May 2018 Photography Contest - "In a pinch"

[InterBlog]

Where and when have you used your Airstream out of necessity in the urgency of the moment, rather than because you were checking some fantastic vacation destination off your bucket list?

We tend to think mostly of our rigs in the leisure context, but in fact they can provide a vital home-away-from-home when no other good options are attainable to us.

This theme is inspired in part by the story of Mr. Don Bell of Texas, who bought a camper van specifically so that he could live part time in the parking lot of a medical care facility while his wife was being treated. His story became publicly known because a careless driver smashed his rig shortly after she died - that poor man couldn't catch a break (description here).

Your "in a pinch" story might not be a sad one like that, though. It might involve the birth of a new baby, a family reunion, traveling to your child's sporting event where no accommodations were available, using your rig while volunteering in your community, helping someone known to you by letting them stay in your rig, etc.

If you choose to depict a medical scenario, be sensitive to the associated privacy issues. To kick off the thread, here is my contribution, a lonely Airstream overnighting in a hospital parking lot where a loved one was undergoing a procedure.

[HiHoAgRV]

I used my trailer as a disaster response base in Houston after Harvey. We parked on the airport ramp, right next to the aircraft we were using each day. With all of the rotor wash I didn't dare open the awning!

[Fly at Night]

Thank-you for such an interesting and refreshing theme.

My "in a pinch" story involves my gourmet-food business. I started out in the basement of a run-down Greek restaurant. Not the best place for potential clients to sample product, particularly those brides-to-be, amidst the clatter of banging pots, swearing in Greek -- Scata! -- and the perpetual odour of pungent garlic.

I had also retained a business consultant and professional web designer. We would meet in coffee shops. A lousy place for a consultation, IMO. Noisy and distracting.

So, I decided to make the driveway FaN my sampling kitchen and corporate headquarters. (My product was still made under the Greek restaurant as per health requirements). The FaN was the ideal place to host potential clients and other business interests. The FaN also offered quick and easy access for all, as we are close to a freeway interchange. I was proud to offer my food product and discuss business in the FaN.

Like many upstart businesses, we had our struggles and triumphs. I have recently turned the biz over to a partner, but he would like me to return. I have not decided. Regardless, I will always cherish those beginnings in the FaN. The building of a business is akin to giving birth to a child. The FaN was a great nursery.

Photo: The FaN's interior, a.k.a. corporate HQ.

[Lumatic]

Caught in a compromising position with Dale by Roy.

[waninae39]

all white and stuck between 5th wheelers

[Hibby]

Last year, a friend of mine developed terminal glioblastoma (brain tumor) at the age of 44. He has always hunted with me (ducks, turkey, pheasant, etc...) and several of us took him to Michigan’s U.P. on what was to be his final hunt. Another friend drove his RV so he could sleep when necessary, and we brought a side-by-side ORV to get him as close as possible to the hunting blind.

I hauled the Airstream up to the farm where we camped, hunted, and celebrated a great life.

The photo was taken on our final night.

[OTRA15]

An amazing photo and heart-warming story. Such kindness shown for your friend -- may he rest in peace.

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

An amazing photo and heart-warming story. Such kindness shown for your friend -- may he rest in peace.

I agree.

[silver bean]

Pick the winner Inter Blog...although I think we all know who it is!

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

. . .
Your "in a pinch" story might not be a sad one like that, though.
. . .

Wondering also . . .

Thanks

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by silver bean

Pick the winner Inter Blog...although I think we all know who it is!

Gosh, the pressure is on me!! I'm not sure y'all will agree with me, but this boils down to OP's privilege:

HiHoAgRV. There's no way that anyone can post a Harvey-related story without putting a complete lock on the heart of a Houstonian such as myself. What Harvey did to my area was beyond comprehension. Eighty-two people dead. Fifteen thousand people displaced. One hundred thirty six thousand flooded structures in Harris County alone. Over half a million FEMA registrations for disaster assistance. As I write this, we still have people living in tents in some of our outlying areas, even as daily highs approach 100 degrees F. Houstonians are never complainers - we don't scream and wail when bad things befall us, and as a result, the commercial news media under-reports what happens here. Our composure cuts both ways - it shows our dignity, but to this day, I don't think the rest of America understands how devastating Harvey was and how many peoples' lives were destroyed by it.

OF COURSE, the highest possible honorable mention goes to Hibby for the story that transcends all other reasons why anyone would own an Airstream, or any other brand of vehicle or RV. Or do anything whatsoever with their time and energy. If we can't use what we have to be there for our loved ones, then nothing else could ever matter.

So, HiHoAgRV, the baton is now passed to you. And thanks to everyone for posting.

[HiHoAgRV]

Oh dear, um thanks! I concur that the folks of Houston are cut from a special cloth. Nobody was standing around waiting for help, they dug in and worked thru hardship as a community. We were sent home in half of the expected time because of the local people's efforts.

Let's see what we can work up for a June theme.

[AFTER TAXES]

WOW......very kind !