My First Year as A Full-Time Airstreamer

[utahredrock]

Today is the one year anniversary of my life as an Airstreamer.


I've come full circle. I left Phoenix on this day and subsequently hit 27 of these United States.


I've had brushes with famous Airstreamers like Rich Luhr of Airstream Life, Colin Hyde of GSM Vehicles and the Vintage Airstream Podcast (VAP), Larry Huttle of Airstream. I camped next to Matthew McConaughey's trailer in Malibu (he wasn't in it).


The four corners of my year were Perry, Georgia; Burlington, Vermont; Seattle, Washington; and San Diego.


I began my year with no money, nothing but a new and unfunded business to support myself. I survived, even thrived by selling meteorites, jewelry, and anything else I could think of that would make a buck. I grossed just over $100,000 and managed to finish the year without too much more debt than when I started.


My dog and I bonded with our 1973 Airstream Trade Wind. We met owners of other brands of RVs that we thought were pretty cool though we still don't understand the attraction of big ugly white boxes. Some people just have no style, but it doesn't make them bad people.


Quartzsite, Arizona was the single place I spent the most time in and I loved it.


You can read more on my year and see photos at utahredrock.com


If you've never full-timed in your Airstream, then what the heck are you waiting for? High fuel prices stopping you? Just be resourceful. I went over 30,000 miles starting with no money. If I could do it, just about anyone can!


Cheers,


Jim Breitinger
An Airstreamer [back] in Phoenix
utahredrock.com

[moosetags]

Thank yoy, Jim. I enjoyed hearing of your travels. Are going to continue fulltiming back in Phoenix?

[utahredrock]

I am still full-timing for the moment. I will likely find land-based housing for the summer to better escape the heat here. It will be a sad day when I move out of my aluminum home, but it will likely be just for 3-4 months--though time will tell. I love living in my Airstream!

[SilverBreeze]

Happy Anniversary

[centennialman]

Nice story Jim.....you are living the fulltiming dream and being successful at it!

Thanks for sharing your adventures on the blogs!

[utahredrock]

I never would have guessed I'd have such an irrational attachment to a trailer!

[utahredrock]

I am curious to know of any other full-timers who are also still working full time? I met a handful on the road this past year, but we seemed to be a pretty small crowd.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by utahredrock

I am curious to know of any other full-timers who are also still working full time? I met a handful on the road this past year, but we seemed to be a pretty small crowd.

I am.

[utahredrock]

Amazing photographs. Is that your work, photography?

[utahredrock]

The other full-timing and working Airstreamers I met:

Publishes a magazine (Airstream Life--met in Perry)
Underwater photography (met in Malibu)
Swallows swords (met via magazine publisher)
Sells meteorites (yours truly)
Another photographer (I am thinking . . . via Air Forum, see above)
Computer guru (also met via magazine publisher)

A pretty small and eclectic crew. There must be more. If you're not one, do you know any full-timers that support themselves while living on the road in an Airstream?

It's much easier to adopt this lifestyle in the age of the World Wide Web.

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by utahredrock

Amazing photographs. Is that your work, photography?

Thanks, but no. I am a professor.

[utahredrock]

I've spent a good portion of my life as an instructor/teacher/professor and have thought of doing it again via an online university. Perhaps in my next incarnation as a man on the road! What do you teach and for whom?

[slowmover]

I enjoyed reading of your experiences, "traveling" can be harder than it might appear to the un-initiated. Would you do it again with a truck that size, or move down?

[utahredrock]

A Silver Streak?!! Very cool. Now that's an SOB worthy of these forums!

I love my truck and wouldn't want to downsize. In particular for me this past year I was hauling thousands of pounds of rocks around so I really needed my 3/4 ton. It also hauls like a champ and mileage is good even if they are extorting us for diesel these days.

Any photos of that non-Airstream gem?

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by utahredrock

I am curious to know of any other full-timers who are also still working full time? I met a handful on the road this past year, but we seemed to be a pretty small crowd.

Yup, me!
8 years....Painter

Michael

[gypsychris]

Quartzite? We were just there... Didn't like it very much... but I guess if you are into rocks and all...that is the place to be and it's free...

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by utahredrock

A Silver Streak?!! Very cool. Now that's an SOB worthy of these forums!

I love my truck and wouldn't want to downsize. In particular for me this past year I was hauling thousands of pounds of rocks around so I really needed my 3/4 ton. It also hauls like a champ and mileage is good even if they are extorting us for diesel these days.

Any photos of that non-Airstream gem?

I have the camera, but as yet no shots. Then I'll have to learn to post them. Be patient, please. Yes, it's a cool old trailer.

I've kicked myself over missing the obvious, that your merchandise is heavy. I like my 3/4T CTD, but there are days . . . .

[utahredrock]

You don't want to spend much time in Quartzsite after March 1, and the best time to be there is the second half of January. Quartzsite is a boom town during those times. Any other time and it's just a piece of lonely, hot desert.

[utahredrock]

Wow . . . great work Michael. I'll have to get some of you stuff.

[sd90mac]

Originally Posted by utahredrock

I am curious to know of any other full-timers who are also still working full time? I met a handful on the road this past year, but we seemed to be a pretty small crowd.

We are and I love it.

Marie