Product Description

Fifty-two women answer the question: What is it like to be a female nomad on the open road, leaving family, community, and possessions to head into the unknown in an RV?

This anthology features the writings of women of varied backgrounds, many living full-time in their RVs, ranging in age from 13-85. They take a humorous look at situations unique to the RVing lifestyle: living in a small box on wheels, maneuvering a 38-foot RV, or surviving bears and other calamities. On the road and away from the support of family and friends, they also cope with life's issues—breast cancer, divorce, loss of a child.

Sections include:

What is full-timing? Full-timers live 365 days a year in their rig. This lifestyle opens up special opportunities. Our writers share their full-time experiences.

Life on the road: Living on the road is more than a vacation. It is a way of life. Here our writers share some of the unique experiences they have had living on the road.

Uniquely women: When women take to the road, whether alone or with a partner, they face the same problems and challenges that they might off the road. Life goes on. In these stories, our writers share how they found women to talk to and have coped with issues close to their heart.

Encounters: Sometimes a day starts out as ordinary but turns out to be extraordinary. Encounters add spice to our travels. Our writers remember and share encounters—delightful, fearful, intriguing—that are special to them.

Relationships: Imagine living in 250 square feet or less, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This presents special challenges, sometimes insurmountable, as our writers share.

Going your own way: Some women travel alone by choice. In other cases, circumstances—a divorce or death of a spouse—may leave a woman without her travel partner. These women share stories of what it is like being a solo traveler.

Heart places: Sometimes in your travels you find a place that is special. Perhaps the sights, sounds, and smells evoke a childhood memory, the music touches a chord, or the natural beauty overwhelms the senses. Our writers share what is special about a place that has touched their hearts.

The last word: Traveling on the open road may give us different experiences than a more traditional life, but each life experience, no matter where it takes place, changes and shapes us. Our journeys not only take us to new places, but are also a metaphor for the growth and changes in our lives.

Short pieces—Side Roads, Scenic Overlooks, Animal Crossings, and Exit Ramp—are scattered throughout, adding additional bits of information. A glossary explains RV terms.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #407489 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"... the joys and pitfalls of a mobile existence are described with humor and insight." -- Woodall's CamperWays, March 2003

"Any woman on the road or who wants to be will love this book, and find the contributors' tales inspiring." -- Outwest Newsletter, February 2003

"You will return to [this book] again and again for inspiration. I found myself reading certain essays over and over." -- Escapees Magazine, May June, 2003

"You will want to keep this book handy on your bookshelf to reach for like an old friend." Nick Russell -- Gypsy Journal, March-April, 2003

...it's like enjoying a cappuccino around a campfire with your women friends who understand your deepest emotions. Stephanie Bernhagen -- RV Hometown.com

...you will return to again and again for inspiration.. Gosh, I know I really loved this book! Marcella Gauthier -- Escapees Magazine May/June 2003

In the "Chicken Soup" spirit, RV Traveling Tales serves up one tasty morsel after another for RVers and armchair rovers. -- News Review,(Ridgecrest, CA) April 7, 2004

This book will fan your wanderlust and serve as a rich oasis for your roving soul. Steve Zikman -- Foreword by Steve Zikman, Chicken Soup for the Travelers Soul

From the Publisher
RV Traveling Tales: Women's Journeys on the Open Road is a finalist for this year's Benjamin Franklin Award in the travel essay category.

From the Author
We are proud to present this collection of stories by 52 RVing women and to give voice to their stories. The audience for this book will be armchair travelers who enjoy reading travel narratives, women who are always interested in other women's experiences, and, of course, RV travelers and "wannabees."

The stories transcend the RV lifestyle and are truly women's stories about life in general, from facing illness, death of a child or spouse, building friendships to the mundane tasks of cleaning and shopping. As an added bonus, sprinkled throughout are situations many of your readers may not have experienced lately, such as dealing with a bear under their camper, climbing a 14,000-foot peak in Colorado, or being a teenager who has lived on the road since she was three months old.

Customer Reviews

Not Quite What I Was Looking For...
This book was good. But, based on the information in the description I was a little disappointed.

I was looking for a book written by single women RVing alone. There are a couple of stories in the book written by a widowed woman, but the rest of the writers are traveling with their husbands/families.

As just an "RV Life" book I'd give it a 4.

A Book For All Seasons
Whether you go on the road this winter or stay at home, one thing on your must-do list is to take the time to read RV Traveling Tales - Women's Journeys on the Open Road.
The eclectic collection presents a bird's-eye view of life on the road with anecdotal stories from a woman's point-of-view. The often humorous, always thought-provoking tales reflect an extensive array of emotions and impressions from women who span a wide range of age, temperament, financial circumstances and marital status. If one story doesn't grab you with the "been there, done that" syndrome, another will.
Each story paints a vibrant picture of life in an RV. Each miniature composition captures the unquenchable spirit of women as they reflect on events ranging from mechanical trouble on the road and fighting the RV bulge (both for their units and themselves) to making lasting friendships in a transient setting and discovering (rediscovering?) the joy of life. Issues covered deal with just about anything encountered while RVing - from illness on the road, coping with expenses, fending off the wildlife (animal and human) and the trivial day-to-day things that make life an adventure.
Thank you, Jaimie Hall and Alice Zyetz, for putting together this collection of RVing stories. With representation from both American and Canadian women, RV Traveling Tales truly chronicles the history of RVing.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading (and re-reading) RV Traveling Tales and, as a woman who is totally committed to the RV camping lifestyle, rejoiced in discovering this inspired blend of stories from kindred souls. - Diane Batten, Editor, RV gazette/Explorer RV Club - Canada.

RV Traveling Tales, Women's Journeys On the Open Road
I LOVE this book, the stories are so interesting,fun and poignant,really pulled me along as if I were a member of the RV'ers myself. I wanna buy a rig and join the Nomads.
From some of the stories I can tell which of the women I'd love to meet and get to know better. I think they have stumbled onto the way to cut through all of the normal everyday baloney to find people with ones own values and interests, a short cut to that mysterious chemistry called friendship. Maybe life would be too intense if we never had any frivolous conversations or friendships but sometimes I'd chance it in a heart beat if it meant the possibility to experience these adventures.I do admire these people for pursuing this way of life, enjoying the little time that we have, doing their best not to waste it on things and stuff!!This book came as a surprising gem in the middle of a long and cold Michigan winter.
Too bad Oprah's book club has been discontinued it would be a sure pick. It is an easy, fun read but has a strong and unsuspected undertow. I found myself 3 days later still hashing over the various contributions. Courage, strength, perseverance all put forth by women of today. Maybe we have come a long way after all!!