Her Way and the Highway: Mona Heath’s Airstream Experience

Airstreaming was a way of life Mona Heath never ever thought of for herself. However it ended up being something she could not picture her life without.

Her Method and the Highway is an e-mail series commemorating the lively neighborhood of Airstreaming ladies. Including inspiring stories, road-tested suggestions, and professional guidance from ladies who drawback up and strike the roadway, Her Method and the Highway comes directly to your inbox each week.

Taking a trip is a deeply individual experience. You get to select your journey. There are a lot of methods to discover delight and enthusiasm on the roadway. For Mona Heath, it remains in individuals she satisfies along the method.

There was a time– lots of long years back– that Mona was absolutely not a camper This truth was made extremely clear after a number of nights invested in a pop-up camper and camping tent. Fourteen years, 7 Airstreams, and 70K miles later on, she now has problem calling herself anything however a camper. She’s seen a lot of the nation– and she’s done practically all the towing and outdoor camping as a solo woman.

Her very first camper was a classic 1962 travel trailer with lots of character, an ice-box, and no toilet– however it was her little escape pod from all the tensions of her expert life. She quickly transitioned to her very first Airstream, a 1969 Tradewind, and right away ended up being a member of the Airstream Club.

Mona has actually constantly been active in the Airstream neighborhood, however in 2019 her function ended up being more popular– and groundbreaking– when she ended up being the very first female International President for the Airstream Club International Instead of resting on the laurels of her history-making function, Mona has actually been hard at work guiding the Club into the 21st Century.

” It’s never ever had to do with being The First International Female President,” she states. “Rather I have actually constantly wished to be kept in mind as an International President who did an excellent task– and so took place to be a lady.”

The Club has actually ended up being a household for her, and her objective as president was to produce a more inclusive environment where anybody might discover a sense of belonging.

” The neighborhood is so filled with variety– of idea, of way of life, of heritage, and of tow automobile, Airstream design, length, and outdoor camping options,” she states. “All are welcome in my world, this world of delighted campers.”

A subscription in the Airstream Club International is a terrific concept no matter your level of outdoor camping and Airstreaming experience. Advantages consist of access to rallies and caravans, in addition to unique courtesy parking throughout The United States and Canada and Europe. Many of all, the Club uses access to an enthusiastic neighborhood of Airstreamers who share a love for the flexibility of the roadway.

Mona understands that everybody has their special design when it comes to life and outdoor camping. And, for her, that design is continuously altering. In 2018– after 10 years of participating in rallies and taking a trip all over the United States in various Airstreams– she chose it was time to offer whatever and go full-time. In the summer season of 2018, she fell for a 27FB World traveler called Globby, and it became her brand-new house.

Having actually taken a trip thoroughly in a 19-foot Bambi, Mona’s precious pet Izzy mored than happy to have a bit more space for bring in their full-time rig. It didn’t take wish for Mona to recognize that life on the roadway didn’t need to be a desolate journey alone. Her brand-new life re-energized her, and she discovered herself getting in touch with more individuals than ever in the past– on the roadway, at occasions, and on social networks.

Throughout the years, she has actually taken pleasure in participating in a range of Airstream rallies all over the United States. She keeps her schedule filled with occasions and locations. She’s now a professional at discovering that best area to call house– even if it’s simply for one night– even if that best area is less than picture-perfect. Although she chooses the high-ends of full-hookup camping sites, she has actually overnighted in a range of parking area, truck stops, rest stops, Cracker Barrels, and simply recently her very first Walmart.

” Having actually made the error of over-planning my very first long-distance journeys, the capability to let your body or the aspects affect when and where you stop is a lot more preferable than driving too far and far too late simply to land at the next organized stop,” she recommends.

For lots of solo ladies, a huge concern is where to camp. There are a lot of alternatives for camping sites, boondocking, and overnighting in parking area.

” Finding campgrounds is a mix of requirement and checking out bucket-list areas,” she states, “although that list continues to grow when pals publish their images of preferred camping sites on social networks.”

There are lots of practical apps for tourists nowadays. Mona enjoys the WAZE app for navigation.

” I can’t even count the variety of times I have actually had the ability to prevent roadway particles,” she states. And she just recently acquired a subscription to Togo RV and is anticipating checking out all the resources it offers. She likewise enjoys her Harvest Hosts subscription– a subscription that offers special Recreational Vehicle outdoor camping at locations like wineries, farms, museums, and more.

Now Mona is starting another brand-new course. After taking a trip lots of miles as a combined Airstream household (2 Airstreams and 3 trucks) with her partner Tim and pet Izzy, she just recently offered Globby and she and Tim bought a 2021 30-foot Classic they called LoveShack (” In Classic White naturally!” she chuckles). She’s anticipating this next chapter– checking out regional sights, food, and history– together with Tim.

” As somebody who values my self-reliance, it’s been an amazing experience to interact to share all elements of this way of life,” she states.

Both she and Tim particularly delight in getting to compromise being in the guest seat for a modification. Whether taking a trip solo or with a partner, Airstreaming offers a special way of life that Mona is appreciative for each day.

” Even now, as I being in my Airstream, the constant rain stays among the most serene noises,” she confesses. “My partner Tim, puppy Izzy, and I are dry, warm, therefore extremely appreciative that we had the ability to retire at an early age and make the most of this way of life.”

As you prepare to set out on your own journey, gain from the pros– however do not hesitate to discover your own rhythm. Not everybody’s container list will be the very same. And not everybody’s favored design of outdoor camping is the very same. If you are brand-new to RVing, camping sites offer a great deal of good facilities. However do not let boondocking and dry outdoor camping frighten you too long. Take it from a skilled Airstreaming lady like Mona Heath: A Few Of the most stunning locations on the planet are off the beaten course.

Delighted checking out.