What a Week!

We had a fantastic week at Alumafandango in Lakeside, Colorado. Rich Luhr and his staff says there were some problems setting up this inaugural event but we hardly noticed. I know we didn't have water or electricity for about 10 minutes and, gosh knows,  that was terrible. 

The very first people we met at the rally were Ken and Julie pictured below. Ken asked me where I was from. "South Carolina",  I said. "Where in South Carolina?"  he asked. "Aiken" I responded. "Really, what part of Aiken?". "You've heard of Aiken?" "Yes, we have a house there". It turns out that I had spoken to them several months ago when a mutual friend told me of their Airstreaming. Nice to meet them in person. Julie was at exercise classes every day. Ken was very helpful in solving Airstream problems.

We took a tour of Timeless Travel Trailers, co-sponsor of the event and experts in rebuilding, designing and redesigning Airstreams and other classic trailers.

Brett conducted the tour.

This Bambi was lifted off its' frame. It will be turned into a pizza place in Australia

Mila and Dan are reflecting in this mirror shinny Airstream. I am to the right looking oh-so skinny.

This multicolored parrot has his picture snapped every 5 seconds.

Fred Coldwell in his 1948 Wee Wind

This 1948 Wee Wind Airstream is in its' original conditioned. "Maintained" but never "rebuilt"

Everything in it is original.

A 40 foot Airstream! The Western Pacific used it to house workers who slept in bunk beds along one side.

Rosie inspects the new digs.

There were dozens of classic Airstreams polished to mirror finishes.

The lovely Diane Bailey with her dog. She owns 4 Airstreams.

Diane's 16 foot Happy Trails

We met in person many people we had only met virtually before. Below are Marlene, the pretty one with the smile and, what-can-I say, Dan

Luka with a K.

The perfect retirement clock

Three rasta dogs we met at the Rally

An Edward Hooper moment at the amusement park adjacent to our campsite

Frank & Debie enjoying the Ferris Wheel

Yvonne & hubby

South Carolina always gets the rap for anything that goes wrong

Here is an aerial shot of Diva. Just ignore all those other so-called Airstreams surrounding Diva

You mean you can't find us? Keep looking. 

Photo by Kevin and Laura of Rivetted, http://www.riveted-blog.com/

Posted by Rich Luhr , http://airstreamlife.com/maze/2012/08/27/1932/

Used without  WITH permission (see comments)

To see some other pictures of Diva, and who wouldn't want to?, go to Kyle and Mary's post.

http://channelsurfingwithgas.com/alumafandango-open-house/

Diva is featured in #84 to 90.

We are now on our way to Oregon via Utah and Idaho.

We're Off / On the Green Road

Saturday July 7, 2012

We left Aiken, SC this morning about 11 AM, Debbie, Rosie and I, with our Airstream and truck packed to the gills. First stop was our log cabin in Tryon, NC. James and Kelley met us there with Galen and Peyton. With all of us working together we quickly emptied the UHall.

Frank & Debbie about to leave Aiken

Frank, Stacey and Debbie

We spent two nights in Tryon. Sunday we went to Gigi's nursing home and brought her to Kelley's to see everyone including Sean. Monday morning we went to visit Jessica and Schuyler in Milford OH. Pam and James joined us there and later Sean Boland and Emily Boland also arrived.

Jessica has a kitten named Rosie. Our Rosie was not impressed.

Colin is a budding comedian.

Nick and Rosie

On Tuesday we drove to Jackson Center, OH home of the Airstream. For Airstream nuts this is like a visit to Mecca for Muslims or to the Vatican for Catholics. We took the factory tour which started out a little boring but when we actually went into the working factory and watched as the Airstreams were assembled it was quite interesting. Rosie didn't like the tour, the loud noise, or any of the workers one bit, however. We placed some foam ear-plugs in Rosie's ears. Later we could not find them. Hopefully, they are laying on the factory floor.

A line-up of classic Airstreams outside of the visitors center

A very nice store full of Airstream parts and accessories

Our tour leader

A 1939 version

A shinny new 2012 just out of the factory. Airstreams are made to order. Most are ordered by dealers for their inventory but some are ordered for a specific customer.

We ran into Cece Reinhardt at the visitor's center

Cece Rinehardt and Brenda Daughtery are full time Airstreamers. Their blog features their travels but also their dedication to eco-friendly travel. Their Dodge diesel truck runs on both regular diesel fuel as well as used cooking oil (yes, cooking oil!). They have made many modifications to their Airstream to lower the impact to the environment. They are meeting with some of the big cheeses at Airstream tomorrow to discuss the possibility of incorporating some of their ideas in future Airstreams. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Cece, to the right, and Brenda joined Debbie, Rosie and me for some libations and  philosophy.

Airstream has a full campground at the factory site which is $10 per night or free if you are having any service done, which we were. Full hook-ups and WiFi included.

Ciao, Frank