I'm posting here because this is where I've posted the most, over the years.What a year it's been. Our one trip in August was our last, but we didn't know it.We had gotten our favorite spot, in our favorite campground. The weather was great.My dear sweet 12 year old pit bull, did not do well. Lucy has been on every camping trip with us since we got her. This time, her arthritic legs bothered her, she didn't want to walk or swim. She hardly ate, couldn't get comfortable. We have always taken great measures to make our dogs comfortable on these trips. I couldn't believe that this dog, who had loved camping more than anything, wanted to be home.She got back to her normal, shortly after we got home. We didn't think she had any more camping trips in her.Then, my 55 year old, DH died suddenly on Labor Day.None of my grown kids have the room or time for the TV/TT. Last year, our borough made us put the TT in storage. It's too much of an expense for me, now. I can't hitch nor tow it myself. I don't think anyone wants to see a broken-hearted woman struggling to set up at a campground, anyway.So, I found a dealer that will take both of them in trade. I will get a nice, small reliable car.My sister said, that if I want to camp in the future-I could get a 'camper cabin' or use a tent. Good point.Many changes ahead. No one knows what is around the corner. Thank you all for your advice and camaraderie over the years.Sue

so sorry for your loss. Praying for your comfort.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.....{{{HUGS}}}

This is the first post I've ever read of yours. Tears came as I read it. So sorry for the sudden loss of your husband and sorry your baby Pitty is having such problems and for your other problems right now. BUT if you really enjoyed camping don't give up on it completely. You may not be able to take your Pitty again, but later on it may be good for you to take your sister up on her offer to go camping with you. We used to camp as a family 20+ years ago. Now that we are at retirement ages, all my husband wants to do is eat, sleep and watch TV. That will NOT be the rest of my life. Since he won't go with me I just bought an a-frame pop-up (I can set it up BY MYSELF--and I'm 61 yrs. old--in 2 minutes) and an instant-up screen room that takes me (again, by myself) about 5 min. You can do it. If you search the internet you can find groups of JUST woman who, like you and me, camp alone, and they camp together--either just a few or many. It's really something you can consider!! I will be praying for you.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can tell you from experience that the pain will subside over time. I sold my TT and TV for the same reason, and truthfully regretted it. Fortunately several years after my DH's death I met a wonderful man who loves to camp...

Sorry for lossWe are in our 70s now so probably not many camping days left for us as well...We see lots of 'girls only' camping in the places we go to. The camper of choice is ALINER or a tear drop hard side camper. Can be towed with smaller vehicle and not a whole lot of effort to setup. Being hard sides gives them a more safe feeling I think.Perfect for one person and a couple of dogs...We always offer help for the campers that are by themself and look out for them as well... Lots of real nice places have cabins too. Riveredge in Pigeon Forge TN is a great example of this with very nice cabins both large and small on their campground.WE do the cabin thing ourselves sometimes when we are passing thru. Myrtle beach does the same thing. Lakewood Resort has many cabins around the inner lakes there - real niceThere is also LADIES CAMPING CLUBS you might want to look up and follow the crowd to their outings here and there.We have run into Ladies Groups a couple of times and they sure sound like they are all having a great time...We ran into a lady camping by herself up on the Blue Ridge Parkway Rocky Knob Campground with her tent setup on her motorcycle. She was going all over the US writing for a travel magazine.. Fun lady to talk to.. More recently we ran into another lady camping at Westmoreland State Park in VA and was having problem with her POPUP trailer which we got her all fixed up... She was hiking the trails with her dog and taking alot of pictures. Roy and Carolyn

Big changes with a broken heart (Little Update)

30 Replies

xteacher
Explorer
Oct 13, 2014
Go Dogs wrote:
OP here. Well, It's early and I'm checking my RV net forum family. Vicariously enjoying your camping stories.
Anyhow, after DH's death, I am unable to physically manage hitching/driving my 25 ft TT with our TV. Family is unable to use it for now, and I made the decision to let it go. I was able to find a local car dealer that would take the whole deal in trade for a car-they were even nice enough to come pick it up!
Well, the new car won't be here for a couple of weeks, so the TT is still in the driveway. It hurts to have to walk by it every day. I started thinking about the suggestions to get a small Aliner trailer.
As it so happens, the car that I'm buying is a Subaru Crosstrek. I was checking online and found some videos(link isn't working for me this morning) of the Crosstrek towing Little Guy, Tab trailers. That gave me a little jolt of excitement.
The RV show is in January. I was thinking last month that I would never be able to enjoy the show again, but maybe I would like to look at the small trailers?

Glad you're considering a small trailer! Please look at the a frames. They tow like a popup (easy to tow, more aerodynamic), but give plenty of room for one person when set up (more head room than a @TAB, and the kitchen is inside, rather than at the rear of the trailer. As long as your new car is rated for 3500 lb. and has a tow package, you're good to go. If your car doesn't have a tow package, look into having a transmission cooler installed.

Yes, definitely join the a frame group on Facebook - I'm still a member, even though my husband and I sold our Aliner. It's a great group of people, and there are many women who tow one that are members of this group! Simply enter A Frame Campers in the search bar once you log onto FB and the group should pop up. The various brands included will be in parentheses. Click on the Join button and it shouldn't take long to be approved. You don't have to own one to be approved. Many people join to find out more about them!
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2014
A good friend of mine belongs to a nation-wide group called "Girls on the Fly" - they meet up at various places and camp together. Many have small vintage trailers that have been restored to "awesome cuteness" - and they do things like hike, learn to fly fish, etc. Might be fun to surround yourself with like-minded gals?!

The little teardrop trailer you mentioned is cute!!!
brewjaz
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
That's great you got a good deal with the trade in. Glad you are considering an A-Frame. If you are on Facebook there is a WONDERFUL group (with MANY women that go camping by themselves). Sometimes a few get together just to meet up. The link is (and I can't post the actual link--you'll have to copy/paste): https://www.facebook.com/groups/184183765028332/ . It's a private group-you must ask to join. I notice you're from Pittsburgh--I'm from the Harrisburg area--not that far from you. :-)
tbred
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2014
That's great to hear! The Crosstrek looks like a really nice vehicle, I'm sure you'll get some great direction here!
Go_Dogs
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
OP here. Well, It's early and I'm checking my RV net forum family. Vicariously enjoying your camping stories.
Anyhow, after DH's death, I am unable to physically manage hitching/driving my 25 ft TT with our TV. Family is unable to use it for now, and I made the decision to let it go. I was able to find a local car dealer that would take the whole deal in trade for a car-they were even nice enough to come pick it up!
Well, the new car won't be here for a couple of weeks, so the TT is still in the driveway. It hurts to have to walk by it every day. I started thinking about the suggestions to get a small Aliner trailer.
As it so happens, the car that I'm buying is a Subaru Crosstrek. I was checking online and found some videos(link isn't working for me this morning) of the Crosstrek towing Little Guy, Tab trailers. That gave me a little jolt of excitement.
The RV show is in January. I was thinking last month that I would never be able to enjoy the show again, but maybe I would like to look at the small trailers?
chrisnpat
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014
As others have said im very sorry for youe loss, my heart aches for you today.
I so hope you can find your way, and are able to do what makes you happy. Hugs.
Pawz4me
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss.

I can't tell from your post, but I hope you don't think you can't post here anymore because you're not camping or RV'ing at the moment. I think a lot of people here are in that same situation. So please stick around!
xteacher
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss and your pittie's aging problems. Prayers sent for your comfort. {{{Hugs}}}.

If, in the future, you want to consider camping again, please look at a frame campers (Aliner, Chalet, Flagstaff, Rockwood). There are many single women who have these and they're very easy to handle, set up (some even have lift assists), and tow. Many of them fit in a garage, saving storage fees. Their price is also relatively modest. They can be towed by a smaller vehicle, as well (as long as it can tow 3500 lb.). They are hard sided pop ups - no canvas.
nabi
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss.
ReneeG
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014
Thanks for responding, Sue. As you can see, you are in all of our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. Someday, having that campfire will just happen.

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Big changes with a broken heart (Little Update)

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