The Silver Affair - Part 1

I wish I could blog to you a wistful, romantic story about how I fell deeply, hopelessly, in love with vintage Airstream trailers, but my affair with aluminum began rather suddenly, and without warning or fanfare.

It began just a few years ago, when Jack and I realized our kids were old enough for us to step out of our comfort zone. It was time to explore, travel, commune with nature. Camp. We both had fond memories of camping when we were kids.

For my sisters and I, camping was a kid-fun wonderland. Everything was exciting. Especially sleeping bags, stink bugs, dirt, flashlights, campfires, raccoons, and creeks (and not necessarily in that order.) I longed to give our own kids that experience. So, after some husband convincing, we chose a campground, packed up the family-mobile, and off we went…to be one with nature.

I’d be lying if I told you we had fun. Or, if I told you about all the exciting, wonderful memories we made on that first camping trip as a family - but, quite frankly, it sucked. I really had NO CLUE just how much effort my parents invested in a weekend camping trip until I tried it. About 2 hours into our maiden voyage, repressed memories of my Dad stomping around and cursing as he fumbled with the “%#&*ing tent” came flooding back. And of ants in the food, and Mom nursing bee stings and poison oak patches. Oh, and I suddenly remembered being cold and having sand in my sandwich, and of warmish milk, and being freakin’ tired because no one sleeps, and, well, you get the picture. Tent camping was so out.

Thankfully, I’m not the type to give up easily, so after the pain of our first family camping experience began to fade, I pitched some alternative forms of camping to Jack – how about a camper shell? Pop-up trailer? RV? It took a few months, but eventually, we checked ‘em all out. Anything we could afford to buy was white and plastic, and reeked of 1980’s retirement home inside. It was clear that square and fiberglass just wasn’t our bag.

Then it happened. In between two giant white plastic toy haulers as they were eclipsing the sun, Jack uttered the words that I will never forget; “What about an Airstream?” That was all it took. Those four little words. It was all over – and it all began.

Stay tuned for part II……