Question for the ladies on this board

[daplumbr]

With the exception of childbirth, I think my wife and I have pretty much shared doing anything (but not always equally  . She can certainly pull a trailer. 

[calimobber]

That's a pretty typical response when you're a female in a male dominated activity. You will get a lot of attention for what you are capable of doing on your own. Good on you!

We're new to RVing and I dragged my husband into this camper purchase with his heels firmly dug in. I did all the shopping for, prep for, pay for, winterize, de-winterize, learn to use all the systems on my own with his casual observation, casual disinterest and help when I asked. He towed first and backed first. Then I did it. We're finding that the camper ends up better aligned in the driveway when I back and he spots. I fail as a spotter evidently. I made the mistake of un-chocking wheels before being hooked to the tow vehicle and started to roll in the driveway. Scared us both. Won't ever make that mistake again! I was/am a nervous wreck towing and backing but only practice will make that better.

This weekend we will set off on our 2nd camping trip with it. After I got the camper mostly ready last weekend he is now getting excited. I fully intend to be knowledgeable and self supporting if I need/want to with this camper. However, this is typical for me. I have always been the (mostly) lone woman in male-dominated activities and I like to be able to hold my own. And yes, the guys are amazed and respect you for it. The ladies too. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[dh50]

Where's Mojo headed with his people?  2nd camping trip?  Pretty exciting stuff there!  Have fun, be safe and keep us posted with pics, if possible.  

[pinstriper]

That's a pretty typical response when you're a female in a male dominated activity. You will get a lot of attention for what you are capable of doing on your own. Good on you!

We're new to RVing and I dragged my husband into this camper purchase with his heels firmly dug in. I did all the shopping for, prep for, pay for, winterize, de-winterize, learn to use all the systems on my own with his casual observation, casual disinterest and help when I asked. He towed first and backed first. Then I did it. We're finding that the camper ends up better aligned in the driveway when I back and he spots. I fail as a spotter evidently. I made the mistake of un-chocking wheels before being hooked to the tow vehicle and started to roll in the driveway. Scared us both. Won't ever make that mistake again! I was/am a nervous wreck towing and backing but only practice will make that better.

This weekend we will set off on our 2nd camping trip with it. After I got the camper mostly ready last weekend he is now getting excited. I fully intend to be knowledgeable and self supporting if I need/want to with this camper. However, this is typical for me. I have always been the (mostly) lone woman in male-dominated activities and I like to be able to hold my own. And yes, the guys are amazed and respect you for it. The ladies too. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[p]The plain fact is that we know this stuff isn't all that hard, and certainly not outside the abilities of a sensible grown woman. [/p][p]
[/p][p]While we respect the ability when you demonstrate it, what we really admire is the willingness to try, and not just throw up your hands and go all girly to make us do stuff you should be capable of.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Perhaps we're conditioned to deny or suppress our fears and apprehensions, and girls are conditioned to overstate them ? I mean, there's no reason you can't kill that damned spider. You're smaller than us, but still outweigh the hell out of the thing. And besides, the game is on.[/p][p]
[/p]

[dh50]

[quote source="/post/8970/thread" timestamp="1428383926" author="@pinstriper"][quote source="/post/8962/thread" timestamp="1428378854" author="@mojospeople"]That's a pretty typical response when you're a female in a male dominated activity. You will get a lot of attention for what you are capable of doing on your own. Good on you!

We're new to RVing and I dragged my husband into this camper purchase with his heels firmly dug in. I did all the shopping for, prep for, pay for, winterize, de-winterize, learn to use all the systems on my own with his casual observation, casual disinterest and help when I asked. He towed first and backed first. Then I did it. We're finding that the camper ends up better aligned in the driveway when I back and he spots. I fail as a spotter evidently. I made the mistake of un-chocking wheels before being hooked to the tow vehicle and started to roll in the driveway. Scared us both. Won't ever make that mistake again! I was/am a nervous wreck towing and backing but only practice will make that better.

This weekend we will set off on our 2nd camping trip with it. After I got the camper mostly ready last weekend he is now getting excited. I fully intend to be knowledgeable and self supporting if I need/want to with this camper. However, this is typical for me. I have always been the (mostly) lone woman in male-dominated activities and I like to be able to hold my own. And yes, the guys are amazed and respect you for it. The ladies too. I wouldn't have it any other way.[/quote][p]The plain fact is that we know this stuff isn't all that hard, and certainly not outside the abilities of a sensible grown woman. [/p][p]
[/p][p]While we respect the ability when you demonstrate it, what we really admire is the willingness to try, and not just throw up your hands and go all girly to make us do stuff you should be capable of.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Perhaps we're conditioned to deny or suppress our fears and apprehensions, and girls are conditioned to overstate them ? I mean, there's no reason you can't kill that damned spider. You're smaller than us, but still outweigh the hell out of the thing. And besides, the game is on.


You're funny, Pintsipper...er, I mean Pinstriper.  Well, if there is indeed a game that is on, so be it!  I'll dub it, 'GO GIRLY'.   Let's play using your above described scenario.  The non-venonmous arachnid is outside, he's consuming undesirable insects and actually doing us a service.  Should I kill it?  Why?  Now if the 'thing' is found inside, should I scream and dash about madly with broom in hand....or simply 'GO GIRLY'?  'GO GIRLY', I say!  And so I sic the weiner dog on it.  Afterall, he outweighs the 'thing', (though he be a mini-weiner) and he so loves the crunchy goodness!    Having fun?  Next question:  Right now, I hear some 'thing' a good bit larger right now just outside the open window to my front porch.  It's rummaging my cats' food dishes; sounds like picking them up and dropping.  Question:  Do I freak out and wake up sleeping, crated dogs and Husband?  Or do I grab the shotgun and handle it myself?  Neither, I'll  'GO GIRLY' and throw the poor 'thing' some chow.  It's probably very hungry.    

Thanks for playing this new and expanded version of 'GO GIRLY'!  

   [/p][p]
[/p][/quote]

[calimobber]

[quote source="/post/8969/thread" timestamp="1428383923" author="@gwbushhog"]Where's Mojo headed with his people?  2nd camping trip?  Pretty exciting stuff there!  Have fun, be safe and keep us posted with pics, if possible.   [/quote]This will be an early season shakedown trip and just a quick weekend getaway in Central Illinois or Southern Wisconsin. Maybe Iowa. Our main hobby is mountain biking and we travel all over the country to ride our bikes on great trails (with Mojo) so we will watch the weather and head for a trail system that has the best chance for dry trails this weekend. 

"Go girly" - that's funny! I'm a spider killer - was the one the other girls sought out at Girl Scout camp to kill spiders. Somebody has to do it!  And if we had varmints I'd chase 'em off.

But seriously, I have always liked male dominated activities. I like knowing how things work and how to do things and I'm competitive. I also want to do it myself and I don't like depending completely on someone else to engage in these activities. I like the camaraderie of being "one of the guys" and the lack of drama that entails. It's taken me most of my life to find other like-minded women and we are now fast friends. I'm fortunate to be married for over 30 years to a man who (like my dad) has always encouraged me to pursue and engage in those activities. Of course once I've learned how to do something - bleed my brakes, winterize my camper - I might decide to "let" you do it for me 'cause I don't want to Or I might hire it out. But at least I know enough about how it all works to not sound like an idiot or seem girly helpless when I do ask for help!

[leslie]

I "go girly" when it comes to mice and spiders. Actually, I try to get the spider into a glass jar or box and escort it out the door. If I can't do that, then it is up to my husband to get rid of the spider...one way or another. I don't hang around to see how he does it.

 As for mice, for 35 years we lived in an old farmhouse on some acreage. When mice came inside, I let our cats handle the situation. Now, there are no more cats. I hope no mice show up in the camper, but if they do, I will probably let my beagle X take care of the mouse. On a walk this past winter, she killed a mouse while I was walking her on a leash. She also managed to eat half of it. The half she didn't get was what I was holding in my hand. Gross!

[pinstriper]

and the lack of drama that entails

[p]Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner ![/p][p]
[/p]

[threedukes]

Well, my hubby is legally blind, so if anything gets driven, it's me. It was my idea for the camper, so I'm diving in headfirst (and only looking for pull-thru campsites!!) :-)

[djsamuel]

[quote source="/post/8976/thread" timestamp="1428410131" author="@mojospeople"][quote source="/post/8969/thread" timestamp="1428383923" author="@gwbushhog"]Where's Mojo headed with his people?  2nd camping trip?  Pretty exciting stuff there!  Have fun, be safe and keep us posted with pics, if possible.   [/quote]
But seriously, I have always liked male dominated activities. I like knowing how things work and how to do things and I'm competitive. I also want to do it myself and I don't like depending completely on someone else to engage in these activities. I like the camaraderie of being "one of the guys" and the lack of drama that entails. [/quote]
You sound just like my wife!  And, after over 30 years of marriage, I wouldn't want her any other way.

[leslie]

Well, my hubby is legally blind, so if anything gets driven, it's me. It was my idea for the camper, so I'm diving in headfirst (and only looking for pull-thru campsites!!) :-)

Good for you! And you can learn to back up your camper. I am still learning, and I am getting better. It used to fill me with fear to back up my Camplite. Now, I just get nervous! That is progress!

At privately run campgrounds, I have always had an employee act as a spotter. For public campgrounds, I have been on my own, unless a fellow camper came over to act as a spotter.

Life will be easier for me now. Instead of towing and camping by myself, my husband will be going with me. He retires on Friday! Yay!

It is always good to find a pull-through!

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/8988/thread" timestamp="1428428444" author="@threedukes"]Well, my hubby is legally blind, so if anything gets driven, it's me. It was my idea for the camper, so I'm diving in headfirst (and only looking for pull-thru campsites!!) :-)

Good for you! And you can learn to back up your camper. I am still learning, and I am getting better. It used to fill me with fear to back up my Camplite. Now, I just get nervous! That is progress!

At privately run campgrounds, I have always had an employee act as a spotter. For public campgrounds, I have been on my own, unless a fellow camper came over to act as a spotter.

Life will be easier for me now. Instead of towing and camping by myself, my husband will be going with me. He retires on Friday! Yay!

It is always good to find a pull-through![/quote][p]El Duque gets major props for taking over. I truly wonder if I were to fall sick on a trip if my bitter half could manage getting us home. Actually, it's no wonder at all. She couldn't, not because she can't, but because she can't bring herself to learn this relatively easy thing. Have to work on that.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I keep an eye out for late arriving neighbors needing an extra pair of eyes to help them dock. I see it as a chance to meet a temporary neighbor and preemptively apologize for the barking dogs (plus they are less likely to complain openly if they feel obliged to you). Mrs. Pin says "Just mind your own business, you don't know them, and haven't you had enough already ?"[/p][p]
[/p][p]Picking pull-throughs are the ninja move, but really, you gotta master this thing. You can't make bank on getting one.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Congrats on your husband's retirement. Stick it to The Man.[/p][p]
[/p]

[dh50]

Congratulations on your Husband's retirement, Leslie.  I know you are happy about this.  Wished we could 'stick it to the man'.  Trying, but....well, another topic for another day.  Congrats!  

[dh50]

[quote timestamp="1428418079" author="@pinstriper" source="/post/8986/thread"]

and the lack of drama that entails

[p]Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner ![/p][p]
[/p][/quote]In this game, there are no losers.  We're all weiners.  

[gnies]

[quote source="/post/8999/thread" timestamp="1428460421" author="@pinstriper"][p]I truly wonder if I were to fall sick on a trip if my bitter half could manage getting us home. Actually, it's no wonder at all. She couldn't, not because she can't, but because she can't bring herself to learn this relatively easy thing. Have to work on that.[/p][/quote]

[p]This actually happened to us, we had a popup camper at the time and I was sick on the return trip so she had to do everything, it wasn't that bad we got home, but it was the backup in the driveway that was really hard, the neighbours probably got a good show! I had to back it up again few days after when I was felling better because it was not parked really well lol. I should let her practice the backing for if it happens again
[/p]