SLIGHT CHANGE IN PLAN . . .

Since Tim and I have returned from the TCT Centennial Celebration with wind in our sails. We are ready to push past current work stages in both our Airstream projects. 



The more WE (guess we are in it together now) have thought about The Hot Mess we have decided to wait to pressure wash the interior. The interior is mostly dry now, most of the bad crud gone and we would need to do it again anyway after the interior is removed. So to keep from doing it twice and to preserve what’s left it will wait. At least now one can breathe inside it. 





Here are a few interior photos as Hot Mess sits now. He will sit idle for the most part since the 1948 Liner has priority. When time permits we will tinker with what we can on it, like sealing a few leaks and buying a few parts needed when the good deals come along. 





Still can’t believe the shower curtain is in one piece and not crumbling. It is very pliable, all hardware intact and I’m told it’s as rare as hens teeth. I’ll need to make a pattern soon!



We will both be flying out to the west coast next weekend for a super fun event. This event should really, really get us jazzed about both projects!!!

TCT 100th CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Last week Tim and I attended and helped volunteer for this event. Every year we attend. This year was special being it was the Centennial Celebration. We had a blast. Instead of me rewriting about the event I will leave you with an article I wrote for them . . . 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE TIN CAN TOURISTS

(Sertoma Youth Ranch - Brooksville, FL)

This wasn’t your everyday vintage rally. This was the one and only celebration of the Tin Can Tourist’s 100th Anniversary in Brooksville, Florida to kick off a yearlong celebration. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time amongst a vintage camp setting? Not just any time but let’s say from the 1930’s to the 1990’s and newer. And to be able to takein this time warp on just one gorgeous Florida spring afternoon. 

The week began on Monday with the grand early arrival of just over 100 rigs coming in. Tuesday had less arrivals with more arriving throughout the rest of the week.  Over 200 rigs attended! The real excitement came on Tuesday afternoon when the power went out in the entire campground. This actually became a great unexpected part of this event that some of us have come to call ’Get to Know Your Neighbor’. It became an excellent way to introduce yourself to your neighbors and make small talk happen. 

The mornings and days were filled with Coffee at the Kitchen and seminars ranging in everything from Agreed Value Insurance, Fire Safety, Better Backing Up and even taking a short drive to visit Tom Small’s private Automotive Collection. On Wednesday afternoon the Tin Canners were treated to a Rolling History Car Show. Everyone gathered in the upper field to observe the amazing classical vehicles that came for showing. A handful of spectators and vehicles even participated in the Car Games that became the unexpected entertaining sport to observe. 

Friday’s bus trip to Tampa transported the Tin Canners through TCT History Day. After getting everyone loaded onto three busses they arrived in Tampa at Desoto Park. The place where it all started! Upon arrival at Desoto Park, attendees enjoyed a historical display of the earliest type of campers the Tin Canners used during the TCT’s beginnings. Featuring Dan Hershberger’s 1927 Auto Kamp Trailer and one of the largest collections of camping equipment and accessories of that era. Also, on hand was Herb and Sidra Spies amazing recreation of the Automobile Telescoping Apartment. Upon the conclusion of the program and display at Desoto Park, they all traveled a short distance to the famous Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. There they savored a lovely lunch before enjoying the painstakingly prepared visual presentation on the History of the Tin Can Tourists by Hunt Jones. His historical accounting of the TCT was impressive!

The evenings were filled with Happy Hours and new member initiations along with remarkable entertainment as well. It’s best to get the new ones informed as soon as possible on the secret sign,  password, handshake and the of course the official TCT song ‘The More We Get Together’. Antsy McClain did not disappoint the crowd on Wednesday evening. He brought his unique blend of music and “humor with heart” to the stage to entertain everyone. Those who had never seen him perform before were in for a nice surprise. 

Thursday evening brought a fascinating presentation on Hitting the Road: Motor-camping with the Early Tin Can Tourists by TCT Hall of Fame Member & Roadside Historian Dan Hershberger. Apple Pie entertained the crowd on Friday night and a very special presentation was given by Terry Bone for Forrest and Jeri Bone to recognize them for all they have done for TCT. On Saturday evening The Karen and Jimmy Band wrapped up the evening entertainment. During the show the crowd was entertained with ‘A Trip Down the Red Carpet”. Where those Tin Canners who participated dressed up as their favorite entertainer and rocked the crowd with their red-carpet debut. 

Open House on Saturday was one of the highlights of the week. Not only were there trailers on hand and open to see but many vintage cars were on display as well. The public arrived by the car loads. Hundreds of cars came throughout the day. At times lining up the hill waiting to get into the event. Attendance exceeding those of years past. 

If you don’t already own a vintage camping coach the moment you arrive at Sertoma Youth Ranch you’ll begin to think … How can I get one? And how can I be a part of spectacular events like this? With all the amazing old coaches and vintage cars present it’s an eye-catching, multi-enthusiasts affair. 

Open House gave everyone opportunity to explore the world of vintage. Everyone was amazed and in awe at the rigs in attendance. They were able to get ideas, meet the owners and enjoy the afternoon. Present were anything from a 1932 Kozy Kamp Trailer to a 1947 Aero Flight Falcon to a 1947 Curtis Wright to a 1948 Liner to a 1958 Serro Scotty to a 1962 Holiday House to a 1974 Volkswagen Type II Bus. As you can tell, way too many to list. 

It was an event like no other. One hundred years in the making! The camaraderie that was had, friendships made and renewed, ideas exchanged, dreams born and the magical moments that occurred throughout the week’s event, only makes you want to come back for more.  

🎶 The more we get together, together, together ... 🎶

HOW THE HOT MESS GOT TO US

It’s come to my attention, thanks to Owner No. One of our 2004 Airstream, that I never gave more details of how we came to get The Hot Mess. Thank you! It’s so complicated how we got him. First of all we weren’t ‘looking’ but always have our eyes and ears open. It’s a very complicated story that most won’t believe. I’ll be brief. This all started when a friend of ours in New York called Tim to tell him about a trailer that his friend who lives in Oregon knew about. Our friend called us because he figured it was close to us. Sixty-two miles to be exact. 

The guy in Oregon had purchased The Hot Mess from a lady in Michigan sight unseen. The Airstream had belonged to her father, I call him Mr. Hunter. Mr. Hunter is who brought this Airstream to Florida in 1976. We never saw any of these people but had to meet up with the cousin of the lady in Michigan who lived somewhere in Florida who actually had the clear title. Every step of the purchase screamed STOP but we somehow pushed through and everything worked out. 

Everyone that Tim spoke to referred to the property as a hunt camp. It was way out in the forest and surrounded by many hunt camps. However we have yet to come across anything of his in the Airstream that said ‘I’m a hunter!’ Being a Floridian I would have considered him a Snow Bird. He would have come only during the winter months. This caravan had no AC and would have been too hot for our summer months. He loved cooking in his crockpot, smoking and keeping his property cleared. 



This is all speculation from our finds inside. Since no one had keys we still have a few exterior compartments to sift through. Also Tim found that envelope containing the original paperwork from the dealer on its original sale. That’s how we got some details on the first owner. Also we know for a fact that this trailer was not in the 1963 Around The World Caravan. The faded red Airstream WBCCI Club numbers could reveal more details for when we have time to research them. 

HOW HAS IT COME TO THIS?

How has it come, that I am working on Tim’s Hot Mess? I spent eight hours yesterday dry cleaning The Hot Mess. And as I see it will probably spend three more days on it. Two more dry cleaning the interior and one day pressure washing the interior. And now it’s raining today! 



So I think I have now removed everything from the interior storage. No surprises. Mr. Hunter had place settings for a lovely dinner party of eight. Enough coffee and drink cups to keep a small cafe in business. New unused pots and pans from the time. I thought it was interesting him being a loner. Guessing the Mrs. sent him off well prepared. 



Mr. Hunter also had a well stocked junk drawer. He liked his towel racks in the shower and had perfectly preserved the shower curtain so a pattern can be made. 



Mr. Hunter didn’t winterize The Hot Mess. One year winter came either early before he arrived or hit late after he departed for the season or I guess it could have even happened during a stay. It gets down to freezing temperatures up there in the forest. So as one would guess pipes split and damage was done. Mr. Hunter then cut pipes bypassing systems and in the end was only using a direct connection from his well that was on property. And as far as we can tell maybe only had working water in the rear bathroom. 



The weather was warm here in Florida yesterday. I had all the windows opened in The Hot Mess while cleaning. There was a really nice breeze flowing through the entire Airstream. Did I hear birds chirping? With my mask and gloves on I could barely smell anything. I then realized all the room it has in it and what a nice layout it has. Our Texas friends say it can comfortably seat fifteen people. Could it be that even through all the hard work I’m doing for Tim on The Hot Mess that I could actually be coming to ... nope! Not going there ... yet.

MORE MYSTERIES REVEALED ...

A Word To The Wise Is Sufficient 



Tim and I finally had time over this past week to go through the envelope he found in The Hot Mess. Here are some more assumptions from what was revealed among the rotting acorns that some poor squirrel is still probably looking for. 



The envelope appears to be from a dealer in Michigan on its first purchase. Well before the transformation to The Hot Mess. I’m sure the ‘63 Safari was a looker! All shiny and still sporting that new smell. 



Within the envelope was an Airstream brochure showing all the Airstream models from 1963, receipts, information pamphlets, cleaning instructions, the code of ethics, accessory manuals, a document titled ‘A Word To The Wise Is Sufficient’, instructions on how to use the septic tank, price lists and even scribbled notes on the cost of the extra options available. Those options noted are coincidently included on The Hot Mess. Owner Number One really took his time with this big purchase. Mulling it over and comparing notes. Guessing he ordered this coach with the options he felt suited him.



We have confirmed that Mr. Hunter was not the first owner but second. We now know the name of Owner Number One and even know a few things about him. Owner Number One was the WBCCI member and the trailer had even sported caravan stickers. Shadowing of the Caravan stickers are still on both the front and rear exterior above where the red numbers once sat. Owner Number One also kept maintenance records. He even took this coach back to the factory in Ohio from Michigan for repairs. Where Mr. Hunter did not. The best we could tell Owner Number One’s last maintenance receipt was dated November 19th of 1969. We could also assume that the first owner has long since passed.



Mr. Hunter, owner number two, we know placed The Hot Mess on the hunt camp in Florida in 1976. The coach never moved after that. Any repairs needed Mr. Hunter did himself. Those repairs we can say were not done properly to our standards. However they functioned for him. It was the best he could do with what he could purchase locally. We believe Mr. Hunter passed in 2010. Long after his last visit to his hunt camp. Like we said we think he last left it in 1984 with anticipation of returning the next winter.



All the items found in the envelope we will keep. Interestingly we thought we had allowed them to dry out enough but they still need some more dry time. It was an interesting little piece of the time capsule and we could continue to find more. I still have not done the final interior cleaning. Hope to get that accomplished this week, while Tim continues work on the ’48 Liner, and before we take off for the Tin Can Tourists Centennial Celebration. It will be like no other!

MERMAIDS & MANATEES

This time last year I ventured out on my own for my first solo trip in our 2004 Airstream to Crystal River, FL. I had a blast! So when this gathering came around again I jumped at the chance to go. It’s held every year over the long MLK Holiday weekend. 

It was again a great outing. Fourty members attended. All in vintage/retro rigs, tents or cabins. The opportunity to meet other ladies out on their own, doing their own thing is an amazing inspiration for all. The Sisters on The Fly is a fabulous group to belong to with over 800 events held every year here in the US there is opportunity for everyone. 

Nine of us ventured out to go paddling. I was the only one on a paddle board. This was one of the most gorgeous paddling trips I have ever done here in Florida. And the weather was perfect! 

Usually we head south from Crystal River to go see the Mermaids in Weeki Wachee. However the park is under renovations currently and the Mermaids were off somewhere farther south taking a well deserved winter break. We were still able to go swim with the manatees! Last year I chose to paddle during this adventure. It was cold & windy. So this year I decided to take the pontoon boat option and have a better chance at seeing them. Boy was I right! They swim near you, go under you, check you out and then do a gentle barrel roll to wait for a belly rub. AMAZING! What an experience. One to remember for quite awhile. 

Some of our other activities included an open house to tour our rigs, hiking, attending the Manatee Festival and nightly campfires. 

Other events that are held with SOTF touch on welding, cowgirl college, photography, rodeos, fly fishing and diving. The opportunities are endless. So much to do it’s hard to decide on my next event to attend with them. 

CLEARING OUT AND MOVING THE HOT MESS

I just returned from an adventurous solo trip (separate post) with the ‘04 Airstream. Having met up with 40 other wonderful ladies (in their vintage or retro rigs) to paddle board, kayak, swim with manatees and to get into other mischievous campfire activities. Tim calls it my Man Haters Club. Prior to my departure Tim was able to remove the first layer of items from the interior of The Hot Mess. Then we both worked on moving it to the backyard. 







One more thing we discovered was the fact that the previous owner was a smoker. We didn’t count but there had to of been at least a half a dozen ashtrays and one of the cardboard storage boxes found inside was from a case of cigarettes. 



The interior has had somewhat of a transformation just with a little clearing out, removal of curtains and the bulk of what was inside removed. It has really opened up and the layout can be understood. I am hoping to get inside later this week to do a dry sweep of the entire interior then do a light pressure washing being careful of the wood left. MrRivet will need the wood preserved as much as possible to use as patterns.





The move of The Hot Mess to the backyard was a tightly orchestrated event. Since we live on a bike trail we had to make a temporary gate, then tow him down the bike trail at the perfect moment when the coast was clear (dang those cyclists are fast) and then back him in on very soft unpacked Florida sugar sand. We made it happen and he now sits safely in the backyard next to his older sister who is awaiting her shell transfer. 

THE HOT MESS CONTINUES ...

To sit on my driveway. The plan today is to get The Hot Mess moved to the backyard. It’s too exposed and easily accessible on our driveway. Tim is having to rig a temporary gate on our back fence line to get it back there. Since the new frame to the ‘48 sits in the way belly-up unable to move we will need to come in from the back. Did I mention we live on a bike trail?



We did not realize until The Hot Mess got home that there was not only a toaster oven in a box but a brand new right off the shelf electric grill with the sales information tag still attached to it sitting nestled in a box waiting for the first meal to be prepared on it. By the way someone took the toaster oven from our garbage on garbage day. Ewww!!! 


One of the two Byam hooks in the bathroom. 



The gas light with globe attached ready for a late night read. 



Baby Moon wheel caps stored safely out of the way in hopes of one day hitting the road again. 



The previous owner loved his morning cup of coffee. He enjoyed a cup of tea on occasion mid afternoon. He took pride in cooking a pot of beans and brauts or the best darn good pot roast in his crock pot. 

He also prepared the coach as best he could before departure. He would lay oil soaked rags over the hubs and even laid out bars of soap about to help keep rodents at bay. Well the rodents ate what they could of those bars. I felt a bit intrusive on the move. I didn’t judge. Only soaked it in and imagined what his time there would have been like.