"Girl Time-" The Benefits of Female Friendships

We love this insightful article written by a Counselling Psychologist with her very comprehensive list of the benefits of having girlfriends in your life, ladies.

Here are a couple of those:

· There aren’t any taboo topics while talking to them. We can talk just about anything — if things are good, they are excited for us; if not they encourage and support us in whatever we are going through.

· Even if we don’t say anything, they can read our mind, and never fail to show us compassion.

· They walk with us through everything — death, divorce, illness; are each other's cheerleader, offering a helping hand and reminding us of the "glass half full."

· They infuse in us energy and optimism

Read the whole article HERE.

Why do you renew YOUR SOTF membership each year?

A current member recently posed this question on Sister's on the fly Members' Facebook page on the eve of renewing her annual membership ($70 annual dues) and the answers were very insightful. Here are some of those-

Carol M- I love meeting new sisters and I love my friends I’ve met before. I love how supportive this group of women are and how warm and welcome I feel when I’m with them. I hope you can experience the same.

Pat D- I saw an article in a magazine years ago about SOTF and thought "how cool is that?" I put it in the back corner of my mind, but never forgot. I was talking to a friend one say about getting a little trailer, and she started sending me all kinds of pictures. Then, I met a gal at a craft show and we started talking about trailers and both ended up joining and have consecutive Sister numbers! I had bought a beat up trailer and had started working on it before I joined. I found out about an event in McKinney, and Tammie, the hostess convinced me to come, even though I was't finished with it. Before the McKinney event, there was a sister event in Fort Worth at the Cowgirl Museum. I went over on the Friday when they had a public event and realized I had found my "tribe." I met Tammie face to face that night, and she nearly squeezed all the air out of my lungs. Joining SOTF is the most empowering thing I have ever done. I LOVE towing my trailer. It is one of those "happy places."

Ann F- I love meeting all the sisters and enjoy time with woman that are so nice and welcoming. It is fun to travel to places you wouldn’t get to without this organization.

Susan B- If it weren’t for SOTF I’d never have herded cattle on a Wyoming ranch, swam with the Manatees in FL, wandered Custer State Park again, kayaked Lake Superior or been going to New England. I feel sisters support and encouragement in everything I do.

Julie B- Adventures, getting me back to my home state of CA... I wouldn’t be going back without my sister trips. Wouldn’t be a sister if I didn’t do trips. You can find lots of groups on Meetup for lunch and movies but this group is for the travel/camping.

Bette P- I’ve camped since I was a kid, love to fish (hubs doesn't) and I use to own and show horses (urban cowgirl) and I’m a little crazy. When I saw a segment on Travel Channel years ago and knew someday I’d be a Sister. Joined last month Sister #10371?. Presently restoring my little trailer and can’t wait for my first event.

Kristin M- I’m Sister #29. Oh, the stories I have and the fun... Oh my. The friends I’ve made....priceless.

Kathy W- Just one reason..... The sisters I've met are amazing. I would have never met them without SOTF.

Nancy E- I enjoy the friendships I have made, the memories. I wouldn't have met these women had it not been for SOTF! SO looking forward to meeting and having fun with many more! To me, its well worth the money!

Lugene W- SOTF is made up of some of the most kind-hearted, vibrant, FUN, brilliant, talented, welcoming gals in the world. Nuff said! #3333.

Vicki B- The last 6 or so years of my life, I've gone through major life changes. 1) Major surgery with the potential for cancer, but thankfully, no cancer 2) Move away from my *peeps* & support system 3) Daughter off the rails 4) Loss of Mom and Dad 5) Cleaning & packing up parents' & childhood home. About halfway through all this, I joined SOTF and have so much enjoyed, needed and am thankful for the support, friendship and simple hugs I've gotten.

Kris B- Omg....where do I start??? Life changing, fun, challenging, amazing, one of the best things I have ever done for myself and SOTF has brought some of the most amazing people into my life....and did I say FUN? It has brought me laughter, tears, amazement and joy..... Many of my friends and family live through my eyes and adventures...SOTF is a gift to myself.

JoAnn S- So I don't have to travel alone. My husband doesn't like to travel so I probably won't go without my sister's. And oh the places I've seen!!!

Becki F- I've met some of my closest friends in this group. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. As women, everything is our responsibility. Trips with the girls become my time to take care of me. Unwind, laugh, cut up, do nothing, do something, whatever I feel like. These ladies are my tribe and I'll autorenew until I die.

Ginny McK- I lost my husband five years ago. The Sisters showed me HE died, I did not. I love the sense of community SOTF provides!

Kathy C- Sister support

Sister Spotlight: Time is precious for this Road Warrior!

I have worked in an office as a legal assistant at a law firm for 23 years. Now, the older I get, the more fresh air I crave!

Living in the Northeast my entire life, I appreciate every moment of time I can have outside. Favorite pastimes while camping are laying in my hammock with a good book, riding my bike and taking long strolls. Another happy place is in my kayak. I love to paddle long and far to wash away all the stress. I have recently acquired a love for yoga and the inner peace it gives me as well as the physical health.

My favorite motto is “Time is more precious than gold.” I try to live by this to collect memories, not things. When I joined Sisters on the fly I would constantly tell the Sisters, "I’m a Camper, not a Glamper." And yet each trip I take with them finds one more decoration on or in my trailer. I also said that about dressing up for events, but I have found that it’s lots of fun!

I have been a camper my whole life and have always had a love for it. My daughter refers to me as a “professional camper.” My kids grew up spending their summers tenting in Vermont State Parks, swimming in the lakes, riding bikes until sunset and then counting the stars or roasting s'mores. Now that my son is grown, he still chooses to vacation with his tent. Button Bay state park along the coast of Lake Champlain is still my most favorite place to be.

I had never heard of SOTF until one cold November day when an attorney in my office told my about his wife’s friend who was taking this fascinating trip along the Lewis and Clark trail with a group of women. He said, “You should check it out, Tanya. They are your kind of women!!” He was so right. Joining SOTF has been so fulfilling for me. None of my local friends like to camp, so finding a group of women who love it as much as I do has been so exciting. While joining a fellow Sister on her maiden voyage in her newly purchased camper, my 18 hours with her was eye-opening. That's when I learned how glorious it was to camp without my family!

A Sister is a Sister

Not having a biological sister of my own, I have thrived on having a Sisterhood. It’s amazing how bonded you are to Sisters after you have just met after spending a weekend together. When my son found out he was going to be stationed in Texas, I asked to join the Texas Sisters group Facebook page and one sister immediately reached out to me to give my son her number. 4 days after he arrived in Texas she picked him up at the Navy base, showed him all over town, where the best place to get a burger was and even took him apartment shopping!! She will forever hold a place in my heart.

I recently towed my tiny trailer from upstate NY to Texas with my daughter while she was on spring break to visit my son and attend the SOTF event Wonderful Women of Waxahachie. At one point my aunt, exasperated with worrying about my cross country wanderings said “you’re just like your grandmother!” I gladly accepted that as a compliment. One of my many highlights on this trip was teaching my 16 year old daughter to tow. Because we were traveling over 1,200 miles I wanted her to know what to do in case of an emergency. She was elated and so proud of herself! I feel it’s something everyone should learn how to do, just like driving a standard transmission.

My grandmother was a “Girl Camper” before it was popular. She was a truck loving lady who towed a small Frolic camper and would take me camping with her. To this day I cherish those memories. She has always taught me women can do anything we put our mind to! My camper is named Lil Viv after my grandmother and a reminder of our times in her little camper.

I still have a teenage daughter at home and my sweet-strong-willed elderly grandmother to care for so I’m a still pretty much a weekend warrior at this point, but I know my day will come where I will be setting off in my tiny trailer for weeks at a time to explore our beautiful country. My bucket list is long!! Until then, I treasure each moment I can squeeze in this crazy life, especially ones with my Sisters.

Tanya Forrest # 7926
Sisters on the fly
Northeast Wrangler for NY, MA, CT & RI

Travel Channel features SOTF Dutch Oven Divas!

Find the full article and video HERE

Our group of outdoor enthusiasts gathers throughout the year for camping, food and fun. The secret to delicious campfire food? A dutch oven!

Watch the video above to see how the SOTF pros do camp cooking and follow this recipe:

Hatch Chile Pork Verde

Ingredients:

For the Chile Verde:

8 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
6 hatch chiles rinsed
1 jalapeno, stem and seeds removed
2 large poblano peppers, stems removed
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 cups)
6 cloves of garlic minced
3 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pork:

4 tablespoons corn or sunflower oil
5 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1” pieces
2 medium onions chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
3 cups water or chicken stock
3 tablespoons lime juice (about the juice from a lime)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Chile Sauce

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut onions in half and place in a large bowl, place whole peeled garlic cloves in a bowl, place the washed tomatillos, hatch chiles, jalapenos and poblanos peppers in the bowl too. Add the oil to the bowl, toss the peppers, onions and garlic until well coated. Line a baking pan with parchment paper, spray with non-stick spray. When the oven is at temperature place peppers, onions and garlic on the parchment-lined pan and cook for 30 min, turning every 10 minutes.

Remove the baking pan from the oven and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for 10 minutes. Uncover and remove as much of the skin from the peppers and tomatillos as you can. You can also remove the seeds from any of the peppers if you don't want it too spicy.

Add the roasted tomatillos, peppers, onions and garlic into a large blender. Be careful the mixture will be hot, blend until smooth. Set-aside until ready to use.

Cooking With a Dutch Oven

Heat charcoal briquettes, place 12 hot coals in a circular pattern under the base of a 12-quart Dutch oven and place 12 coals around the lid. Allow to heat for 30 minutes. While the Dutch oven is warming, cut the pork shoulder up and place in a bowl. Add the chopped onions, salt, pepper and oil, toss well and make sure the oil coats everything evenly.

Refill the charcoal starter and light the second batch of charcoal.

Carefully remove the lid of the Dutch oven, do not discard the coals, place all of the pork in the Dutch oven and stir well. Next, add the hatch verde sauce, stir well and add the water or chicken stock, stir again then place the lid back on the pot. As soon as the second batch of charcoal is ready, replace all the coals, please do this carefully in the same pattern they were in when you heated it in the beginning. Cook for one hour and stir, add more liquid to the chili if needed. If you feel the temperature is falling place a few fresh briquettes under the Dutch oven. The residual heat will light the new coals. Cook for a total of two hours, once finished remove lid, stir well and add the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.

While you wait for chili to cook, enjoy a cocktail:

Lemon Drop Martinis

Becky Clarke (Sister #2) is famous for her elegant lemon-drop martinis, served with powdered sugar on the rim of the glass. “It makes like the trail just much more civilized,” Becky suggest making the simple syrup in your home kitchen and putting it into a canning jar for use on the trail.

Serves 16 to 20

2 cups of Citron vodka
1 cup lemon juice
1 cut Triple Sec
½ cup simple syrup

Simple Syrup

Makes 1 cup

1 cup water
2 cups sugar

Bring the water to a boil. Dissolve the sugar into the boiling water. Remove the pan from the heat. Let it cool.

Mix all the ingredients together in a pitcher half-filled with ice. Stir well. Pour the mixture into sugar-rimmed martini glasses and garnish with a twisted peel of lemon.

"Airstreams are like chocolates..." Indeed!

Thank you, Sister of the fly Melissa Y, for sharing this great article about the almighty Airstream and how you can make something that looks like everyone else's on the outside look and feel so unique and personalized on the inside. Gorgeous! Safe travels & happy trails!

See the full coverage below:

https://www.airstream.com/blog/vintage-travel-trailer-on-the-outside-modern-convenience-on-the-inside/

Sister Spotlight on #2348

“As soon as I found out that there were thousands of other dress-up lovin,’ party-going,
vintage trailer lovin’ women doing it solo like I did, I knew I had to join!”In 2011, while living in Australia and working on her magazine, Vintage Caravan Magazine, Lisa Mora heard about our fun loving Sister on the fly group and quickly became Sister #2348. After meeting and becoming friends with several Sisters on her travels to the US, she watched her US subscriber base grow so she started producing a US version called Vintage Trailer Magazine.

Lisa acts mostly as a one-woman show and exudes so much energy. She writes, edits, photographs, designs… you name it. Sisters on the fly has been lucky enough to be featured, along with many of our members, in several of her magazine's issues.

Traveling runs deep in Lisa’s veins. Her Australian mother and American father introduced her to an "on the fly" lifestyle and between the ages of 2 and 18, Lisa found herself living in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Holland, Sweden,
Morocco and Spain, and visited many others in between.

In 2014 Lisa moved from Australia to the US and settled in the state of Oregon. A year later, she was diagnosed with severe Rheumatoid Disease and was incredibly ill and nearly crippled for almost two years. After many unsuccessful treatments, she finally found a medication routine that gave her strength and mobility back.

These days you can find Lisa back behind the wheel of her beloved Hudson pulling "Rosie," her trailer. Lisa explains, “I get a feeling of absolute joy whenever I take my old Hudson “Doc” and “Rosie” the 1949 Crown bobbing along behind me down the road! I love the changing scenery; I love the photos I get, the people I meet, the vintage trailers I see and the stories I hear. I love my rolling tiny home. I love living simply and plotting my own course. It’s the best life ever out there on the road. Most of all I love being able to share that passion with my readers through my Vintage Trailer Magazine.”

When asked about her setbacks and the trials life has thrown at her, Lisa says, “I am
determined to overcome any hurdles and get the most out of my life. I experience setbacks, challenges, doubts, breakdowns (the car and me!) fears; you name it! But the positives always far outweigh the negative. There is a lot more of America I want to explore yet and a whole bunch of fun-loving, confident, kind, caring and empowered women I call sisters and friends out there who have got my back, so I’m gonna keep rollin’ on!”

(This blog post article was contributed by Nicole C, Sister # 5578.)

My Sister Story: Linda, Sister # 1578

I am Sister #1578, towing the 2010 pop-up Chalet. I recently celebrated my seventieth birthday. I never liked the term "bucket-list." I prefer to think about how to live every day of the life I'm given - a life list. Seeing more of my own home country is on my life list. And, oh, how surprised I was to discover what a beautiful country it is.

I'm remembering the fun and great times I've had with Sisters on the Fly. It's not too much of the strife. I remember walking like an Egyptian, and rocking out multiple times to "Mustang Sally." I remember the Meramec Caverns in Missouri and meeting the mayor of Williams, Arizona. I remember Elvis in the women's bathrooms along the way. I remember feeling hope and expectation in Chicago and exuberance on the Santa Monica Pier.

I want to see more of Illinois and Missouri and I think Oklahoma deserves another change without the torrential rains. Once when arriving in Joliet, I was alone. Ellen Franks found that I did not have a caravan to join and immediately invited me to join the group of women she was with. The other women included me as though I had been in their group from the beginning! - Linda, Sister #1578

Sister Story: Linda, Sister #4547

I knew when I retired that I wanted to travel and see as much of our beautiful country as I could. I loved the idea of camping. I googled "women traveling alone," and Sisters on the Fly was one of the sites that came up. I loved the "rules" (No Men, No Kids, Be Nice, Have Fun) and made contact with the local wrangler. She set up a meet and greet with a few other Sisters, and by the end of the lunch I was hooked! I went right home and signed up!

When I decided to buy a camper, I chose to get a new one so I would have a warranty and room for grandkids who want to camp once in a while. There are so many amazing women in this group, and I now have some lifelong Sisters.

I named my camper Madame Butterfly in honor of my mom, who passed away in February 2008. That was her CB handle years ago and she always loved butterflies. On every trip I take, I always see at lease one butterfly, so I know she is traveling with me. - Linda, Sister #4547

This story originally appeared in Sisters Get Thier Kicks on Route 66

Photo by Irene Rawlings, from Sisters on the Fly

Happy Camper Girls: Sister #1480's Story

Our Dear Sister #1480, better known as Mig, is doing something bold, brazen, brave and generally fabulous. Girlfriend is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Yep, in the spirit of living life in the fullest, Mig has set off on a 5-month adventure. You can read her first post here, and continue to follow her journey on her Blogspot.

As part of her journey, Mig is fundraising for two organizations near and dear to her: The Mazie Morrison Foundation & Casting for Recovery. You can learn more and contribute here!

People always ask me...Why do you do crazy things? Because I can! When I first started talking to people about doing the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), they thought I was crazy. Heck, I thought I was crazy. Then I made a plan, I set a goal, I decided to do it! So I researched, and read, and marked it on my calendar and told everybody I knew so I wouldn't back down. I was determined to go.

Some people will understand, some won't, family members will question my age, sanity, health etc. If you are a camper or a hiker, then you will know that "The mountains are calling and you must go". It's not really a choice if you love the outdoors. Sometimes you have to feel free, you have to get outside, you have to see "Green". It's something so strong that tugs inside of you. It's like fishing, or hunting, or anything that you love, you would spend your last dime doing it. Yes, it is extreme, it sounds crazy, will it be worth it, let's find out.

Here are the most asked questions...

What are you doing, this hiking thing?

I am going to hike the Pacific Crest Trail

What is the PCT?

The PCT is a national scenic trail. It starts at the border of Mexico and then winds its way through 3 states, California, Oregon and Washington up to the Canadian Border. It's a long way about 2,650 miles.

How long will it take you?

5 months

Wait, you are going to walk from Mexico to Canada? No way!

Yes way, I am going to backpack from Mexico to Canada.

Why would you even want to do that?

Well, because I can, why not? I'm healthy, I can do it, and besides, there is a reason. I wanted to hike for a purpose besides just me wanting to go and then I found not one but two very good reasons, Read under Sponsorship below.

How many miles do you have to walk a day?

I will probably average around 20 or so. Some days will be zero days (means no walking). Those are the days I will be in town stocking up food (re-supply) and saying hi to friends.

Aren't you afraid of bears?

No, not really, well yea, kind of, if they are chasing me. Don't worry mom, I will have bear spray with me. I am careful, I know what to do.

Are you bringing your gun?

No, but I am a smart girl and I do have my concealed weapons permit. Enough said.

What do you do about food?

Well, you eat. Lol. No, really, you pack enough food till you hit a town and then you eat a really big meal in town and then you get back on the trail. You eat dried food, tons of snacks and lots of water. The average is about 6,000 calories a day. Yep, you burn that amount up walking.

Equipment?

I am an ultra-lite backpacker so that means I have done the research and found out the lightest weight items to pack. Less weight in the pack means less weight on your feet and that means "Happy Feet".

The goods:

What happens if you have to go to the bathroom?

You grab your trowel, tent stake or whatever, you make a cat hole, you poo, you cover it up, you pack out your trash (Leave no trace principles) until you find a trash can to throw it away. When you pee, you do it off trail, away from water etc. It's like when you were a kid. You get the idea.

But where are the showers?

Silly goose, there aren't any except in town. You can swim in a lake. Save your water for drinking. You can deal with the dirt and sweat, you also have baby wipes to use if you get really bad.

You are bringing boots...Right?

Maybe in the mountains with a heavy snow but really you just wear "trail running shoes". You have to think lite, really lite. Remember about your feet?

Are you going with somebody?

I am planning on going alone, however, I think I found a friend who may want to go with me. You meet a ton of people on the trail so you are never really alone. If I end up going alone, no worries, I have planned it that way from the beginning, Be Prepared! Thats the Boy Scout Motto.

How do you train for something like that?

You walk a lot, you hike with people, you stop eating junk. You surround yourself with positive things, you opt outside, you sleep in your tent every chance you can, even in the living room, you sleep in your sleeping bag. You pretend! You think...PCT...PCT...PCT... You do not let anyone tell you that you can't do this, you let no discouragement come your way, you block that (negative) stuff out. Read my lips I AM HIKING THE PCT!

How can I sponsor you?

I am fundraising for two different women's organizations.

1. Mazie Morrison Foundation ( part of the "Sisters on the fly Organization").

This is a wonderful organization that helps kids get camping scholarships. What better way to help kids get outside. It also helps women with outdoor activities "Sisters on the Fly". Please take a look at maziemorrisonfoundation.org

2. Casting for Recovery

This is a wonderful organization that enriches the live's of women who have breast cancer by offering free fly-fishing retreats.

You can make a contribution here! You can even sponsor me by the mile or by the day. Anything and everything helps. Let's make a difference in this world.

You can read about my PCT Hike at.... happycampergirls.blogspot.com

Always There for One Another

Sharon, Sister #508, has a story: When Hurricane Katrina was bearing down on New Orleans and the area was told to evacuate, Karen Sister #459 and her mother Leona (also a Sister) and her two daughters and their families were forced to leave their homes.

"I have a large old family home, now used for just vacations, in Mississippi, about two and a half hours from New Orleans, and we offered it to them," says Sharon.

While in Mississippi, Karen met Sharon's eight-five-year-old Aunt Joyce. Months later, after Aunt Joyce suffered a store, Karen and Leona traveled back up to Missisiippi to "sit with" Aunt Joyce, because "that's what Sisters do."

The sisters always gather around, (sometimes traveling great distances) to ease a fellow Sisters' sorrow in the ways they know best - making a quilt, bringing a casserole, hugging, listening and understand.