- RichB59, Scratch7, Dex and 20 others like this
- The Casita Club Forums
- → Most Liked Content
Most Liked Content
#190437 Solo Self Protection
Posted by
Plainsman
on 06 August 2014 - 04:28 AM
#200424 Step Into This Thread, So I Can Make You Feel Old...
Posted by
Eric Mayer
on 16 August 2015 - 12:24 PM
...myself included...
Back in 2002, mere months after The Casita Club began, I took my wife (Debbie) and 4 year old step-daughter (Lilly) on their first camping trip in my Casita. It was an awesome trip, with us heading to the Eastern Sierra area of California, staying at Convict Lake. We used the Casita as a base-camp, while we visited every nook and cranny of the Eastern Sierra and White Mountain ranges. We went off the beaten path and checked out wild horses, old stage coach stops, ghost towns, petrified trees, petroglyphs and so many other places, that I cannot remember.
00aL-2.jpg 135.07KB
574 downloads
While traveling around, Lilly rode between Debbie and I in my Dodge Ram, while sitting in a child's booster seat. On one of the days, she forgot her shoes back at camp, so Debbie made her shoes out of duct tape (over her socks). That certainly didn't slow her down, as we traveled across the desert and met up with folks we will never forget, like an old grizzled miner, named "Tonopah Mike" (can you guess where he lived?), who knew where we could pick-up a pair of "little feet shoes".
That same day, we headed up to an area called, "The Sump". It is a mountain, that has slowly eroded away, revealing petrified trees at the bottom of the canyon. Well, Lilly had breakfast at the top of "The Sump", looking down at the spectacular view, from a cliff that fell off into nothing. Across the valley below, was the towering White Mountain range, which is often forgotten because of its bigger brother, the Sierra Nevada. I can't imagine very many 4 year olds ever getting to experience anything like that.
00aL-1.jpg 167.66KB
558 downloads
After checking out the view and getting up-close inspections of horned lizards and other desert critters, we headed down to the trees and Lilly leaned up against the stoney "bark" for a picture. It was pretty amazing to think that this tree had been frozen in time and buried by volcanic ash, then reappeared after centuries of rain and wind eroded everything around it. Ironic still, that the tree still stood, where the ash that took its life washed away...
00aL-3.jpg 248.73KB
549 downloads
I remember getting back to the campground that day and building a big fire so we could warm up after some thunderstorms rolled through and dropped the temperatures. We talked about the day and all we had experienced. It was a great trip and we all dreaded the end of our adventure, when we packed up and headed home.
So what's the point of this "story"? Well, tomorrow we will be leaving Southern California and driving up to Idaho, because that same 4 year old little girl who experienced everything on that trip, is starting a new adventure. We will be taking her to University, to begin her freshman year. That same little girl in the pictures above, is now an Honor student, who has received a full tuition scholarship to study biology, on a Pre-Vet track. Debbie and I knew back in kindergarten, when Lilly wanted to be a veterinarian for Halloween, that she would probably end up in that direction. Her very hard work, her drive and her life-long love of animals, brought her to this point. We have so much faith and belief in her, but it is still an exciting, but scary and sad time. We will miss her, until we see her again.
00aL-4.jpg 125.29KB
547 downloads
These past 14 years have gone by in a flash, with so many memories that I can barely remember. So, while you are out an about enjoying nature, family and friends, drink it in. Taste it, like a cold glass of water on a blistering hot day. After time, you will remember that moment and for a second, maybe you will be lucky enough to taste it (experience it) again.
Stay safe my friends and enjoy what you have!
Sincerely,
Eric
PS: If I am not quick to answer any PMs, or take care of any forum issues, this is why.
- Carol Christensen, Plainsman, Sue and Sandy and 14 others like this
#192593 October 2014 Photography Contest - Fall Colors
Posted by
Possum
on 02 October 2014 - 07:58 PM
I drove by this one morning last year and thought it was a "right place at the right time" shot so I turned around and went back to get the picture.
Attached Files
-
FogTree.jpg 169.23KB 2 downloads
- Eric Mayer, Plainsman, Sue and Sandy and 14 others like this
#167541 New 17' Independence Deluxe Travel Trailer - More Pictures Added
Posted by
CasitaTravelTrailers
on 08 February 2013 - 06:58 PM
It will have an upgraded bathroom, kitchen area, and twin bed sleeping arrangements. We will have the demo model in our showroom next week so if your in the area please stop in. For those who cannot swing by, Casita will be uploading pictures to our website CasitaTravelTrailers.com as well as CasitaClub.com hopefully early next week. We are now currently taking orders for it with an approximate delivery time of May.
If you have questions please contact your sales representative at Casita, if you do not have a sales rep at Casita call anyway and we will get you one.
P.S. Its awesome!
-- Casita Enterprises
Here is a sneak peek:














- Sue and Sandy, mike712, cjbridges and 11 others like this
#192613 October 2014 Photography Contest - Fall Colors
Posted by
wrogers
on 03 October 2014 - 10:37 AM
Mt. Magazine Scenic Byway.
Attached Files
-
road to mt mag 4x6jpg (Medium).jpg 253.05KB 1 downloads
- Eric Mayer, Sue and Sandy, Us burros and 10 others like this
#203611 New Saguaro Antenna
Posted by
Dutchman
on 19 January 2016 - 08:10 AM
My latest addition - new hi def antenna, picks up everything from south of the border. At Organ Pipe National Monument where it will be 70 degrees today. My kind of winter, and my Casita makes it possible.
P1000505.jpg 248.36KB
458 downloads
Dutchman
- Sue and Sandy, NomadWoman, greenjeans and 9 others like this
#199271 June/july 2015 Photo Contest - Your Best Panorama Shot
Posted by
borderbrae
on 30 June 2015 - 02:38 PM
Taken this month just east of Page, AZ. The crescent moon is lighting up the butte, Milky Way above. This was 2 exposures taken with my Canon 6D, using a Sanyang 24mm f 1.4 lens (lens set to f 2.0). Am posting the gif of this image so it will upload and download faster.
page-pano-1-copy.gif 377.76KB
6 downloads
- Eric Mayer, Carol Christensen, Plainsman and 9 others like this
#196346 12 Years Aboard My Casita
Posted by
Dutchman
on 07 March 2015 - 06:13 PM
Twelve years ago, on 07 March 2003, I took delivery of my new Casita at the factory in Rice, Texas. Earlier that morning, I had purchased a '99 Toyota 4Runner from the Toyota dealer in Corsicana. New to me car, new trailer, new experience, first time towing, first automatic transmission in forty+ years. My left leg suddenly feels useless.
Fast forward to today. Never thought I would be aboard my Casita as long as I have. To be truthful, about five or so years ago I decided enough was enough, time to do something different. But something or another got in the way, can't quite recall what, and here I am, in a lifestyle that seems to have become permanent. Sitting still is not one of my skills. I am a wanderer. I just have to see what lies beyond yonder hill.
Lately, I've begun to wonder if I am possibly setting a record for longest continued Casita occupancy. I have not missed a single night aboard since the day I bought the Casita. I guess that "Home is where I park it".
Inexpensive luxury on a modest budget.
(The wandering) Dutchman.
- Eric Mayer, Leehman Wexlin, prudencepurebody and 9 others like this
#181052 A "new Look" Inside
Posted by
Rob and Linda
on 08 November 2013 - 02:10 PM
Rob
- tedinkc, Randy, prudencepurebody and 9 others like this
#212058 Thank You For The Casita Club!
Posted by
thetravelkids
on 22 April 2017 - 07:02 AM
In a recent posting on the "other" Casita owners forum, Eric, the owner of this website, was "slam-dunked" for "monetizing" The Casita Club forum.
I admit, I had to look up the definition of "monetizing." Sure isn't a word I use daily!
Anyway, Eric was further "slam-dunked" because he is no longer a Casita owner. Hey! Things change! So should all non-Casita owners be admonished for participating in either forum?
The author of the posting I'm referring to has well over 4,000 posts here on the Casita Club forum. I wonder how many of those posts of hers are pushing her guide?
So is she "monetizing?" Perish the thought!
Just in my humble opinion, it sure sounds like the kettle is calling the pot black to me.
You can form your own opinion.
“Like it or not, time passes, and that’s why nothing will ever be the same it used to be. Things are meant to change.”
- Eric Mayer, Carol Christensen, Sue and Sandy and 8 others like this
#190993 A Few B&w From The Las Vegas Trip
Posted by
arlon
on 16 August 2014 - 06:04 PM
This is near Tinney New Mexico between Roswell and Ruidoso (tree was lightly "painted" with a flashlight).
Near Holbrook AZ
Walnut Canyon National Monument near Flagstaff AZ. This rock reminds me of a grumpy old man (kind of like me).
- Dutchman, Mark Watson, SKYTALKER and 8 others like this
#212062 Thank You For The Casita Club!
Posted by
Carol Christensen
on 22 April 2017 - 09:37 AM
I appreciate Casita Club and the work Eric has put into it over the years. It's been a wonderful source of enjoyment and generally a very comfortable place to spend my time. Good job Eric.
- Eric Mayer, Sue and Sandy, Dutchman and 7 others like this
#204957 We Scored!
Posted by
DeBreez
on 29 March 2016 - 05:14 PM
I called, expressed my sincere interest, played hooky from work today and made the three hour drive. The trailer looks like it has never been used, and has pretty much every option except the electric tongue jack.
It started pounding rain as soon as we hooked up, cleared over the Everglades, then rehydrated us as we got near civilization. No problems, it towed like a breeze behind the Tundra, and we now know it doesn't leak.
Can't wait to break it in. Maybe we'll camp out in the driveway.
- clover, highrez, SKYTALKER and 7 others like this
#198877 June/july 2015 Photo Contest - Your Best Panorama Shot
Posted by
Va Hillbilly
on 15 June 2015 - 12:50 PM
Denali (The Great One)
Photo of Mount McKinley (20,237') was taken from about 35 miles away. This Panorama was put together using Photoshop from photos taken with Nikon D7000 camera & 70 - 300 mm lens. Lens was adjusted to 70 mm. Photos were taken in July 2014.
DenaliPanorama1p.jpg 81.21KB
5 downloads
- Plainsman, Us burros, Leehman Wexlin and 7 others like this
#193770 Thank You For Your Service!!
Posted by
Huevo Movil
on 09 November 2014 - 05:34 AM
On Tuesday, November 11th, please remember to thank Veterans and their families who supported them, while they were protecting the freedoms we enjoy today. I know there are a bunch of Vet's on this forum, so let me take this oppurtunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service. May God look over you and yours always. Best. Shorty sends...
- Eric Mayer, Joe Z, prudencepurebody and 7 others like this
#190447 Solo Self Protection
Posted by
Euphoria
on 06 August 2014 - 06:16 AM
If you decide on a firearm for personal protection, and it is purely your choice if you decide to, I would suggest nothing smaller than a .38/.357 Mag. or a 9mm. Most women, and no offense meant here, are usually drawn to wanting to carry small caliber "cute" pistols that are commonly called "mouse guns," and are of such diminutive calibers as .25 Auto, .32 Auto, or even the little .22 Long Rifle caliber guns. These are not what would be referred to as "man-stoppers" for personal defense. I always carry a pistol, even if I go to the corner store. Be sure to get the proper classroom and range training and any permits to carry a concealed weapon if you do want to carry one for personal protection and peace of mind.
Not to get into a debate on pros and cons of concealed carry, or on personal reasons or ethical issues of carrying a potentially lethal weapon, just be sure that if you decide to go this route, choose your weapon carefully. Your life may well depend on that choice if an occasion arose which required an extreme measure to be taken if your life or personal safety are in danger.
As to bear spray or mace, all I can say is, based on personal first-hand experience when I was involved in police work, I have had, and witnessed, miserable performance from mace on many subjects. It is particularly ineffective on drunks and mentally impaired types, so caveat emptor on having only the spray being your defense. Yes, it's better than nothing, but not by much...
I have a concealed carry license for WA, (over 40 yrs.,) and for OR and UT as well.
Former Certified WSCJTC Police Firearms Instructor, and Reserve Police Officer
NRA Range Safety Officer, and avid sports shooter, aka "range rat".
- RichB59, ArizonaEileen, Don in Ut and 7 others like this
#177537 Backing Up Alone To Get Ball In Correct Position To Get Trailer Hitche
Posted by
Dan S21
on 17 August 2013 - 04:35 PM
I asked two friends with trailers, who suggested relatively expensive gizmos ($40-50) to buy so I could see & guide the car into the exact position.
Since I have tinkerer/handyperson genes, I thought about it and, came up with this "hitching noodle" ($4) solution. It now takes me < 5 minutes, starting several feet away before the initial backing up.
- RichB59, prudencepurebody, Casita-Freak and 7 others like this
#171634 The "other" Casita Website
Posted by
Eric Mayer
on 08 May 2013 - 10:18 PM
We sold our trailer years ago when our daughter was too old to fit three of us in a 16' Spirit Deluxe. We also got caught up in the rumors of a new, 19' trailer that was being planned and were hoping to move to that one day. This has never diminished my passion for Casita trailers, their owners and this Club.
With regards to my giveaways. I have ALWAYS done giveaways of some kind on this website (ask Carol Christensen, as she seems to win something in every one of them). Even when there were no ads. The t-shirts have always been a popular giveaway, because our main business is designing and printing t-shirts, so it's a no-brainer! The giveaways on The Casita Club drive conversation and FUN, which is what this site is all about, and what too many of the other sites out there lack. I wonder if you think that my planned "Trivia Contest" that I am holding in June is some sort of master marketing plan as well?

Let me add one more thing that I've only discussed with a handful of people on this site. I have had numerous offers to purchase this site, for a LOT of money. In fact, the same company that ended up purchasing FiberglassRV approached me before they made a deal. I turned them down. My email back to him was something along the lines of not being able to give up something that was so important to me and so many others. I know what happens to sites when they get gobbled up by large entities. The passion that started them normally dies and the sites do not have the same vibe. I want The Casita Club to be fun, bring owners together to discuss their trailers and give perspective owners information they can use when deciding on whether to purchase a Casita Travel Trailer, or not.
I hope now that you understand more about myself, my passion for this Club and its members and the reason why this site has been around longer than any of those mentioned in this thread.
With that being said, I think portions of your post are out of line and I wish you would have thought to ask me before you guessed at what my motives are.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Mayer
CasitaClub.com
- Sue and Sandy, Tony and Jean, ArizonaEileen and 7 others like this
#166647 Learn How To Be Safe In Bear Country
Posted by
Bobinyelm
on 24 January 2013 - 04:02 PM
Notice that NONE of these people ran away (the professional hunter guarding the party kept people reasonably calm)
A few years back we walked into some beautiful hot springs in the Yukon and lazed around for a few hours. A month later two people were killed and eaten on that very trail. At Katmai Park in Western AK, a lady ranger was likewise killed and eaten on the very trail my wife and I had walked to the viewing area alone one evening that overlooked the river where these bears feed during the salmon run. From the viewing stand one can literally reach out and pet the bears (if one is a complete idiot, of course).
- Robert & Merryn, Dave and Ruth, Grandjan and 7 others like this
#162897 Hello Again, Solo Female Travelers!
Posted by
KelleyL
on 22 September 2012 - 04:26 PM
I just wanted to reintroduce myself to the Solo Female Travelers...I signed on awhile back, but I'm not on the forum much. I have a 17 ft Spirit Deluxe that I bought in 2011. I traveled and lived in it for 9 months, until I bought a house. I love to travel in my Casita! I knew nothing about hitching or towing or any of that stuff when I started out. It can all be learned! I avoided backing up for a whole year and I always stayed in pull throughs. Finally learned how to back up confidently last summer. It has been an awesome experience. I substitute teach and I have 2 weeks off in December and I'm looking at Sedona, AZ and the Grand Canyon. I so admire all of the ladies that are traveling solo!
Kelley
- Patt, Renee, infogypsy and 7 others like this
- The Casita Club Forums
- → Most Liked Content
- Privacy Policy