Sisters on the Fly | Catalina Mountains

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