WRESTLER JESSIE KRESA • ROLLING FATTIES • EMBRACING FREEDOM
WINTER 2014 AIRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | A IRSTREA ML IFE .CO M
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
traveling well
Winter 2014
The official Airstream lifestyle magazine
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EDITOR’S PAGE
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INBOX
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Fat is How They Roll
AIRSTREAM FOOD
13 W hat’s
a Good Girl like You Doing in a Trailer Like This?
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Curing the Busy Epidemic
RIVET BIT
LIVING THE LIFE
Fat is How They Roll, Page 11
What’s a Good Girl like You Doing in a Trailer Like This?, Page 13 2
A I RST R E A M LI F E O N LI NE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M
It’s just how we roll.
When the open road calls, we answer. Life’s waiting, let’s roll. Check us out at airstream.com
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EDITOR’S PAGE
Read This In Your Airstream
ABOUT OUR COVER Our cover painting is by Lynn Pass, an artist and art teacher from West Linn, OR. After retiring from teaching a year ago, Lynn and her husband upgraded to a 2014 30’ Flying Cloud named “Wanda” so that they could travel more. Wanda is their third Airstream. They plan to spend 100 nights on the road this year. The cover is adapted from an acrylic painting of a 1961 Bambi owned by Connie and Jay Oreuta. See more of Lynn’s work at www.iconicglass.net.
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Normally around this season Airstreamers in much of North America are wrapping up their fall travel, and things in the Airstream world get a little quieter. Not this year. There has been so much news that I can barely keep track of it all. Let’s start with the Airstreams themselves. Airstream has announced tow major updates to the travel trailer line. First, starting with the 2015 model year, all trailers 25 feet and longer have ducted air conditioning. (Previously ducted air was only available on the top-of-the-line Land Yacht, which cost about $140k.) Ducted air means the interior is much quieter when the air conditioner is running, and the air distribution is much more even and efficient. It’s a big improvement, and it will probably inspire more than a few trade-ins. Second, Airstream’s Classic series has received a complete makeover. The Classics now feature exposed aluminum in the ceiling, woven flooring, Euro-style appliances and fixtures, and a generally more sophisticated appearance with two choices of color schemes. If you thought the Classic was for your parents’ generation, you might want to take another look. As I mentioned in the last issue, Airstream has been hustling to build enough travel trailers and Interstate motorhomes to keep up with demand. Last June the company expanded its Interstate production line, and you’ll see why, when you read about the Airstream Interstate in this issue. If you are a recent Interstate owner, you might want to check out my new Guide To The Airstream Interstate 3500. This book walks you through all the systems of an Interstate and gives specific tips and checklists to help get you traveling! It’s currently available as an e-book on Amazon Kindle and Apple iBookstore. This winter Airstream is breaking ground on a $5.9 million plant expansion for the travel trailers, too. The expansion is expected to be completed by May 2015, just in time for attendees to the next Alumapalooza to take a tour. (You’ll see an ad in this issue for Alumapalooza 6. Maybe this is your year to go?) Speaking of events, we’ve got an amazing new opportunity for you, coming in July 2015. It’s called the Performance Towing Experience (PTX). Bring your Airstream, because we’ll have three courses for you to try: a drag strip run for demonstrations by our instructors, a low-speed cone course for beginners to towing, and a closed road course where experienced drivers can pull their Airstream through a slalom and practice maneuvers like emergency braking. Whatever your experience level, PTX is going to be the place to learn more about towing, get a professional hitch consultation, practice things you hope you never have to do on the road, and compare different towing combinations by actually driving them. PTX will include three days of educational seminars and practice on the towing courses, numerous off-site activities, plus a weekend to watch automotive racing, and up to seven nights of camping! I’m really hoping that, besides being fun, this event helps improve safety. No matter what you tow with, PTX will be an opportunity to make it (or you) tow better. If you want to learn more about it, check out PTXON.com or look for the ad in this issue of Airstream Life. I’ve got just one more bit of information that might help you stay up-to-date. It’s our new email newsletter, called Outside Interests. Outside Interests comes out every three weeks, and shares news about Airstream, tips, profiles, and special deals on upcoming events. It’s a free companion to Airstream
A I RST R E A M LI F E O N LI NE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M
traveling well
The official Airstream lifestyle magazine Editor and Publisher: Rich Luhr rich@airstreamlife.com Associate Editors: Tom Bentley Becky Blanton Layout and Design: OneTree Marketing lisa@airstreamlife.com The 2015 Airstream Classics have gained a fresh new look and lots of advanced features.
Life magazine, and a great way to keep up on all things Airstream. Give it a try by subscribing online (you can always unsubscribe if you want) at OutsideInterests.info This has been a lot of news to absorb, so I’ve got a suggestion to make it easier for you: take this sample of Airstream Life out to your travel trailer or motorhome, get comfortable with a snack or a drink, and relax while you read through the rest. Winter may be coming for those of you in the north, but an Airstream is something you can enjoy all year round, even in your driveway! See you on the road!
Advertising Sales: Brett Greiveldinger brett@airstreamlife.com (802) 877-2900 Ext. 2 Editorial Illustrator: Brad Cornelius Culinary Consultant: Eleanor O’Dea Customer Service: David Winter Associate Contributors: Jody Brotherston J. Rick Cipot Fred Coldwell Renee Ettline Bert Gildart John Irwin Forrest McClure Charles Spiher CONTACT Airstream Life 411 Walnut St #4468 Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Telephone: (802) 877-2900 Fax: (802) 610-1013 www.airstreamlife.com
Rich Luhr Editor & Publisher
Don’t Miss The Next Issue! Now it’s even easier to change your address when you move, find out when your s ubscription expires, or renew your subscription to Airstream Life. Just visit www.airstreamlife.com/renew, and identify yourself with your email address and zip code.* With just a click, you can see what issues you’ve received, which issues you are still due to receive, change your mailing or email address, and renew your subscription!
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CUSTOMER SERVICE Airstream Life’s world headquarters are the dinette table of a 2005 Airstream Safari 30 We’re always glad to hear from you, but if you have a simple question, please check our website for help first. There you can subscribe, renew your subscription, change your address, get advertising information, download writer’s and photographer’s guidelines, notify us of an address change,and get answers to frequently-asked questions. See www.airstreamlife.com or call (802) 877-2900. Airstream Life (ISSN 1550-5979) is published quarterly by Church Street Publishing, Inc., 411 Walnut St #4468, Green Cove Springs FL 32043. Subscription price is $24 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Ferrisburg VT and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Airstream Life, 411 Walnut St #4468, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 © Copyright 2014 by Church Street Publishing, Inc. AIRSTREAM® is the property of Airstream, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in CANADA.
INBOX
Airstream Stands Out Even More In Germany Hi Rich We met during the Airstream meeting at Airstream Germany, and of course I read your magazine since I got my Airstream 534. [Editor’s note: this is a European spec Airstream.] Enclosed a picture of my Airstream with my Ford F150 and KTM race bike. For the US guys, this is nothing special—but for Germany it is a big “looker.” I have never spotted another Airstream on the road here in Germany, and an F150 once or twice per year only! We use the 534 at racetracks all over Europe. People are always curious to see what it looks like inside. They’ve never seen an Airstream LIVE before! All the best from Germany, Steve Litschka
Steal Away To The Keys The picture was taken during our trip to the middle Keys (Marathon FL) during May of this year. My wife Brenda and I pulled down our 2012 25' Flying Cloud to Grassy Key RV Resort and stayed twelve nights. Our daughter Fallon flew down after finals at Arkansas State University so she and I could do some scuba diving. This trip was our longest so far, at 3,400 miles round trip. Future trips include the Tetons, and across the Smokey Mountains of NC to the Carolina coast! Tim Mauldin Sherwood, AR
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Don’ Muss Da Shiney Driving through south Louisiana where even the highway is on legs, so to keep the travelers up in the dry. The ground is a wet sponge in the Atchafalaya Basin. We are entering Acadiana through St. Martin Parish on a road contrary to the welcome center’s advice. I was befriended in the parking lot by Mike the Cajun, a portly fellow in a tank top revealing his cheap tattoos. He informed me that “Dey puttin’ aw-wul on dat rode.” So I took Mike’s word for it, I didn’t want to muss my shiney wit’ no aw-wul. Two things I have in tow that break the ice universally are the Airstream and the amazing Cosmo, my Jack Russell Terrier, who women unfailingly find cute. Mike’s attraction was to the former. The road into Cajun country where the people are friendly, the food is interesting and the music is kick-ass, has a familiar vibe. Not unlike where most of my misspent youth took place in south Arkansas, there are rows of fishing houses along slow water. Fishing houses with colorful monikers like “The Red Light District, just a bunch of hookers,” “Beer Thirty With An Attitude” and “Coon Ass Yacht Club.” I can’t wait to meet this fun loving group. Jim Crow
A World Traveler, Retired In Florida Here are photos of a great vintage 1958 Airstream Land Yacht that I found last year at Chokaloskee Florida. It has been on all the caravans in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s (including Cape Town to Cairo) and looks to be in great shape. The owners weren't there but a neighbour said they cherish it and the memories. From what I could tell, the trailer must have been bought new and travelled in by Don and Gen Christie of Carmel IN, WBCCI #1986. It seems like a great part of Airstream and WBCCI history. Great meeting you in Sarasota. Bob Fisher WBCCI #6618 Toronto, Canada
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INBOX
Airstream Pool House We had an old, tired pool and an old, tired barn next to it. We decided to take down the barn and spruce up the pool area and I got the idea of finding something to serve as a pool house. We looked at sheds that could be converted when I got the idea of another Airstream. (I have a 2012 Flying Cloud 25'.) I poked around and found this one on eBay. It is a 22' 1972 Globetrotter that came to me from Athens GA. It is in very good shape. I had it delivered to our house in Duxbury and set by the pool in time for my daughter’s wedding. It needs new axles and brakes, which I plan to resolve next winter. My intent is to keep it road ready. All the best, Doug Hart
Silver Birthday I thought you would like to see what I got for my birthday. Can you tell what year it is? My wife Debbie made it for me last year. I thought it was cool also. It tasted good as well. The kids drew straws for the air conditioners—they were candy. We’ve been away camping for two weeks and are currently in Vermont. Bob Miller WBCCI #4777
Two Airstreams Are Better Than One We enjoy your magazine and look forward to each edition. Thought you would enjoy “Airstream squared” or the “Silver Road Train.” We take two Airstreams when we hit the road! Pictured are our 2005 Airstream Westfalia pulling a 2006 19' Bambi International CCD. We camp with friends frequently. The Westy seats four very comfortably. Our guests stay in the Bambi, we stay in the Westy. The Westy is also our Mother Ship. We can transfer water from her to Bambi and can use its genset to charge batteries in either unit. We are heading off in the morning for a week of camping at the high Sierra lakes. Roger Groves
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Across The Country (And Back) In 11 Days Dear Airstream Life, We just returned from a coast-to-coast round trip. I spotted the Summer issue of Airstream Life when rummaging through the mail and read the “Inbox” section with other Airstreamer’s adventures. What the heck ... I’d give our picture of the Airstream in Capitol Reef National Park in Utah from the day before (May 31, 2014). I snapped this picture with my iPhone with Castle Rock in the background. That’s the short story. The longer story is that we had just purchased the 2013 Bambi in Nov 2013. The maiden voyage was supposed to be a weekender in a local county park in preparation of the coast-tocoast round trip for my niece’s graduation from Cornell and some family visits. Before you knew it, it was two weeks before graduation and we hadn’t done a thing. Off we went four days before graduation on the Bambi’s maiden voyage! Fremont CA – Buffalo NY – Ithaca NY – Forked River NJ – Waynesboro VA – Vail CO – Capitol Reef UT – Fremont CA, in 11 days. They were packed days and all went well. Thanks for your consideration, N Wong Fremont, CA
Airstream Makes It Even More Special My husband and I have enjoyed our 2006 75th anniversary year Safari on road trips all over the west. We have wonderful memories of all our trips so far but we were especially thrilled when our son asked us if “Sparky” could be a part of his wedding. The wedding took place at The Walnut Grove in beautiful Moorpark, CA. First the Airstream was used as the grooms’ dressing room, then after the ceremony it served as a great backdrop for the wedding party to gather for a picture. What a wonderful memory we have of our “Sparky.” The photo was taken by Kimberlee Miller Photography, Moorpark, CA. Sincerely, Linda and Mike Wilding
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AIRSTREAM FOOD
Rob & Polly MacMichael’s
FARM-TO-FOOD-TRAILER IN MAINE In rural Maine, “fatties” are what diners elsewhere call burritos. Rob and Polly MacMichael, the owners of Rolling Fatties, an Argosy trailer-turned-ramblingcafé in Kingfield ME, dubbed their plump, handmade burritos “fatties” to free them from an exclusively Mexican food moniker. The couple met 15 years ago while working in restaurants, then veered into second and third careers teaching high school, designing websites, and doing custom carpentry, all the while “dreaming about ways to work together, have more fun, and support the local food/simple living movement.” “Last spring, Rob had the good fortune to be building a home for some generous folks who spent weekends living in a trailer on the jobsite,” explains Polly. “When Rob asked what would happen to the Argosy once the house was completed, he was told he could have it if he could drag it out of the woods.” Hauling the Argosy out of the woods set in motion the MacMichaels’ dream of returning to restaurant work. After spending the summer gutting, cleaning, rebuilding, and customizing the kitchen, the couple opened Rolling Fatties in midOctober 2013. Their goal was simply to “be adventurous, go where the people are, and operate with a passion for spreading health and happiness by serving food grown and raised by our friends and neighbors in rural Maine.” The “fatties” idea—actually the brainchild of Rob’s sister “from way back”— fit so perfectly with the menu hook Rob and Polly were looking for with a food truck, that the menu just followed naturally. It was just a bonus that their trailer actually looked a little like a fatty. As self-proclaimed “burrito lovers,” the MacMichaels wanted to offer customers a favorite food of theirs, but with a little more diversity. While the fatty can take many forms, each one wrapped inside their rolling kitchen features GMO-free and locally grown and raised ingredients. Rob and Polly source their meat and veggies from Maine ranchers, farmers, and gardeners because, as they say, “we want to keep our sky blue, our money in our community, and our friends and Fatty lovers happy and healthy.” Grass fed beef from a nearby ranch, and pork from a butcher specializing in nitratefree bacon and hot sausages fill tortillas that the duo make strictly by hand. The tortillas use lard the MacMichaels render themselves along with aluminum free baking powder, Maine sea salt, and organic all-purpose flours from both Maine and Vermont. Vegetables and herbs are sourced first from the Fatty Food Garden, grown from seed from a GMO-free co-op called Fedco, and fertilized with Rolling Fatties compost. And some items, like garlic and beans come from nearby farms and/or farmers’ markets. Sodas are made in Maine, and the water offered is bottled from a nearby natural spring. Items the MacMichaels can’t get in Maine, like limes and avocados, are purchased from local food distributors who specialize in organics. Mouthwatering images of fresh Fatty specials fill the Rolling Fatties Facebook page, and for right around 10 bucks (basic plus add-ons), you can get a Mexican-inspired fatty with rice, beans, salsa fresca, crema and fresh cilantro (and sometimes a vivid orange incendiary Habanero sauce). Or, you can try a cheeseburger fatty, a lobster roll fatty, colorful salad fatties or a straightforward cucumber fatty fresh from the field. The MacMichaels say they love their Argosy and the admiration it gets from Airstream fans. The couple is so hooked on their farm-to-food truck concept that they are looking for another little Argosy to add to the Rolling Fatties fleet in the near future.
Story By Rebecca Withers Photos By Rich Luhr
The Rolling Fatties Argosy trailer spent much of the summer parked at the MacMichael’s home in Maine, but Polly and Rob are hoping to add to the fleet and start traveling locally soon.
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EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF TUCSON! MORE SEMINARS, NEW TOURS & NEW CULINARY EXPERIENCES BROUGHT TO YOU BY AIRSTREAM LIFE & LAZYDAYS
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FEATURING: Titan Missile Museum, Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tour of Asia via the Southwest Culinary Experience, Arizona State Museum, D & D Pinball, and more! Plus, we are adding more seminars on Airstreaming topics! • Five nights full hookups with cable, wi-fi, and two heated swimming pools • Daily guided explorations of Tucson’s cultural sites, shopping, architecture, and history • Daily active adventures: hikes, walking tours, bike rides
• Two catered breakfasts, one catered dinner, plus optional lunches at great Tucson eateries, and “Food Truck Friday at Alumafiesta” • Daily Happy Hours with door prizes, vendors, and an indoor new Airstream display
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RIVET BIT
Out of the wrestling ring, “good girl” Jessie Kresa makes her home at an Airstream park in Minnesota.
What’s a Good Girl Like You Doing in a Trailer Like This? In pro wrestling circles, Jessie Kresa is considered one of the “good girls,” essentially an assigned persona where the audience is encouraged to root for her against the “bad girls.” So why does she dub herself “The One Dirty Bitch?” “Well, there’s some bad girl inside of me, but that’s what makes me good,” she says. Good girl or bad, she’s got a lot of Airstream in her heart—and on her arm, where a silver coach with a little pink flamingo takes a prominent perch. As she puts it: “You gotta have a pink flamingo.” We’ll delve more into that Airstream connection later; first, what makes a good girl want to be a professional wrestler? In a word, roots. Kresa grew up in Minnesota, where the old American Wrestling Association (AMA) was founded. She loved watching bouts on TV, but always thought the wrestlers were largerthan-life people, and outside her world. However, she later hooked up with Eddie Sharkey, a local trainer who’d polished the work of legends like the Road Warriors and Mr. Perfect, and they got to work. “I started training in a garage and beat up a lot of the guys, because I was bigger than lots of them,” says Kresa. She’s now been a professional wrestler for 14 years, and a star on the SPIKE network every Thursday night for the last 7, and she’s a 4-time champion. The company she works for, Total Nonstop Action (TNA) represents both male and
By Tom Bentley
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RIVET BIT
Why not hang out with other Airstreamers and get to know Airstreams?
female wrestlers, and is one of two main organizations in the business. There’s not a lot of work for pro wrestlers, especially for women, so they have to stand out. Jessie Kresa stands out. “The crowd can relate to me because I’m so different from the other girls. I’m not a size 5. I’ve got meat on my bones compared to some of the other girls, who can be Barbie-doll, model chicks,” says Kresa. “When you see me all tatted up and drinkin’ whiskey and slappin’ myself, the fans are like: ‘I want to see that girl kick that skinny girl’s ass.’ Sometimes I fight the guys, and the crowd can believe it. They see me and say she can take care of herself, she may be able to take care of this guy.” Kresa is aware that a lot of viewers think pro wrestling is completely fake. “Fake? I show them that it’s not. It is entertainment, but we’re athletes out there. We’re live—it’s not a movie where you can say ‘cut!’ I run a bar and when I hear people say ‘oh, that wrestling stuff,’ I give them a little taste so they know it’s not fake.” When she’s not in the ring, Kresa manages a small bar in Champlin MN (and is considering opening one of her own) but it was her earlier employment at Florida’s Disney World that triggered an inner motivation. “I opened up the Animal Kingdom and was a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise. No tattoos back then. That’s where I started coming out of my shell and became interested in entertaining people. Working there, you have to talk to people and smile, and I found out I liked it.” What Kresa also likes is Airstreams—in particular, her 1978 Sovereign International, which she lives in at an Airstream-only park in Clear Lake MN. She bought it off Craigslist last year, after which it spent about six months with
Your “quick start” guide to traveling, camping, and owning an Airstream travel trailer! This fun guide is filled with succinct, practical and tested answers to the most commonly-asked questions and typical new owner challenges. Includes sections on all kinds of “newbie” topics: understanding all the systems, camping, towing, solar & generators, maintenance, winterizing, simple repairs, packing, backing, dumping, filling, winter travel, Internet, cleaning, tools, myths, and sample checklists. Makes a great gift for new Airstream owners, and a handy reference even for experienced owners. Includes over 30 illustrations, and an indispensable eight-page “Jargon Guide” with definitions of commonly used Airstreaming terms. Spiral bound (so it lays flat while you're reading it), and 6x9" paperback format so it will fit on Airstream shelves. 104 pages. Written by Rich Luhr (Editor of Airstream Life) with contributions by Airstream Life staff. $9.95 at the Airstream Life store at www.airstreamlife.com/store and Amazon.com. Available as an eBook for Kindle and iPad/iPhone too!
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A I RS T R E A M L I F E O N L INE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M
Jessie Kresa stands out whether she’s relaxing at home in her renovated 1978 Airstream or posing with one of her TNA Championship belts. Her entertainment career started with a bout as a tour guide in Disneyworld.
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RIVET BIT Shorewood RV, who totally gutted it (except for the cabinets), installed laminate flooring, a leather dinette booth, kitchen counters and stovetop, full bathroom and a large bed in the back. Kresa loves that she’s in an Airstream-only park. “It’s cool. It’s the only Airstream park in Minnesota; you have to have an Airstream to live here. People buy their lots. Why not hang out with other Airstreamers and get to know Airstreams? I’m thinking of doing a wrestling show, where fans meet me at the trailer and hang out with me.” Kresa’s Airstream has made it to television too: she recently did an episode of “My Family Recipe Rocks,” hosted by Joey Fatone of ‘N Sync boy-band fame. The piece aired on Live Well, the digital TV network. Fatone goes to people’s homes, filming them cooking their family recipes. The episode centered as much around Kresa’s Airstream as around her “campfire” cooking. “There’s no other pro wrestler like me, and now that I have an Airstream, I’m getting a bit more publicity around that; it’s opening up my future a bit.” Kresa’s future has been on her mind, since as she says, “There’s only so many times that I can fall.” She has been spending some time in Los Angeles working with voiceover coaches from Disney. She’d love to be a cartoon character in an animated show, which isn’t surprising, considering that she seems larger-than-life herself. If she does go to LA for any serious stint, the Airstream is going to go with her. “I’d love to take it to California, park it on the beach and work on my voiceovers,” she says. “Airstreams are the best: They hold their value and they last forever. The look, the quality, the way they’re made—I have a real home on wheels.” But the strongest reason why she loves Airstreams is the people. “We do a lot of happy hours here in the park, and you know where the happy hour is going to be held by which trailer has the big pink flamingo out front. The people associated with Airstream are the nicest people.” And if anyone gets out of hand at one of those pink-flamingo parties, we know who is going to be called to wrestle the culprit to the ground. It won’t even be a contest. You can read about and watch video of Jessie’s exploits at www.odbbam.com.
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JOIN THE FLOCK IN SUNNY FLORIDA! FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 1, 2015 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA
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Behind-the-scenes tours of Sarasota sights New seminars on all things travel and Airstream-related Special seminars for Airstream newbies Live entertainment most nights, including Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours! Jam sessions, and the legendary Aluminum Gong Show Cooking classes, demos, and special culinary experiences Catered dinner and breakfast Happy Hours, door prizes, and goody bags A gaggle of vendors, plus new Airstreams on display
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Visit Alumaflamingo.com for full details and online registration, or call 802-877-2900 ext 4. A IRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | A IRSTREA MLIF E .CO M
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LIVING THE LIFE
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRENDA MINTON
Curing the Busy Epidemic
By Renee Ettline
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Freedom is a big part of the American dream: freedom of expression, to roam, to choose, to be yourself and to enjoy life. No constraints, no time schedules, no demands. And what symbolizes freedom more than an Airstream? It’s an aerodynamic silver escape slipping through the breeze, a special place for you and yours to unwind and breathe in the joys of living. In it you can be master of your own destiny, attuned to all the world has to offer. Yet, truly embracing freedom is not always easy, especially in a society where time is of the essence and productivity is highly prized. Living by the clock and constantly being available can become so ingrained that we don’t even realize the degree to which they steal our joy. The condition has even been dubbed “the Busy Epidemic.” Relaxing, breathing in nature, and settling into a peaceful state of being sounds so inviting, but a peaceful pace can be quite elusive when you’re accustomed to living by a “to do” list. Slowing down might even make you feel a bit guilty if you’re one of the driven type.
A I RS T R E A M L I F E O N L INE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M
So how can you slow the pace internally? How can you use your Airstream to truly embrace the world while finding contentment and peace in each day?
Take a Detour from Deadlines Become spontaneous. Re-frame how you look at time. Yes, there is security in having reservations, especially in high tourist areas, but over-scheduling a trip robs you of flexibility and may increase your sense of intensity. Try taking a trip where you schedule nothing. When you do schedule, don’t over-schedule. Build in time to take the day as it comes. Also, allow time to get to destinations leisurely. Feeling driven to see-it-all or to make it to a given destination on time throws you back into a state of busyness. Structure your day for a relaxed trip. Beware overbooking with friends and family if you’re trying to relax. Make sure there’s nothing likely to force you to rush back home. Don’t plan to get back to home on a rigid schedule. If life allows, tell everyone you won’t be back for a year! If they need you, they can call or email.
No constraints, no time schedules, no demands.
Make the Journey a Destination It’s easy to become so focused on reaching a destination that you miss out of the adventure of travel. Opt for a country road rather than the Interstate for the true flavor of the land. Pay attention to the scenery. Look for interesting local discoveries and stop at those that interest you. Wander through that general store or follow signs to whimsical folk-art attractions or a small town antique car exhibit. Such treasures are often not discoverable on the Internet.
Unwind Stop. Take a few deep breaths and recognize the value of downtime. Airstreaming can be the perfect escape from endless activity and responsibility. The escape starts when you decide to make choices that help you to unwind. Start your day with a leisurely pace. Have a cup of coffee while watching the birds or studying the beautiful pattern of a spider’s web. Enjoy your surroundings and your family. Be still. Close your eyes and listen to nature or the laughter of children. Meditate or pray. Ponder all the ways that life is good. Set the tone for the rest of your day.
Rediscover Yourself and Your Spouse Hectic daily schedules may squeeze out many activities that are fun and relaxing. Use camping time to explore hobbies and pastimes such as reading, photography, or handcrafting. Choose destinations that support activities you find relaxing such as kayaking, bicycling, swimming or golf. Rediscover your spouse. Take walks together. Reminisce about the roads you’ve traveled together through life. Chat about your dreams and your hopes. Enjoy an intimate afternoon together.
Be All There Immerse yourself in the experiences of Airstreaming. Whatever you are doing, be there body mind and spirit. Don’t let you mind wander to stresses back home. Stay in a location long enough to grasp the essence of the place. Connect with interesting people who do interesting things. Find out what the locals do for entertainment. Check out their favorite waterfall or local jam session. Breathe in the moment. A IRSTREAM LIFE ONLINE EDITION | A IRSTREA MLIF E .CO M
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Adopt a Camping Mentality Whether you’re oriented to camping in the wilderness or at RV resorts, shift your thinking away from the hotel vacation mentality. Camping means you can stay longer for less money, and really relax or take an extra day without breaking the budget. Better yet, the self-contained nature of an Airstream frees you to camp without a campground. You don’t always need a full hookup. Learning boondocking skills opens a whole new level of freedom while Airstreaming.
Unplug Kiss your electronic devices goodbye or at least limit their use for a while. Emails, Facebook, text messages and so forth suck you back into a world plagued by busyness. Give yourself a well-deserved break. Now, go for it! Find some peace and relaxation. Use your Airstream to cure the Busy Epidemic in your own life. You’ll be glad you did! Renee Smith Ettline is an Airstreamer and counselor. Her book Peace After Divorce: Choosing Concrete Actions Rooted in Faith has been recognized as an Exemplary Christian Book by the 2013 Illumination Book Awards. Visit her website at www.AfterDivorceMinistries.com.
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For the first time ever, you can rent a current-model Airstream, fully outfitted including a GMC Yukon Denali. We provide custom travel, or just take it & go. Exclusively authorized by Airstream, Inc., please visit airstream2go.com or call 800-780-9880 20
A I RS T R E A M L I F E O N L INE EDITIO N | AI R S T R EAML I FE.CO M
THE ONLY ON-TRACK TOWING EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA! GRAND BEND, ONTARIO — JUST 2 HOURS FROM DETROIT! | JULY 14 - 19, 2015
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TAKE YOUR AIRSTREAM THROUGH OUR ROAD COURSES, OR USE ONE SUPPLIED BY CAN-AM RV • Classroom sessions on towing, hitch optimization, safe driving, and other Airstream topics. • Hitch consultation by Can-AM RV experts. • Live entertainment • Catered dinner, daily happy hours and prizes, discount admission to Vintage Road Racing Association weekend races and other racing events. • Off-site tours and activities for non-drivers including Grand Bend beach, drive-in movie, playhouse theater, and more!
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THREE LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION FOR EVERYONE: SPECTATOR: $225 (USD)
Includes all seminars, meals, entertainment, and free camping.
DRIVER (for novices to towing): $275 (USD)
Includes all above, plus demo drives, safety training and towing instruction on a special low-speed beginner course in your Airstream. Limited to 42.
ADVANCED DRIVER (for those experienced with towing): $375 (USD) Includes all above, plus high-speed road course with instructor, hitch review and optimization, and use of Can-AM vehicles. Limited to 56.
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SUBSCRIBE TODAY to get the complete Winter 2014 print edition of Airstream Life! See what’s inside... TABLE OF CONTENTS
traveling well
Winter 2014
The official Airstream lifestyle magazine
4
EDITOR’S PAGE
6
INBOX
11
Fat is How They Roll
12
Dig this!
FEATURE
19
What’s a Good Girl like You Doing in a Trailer Like This?
RIVET BIT
FROM THE ARCHIVES
26
Curing the Busy Epidemic
LIVING THE LIFE
30
Decluttering By Craigslist
AIRSTREAMING
32
Streampunk Clipper
OLD ALUMINUM
38
Wild and Sometimes Still Free: The Sonoran Desert Museum
NATIONAL PARKS
52
An Amazing Run: The Airstream Interstate 3500
FEATURE
“Ridgway,” an Airstream Stretch
INTERIORS
58 61
Fat is How They Roll, Page 11
PUZZLE
45 47
PHOTO: RICH LUHR
Camping Along The Neckar River
PHOTO: DOUG DUKANE
24
AIRSTREAM FOOD
Streampunk Clipper, Page 32
PARKS SHOWCASE
Improve Your Refrigerator’s Cooling
TECH TIPS MARKETPLACE PHOTO: VIRTUANCE
64
“Ridgway,” an Airstream Stretch, Page 52 2
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