Cajun Christmas with SOTF

Thanksgiving leftovers are all gone and it now time to begin thinking about Christmas with your Sister on the Fly. Before the craziness of the holidays begins, join in on the holiday fun with us.

The plan was to decorate our trailer for Christmas and tour with our sisters tour all the lighted lighted trailer singing Christmas carols sipping wassail, but the rains of the weekend changed those plans. Although the rain made the weekend wet, it didn't dampen the fabulous fun we had sharing fantastic food and laughs with our sisters.

Gumbo, grits, a seafood boil, bread pudding and pralines were on the menu for the weekend prepared by Melissa Yee (Sister #2339) and team. We had a limo take a few girls wine tasting and many shopping opportunities.

We enjoyed a Christmas cookie exchange while wearing an ugly sweater. Many fantastic lagniappes were included in the weekend to make the festivities unforgettable.

Mods and improvements for Polly Pod

Utility Chest added

Graphics removed and items added

 More modifications were made to Polly Pod for the upcoming camping summer season. I added another battery to the front of the trailer, installed a 9-volt charger to the inside of the trailer, moved the spare tire to the front onto the tongue and also installed a second propane tank with cover. A window was installed to allow more natural light to the front of Polly.


The stock graphics were also removed from both the front and back of the coach to prepare for the personalization which reflects my camping sisters, Sisters on the Fly.

Window cut in the door.

 My friend, a sales consultant and installer for Uppercase Living, designed a unique and whimsical vinyl graphic for the front and back of Polly. The front reads California Coffee Pod, Fresh Brewed Fun! Inside the coffee cups reads, Sisters on the fly with the y being a fishing lure.


The back of Polly is very unique. Two sisters fly fishing into a cup containing fish with the phrase, We have more fun than anyone above the river mug which reads Sisters on the Fly on the mug. Occasionally My Mister indicates that Wayne occasionally will come with me on camping trips.

New vinyl for the front and back of Polly Pod

Dreams of more mods and changes are being conceptualized. Possibly the remaining stock decals will be removed and a stripe will be painted to match the paint color of Beast. Stay Tuned....

Central Coast Wine Me Up, Santa Margarita Lake, April 12-15, 2012

                                                         Sisters on the Fly Trip #2
      Central Coast Wine Me Up, Santa Margarita Lake, April 12-15, 2012

 

Heading in the direction of my last trip in Polly Pod just weeks earlier promised to have the same weather forecast. Loaded for a good-time, Sister #2339 and her Sister on the Try (Denise, now Sister # 2524) made the long trek across Highway 41 towards Paso Robles. Fearful of a wet camping trip, I had to keep reminding myself the words of my wise Sister Kris Brown who said, "A little rain doesn't stop a Sister on the Fly Event."

Now a little rain was an understatement. I haven't see that much rain since my 50th Birthday Route 66 Extravaganza trip. Talk about wet! Unfortunately for us, Polly had a leak. Fortunately, the leak was inside the shower. :)

Sisters on the Fly, Santa Margarita Lake

Getting together with my SOTF is always fun. Meeting new sisters and hugging sisters I met in Quartzsite, the weekend was absolutely fantastic. Great food, wine tasting, campfires, Irish coffee and earning a merit badge for smoking a sissy cigar are things memories are made of.

Tami, Denise and Melissa

SOTT Stephanie and Denise

Tami Gets her Cigar Merit Badge

Ursula Lights One Up Too!

           I LOVE MY SISTERS ON THE FLY.  SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD GIRLS.

My 50th Birthday Route 66 Extravaganza

Celebrating my 50th birthday required adventure! I had the desire to knock some of the places I want to visit off my bucket list and most of the California Route 66 was on my list.

I hooked up my r-pod, loaded her with food, snacks and clothes and headed toward Pismo Beach. When we arrived, the campgrounds was basically a "ghost town" and we were able to pick the site we desired. The weather was perfect, campfires wonderful and driving Beast on the beach exzillerating. We did, however know there was a weather system moving in that looked quite ominous.

Our campsite at Oceano State Beach 

*You realize from past postings, off-season camping can and will provide you with additional adventures. (usually these adventures involve getting you a little damp)

The campsite after the first storm

The storms came into the area in literally waves. We woke up to find our campsite under water. We loaded up Beast on Saturday morning and began to drive (in more rain) to Santa Monica, the end of Route 66.

Traveling on the roads in Southern California can be challenging in great weather with the aggressive driving and crazy folks needing to be someplace hours ago but you add a DOWNPOUR to the mix and a memorable soggy time is in the ole' memory bank.

Arriving into the Santa Monica area, rain was still present. We looked for the sign showing the "end of Route 66" but it was raining so hard, getting out to explore on foot was out of the question. I will return to Santa Monica and find that sign but until then, I will place a picture of it for you to see. 

Santa Monica Pier

Driving down Old Route 66 through Beverly Hills, saw Rodeo Drive, signs for Neon 66 (the street is lit at night with neon lights) and a Winchell's donut sign with no building.

Just the sign remains...

Next stop is Farrell's in Brea where young Master Kristopher works. What mother wouldn't want to have their child sing happy birthday to them as his co-worker serve a birthday sundae to you? It was exciting to see Kristopher enjoying his job and hearing the great things his co-workers and boss had to say about him. 

Momma & Baby Boy!

Time to check-in to a hotel since we left little Polly Pod in Pismo. Another thing to check off my bucket list... Sleeping in a Wigwam.

Talk about a kick...

Happiness filled my morning when I woke to find that the rain was taking a break. Venturing around San Bernardino looking for the original Route 66 was interesting. Sadly, the McDonald's museum eluded us. *Another landmark I will have to try to find later. We did, however find a lot filled with over eight junked Nash Metropolitans. Jokingly, we commented that this viewing was a sneak peak jumping ahead until later in the day when we were to visit the Met Pit Stop in North Hollywood.

Several Mets just rusting :(

The Journey continues with a drive to the Route 66 Museum in Victorville. Amazed by all the old items inside the museum, I have to admit that I am old enough to remember some of them. Do you recognize any of these items?

8 track player?

Wow, what a relic...

Last stop of the day... As I mentioned earlier, the Met Pit Stop Museum was on my list of stops. For those of you that don't know, I own a 1961 Nash Metropolitan convertible named Nellie. She has stolen my heart and my wallet. Many hours of fun have I already had with more to come. Anyway, I really wanted to see some other Mets that are rare and/or restored in the museum. While I was there, I had parts to pick up for Nellie as her mechanic was waiting on them to complete her transmission rebuild. If you have a love for small classic roadsters and find yourself in North Hollywood,  stop by and take a look.

Returning for the one more night's sleep in Polly, Pismo Beach was the next and final stop of the day. In reading this trip log, do you now have a better understanding why I have 62,000 miles on my 2010 Toyota Sequoia?  

Tuesday Morning, Polly in tow, we make out way back home traveling across the valley floor on Highway 41, a large man on a roof of an old building compels us to take his photo and add it to our nostalgia collection. Although he isn't on Route 66, he is definitely from the wonderful era. I tried to Google the  historic highway 41 diner in Lemoore, California but found nothing. If any of you reading this know of any historic details, please contact me.

Hiway 41 Cafe in LeMoore, CA

The Trip is concluded with Polly safely parked back at the storage lot. What an exciting adventure!

Good-bye Polly. Until next time.

Winter Camping Northern California Style

Camping in the winter along Coastal California is unpredictable. Last winter, every time I hooked up Polly to Beast and headed to the coast, I encountered not just rain but torrential rain. Hail, mudslides, and high wind advisories occurred every trip out, but not this year.

January was actually so warm and sunny that my husband Wayne got some color from the sun while reading his book. (shirt off)

February coastal camping was also beautiful, though not quite as warm. The days in the 60's and the evenings a chilly high 30's to low 40's. All in all, a relaxing and breathtaking camping experience. I never want to take the beauty of our state for granted.

Leaving for Quartzsite, AZ with SOTF

Sister Connie with her mister leads the caravan to Quartzsite

Last Wednesday was the mark of the beginning of my first caravan to a Sisters on the Fly event. Bright and early two new sisters met me at the Pelandale exit McDonald's as a meeting spot. We pulled out and the adventure began.

My new sisters, Kris and Connie began to paint a picture in my mind as I tried to imagine just what was ahead of me. They spoke of friendships, vintage trailers, crazy sisters, the flea markets of Quartzsite and upcoming adventures.




The small caravan went as far as Needles, CA the first day. We pulled into the Needles KOA for the first night. This was a welcome beginning since the next few days we would be boondocking on BLM land. I made sure to take a shower and enjoy being clean.

Quartzsite bound at 8:30 after I grabbed my shower and a wonderful breakfast prepared by the staff at the KOA. (BTW, the Needles KOA is very nice, The staff is helpful and there is a large population of retired snowbird types around the campgrounds.

Kitty, Melissa and Tilly

The drive across the desert was absolutely breathtaking. The colors were like a painter's canvas and I seemed to be relaxed as I drove my Beast.  Finally we were pulling into this place they call Quartzsite. This is a very interesting place to camp to say the least. Camping on BLM land is different to say the least. IT IS FREE BOONDOCKING. No hook-ups, no bathrooms, no water but lots of wide open spaces everywhere.

Deserts of Arizona

 

What Happens in Quartzite or Quartzsite?:

If you pass through Quartzite in summer, the answer to this question is, “Absolutely nothing.” You will see flat desert, some roadside businesses, tumbleweeds and that’s about it.

But come winter, the answer is quite different. Each winter the flat desert bustles with activity. RVs by the thousands camp in fairly primitive desert conditions. So what’s the attraction? Well, it's warm in Quartzite during winter, for one. And, second, it's pretty inexpensive camping.

 Slowly the other sisters began to arrive. I walked around and introduced myself as a "new sister, #2339". The sisterhood was fun, campfires amazing, deep belly laughing spectacular and I think I am "hooked"

Begging in Oatmas

My original caravan went in all different directions at different times, so in the words of the sisters...I had to put my big girl panties on and make my own way home. I traveled home alone back to Modesto.  I had to change my original plans of going over to Scottsdale to visit a friend because I found out she had strep throat. Sedona and Northern Arizona was out because snow was in the forecast. Plan B was in action. I drove to the Needles KOA, dropped my trailer and headed to the historic western town of Oatman, Arizona. I arrived to late to see the gunfights but I did see the begging ass and the quaint but charming town located on the original Route 66.

Route 66

I am touring with my big girl panties on! Alone and heading home with Beast and Polly.

Visiting Oatman, Arizona

Oatman started life over 100 years ago as a mining tent camp, and quickly became a flourishing gold-mining center. In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the town's population grew to more than 3,500.

Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman, who as a young girl, was kidnapped by an Apache tribe, sold to Mojave Indians and later rescued in a trade in 1857 near the current site of the town. Oatman was served by a narrow gauge rail line between 1903 and 1905 that ran 17 miles to the Colorado River near Needles, California.

But both the population and mining booms were short-lived. In 1921, a fire burned down many of the smaller shacks in town, and three years later, the main mining company, United Eastern Mines, shut down operations for good. Oatman survived by catering to travelers on old U.S. Route 66. But in the 1960s, when the route became what is now Interstate 40, Oatman almost died.

Oatman is a fun place to visit -- an authentic old western town with burros roaming the streets and gunfights staged on weekends. The burros are tame and can be hand fed. When I visited in January of this year, I was surprised to see five old Model T Fords out for a Sunday drive down the main street of Oatman. The cars fit right in with the romantic image of this old town, taking us back to 1915 era old west.

Clark Gable and Carol Lombard honeymooned at the Oatman Hotel March 18, 1939. Their honeymoon suite is still one of the major attractions at the Oatman Hotel. Gable returned there often to play poker with the local miners and enjoy the solitude of the desert. 

Here are some of my sister's vintage trailers that were at Quartzsite Enjoy them as much as I do.

Sisters on the Fly

WHO ARE "SISTERS ON THE FLY''

We are a group of women who challenge ourselves in all that we set our minds to do. We have no age or color. We represent no religion or political group. We welcome all women who want to share the adventures of "sisterhood".

In the summer of 1999,  sisters Becky and Maurrie sat on a drift boat in Montana fly-fishing. We were happily drinking a glass of wine in celebration of catching an 8 lb. Brown Trout. Our Fly- Fishing Outfitter and Guide (www.seaandstreamflyfishing.com), Austin, (also my son) congratulated our good job. Of course, we won't tell you which one of us caught it… It's a fish-tale you know! 

From that moment on we invited friends to share in our adventures. Our “Sisterhood” has grown into almost 1,400 women. (*actually more...Melissa is #2339) It is all about the participating in outdoor adventures with women of the same mindset.

“WE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYONE”

 

COWGIRL CARAVAN

While driving around the country, it became more comfortable and easier to drag or own bedroom with us. Hence came the COWGIRL CARAVAN. We have vintage trailers that we take on Caravan trips around the country. They are from the 1950's to now and they are about 12 ft. to 24 ft. in length. The trailer makes vary: Holiday, Shasta, Aljoa, Scotsman, Aloha, Fireball and even an Airstream thrown in for good measure to name a few.

There is no “good” one, just “great” ones. Each trailer reflects its owner’s personality with its theme and sister number proudly posted on the rear of the trailer. They are decorated inside and out in usually a western kitschy theme. “There is a little Cowgirl in all of us”. After a hard day of driving and having fun it is pure bliss to fall into your own feather bed at the close of the day. Awake to the smell of coffee and bacon right outside your door.
 
Well now, suppose you don't have a trailer! We have added tents, backs of trucks, motels, horse trailers and just about anything you want to put your brand on. It is not a must to have a trailer.




 

·   Mission Statement   ·

"Offering empowerment and sisterhood through exceptional outdoor adventures"

We are a group of women who challenge ourselves in all that we set our minds to do. We have no age or color. We represent no religion or political group. We welcome all women who want to share the adventures of "sisterhood". Our "Sisterhood" has grown into almost 2,000 women. It is all about the participating in outdoor adventures with women of the same mindset.

"WE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYONE"

You are encouraged to join us on one of our trips and let yourselves be spoiled rotten PLUS learn to fish, learn to be a real Western Cowgirl, run rivers, go on adventures that are just pure highway traveling fun. The best part is gathering new sisters you didn't know you had. We range in age from 21 to 92 with most in between."See you there!"

Good bye Quartzsite, Arizona from Polly Pod