Into the Wilderness

Airstream RV Blog - Disney's Fort Wilderness from Sean on Vimeo.

Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness offers a sprawling campground of substantial size. Its design and layout feels more like a state park than a privately operated campground – and that’s a complement. There are more trees than you might expect. The campsites are staggered in loops, rather than in the all-too-typical parking lot arrangement.

Of course, the three key upsides here are location, location, and location. Fort Wilderness offers an ideal launch pad for forays into the nearby Magic Kingdom and Epcot parks. Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios are not far away. It’s the perfect base for an extended Disney vacation.

One of Kristy’s childhood dreams was to become a Disney annual pass holder. And so, that’s at least one dream that has come true this year during Disney’s “year of dreams.” With an annual pass, one can come and go to the parks as you please. If you do the math, an annual pass is actually quite cost-effective. It doesn’t break the bank, and in fact gets you several nice discounts along the way.

With four major theme parks, a couple of water parks, and a host of unique resort and shopping areas, Walt Disney World is an almost overwhelming complex of fun. Our favorite guidebook is The Unofficial Guide to Disney World. It reads like a well-moderated Internet site, informative without being stuffy.

Disney claims to be the happiest place on earth. I believe it. I’ve done my fair share of international travel, including a couple of visits to what may rightfully be dubbed the saddest place on earth: the Auschwitz concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland. As we strolled the carefully manicured sidewalks of the Magic Kingdom, watching small children and their families laugh and smile, I couldn’t help but ponder the contrast. It’s amazing that on the same planet, human beings could build both an Auschwitz and a Disney World. One was a horrific factory of death and destruction; the other is a remarkable factory of frivolity, happiness, and pleasure.

People criticize Disney for being too clean, too planned, and too perfect. Here’s the way I look at it. If you want unclean, imperfect, unplanned travel experiences (and in all sincerity, there’s a lot to be said for these), there's no shortage to be found worldwide. I wouldn’t trade my experiences in El Salvador and Moldova for anything. But we come to Disney World to escape the harsh realities of the world, not to revel in them.

We may all take it for granted, but Walt Disney World is actually an incredible human achievement. No government on earth could pull off an operation this ambitious. It's an oasis of quasi-perfection in a cruel, imperfect world.

So pass the Disney Kool-Aid. And give me my mouse ears! I'll wear them without shame.

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.

One Big Silver Family

I recently came across a fine article in USA Today about the resurgence of Airstream popularity. You can read the article by clicking here:

One Big Silver Family

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.

Best Kept Secret in Motorsport

While our Airstream is in the shop, we're taking in some local sights. Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama is an incredible treat if you enjoy the smell of fresh, hot exhaust. There's no better way to watch racing than on this $60 million European-style race course, where the landscaping is as lavish as a customized Porsche interior.

And speaking of Porsche, if you want to attend the official Porsche Sport Driving School, this is where you'll do it. The Barber facility is home to the Porsche school, so some of the world's greatest racecar drivers hang out here on a daily basis.

And yes, the Barber Park's an RV-friendly place. The track's main RV parking area offers scenic boondocking. It sits upon a high, grassy plateau overlooking the entire track. Electricity is available in the paddock area. So if you happen to be driving the track, you can relax in your RV in between sessions.

Believe it or not, I've actually driven the Barber track with a Birmingham sports car club. "What's it like?" you ask? Imagine your favorite rollercoaster -- times ten. Really, until you've ridden in a racecar being piloted at high speed, nothing can prepare you for the lateral g-forces and sensory onslaught. It's an adrenaline rush that's only slightly less addictive (and probably more expensive) than crack.

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!