Adventures in our Airstream

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The beginning: We dreamed of owning an Airstream for awhile. Then we decided we would not pursue that dream and began to look at other small campers. While searching for other campers, this little 20 foot Bambi Front Bedroom appeared on the first page of our search in our area. We were stunned, and couldn’t believe our eyes. It was only 18 months old, and seldom used, and  so very new looking, and only a half hour away!

The owner brought Bambi for us to look over in early December and we were able to agree on a fair price. MERRY CHRISTMAS to us!

---

FORT WORDEN

February 2017: First Outing. Fort Worden in Port Townsend WA in the beach camping area. Training expedition. Learned so much.

---

ARIZONA

April 2017: First long distance outing to Apache Junction, AZ. Terrain included mountains and deserts. We gained valuable information. We learned new skills. When we arrived in Apache Junction, we were already searching for a truck to get the Bambi back home. We purchased 2011 Dodge Ram in AZ and headed home.

 

---

   

LAKE EASTON WA

August 2017: First real GET AWAY” R&R trip. Lake Easton State Park, Easton WA. Another learning experience. Gained some confidence in going over mountain passes, maneuvering small corners. Finding we still need a better way to haul the bikes.

 

---

SIDE TRIPS

October 2017: Ocean side camping for 2 nights in the State Park at Ocean Shores, WA. Returned home in blinding rain and found snow at home later that day.

February 2018: Anticipating the small room size of the 20′, we began to consider a longer Airstream. After searching all winter for a 23′ FB (front bedroom) Airstream with a walk-around queen bed, we decided to check our local Airstream dealer to see what they had in stock and what kind of trade we could arrange.

We discovered the 23′ Corner bedroom with a front dining room was a roomier set up and better storage options than the 23 Front Bedroom model. They had a used 23 Corner (same age as our 20′) in stock with red ultra-leather and very little use, actually probably never used! Most of the parts appeared unused (the plastic wrapper was still on the mattress, even!). We were happy with the swap and our own bank helped with the financing at similar rate and monthly payment. Good deal. We finally decided on a name for the new rig… ROO! She tows well on double axles and parks much easier than the 20’… AND more storage! Better living area with lots of windows! Win, win! We made the trade and brought Roo home March 7.

No time to try out the new rig, we went to Hawaii in March for two weeks (minus the Airstream) to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary that was coming in July (and way too busy to travel then!).

Thus, we were too busy to test drive the new rig. In April  we continued to prepare our house for sale until it sold in late May. Still just enjoying Roo in the backyard on occasion.

---

OCEAN SHORES REST

July 1-5: Ocean Shores, WA. FINALLY, dead tired from moving out of our house of 28 years, we went to Ocean Shores and we just biked and rested for the entire time at the ocean. (…and didn’t even go “look at” the ocean!)

While there, we discovered some missing items we would need to add to the rig for the next trip. Since then we had  added a bike rack to make some room in our small pickup bed, and also installed the car-top carrier for “attic space”.

The four day getaway was much needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you, neighbor Dennis, for letting us park in your place!

---

CALIFORNIA REDWOODS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 9-20: California excursion: Redwoods, oceans and deserts, plus seeing a great granddaughter. The trip was a great learning experience in the new rig, Roo. We’ll go through there again next spring. It was HOT!

 

---