I’m Mod Betty (Beth Lennon in real life), Like many of you, I’m a vintage camper trailer owner. My musician husband, Cliff, and I are the proud caretakers of a 1964 Serro Scotty Gaucho, built in Irwin, Pennsylvania.
For years, I drove past our Scotty, quietly tucked beside a garage behind someone’s house. I couldn’t help but peek every time. That classic canned-ham shape and cheerful aqua stripe were irresistible. I’ll admit it—I occasionally took the long way to the grocery store just to make sure she was still there.
Then one December day in 2010, I noticed a small For Sale sign taped to the back window. Even though Cliff and I had never camped—and didn’t even own a vehicle capable of towing—I went straight home, grabbed him, and insisted we take a closer look.
The family who owned her had taken the Scotty to the Philadelphia Folk Festival for years but had outgrown her. While she showed signs of leaks, we saw nothing but potential (and yes, definitely through rose-colored glasses). This was also shortly after my father passed away, and the idea of seizing the moment felt especially powerful. We made a simple deal: if they could tow her to our house and she fit in our low-ceilinged garage, we’d buy her. She fit—and she became ours.
That’s when the research phase began. As the creator of RetroRoadmap.com, I was already well-versed in online sleuthing, so it didn’t take long to dive deep into all things Scotty. We attended a National Serro Scotty Organization (NSSO) rally in western Pennsylvania, met founder Nancy Kroes, and asked every question imaginable. Seeing so many beautifully restored Scotties—and the passionate people who owned them—was inspiring.
One of the NSSO’s recommended restoration experts happened to be less than an hour from our home. The restoration took a few years, and as often happens, uncovered more damage than expected. But once a camper is down to the frame, there’s no turning back. We committed to doing it right, and she came out beautifully.
Then she came home… and stayed home.
Between Cliff’s busy music schedule and our everyday lives, camping just never quite fit. For a while, we felt guilty owning a camper that rarely hit the road. But even parked in the garage, she made us smile every single day.
That’s when I realized the Wi-Fi reached the garage.
The Scotty became my writing retreat—my “Ma’am Cave.” While Cliff plays electric guitar in the house, I head out to the camper to write and research. With fake grass, vintage lawn chairs, Don Featherstone flamingos, and a few twinkle lights, it feels like camping—without the dirt. Our dog Rigby approves and insists on standing guard outside the door whenever I’m inside.
I also discovered how much fun it is to tow the Scotty to events. She’s joined me at live presentations, vintage flea markets, and book signings, serving as a giant conversation piece. With the door open, people are naturally drawn in, always leaving with a smile—and sometimes a Retro Roadmap Roadbook or two.
While we’ve taken the Scotty on a handful of adventures, my favorite moments are still the quiet ones: parked in the garage, lights glowing, me inside planning the next Retro Roadmap adventure. Sometimes the best journeys don’t require going anywhere at all.
(Excerpt from Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine Issue 41)
