THE IDEA
About five years ago, we were on our way to Minnesota to
visit Elizabeth's family.
As we made our way, we kept noticing several RV's on the
road. Eventually, our conversation turned to the thought of
us getting a travel trailer and travelling the back roads of the
United States.
Charles Kurault once said that 'our interstates make it very
easy to get from one side of the country to the other without
seeing anything.' We agree with that statement and hoped
to avoid the interstates as much as possible. Instead, we
wanted to take the two lane highways and visit the side of the
road attractions, old diners, and small towns that are
reminiscent of Americana at its best.
THE DREAM
In keeping with this theme of a 'vintage voyage', we decided
that, when we ready to purchase a travel trailer, we would
make sure to get one from the same era. There were no
motor homes like the ones that we see on the roads today.
However, there were several styles of travel trailers - each
with it's own distinct design.
One of the most popular was the Airstream travel trailer.
Have you ever seen what looked like a giant twinkie wrapped
in aluminum foil cruising down the road? Chances are it was
an Airstream travel trailer. They've been around since the
thirties and they are still made today!
Although we liked the Airstreams, we decided that we wanted
something a little more unique. There were the Boles Aeros,
the Shastas, the Scottys, Airfloats, and Yellowstones. Travel
trailers became quite popular in the fifties and came with a lot
of the amenities of home. There were many other
manufacturers of trailers in the fifties, many of which made
trailers that were soon called 'canned hams' because of the
'corrugated' metal siding that was used.
Given the unique style, the vintage feel, and the amenities of
home (shower, stove, and fridge), we decided that this was
the type that we wanted. And so, our search began...
About five years ago, we were on our way to Minnesota to
visit Elizabeth's family.
As we made our way, we kept noticing several RV's on the
road. Eventually, our conversation turned to the thought of
us getting a travel trailer and travelling the back roads of the
United States.
Charles Kurault once said that 'our interstates make it very
easy to get from one side of the country to the other without
seeing anything.' We agree with that statement and hoped
to avoid the interstates as much as possible. Instead, we
wanted to take the two lane highways and visit the side of the
road attractions, old diners, and small towns that are
reminiscent of Americana at its best.
THE DREAM
In keeping with this theme of a 'vintage voyage', we decided
that, when we ready to purchase a travel trailer, we would
make sure to get one from the same era. There were no
motor homes like the ones that we see on the roads today.
However, there were several styles of travel trailers - each
with it's own distinct design.
One of the most popular was the Airstream travel trailer.
Have you ever seen what looked like a giant twinkie wrapped
in aluminum foil cruising down the road? Chances are it was
an Airstream travel trailer. They've been around since the
thirties and they are still made today!
Although we liked the Airstreams, we decided that we wanted
something a little more unique. There were the Boles Aeros,
the Shastas, the Scottys, Airfloats, and Yellowstones. Travel
trailers became quite popular in the fifties and came with a lot
of the amenities of home. There were many other
manufacturers of trailers in the fifties, many of which made
trailers that were soon called 'canned hams' because of the
'corrugated' metal siding that was used.
Given the unique style, the vintage feel, and the amenities of
home (shower, stove, and fridge), we decided that this was
the type that we wanted. And so, our search began...