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WINTER 2021 Go Big Go home CORTNI ARMSTRONG BUILDS OUT KEYSTONE RV S ULTIMATE MONTANA caption hereges amy Lod Dresubhead ON PAGE XX for Winter Getaways Onseriatur sandigentor site sus et arum fugia cumet aligendit Interviews how tos camp foods camp style Challenges

63 GIRL CAMPER / WINTER 2021 ◼ LIFESTYLEMy mother’s youth included sleepovers too, along with the advent of the color television set, the modern luxury of a washer and dryer and outings to the movie theater as an all-day aair. A young woman’s wardrobe ranged from a sheath dress to a poodle skirt or capri pants with the iconic saddle shoes. Music demanded you dance whether it was to Elvis, Buddy, Chuck or Frank. The elaborate fins and taillights on a Chevy convertible made you feel like you were flying. There’s something so powerful about the nostalgia of this decade that will always remind me of my mother’s glory days.Although there are so many ‘things’ we can buy that attempt to replicate the beauty of this era, for me it’s the stories of a girlfriend stopping by for a cup of coee in the middle of the day or meeting her at the clothes line for a daily check in that I covet most. The luxury of time shared with girlfriends in person – not on a phone or a screenshare.It was these same sentiments that inspired our Texas Hill Country Girl Camper Guide Sharon Cutbirth to host an epic 1950s themed getaway with four other beautiful gals who brought their indomitable spirits and love of camping for an adventure none of us will ever forget. Sharon found a time machine that promised us a peek into the ambiance of this generation: The Blue Skies Retro Resort in Willow City, Texas. This is the ideal campground for a private event like ours – small enough to take over the whole resort yet big enough to fill our adventure. The girls were transported back in time, starting with the moment they arrived with train cases in hand and a champagne toast to the weekend ahead. This was altogether a dierent kind of camping trip for the gang who left their rigs at home to enjoy the resort’s exclusive oering of five impeccably refurbished Shasta trailers set on individual private grassy yards in an open space that feels almost like a drive-in movie theater. Playing dress up in tiny playhouses? I was slowly allowing myself to be that eight-year-old girl again which PINK SQUIRREL RECIPEIngredients1 ounce crème de noyaux (also called crème de almond) 1 ounce white crème de cacao 2 ounces heavy cream (or milk)Steps:Add both liqueurs and cream to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry if desired.

in full-disclosure, isn’t easy for me. Letting go of the daily burdens, even for a weekend, is a luxury I rarely allow. But that’s the pull of a girlfriend getaway. And even though I tagged along for the weekend, I never felt like an outsider. It’s the common denominator of every Girl Camper event – you will always feel welcomed. Once everyone settled into their campers, they started their adventure with rousing games of Canasta and Yahtzee, relishing the warm rays of the Texas sun. When you’re camping with these girls, there’s no schedule or sense of urgency. It was a breezy, eortless day – the perfect precursor to a night under the stars. Each of us made something special for the evening’s soiree from stued celery to dried beef rolls – delicacies you’ll find in the original Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook. What a great excuse to make the fanciest cocktails of the era too -- Grasshoppers, Brandy Alexanders and Pink Squirrels (my favorite). Each of the Shasta trailers have their own collection of 1950’s albums and a record player so we didn’t have to go far for music. We dined and laughed and danced all night with unabashed freedom. Those are benefits of age that come full-circle from those days of our youth when we didn’t care what we looked like or who was watching. Having fun was our only objective!In the morning, we all made our way to the main lodge for breakfast – a stunning space with a massive outdoor living room. It’s where we spent most of our time, blessed by great weather. Christy brought her famous sourdough bread and homemade jam, all served on her vintage Jadeite that made breakfast such a treat. We lounged on the retro davenport sofas and talked about stu my mother surely did with her friends too – love, loss, hopes and dreams for our next chapters and the people we love. These are the threads that bind us through generation after generation.L-R: Christy Taylor, Theresa Fesler, Sharon Cutbirth, Vicki Taylor, Kathie Andrews64 GIRL CAMPER / WINTER 2021 ◼ LIFESTYLE

WINTER 2021 Go Big Go home CORTNI ARMSTRONG BUILDS OUT KEYSTONE RV S ULTIMATE MONTANA caption hereges amy Lod Dresubhead ON PAGE XX for Winter Getaways Onseriatur sandigentor site sus et arum fugia cumet aligendit Interviews how tos camp foods camp style Challenges

Diane McNamaraOf course, no Girl Camper adventure is complete without s’mores around the fire, albeit this one was a gorgeous stone fireplace. We talked and laughed and danced again with wild abandon.That’s the essence of Girl Camper - an indescribable desire to tap into our youth again, without all those adult responsibilities that demand our time and treasure. For me, I saw my mother in every moment of our adventure, a glimpse into her young life which I will forever cherish. We all have cellular memories of the women who came before us, including our younger selves. Let’s welcome them to the campfire every time we gather. They paved the way to us becoming the ‘girls’ we are today...and for that, I am so grateful. www.BlueSkiesRetroResort.com This tiny treasure is tucked o the beaten path between the Texas Wine Trail and the Enchanted Rock, just 13 miles from downtown Fredericksburg.As the owner of Fire it Up PR, Diane has worked on numerous film and television projects, multiple Olympic Games, with well-known celebrities and major red-carpet events. She brings her love of the RV industry and supporting fierce women to Girl Camper as our managing editor.66 GIRL CAMPER / WINTER 2021 ◼ LIFESTYLE