| Author |
Outpost:  On the road in an Airstream  |
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 04:45:14 AM
|
On the thread titled Enjoying my Daffodils, we got on the subject of trailers and trailer camping and so I thought I would give this subject it's own topic heading.
So, to catch up, go to the daffodil thread and then come back! :)
Somewhere in Arizona, I read about a motel that is comprised of authentic Airstreams and other little old house/camping trailers that have been parked, landscaped and rent out each night. That is such a clever idea for a B&B! I read about it in Arizona Highways a couple of years ago.
I never got the pleasure of travelling in an Airstream, but I had a girlfriend when I was 25 or so that lived in the woods in one. She had a garden, and a campfire circle and a group of us used to have so much fun there, with campfires each week-end. It was so tiny inside but so compact and had wood panelled walls. She finally took off for Alaska, alone, and we lost touch. But I sure remember that Airstream...and her.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 08:56:10 AM
|
A few years ago I found a link to women who travel in those 1940's mini-airstream trailers in caravans. I think fishing was their commonality. However, I've searched today and I cannot find that website again. It does present a rather idealized way to travel, I think. Not that I'll have that opportunity, but I can certainly dream!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
 |
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 11:42:26 AM
|
Jp, Your friend must have had a great sense of adventure! I guess there is a little longing for that freedom in a lot of us...But responsibilities of family, jobs, bills to be paid usually win out...It is nice to dream though! A few summers ago a friend of my husbands had a '61 Shasta trailer for sale for a song...It had been restored, had airconditioning, a little handheld shower and toilet, could sleep 6 comfortably and was lined in that light beech wood paneling! A real gem for just a few hundred bucks! Dreams of sewing up vintage print upholstery for the cushions, little curtains and throw rugs, ect. had me seriously considering it. I would haul it on summer trips to lakes on weekends. Take a few "girlfriend only" excursions to festivals and the like... But reason took over, I had a daughter preparing for college and the budget and time is always stretched. Someday there will be a time for my trailer dream...
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 12:51:30 PM
|
I saw something awhile back in Country Living where these women ( sisters, I think) went off "cowgirl caravaning" in their refurbished jet streams. And yes, I think they were into fly fishing Clare!
It's ironic this thread has come up because my husband recently has become obsessed (yes, that is the right word) for this site he discovered about these mini campers you can custom build relatively inexpensively. He thinks this would be a great project for the scout troop to earn their wood working badges and update their troop trailer which sorely needs it. If your interested check out www. tiny teardrops.net , there is a ton of information and it's really neat how people have customized and built things in to accomodate their own needs. Resourcefulness wins again!
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 1:19:38 PM
|
Thanks Bramble for confirming that I'm not going crazy!! I still can't find their info, but I'll keep looking. I did a search for the website that your hubby is studying. Here's the link for it: http://www.mikenchell.com/halloffame.html
I think I might have a TAWANDA moment coming on, as those are soooo cute! I wonder if I can twist my brothers' arms to do this project for me? It would be a piece-o-cake for them as they are handy and skilled... but alas, oh so busy. Hmmm, wonder if we could have a farmgirl workshop week for building our own trailers? 
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 1:21:18 PM
|
Oh those teardrops...they are my favorites...totally totally impractical with my big family but I love them!! Maybe someday!! What a great scout idea!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
|
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 1:43:30 PM
|
Here is a link with plans for the teardrop; and another link for vintage vacations with trailers;
http://www.teardrops.net
www.vintage-vacations.com
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 3:28:07 PM
|
Yes, Meadowlark, my friend did have a great sense of adventure. She was an independent and free woman when the great movement was beginning in the 70's. She drove a school bus for a living, and was also an artist. She loved people and dogs, and I still believe that someday I will meet her again, somewhere, somehow. We had a link, she and I, even though I was the settled one with a husband and then a family, and she was the free spirit but deeply lonely at times. Her name was Martha Crew.
I have done some camping with a trailer - a little pop-up! The stove swung out or in, and the beds were little havens of softness and screen windows, and I would lie in them and listen to the night sounds along the Florida wild rivers, or to the beach sounds along the forgotten coast(in my 20's). Gators do make noise (like a bull), and so do water birds in the night (like a sound from a dream). We hauled a canoe also, and the early morning canoe trips would yield the greatest sense of peace I have known....although an Iowa field breeze and a Grand Canyon view probably compare equally.
Wow, we have a beautiful country - and I know Canada is just as wonderful. It is the coziness of a camper or a trailer that is so sweet. At night, when you are inside and safe, and yet still outdoors, that is a great feeling.
One of the issues of MJF had some old photos of camper homes, didn't it?
jpbluesky |
|
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 4:23:02 PM
|
Jp, So beautifully put...
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
|
|
cecelia
True Blue Farmgirl
497 Posts
cecelia
new york
USA
497 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 5:45:22 PM
|
I haven't heard of an Airstream/trailer motel, but some time ago - don't remember where I read it, but there is a motel consisting of "tepees" - made of wood, I believe they were. The photos showed the insides were modern, sort of a western style, but to enter you had to go through a small doorway, just like in a tepee. Apparently there were quite a few of these motels, but there's only a few left. I think it might have been in Texas, or somewhere down south, or southwest.
Cecelia
ce's farm
"Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery" Victor Hugo |
|
|
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2005 : 5:54:19 PM
|
Clare - good job! What an interesting website!
jpbluesky |
|
|
|
Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2005 : 09:40:39 AM
|
Haven't gone to the web sites yet but have some memories of my own here too. When my husband and I were trying to find suitable living quarters as married college students any where near the WSU campus we found no vacancy signs everywhere and the college did not have married student quarters yet so we went looking for a trailer we could park in a trailer park nearby. We found the most lovely "OLD" airstream trailer you could ever want! It was affordable and had been owned by an old couple who took immaculate care of it polishing the lovely wood that was everywhere until it gleamed like glass. We wanted that trailer very badly so made an earnest money down payment and went looking for a spot to park it so we could attend school. Well, we found nothing within over 100 miles where we could park it so had to give up on that idea. We decided to attend Whitworth college in Spokane instead because they did have a married student facility that they called "The Ball and Chain" We found we had to get on a waiting list to get in so were able to find a cute tiny house in town we could afford($85.00 per month) where we ended up living for the full four years of our schooling. The ball and chain waiting list was long and the students stayed there the full four years of their education as long as both were enrolled in the school. Whitworth dropped their engineering program 2 years after we began there so my husband ended his schooling at Gonzaga and I continued at whitworth one more year.
I still think about that wonderful little trailer and wish we had been able to purchase it back then. When we decided to move to the country we bought an unimproved piece of property and also an Avion fifth wheel to live in while we got our property ready to build our home. The Avion is just as nice as the airstream and a lot bigger than that one we fell in love with so long ago. We lived in it full time for over 5 years and were never uncomfortable! Small but very compact with every comfort we could dream of including some we had never had prior such as 2 TVs, one in the bedroom. Fortunately there has never been any reception out here with out cable hook up so we did not get into the trap of watching a lot of tv. We did however get into watching a lot of video movies. At least we could be choosy about what we watched.
I dream of being able to buy a big truck that will comfortably haul it so we can go visiting our kids any time we want to.
As for unusual bed and breakfast ideas, We spent the night in a leaky little airstream on Whidby Island one night when we had gone for a visit to the island and found that all of the ferry services had ended at 6 pm so we could not get off of the island that night unless we wanted to drive over deception pass in a terrible storm. I was 8 months pregnant at the time and we were in a VW beetle.All the hotels were full on the island so one nice hotel owner allowed us to stay in his personal hunting trailer over night rather than stay all night in the VW waiting for the first morning ferry. It poured all night long with wind that rocked the trailer so hard I thought we would tip over  and then it began to leak right in the middle of the bed . The bed was built in so we ended up one sleeping on the couch and the other sleeping upright in the chair. Until then I had no idea it was possible for one of those lovely trailers to leak!
Aw Camping!
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
|
|
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2005 : 1:15:41 PM
|
Hmm....a man and wife, her very pregnant, away from their home with no place room at the inn and given the kindness of an innkeeper to stay in a small but rustic place. Story sounds very familiar! :)
What wonderful memories, Eileen! Have you shared this with your child you were preggie with?
jpbluesky |
|
|
|
Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2005 : 2:12:04 PM
|
JP,
Can't remember if I have shared that one with our oldest son. It was our first vacation and we were also looking for employment after college graduation that week. What a greuling trip it was being so pregnant. Hubby found a promising job to go to after graduation however so it was profitable.
Eileen
There is another interresting Bed and Breakfast near here in Sequim that is composed of old refurbished train cabooses! It is so cute that I want to have a stay there sometime. Hard to justify though being so close.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
|
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2005 : 5:33:42 PM
|
GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! Check this out! In the Jan/Feb 2005 issue of Western Interiors and Design Magazine, there is an article entitled "Arizona Trailer Camp". It features the trailer park totally inhabited by vintage rv's, and a diner. This is the link to the magazine cover; however, apparently there isn't a link to the actual article, which is shame because there are wonderful, color photos of the insides of these trailers. Maybe there's a magazine distributor in your area that would have the magazine still on file. (I just received mine today, but I think I'm on the catch up list... I traded in some airline miles for a few magazine subscriptions.) http://www.westernid.com/11/index.htm
You can also check out the park's own website at http://www.theshadydell.com for some exterior photos of the trailers and park. Hmmm.... maybe we should have a southwest farmgirl gathering, eh?? 
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
|
|
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2005 : 02:27:11 AM
|
Clare, you found it! I browsed through all the photos, and what a great, neat place! If only I were a little closer, there would be a week-end trip in my plans! Thanks for locating this site - fun!
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
|
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2005 : 07:19:56 AM
|
Clare-- How cool is that?!!! Thanks for the info, I am going to contact them because my son's best friend just moved to Arizona and we had to promise we would come visit. Nice when the parents get to be friends too! It would be fun to take a step back in time , and get to go sight seeing too! This is just getting better and better! I LOVE IT!
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2005 : 08:26:02 AM
|
| Bramble, if you go to visit during summer vacation, be sure to inquire about A/C in the trailers.... if they don't have it, they'll be ovens for sure! It's a very cute idea, but some things are just "must-haves" in 100+ degree temps. I hope you'll give us a report when you return! |
|
|
|
MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2005 : 12:44:25 PM
|
What a fun site! Thanks Clare for sharing this! I am gathering up different and fun vacation ideas to celebrate DH and my 25th this summer... The little Airstream "Honeymoon" trailer looks tempting and so romantic! Arizona is a good 2-3 days drive from us but what a fun way to spend some special time together! A/C would be a must though, especially in July!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
|
|
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2005 : 05:04:42 AM
|
In the photos of the different units, I think those little boxes on top of the airstreams may be climate control. Am I wrong?
jpbluesky |
|
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2005 : 1:30:22 PM
|
That would be correct Jeannie! I would like to go out in October or November but I don't think the kids want to wait that long! That would be ideal for the not heat loving me! AC is a MUST!!!
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2005 : 3:56:51 PM
|
I wanted to stay at the Tepee Hotel in Arizona when we took our Route 66 vacation years ago, but my ex husband wouldn't sleep in a hotel next to the train tracks. I was bummed.....
I've seen the article in Country Living on the girls and their trailer caravan. Too much fun!
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
|
|
|
Jacqueline
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Jacqueline
Burbank
CA
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2005 : 8:15:26 PM
|
HI there,
I'm new here, and in truth I thought I would be browsing first, but this thread caught my eye and I just had to reply. So excuse the interuption.
I am the proud new owner of a vintage 1980 17 foot long Aristocrat camper trailer. :) Granted, it's not an airstream, but we could not have afforded an airstream.
I work at Rennaissance Faires in California. I own a booth selling my fairy art there, and basically have to live on site every weekend for seven weeks in a row. So we found this camper on Ebay and bought it for $900 and are fixing it up now. All the inner workings have been updated so we have perfect plumbing, eletric etc...and now I'm 'girlify-ing' it! Thats the fun part....Since I'm an artist I'm having fun painting it, and getting new curtains and rag rugs and candles and things for it.
Anyway, just though you guys might be interested to know there are ways to get this same vintage feeling as an airstream, but for a heck of a lot less. :) |
|
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2005 : 8:43:19 PM
|
Jacqueline, welcome! You'll have to link us to some pics of your trailer when you're done refurbishing it. I'd love to see it!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
|
|
|
bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2005 : 8:53:14 PM
|
Jacqueline-- What a great project and one that will make your life much easier at the shows. I did weekend shows also but never 7 in a row at the same place. You are dedicated!One of the sites we were all checking out had an assortment of camper/trailers and a wide range of prices. Sounds like you got a great deal! What fun to be customizing to fit your neeeds! Glad to have you on the forum, annd hope to hear more from you soon! Please post some photos of your progress with the camper!
with a happy heart |
|
|
|
Outpost: On the road in an Airstream |
|
On the road in an Airstream
