Father and Daughter Travel the Country in Tandem

By Bill Sterling

MY 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, Lillian, and I are traveling the United States together. Lillian is a student, and I’m taking a break from the working world after about 25 years in the auto industry. Our home base was Florida, but now it’s the entire country.

Three years ago, the day before my father died, he told me I needed to get going if I was going to travel. “This is you in 25 years,” he said. None of us are getting any younger, but we often believe there will always be time and health. His urgency prompted me to take action and hit the road.

We are traveling with two vehicles. I’m driving a vintage 1973 Balboa motorhome, built by Jensen Marine in California. Lillian is driving a 1996 Chevy Beauville passenger van that has been lightly modified to suit her travel needs. She lovingly refers to it as her She Shed, and shares it with her three cats. The van also tows a small trailer carrying things such as spare fuel, tools, and extra water. Lillian’s van is nearly vintage at 26 years old, but compared to the 49 years on my Balboa, her van is considered the support vehicle.

The Balboa motorhome has sentimental significance to me. When visiting RV dealers back in the ’70s with my father, he always wanted a Balboa, partially because he loved the extra-large side windows, which provide amazing views!

Jensen Marine was the builder of Cal Yachts, among others. The company wanted a higher-end, personal-sized RV for their existing market, and they created the Balboa Motorhome. Based in Costa Mesa, California, they sold an estimated 1,100 Balboas starting in 1969 until the 1974 fuel crisis caused the division’s demise. Despite the compact 18-foot overall length, the little camper has a full kitchen with dual sinks, an oven, and a four-burner stove. It also sports a full marine-style bathroom with a shower and flush toilet. As you might expect, much of the equipment used in the Balboa is carried over from Jensen’s marine division. With its compact size and common Chevy, Dodge, and Ford cargo van underpinnings, it was marketed to be a simple yet luxurious multi-purpose alternative to the station wagon. I’ve retained the ’70s vibe of the Balboa wherever possible.

After finding my motorhome in Idaho and traveling with Lillian to bring it back to Florida, I began renovating the RV and updating some of the older systems. For example, I needed to upgrade the electrical system with solar and a lithium house battery. Upholstery, flooring, and plumbing were also addressed. Mechanical systems were taken care of in Spokane, Washington, and Florida. Exterior cosmetic work was continuing right up to a few days before departure. As I was told, “If you wait for everything to be ready, you’ll never leave!” Like any pet project, it will never really be complete, and some projects will be completed along the journey.

Lillian and I departed in the fall, and we had already logged more than 3,500 miles by mid-winter. Having plenty of time and a flexible schedule allows for side trips and exploring. We’ve traveled across the Southeast, learning about Civil War history while visiting Fort Gaines, Georgia, the civil rights movement in Alabama, and the rich history of New Orleans. In Dallas we saw the Sixth Floor Museum, and in San Antonio, the missions and the Alamo. Far West Texas destinations included Big Bend National Park, Marfa, and El Paso. Next on the list is more of the Southwest, California and the Pacific Coast Highway, and as the weather allows, the Pacific Northwest. There is so much to see!

Exploring the country in vintage equipment is not for the faint of heart. Aside from the usual challenges of the nomadic lifestyle, older vehicles require special care in order to stay on the road. Both the motorhome and the support van were extensively serviced before departure, and we’re being extra careful along the route, respecting that these vehicles have some years on them. Frequent inspections, gentle driving habits, and slower speeds seem to be doing the trick!

We’re planning to see remote places in the West and mountain states. Because services may be limited, my intention is to be as self-sufficient as possible, even if a roadside repair might only be enough to get to a repair facility. In a worst case scenario, there is another vehicle to get help. Lillian would likely tell you she needs the support van to have some space from her undoubtedly uncool dad!

Keep up with Bill’s adventure on Instagram @balboalandyacht