We just got back from the Silver Trailer Social in Calistoga California. It was a blast! We had a great time getting there, toured our way through the redwoods along the N. CA coast, stopping at tourist attractions along the way - I love that stuff.
When we got to the rally we discovered there were five Caravels there - four 68s and a 67. One of the 68s was Craig's from Vintage Vacations, and he had completely gone through it and done all kinds of cool little things to it. It was for sale. The Caravel owners immediately got together and started going through each other's trailers, checking out who had what. There were actually a lot of differences, particularly between Ohio and CA units. Some had light wood, some had dark, and all the 68s happened to have dinettes. The 67 was the only one with a gaucho in front. It was great to see all the other Caravels!
There were lots of other cool trailers as well. Lot's of airstreams, and some canned hams, a shasta, a teardrop, a couple really cool aerofoat (I think), and a clipper, among others. It was a blast to go touring through them all.
There were activities and polishing demos, and a potluck, but mostly there was lots of time for just sitting around and making friends, hanging around the campfire at night, and a sing-along even broke out the last night. It was a real blast. Without a doubt the most fun I've ever had at a rally. Even my husband didn't get bored. Definitly worth the 1400 mile round trip!
Hey, Steph, don't you ever work! Seems like you just got back from your trip to Silver Falls State Park, and then off you go again! That's not fair!! Seriously, your trip sounded great...lots of fun sharing with other vintagers. We just got back from a trip to Central Oregon, stayed at a Thousand Trails Preserve as a guest (of them) and thorougly enjoyed it (but didn't purchase membership, much to their chagrin!). Have lots to tell about it (but not on this thread).
Actually my camera was acting weird and I didn't get as many pics as I wanted. I'm still shrinking them, but here's one of the outside of the Vintage Vacations Caravel - talk about shine! I'm kicking myself now for all the pictures I didn't take - oh well, just an excuse to go back next year.
I did meet some folks who used the forums, hopefully they'll post and say hi here. I have a feeling many of them were lurkers. Wouldn't want to 'out' them
Here's the row I was in. I never would have guessed there would be so many little airstreams there. The campground was full of Caravels, Bambis, Pacers, and I think a bubble or wee wind - tiny stuff! There were a lot of very nice globetrotters, Safaris, a couple Tradewinds, and I think one or two big guys. There was a '48 airstream with the rocketeer looking front end - my husband wants one of those now. It was just too cool.
One thing I didn't think to do was wash the trailer before we got to the campground - so everyone else was showing off their shine and we were wearing 700 miles of road dirt! Next time I'll at least swing through a u-wash-it!
Hi Van, there was everything there. That's why it was so cool. I love Airstreams, but I wanted to see how other manufacturers decked out their trailers too. Just about everything was represented there, silver streak, avion, shasta, and some really weird stuff like that Trailorboat - cool!
Tim, I wish you'd said hi. Did you peek in our Caravel with the tropical print covers on the cushions? Lots of people looked inside and said 'hey, I've seen your website'
Craig was asking $35k for the Caravel. It is polished to a mirror shine, and has the coolest aluminum cover on the air conditioner you've ever seen. Inside he rebuilt everything, and it's just gorgeous, of course. I thought the coolest part was that he improved all kinds of little things, but it still has the basic Caravel layout, which can't hardly be improved upon. Here's a few snaps I took of it. I'm going to use some of these ideas in mine.
Shirly and Arlen's Globetroter was spectacular! I was starting to think maybe I should put some effort into shining mine up, the polished ones all looked so nice.
The day with everyone coming through and looking at the trailers was crazy. Of course we were out checking out other trailers as well, so we weren't always at ours. At one point when we had come back and were kicking back in the trailer with another owner, a family poked their head in, and their little kid says 'ewww, this one stinks inside!' and ran back out! Her mother couldn't have been more appalled - 'I'm SO sorry!' she says Too funny! We were just cracking up!
$35k seems like a lot but he'd done a super job on it. I'd take it over a new Bambi any day. It's polished, great layout, lots of little upgrades, brand new top quality wood cabinetry and fabrics, and on top of all that you get to hang with the vintage crowd. Pretty good deal for someone who doesn't want to rebuild their own, but has the money to spend on a new Bambi.
Yep...he does! I'd love to have one of his projects....maybe someday ~
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$35k seems like a lot but he'd done a super job on it. I'd take it over a new Bambi any day. It's polished, great layout, lots of little upgrades, brand new top quality wood cabinetry and fabrics, and on top of all that you get to hang with the vintage crowd. Pretty good deal for someone who doesn't want to rebuild their own, but has the money to spend on a new Bambi. 05-18-2004 10:14 AM
I'm with you Steph...very cool, like an old ship or train car...every bit as nice (or better!?) as a new trailer...HANDMADE & attention to every detail!
Shari
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AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
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