She’s a Happy Camper

She’s a Happy Camper

Performed by Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands

She’s a Happy Camper — Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger

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[Verse 1]
Well, they pack up the RV, leave the frozen north behind,
Trade in the snow drifts for sand dunes, weather of a different kind.
Every winter they move south, while the kids are stuck at home,
Minding the frozen farm, shoveling ice and snow alone.

He’s sweatin’ in his cotton, but still she swears by Port A,
He left the thermal underwear outside St. Paul, cause she loves the Taco café.
She’s sippin’ margaritas, in flip-flops and a grin,
And he knows if it weren’t for her, he’d be stuck in the snow again.

[Chorus]
But she’s a happy camper, and that’s why she’s still here,
Traded the snow shovel misfires for a cooler full of beer.
She’d have left him years ago, found a man with less disaster,
But she’s a happy camper, so he’s got her love forever after.

[Verse 2]
He thought a snow shovel was handy on a beach,
Turns out the sand’s a little warmer, she’s a real peach.
He’s fixin’ up the awning, while the sun is beatin’ down today,
In his cotton and R.V., camping in Port A.

The RV’s a spaceship with satellite TV,
But he’s not missin’ his old tractor, where the controls were so complex.
He’d hit one wrong button, and fireworks would go off,
Now, she’s takin’ Instagram shots and he’s not coughing up exhaust.

[Chorus]
But she’s a happy camper, and that’s why she’s still here,
Traded the ice fishing for all this camping gear.
She’d have left him years ago, found a man who’s knew his directions,
But she’s a happy camper, cause he can handle the RV connections.

[Bridge]
In South Padre it’s sunny, and she’s not missin’ the cold,
He thinks how it might feels to retire, and he could just stay.
‘Cause every time he looks, at that smile on her face,
He knows he’d drive to Mexico just to have her in this place.

[Chorus]
Yeah, she’s a happy camper, and that’s why she’s still here,
Traded the frozen pipes for all this mosquito gear.
She’d have left him years ago, if he didn’t keep her warm,
But she’s a happy camper, so they’ll stick to this southerly norm.

[Outro]
So here’s to the happy campers, and the farmers by their side,
From Minnesota to Texas, on this smart RV ride.
The kids are back home freezing, keeping the farm in gear,
But she’s a happy camper, and that’s why driving south is so clear.

Come on down, life’s a beach… but only down here!

The Happy Camper

by Alan Nafzger (2002)

Each winter they leave the frozen plains,
The frost behind, the bitter rains.
They drive the RV southbound slow,
Where the Gulf winds of Texas gently blow.

His flannel’s still on, though the heat is real,
She’s barefoot and laughing, sun-kissed with zeal.
He fumbles with gadgets he’ll never quite know,
While the sand slips through where the snow used to go.

Their kids hold the farm, the winter’s cold bite,
While they chase warmth and the South Padre light.
The tractor is parked, the RV their ride,
From icy roads to a warm beachside.

And though he’s no expert on camping or sand,
She smiles as he tries, with sunscreen in hand.
She could’ve left him, but year after year,
She’s a happy camper, so she’s always near.

The mornings are calm, the evenings still bright,
With stars that outshine the Minnesota night.
They know they’ll head back when the thaw reappears,
But for now, they’ll laugh through these southern frontiers.

Debbie Harper: Welcome, Alan! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. I hear you’ve got a new song out that’s getting some buzz—“The Happy Camper.” Tell us a little about it.

Alan Nafzger: Thanks, Debbie! Yeah, “The Happy Camper” is a fun one. It’s about a Minnesota farmer who packs up his RV every winter and heads down to Port Aransas with his wife. It’s kind of a love letter to those folks we call “snowbirds” who migrate south to escape the cold. In this case, the farmer’s wife is the reason they’re on the move—he’d probably be happy freezing in Minnesota, but she’s the “happy camper,” so they hit the road!

Debbie Harper: Sounds like a blast! And speaking of hitting the road, I’ve heard you’ve got a special love for the Redneck Riviera and Port Aransas. What draws you to camping there?

Alan Nafzger: Ah, the Redneck Riviera—what a place! For folks who don’t know, that’s what we sometimes call the stretch of Gulf Coast between Texas and Alabama. Port Aransas, or Port A as we call it, is one of my favorite spots along that coast. It’s got this perfect mix of laid-back charm, great seafood, and miles of beach where you can park your RV right on the sand. There’s something about falling asleep to the sound of the waves just a few feet away. And the sunsets? Unbeatable.

Debbie Harper: I imagine it’s quite a contrast from a Minnesota winter.

Alan Nafzger: Oh, absolutely! One day you’re shoveling snow, and the next, you’re kicking back in a beach chair, drinking a cold one. That’s the magic of being a snowbird. You escape the subzero temperatures and trade them in for 70-degree days on the beach. The snowbirds who come down to Texas—most of them from the Midwest or Canada—bring this whole new vibe to towns like Port A. Suddenly, the place is buzzing with RVs, campfires, and all these northern folks soaking up the sun.

Debbie Harper: So, are you a snowbird yourself?

Alan Nafzger: I guess you could say I’m a part-time snowbird. I haven’t completely abandoned the cold, but I love to get down to Port A when I can, especially in the winter. There’s something special about that annual migration—it’s like we all become a big, happy beach family.

Debbie Harper: That sounds amazing! Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Alan. I think I might just plan a trip down to the Redneck Riviera myself!

Alan Nafzger: You should, Debbie! There’s always room for one more happy camper.