge Neon.
- Your camping clutter is kept to a minimum in a small space. You only take what you really need.
- You save money on gas.
- Teardrops and vintage trailers are sure to gather a crowd. You will be popular in the campground, so be prepared for many admirers.
The book mostly profiles the design and history of teardrops, canned ham trailers such as the Shasta and the Serro Scotty, the Canadian boler and of course, the Airstream. The book also includes a chapter on European caravans.
Homebuilt Teardrop by Douglas Hoder
Li'l Bear Tag-Along Teardrop
There is really no mention of people who live out of their teardrops or tiny trailers, except for the temporary residents of Slab City in Niland, Calif. Most people use them for camping or more extended vacations. I use my tiny teardrop for camping and sometimes for guests who don’t mind the cramped quarters. Tiny House Blog recently had a post on using a teardrop as a guest room. I did run across the blog of Misty Tosh, who is a writer and producer and lives out of her vintage trailer while she travels and works.
If you are interested in staying in a vintage trailer, you can visit the Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona.
1957 12.5 ft Aljo
1951 13-ft Comet
1966 Kit Companion
Comet Interior
Teardrop Interior
Gypsy Caravan at the Mas dou Pastre Bed and Breakfast in France
All photos by Douglas Keister
Teardrops and Tiny Trailers Forum
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