Roll Tide

"Roll Tide" is Alabama's battle cry, but among fans, it's the ultimate all-purpose phrase, like prego in Italian or namaste in Nepali, an acceptable substitute for hello, goodbye, nice to meet you, and Amen. -- Warren St. John

University of Alabama Crimson Tide fans are famous for taking their RVs to football games. The best book on the subject is Warren St. John’s Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer. This first-hand account of tailgating nirvana is one of the most enjoyable sports tales you’ll ever read. It’s so well written, even those who root against the Crimson Tide (you know who you are) will still enjoy it.

In short, St. John bought an aging motorhome, dubbed it “The Hawg,” and joined Alabama fans in their group caravans throughout a tumultuous season. His account of the adventure is hilarious, insightful, and strongly recommended by this humble blogger.

St. John’s title refers to a mildly controversial Crimson Tide cheer that originated some 30 years ago and quickly became tradition. At the conclusion of major victories, celebratory Alabama fans erupt in “Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer” -- which is directed at the opposing team. There's nothing like hearing over 90,000 fans shout "we just beat the hell out of you" at full volume. Okay, it’s probably not our finest moment of sportsmanship – but it sure is fun! You’ll catch a dose of the cheer at the conclusion of today's blog video.

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I’m sure that once upon a time, tailgating was a simple proposition. People just tossed a few snacks into the trunks of their cars, and they were ready to go.

But like everything else in America, tailgating has evolved. It’s bigger and better. The social experience surrounding a game has become a passion unto itself. Indulgent dining, strong drink, fine china, and well-equipped RVs all play a role.

With an RV, tailgating becomes a multi-day affair. There’s an extended build-up to the main event which heightens the sense of unfolding Romanesque drama. And after each contest has concluded, there’s a civilized episode of relaxation and reflection.

In essence, tailgating with an RV is boondocking. You typically won’t have any hookups whatsoever, so a quiet generator and full fresh water tank are essential.

And please, don't forget the bourbon.

Call of the Mouse

Our Airstream is still in the proverbial shop for a minor fan repair. But Monday, whether our "tin can" is patched together or not, we will hitch and drive south towards the land of Mickey Mouse. If necessary, I'll pack an extra roll of Gorilla Tape. That stuff will fix anything!

In the meantime, I encourage everyone to browse the archives on your left. We have enough cool video in this humble blog to amount to a feature film. And it's all yours for the clicking.

The VAP

Last night Kristy and I appeared on the Vintage Airstream Podcast (a.k.a. The VAP) radio show. We had a blast discussing our honeymoon adventures with Tim, Colin, and Rob. It's always a pleasure to talk Airstreaming with fellow Airstreamers.

You can download the complete 50-minute interview on the VAP website:

http://thevap.com/

The great upside to owning an Airstream is that they are timeless. In fact, some of the hippest, coolest trailers you'll ever see are more than 50 years old.

There's a lot to be said for taking a vintage unit and customizing it to be your own. Thankfully, exterior styling has changed little over the years. Aluminum doesn't rust, so just about any trailer can be polished back into a mirror finish. As for interiors, you can do just about anything your heart desires, from contemporary Manhattan apartments to 1950s diners. We've seen some amazing transformations, and the process is cost-effective vis-a-vis buying a new one.

Anyone interested in restoring a vintage unit should browse the VAP audio archive. It's an excellent, entertaining resource. Should you decide to go this route, the VAP is required listening.

The Long, Long Trailer

You watch The Long, Long Trailer for one reason. And that's to see Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball together at the height of their 1950s popularity.

The premise is simple enough. Lucy and Desi are newlyweds. A surprisingly blonde Lucy pressures the reluctant Desi into buying a travel trailer. They set off honeymooning throughout the American West...and comic hilarity ensues!

As much as I'd like to give this movie a favorable review, I've got to be honest. There isn't really much of a story here. Nor is there much in the way of character development. RV ownership is painted in a rather negative light, with the trailer in question practically killing an innocent marriage. And then the movie just stops, as if they ran out of film.

My favorite bits in this movie demonstrate that some things haven't changed. Certain aspects of "trailer life" are just as challenging in 2007 as they were in 1954.

For example, I really enjoyed the scene in which Desi gets flustered when backing up the absurdly long trailer. It reminded me of a certain gas station in Banff. In desperate need of diesel fuel, we managed to squeeze our rig into a space apparently intended for miniature golf carts. It was an achievement of physics and geometry comparable to a Space Shuttle landing.

I also identified with Desi when, terrified, he tows his trailer across a treacherous one-lane mountain highway. Kristy and I lived a few of these fingernail-chomping moments ourselves during our summer journey. At one such point in British Columbia, Kristy said, "It felt like we were driving to our death." Yippee!

But with regard to Desi and Lucy, I would've enjoyed seeing more positive moments along the way. If I were writing a sequel, I might focus less upon trailer mishaps, and more upon the persistent uncertainty of human relationships. That's really the overriding issue of married life aboard an RV.

Sure, you'll experience a few minor mechanical problems. But the real question -- the real test -- is whether you will truly enjoy spending that much time and that little space with another person.

An Airstream is essentially a one-room apartment on wheels. In a travel trailer, there's no sneaking off to your own private corner of the house. And in certain boondocking campgrounds, there's no radio or TV or electricity. You are always together, and the entertainment is up to YOU. Stripped of other distractions, how well will you get along with your spouse?

Kristy and I really enjoyed watching The Long, Long Trailer, and you probably will too. But take it with a grain of salt. We had a lot more fun than Desi and Lucy!

Happiness Pursued

"Time is the fire in which we burn."

-- American poet Delmore Schwartz, 1937

(also said by a plagiarizing Star Trek villain, 1993)

When you tell people you're honeymooning for an indefinite period of time in a travel trailer, you get some strange looks in response. Strange as in, "are these two people absolutely insane?!" looks.

To me, this trip always seemed to be a normal and reasonable course of action. At least it seemed that way until the unfortunate sewer hose incident in Malibu.

Sure, we could've been sampling fine wine and fresh lobster in a Tahitian luxury hut while eager minions massaged our feet and gently fanned us with freshly cut palm leaves. But wouldn't you really rather wolf down microwaved popcorn in a stormy Wyoming Wal-Mart parking lot?

Okay, perhaps that wasn't the best example. But the underlying point has something to do with the Latin phrase carpe diem -- sieze the day. (It actually translates into "pluck the day," but no one says "pluck" any more. Thank goodness.)

I'm one of those guys who's constantly aware of his own mortality. It's not that I'm obsessed with death. Not at all. Rather, I am aware of death, and I acknowledge its inevitability. It's what you might call a motivational factor.

I've seen many people die unexpectedly. I've seen many die expectedly. Either way, they died. We all will. It's the one thing you can count on, and it applies to everyone.

Martha Stewart will die. So will Donald Trump. And Britney Spears. And Hugh Hefner, if he hasn't already.

Our time on earth is limited. It's up to us to make the best of it.

Granted, what consititutes "the best" will differ from person to person. We all have different dreams that may or may not involve camping in Wal-Mart parking lots. Maybe it's watching your kids play soccer, or reading the works of Shakespeare, or drinking 30 beers in one day. Or doing ALL of these activities simultaneously.

Our aspirations may vary. But our responsibility is to pursue those individual dreams with passion and vigor. That's what our country's Founders wisely called the pursuit of happiness. That's why we're here.

Believe it or not, some people can find that happiness in a Wal-Mart parking lot -- on their honeymoon.

Coming next: we take a look at "The Long, Long Trailer!"

Home Stretch

We are home. It's a surreal feeling to enter your house after being absent for three months. Everything seems slightly new, but completely familiar. You might call this sensation "the joy of rediscovery!" And it's greatly heightened by the fact we've been living full-time in an RV.

While we are here... As Elvis might say, we're taking care of business.

Our immediate goal is to have our Airstream's ceiling fan (and associated rooftop damage) repaired. Incredibly, my impromptu duct tape repair has weathered many storms over the past three months and still holds. After this adventure, we really should be doing TV commercials for Gorilla Tape! It's the best thing since sliced bread and Crazy Glue. But it's time we properly repaired the vent and roof, once and for all.

Kristy and I are scheduled to appear on the Vintage Airstream Podcast (also known as The VAP) to discuss our experiences on the road. The online radio show tapes this Thursday. More updates as events warrant.

Our next foray into the American wild will come in two weeks: a trip to Florida, where we have an appointment with a certain Mr. Mouse. In the meantime, I will strive to keep the blog perking with updates, video and otherwise.

Coming soon: video reflections upon the long, long honeymoon. Stay tuned!

Takin' it to the Street

Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee is a treasure trove of music, food, music, drink, and music. And you'd better come ready to hear some music.

The mind staggers when you think about the talent that's congregated in Memphis over the years. Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, B.B. King, Roy Orbison...and that kid from Missisippi named Aaron (as in Elvis Aaron Presley). And what's really incredible is that most of those guys were making music at the same time.

BFF!

Sorry, macho men. Today's video is on the lovey-dovey huggy-kissy side.

But it's true: you'd be insane to share an RV with anyone except people you REALLY, REALLY like.

Coming next: Memphis!

Arkansoggy

We received our strongest and lengthiest downpour last night in Little Rock, Arkansas. For several hours, we slept to the tune of raindrops cascading against our Airstream. As I've written before, it's actually quite an entertaining symphony.

Today we are headed to that place the King called home. We'll do a full "bells & whistles" video blog update there, if the Internet cooperates... Stay tuned!

Oh, What a Beautiful Wal-Mart

In Shawnee, Oklahoma we spent our second consecutive night in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Just what every girl dreams about for her honeymoon!

Although we haven’t done much Wal-Mart camping on this trip, it makes sense when staying a few hours in one town. It’s a matter of convenience. There’s no check-in procedure, no hookups to warrant your concern, and no one rapping on your door the next morning to “remind” you of check-out time. And should you need to do any shopping, the campground store is a doozy!

Having done a fair amount of international travel, I know that stores similar to Wal-Mart exist overseas (ie. England’s Tesco). I’m curious whether they are as supportive of the RV lifestyle. I suspect not. Wal-Mart doesn’t have to be so inviting, and in our litigious society it’s rare to encounter such corporate hospitality. So I am appreciative.



We’ve crossed 14,000 miles on SEEMORE’s odometer, which means we’ve gone over 10,000 miles on this trip (the above trip meter doesn’t include our journey to and from Key West, which was over 1000 miles).

Even though I’ve driven almost ALL of this distance myself, it really doesn’t feel that way. Although I’ve been a little fatigued at times, I’ve never been burned out. The key is the amount of travel per day. We typically limit ourselves to no more than six hours of driving, and often much less. Whenever we feel like stopping, we stop. If we find ourselves in a good spot, we stay, sometimes for days. This is a luxury afforded by the nomadic RV lifestyle.

That said, now that we have home well within our sights, we’re making a beeline for it. Once there we will tend to a few household matters, and take our Airstream back to the RV service center for long-awaited repairs. Remember June’s notorious “dent in our enthusiasm” incident? The dent remains an eyesore, and the vent is still nonfunctional. So we intend to have our Airstream’s vent and roof repaired, as promised, by the service center. I will document these repair experiences in our blog.

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How nice are Oklahomans? The favorite sports team here is the famed University of Oklahoma Sooners football squad. Boomer Sooner! At Sooner home games, the Oklahoma fans pack the stadium, where they are well known for giving vigorous rounds of applause…to the opposing team! Sure, they cheer louder for their Sooners, but they also heartily cheer the visitors. Now that’s nice.

Get Tires Fixed (on Route 66)

We’ve been lucky on this trip so far. Over 10,000 miles, and our major mechanical problems have been the broken air vent in Casper, Wyoming and the flat tire in Myers Flat, California. But now we can add one more tire fiasco to our road trip experience.

Last night, after a long day of driving that included a stretch of historic Route 66, we clipped a curb when exiting the highway in Amarillo, Texas. We heard a banshee squeal, followed by a disturbing, telltale whooooshhhhhh. The road was unusually narrow, but nevertheless we must chalk this one up to pilot error. What can I say? I was tired, and that’s when bad things happen to good RV owners.

Upon inspection, the tire and rim appear to have been mauled by an axe-wielding mountain lion. Naturally, the victimized tire is the brand new one we installed about a month ago. Alas! It was so young…

Per request, here's a close-up of the carnage. Perhaps I'm exaggerating a bit about the mountain lion. The rim is salvagable, but the tire sidewall is punctured. I'm afraid it's toast.



It’s possible to tow Airstreams a short distance with one flat tire. Low speeds are mandatory in this situation. So, tail between our legs, we crawled like a scolded dog to the nearest scenic Wal-Mart. There we spent the night boondocking alongside massive motor homes and tour buses. I’ve spoken kindly of Wal-Mart’s RV hospitality before, and here I shall do so again. It’s an incredible luxury to know you have a safe, free RV spot in almost every American neighborhood. And they even have their own tire shop.

Although I’m not happy about the situation, I’ve written about this subject before. When you are traveling on an extended road trip, you are going to encounter adversity. Expect it. Deal with it. Don't let it ruin your day.

A few hours before our tire incident, Kristy and I witnessed the aftermath of a horrible highway accident. The vehicle involved was upside down, and it was also scattered across the road in shattered pieces. Its occupants were airlifted away from the scene by helicopter for emergency medical treatment. We don’t know whether they survived. Seeing this sort of accident scene puts our trivial tire woes in perspective.

After getting a new tire, we are headed toward that place where the wind goes sweepin' cross the plain… Boomer Sooner!

Harvest Moonshine

One Canyon, Extra Large

“In fact, just about all the major natural attractions you find in the West- the Grand Canyon, the Badlands, the Goodlands, the Mediocrelands, the Rocky Mountains and Robert Redford- were caused by erosion.” – Dave Barry

After some extensive desert driving, we arrived at the Grand Canyon. We viewed the canyon from the South Rim. There are several scenic viewpoints, which are basically cliffs equipped with token guardrails. Lose your footing, and you may find yourself flying a thousand feet in a downward direction.

Every year a tourist or two goes tumbling to his or her death by stepping beyond the meager railing to get that perfect picture. Of course, much of the Grand Canyon has no guardrail at all. It would be rather ridiculous to erect a 20-foot tall brick wall around the entire Canyon, but that's about the only way to save some people from themselves (and I'm certain they'd still find a way over it). Sometimes fools can be very clever.

What is there to say about the Grand Canyon? It’s an incredible natural wonder that you just have to see at least once in your life. But once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it.



In truth, I feel that we really just grazed the surface of the Canyon, viewing it from the rim. Someday I’d like to return and spend more time here, hiking into its depths, taking a helicopter tour, and riding a mule. (Mules are used to travel into the Canyon because their eyes stick out from the sides of their heads. This biological anomaly allows them to see BOTH sides of the precarious cliff-hugging trail at all times. And really, who amongst us doesn’t want to ride a mule?)

Kristy and I seemed to be among the few American citizens visiting the Park. On the shuttle buses and at the scenic viewpoints, we were surrounded by tourists from Asia, Europe, and South America. At one point, a rather large group of Asian tourists began excitedly taking pictures of us, presumably because of Kristy's blonde hair! (Or perhaps they were impressed with my substantial beer belly?)

The campsites within the park were full, so we stayed about 20 miles outside the Canyon. Our campground, for no apparent reason, had a Flintstones theme. It was really quite bizarre. I've never seen another campground like it. At the entrance was a giant image of Fred Flintsone, and the grounds had various Flintstones-themed amenities (Wilma's Laundry, for example). They even had a full-scale replica of Fred's prehistoric car. Someone invested a great deal of money decking this place out in full Flintstones regalia. If only they'd invested a little money on cable TV, sewer hookups, and an Internet connection.

Grand Expectations

Yesterday was a lenghty day of driving across the rocky, dusty, mostly empty desert. We cruised along the United States - Mexico border for an extended stretch, passing through several security checkpoints as Federal helicopters hovered overhead. I suppose an Airstream could offer posh quarters for illegal immigrants.

It was an uneventful day featuring a somewhat bizarre, random stop for lunch. We were driving through the barren expanse, searching for sustenance -- and happened across this newly constructed Indian casino. I never considered lunching in casinos, but perhaps the idea holds some merit. Where else can you get steak and lobster for the price of a pork sandwich? We're not gamblers, although Kristy lost a whopping dollar in slots (I told her to walk away when she was up $2, but did she listen? Noooooooooo.)

After an overnight boondocking stop in Phoenix (thank you, Sam Walton!) we are headed north. Our destination holds a "grand" reputation. I've seen it, but this will be Kristy's first visit.

I'm unsure whether we'll have Internet access in the Grand Canyon. If it's anything like Yellowstone, I won't expect much beyond running water.

Stay tuned... we will update when able!

Zootopia

San Diego is a menagerie of beautiful vistas, friendly people, and perfect weather. And did you know they have a zoo?

Towin' and Backin'

Over the past several months, we’ve towed our Airstream more than 10,000 miles. Hopefully I’ve learned a little about towing and backing.

Probably my best advice with regard to towing is to buy more truck than you need. Our “big dog” truck SEEMORE has handled every mountain we’ve tossed his way, including the Rockies of Montana, Alberta, and British Columbia. For this hulking hunk of diesel machinery, our 8,000-pound Airstream is light lifting.

Our most negative towing experiences? Rush hour in Miami; rush hour in Calgary; rush hour in BFE, British Columbia; and rush hour in Los Angeles. See a connection here? Avoid an urban rush hour and you’ll be a much happier camper. Together our truck and trailer are 45-feet long. There’s no such thing as a simple lane change.

Now with regard to backing up the beast…

Campsites come in a variety of forms, but they are typically either “pull-through” or “back-in.” A pull-through site is a luxury. It’s designed so you can literally just pull your rig right through the site. You don’t even have to unhitch the trailer! Just put your truck in park, and you’re ready to uncork that celebratory bottle of wine.

But the task of backing into a campsite strikes fear into many RV'er hearts. We’ve backed into many, many campsites, from Key West to Seattle. It’s a team effort, with Kristy and I communicating via cellphone. In our first few months of Airstream ownership, we had more than a few hair-raising moments. Once I managed to wedge our rig in an almost impossible-to-escape angle between a fire hydrant and a tree. But these dramas have all but disappeared as we’ve gained experience.

A High Note

During one of my first visits to Los Angeles, I brought high expectations to town. Fresh out of college, my buddy Mike and I went club-hopping in search of live music. We started at a famous rock-and-roll joint on the Sunset Strip called Whiskey a Go Go. This is the place where Jim Morrison and The Doors were discovered, amongst other bands.

We stepped inside the club expecting something different. I don’t know WHAT exactly we wanted to see and hear. But we hoped for a radical upgrade from the seedy college bars back home that we’d grown to known and love. You know the type: places where the house bourbon singes eyebrows, where they shut down every night with a rousing encore of “Jesse’s Girl.”

Upon entering the Whiskey, we were at first disappointed. The interior of the place looked stark, barren, and industrial. Bare walls, concrete floors. Let’s be honest: it looked like a dump, just like our grungy haunts back in college. “What’s the big deal about this place?” we wondered aloud.

But then the band came on stage, and started playing. Pretty much from the first wailing guitar chord, we realized what was different. The talent on stage was undeniable. The band was playing original music we hadn’t heard before, but it didn’t matter – they were great!

I’ve since learned that Los Angeles is blessed with a deep well of musical talent. Many of the best and the brightest migrate here.

As I’ve matured, my tastes have graduated from screeching guitars to the more sophisticated (and far less painful) notes of jazz. Thus, our recent evening at Steamers Jazz Café listening to Chris Williams was a huge treat. Chris leads an incredibly talented jazz band, and he’s an energetic, dynamic live performer. For more information about Chris, check out his website at cwjazz.com.

Next stop: SAN DIEGO!

We're Goin' to Disneyland!

Airstream RV Blog - Disneyland from Sean on Vimeo.

Some people complain that Disney parks are overly sanitized and safe.

That’s kind of like calling the Pope a little too Catholic.

Of course the parks are safe. It’s DISNEY! That’s the whole point. This is a place to relax and enjoy life, where the definition of “adventure” doesn’t include a potential mugging.

There are plenty of unsafe places in the world. I’ve visited a few. Disneyland occupies a space far, far away from the barrios of San Salvador, El Salvador – a place so dangerous that even the police fear to tread. At the Burger King in San Salvador, you’ll see hired security guards holding MACHINE GUNS. And you’re HAPPY to see ‘em, because they protect you from the bad guys while you wolf down your Whopper.

Sure, Disneyland’s version of New Orleans lacks the menagerie of sordid characters you might encounter in the real Big Easy. You won’t see Minnie and Daisy performing in exotic dance clubs. You won’t see a drunken Goofy lying face down on Bourbon Street, wallowing in the muck. But you will get lively jazz music, authentic Creole food, and mostly clean fun.

Disney gets the small details right. For example, upon purchasing our tickets Kristy and I received “Just Married” buttons. All day long, park employees were shouting “Congratulations!” to us as we strolled past.

We will stay another day in Anaheim before heading south.

Laundromat With a View

The RV lifestyle is a blend of liberation and compromise.

In many respects, Airstreaming is liberating vis-à-vis owning a home. When I'm in my actual house, instead of enjoying the property, I tend to see what's wrong with it. I see floors that need cleaning, walls that need painting, and landscaping that needs planting. With real estate ownership, there's a neverending desire to maintain and improve (this is what keeps Home Depot in business). Our house is always a work in progress, so it never feels complete.

In the Airstream, the stresses associated with home ownership melt away. RVs are complete as delivered from the factory. Sure, you can make changes and improvements to your RV. And some things will break. But everything happens on a much smaller, more manageable scale. And there’s no neighborhood association or architectural review committee breathing down your neck. If you don't like your neighborhood, or your view, you hitch and move!

But there are compromises. Not many people fantasize about visiting scenic laundromats on their honeymoon, but that's part of our deal.

For the record, I’d be perfectly happy doing our laundry myself. But Kristy usually keeps me at least 30-feet away from the job. I have a tendency to accidentally slip bright red clothing into loads of white--which is why I’m so often seen wearing pale fuchsia.

Coasting

When we departed on our long, long honeymoon a couple of months ago, we speculated that we’d return when pigskins fly -- in late August around the time of "the first college football kickoff." This weekend, collegiate pigskins are flying -- and we still find ourselves 3000 miles from home.

We’ve been meandering along the Oregon coast for the past couple of days, enjoying the cool weather and awesome views. We’re now heading south through California, with plans to visit San Francisco. Then we'll turn towards the Deep South and tailgating Nirvana!