A Time to Grow Up

AS many of you know, I have owned Airstream and Avion trailers for many years. I bought my first Avion and Airstream in the same year, 1981. The Avion was purchased first and was a 1969 25' model. It had a side double bed with front sofa and it was prized by me. Later that same year, I bought a 1962 24' Tradewind. It was a front gaucho trailer, with free standing table, and mid-ships gaucho with side vanity, and a rear bath. A friend at a local RV dealer located it for me. I sold the Airstream after 6 months, doubled my money, and considered it a good money making deal.

Fast forward to today, when I have owned more than 50 trailers, some Airstream, some Avion, some Shasta, Apache, Frolic, Champion, Hi-Lo, and Spartan to name a few. Way in the back, in a nice enclosed garage, I have always kept my "one special trailer". It is a 1964 Bambi II. It was on the list of things to finish one day. But, time marches on. Yes, I SOLD IT today. It can be better used by someone else. I had kept it out of the rain and weather for the past 26 years. A good body, straight lines, clean interior, and a rarity among Airstreams, NO ROT in the floor, not anywhere. The axle was shot. But it was still special. 26 years is along time to hold on to something. I had to grow up and let it go.

Time Flies

Since it has been SO long since I last posted, I'll have to get everyone up to speed on my trips, travels, and otherwise (goofingoff). I spent some time with friends at Linville Falls Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway over the 4th of July. It rained a bit each evening, but that made for perfect temps since I was boondocking. The cool evenings were well suited for a roaring campfire and marshmellows.

On the 20th of July, I went to the old wild west theme park of Ghost Town in the Sky, located in Maggie Valley, NC. It was a perfect day for a trip to the mountains, windows down driving on the parkway, and very little traffic. Balsam Mountain CG just outside of Cherokee was about half full. It is a perfect get-away and very secluded. Night time temps were in the low 50's in this area at 5300 ft elevation. We were cautioned to watch out for black bears and to keep our food in the bearproof lockers.

This past weekend, 08-02-08, I visited The Biltmore House, in Asheville, NC. I had not been there since the 100 year anniversary of the house in 1995. Later in the evening, the south terrace of the estate came alive with about 3000 people enjoying the summer concert series. KC and the Sunshine Band were the headline performers. The sunflowers in the picture are on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate.

Oh yeah, and sometime this past month (July 12), I found a 1948 Spartan Mansion 30 footer. It was almost local by being only 19 miles from my house. This one is in great shape for being 60 years old. The original range and fridge are in place and DO still work. These old trailers just keep following me home. Really....they do....I can't say no....They need a home....so why not?