Hammock Camping and a new dog to go with me!

 Been doing some hammock camping lately,  I really love it.  I have been outside in my little cacoon around 20 degrees and I survived because I was engulfed in down.  

I also just got a new puppy who's name is "Bernie", he is. german shepherd and I think he will be a great camp dog.

Let me tell you what I have learned:  when you go hammock camping it's called "a hang".  You should have a tarp over you and something called a top quilt ( a sleeping bag will do) and an Under quilt.  There are a ton of cottage companies that will help you out with gear although most of them are backlogged by about 5 weeks.

I bought an underquilt from hammock gear outdoors.  I got a warbonnet superfly tarp which has doors to keep me warm in winter.  My underquilt is 20 degrees.  For a top quilt, I am using my western mountaineering sleeping bag zipped open as a quilt.  

There is so much terminology as with any new sport.  For instance "Bling" doesn't mean diamonds,  it means titanium hardware for your suspension system.  How about the term whoopie sling or berry.  Part of the suspension system too.  So much to learn but I have completely immersed myself in it.  I am sleeping in the backyard between two trees when it's super cold and my husband thinks I am a crazy fool.  He said the same thing when I started my PCT hike.  People ask "Why"?

I guess you just are born with an extreme "gene", there is something inside of you that makes you want to do these crazy things.  Of course, it helps if you like the outdoors.  I just love to camp.

I joined a few groups, hammock camping, hammock forums, Pacific Northwest camping group and some others.  I'm just all excited about it, and don't knock it till you try it.  They say that 75% of people sleep better in a hammock.  I know it feels wonderful.  

I just wanted you to know I haven't blogged in awhile, been buzy, kids having babies, a new puppy, an aging parent, etc.  Life sometimes gets in the way but at least today I am writing.  Until next time and when the snow melts.  See you soon and Happy Camping!

Traveling to new places:

     Whenever I look to a new destination to travel, I get all excited.  Sweaty palms, anxiousness, anticipation.  I get out my map and find the location.  Usually, it is in Washington, Oregon or Idaho.  I usually branch out about 4-12 hours in any one direction.  That seems like a safety zone for me.  I love to drive.  I love to eat and drive too.  It is the perfect combination of pleasure.  Sometimes I go to a trailer rally,  sometimes I go fishing by myself,  sometimes I camp with girlfriends, it's all good.  I usually take my vintage travel trailer but sometimes I opt for my tent.  I like to tent camp, there is something very primitive about it that I love.  I especially love my sleeping bag.  It is super toasty warm.  I like to sleep by a fire and hear a river or stream of water close by.  I don't really like bugs but if I am far enough away, they don't bother me too much.  I usually do not eat at my campsite so I do not have to worry about bears.  I do carry bear spray with me just in case.

     If I am traveling and staying in a park or RV place then I really don't have too much to worry about like bears etc.  I do pack a gun for protection when alone.  I like to feel safe and secure when off by myself.  I love to travel with friends because we laugh a lot and have the best of times.  I can camp with 4 or 5 of them and as many as 100.  Nothing better than friends around a campfire or the sound of ukulele's late at night.  I don't think I have ever had a campout I didn't like.  Even if it rained and poured it was an adventure and makes for a good story.

     I am planning a trip right now to Newport Washington with a group of folks I have never met.  It's always fun to meet new people and see their trailers and their old vintage cars.  I can appreciate the time taken to restore these beauties.  I have worked on a number of travel trailers, it isn't as easy as some say.  This trip will be about 4 days.  I usually eat the same things, I have my favorites like Cheetos and turkey sandwiches.  I always like poached eggs on toast in the morning.  My favorite coffee is Hazelnut.  It is the perfect breakfast.  Once in a while I splurge and get some goodies from Trader Joes, or some great chocolate.   M & M's are a must to have as well as marshmallows.   Camp food at it's best.

     I will be teaching a painting class at the camp I am going to.  That will help me pay for my camping habit and the gas it takes to get there.  I am so thankful to have a husband who lets me go off camping at a moment's notice.   I think he knew when he married me that I wasn't going to be the "Leave it to Beaver Wife that stays home all of the time and wears pearls while vacuuming".   I 'm just different.  I am adventurous.  I also love extreme sports.  Sometimes I do crazy things like ski off a cliff, well, that's a whole nother story.  Anyway,  I am excited about this up and coming trailer rally and just to be able to camp again, smell fresh air, meet new friends and eat new food.  What else is there to life except building relationships with each other and help one another?  So, if you see me out on the open road be sure to wave or give me a thumbs up when you see my cute little camper.  I'm sure I will be shoving a cheetoh in my mouth.  Happy Camping,  Love Mig (Happy Camper Girl).    

     

     

Camping in Vintage Travel Trailers

CAMPING IN A VINTAGE TRAVEL TRAILER

SHASTA.AIRSTREAM.ALOHA.CANNED HAM.RETRO.ARISTOCRAT.

It's ALL GOOD!

I first bought a Vintage Travel Trailer about 8 years ago or so.  I started out camping at State Campgrounds or in my backyard.  Then I started traveling with girlfriends and I got hooked on Camping in them.  I go every chance I get.  My favorite spot is by a river.  I love to watch the river because it is always changing.  The wildlife is abundant by the river, birds, fish, deer etc.  It is very peaceful there.  I camp with a group of women called "Sisters on the Fly".  This is a great organization and a great opportunity to meet new friends and camp either locally or go off on an adventure.  I love it and it has changed my life.  Some of the best people go camping.

     I love to have a fire at night, bring out my ukulele and strum a few chords.  I am not a professional singer by any means but when by a campfire, it's all good.   Last weekend I met about 30 of my girlfriends and we camped by the river.  Some even took a jet boat ride upstream.  I stayed in camp and just enjoyed the peacefulness of the river.  One night we had a lightning storm and I was surprised to see my awning perfectly intact.  Yay!   It pays to tie it down if you know what is coming.  I do have a ropeless awning and I usually just use that but these winds were furious at night.  In the morning the air was fresh and clean and it was a clear bluebird sky.  I love to hear the pitter patter of the rain on the roof but that night I wore earplugs because it was really loud.

     Camp whenever you can,  it is good for you.  The Vitamin D is good for you.  If you can be near water that is the best.  Go for a hike in the day or visit a close town to see anything new.  I love to adventure out and about.

      Wheather you camp in a tent, a trailer, or just cowboy camp it on the ground, it is a wonderful experience and different every time.  I encourage you to spend some time outside.  I don't believe we were ever meant to spend our lives indoors.  Enjoy the Spring!  It's camping time!  Love Happy Camper Girl.

HOW I GOT LUCKY!

How did I get Lucky?

Let me tell you how I got Lucky. 

 

It all started when I went looking for a new dog.  I went to the Humaine Society, never made it through the front door without crying.  It was way too soon after Boomer had died.  A few weeks later,  I finally got through the door and looked at the cats first.  Saw a really big and beautiful one named Jack.  The girl said he was really mean and scratched and loved to bite.  Wrong Cat.  I proceeded to go to where the dogs were.  I saw many dogs,  all except 2 had holds on them.  I didn't know you could hold a dog.  Why would you?  I always believed that every person has a special dog just for them.  Today was not my day.  

     

I started to look for dogs in the paper.  Very very expensive dogs.  Yikes!  I started looking at the rescue pets.  The dogs were all so cute but every time I called,  the dog I liked was taken.  Strike 2.

I looked at the paper every week.  I even went to the animal shelter again and tried to find a dog, no luck.

I waited awhile,  really thought about what it takes to have a dog again,  I knew the dog was out there somewhere waiting for me.  I knew then that I really did want another German Shepherd like my other dog.  I still needed my heart to heal also, so more time is good.  I had time, I had the heart,  I just needed to find the dog.  

I started to look online and one day I saw some cute dogs,  I clicked on pictures and started thumbing through them one at a time.  Then I saw a dog who caught my eye.  He was a male German Shepherd about a year old, neutered, well behaved,  named Lucky.  I looked at his picture over and over that day,  wondering if I should make the call.  Was he taken?  Would I be disappointed?   I called and asked where they were located.  Thank goodness they were only one state away in Washington.  I was in Idaho.  So glad he was not in New York or Iceland. 

 I made an appointment to go and see him.  There were many applicants.  I was not worried because if he was meant to be mine, then it would happen.  I prayed.  Should you pray for a dog?  The answer is yes.  Pray for even the little things.  You may not get whatever it is that you want but God does listen.  I believe that with all of my heart.  I felt good in my heart so I proceeded forward.  I had to wait a week for an interview, fill out an application, get money for fees and then wait.  Do you know how many times I looked at his picture?  Waiting is the hardest thing ever. 

 I finally got to go and meet Lucky.   I had stared at his picture for a very long time over the past week.  My heart was ready.  I met the trainer who had him and was fostering him.  I looked into those sweet eyes and I fell in love.  It is amazing how that happens,  sometimes you just know.  The trainer could not promise anything because there were more applicants after me,  I had to wait.

I went home but I left a piece of my heart there that day at the place where Lucky was.  I could not sleep.  I called the trainer almost every day to see how he was doing.  I dreamt of him all week.  I was just having a hard time getting him off my mind.  I kept on thinking and friends kept on reminding me "If it is meant to be, then it will happen".  Did I say already that it is hard to wait?  

On a Saturday,  I got a call,  I am the chosen one.  I was so happy.  I knew that I connected with him that day.  I was the luckiest girl in the whole world.  I truly was myself again,  I was a Happy Camper Girl.  Lucky is home now,  sitting right beside me.  It is a forever love story.  I will be with him forever.  I will take him camping and fishing.  We will sleep in the tent on a mountain and visit friends in cute vintage travel trailers.  We will have adventures.  I will not be alone.  I know that sometimes things are meant to be,  the heartaches and the victories.  My heart is still healing from my Boomer Dog who died.  Lucky is a part of that healing process.   I learn every day about life's ups and downs, it hurts and pain.  I see things on TV and realized how very blessed I really am.  Every day I find out that the greatest thing really is love.  It is love towards another human,  love towards an animal, it is more giving and less receiving.  I am still after 61 years, still learning to love.

Lucky, thanks for picking me.

BEST TIME TO WRITE

9-18-17 . THEY SAY THE BEST TIME TO WRITE IS WHEN YOU ARE SAD OR HURT OR LONELY OR THAT YOU FEEL ELATED OR ON A MOUNTAIN TOP HIGH.

What if your dog dies?

I had to put my dog down today.  I have been crying ever since.  I cried yesterday too,  I cried a week ago.  I cry because at first, I knew this day would come.  I knew he was getting worse, having trouble walking etc.  Shepherds get that where their legs get paralysis in them.  Their spine starts showing.  I kept him around for me.  I didn't want to do it.  I didn't want to be the one to end his life.  I knew he had a good life, a strong life,  he loved a girl, he had a family,  actually two families,  one of his own and all of us.  He was never on a leash except when I went to the vet or He was in training.  He loved only one girl dog all his life.  He was a very good pet,  he was part of the family,  his real name was Sir Boomerang Avalanche.  He was 11 years old.  I loved him.  I still do.  He is gone now and lives only in my memories.  He had the best life a dog could have,  he lived on 10 acres and could poop anywhere.  He had steak and ribs more times than I can count.  He got to chase anything he wanted.  He got to sleep on a sunny deck and jump in the snow in Winter.  I took him camping and fishing with me.  He lived a very good, long life.  I think dogs should last forever.  I wish he could have lasted my entire life but alas I had to let him go.  I am not sure all this coming and going is very good at all.  I do not like death,  not in the least.  I know it wasn't meant to be like this from the beginning but I understand why things must die.  I understand the circle of things,  I just don't like it sometimes.  So here I am with my heart in my hands.  I am exhausted and tired from all these tears.  I know life must go on but my heart aches.  I will get over it, eventually, but for now, I will lean into the pain and let it absorb me so I can grieve long and hard and then it can be over and I will have closure.  I am not brave or strong today, I am just a sad little girl who loved her puppy.  I know many of you who hurt and have lost and have loved.  It will be another sunny day again,  I promise.

In San Diego

Today's blog will be at
Trailjournals.com/yippee

FIGHT OR FLIGHT

FIGHT OR FLIGHT?

     It's almost time.  I have about 10 days left before I get on a plane with a one-way ticket to beautiful San Diego.  It used to be my hometown.  FIGHT OR FLIGHT?  Yeah,  I am choosing flight this time. 

     I love San Diego, I lived there for many years,  went to school there also.  I love the beaches, the warm air, all of the flowers.  I now live in Idaho.  I still have 2 feet of snow at my house.  I love it here too.  Lots to do but you have to embrace winter or else you can become sad.

     I have been having the fight or flight response recently because I am getting ready to trek a long distance.  Some of it is scary and dangerous.  Other parts are fun, like camping out under the stars at night.  I love to do that.  The walking a marathon every day will not always be a piece of cake.

I have the right equipment, the right shoes,  my smart brain, etc.  I do have all of the pieces to do this thing but yet I wonder how this old body will hold up?  I have the determination and stubbornness to walk this far,  just hope the ankles and knees want to carry me.

It's exciting to go into the unknown.  I love adventure.  I was not meant to be inside four walls for an entire lifetime.  I belong outdoors.  I am very thankful to my family for letting me go.  I did ask them.  I have a feeling if they said No,  I would go anyway.  I am stubborn.

I want to be real for a minute here.  I will probably have some bad days out on the trail,  I may even say a bad word.  Please understand that I want you to know the real me, https://www.gofundme.com/MIGS-PCT-HIKE-2017 life is sometimes raw.

     Please say a little prayer for me when I'm out there.  I will share with you everything I learn.  I will take lots of pictures so you can go there with me.  Please remember why I am doing this, to help women who are going through the pain of breast cancer and also I am trying to send kids to camp who have never been.  Check out the Casting for Recovery site and also the Mazie Morrison Foundation.  Thanks for doing that.  If you want to donate for these causes, please check out this link.

   https://www.gofundme.com/MIGS-PCT-HIKE-2017    I appreciate you guys a lot.  YIPPEE