All Good Things Come to an End

[Flying Pig]

Life is a book of chapters. Age has nothing to do with it and shouldn’t be a factor of shame or misplaced pride (the actual number that is). Health, circumstances, maintenance etc are far more important in deciding when to move on to the next adventure. Personally, I’d rather call it quits on my own terms and end the chapter on a high note of controlled celebration than to wait for a possible problem that forced me into an untimely or expensive decision.
I swore I’d never give up my tent to be an old softie in an rv but as I ate my words I knew the tent chapter was closing and a new one would present itself. Do what you can while it is fun, then be bold and make your own decision to move onto something else. You want the memories to be good ones....not painful ones! Good luck and Godspeed.

[Ronald Sims]

My wife and I are 78 years old. We bought our Airstream in 2016 and, as part time travelers, have logged 26,000 miles. Next month we're leaving Texas for a 4,000 mile excursion to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City and Zion National Park. Preparations now take longer, stops are more frequent and recuperative periods are necessary. And yes, we know that some day our Airstreaming will end. However, that awareness is what makes our adventures even more special. We want to enjoy as much as we can for as long as we can. And, after the Grand Tetons, who knows?

[rjpapp]

I'm 84 and just getting started.
Old rocking chair ain't getting me.
Dick

[jwpaquette]

Originally Posted by John&Vicki

This is a very personal and sincere post. I’m hoping that others will share their experiences as well.

My wife and are leaving today and are in the midst of setting off for one week stay at the Oregon Coast (site F03 at South Beach SP in Newport. Stop by and say hi if you happen to be there. We have lots of beer.) And when we have the trailer at the house I always have a little task list. This time I’ve replaced the tow chains with stainless steel chains (nice and not expensive), replaced some of the kitchen cabinet doors, experimented with different flooring, fixed a fresh water tank leak, etc.

All normal except the fatigue. I’m 76 and I find that with each passing year that I get more tired with projects and setup. And outright unable to do certain things. I know this is normal and know I will inevitably reach a point that I just can’t do most of it.

I’ve always been a DIYer, I have great tools, and I’m fairly handy. There are some tasks, such as those that require contorting my body, that I simply can’t do any more - too stiff with too much pain. I won’t go into my medical history but many issues with my back, including a spinal fusion.

Every year my wife and look at each other and wonder if it will be our last. This would be a great loss as we really love the Airstream life. I imagine that many who are reading this are going through the same experience. I would love to hear from you.

Cheers,
John

I often quote the line from Shawshank Redemption - “get busy living or get busy dying”. Father Time waits for no one and it occurred to me a handful of years ago that I wanted to get about living. I appreciate your sentiment as it echoes what I know and have attempted to plan for - the glide path towards my eventual destiny of coming face to face with my maker. I’m ok with that. On the one hand I enjoy(ed) the making of all of my memories, I also look forward to the new ones that my life will bring as I age. I’ll grant that I lose some physical ability as the decades pass, but what I gain - the awareness, appreciation, perspective, experiences, expanded context - all of these things plus more, are making my life richer with each day that passes.

[rlewis]

Well, sometimes one just wants LESS to do & more time to walk ,read & drink coffee.
We are 76 & 77. Besides they cut down all the Australian pines in our favorite Keys campground and now our cat would roast in the trailer.

Also, sometimes new interests take priority..a new love for baroque music draws us to Boston...or Paris

I wonder how much the new world “normal” has to do with our National mood.
Robbie

[brokeboater]

Originally Posted by dbwino

19ft Bambi or a Lance 1475 trailer.

I did that trip, Florida to Alaska and back with a bunch in between. Do it, it'll be a hoot you never forget. I'd go with the Lance for that trip if I were you. Really cool little rig.

[TheNobiles]

John, As I read your post and the many replies, I am so envious of all those out there making memories. Also my heart goes out to those whose trips are coming nearer to a close. Both make me even more determined to get out there before much more time goes by. Part of my hope and heart’s desire is to meet lovely folks like you and your wife.

You see, right now I’m a wannabe ASer. I’m 63 this year and my husband is 68 but still working. He wants to keep the high pressure job until he’s 70. Then if he retires I might have a better chance of getting in an Airstream and getting out there.

We are outdoors a lot but “no more camping on the ground”, he said, 5 years ago. I want to get started right now! My heart is aching like I’m missing a beloved family member or dear friends. My heart goes out to each of you and I will pray that whatever the outcome, your journey to your decision was indeed without regret.

Safe journeys, much love and Gods blessings to each of you. I look forward to meeting you soon! ♥️

[Rocinante]

Well, what a timely thread for us. We sold Rocinante to a lovely family last week and are on the hunt for a true Class B camper van. Might be an Interstate, might not. We'll see. In any case, we're definitely in the midst of working on our "Plan B."

The rationale will be familiar to those on this thread. After seven years, as much as we loved Rocinante, the routine of hitching, unhitching, greasing all the joints, creating yet another set of "trailer pants" via grease stains, messing with all those tools, torquing lug nuts, double and triple checking air pressures, stabilizer jacks, looking for and worrying about the possibility of leaks (though rarely if ever finding one), worrying and wondering every time we pulled off the road how we'd be able to get out again, whether the rear might drag, whether we could find a place to park, whether there would be any campsites of the proper length, and on and on, finally got to us. We're done with trailering, though we're far far away from being done camping. Plan B it is!

[2MileHi]

I was in good condition for 76. Then within a couple days of my 77th birthday, one of my nerves decided to quit functioning. No impingement or compression,
it just took a break. So I lost most of the use of my right leg. On top of that another issue stops me from lifting over 25 lbs, although we all know how that goes in reality. But, lifting the shank for our 35 foot trailer is not going to happen. we all get it sometime, I seem to have gotten mine quickly albeit not painlessly.

[John & Roberta]

John & Vicki
John & Roberta here

I (we) salute you, Rivet Masters. You're puffing to the top of the hill, ready for some downhill time, and we're just getting underway, with a good two years (40+ states and three provinces—at least) ahead of us. John's writing a book for the Navy about her two most decorated destroyers—Sisters in War, Sisters in Peace—and interviewing veterans on this fact-finding and promotional tour. Of course, our tour "ship" had to be an Airstream Flying Cloud. Fingers crossed the Navy plunks our rig down on Bravo Pier, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a trip wrapper-upper.

We're 75 and 71 respectively, and have picked up some idea of what's ahead having just returned from a six-week shakedown cruise with our 30-footer. This trailering can be a very complicated and challenging business. Also do-it-yourselfers, we're tackling head-on the various problems that surfaced—city water getting past check-valve into fresh water tank to point it overflow . . . refrigerator refusing to run on LPG . . . low duct flow rate from air conditioners, and whatnot. All manageable.

Tempted to dash for Oregon Coast just to meet up with you folks. (We were in the Sisters Clock Shop two months back, while visiting friends in Sunriver. Small world.)

[emactex]

I'm filled with respect for those of you who have gone before me and I have a particular respect and insight into the dilemma you describe with aging - because it's described to me every day in my work.



My wife and I are new Airstreamers - we have a new 2021 Globetrotter 27FB coming now after several years of window shopping, dealer visiting, daydreaming, gently suggesting it to my wife, and Forum-lurking. And I've already put some of the good advice I've found on the forum to use - thank you all!



Anyway, I was reading the many posts and fretting that I've wasted too many opportunities along the way, just now getting the trailer I've been dreaming of at 55 yo. After fretting for a few minutes that my life was "so close to being over" at 55 () it hit me - if you are feeling the decline in health and vitality that we've all historically associated with aging, you owe it to yourself to find an anti-aging specialist and see if there's something that can be done to extend your great years, or get you back to them! Losing muscle, feeling down, and losing your drive are all very common symptoms of hormone deficiency and other health issues that are easily correctable. One of my day jobs is a specialist in Anti-Aging Medicine and I've helped hundreds of men and women regain vitality and quality of life. This is treatment that "regular doctors" like I used to be frankly don't care too much about and don't have the time to learn about or offer to you. Try a "Directory | Find a Provider" search on a4m.com and find a doctor who can help you fight back and keep doing what you love! (Disclosure: there's nothing in this referral for me except hopefully helping those of you who want to carry on in spite of age - no cash, no business boost, no fame)


Here's wishing you all many more great years of Airstreaming!

[WoollyBear]

Originally Posted by SMKovalchik

We’re both 75 in a couple months. I’ve RV’d for 50+ years and my husband for 30. We’ve moved from a pop-up to more than one diesel pusher and now, to simplify things an AS Classic. The thought of not being able to RV terrifies me. If need be I would move to a Class B but husband says this one is it. I can’t imagine such a loss in my life.

We are 77 and 73 and just got our first Airstream, a 2008 30' Classic that had very little use and almost no miles on it! We are retired as of this year, but find that old ranchers have a hard time giving up the 'work' on things to hire others to help...that's a process we're working on...
We will be trading the F150 for an F250 though...the V8 in the 1/2T pulls just fine, and the EQ hitch does its job to handle sway, etc., but the 150 just does not have enough beef to make us feel safe and sure. We just sold our Class C and got the A/S - in years past we've towed 5th wheels. Having just retired, we haven't been on the road much...mostly boondocking for weekend trips over the years; and now with COVID we don't think campgrounds will be good options. So we plan to hook up the Silver Bullet and head out soon...just not sure where the road will take us. And we hope to enjoy every day the Good Lord gives us and as many of those as possible in the Airstream! Good luck to all you who keep on keeping on!! Hope to see you on the road!

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by TheNobiles

John, As I read your post and the many replies, I am so envious of all those out there making memories. Also my heart goes out to those whose trips are coming nearer to a close. Both make me even more determined to get out there before much more time goes by. Part of my hope and heart’s desire is to meet lovely folks like you and your wife.

You see, right now I’m a wannabe ASer. I’m 63 this year and my husband is 68 but still working. He wants to keep the high pressure job until he’s 70. Then if he retires I might have a better chance of getting in an Airstream and getting out there.

We are outdoors a lot but “no more camping on the ground”, he said, 5 years ago. I want to get started right now! My heart is aching like I’m missing a beloved family member or dear friends. My heart goes out to each of you and I will pray that whatever the outcome, your journey to your decision was indeed without regret.

Safe journeys, much love and Gods blessings to each of you. I look forward to meeting you soon! [emoji3531]

Dear loyal wife, buy a smaller used Airstream and tow vehicle, take towing lessons with a truck driving school, then GO - on short trips. Your husband CAN join you on weekends - or maybe not.

As a stable boy under sentence of death told the Sultan "give me one year and I will teach your horse to sing." All the other servants laughed at him and asked - "are you crazy?" The boy replied - "well in one year I may die, or the Sultan may die, or the horse may die...
Or the horse may learn to sing!"

Or the husband may enjoy weekends so much he retires earlier.

[jwgreen]

I'll be 76 in 2 months and my spouse is 74 and our feet still itch to hit the road with our AS following us. Started Airstreaming in 1991 with a '77 31 ft. International. Was still working until '99. I estimate we've towed over 100k since we started and we've been very fortunate. I have some neuropathy in my feet and my spouse has a bum knee but we still look forward to getting on the road. In January, 2018, we moved from Illinois to the North Texas Airstream Community in Hillsboro, TX. It's probably one of the best decisions we made (except for Texas summers). Contributor "cwf" above is one of my neighbors and an excellent Airstream tech. Having all the collective experience of our residents is a definite plus for being here. We have several more years ahead of us but know that we will be at a decision point in a few years.

[Landshark]

I will be 75 this year, and can hardly wait for my 67 Caravel to be out of restoration in SoCal and in my carport in Idaho. I'm afraid I will not get it soon enough to go camping this year, but there is always next year. And when I reach the point of being unable to camp or tow, it will sit in my carport and I will still sleep and cook in it for fun every now and then. My carport has glass walls so I will be able to swing in the hammock and admire my silver beauty.

My Airstreaming started in 2001 with a 77 Safari in mint condition and a husband. We went to the Restoration Rallies in Albuquerque and learned SO MUCH about AS construction. Husband left 2 yrs ago after a 50-yr marriage, but I can't make it without my aluminum fix, so I will start Airstreaming again as soon as I can. I just hope I have enough active brain cells left to learn how to do this solo...

Vivian

[duncans]

I agree with Foiled Again. For years, when our 4 kids were young, my husband was too busy at work to spend any camping time (farmer). I, singlehandedly, managed my 4 kids plus my sisters 2 kids, in a 31 ft'er. We went everywhere and had a blast. Go. Tomorrow may never come. Courage and good luck. I found that there were tons of helpful fellow campers always willing to help me land my bird and crew (although never needed---farmer myself, just with different priorities than my husband).

Susan

[kathyek]

We really share your feelings of gratitude mixed with sadness. Aging sucks, except for remembering those friends of ours who didn’t get the chance to age. Then the gratitude returns again!

We’re just hitting 70- we can still lift the equalizer hitch into place, haul stuff to and fro, but then there are all those aches and pulled muscles we never worried about before that just seem to pop up. It’s tough to finally be able to see the horizon in our lives.

I hope we’re still at it come 76 years, but who knows? The Oregon coast is a lovely place-if you’ve got to be looking at a horizon, that’s a nice one. We just returned from a 2 week wander in Montana. One benefit of this age is that we enjoy things so much more, knowing we may be seeing this for the last time.

We only tow 20’, which we’ve kitted out nicely. I will say, a short Airstream really makes staying in the game a little easier. We can turn around on a 2 lane-road, we can set up quickly, and with only 20 feet, what is essential gets a new definition!

[Danecoyer]

https://youtu.be/N0gzHu786yo

[Catman6]

If setting up the trailer gets to be to much consider getting a Class C motorhome. I had a 33' AS Argosy along with 2 different motorhomes. After the 2nd motorhome (Winnebago View 23H) I decided to sell the AS. The Class C can be small enough that you'll get in most parking areas. Set up is simply backing up on these plastic pads that look like Lego blocks, hooking up the hoses, electric and you're done. Some motorhomes have automated leveling jacks so all you do is put a pad down if on dirt and let it rip.

But if you really love the AS then do like has been suggested - pay someone to do what you can't. I've started to do that more myself though I'm still an avid DIYer.

I think it's more of a personal decision than anything else. I truly loved my AS but the small motorhome just works better for me.

[Specsalot]

Great thread; Inspiring Responses - Thanks to John & Vicki for starting this discussion.

For my wife & I camping vacations became the norm for ~ 35 years exclusively in pop-up campers. Went AS in 2016 (after walking the local AS dealer lot for 10+ year - LOL). Next year we'll hit 65 and I will finally retire (3rd time should be the charm).

My wife's parents (both gone now) full timed for 10 years before health concerns ended their nomadic life. We're hoping to live a 'semi-nomadic' life at least that long.

The Oz 'Tinman' had is his oil can after the rain storm. My strategic translation, "Advil is your friend." on the tough days. For 23 years I worked in a very physically demanding environment. I was always inspired by the old guys who kept the pace. Now I'm feeling more and more like that role model.

Camping is a season of life which is a subset of a larger season called "traveling". In my first career, I saw nearly 1/2 the world (80+ countries). I've never lost a desire to travel. I can't identify any posts in this thread which indicate that anyone is tired of traveling.

Keep following your dreams making adjustments in your style of travel as required. When your travel season is over, there will be something new for you to do - No worries.

Best,
Paul