The Florida Panhandle

Max and I left Savannah to head south towards the gulf.  We took a few South Georgia backroads to see the sights to end up in our final destination for the day of Tallahassee. The back roads can be an experience.  I always hope to find people who match the surroundings but sometimes, the people aren't out and about as much as their "treasures" are.  I found a row of old cars on the side of the road so I had to stop to take some photographs.  As I was doing so, I started feeling pain in my feet and ankles.  As it turned out, I was standing on an ant pile and they decided to feast on my feet while I was admiring the rusty cars.  I did the slap your ankles and feet dance and continued to take pictures.

From there, Max and I headed in a direct route to the water and coasted along that trail until we reached Destin.  We met up with Rich, Eleanor and their daughter, Emma at Henderson State Park in Destin for some camping. This photograph is of them at the Alumapalooza event last June.

I never really know where I will end up each day so it was nice to receive a suggestion from Rich to join them camping at the state park.  It was beautiful.  The beach water was a clear blue green, the sand was so white and fine that it squeaked under your feet and everywhere you looked, you were surrounded by beauty.  I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

Lucky me, Rich and Eleanor invited me over to their Airstream for dinner and I happily accepted.  The meal was delicious.  It was nice to be inside of their trailer during the night as the sun was down.  After chatting for a few hours, I returned to my tent home for the night.

And for the record, I know this area is called the "pan handle" of Florida but what kind of pan is that anyway?  I see how Oklahoma is shaped like a pan, but Florida?  Humm....more like an insect net handle or a ladle handle?  Maybe I am missing something.  No matter what the name, the beaches are a beautiful sight.

Camping and Traveling With A Tent vs. Trailer And A Six Dollar Upgrade in Iowa

Two years ago, I set out across the country with my teardrop trailer, "trailie."  The past two years I have been traveling with my tent.  I receive questions asking which is better to travel with, a tent or a trailer.  As with everything, it's all about how you prefer to travel and what comfort level you are able to tolerate.

For me, I find it much easier to travel longer distances in a tent and I am one that doesn't get the "planner of the year" award. For that fact, a tent is much more versatile.  I can change direction at any time without reservations since some campsites will more likely take a solo camper with a tent as opposed to a trailer. I can make a uturn in the middle of the road if I see something I want to take a photograph of, and it takes the same amount of time to set up my tent as it does my trailer at a site.

Of course, I don't get all of the luxuries that a trailer brings, but in some cases...I can "upgrade" to a trailer site and get a better view.  Case in point...a week or so ago I camped in Iowa by taking an exit that I assumed would have camping facilities since there was a lake.  Both my map and handy camping application on my iphone told me otherwise, but I thought I would give it a try anyway.

Lucky for Max and I, there was a wonderful campground with plenty of availability.  When I checked in, I told the woman at the gate that I was camping in my tent and she immediately gave me directions to the "camping hill."  I took a swing by the hill to find an open field of grass with a few pegs in the ground marking "spaces" for people to set up their tent.  Each site was a hike from the parking lot and there were already a few families camped out by their rented plots of land.  They talked to each other as if they were at each end of a football field and music blaring to match.  Kids were running around all over the place and in the corner of the open field there was a solo man in a chair, staring at Max and I walking around to find a spot.

I went back to the station and asked if there were any other sites for the night.  At that point, she told me that I could select any site I wanted but would have to pay the full trailer price.  It was $12 for the "open field, good luck being rested" plot of land or a quiet spot on the lake for a mere $6 more.  It wasn't hard for me to make up my mind.  I chose the upgrade!  Max and I decided to live large for the night with our lake front property rental!

I thought about writing down the top reasons to camp with a tent or trailer, but here might be a better way to make a decision.  If you agree with most of the five qualities in either of these two categories, your decision has been made.

I should travel with a tent:
You don't mind sleeping an inch from the ground
You like hearing the noises of nature (and people) all night and all day
You like to live on the edge and sleep just a thin barrier away from people and wildlife
You like to save money in gas
You don't mind if it's too cold or too hot

I should travel with a trailer or RV
You want a comfortable even temperature and a secure shell to sleep in
You don't mind the cost of gas
You want the comforts of home
You want privacy and the option to hide from the world
You don't mind that you aren't allowed on all roads

Alumapalooza 2010 Slideshow

I wanted to show the photographs I took at the Airstream gathering in Ohio last week, but I had too many to post in a blog.  Instead, I put together a slide show of some of my favorite moments in photographs.  I had a great time and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2011!

Alumapalooza 2010

I love Airstreams.

It's been a dream of mine to own one someday as you might have guessed by my "Airstream Dreams" blog and the blog about "life in an Airstream," when I camped with the Silver Sisters.

At first glance, you can see that these trailers aren't just like any trailer out there.  They are unlike anything I've ever seen.  The company is rich in American culture with Wally Byam leading the way to what the company and trailers are today. The day I first stepped foot in an Airstream is all it took to begin my life long love affair with these traveling pieces of art.  I am hooked.  I am in love with this beautiful home on wheels and I know that someday I will be living in one.

You've heard the expression, "love what you do, do what you love," right?  I am fortunate enough to be able to say that I am doing just that.  It didn't come easy and it took a long time to figure out what I really wanted to do enough to love it.  With that said, I am getting ready to do so many exciting things that I am looking forward to in the weeks and months ahead.

I am so honored to be asked to be the event photographer for Airstream's "Alumapalooza" event at their factory in Jackson Center, Ohio next month.  It's an exciting five day event filled with activities that all Airstream lovers will enjoy.  They describe the event as: "over 20 talks, seminars, and demonstrations will be presented by Airstream staff, Airstream dealers, Airstream Life magazine contributors, and vendors.  Lots of door prizes at Happy Hour every day, movies or live entertainment every night — plus live bands performing in downtown Jackson Center on three nights!" Sounds like fun to me!  

I am grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to sharing more!  If you are in the area, I hope you come out to the festivities!  You won't be disappointed!  Click HERE for more information on this exciting event.