Tony & Peggy Barthel - StressLess Campers

Greetings!

We’re Tony & Peggy Barthel and we’re working to help you be a StressLess Camper.

Sisters, Girlz, Divas, Queens - campers!

Sisters, Girlz, Divas, Queens - campers!

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So there’s this rage. I want to call it a new rage but frankly, maybe I just haven’t known about it. After all, Becky and Maurrie, two actual sisters, started Sisters on the Fly way back in 1999! Since then, more than 12,000 women have joined the group, and more 6,000 of them still actively say “We have more fun than anyone!” My two dear friends gave me my initial membership as a birthday present a couple of years ago. Since then, we’ve joined rallies “wrangled” by other members, and discussed hosting one of our own. These ladies know how to have a good time! 

One of the friends who introduced me to Sisters on the Fly owns a campground, and loves everything vintage! Through her, I learned of a group called Tow Girlz who had asked her if they could hold a vintage trailer rally at her campground. Of course Lisa jumped at the chance! I’ve attended two of the rallies, and wrote a post about my first solo trip. I may not fit in the vintage trailer idea so well with our 2017 Rockwood MiniLite, but they welcome me with open arms (and open wine bottles) and we fill the rallies with kayaking, touring each other’s trailers, and sharing a glamorous potluck dinner. 

Janine Petit is an adorable Girl Camper and podcaster who encourages us to “go places and do things.” In her podcast, she talks to so many lovely women with fascinating camping and life stories! Janine really knows how to camp like a girl!

It used to be that some of my tribe, my women, were nervous about camping without their male counterparts to assist. But with RVs that have adapted to vehicles of all size along with very useful groups to offer assistance, advice, information and encouragement to girl campers nobody should be wary of getting out and enjoying whatever camping dream they have. 

Indeed the podcasts, social media groups and more offer great resources so that someone can go from being a nervous beginner to an expert in a very short period of time. Camping with groups like Sisters on the Fly, Tow Girls or any of the others offers support, education and fun turning the camping experience into a very positive one. Whatever skills someone feels they’re missing, there’s someone in these various groups that can provide the information and assistance needed. It’s pretty neat!

I don’t know if I’ll ever be the ultimate Girl Camper. I mean, I love to attend rallies and “glampouts” with my Girlz, with my Sisters, and - well, with my girlfriends! I love hat nights and Greek Goddess nights and boots & tutu nights (OK, let’s face it, I love to dress up). I love to tour other travel trailers and see how those ladies have glamped up their little vintage beauties. But I seem to be missing that gene that can make my trailer a showplace. Yes, we are working on personalizing our Curby, but I’ll ever win the tour circuit. I’ve never been much on presentation. I don’t want to work that hard setting up and packing up; I just want to sit back and relax (yeah, you know I meant drink)!

Camping has changed a lot for me over the years. While I have terrific memories of camping in my younger days, I am so grateful now for the “creature comforts” of running water, electricity, a shower… while still getting the best part of the memorable trips: campfires, starry nights, and quality girl time with friends.

What accessories do I need when I buy an RV

What accessories do I need when I buy an RV

Reading While Camping

Reading While Camping

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