The Start Of The Dream

Before my T1NCAN found me, I was dream'n and learning about vintage Airstreams. One of the places I found online early on was http://www.airforums.com/. On Air Forums I had to sign up to be able to ask questions so I came up with the handle (online persona) as "TinCanDreamN". I would get an email digest weekly of Q&A's as well as be able to search the classified section on the forum. I would periodically check out what was available to study price, condition, models and location of trailers that were for sale. I have been on Air Forums since 2007! Considering I didn't buy my trailer until October 2017 that is a lot of time seriously dreaming about getting a trailer. Add that to the childhood fascination with wanting to get my own and I am around 40yrs + of dreaming about a vintage trailer. As my interest aged and ahem, matured my love of the vintage trailers remained. I never looked at new trailers with the same interest.

My family was aware of this interest (and obsession) so I would be gifted Airstreams! My disappointment was always that it was not a "real" Airstream. The books fed my interest in vintage and seeing what other people do to honor the vintage theme while having a modern home on wheels. The needlepoint pillow has lived happily in my home in a place I could view it and let myself dream about the vintage trailer life in fall. I find it hugely ironic that my capture mission of T1NCAN actually happened on the most beautiful New England fall day, exactly like this needlepoint image. The stars just came into alignment at that time and I completely forgot about the pillow until I focused on it again that winter, dreaming again while my trailer over-wintered at the local Airstream dealership. So now the pillow has an even more special place in my Airstream obsession.

The little trailer soap was a gift from one of my kids and all I have been able to do is remove the plastic. Will I ever be able to actually use it and see it diminish with every use, maybe not?

My plan to get a vintage trailer is so that I can renovate it and get it figured out so that when I have time to explore the trailer will be ready and waiting to go out. The title of the book above is "Retire to Adventure" written by Harrison M Karr in 1962. It was most likely a limited print edition and it sells for ~$80 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Retire-Adventure-Harrison-M-Karr/dp/B003VZXLHK. I don't have this book, huge hint to my family if they need a future gift idea!

The authors grandson had this to say in 2007.

 "This book is by my grandfather, and he would be astonished to learn how much one copy costs now! I have wonderful memories of camping with Grandma and Grandpa Karr in the Sierras and in Mexico with old number 58 (their Airstream). We had the coach here on our farm up until a few years ago, when we finally sold it. There is actually a photo of me with my family in the book. I'd love a copy, but cannot spend 80 bucks for it!

After all these years it is still a good read, and actually quite timely, as more and more of us boomers look at retiring. Who wants to go directly to the rocker on the front porch? I too want adventure, and Harrison and Shirley Karr had some doozies!"

 

Wally Byam, founder of Airstream company and WCCBI club for touring said he wasn't selling travel trailers he was selling a lifestyle! I don't think any other camper trailer company has achieved the same heritage with their product. I can say the appeal for me is in the product of the vintage trailers but it is reinforced with the community that comes with owning an Airstream. Will my trailer ever get to Holland? Maybe Holland, Michigan that is certainly attainable. But knowing that I could travel all over the world with my trailer is what actually keeps the dream for BIG adventure alive and well. And because Airstream trailers get purchased and shipped all over the world, I know that there are fellow WCCBI club members taking their trailers to these exotic locations and they share those experiences.

So the books have helped shape and reinforce my vision of owning and renovating my own vintage Airstream. The dreaming continues with each small project as they get me closer to actually getting out on the road. I'm not in a hurry but I do want to keep things progressing. The mechanical systems are not my forte but I think if I can do the work myself then maybe I can repair it myself when it really matters when we are out on the road.

I love this picture of someones renovated trailer where they used maps to wallpaper the bathroom. You will see how this influenced my shower curtain in a future post. So finally the dream is REAL and the work is "in progress". Please sign up for updates to this blog and share in the adventure and maybe we will meet in the future on the road.