Airstream Chronicles

1968 Airstream Trade Wind, twin model, built in Jackson Center, OH
purchased from a family in Michigan in September 2006

We took the Airstream down to Brown County State Park for a few days during the October break. Leaves were really confused by the warm weather. By the time we left, some cool weather had coaxed some color into the maples, yellow woods, and smaller trees and bushes like dogwoods, persimmons, and sumac. We had Rachel's perfect sabbatical schedule each day: breakfast, a walk, lunch, a nap, supper, and in between all of those highlights, lots of reading and "quiet time."

We've taught ourselves a lot about campground Airstreaming by making the short trip down to Brown County State Park, IN, a few times this past spring, summer, and fall. We've gone for as few as a couple of days, to as long as our recent six day sojourn. It's a beautiful place to learn about this kind of camping.

We will be working on the Airstream for years to come, from the looks of things. We feel pretty safe about driving at least as far as the state parks. I had the axles checked out, new electric brakes added, with new breakaway. Some new tires would be a good idea first thing next season. For now, we're good to go for tailgating downtown. And, we feel safe with the systems (water, gas, electricity). But, some major upgrades are needed.

Go Colts!

Go long, Gavin! Mom Krista warms up for the big game in the Lilly parking lot.

Rachel, Chiclette, and me hanging out pre-game. Remember how hot it was that day? Yuk! But, we won!!!

I even took the Airstream to Chicago to celebrate Laurel's new book. Here we are by the U. of C. Lab School, just down from the Robie House on 58th in Hyde Park. I'm sure stranger things have happened, but we did attract some attention, including very nice fellow Airstreamers (66 Sovereign). Jim goes to the Lab School, ninth grade, and dad John works for the university.

Paul's toast to the author for her latest accomplishment, Beyond Monotheism.

Parked beside the University of Chicago Lab School

The Robie House, houses the Frank Lloyd Wright museum and tour.

John and Jim stopped by after school (UC Lab School) one day, proud owners of a 1966 Sovereign of the Road, a much bigger family model of Airstream. They invited me to join in a rally coming up in Illinois -- maybe next time!

We know that the upholstery and carpet have to go. Someone updated the cushions in recent years, but the frames are original and the carpet is old Michigan hunting-lodge gross. Well, at least we don't mind having the old carpet while we are making repairs. How about that Naugahyde and the lovely floral print? I'm hoping to update with some of my collections of fly fishing "stuff" and to make more space for reading and writing.



But, such superficial concerns will come much later. First, we have to rehab at least the back end, gut the bath/shower/lav, holding tank, and, most likely, repair the flooring. The floor (don't have a good picture yet) is not rotten, but a previous owner seems to have cut away a piece of the flooring to make room for some plumbing repairs. That's not good for long-term use and travel. These rear-end bath models have a tendency to separate under the weight of the holding tank. The integrity of the frame/floor/shell are crucial to a happy trip, I'm told.

And, there is the matter of the accident that the previous owners had coming down from upstate MI to meet me with the trailer. Going 80mph on the interstate, the p.o. discovered that he failed to tighten the lugs on one of the wheels when the wheel came flying past him on the road. The skin is torn and will have to be repaired -- another winter afternoon or two (at least) of work to be done.

I'm told these skin repairs are not impossible -- just the kind of encouragement I need to tackle the steep learning curve it will require, including riveting and sheet metal cutting.

Speaking of travel, we learned that our Airstream was born to travel, not to park for more than three days with the kind of heavy use of the water system and the holding tank (black tank, sewer, etc.) that we had over the recent break. We felt that without water and sewer hookups, always the case at the state parks, we would have to refill the water tank and dump after three days, even if we didn't use the shower. We like to cook, and we use a lot of water with cleaning up the pots and pans and dishes. However, knowing these limits gives us encouragement to plan to travel more after we know we have the frame, axles, wheels, and tires to take us on a longer journey. Yes, this is certainly a PROJECT!