Casita fulltimer - Hello!

[Ranger]

Hey fiberglass folks!

I ran into the owner of a 5th-wheel Scamp in Okefenokee Swamp who mentioned this forum to me... it wasn't the first time I'd heard of it either. I tried a few times to get into the Casita Club forums but was never accepted. (Apparently because I only have a free email address, which discredits me as a valid human being in their eyes.)

Anyways... yes. I have a little Casita. : I've been full-timing about a year. I am a modern gypsy. Just me and my pet parakeet, my little home on wheels, and my Toyota Rav4 (V6 with tow package) that has pulled like a champ from NY to FL and back again.

Oh did I mention I'm a park ranger? I've worked in all sorts of places across the country but my favorite place of course is Florida, this is my 3rd winter back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prior to this full-timer life I lived in shared seasonal housing (dorm-style) and had to move my worldly possessions across the country in a little hatchback car every 4 or 6 months. So as odd as it may seem the Casita has actually increased my "home stability" and privacy, considerably.

I always give a little cheer when I see another fiberglass trailer around... and often go introduce myself to the obviously-AWESOME owners. Looking forward to meeting more of you!

[cpaharley2008]

Welcome aboard, Ranger.

[Karalyn]

Welcome! Glad to have you with us.

[Adrian W]

¡Hola! from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Welcome to the Forum.

With your background, I am anxious to read your views on parks as well as other sites & sights.

DesertHawk

[Donna D.]

Welcome to FiberglassRV Melissa.. we're glad you're here

Please post picture of your travels... or just of yourself. We'd love to "meet" you.

[Mary F]

Hi, Melissa. We're glad you found us!

[Sharon G]

Welcome, Melissa! Glad you found us.
As a Florida native, I'd say you have good taste in work environment preferences! In winter, that is!

Do post pictures... we love them!

[kdhanso]

Originally Posted by Ranger

Hey fiberglass folks!

I ran into the owner of a 5th-wheel Scamp in Okefenokee Swamp who mentioned this forum to me... it wasn't the first time I'd heard of it either. I tried a few times to get into the Casita Club forums but was never accepted. (Apparently because I only have a free email address, which discredits me as a valid human being in their eyes.)

Welcome! I can't speak to Casita Club Forum but I am a member of Casita Travel Trailer Forum and they accepted me with a free gmail address.

[bbuehler]

Originally Posted by kdhanso

Welcome! I can't speak to Casita Club Forum but I am a member of Casita Travel Trailer Forum and they accepted me with a free gmail address.

Where do you winter over...any good campgrounds you can recommend...what cities? What are the monthly Fees? I'm hoping to go to Florida NEXT winter...make a wonderful cross country trip and visit everyone I know, along the way!!
Hope to run into you somewhere along the trail!
BB

[DavidSo]

Hi Melissa,
Welcome! I tried to join the Casita forum when I was shopping for a trailer. I hit the same wall . Really turned me off . I found the door open here though and wandered in . You are welcome here among the rest of us invalid humans

Florida is fun for sure. I've been through there a few times. First was 1987, then 1994 and 1996.......... or was it 93 and 95?? Sounds like you have a sweet gig with the Forest Service. Any job that requires you to be in Florida for the winter is SWEET . My seasonal work has me moving against the herd. I move in when everyone else moves out. I like the quiet.

David

[theresa p]

welcome, melissa! your life style sounds very interesting....i know we'd all love to read about your recommendations re: different parks/campgrounds.

[rgrugg]

When I was a kid we lived in Bradenton, Starke, Kissimmee, and Miami all within a 2 year period. This was when nobody had air conditioning...1945 to 1947. My dad worked for the army until he was let go along with about a zillion other wartime employees. Anyway, hope you enjoy this site as much as I do.

[harryjhere]

That's kinda funny, Melissa, having a hard time joining the casita club. I thought it was 'kind of stiff' also. I don't have a camper yet, and said so, yet they accepted me....The introductory letter I had to write, for approval, I opened with, "Hi, ya'll, I had an easier time joining the navy, but that was over 41 yrs. ago....."
Bottom line, you don't need them, if you're with FGRV. Look thru the forums to find answers to ANY questions you have, the topic has more than likely been discussed previously. Or, start a new thread, frinstance,'Why do these manufacturers put carpeting in a camper trailer? Great outdoors, back to nature, just me'n my vacuum cleaner!'
Best of all, folks on this gallery are SO helpful and supportive! They truly 'Get It!' Enjoy! harry[looking at a ParkLiner soon]

[SherryNPaul]

Don't feel bad, Melissa. With an msn address, I tried for two years to join the "Casita Club" without success. It's totally ok.
This site is a great mix of trailers and owners, with a lot of good information to share.
Sherry

[Loren G. Hedahl]

What I find interesting is your choice of a pet, i.e., a parakeet!

We travel with a cat, but somehow I think a parakeet might be more appropriate. :>)

[Ranger]

Birds make good travel trailer pets! My little birdie is a Bourke Parakeet, sometimes called a Bourke Parrot, too.

They're a little bigger than your typical petstore "Budgie" parakeet, but not as big as say, a lovebird, and different colors - they're wild coloration is pink belly, grey back, blue on shoulders and under the tail.

It's a very quiet breed and makes a good apartment bird - and thus a good travel trailer bird. Mine has been with me 6 years and is quite used to travel - her cage goes in the passenger seat and she is copilot, looking out the window the whole time. (Note: Most birds are not used to car trips and DO tend to freak out and should be covered!)
When I'm in the trailer she's usually out of the cage and either on my shoulder or poking about. Otherwise she has a large cage and it takes up one of my two captain's chairs in the Freedom Deluxe. (It is a sacrifice of precious space but the bird is worth it!) She doesn't talk but speaks fluent bird and understands some things - she knows her name, and "Birdie" and "Go Home" (sometimes she'll listen and go to the cage and sometimes I have to put her there.... depends on her mood)

My neighbors in the adjacent RV are my best buds, they've got my spare set of keys and they help me out... if the weather shifts dramatically while I'm at work they'll go into my trailer and adjust whatever needs to be adjusted so the bird isn't too hot or cold.

I'm also very careful with cooking (I never use propane or teflon cookware!) and avoid any strong scents - cleaners or airfresheners or any of that. Birds are sensitive to chemicals, and so am I! (I find baking soda and elbow grease gets most anything done.)

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Ranger

- she knows her name, and "Birdie" and "Go Home" (sometimes she'll listen and go to the cage and sometimes I have to put her there.... depends on her mood)

This describes several women of the human persuasion that I know...

[theresa p]

harry----your comment about carpeting in trailers is VERY valid!!! the outback by team trillium that we own, our OSOKOZY, does have carpet. some days i hate it. some days i love it. but the nicest thing about it--it is not installed. by that i mean, it can be removed. the carpet piece is attached by snaps/dome fasteners in the corners and is easily taken out, shaken (a little less easily, as it is quite stiff) and returned to the trailer. we clean it each fall, and lay it out in the sun to dry. we sweep it off while we're travelling, but the darn lip on the door bottom does not allow me to sweep the sand and dirt---mostly sand---directly out of the trailer.

[harryjhere]

Originally Posted by theresa p

harry----your comment about carpeting in trailers is VERY valid!!! the outback by team trillium that we own, our OSOKOZY, does have carpet. some days i hate it. some days i love it. but the nicest thing about it--it is not installed. by that i mean, it can be removed. the carpet piece is attached by snaps/dome fasteners in the corners and is easily taken out, shaken (a little less easily, as it is quite stiff) and returned to the trailer. we clean it each fall, and lay it out in the sun to dry. we sweep it off while we're travelling, but the darn lip on the door bottom does not allow me to sweep the sand and dirt---mostly sand---directly out of the trailer.

That's my point...carpet in a 13-17' camper/trailer CAN'T be for insulation. 21st century, folks! We landed an unmanned vehicle on Mars, drove around, took pictures, sent them back, what, ten years ago?
ps-i'll find something to bitch about at my cremation......

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by harryjhere

That's my point...carpet in a 13-17' camper/trailer CAN'T be for insulation.

ps-i'll find something to bitch about at my cremation......

Don't like what's on the floor? Change it. Carpet, lino, real hardwood, lino squares, foam mats, Pergo-types, bamboo, paint... we've seen all and probably more to come! And each person made the changes because it worked best for them.

Harry... I bet you'll say "it's too hot in here.."