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... on being an Airstream Ambassador
Well, the Bambi is still being tucked away for the winter but we’re already reflecting on our travels over the past year. We were out close to 60 days, put 10,000 km on the trailer (6,000 miles) and visited 28 parks.
The number of people we met – exclusively because we were travelling in an Airstream –has struck both of us. Without a doubt – Airstreams are eye-grabbers and conversation pieces – and – Airstream owners are the companies Ambassadors.
People came up to us absolutely everywhere – in addition to what you might expect (at the campground) we met people at stoplights, at gas stations, in grocery stores and even at dumping stations – and it didn’t matter what we were doing – whether we were setting up, taking down, on the can, cooking, eating, sleeping, standing under the awning in the rain, dumping our tanks, filling up with gas, shopping, fixing or just plain sitting around there was someone, somewhere who wanted to talk about the trailer.
Although we’ve always found fellow campers to be a friendly lot we’ve never noticed anything on this scale. We were tent campers up to and through most of our 30’s, then pop-up campers through our 40’s and into our 50’s. Our introduction to travel trailers – through the Bambi – has been just this past year. I don’t think it would be much of an exaggeration to say that we’ve probably talked to more new people this past year than all the rest combined – all good folks.
Some of the more common ice-breakers:
· I didn’t think they still made those …
· I didn’t think they made them that small …
· Is that new or have you just taken good care of it …
· I always wanted to have one of those …
· I used to have one of those ….
· I just love your Airstream …
· Look at that - it’s so “cute” ….
Some of our more humorous times:
· the gal that chased us down in a large grocery store after seeing the trailer in the parking lot. She asked everyone she didn’t know if they owned the Bambi in the parking lot. When she finally found us she spent 10 minutes talking Airstreams – while blocking access to the dairy section (we were finally asked to move). After we purchased our groceries and went out to the trailer – there she was – waiting – “just have to have a peek inside”
· the kid about 8 years old – a clone of “Dennis the Menace” – who came up to me and said: “Mister, that is one UGLY trailer ….”
· the guy who wanted to know about the merits of owning an Airstream while I was rubber gloved and in the middle of a dump – before I was able to take the gloves off we had also covered much of the Lake Superior Circle Tour and the construction and operation of saunas – by that time there were 3 other units waiting for their own turn to dump.
· crossing the border - customs officers absolutely love Airstreams – we crossed 4 times – each officer (2 Canadian, 2 U.S.) went through the obligatory questioning procedure – then spent a lot more time asking about the trailer – how it towed, did we like it, how much did it cost, was it easy to look after, sure looks good ….. and on … and on … and on … and the line ups grew …
Our key observation in all of this is that Airstreams really seem to bring out the best in people – whether you’re an owner or not (except for that 8-year old kid – obviously a future criminal!).
The other thing that I think could be said is that the folks at the Airstream Service Centre in Jackson Centre really set the standard in being Airstream ambassadors. They are second to none in hospitality and service – and could sure teach the rest of the industry a few lessons (if they cared to listen). We were down for some warranty work – were treated like royalty – and yes – got to meet another bunch of good Airstreamers.
I guess the point to this note is to say that we’re pretty impressed with the trailer – have thoroughly enjoyed all the good folks we’ve met as a result – and love being Airstream ambassadors.
So for now – it’s just kind of dreaming till the next trip … hmmm … Arizona in February? – maybe Texas?? ….
Happy Airstreaming,
Jay
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Bambi - 2002 (The Toaster)
Pathfinder - 2003 (The Buggy)
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