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...
