Thoughts about Airstream living.
This camping thing means different things to each kind of folk. The people
I work with think that I camp out all of the time. Some seem envious,
others question sanity.
I have a solid brickbat house complete with the pool, pool table and
Bosendorf. I only go there on occasional weekends. I prefer the Airstream.
My work keeps me on the road most of the time and when I'm not traveling the
office is 240 miles from the house.
For me home is where I hang my hat at.
The folks at the office travel one and one quarter hours each way on good
days to get to work. My, what I call home base Travel Park is eight minutes
from the office. I drive four hours each way on the weekends to get to the
house. My over the road wear and tear is semi-negligible. They buy new
vehicles every other year. Mine last about six years. I am only at the
office maybe three to four months each year. The rest of the time I park
within a few miles of whatever project I have. I get to visit places that I
otherwise would never see.
This is the way I have lived since 1967 except for about six years in the
late 1980's. The company I worked for had me pushing a desk for a while,
until I finally escaped. During that time I got a house that was about
three blocks from the Travel Park that I use now. Kept a 69' A/S in the
back drive, stayed in the trailer more than the house. Still had the
240-mile drive back then.
Wow, I can tell you all about the neighborhood nazi's, they slurp big time.
The Airstreams have been like an old friend. There have been six or so that
I have lived in, several others for parts, and another one was just a good
buy. As soon as I would get another one I would hang a for sale sign in it
and after a while someone would pay me more than I gave for it. The one I
presently live in is a 79' and it is the newest one I have ever owned. Now
I know this one lacks a while before it is Vintage but it is really the most
comfortable one I have ever stayed in. Has the gray water tanks and thermal
windows. I removed the awning from another 31' that I have and now there
are two mounted on this one. The solar panels are now installed and just
about all of the lighting has been changed over to florescence. A surplus
UPS works on demand to furnish whatever 110vac that I think I need except
for the air conditioner. This one is the keeper. If I could find another
Caravel like the first A/S I had I believe I would snatch it up in a hurry
just for old time sake.
After a while you become acquainted with their foibles. Water heaters have
to be replaced, cooling fans installed behind the refrigerator, water pumps
fixed, wheels packed, brakes replaced, batteries minded, switches and
brushes replaced in the furnace and door locks repaired. There are never do
things also. Never leave an awning out while away or at night. Never
install mini blinds, they are dust collectors and only look neat for about
three months. Never wash curtains, they shrink. Never throw away any part
of the door latch even if you installed a new one. Never throw away the red
knob off of the old water heater. If you get in a tight in the winter you
can use a blower motor from the auto parts place. Never throw the suburban
one away. They can be fixed and use only one half of the electricity than
any thing else you put in there. Don't full time in a polished one.
I guess I could go on and on with my opinions. I have wandered around here
way too much.
I don't call staying in an Airstream camping; it is a way of life.
Dean
Dean Sale
A Defender of Liberty and Advocate
of Freedom for Texas and Texians
Let's Live as Texans, Free Again
One of the Broaddus Six
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, July 02, 2000 7:02 PM
Subject: [VAC] Is this realy camping?
