Black Bart in Arivaca, AZ

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!"