August 25, 2023 - END OF THE CARAVAN

Today is not only our departure day but the end of our fabulous caravan. All of the three other trailers in our caravan left early this morning. We enjoyed being with them and had so much fun. All the conversations about vintage trailers, travel and adventures will always be memorable. 

Tim and I took our time departing. We have a 1:00 pm check out and only an hour to drive today. The campground that we are located at is thirty minutes west of Jackson Center. My mother, who lives in Florida, is currently staying at her sister’s thirty minutes east of Jackson Center. This will be our destination today and will meet up with them this afternoon! 



Since we were passing The Mothership today we had to swing into the parking lot for a photo opportunity. You just can’t help it! 

It was really good seeing my mom, stepdad and my aunt. We had all left home the beginning of July and are lucky to be able to meet up here in Ohio. We do miss our family while traveling. My mom and stepdad just rescued a dog up here three weeks ago. His name is LoBo and is so sweet! He and Jett get along great! Actually they kinda ignore each other. Tomorrow we hope to just hang out and possibly go out for lunch. 

August 24, 2023 - MORE FROM THE MOTHERSHIP

All of us in our Caravan took another tour at Airstream today. This time we took the Touring Coach Factory Tour. This was over at the old factory and is where all their models of vans are made. It was just as interesting as the main trailer factory tour. I was only disappointed that they were not giving out samples. LOL While there, near the service center, we also bought parts for our Airstream. It’s always nice to have that opportunity. 

The afternoon took us all separate ways. Everyone had different local tourist spots to experience. Tape measure in hand Tim and I went back to the Heritage Center. We had more to explore (and measure for reference) there and really didn’t feel like we had spent enough time there yesterday. Well I am sure my phone is about to explode now. I have taken so many photo’s including a bunch of reference photos for our Airstream Liner that we are restoring. 

Special notes on a few specific trailers there:

A precious gem the 1948 Airstream Wee Wind named Ruby. My favorite trailer here. Named after her first owner and donated by another owner, Fred Coldwell, she is probably one of the most original, unmolested rigs here. 3003 is her serial number. Meaning she was the third one ever built. At only 16 feet long she is a beautiful piece of preserved Airstream history.

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Wally’s famous number 1 trailer is here! This unique 1955 Airstream Cruiser was used by Wally and Stella Byam on the 1956 European Caravan. Wally painted this Airstream white to match his tow vehicle, a white Cadillac, which helped him to stand out as the caravan leader. Wally often tested new designs and ideas in his travel trailers, while on the road, and the famous white trailer has many unique features. Tim and I followed on social media the painstakingly tedious task, rivet by rivet, of its restoration by the Goranson Family. They were afraid to take it out after it’s restoration because of its historic significance and are so grateful it will now be kept safe here at the Heritage Center. 

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The 1957 Airstream World Traveler. During the 1956 European Caravan, Wally‘s wife Stella designed the floor plan for her ideal trailer to maximize living in storage space for two. That dream would ultimately become realized in the original floor plan of the iconic gold trailer used by Wally to lead the famous Cape Town to Cairo caravan. Wally had new design ideas built into his trailer so he could test the ideas on the road and the gold trailer was no exception. Built in the spring of 1957 in the Jackson center factory the gold Airstream served as the test unit for the International self containment package. 

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1941 Airstream Clipper. Restored by Silver Lady Restorations and on loan from The Gulley Museum Collection!

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1938 Clipper known as Old Grand Dad!!

Just so much to take in. We will be coming back AGAIN next week!! 

August 23, 2023 - THE MOTHERSHIP

Best day ever!

Landed at Airstream today in Jackson Center, Ohio! Took a tour with our other caravaners of the Airstream Heritage Center. Two years ago we had come up to see the new center and couldn’t. They had to reschedule due to covid. So super excited to finally be able to make this happen.  

The Airstream Heritage Center really blew us away! So much to see, learn and absorb about Wally Byam and his legacy along with the history of Airstream. Most of these trailers are worth so much and could never be replaced. We are so privileged to have this wonderful venue to visit. 

Also new since our last visit is the new Airstream factory. They have moved the manufacturing of the travel trailers here from the old building. We hung around for a tour of this new Airstream factory. There’s not enough time in the day!! 







We ended our day with a very fun Happy Hour at our campsite. The weather is warm here and we’ve had some wind so a campfire was not the best idea. So I created our faux campfire using solar tiki torches. Perfect!! 





Leaving you with a creed from Wally Byam:

‘To strive endlessly to stir the venturesome spirit that moves you to follow a rainbow to its end … and thus make your travel dreams come true.’