My DREAM come true!!!

[Maine]

After a few unreal and rocky years trying to cope with single fatherhood post NASTY divorce.... I have just put money down on a 1976 Argosy 26'!!! At 42, I have dreamed of this day! Whats even more exciting is my children - 13 yr old daughter and 11 year old son are psyched! We are in Maine and will be moving into it February 1st! The shell is in superb shape, all electrical works, the stove top works, but owner wasn't sure about oven, the water pump (?) needs replacing - but it is winterized and we will carry water for a couple of months and poop in a portajon. Before we move in, going to cut apart the slipcovers and make new ones and hang curtains. There is no fridge, but this is maine. A cooler in winter is good enough for now.

Now - before anyone calls DHS.... My kids are rugged! We do regular 4 and 5 day hikes into the Bigelow Mountain Range with peaks over 4,000 feet. And between staying with their mother 50% of the time, and our spending most our nights together at our overnight business, we are looking at maybe spending three nights a month in it.

But what makes me MOST excited is we got it for $2,000.00 which, based on much of what I have seen over the many years of daydreaming, is a decent price for my slice of paradise!

Anyway, I am tickled to become a part of the Airstream family and really enjoy these forums tremendously. That, and I learn a ton.

[Foiled Again]

HAPPY DAY! Hope the high just keeps getting better. It's not perfect, but you did get a good price!

Congrats! Paula

[jpons]

Congrats! Best of luck!

-J

[Maine]

Thanks! It really is So exciting! My fiance and I put SOOOO many hours into our business and I have been going a bit crazy without a "hobby" to give me a break... this came along at just the right time. I will post pics as soon as it is "ours" and update them as we make it "home". Thanks again for the welcome!

[PharmGeek]

WELCOME INDEED!!

We went to Maine for the first time (stayed in a lake cabin in Rangely) and just absolutely fell in love with Maine and cannot wait to get back there!! Unfortunately that does not look like any time soon, but one day we are going to make a LONG trip up the east coast and back to a place that really we fell in love with.

Anyway, great buy, and good luck...sounds like you and the kids will have a ball...my kids are only 1 year and 3 years...I hope at 11 and 13 they wanna hang out with dad for trips similar...hate the idea that they would not enjoy traveling, camping, etc with us...

good luck, and welcome!

[youngpeck]

I am a "newbie," too, having recently picked up a '76 25-foot Caravanner. So does this make us cousins? I will especially look forward to hearing of your progress. Have fun! I sure plan to with my project!

[Maine]

Thanks Pharm. We love living here - but this country is chalk full of amazing places! Sounds like you are on the right track to "still being cool to adventure with" when your kiddos are heading into their teens! Young - "We are family! All the other Airstreamers 'n me!" Donna Summers, wasn't it? or Sistah Sledge?

[switz]

Welcome, the kids will get a mechanical education as they help you with this project that will stand them in good stead the rest of their lives.

[Skatiero]

We love streaming with our kids. We have kids the same ages as yours, plus five more. What a blast! Welcome to the club!

[AlaskaSafari]

Congratulations... Welcome! Hope you have many good years 'Streaming with your family. It's a good life

[rodsterinfl]

a decent price for my slice of paradise!

Congrats Maine. Now, what you gonna call it? Got a give it a name! What you said above is what spoke the loudest to me. Good deal, what I have wanted, etc. It makes it all worthwhile.

@youngpeck - we are all cousins now- not just the '76er crowd!

@Skatiero - where do you stick all those youngins in that camper? Or do you take both AS out at the same time?

[SteveSueMac]

How did none of you make the proper greeting by requesting pictures? :-D

Maine - congrats. Pics are a must - sorry no one brought that to your attention.

Maine (the state) is the center of the universe. Enjoy and good luck!!

And post pics please and thank you :-)

[Skatiero]

Rodsterinfl: we have posted a lot if pics of our current trailer and have a thread under "86 Excella" detailing our current project-- but we have added a lot if customization, and have some pretty cool bunks!

[PharmGeek]

Skatiero's bunks - I took a shot at their amazing bunks at recent canopener rally - impressive

[Remax gal]

Sounds like so much fun! Great hobby for you and great family time with your children! Doesn't get much better than that! I absolutely LOVE Maine. Have vacationed there twice and stayed around Moosehead Lake. We are newbies too and will be picking up our Eddie Bauer AS in mid to late February and are REALLY hoping to take a nice long trip back to Maine in the fall. Have fun!

[switz]

Remember the red haired Farkle family on "Laugh In"?

The stacked the kids on the bed like cord wood with three on the first level, rotate 90 degrees, three on the next level....

[SilverPal]

Welcome to the group and thanks for bringing along the next generation of Airstreamers! Enjoy the ride!

[Maine]

Ok everybody! lets see - pictures! Yes! they will be posted Feb 1, if not sooner - that is when I hand over the coin and tow "Lamar" away! Yep! Lamar is our Argosy's name! Why? Well I will stretch my limited internet/computer skills to infinity and beyond and post a pic of the ORIGINAL "Lamar". Lamar is an aging pitbull and regular at our doggy daycare. He was a rescue and named for the horrible street he was found wandering 3 years ago. His scars, muscles, and swagger tell a story no words can capture. His loving disposition despite a life of abuse (notice the uneven, choppy, scissor cropped ears - indicative of being a "fighting"dog) make him one of my few heroes. The fact he is dying of brain cancer breaks my heart. So Lamar it is!

[Maine]

Lol. my 11 year old boy is saving for a "spider 250cc go cart". Apparently the 5hp one he altered the fuel adjustment on (read 40+mph) isn't fast enough (See attached video!)! He is a true young-wrencher. At 8 he insisted we build custom cycles (Harley's) and ride "here to California along rt 66!". Someone had given him a vintage photo book of rt 66 postcards. He now knows it doesn't run east - west, but hey.... for 8, his wanderlust and ambition made me proud!

[Maine]

Wow Skatiero! 5 kids and an Airstream! Yessah!