Tuesday, March 5, 2019

The ‘Silver Twinkies’* Come To Town

We had an interesting event this weekend in our town.  Living on the coast as we do, most events are about water and boats, but this one was about some “land yachts,” — an Airstream trailer rally.  

About 35 or 40 of the sausage-shaped shiny silver trailers rolled into town Friday and gathered at the big boat ramp parking lot near our house for the night.

On Saturday morning they made a parade down the Main Street and then set up camp on several of the downtown streets.































On Saturday afternoon most of the rigs were open for visitors to come in and see.  What a friendly bunch of people!  They opened their doors and invited everyone right in to show you every nook and cranny of their homes.  Some had candy and cookies to offer and all had great stories to tell.  






All we visited were “full-timers” and one couple had been on the road continuously for 12 years!  They had a large map displayed, a maze of red lines — all their trips up, down, and around America in those 12 years.  



These Airstreams were mostly 30 footers, way out of the ballpark of the camper we are looking for, but we sure enjoyed seeing them and chatting with the owners about what it is like to sell everything and live in a home on wheels.  

*



21 comments:

  1. What a great way to get around the country. A new adventure everyday.

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  2. It seems to me that about forty years ago, maybe even a little more, those cavalcades of Airstreams were regular sights, and various events took place where they congregated from all parts of the continent. I haven't seen such a group for years. I could not even imagine living on the road.

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  3. Very cool! It does look like a giant twinkie! HA!

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  4. In Australia these people, mostly retirees are called "Grey Nomads".
    The southern staters all migrate north for the winter months.
    Margaret and Bevan would come into this category.

    Your variety of these caravan "nomads" seem to be using quite old models.
    Probably worth now heaps of money. I bet they are immaculately maintained.
    Great post, Cynthia as only you can do.
    Cheers
    Colin

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    1. Thank you, Colin. Most of the ones we went in were made in the early 2000s. Sometimes on the road we see one of the real old ones made right after the war, all fixed up. I’d like to see inside one of those!

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  5. Our kids had one on a lake lot for a few years, it was fun to visit there:)

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  6. It takes a special person or couple to live a life on the road.

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  7. They look quite spectacular all together.

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  8. We toyed with that idea but not for long. I can't imagine 12 years living out of a trailer. But home is where you make it happen. Does this group travel together or just have meet up points a couple of times a year?

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    1. They seemed to know each other so i think they must meet up and camp together now and then anyway. I know the national group has huge rallies each year where there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of them that get together.

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    2. As to your comment on my blog, I think we have you and your book to thank for some of the thought that went into gathering writings to save for descendants.

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  9. Looks like a fun event. Not sure that I could live in a trailer long term but it would make a nice holiday home.

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  10. The Airstreams are very beautiful and it must be fun to travel in them. I can't imagine towing one though.

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  11. Wow - that would have been great fun talking to everyone about their experiences - they must like it if they've been going 12 years!
    Wren x

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  12. Indeed they have a special past and present aura about then and a price to go with it. Still for the Troutbirders (Barb & Ray)it was the journey that counted. Our pop up camper took us to Alaska and all the States and provinces. Opp I shouldn't have included Hawaii..Those days are long gone now as with Barb in memory care I'm learning to cook and lots of other new thing. Finally getting my computer fix and Dragon allowing me to type brings me back to reading for my book review and reminisces of myoutdoor adventures as well...:) ray

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  13. Fun event! Fun parade! My folks had a smallish one, but it held the six of us. When it was parked at home, it had double duty as a silver motel when relative came to visit.

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  14. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law own a trailer house too and it’s amazing how comfortable it is. It’s like a mini house. It must be so much fun but scary to drive.

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  15. Dear Cynthia, this posting of yours was a real revelation to me. I've just never thought about the possibility of having an Airstream--or any other kind of RV--and selling the house and traveling the country. Of course, now that I don't drive, there's no way to do that, especially since there's no one else who would, I think, be interested in "touring the country" with me! But oh, it does sound like fun.

    What a hoot to have all those Airstreams in the town and to visit them. Aren't people just wonderful! Peace.

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  16. What an interesting way of life. We don't see many Airstreams here in NZ, but the campervan way of life is popular. We hope to do a little next year. Here (in NZ) you can return them from where they have been left by tourists to their homebase and get free use of the camper for a week or so, so long as you can bend your schedule to fit.

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