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arm4 · 02-03-2008, 11:37 AM

Greetings to all of you" aluminum adventures". What a great life i have enjoyed with airstream. I first met wally when my mother and dad took us (three boys) to europe for six months. What great times and great people we met along the way. My parents did an article for National Geographic in 1956 of that caravan. My father, Ardean Miller, did all of the early photography for airstream and Wally would stay at our house in florida. If you get a chance there is an article my mother, Norma Miller, did with Fred Coldwell for Airstream Life magazine (Winter 2007). Great reading! One of the funniest memories of Wally was when he was asked, "why do you put ovens in the airstreams" He said, "Why... that is where i store my shoes!". I have a 25fb safari and live in it with my border collie, Nell,

for six months each year. I am headed to Sarasota for the rally and hope to meet some of you "Down the Road".

myboyburt · 02-03-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arm4

Greetings to all of you" aluminum adventures". What a great life i have enjoyed with airstream. I first met wally when my mother and dad took us (three boys) to europe for six months. What great times and great people we met along the way. My parents did an article for National Geographic in 1956 of that caravan. My father, Ardean Miller, did all of the early photography for airstream and Wally would stay at our house in florida. If you get a chance there is an article my mother, Norma Miller, did with Fred Coldwell for Airstream Life magazine (Winter 2007). Great reading! One of the funniest memories of Wally was when he was asked, "why do you put ovens in the airstreams" He said, "Why... that is where i store my shoes!". I have a 25fb safari and live in it with my border collie, Nell,

for six months each year. I am headed to Sarasota for the rally and hope to meet some of you "Down the Road".

Welcome to the AirForums!

I read the Airstream Life article about your families caravan adventure with Wally in Europe. Actually, I read it more than once as I was fascinated with it.

Good to know you still love Airstreaming. Life is good.

flyfshr · 02-03-2008, 11:44 AM

Welcome to the forums Randy and thank you for the story of Wally. Most of us here enjoy hearing stories of Wally and the early caravans. It was certainly a different time back then although one can still meet great people along the way when traveling in an Airstream. I've read the article that your mother wrote in ASL a couple of times and found it fascinating. We're glad you're with us.

Brad
FF

bjond · 02-03-2008, 11:49 AM

Thats really great that you had the opportunity to go on a caravan with Wally. We are heading to Sarasota soon also. Stop by the Vintage section one evening when we have Happy Hour ( 4-5 ish) and I'm sure we would have many vintage souls eager to hear of your caravan with Wally.

We will be in a 63 GLobetrotter #1861

streamer23 · 02-03-2008, 11:58 AM

Great to have you with us.There are lots of folks here interested in WBCCI related history.

47WeeWind · 02-03-2008, 01:59 PM

Hi Randy:

Welcome aboard! I had a delightful time chatting with your mother about the numerous caravans she and your Dad took the familiy on when you boys were young, and learning about all the adventures your family encountered along the way. You boys were blessed to have such wonderful Airstream experiences while growing up. I really enjoyed working with your mother on that Airstream Life article about the 1956 European Caravan.

And I was truly honored to be able to recount in Airstream Life only a small part of the story of your father's breathtaking photography, particularly the work he did for Airstream. There's been nothing comparable since.

Have a great time in Sarasota, and be sure to take Herb up on his invitation to visit the Vintage Airstream Club for happy hour. You will be warmly greeted, and perhaps mobbed there, by VACers who will be fascinated by your Airstreaming adventures. Please say "Hi!" for me to Herb and Sidra Spies in their '63 Globe Trotter.

I'll see you Down the Road!

Warmest regards,

Wayne&Sam · 02-03-2008, 02:04 PM

An Airstream and a Border Collie - it doesn't get much better!

robandzoe · 02-03-2008, 02:14 PM

Randy,

Cazenovia huh... I'm about 30 miles away in Plymouth, just outside Norwich. I go through Caz often. I'm hosting a Boon Docking Rally this June for the Sherburne NY Pageant of Bands... and then the WDCU will be doing our Installation Rally up here in Norwich in October. I'd love to meet you one of these days, perhaps at Sarasota.. I'm picking up our 54 Safari then and will stop in.

Rob

safari62 · 02-03-2008, 02:53 PM

Randy,
It would be great to hear more of your Airstream memories. Your Father is one of my Airstream heros as he was able to create that Airstream travel trailer mystique with his photgraphic eye that vintage fans like me were so easily seduced by.

I remember before I owned a trailer researching the many different years and models and after seeing hundreds of photos being able to pick out which were your fathers work.

Thanks also to Fred Coldwell for the well researched article in Airstream Life.

Thanks
Gary

arm4 · 02-04-2008, 11:13 AM

I just returned and my heart and soul were warmed by the kind replies. What a great Airstream family we all have. I look forward to meeting Herb and
Sidra for "Happy Hour". Thankyou Fred for the kind words. Thankyou Gary for the comments on my fathers photography. Each photo has an interesting story behind it. I hope to connect with Rob in Plymouth as well as Sarasota.To Wayne and Sam...my border collied Nell would like to meet you. To streamer23...I am planning a trip to NS and hope to meet up with you and share stories. Yes Myboyburt...life is good. So if any of you would enjoy more stories just let me know. One of the things i remember about Wally's ingenuity was when he put a french Solex (Bike with a motor over the front wheel) on the back of his trailer...he loved riding it. Again thanks for the kind replies. Randy and Nell (Border Collie)

jdalrymple · 02-04-2008, 11:39 AM

Welcome to the forums. Enjoy your travels!

mistral blue · 02-04-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arm4

So if any of you would enjoy more stories just let me know.

We're ready anytime you are Randy!

Is this the bike?

arm4 · 02-04-2008, 08:37 PM

What a surprise to see the picture of the solex bike on the back of Wally's trailer. I always wondered why his trailer was painted white....he was a man of many surprises . Thankyou mistral blue

mistral blue · 02-04-2008, 10:23 PM

The 1st time I saw the photo was when 47WeeWind posted it here http://www.airforums.com/forums/f163...nks-35391.html It's a great photo. Sometimes I think I can hear what they're all talking about. Do you recall that morning?

gparker · 02-05-2008, 12:14 AM

Hi Randy and welcome to the Forums!

I remember reading about you and your family when I used to read and re-read my grandparents' old National Geographic magazines as a kid. I was delighted to see the article in Airstream Life about the caravan that your father photographed and your mother wrote the article for. I would love to meet you some time. You and your dog are welcome to stop in and stay if you are ever passing through Louisiana on the interstate.

Greg

66Overlander · 02-05-2008, 06:04 AM

Wow, this is great! First we get Dale (Pee Wee) Schwamborn participating here (who was on the 1959 Cape Town to Cairo Caravan), and now someone that participated in the 1956 European Caravan. This brings the history of those great caravan's back to life! I wonder if there are any participants from the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan that might join the AirForums in the near future?

And by the way, I loved the Airstream Life article, too - it sure sounded like your dad had a dream job, and it must have lead you to many great childhood memories. Welcome to the AirForums!

PeeWee · 02-05-2008, 04:34 PM

Randy,

I am glad you are sharing your travels and memories on the forum. I started last year to share mine.

We will keep in touch via e-mail, but this is a nice way to let the "newbies", knowby about the past.

There aren't enough of the "originals" left.

Someone mentioned about the "Around-the-World Caravan". I know that Christine Charles, now married, and Nick Charles are living. Nick and I were the scouts in Africa.

The more tales shared, the better the historians can learn about actual events.

Best,

Dale

safari57 · 02-05-2008, 05:11 PM

You bet Dale and Randy - share what you've got. We love to hear the old stories. Too bad we couldn't all get around a big campfire - that would complete the mood.

We enjoy hearing from you guys and are glad you are here.

Barry

PeeWee · 02-05-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

You bet Dale and Randy - share what you've got. We love to hear the old stories. Too bad we couldn't all get around a big campfire - that would complete the mood.

We enjoy hearing from you guys and are glad you are here.

Barry

Barry,

I did a "campfire" last summer at Breckenridge, and I will "campfire" with the Four Corners in two week at Cottonwood. Tentatively I will visit the International in Bozeman. I try to put as much information, as I can, on the Sierra Neveda Unit's website. So many stories, so many miles, and so many smiles.

Pee Wee

myboyburt · 02-05-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeeWee

Barry,

I did a "campfire" last summer at Breckenridge, and I will "campfire" with the Four Corners in two week at Cottonwood. Tentatively I will visit the International in Bozeman. I try to put as much information, as I can, on the Sierra Neveda Unit's website. So many stories, so many miles, and so many smiles.

Pee Wee

Thanks Pee Wee, I love the Sierra Nevada Unit's website. So much history, so much fun was had by Wally Byam Caravaners. My hope / dream is to be like them and travel the world in my Airstream.