Blogging in Aluminum

The drive to Pyramid Lake was so easy (just 50 miles outside of Reno) that we have already decided to make a second trip before the start of summer, would anyone like to join us?

The lake was spectacular.  As you come around a small bend the lake comes into view, as well as the rock formation jutting out of lake that gives it it’s name.  Blue and green water surrounded by the desert and the sky was bright blue.  If ever you think of traveling to the northern Nevada desert, put this on your list of must sees.   Not too long after we arrived at the lake we saw them.  A few little twinkles of silver in the distance.  I would be a total lier if I said I didn’t get excited and that I didn’t let out some sort sound like "whoo-hoo!"  We pulled into Pelican Point and Brian Leipper came out to welcome and direct us to well, nowhere.  Put more succinctly, "Park wherever you can find a spot"  We found a spot that was, well, perfect.  Our "living room" backed up to the lake and the communal campfire was about 10 feet away. 

Three miles away from the rally site was a local market/bar/eatery/fishing supply place called Crosby’s.  Roman met two guys who convinced him that to not go fishing there was near criminal so one of them helped him pick out a $28 fishing pole, some lures and fishing line.  He was invited to join them at 4:30am for their morning session… he declined, what a wuss.  I offered to make coffee if he wanted to go.  >;)  It was good to see Rome getting excited to go fishing, he had a pretty stressful last couple of months and I knew he really needed "guy time".  Besides, that meant I would get the Airstream all to myself, hee-hee.

It is spring in Tahoe (which means there is still plenty of snow on the ground but the days are getting longer and warmer) and it is time to start rallying!  For the SNU, March is the first rally month of the year and this time we were all headed off to Pyramid Lake for 3.5 days of pure bliss (in my opinion).  Rome and I spent the night before the rally in the Airstream at our friend’s house (it’s winter home in Carson City) to get it ready for it’s first SNU trip of the year.  We had to de-winterize, re-stock, and get re-acquainted with all the 2008 systems.  For the first time ever we would be leaving for a rally on the first day!  Usually we only make it for one or two days and it means alot of prep for a very short trip.  Two days is really too short to get the full rally experience.  We arrived in at Vince and Meg’s house th night before and were welcomed with bbq ribs and a movie.  Not a bad way to get the rally season started.  I walked out to the Airstream and opened her up.  "Aaaaaaaahhhhhh."  The familiar smell and sights made me almost cry with relief.  Even though we did go camping last month in our ’75 with my dad…. that was a MONTH ago!!!!  In addition to the fact that we have not camped in a month, there has been no twinkly aluminum beauty of any sort in our driveway for the entire winter season! (see here for more of this lament) No "Good Morning, Melissa!" From our driveway.  No morning coffee in the safe haven of the trailer’s dinette, no "Blogging in Aluminum".  It has been blogging ABOUT aluminum from the dining room table and the office.  I have been feeling like a fraudulent blogger.  I digress…  So, I was back in the International and very gleefully packing, re-stocking and cleaning all that night.  I rinsed all the pink gook out of her water systems and felt the warm familiar glow growing inside as I said "Let’s Go Camping!" 

As we drove through Carson City I was happy, elated, joyful, ecstatic, full of glee and merriment at seeing the sparkling bundle of joy following me at every turn in the side mirrors.  I stole glances in shop windows as the trailer was reflected in the glass.  Slowly moving from pane to pane as we drove by.  I felt like a Toyota commercial in the making   We were not just on our way to go camping, we were going airstreaming. 

It’s a dreary looking Thursday morning and I am gratefully sipping my coffee hovering over my new Macbook Pro (which by the way is probably way cooler than my new shoes or the Garmin GPS thingy put together) window shopping for cool new items to take camping this spring/summer.  Our unit’s first rally of the year is coming up at the end of the month and I am getting a little anxious to get ready to go to Pyramid Lake.  Rome and I have been too busy with work, taking a few trips to SoCal and the Bay in the trailers and living through all of live’s hurdles so we weren’t able to make any of our unit’s luncheons.  It will be good to see everyone.  The last rally of 2007 was in October and feels like it was aeons ago.  We have gotten quite a bit more experienced at Airstreaming since our first rally last year…

We showed up in the dark on the last night of the rally with an Airstream (our first) having never camped in an Airstream before and having absolutely no familiarity of the one we were about to test out.  We had never met in person anyone from the unit or WBCCI and we had no idea what to expect.  Brian had been so helpful and patient when we called with our myriad of questions regarding what to bring and our nervousness about bringing a 30+  year old trailer camping for the first time.  It was a relief that the unit was where the directions led us to (I know that Roman was questioning my judgment of getting us to join an Airstream club in the first place and we were concerned that we were lost in the nevada desert) and to see the inviting camp fire welcoming us in to the fold.  Brian Leipper came walking toward us with a warm hello and much appreciated directions on where to park and the importance of leveling.  Then, as all new WBCCI members will discover, the informal time honored ritual of "leveling the newbies" commenced.  Levels (the yellow plastic kind with the little bubble) were pulled out of pockets and we were shown the art of leveling the trailer.  We were told important tidbits such as always try to be as level as possible, not just for comfort but to also extend the life of your RV refridgerator.  It then dawned on me that the previous owner of our trailer left us a very thoughtful gift of a little round level in the frig on purpose.  I always keep one in the fridge now for a quick check.  Our trailer was inspected, photographed and toured by the club. We were educated on what was original, what had been replace or upgraded and how to turn things on like the water heater and stove.  We spent the remainder of our first rally night sitting by the warm campfire (it was a cold night in April) listening to stories and some very funny anecdotes from the long-time members.  We  returned early to our trailer to spend some more time exploring and playing with our new toy. When we awoke the following morning we surprised to learn that it had snowed during the night and everything was covered in a thin layer of frosty white snow.  We decided to stay an extra day and night after almost everyone left (Anita stayed too) because we figured after all the time and effort, why not?  If you have ever been even a tiny bit nervous about owning a vintage Airstream.  Don’t be.  Just join the WBCCI, hook up, go to a rally and be assured that you will be in the company of very experienced and capable and friendly people.  Can’t wait to get to Pyramid Lake!

Everyone has asked to see more photos of the 1975 Tradewind… here are some interiors and a couple exteriors.  As you see, "Pepsi" (named by previous owners and we promised to keep the name) is in beautiful condition.  People always wave as we drive her down the road!

For those who love to see the sights of San Francisco without paying for expensive hotel rooms, costly overnight parking and would like a beachfront view… I think I have found the holy grail. Airstreaming. Roman, my father and I headed off to the Bay Area for the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, with the new to us 1975 Tradewind (Pepsi). My father, being from Chinatown originally, is the perfect companion to take along to get a “locals” perspective on the celebrations and the history of the city. We wanted to have at least 3 days to explore, and hotel rooms for  3 can be quite costly in the city, so we decided to test out the new Airstream. We picked an RV resort in Pacifica because it was the only one with full hook-ups close to the city and having not rv-camped with my 82 year old dad for several years, we decided creature comforts might make the trip easier. We were delighted to find that our campsite was feet from the ocean and had wonderful views! After a very cold rainy New  Year ’s parade we were welcomed back by the cozy warmth of the ‘75 Tradewind. My dad made friends with the only other Airstream (and it’s owner Sandra) in the park, a DWR Bambi, and he fell in love with the simple design of the Bambi. (Roman says that dad now has a case of Aluminitis [could be genetic] because now we have been commissioned to find a Bambi for my dad. He had so much fun and loves the idea of having a little Airstream to go camping on the coast and finding new golf courses on the way. He seems to be partial to the CCD Bambis) Three days later we had our fill of cable car rides, shopping, fresh crab from the warf, irish coffees from the Buena Vista and too much great food to mention, so we decided to head off to Santa Cruz for an additional 3 days. We were lucky enough to secure a campsite at Seacliff (another spectacular beachfront site) and enjoy the end of the Lunar New Year festivities.