Editor’s Rave

 EDITOR'S RAVE   EDITOR'S RAVE 

Welcome to a very special 9th birthday issue!

Despite the worldwide pandemic lockdowns, or maybe because of them, we have all had to get creative and to fi nd more creative ways to connect more with each other. So, to celebrate the 9th anniversary since the world’s very fi rst Vintage Caravan Magazine was released in May 2011, this 9th birthday issue will be available as a free digital copy to everyone on the email mailing list. If you are not on the mailing list yet, there is a sign-up form on the website. It is hard not to mention the sudden disruption to all our lives recently. Travel plans have been cancelled, rallies and events were all postponed or cancelled and so many people have lost their jobs. But catastrophes often bring out the best in people. I think that our increased realization of the importance of connection to each other will be a legacy of these strange times. Sharing our isolation and disconnectedness with everybody else has made us cherish our connections in ways we had previously taken for granted. People are phoning rather than texting, we are all making more video calls, and more of us are reaching out to each other and asking: “Are you OK’s?”. The phenomena of the many “virtual” campouts featured in this issue was just one of the many ways we sought to be “alone together” and connect despite the isolation restrictions. This issue was only made possible by the creative input of three inspiring women I call my “Dream Team”. Lana, with her cute little pink caravan “Queenie” and too-cute-to-be-real Pomeranian, Teddy, are our issue #41 cover stars. My sisterly connection with Lana was initially built several years ago on our shared admiration of pink fl amingos, retro pinup style fashion, fl uff y dogs and pink caravans with white picket fences. It has since grown into a truly valued friendship. The other two members of this team are my friends Carolyn and Lisa. It was when we all camped together at the Bridgewater Vintage Caravan Extravaganza in February that the idea to create this issue came about. After meeting up with Carolyn in her home town of Budgewoi, we spent three days on the road together and had so much fun. The other Lisa, who didn’t have as far to travel, had arrived before us and all camped three in a row. The great company, the “deep and meaningfuls” and the many laughs we shared was something I had not realized how much I had missed during my previously solo wanderings. It was decided then and there that they would become part of my “Dream Team”: the “directors of

editorial enthusiasm” required to get this magazine out there again. I love how each of their caravans are so unique and so diff erent from each other. And like our friendship; it all just “worked” when we put them all together in the magazine. I am truly so thankful for having a life that has been blessed with the support of some incredibly beautiful humans. I hope you will join me in thanking these the “Dream Team” for making this 9th birthday issue dream come true. And here’s hoping we can all return to happy trails and campfi re chats again very soon!