How did MiniChickee come to be?
IT STARTED SOMETHING LIKE THIS
Well, it started something like this. We'd been avid kayak fishing subscribers on YouTube, and stumbled upon a collection of videos published by some guy living in Miami, Florida, named Traveling Robert who had a travel trailer and published some interesting accounts of his travels across the United States, as well as abroad.
With both of us being native Miamians, and once again living in Florida, we were especially intrigued by his videos featuring places we'd been as well as places we'd like to go someday. Within the first few hours we were hooked, and staying up late watching Robert's adventures.
Then we came upon more videos and these were published by folks living full-time in their RVs. These included You, Me & the RV, Keep Your Daydream and Changing Lanes.
Watching these videos brought back many fond memories for Barbie, who grew up camping with her family and through the Girl Scouts. She went on to become a Camping Instructor where she taught other Girl Scout Leaders how to successfully and safely take their Troops camping. She also became a Boy Scout Troop Committee Chairman, and was allowed to enjoy more camping trips with the Leaders and Troop.
A few years later, she would find herself living on a 32 foot Chris Craft at what was then known as Point Laura, or County Line Marina, in Key Largo, Florida. From there she moved into a 1978 Toyota Chinook Newport, followed by a much older 12 foot Bee Line camper trailer, living full time in each.
There was a bit of a gap while she moved to several places in Florida, then lived in Hawai'i. A move to Alaska brought camping back into the picture. Halibut fishing charters launched from Seward, and that was a three hour drive from where she lived in Anchorage, and the fishing trips took all day. A quick trip to Elmendorf Air Force Base solved the problem! Soon Barbie was signing rental forms and taking off in her Prelude with a 13 foot Casita firmly in tow, just as often as she could, to enjoy her two favorite pastimes, camping and fishing!
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Fast forward to the YouTube videos with these folks traveling over the horizon, sharing their stories with viewers far and wide. Barbie and Jeff both had the same thought.. Let's go camping!
First came the road trips. Sebastian, Sanibel, Fort Meyers and Venice (Fl). It was exhilarating! Research began for a suitable tent. So many times a finger was poised over the Buy It Now button online. Something just wasn't right, though. They explored the possibility of getting a tent to attach to their SUV, which they'd named Daisy. That idea didn't quite fit, either.
Barbie suggested they consider a camper, since many of the places they wanted to go were in Florida, and protection from ground crawling things like snakes and scorpions seemed a good idea. Quickly, it became apparent that renting a camper or RV would be unnecessary, since this was definitely something they wanted to do. The first thing Barbie thought of to purchase was a Casita similar to what she rented and towed in Alaska with great success. After just a little research, price and size became a show stopper. At 5'10, Jeff would never be happy in a Casita.
YouTube videos took up hours and days as the research went on.
Finally, a decision was made and the day came to bring the 2020 Coachmen Apex Nano 191RBS home. But, what to name it?
THE NAME
Several factors went together to bring the name to life. Barbie and Jeff were both native Miamians. The decision to have a way to stay up off the ground came into play as well. Barbie's father grew up within a block of the Seminole Indians living at Mesa Isle in Miami. He often played football in the roadway with his Seminole friends, who were known for building shelters that were above the ground, called chickees.
This new travel trailer, just 19 feet long, was pretty tiny parked next to the giant fifth wheel units on the day it was coming home, It looked just,, so mini!
Hence, the name MiniChickee came to be, and it seems to fit just fine.