|
|
01-05-2008, 01:00 PM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Trenton
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 846
|
A Bittersweet Moment
Hello everyone. Today is the start of a new chapter in my life. Unfortunately the circumstances leading up to this day have left a cloud hanging over what should be a very happy day.
On December 1st I came back to my 2007 Keystone Laredo after a morning of deer hunting to find it had been destroyed by fire. Losing the trailer wasn't so bad, but I lost my yellow lab of six years in the blaze.
I've always dreamed of owning and Airstream, especially after reading "Wanderlust: Airstream at 75." After my Laredo was destroyed it opened up an opportunity to make light of a dark situation.
I spent hours and hours reading these pages all through the month of December. It helped take my mind off what had happened. I researched floor plans and narrowed down my search to a few models. I liked the Safari 23, but I didn't know how I would wash dishes in a single sink. I was most interested in the Safari 25 or 25 SS. I was hesitant with the 18 gallon black water tank, but I took the advice of Silvertwinkie and went with the SS.
I drove to Indianapolis and picked up a 2006 Safari SS SE. I would have been thrilled to have a base Safari and I never dreamed I could afford an SE, but the price was right and the trailer checked out to my liking. The previous owner's sales receipt shows he paid $51,485 in July 2007. I bought it for $32,500 - almost $20,000 saving by purchasing used and my warranty is good through July 2009. How's that for a good deal?
The seller included an Equal-i-zer hitch, but the ball height was wrong so I towed it back to St. Louis on my own hitch with no weight distribution and no sway control. Even without sway control it towed better than my Laredo with dual cams.
The previous owner bought it last summer and moved from California to Indiana and they brought their cats along. I spent the morning vacuuming cat hair and doing general cleaning. I kicked on the heat pump and got great heat with it being 44 degrees outside. Then I tested the furnace and could smell the oil film burning off the sheet metal. I don't think the previous owner ever used the furnace. I don't think they used to range or oven either. This thing is spotless.
The plan is to keep this 75th Anniversary Airstream for 24 more years and upgrade to a 100th Anniversary Edition in 2036. For the next 24 years I'll live the dream. "See More, Do More, Live More."
I know how much I've enjoyed reading SilverGate's thread with all his photos, so I decided to post some photos for everyone's enjoyment.
Steve
__________________
Steve
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 01:06 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
|
WOW! all the way 'round.
Very sorry for your loss but extremey happy (with you) at the rebound. I hope you become a Winter Texan...at least.
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 01:08 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
1964 26' Overlander
1964 19' Globetrotter
OlyPen
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,936
|
The safari is a beauty. Hopefully over the next few years, you'll find as much pleasure as you did with the last trailer you had. I'm sure you miss your pet - but welcome to the forum anyway...
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 01:24 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
|
We are so sorry that your beloved Lab cannot be enjoying the luxurious Safari. In time you will find a new companion we're sure. Welcome to our group. You have now a whole bunch of new friends.
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 01:29 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1956 30' Sovereign of the Road
1963 16' Bambi
Southeastern Area
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,116
|
Welcome to the forums, Steve. Your new Safari is gorgeous. Very rich and warm. You will certainly enjoy traveling with it.
So sorry about your Lab. Losing a much-loved canine in such a tragedy is a hard thing to bear. Isn't amazing how Airstreams can even help ease the heart and open new horizons.
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 01:36 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Trenton
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 846
|
Not to worry
Not to worry. I only made it seven days without having a dog. His name is Duncan and he'll be prime and ready for camping once April rolls around.
__________________
Steve
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 01:40 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1967 22' Safari
1960 Caravel
Edmonds
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,445
|
So sorry about your old lab, but glad you found Duncan to keep you company in that beautiful new Safari. Happy camping.
__________________
Mel
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 01:47 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
|
I'm sorry for the loss of your lab, but happy you are able to open your heart to another so quickly. I look forward to more pictures of Duncan growing into 'his' new trailer!
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 03:19 PM
|
#9
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
"Bittersweet" is right. You have our sympathies on the loss of your lab, and our congratulations on the new additions to you family, both four legged, and four wheeled.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 04:08 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2005 28' International CCD
Willoughby
, Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 543
|
Steve - having lost a one-year old Shepherd, I feel your loss
Owning an Airstream I feel your gain
And Duncan looks like a sweetie!
Best of luck! Be sure to visit here often for answers to your questions!
Had we bought a Safari instead of our International, we would have gotten the interior you have - we love it!
__________________
Steve & Susan
WBCCI# 03876
AIR# 6511
2005 28' CCD, 2011 Sierra 5.3L, Equal-I-Zer
Empty Nesters - spending our money on OURSELVES for a change!
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 04:18 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
|
Sorry about your loss,
What caused the fire in the other rig?
__________________
Greg
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 04:44 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 739
|
So sorry for your loss. And welcome to the forum and A/S ownership. That is one nice looking Safari.
__________________
Royce (K0RKK) 146.460 simplex
Web page https://spearfishcreek.net/
AIR# 3913
'77' Minuet 6 Metre, behind a 2005 stock Jeep Rubicon with Equa-L-Zer hitch.
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 05:42 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Trenton
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 846
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverwanabe
Sorry about your loss,
What caused the fire in the other rig?
|
My insurance company has hired an investigation firm out of Michigan to try to determine the cause of the fire. So far I haven't heard if they've visited the site. I'll surely post the results as they should be relevant to everyone who camps.
I was boondocking on National Forest land so there was no electric hookup. That rules out a lot of causes. Had there been an explosion there would be pieces of fiberglass all over the woods. That's not the case. My guess is that there's a 50% chance it was mechanical failure of either the furnace, fridge or battery and a 50% chance that it was arson.
__________________
Steve
|
|
|
01-05-2008, 05:49 PM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Trenton
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 846
|
I was just outside watching the wild card playoffs in the Airstream. I turned on the antennae and the TV, ran the auto program, and much to my surprise I had HDTV! I don't even have High Def in my house! I can't wait for the next moment of discovery.
__________________
Steve
|
|
|
01-07-2008, 08:05 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1956 30' Sovereign of the Road
1963 16' Bambi
Southeastern Area
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,116
|
Steve, may you have many more pleasant surprises with your new Safari.
BTW, Duncan is a cutie.
|
|
|
01-07-2008, 08:20 PM
|
#16
|
4 Rivet Member
2007 25' International CCD
Sugar Grove
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 346
|
I'm so glad the Indianapolis Safari went to a good home. I had corresponded with the owner about his trailer for sale but he was very slow in respondig - I think he was out of town or something. By the time I heard back from him, we had found and purchased a 2007, 25' Airstream International - which was really what we were interested in. Good luck with your new baby - both Duncan and the AS. Hope you have many years of success and happy trails!! Perhaps we'll see you down the road some place.
___________________________________
2007 Airstream International SS OB
2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada
Equal-i-zer Hitch
Prodigy Brakes
REMEMBER, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool
Than to open it and remove all doubt."
|
|
|
01-07-2008, 10:50 PM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
|
So sorry about your Lab...that's a tough one. It is alwlays a hard loss.
But glad you've offered a good home to another pup. Good for you.
You're obviously an Airstream kinda guy. Congrats on your new prize!
Glad you could join in...ease on down the road...
TB
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
|
|
|
01-08-2008, 07:07 AM
|
#18
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
|
Welcome
Wow, what a story!
The loss of a beloved Pet, especially under those circumctances, must have
been devastating. But it sure sounds like your well on your way to happier
times. Congtats on the new AS, Duncan is just too CUTE, them "four leggers"
do seem to make themselves right at home real quick!!
Happy travels, keep us all posted!!
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
|
|
|
01-08-2008, 10:43 PM
|
#19
|
4 Rivet Member
1968 24' Tradewind
Crestview
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 319
|
Very sorry to read of the loss of the trailer and espcially of your dog. I have lost a few dogs/pals and it's not easy or pleasant. I hope this may relieve you in a way to know that your dog would have died of smoke inhilation before it burned, which would not be as nearly painful since it went to sleep first. I hope the investigation team finds the cause, thank God you weren't sleeping in the trailer when it happened!
__________________
Courtesy parking-- water, elect. and wi-fi.
To those who are about to Stream-I salute you!
|
|
|
01-09-2008, 04:23 PM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Trenton
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 846
|
Tonight's Sunset
Sure looks nice just sitting in the driveway.
__________________
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|