Camp Dawg

WHY DO WE AIRSTREAM? There are so many reasons! For us, we found traveling east through Tennessee and into the Carolinas extra special as autumn in these states is wildly colorful and such an unexpected and welcomed surprise. When you roll in an Airstream, the possibilities are endless to explore new states; attend Airstream rallies around the country; drop in on friends and family along the way; and sometimes when the stars and moon align, you cross paths with SoCal friends doing exactly what you’re doing, exploring!

In Knoxville we had the opportunity to visit with Jim’s cousin, Donald, and his wife, Ingrid. While decades may have passed since these two guys were last together, the conversation filled quickly with childhood memories and I so enjoyed getting a peek into Jim’s childhood as these two reminisced!

While rolling across the states there are various Airstream rallies taking place and the only ticket required to participate is an Airstream! One of the really B-I-G events for our community is Alumalina which draws over 300 Airstreams from around the U.S. Held in the small hamlet of Marion, North Carolina, surrounded by rolling hills popping in color, we pulled in for the long weekend of fun seminars, meet ups with friends and evening campfires together. The weekend’s grand finale culminated in an amazing fish fry on Saturday night with fish, shrimp, soft shell crab and hush puppies…what’s not to love about North Carolina! And ‘over-the-top excited’ doesn’t fully describe our feelings when friends, Tim & Nancy, on their way home to California from an Airstream adventure in the east, pulled in to enjoy the festivities with us at Alumalina. And let’s not forget the Biltmore House a half-hour drive west…finally!

Next up? Pinehurst, North Carolina and friends Stephen & Jackie whom we met 15 years ago in Palm Springs through our mutual love of Golden Retrievers and travel. Our evening at their beautiful home went by too quickly but we will always remember their kindness in welcoming us into their home and sharing dinner and the lovely town of Pinehurst with us.

The towns, states, friends and life experiences will change up along the way, as does the view from our windows. For me, I am Simply Grateful to have this time together, and to explore, which passionately fuels my gypsy soul. We’ll see you down the road!

TENNESSEE TRAVELS are always filled with sweet surprises and this one didn’t disappoint. I always look forward to a return trip to peel back more layers and discover new-to-me history found in Music City USA. After settling in at one of our favorite Corp of Engineers (COE) parks on J. Percy Priest Lake, it was off to explore!

A short drive into Nashville and I landed at the Marathon Motor Works building. Genius, pure genius! Take a late-1800s building, fill it with well-preserved machinery ‘art’ used to build the only automobile manufactured in the south (until the Saturn), and pair this with several creative shops filled with wares from local artisans, add a distillery and restaurants and what do you have? A well thought-out 21st century marketing plan with something for everyone!

The Grand Ole Opry, home of Country music ended it run at downtown Nashville’s Ryman Theater in 1974 and is now housed in a larger theatre, built specifically for the Opry, about 20 minutes away. While the Opry is known as the longest running radio show founded in 1925, on this pass through town we finally attended a live show. The variety was great with upcoming songwriters, a member of the now defunct Florida Georgia Line duo, a comedian and TV show competition contestants. Great seats, fabulous entertainment and an outstanding ‘date’ night, what’s not to love?

Our journey was made even sweeter when we met up with California Airstream-friends-turned-Tennesseans, Betty & Jay, who moved to Tennessee a few years back. And no, we couldn’t pass up a boat ride with Jay at the helm on Old Hickory Lake even on a blustery day!

And for me, a visit to Tennessee is never complete without a stop in Leiper’s Fork…

WHEN THE TWO WORLDS OF ICONIC CREATORS BORN IN 19TH CENTURY AMERICA COLLIDE as people come from across the United States to celebrate these two creative souls, we knew we were in for a fabulous weekend.

Frank Lloyd Wright, born in 1867, became one of the most notable designers of homes beginning with his low and long Prairie style home; right through his more affordable, Usonian homes during the Great Depression.

Wallace Merle Byam, known as Wally, was born in 1896 and began publishing ‘how to’ plans for building travel trailers in Popular Mechanics magazine for 25 cents. In 1931 Wally began manufacturing and selling Airstream travel trailers in Los Angeles.

The vibrant city of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, home of the Phillips Petroleum Corporation, was where we gathered with our Airstreams. It was here that Mr. Price of Price Pipeline wanted a three-story office building but eventually agreed to the 19-story structure which was completed in 1956. This is the only FLW skyscraper ever to be built and to this day it remains a viable commercial building with a restaurant, office space and hotel rooms.

Here we enjoyed a panel discussion with experts from both camps who discussed the correlation between these two creative minds. In addition to their arrival in the late 1800s, both men experienced hardships as youths. Wright began creating small, useful homes with built-in furniture to ensure it wouldn’t be moved; while Wally was working on an even smaller (and movable!) scale, with furniture placed and not to be moved in his Airstream travel trailers. FLW constructed hundreds of homes, many which remain today; while Byam brought us our silver adventure pods and created adventurous caravans that included the Around-the-World caravan. Both men left indelible marks on American history and their legacies presented to the world remain iconic symbols to this day with many Wright homes still in existence; and it is estimated about 70% of all Airstreams ever manufactured are still in existence, including our 1954 Flying Cloud.

ON OUR DRIVE TO OKLAHOMA, WE MADE A SPECIAL STOP IN WINTERSET, IOWA. Home to Madison County’s numerous covered bridges it is also the hometown of film legend, Marion Robert Morrison, better known as John Wayne. There are only a handful of museums Jim will visit and this was one!

WHEN THE GEESE FLY SOUTH (with the help of Piper, who just turned 11) and you have a home on wheels, it’s time to roll. We have had a beautiful summer spent mostly at the Minnesota Airstream Park; with time enjoyably shared with decades-long friends in the Twin Cities; and my first ever visit to Paisley Park and all things Prince.

We wrapped up our summer with a lake cabin getaway in northern Minnesota for all Four Mutties. A first for us, we now have spoiled Pontoon Mutts on our hands!

We are looking ahead to more adventures on the road with our ’18-month Full Timing in Our Silver Adventure Pod’ anniversary already in the rear view mirror.

ONE OF THESE DAYS it will be you, me and a bunch of friends with the only requirement an island, flip flops and a Tiki Bar. Until then, Kenny Chesney, it’s the entire Vikings football stadium in Minneapolis!

When you’re camping in Maine with 950 Airstreams and one Bestie, and you discover Keith Urban is playing just across the state line, in New Hampshire…it was simply meant to be.

I had a blast with Mo and so enjoyed our Girls Night Out at the Gunstock Lodge and the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, an outstanding outdoor venue!

TOURING ELY, MINNESOTA I stumbled upon someone who appeared part folklore, a bit unicorn, yet 100% real; someone who would have simply nailed any ‘survivor show’ by taking first place and leaving all the young contestants scratching their heads. Little did I know about this trail-blazing, entrepreneurial woman and the life she led, alone, in what would become the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in 1978.

Dorothy Molter, born in 1907, lived over a half-century in this primitive Minnesota wilderness bordering Canada known for hiking, canoeing and an abundance of wildlife, including wolves and black bears. Her first journey to the area in 1930 was to a fishing lodge with her father which captured her attention. Following nursing school graduation she moved to the wilderness permanently in 1934. In 1948 when Bill Berglund, owner of the Isles of Pines fishing lodge passed away, Dorothy took ownership of the lodge.

As the years went by, the federal government worked towards pursuing the BWCAW which didn’t include any inhabitants, including Dorothy. By this time, however, she had acquired friends, LOTS of friends. Thousands came via canoe every summer or by snowmobile in the winter to enjoy her company and the homemade root beer she made and kept chilled using ice hand-cut in the winter from pristine Knife Lake and stored in her non-refrigerated ice house. After receiving support from then-Senator Walter Mondale, an exception was made for Dorothy to stay until 1975. And at that time, she became a ‘Volunteer’ and was allowed to stay until her death in 1986 at age 79.

The Forest Service had earmarked Molter’s cabins to be burned before the people of Ely stepped in and dismantled the cabin and numbered each piece to be reconstructed once a site could be obtained in town. Today her root beer is still made staying as close as possible to the original recipe and can be purchased at the museum.

Dorothy’s life has been covered in books and media, including a visit from Charles Kuralt. As much of an adventurer as I may be, it’s unfathomable, for me, to think of living miles of travel by water and several portages from civilization without telephone, electricity or water. Dorothy was definitely a trail blazer and her museum is worth a visit. What a pleasure it was to learn about this amazing woman who was definitely ahead of her time. Dorothy Molter, The Root Beer Lady and so much more!

PURE. BLISS. For a Minnesotan, ‘Up North’ is a state of mind as much as it is a location. Growing up in the North Star state, the epitome of ‘Living the Good Life’ was always intertwined with cabin life, however, a cabin on a lake and you have achieved pure bliss! Having left the 32nd state of the union in my 20s for the West Coast, it has been decades since I experienced this Minnesota utopia. That was about to change when I discovered Burntside Lodge.

Jumping into my rental car I drove north of Duluth on Highway 61 and turned left onto Highway 1 towards Ely, population 3,500 and the gateway to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. After soaking in the beauty of Lake Superior on a sunny afternoon, I didn’t expect any more surprises. That was until I passed through Finland and encountered a moose as large as they get! No time for photos, I enjoyed the experience as he sauntered across the road and I floated into the Burntside Lodge late afternoon with a smile.

At the Lodge I was warmly greeted by Lonnie LaMontagne, proprietor of this stunningly beautiful yet simple 1913 hunting lodge which has been handed down through generations. Lonnie is also the best latte and blueberry scone baker anywhere….hands down! The family’s love of the property is evident upon walking in the door where I absorbed the beautifully cared for lodge with a log on the fire, a well appointed gift shop highlighting local artisans, and finished with a well-stocked bar which was the perfect landing spot after my day’s drive. The 22 cabins scattered about the property and built by Finnish craftsmen in the 1920-30s surround the heart of the resort, the lodge.

To say I was overwhelmed with my one room cabin is definitely an understatement. How I was able to capture “One of the most photographed cabins in Minnesota”, was beyond my imagination. With Pendleton blankets, a comfortable sofa to take in the beauty of Burntside Lake, and a fireplace, Cabin 26 was a dream come true! My goal for the next three days was to soak in the sheer beauty of my surroundings, discover the town of Ely, read and relax. As it turned out, reading was difficult with the extraordinary view from my window. Besides, there were things to discover in nearby Ely like the International Wolf Center and the Dorothy Molter Museum.

If you plan a trip ‘Up North’, book well in advance as it appears happy guests return year after year. And you must leave behind your dawgs, Airstream, jet skis and husband, ok, the last one is not a requirement, but I did. More to come!

ON A NAPA VALLEY HILLTOP with the setting sun we began our journey, together. Fast forward 30 years and we’re in a pub, Small Town, USA. Grateful for every single moment in the rear view mirror and looking ahead to more amazing adventures!