Visit our Popular Forums

casarodante · 10-16-2002, 09:36 AM

I have posted a scanned article from the newspaper regarding my family's trip to Alaska in 1964 with our Airstream. It is at the AirstreamPhotos site, search for caadoptees. I was 4 at the time so I don't remember much except the 9 flat tires. I remember my father not being afraid to take the Airstream since it was riveted together, not screwed together. Also the vital lines in the underbelly were covered. This was not as an extensive a trip as some of Wally B's but it was pretty good for 1964. My parents have always had an Airstream after their first Teardrop. We actually have their last one now after my father couldn't drive anymore. I hope to always have one.

InsideOut · 10-16-2002, 09:45 AM

Pretty cool story...cute picture too! Too bad you can't remember more about the trip itself...sounds like an adventure!

Shari

gwsullivan · 10-16-2002, 10:08 AM

Wow, what an adventure. Do you have any plans to repeat it in the future??

casarodante · 10-16-2002, 10:15 AM

I would love to repeat it. Possibly in the future. My Dad did it again around 1986 and said the roads were much better. As an aside, we were living in Thousand Oaks at the time, perhaps the address looks familiar?

BobbyW · 10-16-2002, 10:39 AM

I read your story the other day and meant to thank-you for sharing it. How fortunate you are to have such a keepsake.

In today's world of "Disney World" being a trip for the family, how lucky you were to have such "Adventurous" parents.

Best Regards;

-BobbyWright

dmreilly10000 · 10-16-2002, 11:31 AM

Thanks for the story. Do the color slides still exist?

My father still has Kodachrome slides taken in the 1950's that look great. His Ectachrome slides have all turned brown.

I bet your father used an Argus C-3 (AKA "The Brick")

canny_banjo_man · 10-18-2002, 09:59 AM

Hi there...
...I guess that was a great fete in those days...all that adventure for a then small lad, I guess people do it 2day, and think nothing of it...but way back then...I bet U were the envy of your friends...and you got into the newspapers too...FAME !!!...
Nine flat tyres...I can't imagine how your father coped with that...but I just guess that's the joys of motoring...or in 2days terms...accepted tollerance...!!!...lol, well done, and THANK'S 4 sharing it us...Chris.....

Pahaska · 10-18-2002, 11:46 AM

What a coincidence ... I was in Alaska in the same summer. We flew a squadron of AF Reserve C-119s from Sewart AFB, NY to Anchorage, AK and spent two weeks ferrying army troops from Fairbanks to Nome for exercises and then from Nome back to Fairbanks.

Anchorage was a mess from the earthquake. We had a bus tour of the area past all the destruction while th exercise was in progress.

Anchorage was T-shirt warm, Fairbanks was sweater cool, and Nome was practically snowbound. We landed in a whiteout at Nome one trip.

At Anchorage, they would run a car down the runway to scare off the moose before we could land. We had one incident where a couple of our mechanics were working in a C-119 when a pair of moose decided to stick their head inside the door. The mechanics were New York City guys. There were so terrified, they hid up in the A-deck of the C-119 and wouldn't come down till their Sergant went out hunting from them.

gwsullivan · 10-18-2002, 11:46 AM

caadoptees, yes, the address does look familiar- I live about two miles from there. Small world! Thanks again for sharing the wonderful story. I hope to make the Alaska trip in the next couple of years.

68 Suburban · 10-22-2002, 02:48 PM

What type of tow vehicle did your dad use on that trip?

casarodante · 10-22-2002, 03:59 PM

It was a Ford Commuter station wagon if I remember from the photos. Probably with a 400ci in it. I remember my dad was so upset when Ford stopped making that engine. He didn't feel the 351 was enough.

Even with the 400, I remember doing about 15mph up the grapevine out of Bakersfield, in first gear.

casarodante · 04-04-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmreilly10000

Thanks for the story. Do the color slides still exist?

My father still has Kodachrome slides taken in the 1950's that look great. His Ectachrome slides have all turned brown.

I bet your father used an Argus C-3 (AKA "The Brick")

Just revisting this thread and saw that I didn't reply. All the slides still exist in Kodachrome. My father didn't like the color balance of the Ectachrome. I will have to pull out all the Airstream photos I can find and post them here.

My father used a Kodak Retina. From the below website, it appears it was a IIIc.

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?KodakRetina.html~mainFrame

dmreilly10000 · 04-04-2006, 12:46 PM

Hi,

You did reply by private message. I bought a Retina IIa on E-bay. It takes incredibly sharp pictures with its Schneider lens. I forwarded my reply from 2002 to you a few minutes ago.

Thanks.

RUSSELL · 04-04-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caadoptees

I have posted a scanned article from the newspaper regarding my family's trip to Alaska in 1964 with our Airstream. It is at the AirstreamPhotos site, search for caadoptees. I was 4 at the time so I don't remember much except the 9 flat tires. I remember my father not being afraid to take the Airstream since it was riveted together, not screwed together. Also the vital lines in the underbelly were covered. This was not as an extensive a trip as some of Wally B's but it was pretty good for 1964. My parents have always had an Airstream after their first Teardrop. We actually have their last one now after my father couldn't drive anymore. I hope to always have one.

Hi Roger,
I used to live in Fresno for years. But moved to Tucson Az. Last year. We have bein to Alaska 2 times. Once last year and once 2 years ago. The roads are good. There are some places that they are working on So you have to slow down. They normaly work on 20 to 30 mile at a time. The Canadian Goverment is always improving the road. If you want some info here is my e mail. rdworian@comcast.net
Regards russ