Recently I took a short bike ride (~8.5 miles) along roads rather than bike paths. My helmet and vest are both neon yellow. It was at a time of day when traffic was very slow, so I felt relatively safe. I came across this Airstream sitting in the parking lot of a mom and pop motel, and my heart started beating a little faster. It’s always been a dream of mine to own one. Immediately the thought of using it as a place for guests to stay came to mind. I rolled up to it with hope.

The price was right! Please notice that the sign says ’71, but it looks like someone corrected the age to 77 and added a smiley. So far so good.

I walked along the side and it looked a little beat up but nothing too major. Look at those heavy duty double tires!

Then I looked in the back window. Totally gutted!

Very disappointing. If I was 20 years younger and was still with my old boyfriend, I’d buy this in a heartbeat.

I wonder if she’ll still be there when I ride that way again?

I always thought I would buy an RV and see the country at my liesure when I retired- Wrong! Who can afford that anymore! Great post.
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V, I know what you mean, with the price of gas, camping fees, staying awake at the wheel, etc. I can see myself driving off the side of the road into a ravine.
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p.s. Thanks
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Dreams are wonderful even if only for a short time! I love your story.
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Dwight I could see you restoring something like this. Thanks and glad you enjoyed the story.
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As you said, maybe years ago! Time move on and so do we!
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Your short bike ride is a long one for me. Sigh.
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Biking is something you condition for and you’d be surprised how quickly you’d work your way up in miles.
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Ah, that’s disappointing! What a lot of work it would be to finish the inside of the trailer. Friends of ours have a vintage Trillium that they’ve spent a lot of time and money sprucing up though certainly didn’t have that level of restoration to do. I think it would be fun to experience camping in one of these.
PS: top marks for riding with high-viz helmet and vest!
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Yes, it was disappointing. I might be able to do it but not that motivated. I just wonder how much they would get if they scrapped it out (perish the thought to melt down a beautiful antique like that.)
Yes, I got the hi-viz helmet after I felt and hit the old one on cement. The way the cars — and monster trucks — drive on the country roads here, it’s the least I can do. I also have lights front and back but usually don’t use them in daylight.
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Oh, it would really be a tragedy to scrap a piece like that.
It’s a very good practice to replace a helmet after a crash. I had a minor one recently, and the helmet was five years old and has impact-absorbing technology (Trek WaveCel) that becomes compressed and therefore compromised. It was a mild hit, but better to be safe than sorry… so I ordered a new one (in a fancy red/black fade that is similar to my bike’s paint scheme LOL). In the last few years I’ve started running my front and back lights in daylight, too, given how inattentive many drivers are. Be careful out there – and enjoy the sights and fun little discoveries, Lisa!
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So cool! I’m with you, Lisa, “if I was 20 years younger”!
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:) <3
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It would need too much work and investment.
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I know :( All building supplies are through the roof here.
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Sadness
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Yes, I get that, so tempting, but so much work (and energy/money). Looks fabulous from the outside.
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Exactly, Paul. It would be nice as a glorifed tent though ;)
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It sure would Li 😉
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My mom always wanted an Airstream. We eventually graduated from a tent to a small trailer but nothing remotely resembling an Airstream. $5500 sounded like a great price until you showed the inside.
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I know what you mean. It was a shining moment — until it wasn’t.
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Dreaming is free…that kind of renovation always takes longer and costs much more than you anticipate. I wonder what happened to the inside? I’m sure there’s a story…(K)
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It kind of looked like it was someone else’s dream but they quit before seeing it realized. It’s all ready for the next dreamer.
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Very ready.
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I love your haiku. Too bad the RV was gutted.
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Thanks, Lisa. It was a disappointment for sure.
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Airstreams are nice until the rivets start leaking. That’s what happened to this one. Get a fiberglass camper.
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Ah, good to know, thanks. Rivets can’t be removed, then resealed? It’s a moot point now.
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That really would be a lot of work since it’s fully gutted. Wouldn’t it be lovely if the buy comes from your post? 🤓
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:)
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