My first camping event with Sister's on the Fly was at this event a year ago in 2022. I remember how nervous I was to go and how powerful I felt on the drive home after spending time with such a fascinating group of women. I had so much fun the first year that I came back this year. So much has changed in a year. This year I brought my 1954 vintage Comet trailer that I lovingly renamed June to go with my Jeep, Johnny. 

Another fantastic time was had by all. We dressed in our best ugly sweaters, wore pajamas to our white elephant gift exchange, had a cookie exchange, shared stories around the fire and shared lots of great food and drink with a very special group of women from all walks of life. We enjoyed a concert in the mountains and of course had fun decorating our trailers, campers, tents and vans with festive Christmas lights. We had a bit of cold rainy weather, but it didn't stop us from having fun. Many special memories were made.

Enjoy a handful of pictures from the event. 

If you've been reading my blog, you might remember how I previously mentioned "the cutest little cowgirl camper ever". On my first trip with Sisters on the Fly I was introduced to "Black Bart", owned by a sister named Barb. I absolutely fell in love with this cute little vintage trailer. Then I ran into Black Bart and Barb again in Quartzsite, AZ and once again thought it was the cutest thing ever! 

Fast forward to Super Bowl Sunday...as I was sitting and watching the half-time show with my husband, a notification popped up on my phone that a message had been posted in my Arizona Sister's Group. I clicked on it and much to my surprise, Barb announced that she had Black Bart up for sale. The immediate thought ran through my head that I better grab it before someone else does, but I already had a perfect little pop-up that I had recently started making changes to and had even bought supplies to update a few things...new tile, roof paint, new valances, etc. Not really because it needed it, I just wanted to do some maintenance and add a few female touches to it. Even though I didn't "need" Black Bart, I couldn't stop talking about it.

My husband just smiled and said something along the lines of it being rustic and didn't realize how serious I was, and obviously wasn't catching on to how much I really loved it. Me being me, I couldn't stop talking about it and looking at pictures. I sent Barb a message in disbelief that she as going to part ways with it. She confirmed that the time had come for her to begin a new chapter and that she would love for another sister such as myself to have it. So I continued to chatter about this cute trailer and I would really love to have it. Before the the end of the game my husband said that he would buy it for me if I was really serious. What? Really? I immediately reached out to Barb and told her that I wanted to come see it. A couple of days later I was making the drive to Tucson to look at Black Bart. I already knew it was the cutest thing ever, but I wanted  to look at it from the eyes of a buyer. 

After one look I knew it was what I wanted. Barb gave me all of the details on what was new, what was original and even told me the story of how he got his name. We went to lunch and before I headed home I gave Barb a deposit and we began working out all of the details of when we would transfer the title over and finalize the deal. 

I was already signed up for another trip with the Sisters, for "Craftacular"  in Arivaca, Arizona, so on March 16th instead of loading up my pop-up, I drove to Tucson...met Barb at the DMV where we took care of all of the official business then went out for breakfast. We loaded Black Bart up to the back of my Jeep "Johnny" and away I headed to Mesquite Ranch in Arivaca to spend the next 3 days with the Sisters. 

Johnny was full to the brim of things I needed to transfer over to Black Bart, so I worked a little at a time all weekend putting things in their place while I alternated spending time crafting and hanging out with my Sisters on the Fly. Everyone came over one afternoon for a tour and champagne toast as we gave Bart a little blessing for his future journeys and we gave a sisterly toast to Barb, as her goodbye to Bart was a difficult decision to make. 

While I fell in love with Bart "as-is", I have a few things I plan to do to make him mine. I won't be changing much, but I will reveal those changes in a future blog coming very soon.

As for my time at Mesquite Ranch attending "craftactular", I came home with a full heart. The hosts of this event did an absolutely amazing job, and it was amazing to be surrounded by so many amazing women from all walks of life. Some of my friendships grew and new friendships began to develop. I am so glad I was led to this wonderful organization and grateful that I stepped out of my comfort zone and took a chance. I'm seeing places in Arizona that I never would have seen if I hadn't taken this leap. Next month I will see another new place and I can't wait to head out again. I'm having the time of my life and as the sisters say, "We have more fun than anyone!"

I've lived in Arizona my entire life and have never stopped in Quartzsite,  Arizona. Over a million visitors each year visit this little Arizona town for the warm winter weather, beautiful sunsets and great boondocking. Many bring their off-road vehicles, or they come to visit all of the quirky and fun shops in town. There are rock shows and gun shows and lots of great Arizona memorabilia. You won't find a grocery store or Walmart here, so bring everything you need. You can always get last minute items like ice, milk and beverages at one of the local convenience/truck stops. The Loves station even offers hot showers for a small fee. You will find the people in Quartzsite to be very friendly. My Jeep even got "ducked". Google it! :) 

When the Sisters announced their annual Dutch Oven Divas event, I knew I had to go! Sisters traveled in from all over the United States and Canada to attend this fun 3-Day event. I met some new friends from Nevada, California, Oklahoma and Canada! I was also invited to be a judge for the final evening's Dutch Oven Diva cooking contest. There were so many great entries, it wasn't an easy task for myself and the other two judges. The variety was amazing...these are some very talented Dutch oven cooks! 

In addition to the great food and friendship, we were treated to the musical talents of some of our sisters and even a mister. At a select few events for Sister's on the Fly, "Misters" are also welcome. This happened to be one of those such events. There were only a few of them, but we got to enjoy some of their amazing Dutch oven cooking and music by the fire at night. Sitting around the campfire at the end of the day is always my favorite thing. Chatting with others, listening to the music, hearing the crackling of the fire, warming up before bed and enjoying life under the stars...absolute heaven. 

On the final day I ran to town quick for a fresh bag of ice to top off my cooler and as I was sitting in my Jeep grabbing my wallet from my purse, I was startled by a tap on my window. I looked up to see a nice man there with a Duck for my Jeep. We both got a little laugh as he could see that it startled me and apologized. I thanked him for making my day. 

As our last night approached and the contest was over, our bellies were full and the last amazing sunset had faded in the night, singer, songwriter and entertainer, Juni Fisher made an appearance and entertained us with her amazing talents. She told us many stories through the gift of song and even though it rained, we wore our hats and coats and sat out in it to listen to this award winning musician. I added one of her CDs to my collection and listened to her on the drive home the next day. ​junifisher.com

​I never knew I needed or wanted to visit Quartzsite, Arizona. I always thought it was just a town you pass through when heading to California. Now I can't wait until next winter to visit again! 

Visit sistersonthefly.com and see what the fun is all about! 

Sisters on the Fly...a Facebook ad pops up with a picture of all of these women and their vintage trailers. I find it fascinating and scroll through and find out as much as I can. I discover that it's a group for women only, all around the United States and Canada who mainly love the outdoors, and the freedom of solo travel, while still being surrounded by kindred spirits. I also discover it's not limited to those with vintage trailers. Some sisters have tents while others have Class A RVs! Some don't have either and will find a local nearby hotel or just visit the group events during the day. There are lunches and endless activities that stretch far beyond camping and fishing. Fast forward about 24 hours and I found myself the newest member #20695. Yes, you read that right...over twenty thousand sisters and still growing rapidly today.

I joined some of their many private Facebook groups, from those who love to kayak, to those who love crafts, dogs, horses, etc. I found that the local Arizona group was very active and I traveled to Prescott, AZ for my first sister luncheon, then to Chandler, AZ for another luncheon a couple of weeks later hosted by our Arizona Wrangler. Each state has a Wrangler...it's a really unique and fun group of women from all ages and all walks of life. No drama, just a place to share your heart with others. The camping events are a little hard to get into as they are limited in space and there are so many of us. Each event is hosted by a fellow sister and it's all a labor of love through volunteering your time. 

With excitement and quite a bit of nervousness, I finally headed out for my first event. I hooked up my pop-up (June) to my "new to me" Jeep (Johnny) and I hit the road for a 2+ hour drive to the Catalina Mountains to meet a group of about 40 other women whom I had never met, doing something I had never done before. The nerves started hitting a couple of days prior and I texted one of my lifelong friends and admitted my anxiety..."what have I gotten myself into". I will always remember her words. "You will love your trip...don't overthink it. I am sure you will meet ladies that impact you and vice versa...go share your love and spirit...someone else needs you!" As the tears flowed I knew she was right, so as I set out I quickly hit a snag in my trip realizing I had the wrong size ball on my hitch, which immediately gave me the right to cancel altogether...right? Nope...an hour later, new ball attached and I was on the road. White knuckles all the way, but I made it and I had a blast. I met women who indeed impacted my life.

This particular event was called the "Holiday Lights Tour", as it was taking place at the beginning of December. Most of us decorated our accommodations from tents, to vans, to RVs...I was the only one with a pop-up and I played right along. We had happy hour and a daily pot luck, a white elephant gift and cookie exchanges and sang carols as we strolled to tour all of the trailers. Many of the sisters put out hot cocoa or treats. I set out my mom's cinnamon spiced hot cider and wore my dad's black cowboy hat. It was my comfort to be connected to my roots while discovering my own identity.

Inclement weather sent me home a day early. Being new to hooking up and pulling a trailer, even an itty bitty pop-up...I decided I wanted to get home before the storms rolled in. As I drove home along the interstate with all of the truckers and their big rigs, I felt liberated. I sang along to my favorite songs with the windshield wipers slapping and pulled up safely to my home. My son and husband there to greet me and eager to hear how my trip was. I was on top the world, and I felt stronger and more free than I have ever felt in my life. In a place where I can be me, yet surrounded by those who I love, with a home that we have built to be ours and a life that is full of so much "wonderfulness" for lack of a better word. 
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Until next time, Robin, Johnny & June.

Interested in learning more about Sisters on the Fly? Visit here: ​www.sistersonthefly.com