Thanks much Steve, though it must be said: Jack Daniels is a friend of mine (and if that’s not a country song, it should be! )
I appreciate your taking the time to check out the new site and post a comment! Next week we’ll post our “part 2″ of the video series. Good stuff yet to come.
I haven’t tried ‘em all, but cnet ranks the Tom Tom GO 720 quite highly (an editors’ top 5 GPS system). But Cnet users rank the Garmin 660 higher than the Tom Tom. With items such as a GPS, I tend to favor the voice of the majority. The user reviews, taken in aggregate, are usually pretty accurate.
As for the Garmin, I still believe it’s a great purchase. We’ve never regretted owning it!
[...] Check out Episode 1 of The Long, Long Honeymoon. While you’re at it, check out our website at http://www.thelonglonghoneymoon.com. addthis_url = [...]
LOVE that camera view from the back of the Airstream at the beginning of the video!
So how much does it take to bribe a.. Wait, where do i find a bride-to-be in the first place! Did she have any idea the honeymoon would be spent on the road?
We get those shots with a car mount. It requires a little effort but the results are worth it!
We really didn’t know at this point we’d go honeymooning on the road. There was a confluence of events. Shortly after we got married, Kristy left her old job. So we suddenly had the opportunity to wander for an extended period of time. And there was our Airstream, just sitting there BEGGING to go somewhere. So it just sorta happened…
I bought a Nuvi 660 in late ‘06 before my first snowbirder jaunt. At the time I traveled alone and the 660 immediately proved its worth. The turn-by-turn voice commands, the large screen and multiple features are great. I used the search feature a lot to find eateries, shops, etc… I just got one on eBay for $290 for a relative.
When I travel I don’t leave home without my Garmin and “The Next Exit.”
Kristy and I have also used the audiobook player quite a bit. If you like audiobooks, it really makes time fly when on a long road trip.
And I agree that the search feature is pretty revolutionary. Suppose you’ve been driving all day, are tired, and want to find a Wal-Mart parking lot. The GPS will lead you to the nearest one.
I love you guys! You are adorable!I live f/t in my 31 foot Zepplin and love it. I am a sun chaser and travel with my 2 dogs from here to there and back again. Buy a house…never! You Honeymoon would be my dream! Now to find a man!
I like the way you write your experiences. We are baby boomers who just purchased our first 5vr. We have had it out twice, no more than 100 miles from the house. We found some minor things that the dealer needed to adjust. It is good to work the bugs out close to home first. But I am looking forward to a long trip and if I can get my husband comfortable with it, go full time eventually. For me it is a love affair all over again.
Amanda, congrats on your new purchase! RV-ing really is a lifestyle. I love it… It really opens up a whole new perspective on our country, or at least it has for me. I will strive to write more about our experiences. I tend to focus so much on the video that I don’ t spend enough time writing. My Mom says I should write more, so maybe it’s time I take that advice Thank for taking the time to post! Sean
Hi Bri! Keep on chasing the sun. Once you find the right guy, fulltime a while with him. You will quickly learn if he is really the right guy! Our time together on the Airstream has really bright us closer — in every way imaginable, ha ha… Cheers and thanks for posting!
Just called them, going to order a shirt. I was just down there 2 weeks ago for fun n sun airshow, and I saw this, and almost died, I wanted to stop so bad and take a picture, I love the Airstream Ranch!!
Hi Sean, $450-$650?? Ouch. We currently (until they’re gone) sell the nuvi 660 for $390.00. I’m really enjoying watching the videos. To Aaron The Truck Driver…it is a well known fact that GARMIN is a superior GPS to the other brand you mention. Thanks.
Darrel, the original suggested retail price of the Nuvi 660 when it debuted was $1076! This brings to light an interesting point. It’s said that GPS devices are among the most rapidly depreciating electronic gadgets you can buy. That’s the thing about technology…it always gets better and cheaper. If you want the latest and greatest, fine, but don’t expect it to hold its value.
The Nuvi 660 seems like a great deal these days. You’re still getting a fantastic GPS, only at a fraction of its original MSRP.
Hi Sean, you are right, the GARMIN units keep getting less expensive with more features. We are now selling the nuvi 760 for $415.00 that even has more features than the 660. BTW, before we sold GPS’ I had a video production company. (1986-2000). Man have things changed in the video world too! I was a beta tester for the first real time non linear editor….the Video Toaster Flyer. I paid $4500.00 for my first 9GB hard drive! I bought 3 broadcast quality cameras over those years at $10,000.00 plus! The last camera I bought was around $3,000.00 and it all but matched the quality of my last 10K camera.
No doubt about the video equipment! It’s really an exciting time to be involved with video in any capacity. My primary cameras are HD consumer cams — I like their low profile and easy portability. And the image quality in most situations is outstanding! As for editing, the majority of our “long, long honeymoon” videos were edited on my laptop, right there on the couch in our Airstream. Once uploaded to the Internet, they are available around the globe, even on your cell phone. It’s pretty amazing what you can do these days.
I linked in to your site from the rv.net blog and have spent the past hour enjoying some of your work. What a hoot! Thanks! Keep up the good work and I look forward to future episodes. If you ever get up into northern Wisconsin I would love to buy you a beer or share a bottle of that RV wine…. Thanks again! Dan
Thanks Dan! Future episodes are on the way. In fact, we hope to take a new full-time trip this summer (July and August). We’ve never been to Wisconsin, but I’m sure we’ll visit someday! I would love to take you up on that beer offer. Wine would be fine too.
Sean, Northern Wisconsin is a beautiful place to escape the high humidity of the south in July and August. Up around Lake Superior it’s like the air conditioning is on all the time. We’re planing a loop around Lake Superior after Labor day with our fifth wheel in a mini caravan with another couple. We live in Hayward Wisconsin where there are lots of events and plenty to do if one wants or you can escape to solitude within a few miles. Lots of fresh water lakes and world class Musky fishing. I think you need to add a picture of you and your bride standing in the mouth of the 4 story tall Musky at the National Fresh Water fishing hall of fame in Hayward. The world Lumberjack Championships are held in the last weekend of July. The Lumberjack fest has also featured the Dock Dog competition the past couple years as well… Take Care! Dan
I like the ever improving look of you blog site. I check in every few weeks. I hope I don’t miss the take off for the next big trip. Your video blogs are as always the best out there.
Duane, thanks for checing in on us. We are targeting July and August for another big trip (one with loads of fresh video, etc.). We are thinking Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. Stay tuned!
By the way, you can subscribe to our site by clicking the orange RSS button on our main page. This way you’ll get alerts whenever we post something new.
You nailed it ….. Ft.Wilderness is one of the best ways to do Disney. We’ve stayed on property at some of the WDW hotels but there is just something about the feeling and freedom you get at Ft. Wilderness. We have four kids and you can let them roam around on the bikes like I did as a kid …. it is one of the best kept Disney secrets. Did you do the Hoop Dee Doo Revue ?
Really enjoy the video blogs …. makes me want to hit the road everytime I watch one. How about putting together a top 10 favorite campground video …. or maybe your favorties parks by region.
Keep up the great work documenting your cross country adventures.
Wow! We were there at the same time, and we were in an Airstream too! Well, in an Airstream *motorhome*….lol….. you’re absolutely correct about Ft Wilderness being the best kept disney secret – it’s fabulous!!
Thanks Mary! As a hiker, I was startled. As a filmmaker, I was thrilled.
You have a cool website yourself. I read your stories of Costa Rica with interest. You might be interested to know that we have small scorpions in Alabama. I killed one tonight that had crawled into our shower!
I’ve been following your trip and enjoying it immensely – I’m also really envious of your video skills! But I have to say just one, little thing about this post …. it’s not the Snake River …. it is the Colorado…. but it is kind of right – the Snake River also is in a gorgeous canyon, Hell’s Canyon, and they also whitewater raft there. On the Oregon/Idaho border – come along up here, it is a beautiful time of year.
I’ve just spent an enjoyable morning going through this blog. It’s been great fun and I’ve really enjoyed it. Keep it up and I hope to see more fun stuff from you. We just bought a Airstream and pick it up next week and can’t wait to get on the road. This particular post drew me in because I scouted a place out in Borrega a couple of weeks ago that will be a great place this winter for a trip and it has a scary road.
By the way let your sponsor RV.net know we went to their site from your links have it bookmarked for future needs.
Thanks so much for taking the time to post! You made my day. Positive energy keeps the ol’ blog (not to mention the Airstream) rolling forward.
Congrats on your Airstream. You’re gonna love it. It’s not a product…it’s a lifestyle.
And thanks for checking out RV.net. Their “expert blog” is really a fantastic resource for all things RV related. They have some cool things slated for the future, so stay tuned.
I also recently bought a Baby Q for my A/S. Mine was purchased on line thru Target so I could get one with a red lid that matched George (Foreman Grill) and Cole (man-fold-n-go). I always talk about keeping my boyfriends in the A/S. We love this little grill and have always questioned the small welders gas tanks. BUT my husband just bought a 12 foot propane hose adaptor so we can hook it up to the A/S propane tanks. Yes you are limited to 12 feet. But we like the height of the grill on the truck tailgate. Or we can take a spare large propane tank on the big trips and put it where ever we want.
Best Regards-
Alice Wymer
Oakland, FL
WBCCI #4249
‘04 28′ International CCD (MINE)
F-350 Diesel Crew Cab L/B (HIS)
Hi Alice! We need to investigate getting one of those propane hose adapters. It makes a lot of sense, especially since we’re already hauling around a couple of 40-pound tanks. It seems a little silly to go chasing welders’ tanks when we have all that propane attached to our Airstream. Anyway, thanks for the tip. And happy Airstreaming!
I have been watching your blog since you made your move to this location. I love it. I am interested in buying a old airstream and fixing it up. I would love to see you post a “nickel tour” of your Airstream. Maybe that can be a upcoming episode.
Scott, thanks for your comment. Our blog is a constant “work in progress” but at least there is some progress being made.
Great idea on the nickel tour. If you check out the right sidebar, you’ll see an old and somewhat haphazard video tour I put together last year. But it’s certainly due for an update.
As for the vintage Airstream, go for it! Kristy and I were ready to pull the trigger on one last year, but we got impatient (with our wedding date set) and ended up buying a more recent model. I’ve always thought the vintage units are the best deal in RVing. The exterior styling is timeless, and the interior you can customize to whatever specs you want.
Thanks again, and stay tuned. We’ve got some fun stuff planned!
I am really looking forward to it. My problem is I have champagne taste on a beer budget. Not sure if I can afford the newer ones. Still waiting for the right one to come along. I’m a bargain shopper.
I understand. I am also a bargain shopper. If you are a “do it yourself” kind of guy, you could pick up an old donor Airstream, polish the exterior, gut the interior, and finish it at your own pace. That would obviously be a MAJOR undertaking, however. I would be overwhelmed.
There are firms out there who do nothing but restore vintage Airstreams and travel trailers, customizing them for clients. I think that by the time you total it all up, you’ll end up spending $25k or more for one of these. It all depends on how extravagant you get with the finishings.
Perhaps the best deals are for “new-ish” (ie. 1990s and up) Airstreams on the resale market. Although they hold their value pretty well, Airstreams depreciate like everything else. In the current market climate, I bet you can find a nice deal.
Folks – - -
I stumbled across you Bloggings tonight (and that was difficult to do sitting in a office chair), but I just finished installments #47, #48 then #1 thru #5. I happen to be from Destin and enjoyed the view.
I just want thank you for the refreshing take/attitude you both generate on your travels so far and sir . . . You are sooo lucky to Walk About with the lovely flower on your arm.
May I ask (1) What video setup you have (great clarity, composition and good editing) and (2)what the both of you do for a living. I am 63 still working in St Augustine, FL which is pleasant, but you both seem to have gotten smart and are enjoying life early in life.
Again, thankew for your efforts.
David, you have a keen eye (not to mention a keen understanding of the HV20 ). Actually we shoot our blog with two HV20s and one tough old HC3. I say “tough old” because the thing has survived being dropped a couple of times, and it usually serves as the car mount cam. Every time I think about getting rid of it, a situation arrives in which it comes in handy. In this case, we had it mounted on the top of our truck facing backwards, and switched into Sony’s NightVision recording mode. The NightVision is actually a pretty cool feature, as evidenced here. It really works.
I recently got a Letus Mini, to which one of our HV20s will remain permenently mated. So we should start working some 35mm adapter footage into the blog in the weeks to come. Thanks for checking it out!
Guy, be careful when stumbling across bloggings…they can be dangerous.
We love Destin. In fact, it’s sort of a “home away from home” for us. If you think that fellow riding his bike along Highway 30A looks a lot like me, that’s because it probably IS me!
We shoot our blog in 1080i high-definition (although they are displayed at 720P here on the site) using two Canon HV20 cameras, and one older Sony HC3. I edit using Sony Vegas Pro software. Thanks for your comments about clarity and composition. These blog videos actually require a lot of effort to produce, but they are also a lot of fun.
As far as what we do, about ten years ago I started developing Internet content…which is a fancy way of saying we built websites. A couple of years ago, I developed an interest in digital filmmaking, so we eventually started this honeymoon blog as a means of exploring it. And here we are still doing so, today. If all goes well, we’re going to really grow our “online show” in the near future. Thanks for checking us out, and please stay tuned!
Your videos are quite entertaining and the image quality is very impressive. Great job on the site. As an RV/trailer owner, what do you think of this mygallons.com deal? The math for automobile drivers doesn’t make so much sense, barring another spike or large volumes, but as a boater and (full disclosure: RV accessory salesman) it seems that locking in current gas prices could really save some serious cash. I can go through 50 gallons a weekend, and while I know the solution’s not permanent, it gives me an excuse to plan out a boating trip when I purchase the option on the fuel. I am not as familiar with RVing, and was just curious what you thought. Thanks, Shuyler.
Hi Shuyler, thanks for your comments. These videos are the result of probably too much effort on our part.
I just checked out mygallons.com. I’ll preface my remarks with the caveat that I knew NOTHING about the service before your post. That said, the idea is a fascinating one, and perhaps holds some promise. It’s my understanding that the current profitability of Southwest Airlines is due to its practice of hedging fuel costs by purchasing in advance. The mygallons website appears to apply the same concept on a micro/consumer level.
Of course, the significent downside risk is that fuel prices actually DECREASE…in which case you will have overpaid, at least until prices resume their upward spiral.
Hey Guys – You’ve got the right message! Here is a story I wrote right before Memorial Day that has a similar message – I got a lot of media play all over the country on it. Thought your readers might enjoy it too. Happy 4th of July!
Carol
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5 Reasons Why Gas Prices Shouldn’t Cancel Your Summer Fun
Everyone seems to be complaining about the high cost of fuel causing them to cancel their summer vacation plans. Carol White, co-author of the book “Live Your Road Trip Dream”, says, “I don’t like the higher prices, but if you take a realistic look at it, it’s something that most of us can deal with.”
Did you cancel last year’s plans? According to AAA, gas prices have increased an average of $.56 a gallon since last Memorial Day. Let’s go crazy and say it has been $.75 a gallon in your area. If your summer trip is 1000 miles long and your car gets an average of 23 MPG, your fuel will cost $32.60 more this year than last. One dinner at home instead of eating out before you go will save that much. Is $32 any reason to cancel your vacation?
What does it really cost? When you add up all the expenses of a vacation, fuel only counts as about the second or third highest expense. Typically food and lodging will cost more than fuel. If you need to cut back, consider RVing or eating more meals in, or renting a slightly less expensive lodging.
How can you afford to RV? According to a study done for the RV Association, RVing is still less expensive than piling a family of four into an airplane and hotels for vacation. Using a similar example to the one above and a typical mid-size RV fuel economy of 12 MPG, the additional fuel cost for RV fuel this year would be $62.50. This is easily off-set by the lower cost of campgrounds vs. motels, resorts or cabins at your favorite destination.
What about family bonding? One of the best parts of taking a road trip or an RV get-away is the extra time you get to spend with your traveling companions. In the close quarters of automobiles, RVs, campgrounds and motels, a family has the opportunity to enjoy old-fashioned fun like cards, board games, campfires and more. It really is fun talking to your kids. Ditch the electronics just for the week and see what might happen.
And the final reason you shouldn’t let fuel get in your way? You and your family deserve the time together and the time away. Have everyone work together to be able to afford the extra cost of gas. Go on a Starbucks-free week, check for the best fuel prices, just say “no” to an evening at the movies, or take a pass on that cute new pair of shoes and you will have the added money to cover fuel. Don’t let the “psychology of price,” rather than real price get the best of you.
Have fun and enjoy your summer vacation.
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Carol White is the co-author of the award-winning book, “Live Your Road Trip Dream” (www.roadtripdream.com) – the ultimate road trip planning guide for extended road trips. Carol and her husband Phil have traveled over 50,000 road miles in the past several years, visiting all fifty states and having visited all of the National Parks in the “lower forty-eight.” As national spokespeople for the RV Industry, they now spend their days speaking, writing, and helping others to live their dreams.
Hi Carol, thanks much for sharing your article! I agree completely with your point about “the psychology of price.” While no one’s thrilled to be paying more at the pump, if you actually do the math, the additional expense can be easily offset by making wise food and lodging choices.
Food expense is a key variable, and with an RV you happen to be hauling your own kitchen. Kristy and I usually pack the fixin’ for sandwiches. We also make good use of our Weber grill. Take a few meals by the campfire (which is usually more fun than dining out, anyway) and your gas expense is just about covered.
When traveling from point A to point B, we’ve also been known to occasionally park overnight in a Wal-Mart parking lot. You can’t beat the price (free!) so this sort of boondocking does save a little extra money. Again, at least with an RV you have this choice.
Hey guys!
Just revisited your blog and I am greatly impressed on the progress you have made, a sponsor and a beautiful video presentation! We bought our 31 08 Classic about the same time, May of 07. After last years marathon cross country trip we had planned this summer on going up to Newfoundland. But a medical situation occurred here so we are now bound to South Florida for the summer. Interesting enough I just came back from scouting a county campground less than 4 miles from the house that we intend to use next weekend. Your video was almost psychic in its relevance. So I guess I will not need to complain about fuel costs!
hey Howard! I remember emailing with you last year.
Thanks for your kind complements. Our blog is a constant “work in progress” but at least it is progressing. We are really happy to be working with our sponsors — RV.net and RVsearch.com are excellent sites, and they are run by really nice people.
Sorry to hear about your medical situation, but it sounds like you are making the best of it. Camping close to home really is fun. I’m amazed at how it’s possible to feel “out there” when you’re only a few miles away — but somehow it works! We plan on doing a lot of Airstreaming later this summer and into the autumn. Our autumn Airstreaming will largely be in our native area (attending football games, etc.).
Anyway, glad to hear that you are getting some good use out of that nice Classic!
Great site!!! Ive been following you two for a while now and you have contributed significantly to pushing me over the edge!….I just parted with a chunk of change and bought a new AS International 28! I’ll pick it up in Oregon in a few weeks. Look for me on the road! Thanks for keeping everyone posted on your adventures!
Roger, wow! Congratulations on your new Airstream. Some friends of ours bought a 28-foot International a few years ago, and they LOVE it. Oregon will be a beautiful place to take it on a maiden voyage, should you so choose. We really enjoyed the beautiful coastline last year. I suggest you make that first trip to someplace special.
Thanks Mike… and a hearty “Roll Tide!” right back at ya! We are definitely planning to attend some games this fall. In addition to the ones in T-town, we are thinking about taking our Airstream on the road for the Tennessee and Georgia games, amongst others. Nothing beats tailgating at a Bama SEC contest.
As I sit down in front of my computer each morning, after moving “the Family” (aka myself and my 4 “Kids” – dogs to many!) from the bedroom to the living room – which is basically the extent of OUR travel during the day, with the occasional foray out the front door for “potty trips” – I wonder what the day is going to hold!
I STILL marvel that I find such amazing things in the most simplistic ways!
I stumbled upon your website when I was searching for a “Pack It Out” which is a containment system for “Doggie Waste”. I was shocked to see that this was actually a very large “search” that had very little to do with what I was looking for!
I first went to an Airstream forum just to see what some had to say about this concept, read a thread, clicked on an interesting post’s ID name which then brought up their blog who inturn linked to YOUR blog!
And boy…considering I am sitting here in my livingroom in my tiny apartment in an even tinier town in southeast Texas…I have seen some remarkable places through your eyes!!
Just wanted to let you know that you touching more lives than those who are “Airstreaming across our Great Lands”! Living with severe chronic pain and fatigue doesn’t allow for much activity…but the INTERNET allows for me to see things I would otherwise never see!
And who says (and I would be remiss if I said I sometimes do!) that tehcnology is a BAD THING??
Keep doing what you are doing…being a beautiful couple out there roaming our vast expanse, seeking out the natural places that feed the soul. At least that is what I see!
You feed the soul for many…and not all out there following in your footsteps!
Felt the need to comment again…hope you don’t mind!
I have never “RV’d” anywhere – though at one time in my life it was a dream I had for the future, but as has been mentioned in the comment section here but Howard and Carol (the comments are on her own site) health issues can and do put the end to a dream such as this! People do take their health for granted and it’s so easy to put things off “for someday” only to have “someday” never arrive due to them! Love seeing that so many haven’t and are allowing those that it has to enjoy it this way – thank you!
But my memories of camping are very vivid…and most of them are in fact very close to home! A week spent in a tent with our dogs literally less than 10 miles from home – and when we needed something, one or both of us packed up the car and ran home to get it! LOL!! Or my first “real boyfriend” and I taking off for the week with nothing but a planned area in mind and literally sleeping in the back of his mini truck with a blue tarp thrown over it, pulled off the side of the road somewhere in the wilderness – though not sure this is thought too highly of these days! OH, and of course the requisite gun between us for a “just in case” moment – whether that be bear or man! HA!
Growing up 35 miles from San Francisco allowed me unlimited access to some of the most beautiful places in the world…all within a few hours driving distance! I always found it simply amazing that in one hour I can be standing at the end of our beautiful country on a beach and then 4 hours later standing in the snow in a fabulous mountain range – with people everywhere or people nowhere to be seen within a few miles of each other!
As your entry says…I don’t think that people give enough thought to their immediate surroundings and miss making lifelong memories!
Thank you for the reminder…my memories have been stirred and will forever be treasured!
Branda, thanks much for your post. You’ve offered an important reminder of why it’s important to “seize the day” — we never know what lies ahead for us, healthwise. We’ve got to make the most of our opportunities, whatever they may be.
And on that note, you also make a great point about the power of this new technology. When we started our blog over a year ago, the original idea was just to keep friends and family “in the loop.” But it’s really amazing what has transpired, as we’ve virtually “met” thousands of people around the world. I too am sometimes stunned by the power we now have at our fingertips with words, photos, and video. And THANK YOU, Brenda, for your words of support and encouragement! Your comments have been among my all-time favorites that we have received.
Laura, I think the problem is with our server at Vimeo. In other words, it’s VIMEO that’s having problems…a lot of videos are down right now. In the future, we may just start serving our own videos here, because Vimeo has been unreliable as of late. Sorry about that!
Words…where are the words that are normally flowing out of my mouth or fingers??
One thing I did find were the tears – they are freely flowing!
What a truly beautiful tribute you made to a very special man who I do hope teaches many people to “seize the day” and “don’t put off ’til tomorrow what you can do today”.
But to have my message I sent to you when I ran across your blog mixed in with this message?? Truly, I don’t know what the right words are…as thank you seems so trite and not even really what I want to say.
However, the message in this blog is SO VERY TRUE!!! I had so many plans, so many dreams…all of those things that someone at almost 28 has in their head for “the future”. Except my future changed the day I became sick, and I had to learn to live a new life. My life today, 11+ years later, resembles NOTHING of what it did before I got sick and even less of what I thought it would be at this point in my life.
Turning 40 on my next birthday, I sometimes allow myself to wonder “what could have been”.
One of those things is DEFINITELY part of the life you and your wife have – travelling our great beautiful country in an RV. I thought “we” (whoever my partner/spouse was) and our dogs and possibly children would pack up at least a few times a year if not more often and just “go”. Where we ended up, could be planned or could be just wherever we stopped.
So for anyone who has followed your blog and thought “how fun that would be someday” – DO NOT PUT IT OFF FOR SOMEDAY!!!
As Randy and Sean have stated – someday might not be there when you finally decide that “someday” is “today”.
To say I am honored is a major understatement…but with that, I will stop.
And now, I must go call my Mom to tell her about this! I FEEL FAMOUS…hehehehe!
Brenda from the tiny town in Southeast Texas
PS…Told you I would be watching! And when is your next trip planned? Is there one on the horizon?
And of course, pouring Happy Camper wine into the totally unpretentious Airstream “Old Fashioned” makes the experience oh so much better! (not shown in this particular blog but seen in others – in case you thought I wasn’t paying attention or something!)
This is what I love about you two…you obviously enjoy the “finer things in life” and seem to be able treat yourselves with those things on a somewhat-regular basis (though of course I have no idea what your financial status is!!!).
Yet you don’t have the same “uptight stuff” that comes along with “the finer things in life” like I am sure many assume!
NO NEED TO PACK EXPENSIVE WHITE AND RED WINE GLASSES – or like some feel the need to have…two or three different red and two white! After all, they take up room, and to insure they aren’t broken – take up even more precious room.
So the Airstream “Old Fashioned” works just fine for Happy Camper wine!
HAHA – I made a rhyme!
Thanks for sharing yet another fabulous blog and insight into your travelling life. I just wonder what life is like when you aren’t RV’ing across the country. Have a blog for that?
Brenda
That was fantastic man. I got chill bumps… Seriously… Dreams here I come… I’m moving to Phoenix at the end of next month… Hope you guys are doing well… Keep up the good work…
Doug, guilty as charged! I love the Letus Mini + HV20 combination. Pretty much all of my 35mm shots have been handheld. I am still looking for a new camera, but haven’t made up my mind yet. It will either be an XHA1, or one of the latest and greatest prosumer releases (Panasonic HPX170 or Sony Z7U).
Brenda, I’ve said before that it’s pretty hard to act like a snob when you’re holding a sewer hose – LOL Camping is a down-to-earth activity in more ways than one. Good call on the Airstream old-fashioned glasses! That’s what we usually bring on trips. They were a wedding gift from from Airstreaming friends of ours.
Regarding a blog for our life off the road, well it probably just wouldn’t be as interesting. I spend way too much time watching movies.
Thanks Doug! I’m excited to hear about your move to Phoenix. Good for you… I know it’s been on your radar screen for a while now. I always feel that I’d rather pursue an opportunity and see what happens than go through life wondering “What if…” Please keep in touch. We will always be available here, and we hope to see you in Arizona (or Hollywood) someday.
Brenda, THANK YOU for sharing your story with us all. Really, your original post inspired me!
As for our next trip, we may depart for Colorado as soon as next week. Stay tuned!
We have been camping for years, and bought a baby Weber 2 years ago. Never had a better BBQ. Just love it! And yes, we use it at home often, since we prefer it to our big one. It’s just wonderful for cooking everything from a roast to burgers.
Thanks Jack… We are at an Airstream dealership now. We’re going to have a couple of items checked tomorrow, including the wheel and axle. I suspect the problem is the axle, but am hoping it’s just a wheel that’s badly out of round. Stay tuned!
After reading that you hit the curb making the turn, no doubt by the looks of the tire your axle is bent up from the impact. You didn’t say how fast you were going when you hit the curb…obviously it was an accident when you hit the curb but, it’s just something you don’t want to incurr with any speed. Probably going to have to replace it, anxious to hear what was wrong.. Enjoy reading your blog, we have 25′ FB 2005…
After making about 18 phone calls this morning, I found ONE bottle of it that is within 2 hours of me! Im taking it to our Airstream Rally next weekend for our Happy Hour!
Sean…I cant believe it…today we drove from Amarillo back home to Tulsa and passed the RV Park in Shamrock. My eye is always keen to see Airstreams and I spotted (around noon) yours in the RV park (apparently all alone, as I didnt see any other RVers there. Now that I know it was you and Kristy Im kicking myself that I didnt at least stop and say “thanks” for your great website and videos. Next time I’ll be sure to stop and hand you a fine bottle of wine in person!
Roger, wow! Yes, that was us at the Shamrock park. I was probably uploading the video as you drove by (no joke). I shot, edited and uploaded this one pretty quickly, because we wanted to show it to the Schlegels before we departed.
We’ll be uploading a fresh version of the video in a day or so, once I insert a few shots of the “U Drop Inn Cafe” downtown. This was the place used as a model for the movie Cars. After we departed the Schlegels’ campground, we parked our Airstream out front.
Thanks for your kind comments about the blog! That sort of thing keeps me motivated. There will be more to come, now that we’re back on the road. For now, I’m signing off…from an Amarillo “Red Robin.”
By the way, Laura, I’m glad you’re checking out Happy Camper. I’m sure it will be a hit at the next Rally. In fact, you might bring along a sharpie or paint pen and have your friends sign the bottle! It will be a cool conversation piece and momento.
I cannot understand why so many RVers drop on their hands and knees to worship Wal-Mart, the largest CHINESE industry! Wal-Mart stopped being an AMERICAN icon many years ago. I used to shop at Wal-Mart quite often when it was a real American store with mostly American made products. When Wal-Mart started moving almost all production and assembly work to China; some time before Sam Walton passed away, their quality and dependability seemed to go the same way. I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart several years ago and have no plans to ever go back. There are too many other stores that I can patronize and depend upon for quality and financial value.
LeBron, thanks for your comment. There’s no doubt that Wal-Mart is a controversial subject for many.
I understand your angst with regard to the decline of the American manufacture and assembly base, but must question whether it was Wal-Mart that “started moving production and assembly work to China.” Wal-Mart just distributes and sells products; it doesn’t handle production and assembly. One suspects that the issue extends far beyond one retailer. As powerful as Wal-Mart may be, in the end it’s only one store. As you mention, there are many competitors and alternatives in the marketplace.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your views. You are expressing them in the right way – respectfully, and with your wallet!
hey Matt! Great to know you are still out there. Who’d a thunk we would still be blogging?
Yes, I am digging the wireless mic setup. Truth be told, I’ve had that stuff for a couple of years, but am just now getting around to using it. Doh! The handheld mic works especially well in windy environments. For some reason, it seems we’re ALWAYS dealing with a windy environment.
Anyway, stay tuned for more. We are headed to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the morning, so we’ll probably shoot some stuff there (err, with our cameras).
OOOH OOOH can we go to Roswell I want to touch the eyes please……. please. Maybe we can go to the Million dollar museum……. are we there yet I have to pee. Can I get one of the funny green plastic heads with the big green eyes.
Matt
LOL – Matt, we are settled into our campsite in Santa Fe. Although I LOVE the idea of taking an Airstream to Roswell (since it already looks like a UFO!) I dunno if we will make it on this trip. We will probably hang around Santa Fe for a while, then head north into Colorado. Right now, I am just enjoying the scenery (not to mention the local brew).
Hi Sean & Kristi!
Really enjoyed all your videos and always look forward to the next one. Any chance that you might attend Burning Man this year? I’ve never been there myself but it would be interesting to view your take on the event. Here’s link to their website. Your heading in that direction.
Steve, I’m not sure if we’ll make it to Burning Man, though it sounds like a blast. There’s definitely a big Airstream crowd there. I’ve heard it’s a wild scene! If we go, I will try to convince Kristy to dye her hair green, or something like that. But our planned route from here is Colorado; Kristy has never been before, and I haven’t been in many years.
Matt, I like pale ales, and the Santa Fe Pale Ale is pretty good. It’s not better than Sierra Nevada or Sweetwater, but it’s good.
I was so excited. I came home from an Internet Marketing Trade Show called the Affiliate Summit. I have a blog about my world. Norbert and Jaye Nell Schlegel are my parents and I grew up at this campground. I just live about 1/2 a mile from them, and I help them with the campground at times. I was so excited to see the wonderful quality of video that you did and wonderful portrayal of my parents. Thank you for blogging about them. Now maybe they will understand the power of a blog. I have started a few blogs, and I have tried to explain how a blog can even help a business. Thank you, my parents are the great role models of my life. They raised us with love and respect and taught us to stand up for what is right above all else, and that family is the most important thing in life.
Teresa, we really enjoyed the opportunity to meet and visit with your parents. To borrow a line from your father, they are “top quality people” and it was our pleasure to spend time with them. Even though we only stayed a short while, we left feeling like we had made some new friends! We look forward to visiting them again in the future.
By the way, I’m glad you like our video. Thanks much for your post! It made my day.
Well Thank you guys, My Mom is an angel, and my Dad can be stubborn, but he is a good man. They are loved by many of their return visitors. I was gone to Boston for 5 days and I could not wait to get back and give my Mom a hug. It was hard to leave her. I just know I am the lucky one of their children, because I am the only one who lives in the same town, and I get to see them almost everyday where my Brother and Sister don’t get to see them near as much. I am lucky because I get the gift of time with them, that is something you can never get back, is time. I love your site, and it looks like you guys are doing what I am trying to learn to do, marketing online. You do a good job with your blog. Maybe I will get to meet you guys when you come back through.
Sean, Kristy,
Stop what your doing! Last night I went to bed and had a nightmare about you and the blog and the wheel problems you have been having. It was worse that I thought. Carnage of massive size and scale. So I went down to the local tea leaf, tarot card reader, exorcist/home decorator and stylus to the stars and I got the low down on my dream.
In between trying to wrangle the kids and stop sneezing from the burning tea leaves and the patchouli incense I knew I was in the right place, and had the right person. After I bought $1000.00 in clothes for the kids so that they were in the latest fashion she worked on me!
I never knew, you could not wear orange shirts and tan shorts with Teva’s. Whew, I am so glad I dodged that bullet, Thank god!
What she had to say made so much sense. So I got the $199.99 enlightenment special I believe her 100%. She said that you and Kristy need a new Airstream, a 34 Classic Limited S/O right away. She said to call her so that she can get your funk schwey in line with your chili? It was getting a little blurry by then the needles in my forehead were starting burn. All’s I know I am styling with my powder blue Hagar slacks and 1 inch horizontal striped shirt with a serial number on the back in 3/4 white boot and orange belt I am so glad I went, now I have all the tools I need to stay safe.
The one thing I don’t understand why more people don’t dress like this more often. I feel like a million bucks and, I get a police escort wherever I go! Wow how to feel so important thank you so much Miss Kiddy Kat and thank you for the $10,000.00 in home furnishings my wife will love the bean bag sofas and the nest of fondue pots. Ya just need to tell me where to put the life size gold and red volure statue of “boota the wonder man”………god I hope I have enough black paint for the wall and ceiling.
Safe travels and look forward to your next blog update
LOL Matt, you had me going for just a minute there. I guess I am having nightmares about our tire also! In my bad dreams I see a blowout…and much gnashing of teeth. Really, we’re going to have to get the thing examined AGAIN. We’ve got to get to the bottom of these problems.
As for the clothing issues, Kristy has forbade me to ever wear black socks with shorts! Although I do think that once you are able to do so in public, you know you TRULY don’t care what anyone else thinks. In fact, that may have been one of the great Buddha’s steps of enlightenment (Step #248 — Wear black socks with shorts. In public.)
Also, with regard to that new Airstream, Kristy fell in love with a 30-footer! It would give us an extra four-feet. As you know, in an RV every square-inch counts. I love the 34-footers but am a little intimidated by the prospect of towing ‘em. Although it WOULD fit with our “long, long” theme quite nicely!
Thanks, if I get a chance I will put together a quick blog video this weekend with some Taos footage.
Teresa, I agree… nothing beats quality time with family. You will cherish the memories of the time you’ve been able to spend with your parents. We were very impressed with your family roots there in Shamrock — over 100 years on the same land! Also, we saw some of the photos of your (great great great?) grandparents from the early 1800s. Your family history is fascinating and well documented.
Thanks for your comments about our blog. It is a work in progress. We could do a better job of marketing, but we try to make the website a little better every day.
Sean, I follow you’re blog faithfully. Really do enjoy it. I know this isn’t the proper forum for this question but I don’t have any other way to ask it. Would you mind telling me what software you use to edit your clips?
Yet another good one! It’s amazing I went back to the 2nd or 3rd entry and man have you gotten great with editing and putting it all together my hats off to the both of you. I know my wife would never let me set up for a shot or let me go on about a place we have been too. Just awesome! I have a question about Sony Vegas I don’t want to clog the blog with stupid questions. Let me know where I can shoot ya email about some tech questions.
Matt
LOL, well I like being compared to Michael Phelps, in any event!
Yeah, it is kind of funny to look back at some of our early posts on YouTube. Last night while I was editing this video, I said to Kristy, “Remember when these things were just 2 or 3 shots and took 10 minutes to edit?” They have grown a lot more complex over the past year, for better or worse. In the future, may try to post a few “rough cut” videos alongside the more heavily edited ones.
I have driven I40 from NC to CA many times (in my Jeep) and usually zoom through Texas as fast as possible. Next time, hopefully in an RV, I will stop and camp with the Schlegels on Route 66!
We just returned from a trip to Western Canada and would like to say that we used Wal-Mart’s a lot. The one I really thought was great was in Calgary, Alberta. As I always go in and ask the Manager if we can park overnight, I was surprised to be told that we only had to register. They had a sheet called Overnight Parking which we put the date, no. of days we would like to stay, our licence number and name. Then we signed it. That was the only one that did that but I thought that was great. They wanted to know who was staying overnight on their lot. Thought I would share that with others.
Sweet, just sent my request to join the facebook group!!
And just an FYI, i may only 21, but I know how a men’s To Do List goes…….lets just say I wont be holding my breath on getting an email from the list anytime soon LOL
Thanks Martha, the Schlegels are really great. To make the most of the experience, I suggest you spend some time with them inside the store. They have several photos hanging on the walls that document their experiences over the years. Also, be sure to sign the chalkboard in the back room. We did, and though (due to time constraints) it didn’t make it into our video, in the future I’m going to do a fresh edit that includes the board. It’s really cool. Also, you might ask Mr. Schlegel about his book. In the 1970s the Schlegels suffered a family tragedy and Mr. Schlegel wrote a compelling and courageous book about it.
Thanks Linda… That is really interesting about the overnight parking registration sheet. I must confess that we usually just find a good spot and park! But many people have said they check in with the manager. I’m sure that’s a wise idea, for all involved. We have never stayed more than one night at the same Wal-Mart, because it’s usually just a temporary “rest stop” kind of experience for us.
Once you guys did a great episode! This just goes to show you just how great rver’s are and just how nice people can be.I was doing ok till you cut the last bit of footage in their with Kristy I was no good after that….. thanks a whole lot. I just love watching, this year is tight for us but watching make me feel better about our vacation home sitting. We have out trip planned in October and 30 of friends and family go to Granite hill campground for the halloween weekend and trick or treat for beer! The kids get to go too!
Keep them coming I’ll be watching. Thanks for the vegas site. I have picked a ton of stuff. Oh BTW I have been to the that pizza shop you visited on a work Great small town.
Matt
Sean,
Once again thanks for the pics, got a little creative didn’t ya! Glad the tire issue is finally solved. Did they think it was the curb in Amarillo?
Matt, many thanks… RVers are truly great people. I think if you are going to have a problem, the best place to have it is in a campground! People are usually very forthcoming and happy to help.
Laura, everything turned out great. We had a few minutes of consternation, for sure… I think we’ll be taking some extra precautionary measures next time. (ie. More spare keys in more places!) You are lucky your Airstream does not have a “forbidden lock!”
Boomer, glad you liked the pics – ha ha. Kristy’s parents were asking for pics of our campsites, so I thought it might be fun to look at some of the more unusual ones! As for the axle, yes, it was bent…probably from the curb in Texas. I’m happy to report we’ve got straight and true axles now, and our wheels have fresh rubber. We’re good to go! (And go we have lately…all the way to California.)
Hey Sean & Kristy,
If you liked Mesa Verde you would love Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. It is not far from Mesa Verde in the Four Corners area. Just south a ways from Farmington New Mexico off US 550. If you decide to go there, be warned that it’s some 16 or so miles off the main road and a good part of that 16 miles is washboard dirt road. Speed limit says 35 but you will beat yourself up at that speed. 50 mph has you skipping over the washboard but then it is like driving on ice. Your rig should make it just fine, make sure everything is stowed and tied down well first.
The architecture of Chaco is very similar to Mesa but it’s out in the open. It is also a World Heritage site and they have a very nice campground back in there. They also have an observatory for star gazing. Some of the shots taken at the observatory are spectacular. New Mexico is a low light pollution state and at Chaco you are really away from any light source. It’s much like being at sea during the night.
You guys have a great blog and we really enjoy it. My wife, Becky and I are RVer’s as well. We have a Cougar XLite that we pull with a King Ranch F-150. All for now, more later. Keep up the good work. We’ll be watching.
Laura, there are more bloopers where that one came from. Maybe I’ll start including them from time to time. Sometimes it seems I can’t string together two coherent sentences in a row!
Bob & Becky, thanks for the tip about Chaco Canyon! I just Googled it and it looks fantastic. Perhaps the next time we venture into New Mexico we will go explore the area. Personally, I love those out-of-the-way camping destinations that require a little effort to reach. Sounds like visiting that one would be an adventure. We really enjoyed Mesa Verde, and would love to spend more time learning about the Pueblo history.
Sean & Kristy, I love your videos & am so glad to see ya’ll back out on the road again! However, I can’t view videos on Vimeo. I don’t know why, but they just go black & nothing..unless that’s how your videos are now?
Will you be posting to youtube soon? Keep on truckin’!
Cyn in Texas
Cyn, I’m sorry to report that over the past few months, Vimeo has developed a drinking problem. It was once a brilliant service, reliably delivering videos in beautiful HD. But lately, it just seems to stagger home late at night, toss its cookies, and black out.
So, yes, we’ll start posting YouTube links too. Sorry for the hassle!
Sean,
How do you find the next camp site. Do you have it all mapped out ahead of time or do you just drive to the next area, drive around and find something.
Boomer, we don’t have it all mapped out, but we don’t wander aimlessly either. They key for us has been the TRAILER LIFE DIRECTORY. You can buy these huge yellow pages style campground guides at your local Wal-Mart, or Camping World, or just about any camping/RV shop worth its salt. Our typical travel style is to figure out where we want to stop for the day, then Kristy looks in the Directory for campgrounds. The Directory has reviews, etc. and most of the campgrounds are Good Sam Club parks — that’s kind of a nice seal of approval. We call ahead, book a site if necessary, and plug the address into our GPS. The GPS then leads us right to the site. Once we got the Directory and a GPS, our lives became a lot easier.
Hey Sean I just thought you are in the west time for a custom hat! When ya come back home stop and a place and pick ya one up. I thing Kristy would look just great in a good ole cattleman hat. Give it a thought. Glad to see someone could do the job on the axles. Looking forward to the next one!
Matt
Thanks Matt! I may take up that idea… Strangely, I like the thought of getting a cool cowboy hat — although I’ve never really owned one in my life, LOL.
The axle seems to be fine. We are now camping in Ventura Beach, and having a great time. Sunday I think we’ll head back down to Los Angeles. I will try to shoot some video, for sure. I know a nice place near the Hollywood sign that just beckons for a blog update…
Roger, I love your pic!!! Much better than ours in every respect. We had to park our Airstream away from the fun. Thanks for sharing… Oh, and by the way, what’s the story behind that Airstream?
That was one of the 6 that my parents had (we have the last one). I have other shots at airstream.casarodante.org I think that is number 2 or 3. It is the one that I remember doing the most traveling in.
Roger, your photos are outstanding. What a great archive of family Airstreaming history… It looks like we have been to a few of your family’s destinations (the Keys, Banff, Grand Canyon) but we still have several more to go.
Hey Sean just remember all of us when you both hit it big time! I can’t wait man what a wild ride from the night you got the Yamaha generator to the slick corporate jet and expensive shades! You might be getting the 30 footer sooner that you think. A cool name “The Kristy Palace”. Now all ya need to stop by QVC and sell your blog entries as season one and season two what a big hit. Hey when you were in Ventura Ca did you happen to run into Stew Olsen? I can’t wait for the HGTV episode to come on. What is the interview about? A show……and RV show with the both of you?
Matt
lol Matt — that is cool that you remember the Yamaha generator! That was just about the first entry on YouTube. I like your thinking with regards to a DVD of our blog entries… but please, can we hire someone else to edit it?
With regard to Ventura, I’ve never met Stew. If he is out there, maybe we will look him up!
As for the show, it’s filmed at some HUGE RV event in Hershey, PA. It will air on HGTV next April. The premise of the show, as I understand it, is that different potential shoppers will accompany the host to browse RVs. So it will provide a good overview of the RV world, from teardrop and pop-up campers to Class-A motorhomes. Kristy and I will be looking at towable RVs, since we are travel trailer owners!
Oh, the PA show is a 3 day show it’s huge! It’s only about 45 min from the house. We are not going this year…..my credit card is complaining. We will be heading to the show in Maryland,not as good but it fits the bill.
While your there pick up some coco shells. They are the husks of the bean they sell in in 20lbs bags. You put it down as mulch and your house will smell the chocolate!
Matt, the HGTV shoot seemed to go pretty well. We were at the RV show from about 8AM to 6PM — it was a long day. Unfortunately, the weather was atrocious! It started cloudy, moved on to drizzling, and then finally rained buckets. So we all got rather soggy. On the bright side, we saw a lot of cool RVs. We love looking at RVs, and this was a great show.
Love the idea of the coco shells. However, we had no time! We didn’t get to do any of the fun Hershey tourist stuff on this trip. We’ll keep it in mind for next time.
I really like that host and the programs HGTV puts out regarding trade shows. Do you remember her name?
Your video has great production. I’m a new subscriber, and new Vintage Airstream (‘78 Safari) owner, so I’m looking forward to more shows!
Jude, the host’s name is Chi-Lan Lieu. She’s really great. She’s a fast thinker (trust me, this “talking on TV” stuff is a lot harder than it looks) and is also very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about RVs.
HGTV wanted us to comparison shop amongst different towable RVs, so we spent a lot of time looking at 5th wheels. Sadly, there were no Airstreams at the show!
Congrats on your vintage unit… Kristy and I love vintage Airstreams. To me, that’s the real beauty of an Airstream — they are timeless! Enjoy, and we’ll strive to keep the shows coming…
Awesome entry once again. I see you have added colored filters and lighting to change to “feel” of the blog looks GREAT!!!! So how much did you pick from their sound guy and the camera guy tips and stuff. I saw the audio mixer they used what brand was that, do ya know? As you very well know I am a gadget freak and would love to see what lapel mic they were using. So many questions so little time!!!!! Oh god help me I am so high maintenance. Time to hit the coast and go to Big Sir and the the Hearst Castle. Great place and the bus ride up and back is one the remember!
Thanks Matt! I’m not sure about the brand of sound mixer, but it was nice. The lavalier (lapel) mics were the Lectrosonics brand. (If you want to have some Web browsing fun, go to bhphotovideo.com and start browsing the goodies.) My impression of the TV production was that it’s kinda similar to our video blog production, but bigger (bigger crew, cams, scope, etc.). I guess the basics of visual storytelling are the same, whether you’re shooting a video blog or a TV show or a Batman flick.
As for Hearst Castle, that sounds awesome! Not sure if we’ll make it there this trip, but who knows. We originally planned to be back home off the road by now, but here we are in Southern California…so anything’s possible.
OMG it just gets better and better! I’m sorry you had to sleep in such a dump but it makes for a great story. Just don’t take a black light into a hotel room ah…..if ya git my drift. Man the how should I say scent…..yea that it is oh so um eh hummmm hotel like. Ya just gotta gotta love it. Another good one!
Matt
Thanks Matt, in fairness to hotels, we stayed in three during our recent trip to PA. The first (where we happened to shoot video) was the dumpiest. The other two were pretty good. What’s weird is that they were all rated as “three-star” hotels! When you book online, I guess you never know what you’re going to get until you see it. And BTW, I’m sure you are right about that blacklight! I wish hotels would just get rid of the bedspread COMPLETELY and switch to a washable comforter system. If they haven’t washed it, I’d rather not touch it.
I couldn’t agree more! I have to travel often for business and there’s nothing better than having all of your own stuff with you. Also, you’re being generous, actually a decent hotel room in LA starts around $159 with most north of that!
The main reason we bought our 23 foot travel trailer was to take our hotel room with us. The quality of hotel rooms has gone downhill over the last couple of years. Yes, we still stay in them when the distance/time ratio is not right for us to tow the trailer, but even with our basic unit, we’re a lot more comfortable in our own dust and clutter.
Jude, I’m sure you are correct about those LA hotel prices. A week in an LA hotel of decent quality would probably end up costing us $1000, especially once you factor in taxes and parking.
Selene, I agree… It was really interesting to stay in these hotels recently. Before we had our RV we stayed in hotels often. Now we only do so if absolutely necessary!
A penny for you’re thoughts! Man you musta called in advance for such a great site!!! I had to watch twice because I was Laughing so loud. I like the Yellow hue at the end of the video at the airstream. I like your shooting in 24p now. Keep them coming!
Camping on the Strip cost about $60 a day. If you stay 5 days you get 2 free, so we stayed there a full week.
Something we’ve started doing on this trip is exploring the weekly rates at campgrounds. Pretty much all of ‘em offer better deals if you commit for a week.
Jude, the bike theft was a bummer, but that thought did cross my mind… we probably got off pretty easy for Vegas!
Laura, it really was disturbing… Being the victim of a theft makes you feel angry and sad (and unsafe) at the same time. Naturally, I shot some video that night to document the experience. Maybe we will do a blog on campground safety. We’ve never had the slightest problem anywhere else in North America. The real issue was that our Vegas campground had very lax security — no gate, no patrolling security, no cameras, etc. And let’s face it, Las Vegas isn’t exactly the Boy Scout Jamboree. It’s called “Sin City” for a reason!
Matt, I like shooting in 24p, but sometimess I shoot in 60i and render to 24p. In Vegas I played with shutter speeds a lot to make the most of our available light at night. I also like the effect!
Thanks for the comments, everyone! We are camping tonight just an hour outside Vegas. We had some cool stuff done to our RV today at a dealership — the best thing is a slick new wifi kit, so now I should be able to upload videos from just about anywhere.
Hi Sean, I noticed in the photo of your truck and RV (with you in the foreground) that the front of the trailer is lower than the rear. Was your rig parked on a level road? If so you may want to get the front of your RV raised a bit. It’ll put less stress on your front RV tires and axle.
Matt, that Chihuly ceiling (“the glass ceiling?” hmmmm ) is in the Bellagio. If you ever want to kill some time, go for a stroll in the Bellagio. The dancing fountains out front are the best free show in Vegas.
Thanks Darrel… I will have a look at it, but I think the angle of that photo makes things look a little worse than reality. The camera (if memory serves) was actually resting near the ground, so the perspective is slightly skewed. But the next time we’re in a dealership I will ask them to check it out.
[...] The Long, Long Honeymoon blog posted about their recent experience camping at a $1.1B campground in Las Vegas. Though they didn’t mention the name of the campground, I’m pretty sure they stayed at the Circus Circus RV campground located just north of the Circus Circus casino and hotel on Las Vegas Blvd. I once stayed at the Circus Circus motel that shares a parking lot with the RV campground and let me just say it’s an interesting spot. [...]
EXPLANATION: Why Our Video is Labeled “Private” And Other Mysteries
Hi everyone, I’m sorry about the “balloon” video snafu. Someday I’m going to do a video about uploading one of these videos when we’re on the road! Sometimes everything goes smooth as silk, and the process takes a few minutes. Other times — THIS TIME, for example — NOTHING seems to work.
Last night starting at about 10PM, I spent about two hours uploading this 135 MB video file from a pretty slow Internet connection. It started processing on Vimeo shortly after midnight, an operation that usually takes 30 minutes or so. By 12:30 AM, I got a message stating that there had been some sort of weird “exception,” so the video did not process properly. Hmmmm.
So I tried AGAIN, and when processing completed everything looked GREAT — until I started actually PLAYING the video. In short, for some unknown reason, it was unwatchable. It looked like someone had zoomed into one little corner of the screen. I can only guess that the original file was corrupt, or there was an error on Vimeo’s end.
So at this point, with the clock almost striking 3AM (!) and me having no chance whatsoever of uploading a repaired copy, I was at wit’s end. I just set the video to “private” and went to bed. Sorry about that.
I’m about to make another attempt. Wish me luck, and stay tuned!
It’s a shame you didn’t have a chance to go up in one it’s great. My wife and I went on one during our honeymoon many moons ago. Once again a lousy video! Keep’em coming
Matt
My wife and I are talking about going to this event next year it just looks amazing!How did you fair in the rain he first day?Thanks for sharing your adventures this is my first comment as I just found you guys.
Kim, we love Louisiana, and have visited New Orleans many times — although never with our Airstream in tow! But unfortunately, we won’t make it there on this trip. We go on and off the road as this “long, long honeymoon” unfolds, and are due for a break. We’ve been road tripping for over two months this time out. Thanks for the offer, though, and feel free to post or email any ideas for future reference!
Matt, we were interested in taking a balloon ride — until we discovered the price. Last I heard, the going rate was $395 per person. It might be cheaper to just buy your own hot air balloon and give flying it a shot. I’m sure it’s a great experience, but we will save it for next time. That’s cool that you went up in one on your honeymoon!
Jim, you raise a good point with regard to the weather. The balloons are of course very susceptible to wind and rain. We caught the first mass ascension event on Saturday morning, and the weather was not yet a factor. But that evening’s events were rained out. Sunday morning’s mass ascension was also rained out. But we saw the Balloon Glow on Sunday evening. Monday morning’s mass ascension was delayed a couple of hours, but that worked out fine for me — we slept late and watched everything unfold from the RV park.
TIP: if you bring an RV to the Fiesta, try to get parking on an asphalt or gravel area. There was so much rain Saturday night that many RVs had trouble leaving their campsites on Sunday morning! Some of the campsites are loose earth, and after the rain they had become mud bowls. I saw a couple of Class A motorhomes and a 5th wheel being towed out of their muddy sites. ($$$ cha-ching!) We didn’t have any issues because we had a good asphalt / gravel parking area.
Overall I definitely recommend the Balloon Fiesta. We had a blast.
That looks like it was a blast! I need to go out there one day, I have family in in Las Cruces, NM. Im glad you guys took so much video! It looks great!
Laura, since you have family in NM, you should definitely make plans to attend someday. It’s a really unique event, in that most of the activity takes place EARLY in the morning (the mass ascension, etc.), and late in the day (Balloon Glow, music performances, fireworks). During the middle of the day you get to take a siesta.
WOW man their proud of there of that. Holy smokes you could fly from home the the balloon festival cheaper on a plane!I will admit it is way cool. we went up on Valentines day in Colorado. You could hear the cattle stomping thru the snow and the cars on interstate 70. The booze at the end was nice too all before 10:00. Man do they know how to party!
Yea Sean, I need to go out there one day with the Airstream! I know all about flying time for ballons, when I was in flight school, they had ballon pilots, man, talk about bad hours!
Matt, someday we will find a more reasonably priced balloon ride, film the whole experience, and seamlessly edit it into the Albuquerque piece. No one will ever know! Shhhhhhh
Laura, New Mexico is a great RVing destination. Interesting local culture, beautiful scenery, dry climate, excellent food… it’s a good place to hang out for a while!
sean, we just came back from the pomona rv show. we talked to the guys at the wifi in motion booth and they were playing your video at their booth. looking forward to see it on the site. also interesting in seeing how well it works in the real world.
Dan, thanks for the update! The Wifi in Motion video is rendering at this moment, so it’ll probably be posted here in the next day or so.
I’m going to write a detailed article about our experiences with the kit.
Overall, we’ve been really pleased with it. In fact, there’s not much bad to say about it. The only “weakness” per se is connection speed in non-3G areas. If you are in a non-3G area, the connections speeds can get a little sluggish. But that’s not really the fault of the kit, but rather the service provider. When you’re in a 3G area, the connection speed is excellent. And any way you slice it, it’s really nice to have a reliable Internet connection even when you are boondocking.
Not sure if the Romans did the tailgate thing but they did feed the animals well lol.I don’t follow sports much (well motor-sports I do)but I have gone to some great games in the past mostly play-offs.Hey the tickets were freebies but I must admit the energy those places give off is intense!Did a Hula-Bowl a Rose Bowl and the Final four in 2004-yes all for free(just final four was recent)!Going on a week or more solo journey starting Thursday, Death Valley first stop.
Sean, Much love on this one but I think the they may have tailgated at the Maryland games. Matter of fact some of them still come I love the added noise and purple filter to the video. Every week ya just getting better with the editing.
Matt
Jim, when I hear the phrase “Death Valley” my first thoughts are of LSU’s football stadium in Baton Rouge. Or perhaps you mean Clemson’s football stadium in South Carolina. What, there’s actually a PLACE called Death Valley?
Just kidding — I have driven through the actual Death Valley and temperatures reached 117 degrees. You might wanna check that A/C before you leave home.
As for tailgating, I’d like to do some more “in depth” tailgate party video. Most of what I brought home from that Bama-Tennessee game was really shaky. Let’s blame it on that fellow named Jack.
Also, your mention of motorsports intrigues me. Someday we will muster up the courage to camp at a NASCAR event. I know there’s a HUGE RV crowd at those races.
Hey Sean,
Thanks for the great article, and video (as usual.) Although I agree that cellular is the up-and-coming way to connect from the road – there are still many places where it just doesn’t exist. See my RV.net article, I Love my Satellite Internet
I have heard of a system similar to WiFiInMotion that will roam among several cellular providers. It’s called Autonet and Avis is using it in their rental cars. It’s not quite ready for prime time yet. Sure sounds like a winner when it is.
Thanks Chris for your comment! You are the real expert in these matters. I can only report on our individual experience, and so far it’s been positive.
I checked out your RV.net article and you make a good point — satellite will be available in certain places that cellular is not.
That said, we’ve only had a few instances where we’ve camped without ANY cellular signals whatsoever (Yellowstone National Park comes to mind). I suppose the cellular booster helps with signal range, but in places like Yellowstone we’d probably be out of luck.
An additional upside to satellite is the option to receive TV on it (with some extra equipment and an additional subscription).
But a satellite system costs about six times the Wifi In Motion kit! Like I said, maybe I’m a cheapskate, but I’m inclined to save the extra $5k (and quickly blow it on video equipment!).
Awesome video! We have the WiFi In Motion system…works great! We couldn’t afford the more spendy satellite (nor justify it). Naturally, if you are going to be posted in the middle of a desert for six months and have crucial work that needs to be done…satellite is the way to go. However, we’ve had excellent coverage using the WIM system (we use a Sprint card with the system) traveling across the U.S.
We considered the Autonet product, but it has some drawbacks which steered us (no pun intended) to the WiFi In Motion system. The Autonet box doesn’t have a 3-watt amplifier like the WiFi In Motion system. Autonet also forces your provider on you(have to use Verizon). Autonet has an embedded air card that only will work with Verizon. While I think Verizon is one of the better providers, I do like that WiFi In Motion leaves the choice of provider up to you. As cell providers upgrade to the next level of EVDO (for example), the entire Autonet box becomes obsolete. We went through this with a product called Internet in Motion, and once Verizon upgraded their network from EVDO rev-o to rev-a, we were told we would have to pay an upgrade fee of $500…no thanks (we originally spent $1,600 on our first Internet in Motion system)! Instead, we went with WiFi In Motion. Once technology updates with our WiFi In Motion system, we just connect to the Internet, and do a firmware upgrade…takes a couple of minutes, and no $500 upgrade fee!
Also, the WiFi system has multiple ethernet ports (four), which Autnoet doesn’t. Autonet seems like a good system for a small family who sticks to metropolitan areas, as it doesn’t offer the amplification that we get from WiFi In Motion. Since we like to travel outside the metro area, we went with WiFi In Motion and couldn’t be happier. Hopefully our post will save some of you the headaches we went through.
As usual…great job Sean! Hope this info helps! Keep up the videos…our family loves them!
Rick, thanks a lot for sharing your experience. It’s good to hear from someone else who has “real world knowledge” of the Wifi In Motion kit. We have really enjoyed our kit so far, and I know it will make a MAJOR positive impact on our RV adventures in the months ahead.
As for your comments about the videos, thanks also! I really appreciate the positive feedback. As I’ve said before, positive energy is what keeps this blog going…
I was just catching up on my RV.net acct and noticed your on there,your site,Vimeo plus updating from the road. On top of all of that ya gotta film script and edit.
How the hell do you have time to have fun. We just got back a wet weekend in Gettysburg and had no way to film at all how the hell do you do it!!!!
I took pictures and tried to keep the dogs and kids dry but trying to update sites is insane! Once again I have to hand it to kristy, dude you married RIGHT!!!!! For the both of you to do this and she’s in too whew,lucky man!!!!
Hey how the hell do you keep the camper clean. Every 5 min my wife or myself were sweeping out all the crap and removing shoes. With all of that it still looks hammered.
Once again keep them coming, I always enjoy watching them. Can we get some Police or Pete Townshend in the background music. Yea yea yea I know the whole authorization thing or ya gotta pay it just sucks. Oh well keep’em coming.
Great re-mix of one of my favorite video blogs! Thanks for all you do. Your site and “Full Hook Up’s” are on my daily schedule of web hits.
My wife and I are approaching retirement and plan to have (if this stinkin’ economy ever recovers) some of the same fun you two are having now. You are smart to do it now! Don’t put off today for the promise of tomorrow….
Matt, the truth? It’s tough! You’re right, you gotta script, shoot, host, edit, render, upload, update, etc. etc. There’s only so much time in the day, and we do the best we can (but always feel something’s getting neglected). That’s life, I guess. Kristy is a big help!
With regard to keeping the camper clean, it’s an ongoing struggle, especially in times of bad weather. We wear Crocs flip-flops and generally remove them at the door — that prevents dirt getting tracked all over the floor. We also keep a small hand vac plugged in by the door. Finally, we keep some Clorox wipes under the sink. Every once in a while, we pull out a few wipes and wipe down the interior surfaces.
With regard to music, yeah, I really wish we could use whatever music we wanted. But there’s the nagging issue of copyright law and paying for usage rights, blah blah blah… If anyone has Sting’s phone number, please pass it my way.
Brad, thanks for your comments and encouragement. Glad you liked the “re-mix” of our Disney Halloween video! We tried to add a little something new. In addition to a musical soundtrack and the “surprise finale,” there are a few new shots. Sometimes it’s interesting to go back and reexamine material with the benefit of a little extra time. That’s the thing about video editing… you are never done.
Also, thanks for your comments with regard to travel and “the pursuit of happiness”… At my age (late 30s) I’m old enough to have lost a couple of young friends unexpectedly. Also, I have lost all of my grandparents. Whenever I begin to question or second guess our “seize the day” spirit, I think about mortality — not in a morose or somber fashion, but rather an inspirational one.
We really never know how much time we have on this planet, so I’m committed to pursuing happiness in the here and now. Hopefully, we can do so in a way that not only facilitates personal growth, but provides an enhanced perspective that we can share with others via this wonderful medium we call the Internet.
And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming…
OMG!!!!! too much oh wait way too much Cooooofffffeeeeee. Nope I’m ok I like my pulse somewhere around 210bpm. I love the rush, paint you house….how about a hair cut. Ah just another Latte please. Another good one!
Matt
Spray it on anything huh. Hummmmm so that’s why the honeymoon……. oh nevermind. Where did you get it from? I have used gun honing oil on my trailers frame to keep the chalk down and to keep it looking new. You also may want to check out powered graphite it comes in a small bottle with a metal needle to get into small areas, caution a little goes a long long way. Nice one again!
Matt
I saw Kristy lowering the stabilizing jacks…by hand?! Get her an early Christmas present. Go to The Home Depot and buy one of the cordless drills on sale. Then go to Camping World (or online) and buy the socket adapter that fits perfectly on the jacks.
Y’all will be raising and lowering them in a jiff.
Wow. I see you all tripped around the peblos but not the great pow wow down in NM now this is for the Americans http://www.gatheringofnations.com/
but the real native american Pow wow is at taos http://www.taosvisitorsguide.com/events/powwow.html
The place is closed to all but native americans for about a week while the gathering of nations holds its council.
Then of course there is always the hot air balloon fest at KABQ
We set up (crew and some hollyweards that get in front of the camera who joined us on vacation) basecamp with the AS’s …unhooked the old 4×4 pu’s and like in the movie Twister…the gaggle of vehicles headed out for a wonderful 3 days of exploring the upper area of the Grand Canyon/canyonlands… 190 miles of dirt road. No I don’t think I would take the AS down on it. The sign says 4×4’s, bikes (peddle power) or walking is recommended. We used the 4×4 pu and camped in the back. Some of the morning and evening pictures where the color comes alive were priceless. You could hear the old waggon trains and indians calling… why I even think I saw John Wayne and the horse cav charging down on the mesa.
By the way we went to Ham radio in the trailer and truck now that the test is so easy. Staying in touch when the cell or computer is out of area is so much better. CB is nice but ham radio is much better and more fun. We talked to several people down under in AUK that were camping outback while we were camping down by the Co. River. in cayonlands… the exchange of discription was interesting. consider a blog about it and these areas where the american pioneer sprit still lives.
Enjoy the new camera. We were given the new panasonic HPX 3000 to tryout and see if we like it better than the old cannon HL X1 that we use on location setup shoot with. So far I like the cannon better but on trips like these we are using both to see which one is stronger… once we get back to the studio we will evaluate them both.
Thanks G.M. for your posts. If I’ve learning anything about traveling around the United States it’s that there’s so much to see, you can’t see it all on one trip. So we cherry pick and go where the wind blows us, and if we miss something, we plan to catch it next time!
We did manage to make it to Albuquerque for the balloon fiesta, and had a blast.
Your tips on the pow wow action sound exciting. Kristy and I both love the Southwest. I’m sure we will return someday soon, Airstream in tow. As for Alaska, maybe next year!
I will check out ham radio — sounds like it would be very useful in the remote places!
The HPX 3000 looks like a fantastic cam… With 2/3″ chips and 4:2:2 color, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed by the footage.
Thanks for checking out our blog and taking the time to post. Perhaps we’ll see you out on the road someday.
That was nice guys and thank you for sharing your great adventures with us (me).Can’t wait to see how the new camera works.Me and the DW are headed to my Dad’s place for a few days so have a great Turkey Day!
Thanks Jim, we appreciate your interest. As a filmmaker, it’s flattering just to have someone watching one’s work. I’ve learned a lot blogging, and met some great folks too.
The primary upside of the new camera will be its lowlight capability, so we may be able to capture some nighttime camping shots that we couldn’t before. The audio is uncompressed, so that will be an improvment. And the camera is capable of variable frame rates, so we should be able to generate some slick slow motion. The resolution is awesome — at the moment it’s higher than we could even display online. The impact of all these features will be gradual (as I GRADUALLY figure out how to manage the thing).
Anyway, safe travels over the holiday and beyond. Enjoy the turkey!
Sean you dog!!!!! I want a camera too. What a great camera. I have used my buddy’s and it’s just awesome!!! It’s so easy to use it and the video out of the thing is to die for. You will be blown away by the audio as soon as you hook up your mic to it. As prosumer gear goes, that’s the best! Good luck and, I can’t wait to see footage from it! So get on the road, and have a blast!
Matt
Matt, this camera is an “embarrassment of riches” as the French say… It’s got full raster 1080p recording, 1/2″ sensors, overcranking and undercranking, superb lowlight performance, etc. etc. And you are right about the audio! It records audio uncompressed, so that’s going to be a nice upside. Really, the camera is almost a little overkill for what we do, but I figure we will “grow into it.” Next year we may tackle a feature length documentary, and if so, it will be shot with this baby (Kristy has suggested the nickname “Black Bart” for the cam — we’ll see if it sticks!).
another thing ya need for it is STEADICAM!!!! The vest not the built in sudo steady cam. http://www.fsprostab.com/english/index.htm watch the video you will have to have one. SSHHHH don’t tell Kristy just have it just show up to the door don’t tell her I told you. I like Xanadu you know for the Sony XCAM good luck.
P.S. Man I could spend your money faster that you can think just Give me the word and before you know it you will be shooting in IMAX!!!!!!!
Matt
LOL – I could easily be talked into a steadicam! I actually have the poor man’s version of that thing. Mine’s called the SteadyTracker, and it works pretty well. We also have a DVRigPro (great mobile camera rig, in which the belt supports the weight of the cam), a Glidetrack dolly, and a few other filmmaking gadgets. I guess you can tell where all of my spare change goes.
Really, it’s gonna take me a while to just get the new camera workflow figured out. The trick will be mixing new XDCAMHD footage with good ole HDV. My first few projects have crashed my video editor! Ugh, I hate when that happens…
Sorry guys, I just realized that my responses were eaten by Wordpress (or something). Weird! I did post replies, but they disappeared, or never appeared in the first place.
Matt, we thought about pursuing the “honeymoon lubricant” angle but thought better of it! Ha ha… Sometimes it’s a struggle to keep this blog on a straight and narrow path.
Jim, I believe that Boeshield is available at Sears. Haven’t seen it make an appearance at Wally World just yet.
Robert, I really do come across as a lazy so-and-so in that video, just letting my wife do all the work on those stabilizer jacks! Actually we have a cordless drill and socket adapter that you mention. But I’m glad you mention it, because that’s one of the ALL TIME BEST TIPS on RVing I ever received. The first few months we owned our trailer, I was doing those jacks by hand. The cordless drill has been a HUGE timesaver. Someday we’re going to do an “RV tips” video, and that one will rank high on the list.
wow… a new sony PMW… ouch ouch ouch.. now what does the other half get?
You need to go check out the Cannon ones at this address… it was a trailer made to show the features off on the current one we are using. (if nothing else study their way to get effects that they want.) Note why are you watching, what is the subject doing in the action to keep your interest.. and how do you show this… note also the audio effects used… These are things we look for in the production of simple trailers. The XLH seems to be quite versable. http://downloads.canon.com/seethedifference/XLH1/XLH1_Watchmaker_FULL_low.mov
So far its been a good camera with no problems .. yet…
Next stop … mixer board for adding sounds and doing a lot of the editing/effects.
I think there are several of the industry manufactures which also have seminars on the use of their products. I know our camera ops went to some sort of school on the new cannon…
As to gyro stable … best get the battery powered one that screws to the table or bottom of the camera for hand held shots. Without it your going to have some real jerky shots that will be exagerated by the digital today.
Of course we never travel to a shoot without at least 3 cameras. Let the editor then pick and choose which shots he wants.. also lose the mic.. go with the wireless clip pack. Again using no less than one per person per track and two for background noises so that its not a can’ned item. (by the way use a 4-8 track sound recorder and not the camera audio… again mix and match back at the editing room not on site.
One thing also… standing in direct front of the camera is good for you smile.. but the backgrond shots leave a lot to be… you have a video (motion camera) to show movement… ahhhh… so why stand their with a mic in your hand??? best take a shot of you first and then let the VO take care of the rest. You get more interest (hook) that way) … shooting from the ground level up at the actors direct in front is a no..no too… (home movie) also if you leave them with the … next time… hook .. or see what happend to…. next .. causes them to beat your door down for the next blog…inquireing minds want to know kinda thing.
Lighting the subjects (actors) is another area that needs some help. Background foreground lighting helps give the contrast the camera can’t. (i.e you and christie are discussing issues… she and you should be brighter than the background…) Also now that your into effects… little pic on pic inside the fraim helps keep ‘em looking. Cut too effects also help keep the viewer on their toes…
Just some suggestions for the camera guy and editor…
Looking forward to seeing your blogs extend now that you have over 140 min of camera time.
Hope you and yours had a great thanksgiving. Now on to Christmas…
To leave you on a lighter note…
Seems a 70 year old dad called his son in Michigan from tucson and said.. son were getting a devorice. I am tired of looking at your mom and we just can’t stand another day… were through..
The son said.. Pop how can you do this you have been married for over 40 years. What will mom do.
He hangs up with the dad and calls his sister.
The sister says to the brother.. well we will see about this..pack your bags and book the flight were going down to Tucson
She calls her dad back…
Pop she says… don’t do a thing till we get their were on our way…
As he hangs up the wife says.. well…
He replys.. ok their on there way down for thanksgiving and we don’t have to by them airfare…
… he pauses .. and smiles at his wife.. then says… but now what are we going to do to get them to come for Christmas….
Looking forward to seeing the new improved Blog… next comes adventures…
Congrats on the new camera. I just picked up a new HV30 to play with and was reviewing the HV20/30 site when I followed your link. I knew I have head of this couple before, I to have 25 foot Airstrean then it dawned on me I have seen some post on Airstream Forums. Did you guys deal with Airhog1? Great work and some great tips, keep enjoying the road.
You guys just opened my eyes to something. Im on facebook more than Kristy! Oh boy, I think I have a problem. Thanks for the wonderful message and hope you both enjoyed your thanksgiving! So who won the Iron Bowl this year?
We, too, prefer the trailer/tow vehicle combination. I guess I just have a problem needing to maintain another ‘vehicle’ that I would not drive that often. My truck is my daily driver and it also tows the trailer. It is also nice to have the truck for exploration after reaching any destination. You can use a toad with a motorhome but now you have 2! to maintain.
Now that we have a pickup truck, I wonder how we managed without one! We use it all the time (for example, when fetching Christmas trees…)
Also, I reached the same conclusion when comparing a towable RV vis-a-vis a Class A motorhome. I think the original idea of motorhomes was to eliminate the necessity for towing. But since Class A’s have grown in size, you now need a toad just to maneuver around town. So either way, you end up towing something. We decided to go the towable Airstream route and have no complaints.
Cold Weather Ops. What a great idea! I was wondering how the Airstream would size up to the cold.
Here’s an idea… Take Seemore and Airstream to Vail or Keystone for an extended Winter test. Ski, Hot Toddy’s and Hot Tubs and Propane blastin’ RV furnaces.
BTW, when boondocking, just how long can an average couple last before the fresh water tank emptys and the grey and black tanks are full??
As always, great site! It’s informative and entertaining too! I hope it remains fun and not too much of a job. The new camera will make the the blog better. (say the previous sentence over and over – I just saw the price in my B-H Video catalog Whoa….)
All the best! Brad West (future retired boondocker)
Brad, the Airstream does well in the cold. It seems to be well insulated. I guess the biggest liability are the windows… The large windows in the newer units are nice, but of course they allow for more heat loss.
I like your idea of a Colorado adventure! I have a friend who Airstreamed in Colorado a few years ago DURING A BLIZZARD, and had a great experience. When you think about it, you’ve got some challenges not only with regard to staying warm, but also the potential for the water tanks freezing up.
With regard to the water tanks, we have a 60 gallon fresh water, 39 gallon grey, and (I think) 29 gallon black. In my experience, we are good for 3 days on water without trouble. The black is no problem, but the grey and fresh are variables. Really, it all depends on your shower habits! You gotta keep the shower water usage in check. You can stretch the fresh water if you are miserly with it. After all of our travel, I can now take a shower with 3 cups of water.
Thanks for your comments. The blog remains fun — and equipment like the new camera helps to keep it fun! I have viewed it as a challenge in solo filmmaking, and it’s just a satisfying creative outlet. (I like the writing too.) We hope to do some cool stuff in the coming year, maybe even experiencing the RV life overseas. So, thanks again… We’ll try to keep it interesting!
Camp Kilgore, thanks much for your kind post — it made my day.
I will keep the 10 gallons per day practice ration in mind. I could handle it, but I suspect Kristy’s hair could drink 10 gallons all by itself.
We really like the 31′ and 34′ Airstreams. They also make a 30′ in a floorplan we really like. Who knows, maybe someday we will make that leap. For long term usage, the 34-footers look fabulous.
Thanks again, and we will try to partake in more winter adventures. We live in sunny climes, so we don;t get the opportunity as often as our northern neighbors. But we really enjoyed winter camping, so I’m sure we’ll be doing it again!
Camp Kilgore, thanks for no longer lurking and posting your thoughts. As for us being an institution, that’s very flattering! I am humbled and hope we can live up to the billing.
You make some great topic suggestions. We’ll add them to our queue. I think the “realities of AS space” would be very interesting for a lot of us big guys out there. I am 6′2″ so I know what you mean. When we first started looking at RVs, I wasn’t sure if I could be comfortable in ‘em. But the “cocoon” theory applies here.
Anyway, thanks again for the kind remarks. Stay tuned, as this should be an interesting year!
Well, guy’s we don’t have an Airstream. A Keystone works for us, But late August in South Dakota brought Temps in the twenties. We were toasty as a bug in a rug… Even the Critters enjoyed it!
Dennis, a Keystone would work fine for us too. Glad to hear your rig kept you toasty! We haven’t done any RVing in South Dakota yet. I’m sure at some point we’ll want to visit Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands.
Spent the 24.95 today like you told us. Boeingjuice needs to be ordered.
Since you have been experiencing much of what I need to do over the next year or so, piggybacking on your learning curve is sweet, often with a Happy Face. Please blog a “My new Sony Camera” soon. To date, I am a HD vidiot.
When I get my first camp sited, you’ll be invited, off the record. We’ll teach earthologies with biological sciences and economics to counter the trance inducing Saint AlGore’s panntheistic, Marxist central planning, secular-religion of corrupt socialist man-made Global Warming – oops – cum Climate Change taxing authority and other fun of politically incorrect 18th to 21st Century American Frontier skills, joys, and tranquilities.
Camp Kilgore shall offer rustic B&B, chapel, full docking and boondocking available, but no fascists’ boondoggling allowed.
Kristy, I never understood why one would name a college for a woman’s beautiful hair color, but for you, Go Auburn.
Tom Kilgore
a Texas Aggie & U. Texas Ex. (4 degrees but single, whoda thunkit)
Thanks Tom! I’m sure you will enjoy the Directory. We use it to find pretty much all of our private campgrounds. Pay attention to the reviews, because they are usually accurate and give you a good idea of what to expect.
I will blog the new camera! Actually I am working on a project that will help other people with some of their camera issues. Really, you don’t “need” HD to blog on the Internet, but it sure is nice. The camera I just bought is a high end pro model, but you can take stunning HD video with the over-the-counter consumer cams. These days, the line between pro and consumer is blurred.
LOL – I took a few “earthologies with biological sciences” back in college, but my memories of those years are rather cloudy. After college I enrolled in law school, completed two years (the toughest years I might add), and then wisely walked away, never to return. Every day I’m thankful that, um, I’m not wearing a suit and tie and arguing for a living.
Kristy is a devout Auburn fan, but I am working on her. Too bad the Longhorns didn’t get their shot at Florida! I think they might’ve done a little better than the Sooners…
Hello,
I stumbled upon your site today while searching for reviews of the Weber Q grill. I ended up sticking around and watching a few of your videos. They were so entertaining that I had my wife and 6 year old daughter watching them with me. We enjoyed them. Now, we have a desire to go camping and start creating memories like you are. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi AJW, thanks for your comment! I really appreciate positive feedback, as it helps to keep the ‘ol blog going. We’ve had a lot of fun making our videos, and by the way — the Weber Q grill is awesome! And I think they’ve redesigned the newer models to address my one complaint (regarding the size of the propane tanks). So I don’t think you can go wrong with that grill.
Well…. little rough around the edges as we would say…
Nice trailer.. glad that you are telling us about it.. however, I think I would have set your best camera up on a tripod.. and use the better looking half.. Kristie.. to do like vana white does… with the wheel of fort… you know…
putting the camera on a tripod that rolls.. shooting towards the rear … would allow you to start at the back…(Kristie moving from right to left and so forth… and as you moved forward show off what is at each side of the AS trailer…as you move towards the front… then cut to … where you are re-covering by camera the center section… and move now forward with the camera and allow Kristie to again show what is left /right up or down.. but, be careful that you don’t get too much camera movement (left, right, up, down…) in or people will start feeling kinda sick…
Here a wide angle lense is perfered due to the close quarters. but if not use the fullest depth of field lense you have… so you dont have to move the camera around left or right, up down… kinda thing
Lighting is another area that we seem to find darkness in… what was that in the bathroom… a sink, a tub.. ?? too dark to tell… So some form of backlighting is also nice to use over the top of the camera.. but again not so strong that it spots out on one thing… or reflects in the mirror… here we found that mirrors are best controlled by using a piece of wax paper from the kitchen… gives the mirror still a definition but won’t show you in the background or reflect so much that it disturbs the lighing…
Going back through it.. do you have a AC, heater… what s under the sink/stove pantry, refrig… a lot left out… Not to mention the OUTSIDE?? Sean… Now I am not saying that Kristie should be demo’n the bed… in a tiger PJ set… with cuite little bunny slippers…on satin sheets… ahhhhh…well… hmmm .. never mind… Not that I am picking on you but, helping to get your trailers (not the AS) up to better professional quality now that you have a better camera to play with… Hope you don’t mind… our 2 cents worth…
Canada and the stampeed… large mall… alaskan highway (old road) .. caravaning… Washington, Oregon, Northern Calif and old Columbia,twainhart Yosmite, HOLLYWEARD (where if your lucky you can meet some camera and directors… maybe make a short movie too… ), Bolsa beach, San Diego, Baja Mulege, la paz, cabo… should bout take a couple of months off your shoes… grin
Happy New year to you and Kristie… May all your travels be grand adventures that never stop.
Hi GMAs, your criticism is certainly fair and you make a good point: this video is due for a refreshing! It was one of the very first we shot for our blog. As you can see, it was just me and the camera. I did have a tripod, but no one to move it. And this was before we had much in terms of wide-angle lenses.
Bear in mind that on most of these videos, it’s just me… There’s no crew. I am the writer, host, director of photography, director, and editor – so I guess there’s no one else to blame if it sucks, ha ha.
Sometimes Kristy is with me, sometimes she is off doing her own thing.
Anyway, I like the idea of doing a fresh edit of this video since the subject matter is popular (everyone wants a tour, you know?). Thanks!
Sean.. Sean.. Sean… what you need is one of them fancy director hats… and a big Sweat shirt that says I MAKE MOVIES… on it… (DIRECTOR is nice too) grin… ahhh then you will be the artist you aspire (notice I almost said perspire) to be…
Now what I do…. when it is only I at the film…port
You can get one of them little remote controls that will turn the camera on and off… so you can be the main event… while using a remote mic also … that works for a single shot sequence… then what one can do is use the T-W remote button to make the camera lense go from close up to wide… yes you can’t see what is happening unless your get an additional remote monitor… or if your cheap like me… plug the computers one into the vid out from the camera.. and have it face you so while your looking at the camera… the monitor is what you can look at to get a idea of what frame your in…
Now some of the more neat features also that you can get as accessories besides the gryo stablizer is… a gimbal that allows the remote.. (which you conseal in your hand) so that you can not only make the camera go on and off.. … control the lense but also the camera direction… yep you can make it go up and down or side to side or both at the same time.. however, I don’t recommend that as you will max out… watching your own videos…
Now as you set the camera up on the gimbal tri pod… you can have it pan in on your or you walk on camera… turning it on … and have it zoom in on you while your addressing… and watching the monitor… (in the big stuff we also have teleprompters for the scripts.. each one to the actor… with instructions as to where they are to move also) … then without moving.. you can use the remote again and have the camera pan off and widen out to give ou some footage to blend in back at the mixing board…
Ah yes this is fun… but not to ignor Kristie.. you need to get her a shirt that says GET A GRIP… and one of them french camerapersons hats also…
remember also that you need to check your lighting with the hand meter.. or have someone check it while you stand in.. its always fun to get others involved with movie making too.. you can’t imagine how many really ham it up… and play along… when you ask them to help you make a movie clip…
I take along a couple of folding reflectors.. look like silver umbrellas… and a couple of tripods to hold ‘em… so that you can concentrate the light into the subject area… Now to soften it… I use just plane old white plastic or clear.. to get rid of the 5 pm shadow… over or from the direction the sun is lighting from… try it and see if it works for you too…
Now armed with all this knowledge that took me years to learn behind the camera… you should be able to revisit the trailer (AS) .. and we should be seeing a improved Sean… of course the shot with Kristie… pink bunny slippers.. ahhh never mind… the mind is running away again… I keep forgetting this is a family show… hee hee…
And at the end.. don’t forget to keep the blems /outtakes… that you goofed around on.. lots of people like those better than the trailer (film) your making… grin… makes it more human too… Purpose got yassss are allowed.. such as you say.. and here is the bathroom…open the door suddenly… but wait someone is in the shower… ahhhh.. ops… flash.. so they can’t seen who it was…kinda thing.. off camera comments …. adds spice and a hook to the ho hum some consider it to be… grin….
(what is even better is when the subject that your filming doesn’t know what s comming next.. i.e .. the props guy put a mechanical fish in the pan.. that the subject was supposed to be cooking… it flipped out of the pan..in the background… while the narator is talking… he sees it making a escape.. .. the subject that was cooking it then chases it.. beating it back with the pan… This was a simalar outtake that they did with robin in RV.. where his wife opens the oven and suddenly their are racoons in their…(prop guys joke) the reaction was so spontanious and funny that it made it into the film… and the script writers had to scurry and re-write how to get rid of them in the movie… check it out… If you have the DVD… )
from their your on your own… after all YOU ARE THE DIRECTOR AND PRODUCer too… so make it ZINGGGGG…. KEEP ‘EM GUESSING WHAT IS NEXT… OR all you will have is a home movie type of trailer (film) Try to keep it going both visually and un-expectedly… Then when you have the serious romance… it wants to be a quieting velvet glove warm feeling.. you leave ‘em with… as most then rode off into the sunset… and fade to black…
That is what makes a good shot even better… on and you can’t determine if it sucks or not… only the audance can do that.. if you do.. they call it something else… grin…
By the way .. no you know why I have more than just one camera… sometimes when we shoot… I would assume by now you have wished such also as you get more into it…
Again just some minor suggestions for your toolbox… Heck you should put on a seminar so that you can inspire others to get busy also… and start filming… mabye a side blog now and again showing behind the camera stuff on how too… Hmmm
HI Kristie… not to forget you… ahhhh a scriptwriting class… who knows you could start one of them soaps … days of our trailer lives… kinda thing .. ahhh I hear the wheels turning now…. picture Kristie on the red carpet in her white dress…cameras flashing… pepole screaming her name… to the golden globe awards…presents … for best writer…director… hmmm… (still wearing the pink bunny slippers) …. film at 11… smile
GMAs, if I had a separate hat for every one I wear… well, we don’t have a closet large enough to store ‘em.
I thought about getting a director’s chair, but the Zip Dee will have to suffice!
We actually do use multiple cameras on our videos. The primary camera is a Sony EX1, but we also have three other HDV cameras (a couple of Canons, and a Sony). And I guess we should also count our Nikon SLR for stills.
At first it seemed a little too ambitious to be doing a “show” in this “one man band” style. But now we have TV shows like Survivorman on Discovery Channel that I believe are using similar filmmaking techniques. The alternative would be to carry around a cameraman with us…and that would make our Airstream a little crowded, heh heh.
Really, I think doing a TV show would be much easier (on me, at least) than what we do. It would be a cinch for me to just write and host a TV show. But for ONE GUY to write, host, shoot, direct, and edit a show? Now that’s a creative challenge. Of course, that’s also why we don’t produce 22-minutes of material per week.
Who knows, maybe someday we will “progress” to TV, so I can take a break.
BTW, I like your thoughts about surprising people! I agree that this is an important mission in any creative endeavor. It’s important to keep it fresh.
What? No beer? I…whu…well…. can’t even deal what such a notion.
You sir, are a man of more conviction that I. That is the one thing I know.
And to think, for the first few “drinking years” of my life, I didn’t even like beer! Good Heavens! I’m almost ashamed to admit that, but there you go.
Mind you, in hind sight, when my charming wife and I were living in Puerto Rico for just over a year, I did balloon up to 185…..and it was definitely all due to beer, since typically beer up to that point in my life had been a “summer” drink. For a gringo, it’s summertime all year ’round in PR, so it was the drink of choice.
Now that we’re living in the Netherlands, and since our second vehicle is my bicycle..(and we remembered to ship a bathroom scale!), it’s a bit easier to keep an eye on any expansion problems. Keeping it at a reasonable 170 these days.
Best of luck to you with the abstinance. Once again, you’re a better man than I.
Oh, and is that a Canadian Flag I see behind you? Was that when you were up in B.C.? Enquiring minds want to know.
Yes Bob, a world without beer is a “less happy” place. I’m not sad exactly, but my days are missing that gleeful 5 o’clock ritual of tasty brew.
I think I could lose quite a bit of weight by sacrificing beer long term. But what might this do to my mental health?
Nice to have a Netherlands resident here on our humble blog. I’ve visited Amsterdam a few times and really enjoyed the city. We have family living in Germany, so later this year we’re hoping to hop across the pond for a visit. Who knows, perhaps we’ll rent an RV and park it in front of your neighborhood watering hole.
Good eye on spotting the Canadian flag. That image was taken in Banff, Alberta at a rooftop pub. Not a bad view in that place!
That is some incredible video. For a wild animal like that to come so close it would seem as if it either had to be too old or too sick to care about the fact you all were there. By it’s appearance though it looks quite healthy. Pretty amazing encounter.
Keep up the great videos!!! You are living the life big guy!
You finally convinced me to watch the last lecture in it’s entirety. As a high school band director the concepts he taught are tightly bound to what I do for a living. Thanks for the encouragement…it was worth the time!
Thanks Mark. I’m glad you agree that the Randy Pausch lecture is time well spent! His grace and courage were inspiring.
While I don’t walk around all day long thinking about mortality, I feel it’s important that we remind ourselves that life is fleeting… We’ve got to appreciate and enjoy every day.
Yes, I’m sure that you can apply Randy’s philosophies to your band activities and the daily positive influence you have upon your students. Doing what you enjoy leads to a more happy life!
Thanks Mark… Glad someone out there is enjoying these videos! A filmmakers’ work is never done… It’s quite a creative challenge, so it’s nice to receive positive feedback.
Glacier is one of the best national parks in terms of not only scenery, but wildlife. One day Kristy and I enjoyed three separate bear sightings (totaling about eight bears). (We “enjoyed” seeing these bears because they were at a safe distance!)
I thought our mountain goat friend might go for my camera, but thankfully he strolled on past.
You guys stink! I have been watching about the best job and have been working on my video. It must be mine! I really enjoy watching your videos and this one lives up to your fine abilities. Good luck because the game is ON!
Sean,
Good luck with the gig. Hey, someone has to land the job and the two of you are qualified and have proven experience. Since I stumbled on your site back in December I refer to you as my new best friend. I’m impressed with the site and quality of the videos. Again, good luck.
LOL Tom… That is great that you are doing a video also! Hey, if WE don’t get the job, it would be cool to KNOW the guy who gets it. Best of luck with your entry. It’s pretty tough cramming everything into 60 seconds, but we did the best we could.
Thanks a lot, Joe… We’ve made some good friends through our blog! I hope it’s of use to people, both for information and for just entertainment. We have fun making it…(err, usually)…
With regard to the job, I’ve read that Tourism Queensland was deluged with entries. We’re talking over 5000 so far… so it’s really a long shot. Supposedly they will be choosing a “top 10″ list of candidates who’ll be flown to Australia for interviews…
Very Nice. We perfer the Gas model due to the odor and rattling. But, more to the issue of… hurry to the store. While the Diesel is a great engine to haul the mail with, it does not lend itself to liking the starts… no waiting for warm up… run to the store.. en home agian. No more the diesels like the start, warm up, get on the road and spend hour after hour at it. The good old gas engine is good for the quick starts and short runs to the store, etc…
Cost is another factor that most don’t take into consideration.
Have you had any work done on the engine yet? ouch that going to hurt.. is what we have said when we had one. They all break at some point.
Any complaints about you trying to sneak out early in the morning … quiet ‘ly.
We had one neighbor that read us the riot act for starting up and letting it warm up. (noise and smell)
After getting gas ‘ed .. does Kristie comment about the new wonderful body … smell you aquire when you spill some on your clothing? Mine wouldn’t let me get back in the trailer until after I … lost the odor…man it got cold outside and I had to submit …that was tough…arr arr arrr… grin… not so with the gas now.
And the fun of REALLY COLD WEATHER.. and no engine pre heat and at altitude (7000 ft) (acutally had illusions of building a fire under the engine to warm it up so it would start) Been their .. done that yet?
Ok so now what about the hitch? which type and all?
Brake controller? which one did your truck come with?
And…. Tires… on the truck… rock hard 10 ply (to keep kristie bouncing and getting sedimentary) or soft ride…??
and the ever important rear axle ratio. Yours?
Keep telling you that you need a 4×4 grin.. but hey at least you have the hooks on the front … .when you get stuck…
Its not the beer that is doing it… Sean… You think all them guys that are 50+ and have … santa button pop’n abs.. all drank beer? Nada…
What the wife and I came to agreement on was… she would get in the truck and drive down the road a mile or so 2 or 3 times a day…when we traveled… and wait…(promased not drive off)
I then would start hoofing it to catch up… worked for me for a while… but now she wants these long consitutions after we park for the night. I guess its the holding hands and… on down the road of life thing. It was either that or…. grazing on the grass , grains and … aw..nuts… a man has to have steak…not bird food… then she holds up the mirror and say… really!!!! (oh by the way don’t do that to her … or you and the dog outside will become best buddys… and to think she is afraid of a mouse.. hmmm)
Your lucky your still on your honeymoon… most of us old farts have learned to just smile and say .. yes dear… but… you know she is right in the end… so you learn some different approches to enjoy the golden brew.
Argentina huh… what happened to Canada and Ak this year? If you wait too long global warming will be over and then ya can’t go north because of all the ice age and snow. .
hey while your at it.. take flying lessons so you can rent a plane and get some great views… better lookng down than always having to look up… and… a firearms course helps too… as the rules are normally .. when in roam.. do as the roam’ns do… international scout motto… be prepaired… ain’t no cops out their in the back 40 when you think you’re all alone.
Don’t be gone to long dear.. you know how the trailer will start to rust up when its not used.
The adventure conteues… go.. go.. go…. have fun. live for today as tomorrow may never come…. in size 32 anymore.
Ha! GMAs, you are certainly correct with regard to your comments about the noise. There’s no such thing as a quiet exit when you have a diesel truck. When we are going through drive-thrus, I’ve learned to just shut the engine off. It does make quite a racket.
One of the improvements Ford made in the ‘08 models concerned noise. The new diesels are MUCH MUCH quieter than the one we own. They sound more like gas engines.
As for the smell, I haven’t found it to be too bad.
The cold weather? We don’t get much in the South. But I agree that’s an additional consideration in colder climes. Our truck has an outlet plug… You can plug the engine into an electrical outlet at night to keep ‘er warm.
Diesels have their compromises for sure. But I think we all agree that safety comes first, whether you opt for diesel or gas.
Nevertheless, tonight at midnight I think I’ll have my ceremonial beer.
Surprisingly, it’s been pretty easy to give it up. The hardest part was the first week. Once you establish the new habit of not having that 5 o’clock brew, it’s smooth sailing.
I did really drink a beer for the “Best Job in the World” video, BUT it was a nonalcoholic O’Doul’s! Ha ha…
Yes, we are headed to Argentina. I will explain in an upcoming blog post. I want to try RVing abroad, and we’ve been wanting to visit Buenos Aires for a long time. So this is the year it all happens! We are going to spotlight an RV business in Buenos Aires, and what’s it’s like to camp in the country.
Stay tuned, as I will post to the blog later this week, with video soon to follow.
Did they mention that only ONE of you will be on the Island for a year… alone and no BEER.
What sounds like a great time in fact becomes a trailer for the hit series LONE survivor… The occasionally fishing leaves out of the pool… naaa wait a min… its says ocasionally fishing… with leaves out the pool… which by the way is your only source of drinking water… replinished when the next typhoon passes. And as to the lounge around a lush island… ahhh did they tell you that this is the same island of Dr. marroo… later to be known as Jurasic park? Hunting and fishing at your leasure… ya but who is doing the hunting… if your the only ONE PERSON on the island.
Of course it says you will be visited by people passing by… The Nuambie tribe is noted for the finger licking good shrinks and treatment they gave Robinson C when he was their years ago… (don’t consern yourself with that person saying… they eat people don’t they??)
As for the job description of … duties include sunbathing, swimming, and occasionally duking it out with the sharks and sea snakes… something about only things with two legs being on the menu… one can only imagine what one does at night after the sun goes down… ALONE with no BEER. arrrrgggg
The last guy who stay’ed on the island was only the’re for a whopping 36 days and now has dolpins, sea crabs and a coconut Named Mr… pib … for his best friends.
Ideal job… but what is Kristie going to do while your playing with the locals??
Pack your bag I hear your in the running… best start jogging that 5 miles a day to get them 6 pack abbs going… I hear the deadly black momba can only do 15 mph for half a mile… so set your targets high… and hope there is only one …smile…
Have fun… you have the right stuff for the job…least a new camera… that the other guy doesn’t…. well… for real… like in running man… movie… its all about how you percieve it to be… Just remember your ON a ISLAND… OUT in the BIG OCEAN..ALONE with no BEER… and only the coconut to talk to… after the float plane leaves … it gets real QUIET.. except for the anamules that are duking it out … sizing up how to fix whats for on the menu for dinner… ALONE for a whole year… and did we mention… NO BEER
LOL… Well, the job’s in Australia. I’ve never been there, but if what I’ve heard about the place is remotely true, then the beer flows freely!
It’s a longshot… If they receive over 10,000 entries as expected, it’s a long, longshot. But I am a dreamer, so I will toss my hat into the ring.
I think I know what they are seeking. They want someone to showcase the pleasures of Queensland effectively using video blogging as the medium. And they’ll expect regular personal appearances at local events and related PR functions.
It’s a brilliant campaign. It’s been fun just participating in the application process. I hope they are taking it all seriously and there’s really a good hire made at the end of it!
Well if your dead set on going… have your bags already packed , all dressed and ready to go… grab your camera, remember what we told you on how to get the best shots… get dressed, pack the trailer..(you are taking your AS and Seemore with you)…. weight??… may have to leave Kristie at home (like that is going to happen I see she handcuffed herself to the door of the AS already) …
we made the call from the studio and put some good words in for ya.. (after we had the boys over in production…touch up some of your posted work to give it that extra zing… remember the hook ) remember no whining no return. This is what you wanted… (we don’t say your in .. but at least the director look at your (our) tape… that we sent down to ‘em on the transfer system. His comment was … blimie… good
So now what to do…
Contact AS and see how they pack the trailer for shipping to AU. Contact Ford and see if they too want to sponsor you to go also… as you would be using one of their products to tour AU with the trailer… hmmmm.. (might as well get all you can from the others too ) Making this into a GREAT adventure… for not only the Aussie’s but for the RV industry and manufactures here in the states toooooo…
G L break a leg…
Oh and make sure the management of the two manufactures also contact the manager down their… with the idea that this will benift all…
Doesn’t look like you may be going to Argentina this year… after all.. hmmm…
Rooting for ya … and who knows .. may even get on the big bird and come down to film you doing your thing … Do they have Caravans to AU?
…was the first thing that came to mind.
Nice to see you’re off to some new adventures. We just got back from four days in Switzerland. Much easier to simply drive down than try and negotiate airports, plus there are still many sections on the Autobahn in Germany that have no speed limits…and our “company car” is an Audi A6, so you can figure out the rest.
There will be a day however, when my wife and I may never have to take another airplane…..ever. But for the mean time, it’s still a necessary annoyance.
That day is still a good three years off. (*sigh*)
I do miss our Motorhome when it comes to travel. So nice to take along one’s own bed etc. (I know…we’re infidels…we don’t have an Airstream)
Best to you both.
Keep yer stick on the ice. (ok, that’s not a true Canadian saying, but I do like it)
My 2 cents: I have driven since 1965 almost exclusively (a Jeep CJ-5) 1 ton and 3/4 ton trucks and Suburbans. Towing my Jeep on trailer ~6,000# east from deep powder skiing Colorado in winter with a one ton, I had my one and only faded brake failure; I can still taste the adrenalinagainagain!
Wide ratio gearing was the problem on steep, long down hill stretches. I had a big block 6-cylinder with 4-speed manual transmission and a 4.56 rear end. Even big brakes faded. It needed an overdrive unit to split gears to avoid redlining or brakes-only controlling speed downhill.
I now drive an ‘08 F-450 crew 4×4 6.4 D/5-spd auto with tow/haul with 4.88 specifically to pull and stop anything that I can hook up drive over mountain passes in inclement weather. I bought at the summer’s panic price peak. It was too cheap not to buy discounted so. Very Big – yes. Fun – yes! Economical – no – unless one factors in the damage & wear costs avoided by the near impossibility of losing control of truck with up to 8 tons of trailer.
“08s on give up perhaps two mpg because of political emission systems foisted upon us because of wrong data “science” demanding 15ppm Sulphur fuel. I expect 300,000-400,000 miles out of the engine with my light duty use. Each step up from 1/2 tons gain in frame-suspension-axel-brake strength = durability. I get 11.6 mpg – not towing! Look at low milage ’07s too.
I would advise a 3/4 ton crew 2×4 6-speed diesel, if high miles per year, or big block gas if you drive <10,000 miles per year. The diesel engine should last at least twice the miles of a gasser. A 3.73 rear end not in overdrive will pull 6-7,000# easily even in low altitude hills unless you attack the Rockies’ passes all year round. If your AS is over 7,000# consider the 4.11 or 4.56, with gas, depending on the transmission’s overdrive ratio, e.g. 0.72. 4 doors are convenient and a short-bed good enough if available. Get a roll bar – not a light bar, just in case. Single rear wheels is fine with best quality tires – I like 32″ tall LT265R70×17 E-or near equivalent.
Every 1,000 foot in elevation costs about 4% in engine’s power. Diesels have much more torque at 2,000 RPM than gas at 3,500 RPM. Understand your gearing & engine’s power curve.
Thanks for sharing your advice, Kilgore. They haven´t bought their Airstream yet, but are thinking about the 28-foot Safari and International models. I think your truck recommendation sounds spot on!
We have been staying in Buenos Aires, but on Monday we will pick up our RV and venture to the countryside. Camping in Argentina! No worries… we´ll be infidels too, since there are no Airstreams to be found here, ha ha We aren´t sure what we´ll be driving, but it will probably be some sort of camper van. Stay tuned! I have some video to upload if I could ever find a decent Internet signal…
I’m looking way forward to tales from your adventures in Argentina. I wouldn’t mind doing a Vespa vermin trip there myself. Though I doubt I’d RV there, but who knows, I’ve sort of outgrown hostels (well somewhat).
I really enjoy your video adventures… It makes me want to get the cameras out myself. I use to be a filmmaker ages ago, but hung up that hat. Making adventure videos like you guys and posting them for free might be fun. Anyway, your site is an inspiration.
What model of Sony HD did you get with which to dazzle us all. Technogeek chatter is requested.
Last year I got a little Sony HD for video audit real estate work, but a larger, more stable HD digital platform sure looks enticing where zoom distances are appropriate – e.g. wildlife – rural and urban, hyper-rural, ufo.
Bigger is almost always more better whether at fun or work – the same as you two are so convincing to us all.
God knows many of us need more stability in our lives today, recoding for tomorrow.
Hi Travelfables, thanks for your comment. We are still in Argentina at the moment (I’m tapping this out on my laptop since we’ve managed to snare a stray wifi signal!).
We’ve taken lots of photos, interviewed lots of people, and gathered WAY too much information in a short amount of time. My present plan is to sift through, edit, and post updated Argentina videos sometime next week once we are back in the States. We’ve learned a lot about RV camping here and I’m happy to download my humble info into the collective wisdom of the Internet! So stay tuned, and I will get it online as fast as possible.
With regard to filmmaking, yes, it’s time to break out those cameras! Actually, given the recent advances in digital filmmaking, it’s time to buy a new camera and take advantage of all the latest developments. An incredible amount of filmmaking power is available to the average consumer these days, right over the counter. It’s a great time to be working (and playing) with moving pictures. Cheers!
So…that’s why I’m kinda torn you see, since I realise you’re not able to post too darned much from Argentina with sketchy internet connections, hence a bit of a dry spell.
It’s certainly not anyone’s wish that your trip should end anytime soon, but some of us are dying of curiosity here.
We’ll all just have to be patient I suppose. Something I’ve been working on in recent years, especially after living in Puerto Rico and now the Netherlands….oy.
We are headed back to the States on February 16. Once we get back home and recuperate just a bit, I will descend into my video editing “man cave” and start pulling it all together.
We’ve taken a lot of still photos on this trip also, so I’ll try to work ‘em into the posts. I suspect we’ll eventually have an “Argentina” icon on the main page that will lead to all of the videos and content in one area. As we add major destination experiences such as this one, we’ll do the same. (Err, that’s the plan anyway.)
Thanks for your patience, and good advice about backing up the files! I have a 16GB SD card, so maybe I’ll port all of our media onto it before we head home.
Well, it’s almost 10PM here in Buenos Aires… that means the restaurants are now getting going, so we are off for a late (or is it early?) dinner.
Kilgore, my fancy “Mac Daddy” Sony camera is a PMW-EX1. It’s just a fabulous camera… has three 1/2-inch CMOS chips, records to solid state media. It’s a beast!
But… most of The Long Long Honeymoon has been shot with tiny little Canon HV20 cameras. They record HD (HDV) and are not too expensive. They are just excellent little HD cameras, especially for those shooting travel footage. They are easy just to toss in a backpack and take with you anywhere. And unlike the Sony, they don’t attract too much unwanted attention…
Tom, honestly, we missed our Airstream. The camper van is fine but it has a few compromises. We were told that the smaller RV sizes are necessary to navigate rough roads here in Argentina. Also, the winds in Patagonia are dangerous, and smaller rigs better navigate that area.
We return to the States on Monday the 17th… I will start plowing through our video and try to get some fresh material online soon.
Tom, nice job! I think your video turned out great. Congrats on Zoe, too!
It was fun to learn more about you. You managed to cram a lot of quality info into 60 seconds. I also like the touch of using the “Best Job” interface throughout the video.
Look at it this way… If you make the top 11, I’ll throw my endorsement over to you, and campaign accordingly!
A couple of days before we left for Argentina, I uploaded a 2nd video with a very different tone. It’s more of a straight business pitch. I have no idea how they’ll take this one, but when I read that their “bread and butter” travel is honeymoon tourism, I thought I should make the case:
(BTW, if you click the “Watch in HD” link on YouTube it all looks a lot better.)
I’ve noticed the quality of videos has really increased in recent days. It’s going to be tough to make the top 11, though I’d like to think we have a shot.
Seeing this vid I’m reminded of my neighbours 1st dump experience.
He had just moved in across the street and we had not really met. I was having some issues with my jeep overheating. I had rented a trailer to move my tractor from my house up to our trailer park. In the true fashion of good neighbors he offered to use his early 1970’s Winnebago to haul the trailer and tractor up to the park. Off we went. The motor home was fairly new to him at this time. He had used it a couple of times to take his family camping. We drove the 2 hr trip with no problems. On the homeward portion I wanted to fill his gas tank . we stopped at a flying J to do so. He noticed the dumping station and decided that it would be a good idea to to empty his tanks as he had not done so yet.
Let me pause here to say that this day was in the middle of July and very humid out. with the humidex it was over 100 deg. I was hanging back watching the process. he made all the connections and pulled the valve. the hose popped off the fitting at the valve. please note this was 3 yrs prior to the movie RV. The flood of stuff running across the parking lot had me bent over in stitches laughing so hard. There was such a stench that people at the fuel island were sniffing the air. The poor guy was trying to shut the valve but now it was self preservation and it was get soaked in “stuff” or let it drain. we quickly packed up and got the hell outa Dodge….. We are very good friends now and I still bring this up from time to time.
LOL ad2madmac, that’s a great story! Yes, under the circumstances, I think I would’ve hit the road and not looked back.
I have some friends at an RV dealership who told me a similar story. This guy had just picked up his motorhome from having the undercarriage serviced. He drove about a half block down the street, then for some reason stopped, exited the RV, and went back to the valve area…maybe to examine the work that had been done? While he was lying on his back looking up his rig, he somehow managed to pull the valve! He got totally drenched head to toe in “stuff”… He didn’t say anything to anyone, he just climbed back in his rig (soaking wet .. ewwwwww) and drove home.
Thankfully, we haven’t had any major dump station disasters. I’ve got the hose/fitting connection wrapped in duct tape (the instant cure all) to help prevent the hose popping off, as happened to your friend.
Hmmmm what part about don’t drink the water didn’t you understand??
BEER BEER BEER… don’t drink anything from other countries unless it either says BEER on it, comes in a sealed bottle like aquafreea… or something else that is pasteurized, boiled or sealed. Wine is what most drink… not water… when they have anything to eat… BEER Works for me though… grin.. you should have told kristie that is the only thing your drinking…. and you beeing a BEER man…..
GMAs (oh look a outhouse… brings back thoughts about doing the hopping dances too when you find their is a waiting line…only to find out they don’t use toilet paper… ugh how do these people live..)
The compact small, short not too long honeymoon. Just think the EU’s can pack in 6 kids 2 dogs and the family duck all while pulling it with the vespa. Then again where did the kids come from? go figure… grin…. With this thing… your honeymoon RV days are numbered (Europeans like numbers) Now just think what they could do with a 25 footer… does farrari make a trailer hitch ?
While we don’t think much of the length today ((32-foot 1953 New Moon ( which cost $5,345 at the time) ) back then you only had this to pull it with…
1953 Mercury with a 125 HP flathead V8 engine. ( WE have come a long way baby today.. with the 460 putting out almost 400 hp.) But according to my dad… trailers were about the size of teardrops and maybe 14-18 ft long… so this was a long long trailer… the road in the movie is none other than the Whitney Portal Road which leads up to Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California. The hairpin turn featured in the film provides a then scenic views of the Owens Valley. (less populated)
Do you know where the trailer is now? We do… matter of fact the lady who owns it now allows people to tour it… and has kept it all orginal .. just like in the movie… It was in part filmed at the burbank studio sound stage …Mt Whitney… as well as over in Arizona( Apache Junction) off of apache trail (now highway 88) on the way up to Roosevelt lake… (which by the way you can still take your traler on if you up to the adventure.. we did) (Sean here is your Q… to remake the orginal movie with kristie using the airstream over the same route…same script.. etc… well ok modified script to better enhance the beer drinking.. ahhh honeymoon …. but, use the same acting manors and charter names… that would be fun… make it for TV and you should have a hit on your hands… again…))
However, did you know that the orginal car blew up…developed problems in the movie… yep the ‘53 merc (according to older associates(sk) we worked with at the studio recalled it was a very real disaster in making this film…almost didn’t get made) The car didn’t have enough power to pull it up the grade.. so a switch was made with the directors car… yep they took his..replaced with a larger but similar appearing 1953 Lincoln that had a whopping 205 HP V8 engine…. (biggest engine of its day)
When you go back and watch the film again.. sure enough.. the front grill changed without notice… grin… and when you study the film further you can pick out a lot of the mistakes made..sudden changes in location… i.e why is lucy setting behind the wheel on the video cover painting with desis’ LEFT arm around her? . Also Lucy goofs several times… calling hm ricky (from I love lucy show they were in tv production with) instead of his charter name Nicky in the movie… grin.. ahhhh and their are others.. but you have to find ‘em on your own… detective..
When I was stationed over at Williams AFB for pilot training.. (now phoenix mesa Gateway Airport) We used to go up apachie road to a great place for entertainment called Miners camp Restraunt…(http://www.miningcamprestaurant.com/) wow stil their … even Elvis bought a church on that road… when they made some of the western movies out their. and down in old tucson (film set) Yes indeed elvis played a roll in a western… go figure… Joey bishop played a apachie indian …seriously… nothing like a new york wild indian.. hmmm Dean martin…(hick) Jerry lewis, (partners.. I have a picture of them with my folks (sk) on the set back then… and old blue eyes… frank (well… the rat pack) also made westerns… what a hoot…
Being part native american (not that the apachies’ liked us… profession curt. however) we used to go hunting havilina up in the Superstition Mtns… part of the ledgend of the lost dutchman gold mine. (natives say it is stil their…and it has been found.. but the governmt has made the area off limits to all… something about UFO’s and little aliens.. no doubt…
For a great weekend outing with the gals…(not married back then) we used to get some in-nertubes from the aircraft tires… cooler of beer and eats from the flight kitchen.. and head up for a day tube’n from the the dam at saquaro lake down what was refered to as the salt river…. about 25 miles…
Further up the road is the verdi… ruin’s… zane grays place (he wrote books made into movies of the old west) … payson, pine and stawberry.. then if you had some extra time…and a 4×4 Pick ‘em up truck … up on the mesa… to mary’s lake , country western barn dancing and steaks… cave exploring the lava flow tubes from mt. humpry. (natives believe its a holy mountain and you could not go on it… ((center of the nations because of the points… really a old valcano that blew off the top 4,000 ft into the next state one day…. bet that made a bang..))
The AF used to have a RV rec park at Ft Tuthill outside Flag. But, I think its gone now that the military left. . North Grand Caynon, cinder cone, marble caynon, lees ferry crossing (campground their too)
Ahhh yes them were the days… still lots to do and see up their.. if you only know where to go… best kept secrets of any state.
Tom, I think we are fellow geeks. (Hey, in high school my prized possession was not a car, but a Commodore 64.)
With regard to the “best job,” now I see where they had over 34,000 applicants! They will have their hands full winnowing the applicant pool down to 11.
LOL GMAs, they actually say you can tow this Bambi with a VW Golf! It’s pretty amazing to me that they cram all of the amenities in so small a space.
That said, I’m still a little unsure about the toilet situation. I know it has a fresh water tank, but I’m not sure about the black. In fact, I think it may lack that feature. If so, that’s a pretty big downside.
Our camper van in Argentina lacked a black water tank, so the toilet was a plastic portable thingy. Let’s just say that the phrases “Monetzuma’s Revenge” and “portable toilet” really should not go together…
No more like… whats that smell…indicator when its full… LOL… the EU’s use a little portable dolly tank that sets on the ground under the RV.. for the black water… (they charge for the dumping of it too) In Some campground the things come with the rental space…as they don’t have sewer hookups… instead use it later.. saved in tanks for farm nitrogen…
A lot of the more parks over their now seem to have the same as ours. But, the power is 220 volt only… no 120… so make sure you get a stepdown transformer for your goodies… otherwise your elect shaver will have a mind of its own… and Kristies hair turbo dryer might doubble as a blow torch… (what gray hair!!!) least for a short while… Try looking for fam camps…they are all over the place.. some right downtown… grin…
Ya you think this is small.. try camping in a VW pop top bus for a month… by the time your done.. you know where every crack and seam is in the thing… grin… now that is small… every time you want to do something.. you have to have a chineese fire drill… and convert… no waisted space… Heck you even can rent out the gas tank as a basement condo complex… with pool… for the dog… so he walks a little funny in the morning from all them gas fumes… he’ll get over it… but, don’t give him any of the tap water.. or you will be sorry… big time…
From one world traveler to a newbie… only drink beer or bottled stuff.. that has not been opend… the exception is wine and hard drinks… their the alc takes care of the bacteria… never.. ever ever drink the water…unless its been boiled and bottled… your body is not akin to it.. however, if you do …after a while.. it would be… but, that makes sitting down a problem for about a week or two…
If you have to drink the water.. use the pills, boil it for 15 min…or one of them little pump thingiees… and event then… you could be effected…
Shower, shave and .. well you know…. using their water.. but, again… put a warning sign on the faucet… not drinkable… (red circle with a slash bar through a glass) besides. gives you a good excuse to get that tall neck out of the refrig… (beer is about 80% water you know)
If you head off to spain or italy …. others.. you will notice they always drink osso (sp) not water… but don’t tell Kristie..its good… or she will hord it all…and you will never get to leave…. Also I found that women over their drink flavored schnapps … really good stuff… or wine…(their wine they keep is not bad) again don’t tell kristie… about it… she will be putting it in her mint juleps from then on… grin… and you’ll be sorry… nothing like a buzzed woman on your hands…to make life …. ahhh interesting… (ouch thats going to leave a mark…)
Thanks G.M., that is really interesting about the portable dolly tank. That must be what Airstream is using for the Euro Bambi.
With regard to drinking the water, I know, I know… Where I have a problem isn’t at lunch and dinner…it’s in these situations:
Brushing my teeth (I know…use bottled water!)
Taking a shower (gotta keep any stray droplets of water out of your mouth)
Drinking coffee (I guess it just shouldn’t be done)
We decided that my condition was probably caused by drinking coffee in restaurants. Apparently it takes several minutes of boiling to kill the illness-causing microbes, and most coffee makers do not do the job. When I made my own coffee, I used bottled water. But I also had coffee in restaurants.
In the future, whenever we head “south of the border” I am packing some antibiotics. I’m always careful, but seem to get affected anyway!
Coffee… ya depends on how its made.. most new brewers don’t hardly boil the water… but your right… not long enough at public places. If in doubt.. boil it for 15 min.. and then put it in the coffee brewer… and let it do its magic. However, I usually rense mine out first with the boiled water.. to insure no bug are still attached so to speak… Yes its in the water.. most food is cooked long enough (except for greens and salids which is rensed in tap water most of the time) to kill the bugs… If not BBQ till it turns a little… grin…
As to the bottled water… we found that some places already have the seal broken… ahhh wrong.. we tell the server.. please do not break the seal… if it is we won’t take it… we actually found that some take the bottle back and fill it from the tap… then sell it as bottled water…to you again… ahhhhh nope…
So just a few things to watch out for traveling outside the US.. actually even in the US now a days too…
it gest worse as you get older… beer is the best bet.
Hey on another note did you see AS is making a new box trailer called the scout.. or something… like the bambi for EU.
We are see’n a lot of people looking at the new toy haulers due to the fraims having problems in the AS. Here is a typical adventure that is interesting to read… note his trailer falling apart…
Yet we are seeing others go to smaller rather than larger now also. Seems they can pull a teardrop and have about as much fun… of course taking a shower outside is a real adventure also…but, hey its camping… We already have a heat exchanger we built for the hot water coming off the engine… use a elect pump and 5 gal water tank.. old water saver shower head… works good… but we also now have it plumbed back to the trailer… so that while were going down the road.. we get hot water going through a heater core.. thus when you get into the trailer after going down the road… the thing is already warm and nice… all water is seperate from the coolant system.. so if it leaks.. no big deal..
speaking of downsizing.. we also are seeing a lot of people going back to the camper on the back of the PU… about 60 inches high from the bed of the truck… they use them for weekenders and travel away from the trailer… Vans are also making a comeback as a tow vehicle.. from what were seeing.. they have a more multi use-ability… as people downsize due to economy… they are consolidating the vehicles into two only… one for town one for fun…n play…
things are a changing.. and I think AS knows that … and thus why they are coming out with smaller units again… .
And I think you are absolutely right about the bottled water! At least once we ordered bottled and when it was brought to the table the seal was already broken. I should have sent it back.
Often when we are overseas I order mineral water “with gas” because to my knowledge they can’t get that stuff out of a tap.
But as a general rule, I will commit to drinking more beer. It’s a good policy, regardless of where we may find ourselves.
Yes, the Airstream Scout is really interesting. In fact, I think it merits a new blog post! When we were at a big Pennsylvania RV show last year, we saw a few vintage style campers that were similar. It certainly makes sense for Airstream to get a share of this business.
The Alaska trip you reference looks really interesting. We would like to make that journey someday. Who knows, maybe later this year! Stranger things have happened.
I have a friend who took a pickup truck camper to the Arctic Circle and back (starting in Alabama). What’s really funny is that he was driving a BRAND NEW truck. He put like 25,000 miles on the truck in the first month! Along the way, the A/C failed, the windshield cracked, and he needed to replace the gas tank.
Your videos are fabulous, I have watched almost all of them. If the economy ever recovers, I am planning on buying a rig very similar to your, (GMC/Chevy, Duramax w/Allison tranny, 25-27 ft. Safari) and hit the road, starting from the West Coast. Until that time, I will be camping vicariously through your blog. Keep it up!
Thanks Tom! We’ve produced our videos with no budget, instead substituting blood sweat and tears. I’m glad they are finding an audience.
I hear ya on the economy. The way things are going, we may end up living in our Airstream (or maybe just our truck, ha ha).
We are actually planning a big camping trip up the eastern seaboard. If all goes as planned, we’ll hit the road in April and May. So please stay tuned!
I don,t know what to think right now. I have a friend (amazing as that might be) who was employee #27 at a large robotics company(they employed 1400 people 2mo ago).They now employ less than 400….. the big 3 being there biggest customers, came to them and dictated that the machining of all their parts can be done in China at a reduced rate. He has been with this company since 1982, as a machinist. He now finds himself pounding the pavement.
Good to see the big 3 taking care of the country this way, Hands out for money, jackboots laced up to give the boot to those that gave it to them.
Tax breaks for rv’s sounds good on paper but I wonder if the new RV’s coming out of the brand new cheaper to run plant in China will help ? Seems the wall-mart philosophy has moved into the automotive sector where next?
Doo Doo (I don’t mean the bird) is the stuf you buy at above mentioned retail chain who have a price chopper, waiting to chop you right out of a job………
The above oppinion is the sole responsibilty of myself (the poster) and in no way should reflect the oppinions of the of the web page creator and his lovely wife.
A2MadMac, we welcome all opinions that are respectfully expressed (as was yours), so no worries there.
My own armchair analysis of the stimulus bill is that it’s impact on RV sales will be modest. For anyone shopping for a travel trailer or 5th wheel, it does nothing. It only applies to motorhomes, and only to the first $49.5k of the purchase, and only to buyers in certain income brackets… and even then, it’s really just another buyers’ incentive. We’re ALREADY in a historic buyers’ market, so I doubt this one little tax cookie will unleash a huge wave of buying.
Low fuel prices — IF they remain low — will help. But the biggest hurdles facing the RV industry now are rock bottom consumer confidence and the frozen credit market.
With regard to outsourcing and China, it’s complicated, and I think the issue runs far deeper than Wally World. At the end of the day, Wal-Mart just distributes and sells products; they don’t manufacture products. At this point, if they refused to stock any product made in China, they’d have a bunch of empty stores. The horses have already left the barn (or however that old saying goes!).
With regard to the Big 3, here’s what I can’t figure out… In my home state of Alabama, there’s a thriving auto industry: Mercedes, Honda, and Hyundai all operate massive production facilities, employing thousands with quality jobs. How is it possible that those companies can do it, while the Big 3 cannot?
And now, I will finish on a POSITIVE note. The real upside for the RV industry and RV travel may be cost. Studies have shown that RV vacations COST LESS than other forms of travel. With an RV, you can control your expenses via your choice of where to camp, where to dine, etc. In tough economic times, the cost advantages of RV travel come to the fore.
Whew… heady stuff for our blog! But these topics are on everyone’s mind. Thanks for joining the discussion.
Love the back yard. Man…you could just camp right there.
Funny what snow does to people. We’re not really missing it here in the Netherlands. Mind you, it was below freezing for the entire first week of January and all the Dutch folk were happy happy, since they could then skate on the canals. The emergency rooms were a tad busy as well, unfortunately. It hadn’t been that cold in about 10 winters, so I guess the skaters were out of practise.
My peeps back in southern Ontario are complaining of the bitter cold, but that’s pretty much a seasonal thing. Don’ t miss that either.
Have fun in the white stuff. Although it’s probably gone by now.
Anxiously waiting for some footage from Argentina. Well ok, maybe not that anxious. No pressure.
Thanks Bob, the backyard is pleasant. We have a lot of deer in this area. They’re pretty, but they also love to munch shrubbery.
What really amazed me about this snowfall was not only the amount, but then the speed with which it disappeared. During the first half of the day, the forest was a winter wonderland. Just glancing around, you might’ve thought you were in Colorado. But then the afternoon sun emerged, and things warmed up in a hurry. I guess it was an ideal snowfall; we had our fun, and then it promptly cleaned itself up. No shoveling required.
Sorry for the delay on the Argentina videos. Lately I’ve been concentrating on a couple of clients, trying to get some projects completed. I will get cracking on Argentina this week!
Heh heh. Let it be known that we are doing our share to kickstart the economy! Not that it appears to be helping much. I think the stock market is melting faster than our snow….
My Tivo is set. Really great site. My wife and I are just getting started on the RV thing and have enjoyed watching the videos. I blog about our travels at – http://sichblog.wordpress.com/
Thanks Scott… It’s going to be an interesting experience seeing this show. Bear in mind that we filmed it 6 months ago! There’s quite a turnaround time on these things (and you thought my blog was slow! ha ha). I am as curious as the next person to see how it turns out. Hopefully it will prove to be Tivo-worthy.
BTW, I checked out your site, and it looks like you’ve had some impressive travels yourself! Congrats and well done….
Thanks! I like positive too. I figure we’ve got plenty of places to hear bad news, so I’d like “The Long Long Honeymoon” to be a beacon of good news.
Someday I’m going to do a video about our very FIRST camping experience. (Yes, I brought a video camera.) We had a $40 tent and a couple of sleeping bags. We had the time of our life!
See… good things happen to good people… grin.. While you were looking at the camera.. others were also looking… but, I can’t say who… grin..
Yep love the filters… your last blog though was a little over kill…
by the way did you get the camera guy to show you his toy…?? now that is a camera Sean.
We are up north.. in the snow.. making movies right now.. but, glad to see your climb up is coming along good… now do you still want the job on the island? More fun here. More fun going to AK this year during their 50th… you know..
We will see what can be done to get you on the set… if your up for it..
Some discussion of the remake of the long long trailer… has been going on.. except this time… guess what they are thinking about using and who’s script (real life blogs provided) Just needs a good story line… grin.
Indeed we use our AS for the back side of the movie… its much less stress when you have your own habatation… The reasion that your not seeing too many AS is because they don’t have all that much room…for everything. Most don’t pull their own either.. a service provides the transportation of the units.
Now as to the AS you mentioned… its down at malbu right now…. where he is using it when he gets a chance…after filming… he loves the beach… we only talked about AS as we were passing… Might want to see if he wants to do a interview for one of your blogs… on his AS and what you all have in common.
Might want to check out a old state trailer park… down at doheny, ca. Can’t say much but its a old old state park.. that has a vast background for surfers and campers… including a old gent named Pop Warner… that we used to also know when we were kids…
Hearst Castle… is a icon… but so is solvang… and a host of others as you come up the coastline… but, don’t let the northern border stop you… gold beach and the mail boat ride… comes to mind as a fun time too…
Keep up with the camera learning.. I can see a improvement… grin.
LOL GMAs, you have certainly raised my curiosity. I get the impression you run amongst an interesting crowd!
You are probably right about my overkill on the filters! I try to keep such things in check, but also don’t want the image to look too plain. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right balance, especially since we don’t have much time/energy to dedicate to lighting. On a narrative shoot you might spend most of your time lighting, but we don’t have the luxury! The challenge here is to make a solo project look as pleasing as possible.
With regard to MM, we would LOVE to contact him for an interview. He seems like a genuine Airstream enthusiast and a great all around guy. He did an interview for the RVIA a couple of years ago that was really nice.
Hey, we are definitely up for getting on the set! Just say the word and we will be there. I would appreciate the opportunity to learn.
Ahhhh well… we don’t want it to be known.. who we run with… as some of them are really hollyweard. Their are rules.. written and un-written that must be maintained.
I will see what we can do about … inviting you to the shoots. I think you may find it VERY interesting and helpful. Again I suggest that you look up USC and see what they can help you out with… learning. Its the best around. .
On the back lot … one can see how its done.. but as you said… it looks easier than it is. (some think that you just need a camera and your all set… atttt wrong) That is the signature of the director… as I once was told.. the writer is a artist in coming up with the idea… but, its the directors job to portray this written script into something that has the visual appealment to the viewers.
something to add to your production… thoughts… as you already have probably found… video presentation is made up of four things… action, location, dialoge and…. sounds. So far Sean, you have developed the action, dialoge and locations but next your adventure into sound needs to be…. so you can enhance your blog… (my humble suggestion) If you go back and watch your movies… this time note the score.. sounds… that enhance and set the treashold for the next …. as utoa said… close your eyes and listen… does the music and background do anything for you??? Indeed it is one of the senses that movies play on quite a lot… sets the action.. enhances….
So the first step is really … screen scriptwriting… their you can learn about how to think movies. Then its on to production… where you learn all the mechanics of making it happen… and finally the top of the mountain… directing. Ahhh the agony and stress of trying to get all the people to agree on something. Not to mention the weather, lighting changes, actors fussing, bad hair days… and equipment failures. All of which are a normal days work. (lock the door on the AS when your home) … oh and you want to get into the picture.. write the studio and let them know you and krisite are good technical advisors on the issues of traveling with the AS … submitt some of your blogs trailers) who knows… what happens then.
Lets not even mention the public who some THINK that they should be in on the silver screen… you will have that next when you get more popular… then where you going to go? You will never be alone…!!! See it all comes with a price to pay.
Now as to meeting Mr. MM… (nice orginal touch) If you head north from hollyweard… their is a great trailer park with a pier … just south of Malibu.. lots of movies were made in it.. (you almost could do a travel blog on the place showing historical outtakes on moves that were made their… ) you still can park their too as its a working trailer park… I would go see the park…with the pier… just down from the colony and walk up past the lagoon… for whale watching… (grin) Its a nice place to camp for the weekend as well as hobknobing with the other folks. It is their that you will find what you seek grasshopper.. according to the locators. ..right now. Jogging along the surf line is fun and interesting too. Lots of people do it around their. hint hint… So take Kristie for a nice … ahhh …walk… but, remember… privacy is …
let them know your looking for a interview conserning his trailer… who knows … magic things happen.. huh… he seemed real talkative about the AS when we passed him..
Be looking for the blog on “a trailer for a star” … oh and try and keep Kristie from oggling,druling and zombism… after all he does put his pants on one leg at a time too.. you know… moreover have fun… hey he just might ask Kristie to go surfing with ‘em… now that we would like to see… Kristie surf city USA. LOL.
Happy trails… the adventure contenues…. back to work.
Yep its AK’s 50th state this year… so lots of happenings up their.. might want to see about making some plans … if you can still get in.. the AK inland water marine highway ferry boats are booking fast.
We are going to do the drive, boat, drive, train, drive, boat…. home. (and in record time of 2 weeks too..) Putting the AS and truck on the AK ferry is the only way to go when your exhausted from driving… Take the Ferry and Plan Your Own Alaskan Adventure… well that being said… driving and camping is also a adventuer of its own.. so you get camping, driving, fantastic views/pictures, train ride, aircraft sightseeing and a cruse on the boat to boot… not bad for a first time adventuer hitting all the transportation modes…
Ahhh well if not Beer… then ask ‘em for a bottle of low cal diet water still sealed when delivered… (have Kristie jump in and say… make that two… I’ll have one also…) but make sure you do it with a somber face… LOLLLL They will know your from hollyweard for sure…
[...] anywhere wireless access in their Airstream. They loved the product so much that they even did a video about it! Sean was amazed at the ability to upload his large videos to his site using the WiFi In [...]
Sean, Love your site and all the videos. Keep all that good info coming.
Re: the Weber Q. If you unscrew the top retaining screw on the stainless ring that holds the small diameter propane tanks and bend the ring open about an inch or so you can then easily use the standard camping propane tanks (larger diameter).
Does the Airstream have an outside grill/stove shut off on the side? That makes for a perfect spot to hook up a hose assembly for the grill.
Ahhh nice.. but we will miss it sorry… will have it taped for us..
… off on a adventure right now and so won’t be able to view it currently…
While your getting used to being in front of the camera…
I know Sean and Kristie will do great… its the start of their new adventure in RV’n. Next up the Silver Screen.. and you will have to pay for them to come give a talk at your club rally… (smile)
I am sure by now that they have a manager… don’t they… well next up to join the actors union group.. Airstream is going to be loving this… no doubt…
Behind the camera things have happen …. and now that your “discovered…” smile… we expect to see great things from the both of you… but, life will change.. so be careful what you wish for… you can never go back… the demand is high and the time short… (while it appears fun to others.. you know how much work it is .. the director said that you appeard to be having fun on the site set… now that you have had a tast of it… hmmm… what you think… on to bigger things?? next up a part in a movie??? acting tutor… makeup… ) from behind the camer to in front of it… ahhh sweet… can you imagine how it all started and got to where you are now… go figure…
hey what are friends for…
My only advise… these two sayings…
remeber always … Actors at first enjoy the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. The actors rides in a triumphal chariot, the enthused public walking before them. …And a director.. stood behind the actor holding a golden oscar high… and whispering in the actors ear a warning: …that all glory is fleeting”
tempist fugit ((”Irretrievable time is flying”)… points out that time passes rapidly and relentlessly.
Sean Kristie.. break a leg… ( good luck saying in the industry)
Happy trails… the adventurer contenues… I got to get back to work… C U
Ok… AK here we come…My favorite Locations director made all the arrangements… she is soooo good… and what deals they have too Sean… its their 50th you know.. what a photo op… both in front and behind the camera (shhhh I am not telling anyone here that we are going… as then it would be a three ring C… kinda like in the movie twister… which way is bill going… they want to go too)
oh did I mention I was driving the rig.. hmmm though I said that..
Nooo Nooo Nooo… I’m the driver.. see the one with the keys.. drives the vehicle… I’m driving… you pax… you pay both ways.. too bad… grin…
Shortly their after I checked into the medics for multi bruses.. seems the other half didn’t find that amusing…(why is it only Kristie is laughing)
what a deal they have
Summer Specials
Round Trip Driver Goes Free!
Valid for travel from May 1, 2009 – September 30, 2009
The licensed driver of a passenger vehicle will be allowed to travel FREE when accompanying a drivable vehicle on a “mirror image” round trip itinerary on the Alaska Marine Highway System. The Driver goes Free discount cannot be combined with any other passenger discount or promotional fare. All travel must commence between May 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009. Tickets may be purchased through our online reservations system, by calling 800-642-0066 or visit your local ferry terminal.
Other conditions may apply, for full details see the offer rules.
it would be great if the group on the RV net might put togeather a travel adventure that could be filmed for any upcoming shows… with hooks on your blog posted to show ‘em what they missed.. who knows… might even see Old Al up their on a hunting trip.. arranged by the Gov… driven by Ken, and directed by Chaney… (smile) You know how them hunting trips went with Dick C down on the texas ranch.. I think the last guy is recovering just fine… LOL
Seriously though… If one could be put togeather… just think of the photo ops… it would be like WB travel adventures all over again… with new video historical documentation… and here is a thoght… why not invite all the rest of the camera geeks to come along also… and make it into one big travel adventure movie… each brining their teck abilites and equipment to add to the whole… why I’ll bet even Ford, AS and others would want to sponsor that… and then see if HGTV wants to put it on the TV… oh ya.. not to mention others… .
But, be careful.. you don’t want it too big… but, I would imagine that it would make the news.. and bring out all the political management to meet the group as it moved around… what fun… big time.. news at 11 daily kinda thing.
Already one of the national TV groups have asked… for support…
I would imagine the Gov up their is going to pull out all the stops… you will see things you never will again in native and historical events… this would add to the mix too…
Oh ya your going to the island of Dr. Marooo for a year .. I forgot… oh well… LOL
Happy trails.. the adventure contenues.. still working today… 16 hrs.
GMAs, sorry to hear you will miss the show, but no worries. I think that HGTV will rebroadcast it at some point. Also, it sounds like you have some adventures going yourself!
Ah, those 16-hour workdays… I am often amazed by how much work is involved in the creation of entertainment. And it all goes by so fast on the screen. Sometimes Kristy and I will be watching TV, I’ll see a cool shot and say, “They probably spent three hours setting up that 10-second shot.” If people only knew!
You raise a great point about a manager or agent. That is on my “to do” list this year. Any advice?
We’ve talked with the folks at RV.net about doing a full TV show. At this point, the catch has been the economy. Financing a new TV show is a tall order in this climate, so Kristy and I keep on doing our video blogs and building our site. Really, I totally enjoy what we do and how we do it. I just wish we had more resources so we could be more creative.
Also, with more resources we could deliver a lot more entertainment. Sometimes I am the bottleneck, because fresh video depends on me doing the editing! I enjoy doing it, but my plate is pretty full.
I love the idea of the Alaska trip! We will check it out. This does seem like a special year to be there.
Just saw the show on hgtv and was intrigued by your story so I had to check out your site. I’m addicted. I’ll be following you all now and look forward to browsing thru the videos.
We’ve had a great time so far, and I’m excited about the adventures that lie ahead. This spring we’ll be heading north, so we will have lots of fresh material to post!
You should have stayed at Oasis RV Resort (www.oasislasvegasrvresort.com), just south of the strip. My husband and I stayed there in our Airstream last October for a week and really enjoyed it. I would definitely stay there again. There are pools, a restaurant, trees and a dog park. It also has a gated entrance, we felt very safe.
Thanks Jomick, I think we considered the Oasis and it looked very nice, but we wanted to be on the Strip. We ended up paying the price in more ways than one, lol. Next time we will check out the Oasis!
Caught the show last night. You guys looked great but I’m afraid Chi-Lan came across as somewhat of a dolt RV-wise. I’m sure she just reads what the writers hand her…
Seemed like kind of a waste of your talents to hand you the towables segment. Apparently your desire to expand somewhat from the Silver Bullet was interpreted as “Hey…a retro 18′ Shasta would be perfect for these guys!” by HGTV. I’m surprised they didn’t try to cram you into a teardrop!
Ironic the two mfg. that got the most coverage are now in bankruptcy. I feel bad for the folks down the valley (I live in Portland) who really did make nice stuff, but maybe they should have considered the masses a bit more – not everyone can/will/should spend $500k on an RV.
Thanks Scott! Yes, a good portion of the RV 2009 show is online. And if anyone missed the full show, I think HGTV will rebroadcast it on April 3.
We are still camping with our Airstream! Really, for the type of RVing we do (always on the move), the Airstream has worked out well. Sure, we’d like a little more space…but who wouldn’t?
If we were staying in one spot for a while, I would go 5th Wheel. The amount of space they offer is impressive.
With regard to our segments, I hope HGTV was happy with the way it all went. We really did our best, and the production company was really good. We enjoyed working with everyone and learned a lot.
That said, I think I refrained from being my usual hammy self on the show. First of all, it wasn’t my show to host. And secondly, I’m not sure that HGTV wanted me sticking my nose into the camera, etc. If you watch a lot of HGTV (and we do) there’s a consistency in tone and visual presentation to their shows that is highly successful. Our role was to shop, so we shopped!
You are right about Monaco and Country Coach. They built beautiful RVs (the CC Veranda was stunning) and I’m sorry to see them on the bankruptcy ropes. The industry has had the roughest of times lately, and hopefully the rebound begins this spring.
Thanks for your comments. We plan to do a lot of traveling (and videoing) in April and May.
Yep.. your about right… we figure for the production an hour for each min of show. … and that doesn’t include the script or mo-alog time..
Who me… naw… I don’t have any real adventures going on right now… LOLL
Well as to agents, I will ask around and see what /who is the best for your area…
Hmmm yes you need to be able to send the video through the media.. to a home base.. of sorts .. which then can edit it and send you back a silent transfer.. … and post it for you… if your doing all the work youself .. your going to be one busy boy when you start to expand into more informative adventures…. Of course you can train Kristie in the art of sound collection, mixer and sound editing.. but that then fills her plate…
I am suprised that you and the others that produce video adventures for the RV groups (I have seen 3 now on the RV net that produce the travel logs..) have not tried to set up a common editor studio place… i.e where you and they send your work and can get it edited and sent back… to you… heck the TV stations do it…now… and I would think you all could come to some sort of agrement saving both time and money.. while producing a first rate edited production. You all should have a teleconferance and see what it would take to set up a studio…for your application.
Their are commercial studios that do exactly that for you… that is the way the big guys do it too…but, you need a good editor which you and he have ESPN so to speak… which thinks like you and you him… once you find him/her… then you can send your video and sounds and they will edit it .. put it togeather and send it back for approval… then its .. only add the front and rear trailer of credits and your good to go… simple huh… but, as you say.. all it takes is money… Good place to solicit for your productions is a college person going to school ….. like USC or one of the others that specialize in those areas… most upcoming video-ugher-fers.. (gofers) usually start in that area… and work their way up… once they get good at it…
We have a whole trailer loaded with electronics that the primary editors are located in.. they take the real time stuff and start processing it on site.. but more for the stills and locations… i.e you shoot one scene… you don’t want the next one where the guy is truned around or the sun is shining from the other side… people start picking up on that when its supposed to all be the same..moment… so we have people called stand in’s… where the actor was.. they stay… so the actor can go REST or what ever they do… then when were ready to shoot again the stand in is replaced with the actor.. these editors then confirm the last fraim of the shot and once everyone is lined up… someone yells Action… and were off to the races filming… easy huh… no you don’t get a stand in.. sorry.. once you get a star on your door.. the actors union then says you can get a stand in… grin… expensive yes.. but, in our case necessary…
You know I’ll be their are a lot of people now reading your site which also are thinking… hey I can do that too… you might want to reflect on your experiances and some of the real time problems you have had… if you want to help ‘em out…
You bet AK is going to be the place to be this summer… its too bad that the RV industry is not making the most of it… the oppertunity is ripe… they should try and get all of you free lance people on the same boat… and then get the best of the best to edit it out… and produce a travel adventure… of course featureing their brand of RV shown rocking down the road…with happy campers inside… well…. ok people who know each other inside… or people who don’t want to know each other inside once the get home… whatever…
Hmmm guess HGTV was reading the mail… as I just got a transfer of the production… through the studio… so I sat down with a viewer and reviewd the takes on the RV’s.
You all were against a real person who has had some acting school. Indeed if you look at the way Chi-Lan Lieus’ mannor, body language and grace… she has had lots of practice from what I see. (right down to the outfit… who picked Kristies one… ??) She also has command of the verbage. ( go back and watch the trailers you will see she uses both body language and physical expression…. verbage that is a cut above the normal person. auummm , wow, ya and some of the other repeated words like that…. do define the manor and grace and effective lang… as protrayed.. She comes off as simple.. yet delicate with knowledge of what she speaks… programed expressions…etc…hands, expression, position and lighting just right… again it appears she has been well trained… and schooled at grace, expression and body language… .from what I see…
Probably also has a lot of support writers to help her get it right…
As to AS.. I didnt’ see any… ahhhhh they are not going to like you talking 5th wheel… and the AS people are VERY protective of the metal monsters. You may find that your not as well like among them anymore… when they see this… grin…
Heck you didn’t even walk into a airstream.. then again.. when your in the high priced town car or cad…elete home away from home… going to a VW is not …. aaaaa going to work.. poooo… People like the high end.. but that is why the word lookielou was made up… most have a beer budget and a champain taste…
However, one thing that can be said for the AS is that its about the lightest trailer out their.. so mileage is a given…
Toy haulers are making a big inroads on the RV’s .. being a dual purpose vehicle we are seeing a lot of them on the back lot showing up… however, most family’s are looking for something to haul the mail.. as well as camping in… so it fits the needs of the people… something to be said about that.. however, they are heavy and you won’t be making the gas mileage you would in a AS…
A most interesting series… good camera work… impressed
If necessary, we’ll hitch our Airstream and move to LA (maybe park it next to MM’s rig in Malibu!)… But we need an agent plugging away on our behalf from a business standpoint so I can be creative.
Can I do the business stuff? Yes, but it’s at the expense of the creative.
Can I do the creative stuff? Yes, at the expense of the business.
I think the right agent could help us make the most of these opportunities.
As for your editing solution, I love it! I agree that we need some sort of seamless upload/edit/download solution that removes me as the bottleneck. But these things take money, and so far we have financed pretty much EVERYTHING ourselves. The Long Long Honeymoon is a product of my company Walkabout Production Group — and that’s it.
We need some corporate partners to step up and contribute, and we can build something mainstream. Otherwise we will continue to bootstrap.
And BTW, we love our Airstream, we love pretty much all Airstreams…and if Airstream had put a frickin’ Airstream at the RV show then you better believe we would’ve been all over it!
But alas, there were ZERO Airstreams at “the largest RV show in America”… not a single one. So we had to browse whatever was on hand. HGTV wanted us to browse 5th Wheels, Toy Haulers, etc…. so we complied.
As far as the RV 2009 show goes, we were simply guests… not the hosts. Our job was to walk inside RVs and rattle off whatever thoughts popped into our heads… Kristy and I didn’t have writers or pre-prepared lines to deliver. If you ever watch any other HGTV material, you sort of know what to expect of hosts vis-a-vis guests. If we had started acting like hosts instead of guests, I don’t know what would’ve happened…but it probably would’ve been edited out. Seriously… when you step far outside the boundaries of what is expected, people start to look at you funny.
HGTV knows what it’s doing… it’s a very successful network. So we did the best we could do in our roles, and hopefully it all worked.
I’m thinking that this spring we may do our own RV video show pilot the way we’d like to do it. But first we need sponsors to kick in some $$$ to make a little magic happen. As the old saying goes, “fast, good, & cheap — pick any two.”
[...] of our favorite camping experiences have happened at Good Sam Parks. The Schlegels’ campground on Route 66 in Texas, for example, is a Good Sam [...]
We ended up buying the smaller brother to yours – EF2400iS – after reading the positive reviews and tests on the Internet. I’m thinking I will also keep it in the back of my truck but wondering if I need a cover. What do you guys use?
Scott, I’m a little ashamed to say that I don’t have a cover for our Yamaha.
But we do garage our truck. So when we are not camping, our generator is usually tucked away in a cool garage.
I’d like to have a cover for when we are camping. I’m pretty sure Yamaha makes one.
Some folks recommend you build a generator box for the bed of your pickup. This would not only protect the generator from the elements, but would also hide it from prying eyes. This project could be fodder for a future blog video!
I’m guessing from your videos you might be mechanically challenged like me and as Cpt Jim my father in law would say – you can waive your college degree in front of it all day long but it won’t make it start after you’ve wrecked it. Might be a funny segment to bring back your father in law or some guy named Bubba to help with the project.
Scott, I am definitely “mechanically challenged.” Yes, even something as simple as building a box would probably overextend my abilities.
My father-in-law, on the other hand, can handle electrical, plumbling, sheetrock, woodwork, engine work, tile, carpet, metalcraft, and a few other crafts I’m probably forgetting. In his spare time he restores classic cars. He built his own swimming pool and finished his own basement.
Our Airstream stabilizer jacks had rusted, so he removed, sanded, painted, and reinstalled them!
Someday (if I can convince him to participate!) we will do a video blog with some Airstream fixes and upgrades. Actually, that might be a fun video to shoot before our big spring trip…
Like everything else… RV’n is what you make of it.
The manufactures just go quietly into the night.
No from what we see the RV now is becoming like it was during WW2.. a temp housing for fam’s relocated.
I don’t think you will ever see things “bounce back BIG TIME’” again. time changes a lot of ideas and the way we used to do things. People get old and as such so do enjoyments.
Don’t get me wrong.. I am not saying doom and gloom… but rather you will see a adaption, new uses and ways we will find enjoyment out doors camping.
Just as the big V8’s have been taken away… we now do more with less that has better effecencies and uses.
Families still need recreation… or it becomes a pretty sick socieity. .. the RV will always be their in somr form or another.
As we posted previous… that disappeared…
Its not the cost of the RV that sell.. but more the idea that one can use it for.
If you read Wallies B’s life… you will see that Airstream trailer were expensive back then… (comparitive price to earnings) So how did he sell so many.. easy.. it wasn’t the trailer he was selling but the idea (which he showed) of enjoyment one gets when being a member of the club … which the only way you could was to have one… so basically the RV is a tool to a great adventuer… and stll is.. but, when you get down to it.. its is temp housing.. while traveling.. emergency.. or now as we see supporting life of the fallen.
I think if they are going to buy a 28 ft… a F250 truck like semore .. is about perfict and not so much over kill.
What I think has been the bst vehicle to have so far… 1996 F-250 HD 4×4.. w/ winch gas 460 ci. Stock it made 18 mpg @ 60 mph cruse. We just got back from a adventure/work up north and it made 15mph country driving. Pulling the AS normally is around 10 mpg. We have stock 3.55 gears in it. ( I would recommend 3.73 gears in the new trucks) Now over 100,000 miles and still going strong. Some ask about the 4×4 use. Yes we have used it several times both pulling and solo. We like to go exploring in the back country off main roads.
Mainly it works out good in soft areas to get you though without stopping. (beach, snow, mud etc)
We also use the Low range (leaving the front hubs unlocked) to help get the trailer into position .. just so.. it gives you better control in tight places. that being said… we also installed the front reciever not only to carry items but also to hook the trailer to .. which then allows better manuvering while seeing the trailers position.
I can not tell a lie… the warn winch has never been used on my truck for my getting stuck. It has however seen lots of use on others who didn’t have 4 wheel drive… and got stuck big time trying to power their way through…. at the ranch we use it mainly for moving things, tightening the fences etc…
I don’t recommend you waist the money on a winch, dual tires or 4 wheel drive for the truck if you always use it on pavement/roads. Weight is costly in mileage.
Kilgore and I probably go back about the same time. Both of us could probably write a thick book on the adventures we have had… I have never added up all the miles we have pulled /pushed RV’s it would be interesting to have a side slot on your site showing .. mileage to date…log… grin
Your site is truly entertaining and your videos are soOoOo much fun to watch and educating too. Your trips are great ! You sure have the “Best Job In The World” !
Thank you for letting us link your site to ours ( http://lettylogan.com ) We’re sure our visitors enjoy watching you as well.
Happy Airstreamin’ to you and Kristy. Have a Great Day
GMAs, we’ve definitely lost some fine manufacturers over the past 18 months.
And the RV industry in general is on the ropes (if not the mat). The RV business got hit from all sides last year, as both the credit crisis and the fuel prices did a double whammy.
But people still want to own RVs. The problem has been getting good buyers credit.
Lately the talk is that the manufacturers themselves may band together to offer buyers credit. I think they would be wise to do exactly that, and not to wait on the government to provide a solution.
Yes, RVing is what you make of it. For some people, it’s a cheap family getaway. For others, it’s sports tailgating. For others, it’s a summer (or winter) home. For others, it’s full time housing. But any way you look at it, the core desire to RV isn’t going away.
Sure, people may not be buying a $500k motorhome and driving it to Alaska. But there’s a huge range of RVs that will do the job in a smaller, more fuel efficient package.
Will things bounce back “BIG TIME”?
Well, it depends on how you look at it. Maybe I’m being too optimistic. But I think the good times are probably never as good as they seem, and the bad times are not as bad as they seem. The full scope of this financial crisis is still being revealed. Most economists are now saying things will bottom out later this year, and then begins the recovery.
I agree with you about Wally’s vision, and that’s why RVing is here to stay. There’s just no better way to roam our vast country. And it’s possible to do so while managing the cost.
GMAs, that’s a great idea about mileage to date! Hmmmm, maybe we can add that feature to our website.
With regard to 4×4, we don’t have it, and I have learned not to venture onto soft terrain with our truck. Ironically the one time we got stuck was on our own property (just turning around SEEMORE on some soft ground). F250 are heavy vehicles, and they tend to sink in soft earth and sand. So now we stick to pavement and hard earth.
[...] and I are fans of the town of Seaside, Florida. We produced a video there (featuring the Raw & Juicy juice bar). Not only is Seaside a beautiful little beach town, it’s also Airstream friendly. Two [...]
I’ve just returned from an outing to Chapters. Where I’ve bought the latest RV gazette. its showing whats new for 2009. New is smaller. I think the mfg’s are reacting to the fuel cost from last summer and current economic times. The offerings are well thought out,look cute and should be affordable. I don’t know if I could step back at this point but you never know……….
Really, I’m not convinced that any models of RV are “on the way out.”
Yes, we need more fuel efficient motorhomes.
But since a lot of people park their rigs in one place for an extended time, even fuel efficiency is not a complete deal breaker. It’s not a big deal if you aren’t burning much fuel anyway. :O
Available credit is the deal breaker. Last year’s credit freeze, combined with fuel prices, killed RV sales.
I really hope that the high quality motorhome manufacturers like Tiffin can ride out this economic storm. The industry needs to get some credit options in place fast.
I don’t know what to say about fuel efficient. My own experience is that the new green laws are causing the diesel industry to go backwards. I had a 1997 Kenworth with a 14 litre Cummings. That truck used to get 7 to 8 miles per gal.
my new 2005 western star with a greener motor (15 litre Cat) only gets 5 mpg. Over a year and 100000 miles there is a 5714 gal difference in fuel used. The pollution laws have been forced down with no time to perfect the science. The 1st round came in 2003 the second round 2007 and the third is due in 2010. Cat has said “we give up” they no longer produce a semi truck engine.
I heard that VW wont be making any new cars for north America with a diesel because of the restrictions. Yet the world record for mpg is held by a 4cly diesel.
I understand the need to go green but right now greener is meaner. Burn more to pollute less?
Just another 2 cents from my soon to be bankrupt mind……;o)
It’s sort of like the “water conserving” toilets we are forced to buy in the United States. They only use 1.6 gallons per flush. Of course, when you are forced to flush THREE TIMES because they don’t work, the water savings go right down the proverbial drain…
Now all you need to do is get AirStream to promote a show … with sponsors.. and invite you all to host it … now that you have seen how its done… and you will be a hit with the AS group too. Next then you would have to get out your Wally hat (krisite would have to make up a Wally-et one)… as they would like you to appear at shows, meetings and caravans… you will be the next sensation and leader of the pack… see what happens when your a hit…
They love ya…go for it… as you show them the adventure they want…
Next stop a star n the walk of fame… hollyweard… grin.. well maybe not quite yet …
Congrats again.. the industry is waiting for you…
GMAs, thanks for your ongoing comments and support.
I agree with you about the show. What I’d really like to do is continue what we’ve been doing… only bigger and better, with more resources. I know we could put together an RV show unlike any other. As you have written, we’ll do like Wally and sell the adventure! That’s the fun part anyway.
I suspect we’ll find ourselves in California later this year. Why? We usually do. We look forward to meeting you someday. Maybe we’ll park our rig in Malibu for a couple of months…
Only if you stop making these B rated info shows that don’t have any airstreams or others. Indeed go back to making the travel and places’ adventures. I am afraid that you hurt your credit rating with the Airstream group when you did the HG thing. From those we have met now on the road after it was previewed…. not good…
For sure we will have to go back and take up space again at the Malibu beach park.
We like space v5-7 and always try and get one of them their spots. Although Mathew (you know who) likes the spot also. (we actually had to tell him to move one of his friends toys that was parked in our spot… go figure) He was nice about it and the gal moved her M. (but, don’t tell Kristie that we all sat out and watched the sunset ..Little beer, wine and sea food on the bar-bie…gassed and carried on till about midnight… don’t want her to get too excited about going to Calif… grin Oh and I like our older AS better than his… too. ) I won’t mention who else stopped by his trailer… while we were their… and through conversation about RV and travel…said someone else… another heart throb… is also getting a AS… and may be going to AK this summer also…. Even Mat said something about it…and his AS (let you know when we confirm it) again don’t want Kristie to get her BP up…. Hey its SOAP out here in Calif.
Most people come for the winter… and stay for the summer. The view is always good.. wink wink…
It was a nice break from the cold north weather… but, now off to another location for a new prospect on a shoot and background footage.. Do try and stay out of trouble… but, stay in front of the camera…
Alaska is coming up fast… big 50th this year …. lots of shows. Best be making plans with the AS group to tour… as you have yet to cover a WB caravan in one of your adventures. I am sure you could have fun doing that also.
I know what you are saying about the HGTV show and lack of Airstreams… But really, is it our fault that AIRSTREAM SENT NO AIRSTREAMS TO THE BIGGEST RV SHOW IN AMERICA? What were we supposed to do? Throw a temper tantrum and storm off the set?
I wish I had been calling the shots at the HGTV show, but as you know … it just doesn’t work that way. I couldn’t control the content of that show any more than a Tonight Show musical guest could rewrite Jay Leno’s monologue. Quite honestly, without our participation there would have been no Airstreams whatsoever in the 60-minute show. At least we managed to get a little screen time for our rig.
Kristy and I camped in Malibu a couple of years ago. MM’s Airstream was there, but it was moved to the side of his sites, in storage. I thought he was settling down and going all domestic on us! It’s good to hear that he’s still enjoying it. It’s in his blood, no doubt.
We liked camping in Malibu (despite a major ant problem, ha ha). I’m sure we’ll go back someday, maybe later this year. I have a couple of videos from California that may not be on our site at the moment. I will see about getting them posted.
Hey, if you see Matthew, please send our regards as fellow Airstreamers. We’d love to video interview him for our blog. That would be an occasion worthy of the Sony cam.
There’s a fellow in Florida who’s a major Airstream enthusiast… Brian Johnson, led singer of AC/DC. He is on our interview “wish list” also…. as are Jesse James & Sandra Bullock. We need a little Hollywood pizazz to jazz up this place.
Now you’ve got me thinking about Alaska. I definitely want to go, it’s just a matter of when. Okay, no excuses… but we’ll see when we can work it all in. We are slated to head up the eastern seaboard in May, and hit a lot of TV talk shows along the way. Our spring will be booked!
Ahhhh… I know .. I know.. I get what ou say all the time from the hollyweards… they just can’t do it… and they try… or cry till they get out of it…too… grin… The best one yet was when the subject was supposed to jump into a stream and save her friend… first we had the complaint.. the water is too cold.. so we actually heated up the water and dumped in hot to blend so it was not so cold.. then it was.. my hair will get wet… oh please… can we get a doubble for the shot… or else it ain’t going to happen folks… after all its only water.. but when they found out fish are in the stream…you would think JAWS was lurking to bite ‘em… Ya we get the … fact that you could n’t rewrite the script… but, yes they do have writers on stage with Jay to take care of the problems.. and modify it accordingly… whole ting is not live you know…
As to M’s knowledge… Indeed he does know about you all… we showed him some of the early work and your current … he was very interested … you just might seek his agent to see if you could book a interview with him… (some get paid however for doing them) I am sure if you meet him on the beach… get kristie to go surfing with ‘em or jog on the beach… (he is a PE keep in shape kinda guy)
.. and don’t take up too much of his free time.. he just might come down the hill to stay next to ya at his trailer… while he surfs… and does his workouts… just don’t tell anyone what your doing… or with who… or the plague will decend among you…
I would think the next time he does a shoot … and its at a beach… he might book the park again…which then would give you some time between sessions to interview him.. but that is just me.. and you would have to be very flexiable to go at a moments notice… his agent is the key…
Sandra B who?? exactly… I could think of a lot more that we known.. through the years who would be better spices.
The only problem I see is about the same as you did at the HG show… Airstream just isn’t out their pushing …. or offering … to get ahead… they seem to ignore the’re chances to advance in the industry for promo sales. Maybe they have lost the ability, touch or dream like the Old Man did… Sitting and waiting for someone to come to them just doesn’t seem to cut it today… they need to be agressive and out showing… M did it using the trailer he got from ‘em and promoted his movie by having it painted… like a moving billboard. In the industry you have to have a HOOK… to get their attention… Airstream seems to be using a fishing line with a safety pin… grin…
Good.. on AK… now go.. go.. go… let the radio stations, TV and others up their know your coming and when your going to be their… if they want to do a interview…of you and RV’n up their for the 50th …. you really need a promo agent… Then you can have fun while getting even more exposure… at the same time…they make it so easy.. you just pick up your schedule daily and wham… all in a days work… hmmmm…
Well were half way to Idaho ..oregon… stopped for the night.. with three other crews in AS’s here now… camping in the good old Airstream by a little river that I was flyfishing in earlier… nice for breakfast… kept the beer cold in the stream… ice cold…to keep them rocky mountain labels blue… just the way I like it… I offered you one.. but you didn’t drink it …so I didn’t want it to go to waist and finished it off for ya… sorry… ya snooze ya lose… letting good beer go to waist is a sin you know…
On the road again… the adventure continues… tomorrow
ya we had one of the other directors who got a new one… cry about it. I will let him when we see ‘em tomorrow …. that they are going back into business. Should brighten his day…as He has been keeping Johnny walker in company ever since he got the bad news… it was a big loss .. one would think his only friend the dog died.
So when you going to get one of them fancy Veranda ones. Great place to unwind after a hard day on the video making trail… Wonder how they keep the beer cool out their ?? I guess you would have to get up and go insided to get a refil….aw heck just hire a butler or maid… thats eaiser than getting up to go get it…right… LOL.
Oh by the way Sean… check out the new proposed CO emission credits. We’re not out of the woods yet. Just when things start to recover in the RV’n here comes another wave. This ain’t gon’a be good either. I’m thinking titanic here… something about the best of times and the worst of times….
Yes, I’m sure that everyone who has a new-ish Country Coach is breathing a sigh of relief. Maybe their warranty isn’t worthless after all!
As for the Veranda…LOL…. I think it must be the most controversial RV of the past year. We actually shot some video inside a Veranda out in Las Vegas. It just happened to be in town for a big RV dealers’ convention. Maybe I will put together some footage for the Sidebar Blog. Yes, it’s ridiculous, but it’s also kinda cool in a Las Vegas over-the-top kind of way. Of course, I’m perfectly happy with our Zip Dee chairs and awning.
I will check out the proposed CO credits, but I have a feeling they’ll be depressing. Your reference to the Titanic is well taken. As the saying goes, “A lone amateur built the Ark; a team of experts built the Titanic.” As always, fear the experts armed with statistics…
Okay, if we ever do make a “Long Long Honeymoon” feature film, I know who we’ll try to cast as me in the picture. Unfortunately MM will have to gain some weight for this role. It will take at least 6 months of heavy pizza and beer consumption before he’s ready to go. This will be kind of like what Christian Bale did in “The Machinist” but in reverse…
Or maybe I will get with the PE program myself and start surfing.
We were actually in LA last summer with our Airstream. I regret that we didn’t stay in Malibu! I’m sure we all would’ve crossed paths at some point.
We were staying at the Malibu park in ‘07. MM was off shooting some movie, but there was another Airstreamer staying in the park. I was speaking with him one day, and on the spur of the moment the guy gave me a nice new Airstream jacket! He said it didn’t fit, so he thought he would pass it on. It’s the blue jacket I wear in some of our blog videos.
I will see about contacting MM’s agent. We’ve spent the past 2 summers in California, so maybe history will repeat itself this year. Hard to know for sure, especially since our spring travels will take us to the opposite corner of the country.
I agree with you about Airstream. Someday I hope to sit down with those guys and discuss these matters. Airstream is one of those brands with incredible latent, long term power….like a Harley-Davidson or a Porsche. But sometimes it seems like it is a niche, when it could be mainstream.
Anyway, safe travels to Idaho! I like the sound of those river-cooled beverages. I am getting eager to hit the road again myself!
Love your site, my wife and I have dreamed of doing what you have done. We travel often and as far as possible. What really made me laugh is we have some good pictures somewhere of our 16′ DWR airstream with our Mini Cooper S right in front of it to look like it was towing it! However, we have since expanded our Airstream to a 27′ International so the Mini would just look, well, Mini in comparison. Keep doing what you’re doing, we love it!
ahhh… so far things have been excellent. If I may brag a little. These AS trailers are great in the snow and bad weather.
Here is how it all started…. We left the campground yesterday morning and it was lightly snowing with slush and rain. Easy 50 miles, just reach down and put the old PU into 4 high. No problem. Then the snow got a little bit deeper. No problem, 15 miles to go…Just reach down and put the old truck into 4 LOW. And we kept going. Now some would say that the AS bottom is on their for to keep the inulation in place, but we can tell you that it also keeps the high snow out from under the trailer… we pass a little car that is now stuck, its too deep for ‘em… Indeed I think we drug the Trailer over a couple of snow drifts that now were out on the road… by accident of course. No damage to the lines and all which were on the bottom that I could see…. Just in case we had the maintenance engineer on site…check it out when we got to the location. No problems. Trailer was set up and everyone was rushing around getting equipment set up to get what we came for…. snow shots… and backgrounds. But, the weather cleared for just enough time… to allow the crew to set up. While this was going on I went back to the trailer where it was already warm… ahhh the smell of coffee when its cold is marv… Like on Q it started snowing again. Everything in place everyone rushed out and threw the covers off the equipment… lights , camera , action… and you can’t believe one could have called for a more perfict storm setting. nature was playing her part perfict.
tonight between snow showers … little pearls of snow that fall so gently that you can almost hear them… you will find us camped like the wagon trains of old in a semi-circle. Days job done, now comes miller time… and star watching. The clear air is so perfict. A light puff of a breeze of cold air makes you feel alive… eveywhere its white and still. Total Dark, as the tech truned off the generators… One of the crew made a bon fire.. as you walk from the trailer to where the fire is, the snow below your feet make this crusty sound…Now over by the fire… everyone is sitting around watching the cinders sparkle up into the sky to meet the flickering of the stars. Huddled in warm coats someone got out a couple of musical insturments… and now we hear song, laughter and everyone enjoying the moment. No work tonight… Oh look the cook brought over some somores’… and toasting forks to roast the marshmellows in the fire . This should be interesting….
I DVR’ed the show and watched it. I liked you guys in it but the show was, well, so-so. The host didn’t really know anything about RVs or the industry. Apparently a minivan can pull a 26′ Travel Trailer! Wow, cool minivan!
It also appears that you guys are going to get a 5er (What did she call it? A fifth wheeler? What the heck?). Kidding, just the way the show plays you guys off. I know better since you are very fascinated by and enjoy the Airstreams.
Keep up the great work! I always enjoy your content.
The wife and I are talking about going part-time-fulltime. What is that? Out a couple of months and then back. Rinse. Repeat. We have a list of places to visit. I mentioned that some time we could perhaps meet up with you two for a beer or something. We’ll see if this even works out.
I have probably been a little overly diplomatic towards the show, but you understand my position. (Yes, that’s gotta be one hell of a minivan! And I don’t foresee any “fifth wheelers” in our immediate future.)
“Part-time-fulltime” is what I like to call our Airstream travels….because when we hit the road, we are usually gone for a while. I suspect we’ll be out and about the entire month of May, perhaps longer.
Note that we won’t be burdened by any “greatest job” opportunities Down Under! Struck out on that one…
We’d love to meet you guys for a beer. Someday, if and when we get organized, it would be fun to have some “meet and greet” events in different parts of the country. Unfortunately that would require some planning and forethought on my part, which is not my strength!
GMAs, I love your description of your current snowy camping experiences…. It’s downright poetic.
I think you have captured the essence of what’s special about camping… simple, elemental pleasures like cold air, hot coffee, a crackling fire….and the camaraderie of fellow campers.
Glad to hear your Airstream is performing well in the snow. You are making me eager to get back out there!
LUNCH!!!
Well… I could have expanded but then I would have missed out on the fun. These were all professional (hollyweard ) people from the industry… Goes to show that they all can have fun tooo… I am sure it takes us all back to the days of being kids with our folks camping… (by the way what is your past memories and experiences of younger years? Kristies?.. more good stuff… ? )
Indeed with the airstream.. Camping can be fun anytime, in any weather. All you need to do is back the tow veh up and lock n load… the adventure then begins… you know it does … because you get that rush feeling that is like no other. I still get it every time too.
That is what is missing from the HG show. (telling it like it is) It only showed the rich tools you can have to work with…. most bound to resort parking… (ya I would like to see them tow a 5th up here) HG left a lot out that really is the excitement and adventure of RV’n today. (then again it was a sales job only.. that the director got paid for… hmmm) When the professional actress was bouncing around I actually felt frustrated… halfway through… about the same as watching the laundry dry in a Laundromat just going round and round… (I like this.. don’t you like this… this is the best… this is what you need…)
Your specialty Sean, is showing the rest of the mass’s the fun and use you have put your aristream tool to work with. IS this the same adventure and fun that MAKES YOU LONG TO GET BACK OUT THEIR… huh…
Indeed you need to get back in the saddle and start producing what you do best.
is all I am saying. Like in the field… if you build it.. they will come…
How do I know this… easy … each time we stop for Gas or rest… the airstream becomes a people magnet. I am sure you get the same… (where ya been, where ya going…wish I had one of them…etc..) It is this interest ….that shows they are looking for an adventure…
Poooo…. just got word on the link that AK may be canceled… seems they have this little mountain zit that keeps popping up their and is putting fear into the hearts of the powers to be. shake and bake… So travel is saying that scheduling may be canceled… darn…
Kristy and I need to get back to doing some REAL camping. The past year or so, it seems like a lot of our camping has been in urban areas. Last summer we saw way too much asphalt.
We need to get back out to the national parks and enjoy the type of experiences you describe. The type of camping I really enjoy … is being “OUT THERE” in the middle of nature. But that may wait until later this year.
This spring we will be camping our way up the east coast. We’ve been asked to become spokespersons for the RVIA, and we’re honored by the opportunity. We’ll be visiting a lot of cities because that’s where the media opportunities lie. I think we’ll be doing many regional (and perhaps some national) talk shows, spreading the word.
With regards to our Long Long Honeymoon footage, one idea that we really should pursue…is to produce a DOCUMENTARY FILM. We’ve shot several dozen hours of footage all over North America, all in HD. I’d love to hand it off to a top notch editing / film transfer firm in Los Angeles and produce a feature film. Financing such a film would actually be one of the best ways the RVIA and Airstream could invest their marketing dollars. Our material is organic, and people can easily smell the real thing.
One change you may see in our video this year is more voice over. I’m taking your suggestion and including more VO in future episodes. Honestly, it’s not only easier than doing “on camera” improv, it’s also more effective. I’m also striving to spend a little more time on the writing side because that kicks up the quality a notch.
Sorry to hear about the AK cancellation. Keep me posted!
Was there a shovel included? Consult your old Boy Scout Manual on digging a latrine. In the city you can empty the portapottie into a toilet. After trying to pour 5 gallons of waste carefully into the bowl you will never complain about an RV dump station again!
Seriously though we had a porta pottie in our trailer sailboat and it wasn’t that bad as long you didn’t let it go to long.
Thanks Scott…. The experience actually was great fun, although I couldn’t resist showing the “real story” which admittedly isn’t what one might put in a glossy brochure. Our first day was pretty rough with all of the rainfall, but we thoroughly enjoyed Tigre.
As for that toilet… The crux of the problem was the “no number 2!” directive. While I understand the rationale behind this rule, try explaining it to one’s intestines at 3AM. I mean, if you don’t have a solution inside your RV, you have to venture OUTSIDE…and if the outside solutions are closed, you’re up ___ creek with no paddle.
You are quite correct; I’ll never complain about a dump station again!
Let’s not forget the notion of what I would call a “lifestyle choice”, even for those who only use their RVs on weekends or for a vacation of an extended period.
While I realise this doesn’t quite fit in the neat little category presented by the survey results, (even though it might fit into the 77%) there’s something to be said for avoiding the pitfalls of air travel and staying in hotels. With an RV you get to take your own “stuff”, cook your own food, you know who used the bathroom last and most of all, get to sleep in our own bed. Of course, some folks will never quite “get it” and would sooner hang around airports, since they figure a motorhome (in our case) gets horrid fuel economy. On that point I do tend to agree, except that really, it gets fabulous mileage for a house….AND I’m willing to pay a little extra for all the cool stuff I mentioned above.
I’m just sayin’.
I agree completely with the notion of RVing as a lifestyle choice.
For Kristy and me, our hotel choices have been a “hit-and-miss” affair. We’ve stayed in some nice places, but our “misses” were some really bad places to spend the night. After traveling with our RV, I have no desire to check into a hotel again.
With regard to the fuel economy, even last year when gas prices were skyrocketing, many “travel experts” stated that RV travel was still economical.
The survey indicates that despite the scary economy, those of us who already own RVs are not going to stop using ‘em. That’s good news for campgrounds, RV service centers, etc. The industry is hanging on…
Somewhere I have a cost break down of the modes of travel… trains are the most effecent… RV’s are within the top 5 for effecency and cost savings… Airlines are the worst .
It cost more in CO emisssions and fuel waist to fly 300 miles than to drive your RV cross country.
I wish I could find the report as it was done by the crew over at FOX news… natch it never made the view as it was un-politically correct so to speak. Never the less the RV industry should show how the RV is still a contender for a family of 4 to vacation with.
Of course the over night fees just went up in a lot of places… strange how when their are hard times for the masses in economic money making… that the gov and others use it to INCREASE THE USER FEES’. Says something huh… Fuel is a factor but not the major one today. Most are more conserned about the location of where they stay than a couple pennies at the pump. (when you actually look at it… even 15 cents a gallon increase (Calif taxes now went up 1%.. fuel included) is really only $2.70 more to fill the 18 gallon tank…
A lot of savings can be had in the way one drives too… How many floor the poor old engine when the light truns green to keep up with the guys and gals around them going down the road… ever think about how much more fuel it takes to accelerate the mass to speed at that methode than if you allow it to ..ramp up… I think if you plot it out on a test you would be suprised at the amount of fuel it takes…( I know my gas mileage drops from 11 pulling to around 8-9 when I did the test) One could figure out how much mileage they could get compaired to the price of a gallon of gas per mile… and they would be amazed…
Also traveling at a slower speed… from 65 down to 55… makes a big difference too… (wind resistance and less hp requirement) and for those who say… but I have to keep up or else the guys in back get mad… to which I say… well are they paying your gas bill?
Think about it… if you made 2 mpg more per tank of gas… you could save the increase in fuel cost.
That being the major factors… should not be of consern.. as even the hotels and motels rates in compair… are also up. All things being equal… and you don’t have to put up with the guy next door having adult party activities all night long ratting the mirron on your wall… that is cutting into your sleep time… grin
With all the conserns about bugs… indeed sleeping in your own bed and using your own pillow, bathroom.. etc… seems to be more ideal.
Where the RV shines big time is when your in a dry campground… being out their.. and not in a hotel… and you can take your shower in the morning.. while not having to trip down to the public outhouse. To me that is worth the extra fuel and time to haul the trailer.
I wish I could post videos on the web here… as one of the student video graphics techs. put togeather a old film from the 30’s-40’s of a family going camping with the AS WB trailer… its in black and white… then it graphically changes to todays modern trailer…AS in tow.. in color… grin… going down the same road… camping in the caravan campground… switching back and forth from old to new… like stepping from yester year to todays… and nothing seems to have changed much… except for today…its in color and much more warm and detailed… it was a outstanding trailer (film) that he threw togeather… showing then and now… as RV’n hasn’t changed much…its still fun…
Oh and Sean…
One of My ausie friend that came over to be in a flick… tells me that when camping the guys cook… the gals make salids… and the guys only drink beer…while cooking… while cooking??.. if a second male takes over cooking its a sign of intrusion… on the first males’ grill….. not good I guess… and the duity of the first male… who gets the meat… to run the intruder off… ahhh depending on the size and shape of the intruder to the defender cook…I would imagine… smile Never the less the other males that are standing around are to keep the cook at the grill …. this includes keeping him hydrated with lots of BEER… to which he then uses some to spread on the items cooking… (such as beer battered shrimp or links…mmmm) They consider it a insult to the guy cooking if he has to ASK for another BEER… and as such it becomes his duty to promptly BURN what ever is being cooked… for the other males that have Diss’ed him by not keeping him supplied with BEER…
March 30th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
This is probably the best post in the history of blogging.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I agree with Jack it was fun, look forward to more, Congratulations Steve
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:52 am
Thanks much Steve, though it must be said: Jack Daniels is a friend of mine (and if that’s not a country song, it should be!
)
I appreciate your taking the time to check out the new site and post a comment! Next week we’ll post our “part 2″ of the video series. Good stuff yet to come.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Not really sure how I got here but love the site and videos.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Thanks David…. The site is a work in progress, but we’ll be adding lots of content and features in the weeks ahead.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Garmin Nuvi 660 v.s. Tom Tom.
Your thoughts?
April 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I haven’t tried ‘em all, but cnet ranks the Tom Tom GO 720 quite highly (an editors’ top 5 GPS system). But Cnet users rank the Garmin 660 higher than the Tom Tom. With items such as a GPS, I tend to favor the voice of the majority. The user reviews, taken in aggregate, are usually pretty accurate.
As for the Garmin, I still believe it’s a great purchase. We’ve never regretted owning it!
April 5th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
How can I get an mp3 of your “starting Seemore” sound?
April 5th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Mark, I’ll be happy to email you an MP3. I love that sound.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:42 am
[...] Check out Episode 1 of The Long, Long Honeymoon. While you’re at it, check out our website at http://www.thelonglonghoneymoon.com. addthis_url = [...]
April 9th, 2008 at 2:41 am
LOVE that camera view from the back of the Airstream at the beginning of the video!
So how much does it take to bribe a.. Wait, where do i find a bride-to-be in the first place! Did she have any idea the honeymoon would be spent on the road?
Take care guys.
Aaron
April 9th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Aaron,
We get those shots with a car mount. It requires a little effort but the results are worth it!
We really didn’t know at this point we’d go honeymooning on the road. There was a confluence of events. Shortly after we got married, Kristy left her old job. So we suddenly had the opportunity to wander for an extended period of time. And there was our Airstream, just sitting there BEGGING to go somewhere. So it just sorta happened…
Cheers,
Sean
April 9th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I bought a Nuvi 660 in late ‘06 before my first snowbirder jaunt. At the time I traveled alone and the 660 immediately proved its worth. The turn-by-turn voice commands, the large screen and multiple features are great. I used the search feature a lot to find eateries, shops, etc… I just got one on eBay for $290 for a relative.
When I travel I don’t leave home without my Garmin and “The Next Exit.”
April 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Kristy and I have also used the audiobook player quite a bit. If you like audiobooks, it really makes time fly when on a long road trip.
And I agree that the search feature is pretty revolutionary. Suppose you’ve been driving all day, are tired, and want to find a Wal-Mart parking lot. The GPS will lead you to the nearest one.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I love you guys! You are adorable!I live f/t in my 31 foot Zepplin and love it. I am a sun chaser and travel with my 2 dogs from here to there and back again. Buy a house…never! You Honeymoon would be my dream! Now to find a man!
April 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I like the way you write your experiences. We are baby boomers who just purchased our first 5vr. We have had it out twice, no more than 100 miles from the house. We found some minor things that the dealer needed to adjust. It is good to work the bugs out close to home first. But I am looking forward to a long trip and if I can get my husband comfortable with it, go full time eventually. For me it is a love affair all over again.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Amanda, congrats on your new purchase! RV-ing really is a lifestyle. I love it… It really opens up a whole new perspective on our country, or at least it has for me. I will strive to write more about our experiences. I tend to focus so much on the video that I don’ t spend enough time writing. My Mom says I should write more, so maybe it’s time I take that advice
Thank for taking the time to post! Sean
April 16th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hi Bri! Keep on chasing the sun. Once you find the right guy, fulltime a while with him. You will quickly learn if he is really the right guy! Our time together on the Airstream has really bright us closer — in every way imaginable, ha ha… Cheers and thanks for posting!
April 20th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I love it! Keep doing more!
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
It’s Art!! Where can I get one of those T-shirt’s?
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Ha! If you contact Bates RV, I bet they have more t-shirts. You gotta love it…
April 25th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Great video Sean!
We just had Frank on the show and he mentioned you a couple of times
You must have made a real impression!
I’m getting me one of those t-shirts too!
-Tim
theVAP.com
April 29th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Just called them, going to order a shirt. I was just down there 2 weeks ago for fun n sun airshow, and I saw this, and almost died, I wanted to stop so bad and take a picture, I love the Airstream Ranch!!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Hi Sean, $450-$650?? Ouch. We currently (until they’re gone) sell the nuvi 660 for $390.00. I’m really enjoying watching the videos. To Aaron The Truck Driver…it is a well known fact that GARMIN is a superior GPS to the other brand you mention. Thanks.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Darrel, the original suggested retail price of the Nuvi 660 when it debuted was $1076! This brings to light an interesting point. It’s said that GPS devices are among the most rapidly depreciating electronic gadgets you can buy. That’s the thing about technology…it always gets better and cheaper. If you want the latest and greatest, fine, but don’t expect it to hold its value.
The Nuvi 660 seems like a great deal these days. You’re still getting a fantastic GPS, only at a fraction of its original MSRP.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Hi Sean, you are right, the GARMIN units keep getting less expensive with more features. We are now selling the nuvi 760 for $415.00 that even has more features than the 660. BTW, before we sold GPS’ I had a video production company. (1986-2000). Man have things changed in the video world too! I was a beta tester for the first real time non linear editor….the Video Toaster Flyer. I paid $4500.00 for my first 9GB hard drive! I bought 3 broadcast quality cameras over those years at $10,000.00 plus! The last camera I bought was around $3,000.00 and it all but matched the quality of my last 10K camera.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
No doubt about the video equipment! It’s really an exciting time to be involved with video in any capacity. My primary cameras are HD consumer cams — I like their low profile and easy portability. And the image quality in most situations is outstanding! As for editing, the majority of our “long, long honeymoon” videos were edited on my laptop, right there on the couch in our Airstream. Once uploaded to the Internet, they are available around the globe, even on your cell phone. It’s pretty amazing what you can do these days.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I love this one, it cracks me up, I was laughing so hard i almost cried!
May 9th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Thanks Laura! Maybe we’ll run this one on RV.net sometime soon. I could do an entire feature film on the saga of our Airstream roof!
May 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am
that would be good, hey tell your father in law that I have a couple dents he can come fix LOL
May 14th, 2008 at 10:20 am
He really can fix anything! I think that someday we may refresh our Airstream bathroom (new wallpaper, etc.). That would be blog-worthy…
May 14th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I linked in to your site from the rv.net blog and have spent the past hour enjoying some of your work. What a hoot! Thanks! Keep up the good work and I look forward to future episodes. If you ever get up into northern Wisconsin I would love to buy you a beer or share a bottle of that RV wine….
Thanks again! Dan
May 15th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Thanks Dan! Future episodes are on the way. In fact, we hope to take a new full-time trip this summer (July and August). We’ve never been to Wisconsin, but I’m sure we’ll visit someday! I would love to take you up on that beer offer. Wine would be fine too.
May 17th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Sean, Northern Wisconsin is a beautiful place to escape the high humidity of the south in July and August. Up around Lake Superior it’s like the air conditioning is on all the time. We’re planing a loop around Lake Superior after Labor day with our fifth wheel in a mini caravan with another couple. We live in Hayward Wisconsin where there are lots of events and plenty to do if one wants or you can escape to solitude within a few miles. Lots of fresh water lakes and world class Musky fishing. I think you need to add a picture of you and your bride standing in the mouth of the 4 story tall Musky at the National Fresh Water fishing hall of fame in Hayward. The world Lumberjack Championships are held in the last weekend of July. The Lumberjack fest has also featured the Dock Dog competition the past couple years as well… Take Care! Dan
May 26th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I like the ever improving look of you blog site. I check in every few weeks. I hope I don’t miss the take off for the next big trip. Your video blogs are as always the best out there.
May 26th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Duane, thanks for checing in on us. We are targeting July and August for another big trip (one with loads of fresh video, etc.). We are thinking Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. Stay tuned!
By the way, you can subscribe to our site by clicking the orange RSS button on our main page. This way you’ll get alerts whenever we post something new.
Cheers, Sean
May 29th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
You nailed it ….. Ft.Wilderness is one of the best ways to do Disney. We’ve stayed on property at some of the WDW hotels but there is just something about the feeling and freedom you get at Ft. Wilderness. We have four kids and you can let them roam around on the bikes like I did as a kid …. it is one of the best kept Disney secrets. Did you do the Hoop Dee Doo Revue ?
Really enjoy the video blogs …. makes me want to hit the road everytime I watch one. How about putting together a top 10 favorite campground video …. or maybe your favorties parks by region.
Keep up the great work documenting your cross country adventures.
Chris
May 31st, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Wow! We were there at the same time, and we were in an Airstream too! Well, in an Airstream *motorhome*….lol….. you’re absolutely correct about Ft Wilderness being the best kept disney secret – it’s fabulous!!
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Love the new video! Keep up the good work.
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Amazing video with the mountain goat!
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Thanks Mary! As a hiker, I was startled. As a filmmaker, I was thrilled.
You have a cool website yourself. I read your stories of Costa Rica with interest. You might be interested to know that we have small scorpions in Alabama. I killed one tonight that had crawled into our shower!
June 9th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Sean & Kristy -
I’ve been following your trip and enjoying it immensely – I’m also really envious of your video skills! But I have to say just one, little thing about this post …. it’s not the Snake River …. it is the Colorado…. but it is kind of right – the Snake River also is in a gorgeous canyon, Hell’s Canyon, and they also whitewater raft there. On the Oregon/Idaho border – come along up here, it is a beautiful time of year.
Keep living the dream.
Carol White
http://www.roadtripdream.com
June 9th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Hey Carol!
Oops, thanks for the correction. Maybe THAT’S why we failed to raft the Snake River. Because it’s not there.
Actually I rafted the Snake many years ago in the Grand Tetons, and I suppose it was stuck in my brain.
Anyway, thanks again. I will check out your website! It appears to be right down our alley.
Best regards,
Sean
June 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Yes, it is also the Snake down in the Tetons – we’ve rafted there. See, your geography skills aren’t totally wrong!
Keep enjoying…
Carol
http://www.roadtripdream.com
June 12th, 2008 at 12:03 am
In the interest of looking slightly less foolish, I have edited the article. Next time, I will do a little Google-powered memory jog.
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
Sean & Kristy,
I’ve just spent an enjoyable morning going through this blog. It’s been great fun and I’ve really enjoyed it. Keep it up and I hope to see more fun stuff from you. We just bought a Airstream and pick it up next week and can’t wait to get on the road. This particular post drew me in because I scouted a place out in Borrega a couple of weeks ago that will be a great place this winter for a trip and it has a scary road.
By the way let your sponsor RV.net know we went to their site from your links have it bookmarked for future needs.
Larry and Diane Hayden
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Hi Larry and Diane,
Thanks so much for taking the time to post! You made my day. Positive energy keeps the ol’ blog (not to mention the Airstream) rolling forward.
Congrats on your Airstream. You’re gonna love it. It’s not a product…it’s a lifestyle.
And thanks for checking out RV.net. Their “expert blog” is really a fantastic resource for all things RV related. They have some cool things slated for the future, so stay tuned.
Safe travels, and happy Airstreaming!
Sean (and Kristy)
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 am
I also recently bought a Baby Q for my A/S. Mine was purchased on line thru Target so I could get one with a red lid that matched George (Foreman Grill) and Cole (man-fold-n-go). I always talk about keeping my boyfriends in the A/S. We love this little grill and have always questioned the small welders gas tanks. BUT my husband just bought a 12 foot propane hose adaptor so we can hook it up to the A/S propane tanks. Yes you are limited to 12 feet. But we like the height of the grill on the truck tailgate. Or we can take a spare large propane tank on the big trips and put it where ever we want.
Best Regards-
Alice Wymer
Oakland, FL
WBCCI #4249
‘04 28′ International CCD (MINE)
F-350 Diesel Crew Cab L/B (HIS)
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:15 am
Hi Alice! We need to investigate getting one of those propane hose adapters. It makes a lot of sense, especially since we’re already hauling around a couple of 40-pound tanks.
It seems a little silly to go chasing welders’ tanks when we have all that propane attached to our Airstream. Anyway, thanks for the tip. And happy Airstreaming!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Loved Episode 1. Can’t wait for the next episode!
June 25th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I have been watching your blog since you made your move to this location. I love it. I am interested in buying a old airstream and fixing it up. I would love to see you post a “nickel tour” of your Airstream. Maybe that can be a upcoming episode.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Scott, thanks for your comment. Our blog is a constant “work in progress” but at least there is some progress being made.
Great idea on the nickel tour. If you check out the right sidebar, you’ll see an old and somewhat haphazard video tour I put together last year. But it’s certainly due for an update.
As for the vintage Airstream, go for it! Kristy and I were ready to pull the trigger on one last year, but we got impatient (with our wedding date set) and ended up buying a more recent model. I’ve always thought the vintage units are the best deal in RVing. The exterior styling is timeless, and the interior you can customize to whatever specs you want.
Thanks again, and stay tuned. We’ve got some fun stuff planned!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I am really looking forward to it. My problem is I have champagne taste on a beer budget.
Not sure if I can afford the newer ones. Still waiting for the right one to come along. I’m a bargain shopper.
Keep up the great work.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I understand. I am also a bargain shopper. If you are a “do it yourself” kind of guy, you could pick up an old donor Airstream, polish the exterior, gut the interior, and finish it at your own pace. That would obviously be a MAJOR undertaking, however. I would be overwhelmed.
There are firms out there who do nothing but restore vintage Airstreams and travel trailers, customizing them for clients. I think that by the time you total it all up, you’ll end up spending $25k or more for one of these. It all depends on how extravagant you get with the finishings.
Perhaps the best deals are for “new-ish” (ie. 1990s and up) Airstreams on the resale market. Although they hold their value pretty well, Airstreams depreciate like everything else. In the current market climate, I bet you can find a nice deal.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Folks – - -
I stumbled across you Bloggings tonight (and that was difficult to do sitting in a office chair), but I just finished installments #47, #48 then #1 thru #5. I happen to be from Destin and enjoyed the view.
I just want thank you for the refreshing take/attitude you both generate on your travels so far and sir . . . You are sooo lucky to Walk About with the lovely flower on your arm.
May I ask (1) What video setup you have (great clarity, composition and good editing) and (2)what the both of you do for a living. I am 63 still working in St Augustine, FL which is pleasant, but you both seem to have gotten smart and are enjoying life early in life.
Again, thankew for your efforts.
Guy Rivard
RivardRV@gmail.com
June 26th, 2008 at 1:49 am
How did you get the night vision footage? Is that with some sort of adapter for the HV20 or did you use a different camera altogether?
Thanks and keep up the good work. The videos are excellent (and witty)
June 26th, 2008 at 8:15 am
David, you have a keen eye (not to mention a keen understanding of the HV20
). Actually we shoot our blog with two HV20s and one tough old HC3. I say “tough old” because the thing has survived being dropped a couple of times, and it usually serves as the car mount cam. Every time I think about getting rid of it, a situation arrives in which it comes in handy. In this case, we had it mounted on the top of our truck facing backwards, and switched into Sony’s NightVision recording mode. The NightVision is actually a pretty cool feature, as evidenced here. It really works.
I recently got a Letus Mini, to which one of our HV20s will remain permenently mated. So we should start working some 35mm adapter footage into the blog in the weeks to come. Thanks for checking it out!
June 26th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Guy, be careful when stumbling across bloggings…they can be dangerous.
We love Destin. In fact, it’s sort of a “home away from home” for us. If you think that fellow riding his bike along Highway 30A looks a lot like me, that’s because it probably IS me!
We shoot our blog in 1080i high-definition (although they are displayed at 720P here on the site) using two Canon HV20 cameras, and one older Sony HC3. I edit using Sony Vegas Pro software. Thanks for your comments about clarity and composition. These blog videos actually require a lot of effort to produce, but they are also a lot of fun.
As far as what we do, about ten years ago I started developing Internet content…which is a fancy way of saying we built websites. A couple of years ago, I developed an interest in digital filmmaking, so we eventually started this honeymoon blog as a means of exploring it. And here we are still doing so, today. If all goes well, we’re going to really grow our “online show” in the near future. Thanks for checking us out, and please stay tuned!
July 1st, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Hello,
Your videos are quite entertaining and the image quality is very impressive. Great job on the site. As an RV/trailer owner, what do you think of this mygallons.com deal? The math for automobile drivers doesn’t make so much sense, barring another spike or large volumes, but as a boater and (full disclosure: RV accessory salesman) it seems that locking in current gas prices could really save some serious cash. I can go through 50 gallons a weekend, and while I know the solution’s not permanent, it gives me an excuse to plan out a boating trip when I purchase the option on the fuel. I am not as familiar with RVing, and was just curious what you thought. Thanks, Shuyler.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Hi Shuyler, thanks for your comments. These videos are the result of probably too much effort on our part.
I just checked out mygallons.com. I’ll preface my remarks with the caveat that I knew NOTHING about the service before your post. That said, the idea is a fascinating one, and perhaps holds some promise. It’s my understanding that the current profitability of Southwest Airlines is due to its practice of hedging fuel costs by purchasing in advance. The mygallons website appears to apply the same concept on a micro/consumer level.
Of course, the significent downside risk is that fuel prices actually DECREASE…in which case you will have overpaid, at least until prices resume their upward spiral.
Cheers,
Sean
July 4th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Hey Guys – You’ve got the right message! Here is a story I wrote right before Memorial Day that has a similar message – I got a lot of media play all over the country on it. Thought your readers might enjoy it too. Happy 4th of July!
Carol
***************
5 Reasons Why Gas Prices Shouldn’t Cancel Your Summer Fun
Everyone seems to be complaining about the high cost of fuel causing them to cancel their summer vacation plans. Carol White, co-author of the book “Live Your Road Trip Dream”, says, “I don’t like the higher prices, but if you take a realistic look at it, it’s something that most of us can deal with.”
Did you cancel last year’s plans? According to AAA, gas prices have increased an average of $.56 a gallon since last Memorial Day. Let’s go crazy and say it has been $.75 a gallon in your area. If your summer trip is 1000 miles long and your car gets an average of 23 MPG, your fuel will cost $32.60 more this year than last. One dinner at home instead of eating out before you go will save that much. Is $32 any reason to cancel your vacation?
What does it really cost? When you add up all the expenses of a vacation, fuel only counts as about the second or third highest expense. Typically food and lodging will cost more than fuel. If you need to cut back, consider RVing or eating more meals in, or renting a slightly less expensive lodging.
How can you afford to RV? According to a study done for the RV Association, RVing is still less expensive than piling a family of four into an airplane and hotels for vacation. Using a similar example to the one above and a typical mid-size RV fuel economy of 12 MPG, the additional fuel cost for RV fuel this year would be $62.50. This is easily off-set by the lower cost of campgrounds vs. motels, resorts or cabins at your favorite destination.
What about family bonding? One of the best parts of taking a road trip or an RV get-away is the extra time you get to spend with your traveling companions. In the close quarters of automobiles, RVs, campgrounds and motels, a family has the opportunity to enjoy old-fashioned fun like cards, board games, campfires and more. It really is fun talking to your kids. Ditch the electronics just for the week and see what might happen.
And the final reason you shouldn’t let fuel get in your way? You and your family deserve the time together and the time away. Have everyone work together to be able to afford the extra cost of gas. Go on a Starbucks-free week, check for the best fuel prices, just say “no” to an evening at the movies, or take a pass on that cute new pair of shoes and you will have the added money to cover fuel. Don’t let the “psychology of price,” rather than real price get the best of you.
Have fun and enjoy your summer vacation.
*************************
Carol White is the co-author of the award-winning book, “Live Your Road Trip Dream” (www.roadtripdream.com) – the ultimate road trip planning guide for extended road trips. Carol and her husband Phil have traveled over 50,000 road miles in the past several years, visiting all fifty states and having visited all of the National Parks in the “lower forty-eight.” As national spokespeople for the RV Industry, they now spend their days speaking, writing, and helping others to live their dreams.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Hi Carol, thanks much for sharing your article! I agree completely with your point about “the psychology of price.” While no one’s thrilled to be paying more at the pump, if you actually do the math, the additional expense can be easily offset by making wise food and lodging choices.
Food expense is a key variable, and with an RV you happen to be hauling your own kitchen.
Kristy and I usually pack the fixin’ for sandwiches. We also make good use of our Weber grill. Take a few meals by the campfire (which is usually more fun than dining out, anyway) and your gas expense is just about covered.
When traveling from point A to point B, we’ve also been known to occasionally park overnight in a Wal-Mart parking lot. You can’t beat the price (free!) so this sort of boondocking does save a little extra money. Again, at least with an RV you have this choice.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Just revisited your blog and I am greatly impressed on the progress you have made, a sponsor and a beautiful video presentation! We bought our 31 08 Classic about the same time, May of 07. After last years marathon cross country trip we had planned this summer on going up to Newfoundland. But a medical situation occurred here so we are now bound to South Florida for the summer. Interesting enough I just came back from scouting a county campground less than 4 miles from the house that we intend to use next weekend. Your video was almost psychic in its relevance. So I guess I will not need to complain about fuel costs!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Wow – Very Cool Blog. I’d love to get an Airstream. Great videos.
July 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Thanks much! Airstreams really are great. You’re not only buying a travel trailer, you’re buying a lifestyle…and you’re joining a community!
July 14th, 2008 at 9:30 am
hey Howard! I remember emailing with you last year.
Thanks for your kind complements. Our blog is a constant “work in progress” but at least it is progressing.
We are really happy to be working with our sponsors — RV.net and RVsearch.com are excellent sites, and they are run by really nice people.
Sorry to hear about your medical situation, but it sounds like you are making the best of it. Camping close to home really is fun. I’m amazed at how it’s possible to feel “out there” when you’re only a few miles away — but somehow it works! We plan on doing a lot of Airstreaming later this summer and into the autumn. Our autumn Airstreaming will largely be in our native area (attending football games, etc.).
Anyway, glad to hear that you are getting some good use out of that nice Classic!
Cheers,
Sean
July 16th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Great site!!! Ive been following you two for a while now and you have contributed significantly to pushing me over the edge!….I just parted with a chunk of change and bought a new AS International 28! I’ll pick it up in Oregon in a few weeks. Look for me on the road! Thanks for keeping everyone posted on your adventures!
July 16th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Roger, wow! Congratulations on your new Airstream. Some friends of ours bought a 28-foot International a few years ago, and they LOVE it. Oregon will be a beautiful place to take it on a maiden voyage, should you so choose. We really enjoyed the beautiful coastline last year. I suggest you make that first trip to someplace special.
Anyway, congrats again, and enjoy!
July 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Love the blog. Loved Banffff. Roll Tide!! Maybe we’ll see you at a game this fall.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thanks Mike… and a hearty “Roll Tide!” right back at ya! We are definitely planning to attend some games this fall. In addition to the ones in T-town, we are thinking about taking our Airstream on the road for the Tennessee and Georgia games, amongst others. Nothing beats tailgating at a Bama SEC contest.
July 20th, 2008 at 6:02 am
As I sit down in front of my computer each morning, after moving “the Family” (aka myself and my 4 “Kids” – dogs to many!) from the bedroom to the living room – which is basically the extent of OUR travel during the day, with the occasional foray out the front door for “potty trips” – I wonder what the day is going to hold!
I STILL marvel that I find such amazing things in the most simplistic ways!
I stumbled upon your website when I was searching for a “Pack It Out” which is a containment system for “Doggie Waste”. I was shocked to see that this was actually a very large “search” that had very little to do with what I was looking for!
I first went to an Airstream forum just to see what some had to say about this concept, read a thread, clicked on an interesting post’s ID name which then brought up their blog who inturn linked to YOUR blog!
And boy…considering I am sitting here in my livingroom in my tiny apartment in an even tinier town in southeast Texas…I have seen some remarkable places through your eyes!!
Just wanted to let you know that you touching more lives than those who are “Airstreaming across our Great Lands”! Living with severe chronic pain and fatigue doesn’t allow for much activity…but the INTERNET allows for me to see things I would otherwise never see!
And who says (and I would be remiss if I said I sometimes do!) that tehcnology is a BAD THING??
Keep doing what you are doing…being a beautiful couple out there roaming our vast expanse, seeking out the natural places that feed the soul. At least that is what I see!
You feed the soul for many…and not all out there following in your footsteps!
Will be watching now…
July 20th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Felt the need to comment again…hope you don’t mind!
I have never “RV’d” anywhere – though at one time in my life it was a dream I had for the future, but as has been mentioned in the comment section here but Howard and Carol (the comments are on her own site) health issues can and do put the end to a dream such as this! People do take their health for granted and it’s so easy to put things off “for someday” only to have “someday” never arrive due to them! Love seeing that so many haven’t and are allowing those that it has to enjoy it this way – thank you!
But my memories of camping are very vivid…and most of them are in fact very close to home! A week spent in a tent with our dogs literally less than 10 miles from home – and when we needed something, one or both of us packed up the car and ran home to get it! LOL!! Or my first “real boyfriend” and I taking off for the week with nothing but a planned area in mind and literally sleeping in the back of his mini truck with a blue tarp thrown over it, pulled off the side of the road somewhere in the wilderness – though not sure this is thought too highly of these days! OH, and of course the requisite gun between us for a “just in case” moment – whether that be bear or man! HA!
Growing up 35 miles from San Francisco allowed me unlimited access to some of the most beautiful places in the world…all within a few hours driving distance! I always found it simply amazing that in one hour I can be standing at the end of our beautiful country on a beach and then 4 hours later standing in the snow in a fabulous mountain range – with people everywhere or people nowhere to be seen within a few miles of each other!
As your entry says…I don’t think that people give enough thought to their immediate surroundings and miss making lifelong memories!
Thank you for the reminder…my memories have been stirred and will forever be treasured!
July 20th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
For some reason this video isnt working for me? Any ideas Sean?
July 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Branda, thanks much for your post. You’ve offered an important reminder of why it’s important to “seize the day” — we never know what lies ahead for us, healthwise. We’ve got to make the most of our opportunities, whatever they may be.
And on that note, you also make a great point about the power of this new technology. When we started our blog over a year ago, the original idea was just to keep friends and family “in the loop.” But it’s really amazing what has transpired, as we’ve virtually “met” thousands of people around the world. I too am sometimes stunned by the power we now have at our fingertips with words, photos, and video. And THANK YOU, Brenda, for your words of support and encouragement! Your comments have been among my all-time favorites that we have received.
Laura, I think the problem is with our server at Vimeo. In other words, it’s VIMEO that’s having problems…a lot of videos are down right now. In the future, we may just start serving our own videos here, because Vimeo has been unreliable as of late. Sorry about that!
July 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
No problem, ill keep checking back to see when it is back up!
July 20th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
It’s working now! Sorry about the technical issues, everyone…
July 26th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Found your Lussier Hot Springs video on YouTube and am planning on adding it to new article, on YaGotta.ca about the West Kootenays.
Chers!
July 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Words…where are the words that are normally flowing out of my mouth or fingers??
One thing I did find were the tears – they are freely flowing!
What a truly beautiful tribute you made to a very special man who I do hope teaches many people to “seize the day” and “don’t put off ’til tomorrow what you can do today”.
But to have my message I sent to you when I ran across your blog mixed in with this message?? Truly, I don’t know what the right words are…as thank you seems so trite and not even really what I want to say.
However, the message in this blog is SO VERY TRUE!!! I had so many plans, so many dreams…all of those things that someone at almost 28 has in their head for “the future”. Except my future changed the day I became sick, and I had to learn to live a new life. My life today, 11+ years later, resembles NOTHING of what it did before I got sick and even less of what I thought it would be at this point in my life.
Turning 40 on my next birthday, I sometimes allow myself to wonder “what could have been”.
One of those things is DEFINITELY part of the life you and your wife have – travelling our great beautiful country in an RV. I thought “we” (whoever my partner/spouse was) and our dogs and possibly children would pack up at least a few times a year if not more often and just “go”. Where we ended up, could be planned or could be just wherever we stopped.
So for anyone who has followed your blog and thought “how fun that would be someday” – DO NOT PUT IT OFF FOR SOMEDAY!!!
As Randy and Sean have stated – someday might not be there when you finally decide that “someday” is “today”.
To say I am honored is a major understatement…but with that, I will stop.
And now, I must go call my Mom to tell her about this! I FEEL FAMOUS…hehehehe!
Brenda from the tiny town in Southeast Texas
PS…Told you I would be watching! And when is your next trip planned? Is there one on the horizon?
July 29th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
And of course, pouring Happy Camper wine into the totally unpretentious Airstream “Old Fashioned” makes the experience oh so much better! (not shown in this particular blog but seen in others – in case you thought I wasn’t paying attention or something!)
This is what I love about you two…you obviously enjoy the “finer things in life” and seem to be able treat yourselves with those things on a somewhat-regular basis (though of course I have no idea what your financial status is!!!).
Yet you don’t have the same “uptight stuff” that comes along with “the finer things in life” like I am sure many assume!
NO NEED TO PACK EXPENSIVE WHITE AND RED WINE GLASSES – or like some feel the need to have…two or three different red and two white! After all, they take up room, and to insure they aren’t broken – take up even more precious room.
So the Airstream “Old Fashioned” works just fine for Happy Camper wine!
HAHA – I made a rhyme!
Thanks for sharing yet another fabulous blog and insight into your travelling life. I just wonder what life is like when you aren’t RV’ing across the country. Have a blog for that?
Brenda
July 31st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
That was fantastic man. I got chill bumps… Seriously… Dreams here I come… I’m moving to Phoenix at the end of next month… Hope you guys are doing well… Keep up the good work…
July 31st, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Letus Mini? Magic Bullet? Beautiful shots…
July 31st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Doug, guilty as charged! I love the Letus Mini + HV20 combination. Pretty much all of my 35mm shots have been handheld. I am still looking for a new camera, but haven’t made up my mind yet. It will either be an XHA1, or one of the latest and greatest prosumer releases (Panasonic HPX170 or Sony Z7U).
Brenda, I’ve said before that it’s pretty hard to act like a snob when you’re holding a sewer hose – LOL Camping is a down-to-earth activity in more ways than one. Good call on the Airstream old-fashioned glasses! That’s what we usually bring on trips. They were a wedding gift from from Airstreaming friends of ours.
Regarding a blog for our life off the road, well it probably just wouldn’t be as interesting. I spend way too much time watching movies.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Thanks Doug! I’m excited to hear about your move to Phoenix. Good for you… I know it’s been on your radar screen for a while now. I always feel that I’d rather pursue an opportunity and see what happens than go through life wondering “What if…” Please keep in touch. We will always be available here, and we hope to see you in Arizona (or Hollywood) someday.
Brenda, THANK YOU for sharing your story with us all. Really, your original post inspired me!
As for our next trip, we may depart for Colorado as soon as next week. Stay tuned!
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
We have been camping for years, and bought a baby Weber 2 years ago. Never had a better BBQ. Just love it! And yes, we use it at home often, since we prefer it to our big one. It’s just wonderful for cooking everything from a roast to burgers.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Sean, have the alignment of the axles checked. I don’t think it’s the tires.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Thanks Jack… We are at an Airstream dealership now. We’re going to have a couple of items checked tomorrow, including the wheel and axle. I suspect the problem is the axle, but am hoping it’s just a wheel that’s badly out of round. Stay tuned!
August 8th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
After reading that you hit the curb making the turn, no doubt by the looks of the tire your axle is bent up from the impact. You didn’t say how fast you were going when you hit the curb…obviously it was an accident when you hit the curb but, it’s just something you don’t want to incurr with any speed. Probably going to have to replace it, anxious to hear what was wrong.. Enjoy reading your blog, we have 25′ FB 2005…
August 8th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
After making about 18 phone calls this morning, I found ONE bottle of it that is within 2 hours of me! Im taking it to our Airstream Rally next weekend for our Happy Hour!
August 11th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Sean…I cant believe it…today we drove from Amarillo back home to Tulsa and passed the RV Park in Shamrock. My eye is always keen to see Airstreams and I spotted (around noon) yours in the RV park (apparently all alone, as I didnt see any other RVers there. Now that I know it was you and Kristy Im kicking myself that I didnt at least stop and say “thanks” for your great website and videos. Next time I’ll be sure to stop and hand you a fine bottle of wine in person!
August 11th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Roger, wow! Yes, that was us at the Shamrock park. I was probably uploading the video as you drove by (no joke).
I shot, edited and uploaded this one pretty quickly, because we wanted to show it to the Schlegels before we departed.
We’ll be uploading a fresh version of the video in a day or so, once I insert a few shots of the “U Drop Inn Cafe” downtown. This was the place used as a model for the movie Cars. After we departed the Schlegels’ campground, we parked our Airstream out front.
Thanks for your kind comments about the blog! That sort of thing keeps me motivated. There will be more to come, now that we’re back on the road. For now, I’m signing off…from an Amarillo “Red Robin.”
August 11th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
By the way, Laura, I’m glad you’re checking out Happy Camper. I’m sure it will be a hit at the next Rally. In fact, you might bring along a sharpie or paint pen and have your friends sign the bottle! It will be a cool conversation piece and momento.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I cannot understand why so many RVers drop on their hands and knees to worship Wal-Mart, the largest CHINESE industry! Wal-Mart stopped being an AMERICAN icon many years ago. I used to shop at Wal-Mart quite often when it was a real American store with mostly American made products. When Wal-Mart started moving almost all production and assembly work to China; some time before Sam Walton passed away, their quality and dependability seemed to go the same way. I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart several years ago and have no plans to ever go back. There are too many other stores that I can patronize and depend upon for quality and financial value.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
LeBron, thanks for your comment. There’s no doubt that Wal-Mart is a controversial subject for many.
I understand your angst with regard to the decline of the American manufacture and assembly base, but must question whether it was Wal-Mart that “started moving production and assembly work to China.” Wal-Mart just distributes and sells products; it doesn’t handle production and assembly. One suspects that the issue extends far beyond one retailer. As powerful as Wal-Mart may be, in the end it’s only one store. As you mention, there are many competitors and alternatives in the marketplace.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your views. You are expressing them in the right way – respectfully, and with your wallet!
August 11th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Hey Sean nice new toy! I dig the new mic.
As Antsy McClain said “Living in Aluminum!” I look forward till the next entry.
Matt
August 11th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
hey Matt! Great to know you are still out there. Who’d a thunk we would still be blogging?
Yes, I am digging the wireless mic setup. Truth be told, I’ve had that stuff for a couple of years, but am just now getting around to using it. Doh! The handheld mic works especially well in windy environments. For some reason, it seems we’re ALWAYS dealing with a windy environment.
Anyway, stay tuned for more. We are headed to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the morning, so we’ll probably shoot some stuff there (err, with our cameras).
Cheers,
Sean
August 12th, 2008 at 6:11 am
OOOH OOOH can we go to Roswell I want to touch the eyes please……. please. Maybe we can go to the Million dollar museum……. are we there yet I have to pee. Can I get one of the funny green plastic heads with the big green eyes.
Matt
August 12th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
LOL – Matt, we are settled into our campsite in Santa Fe. Although I LOVE the idea of taking an Airstream to Roswell (since it already looks like a UFO!) I dunno if we will make it on this trip. We will probably hang around Santa Fe for a while, then head north into Colorado. Right now, I am just enjoying the scenery (not to mention the local brew).
August 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Hi Sean & Kristi!
Really enjoyed all your videos and always look forward to the next one. Any chance that you might attend Burning Man this year? I’ve never been there myself but it would be interesting to view your take on the event. Here’s link to their website. Your heading in that direction.
http://www.burningman.com/
August 13th, 2008 at 4:41 am
aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh beeeer!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Steve, I’m not sure if we’ll make it to Burning Man, though it sounds like a blast. There’s definitely a big Airstream crowd there. I’ve heard it’s a wild scene! If we go, I will try to convince Kristy to dye her hair green, or something like that.
But our planned route from here is Colorado; Kristy has never been before, and I haven’t been in many years.
Matt, I like pale ales, and the Santa Fe Pale Ale is pretty good. It’s not better than Sierra Nevada or Sweetwater, but it’s good.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I was so excited. I came home from an Internet Marketing Trade Show called the Affiliate Summit. I have a blog about my world. Norbert and Jaye Nell Schlegel are my parents and I grew up at this campground. I just live about 1/2 a mile from them, and I help them with the campground at times. I was so excited to see the wonderful quality of video that you did and wonderful portrayal of my parents. Thank you for blogging about them. Now maybe they will understand the power of a blog. I have started a few blogs, and I have tried to explain how a blog can even help a business. Thank you, my parents are the great role models of my life. They raised us with love and respect and taught us to stand up for what is right above all else, and that family is the most important thing in life.
Thanks soooooo much !!
Teresa Caldwell
http://www.4UrWorld.com
http://www.4UrLoveLife.com
August 14th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Teresa, we really enjoyed the opportunity to meet and visit with your parents. To borrow a line from your father, they are “top quality people” and it was our pleasure to spend time with them. Even though we only stayed a short while, we left feeling like we had made some new friends! We look forward to visiting them again in the future.
By the way, I’m glad you like our video. Thanks much for your post! It made my day.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Well Thank you guys, My Mom is an angel, and my Dad can be stubborn, but he is a good man. They are loved by many of their return visitors. I was gone to Boston for 5 days and I could not wait to get back and give my Mom a hug. It was hard to leave her. I just know I am the lucky one of their children, because I am the only one who lives in the same town, and I get to see them almost everyday where my Brother and Sister don’t get to see them near as much. I am lucky because I get the gift of time with them, that is something you can never get back, is time. I love your site, and it looks like you guys are doing what I am trying to learn to do, marketing online. You do a good job with your blog. Maybe I will get to meet you guys when you come back through.
Thanks,
Teresa Caldwell
http://www.4UrWorld.com
August 15th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Sean, Kristy,
Stop what your doing! Last night I went to bed and had a nightmare about you and the blog and the wheel problems you have been having. It was worse that I thought. Carnage of massive size and scale. So I went down to the local tea leaf, tarot card reader, exorcist/home decorator and stylus to the stars and I got the low down on my dream.
In between trying to wrangle the kids and stop sneezing from the burning tea leaves and the patchouli incense I knew I was in the right place, and had the right person. After I bought $1000.00 in clothes for the kids so that they were in the latest fashion she worked on me!
I never knew, you could not wear orange shirts and tan shorts with Teva’s. Whew, I am so glad I dodged that bullet, Thank god!
What she had to say made so much sense. So I got the $199.99 enlightenment special I believe her 100%. She said that you and Kristy need a new Airstream, a 34 Classic Limited S/O right away. She said to call her so that she can get your funk schwey in line with your chili? It was getting a little blurry by then the needles in my forehead were starting burn. All’s I know I am styling with my powder blue Hagar slacks and 1 inch horizontal striped shirt with a serial number on the back in 3/4 white boot and orange belt I am so glad I went, now I have all the tools I need to stay safe.
The one thing I don’t understand why more people don’t dress like this more often. I feel like a million bucks and, I get a police escort wherever I go! Wow how to feel so important thank you so much Miss Kiddy Kat and thank you for the $10,000.00 in home furnishings my wife will love the bean bag sofas and the nest of fondue pots. Ya just need to tell me where to put the life size gold and red volure statue of “boota the wonder man”………god I hope I have enough black paint for the wall and ceiling.
Safe travels and look forward to your next blog update
Matt
August 15th, 2008 at 10:32 am
LOL Matt, you had me going for just a minute there. I guess I am having nightmares about our tire also! In my bad dreams I see a blowout…and much gnashing of teeth. Really, we’re going to have to get the thing examined AGAIN. We’ve got to get to the bottom of these problems.
As for the clothing issues, Kristy has forbade me to ever wear black socks with shorts! Although I do think that once you are able to do so in public, you know you TRULY don’t care what anyone else thinks. In fact, that may have been one of the great Buddha’s steps of enlightenment (Step #248 — Wear black socks with shorts. In public.)
Also, with regard to that new Airstream, Kristy fell in love with a 30-footer! It would give us an extra four-feet. As you know, in an RV every square-inch counts. I love the 34-footers but am a little intimidated by the prospect of towing ‘em. Although it WOULD fit with our “long, long” theme quite nicely!
Thanks, if I get a chance I will put together a quick blog video this weekend with some Taos footage.
Sean
August 15th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Teresa, I agree… nothing beats quality time with family. You will cherish the memories of the time you’ve been able to spend with your parents. We were very impressed with your family roots there in Shamrock — over 100 years on the same land! Also, we saw some of the photos of your (great great great?) grandparents from the early 1800s. Your family history is fascinating and well documented.
Thanks for your comments about our blog. It is a work in progress. We could do a better job of marketing, but we try to make the website a little better every day.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Sean, I follow you’re blog faithfully. Really do enjoy it. I know this isn’t the proper forum for this question but I don’t have any other way to ask it. Would you mind telling me what software you use to edit your clips?
August 15th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Hi Boomer! Thanks for your note.
As for video editing software, I use and recommend Sony Vegas Pro. I use version 7, but version 8 is available.
I have also used Adobe Premiere Pro, but prefer the interface of Vegas.
If you are an Apple guy, iMovie or Final Cut will do the trick!
August 17th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Wow Sean,
That video was just like watching Michael Phelps swim, it was over before it began.
August 17th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Hey there it is I got it now!
August 17th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Yet another good one! It’s amazing I went back to the 2nd or 3rd entry and man have you gotten great with editing and putting it all together my hats off to the both of you. I know my wife would never let me set up for a shot or let me go on about a place we have been too. Just awesome! I have a question about Sony Vegas I don’t want to clog the blog with stupid questions. Let me know where I can shoot ya email about some tech questions.
Matt
August 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
LOL, well I like being compared to Michael Phelps, in any event!
Yeah, it is kind of funny to look back at some of our early posts on YouTube. Last night while I was editing this video, I said to Kristy, “Remember when these things were just 2 or 3 shots and took 10 minutes to edit?” They have grown a lot more complex over the past year, for better or worse. In the future, may try to post a few “rough cut” videos alongside the more heavily edited ones.
If you want to talk Vegas just drop me an email: seanmichael@aol.com.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Im glad you talked about the email list, because I have yet to get an email LOL! Looks like you guys are having a great trip!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Laura, that is on my “to do” list! Promise!
Oh, we also started a new Facebook group (Kristy is in charge of that project!)….
August 19th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I have driven I40 from NC to CA many times (in my Jeep) and usually zoom through Texas as fast as possible. Next time, hopefully in an RV, I will stop and camp with the Schlegels on Route 66!
August 19th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
We just returned from a trip to Western Canada and would like to say that we used Wal-Mart’s a lot. The one I really thought was great was in Calgary, Alberta. As I always go in and ask the Manager if we can park overnight, I was surprised to be told that we only had to register. They had a sheet called Overnight Parking which we put the date, no. of days we would like to stay, our licence number and name. Then we signed it. That was the only one that did that but I thought that was great. They wanted to know who was staying overnight on their lot. Thought I would share that with others.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Sweet, just sent my request to join the facebook group!!
And just an FYI, i may only 21, but I know how a men’s To Do List goes…….lets just say I wont be holding my breath on getting an email from the list anytime soon LOL
August 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
LOL … I have my hands full at the moment with filmmaking, but emailing will happen soon! Ummm, maybe …
August 20th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Hey, Im cool with the Filmmaking!!!, Keep them coming!!!
August 21st, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I posted some fresh pics today. Usually I have my hands full with video, but we will try to snap more photos as we go along.
August 21st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Martha, the Schlegels are really great. To make the most of the experience, I suggest you spend some time with them inside the store. They have several photos hanging on the walls that document their experiences over the years. Also, be sure to sign the chalkboard in the back room. We did, and though (due to time constraints) it didn’t make it into our video, in the future I’m going to do a fresh edit that includes the board. It’s really cool. Also, you might ask Mr. Schlegel about his book. In the 1970s the Schlegels suffered a family tragedy and Mr. Schlegel wrote a compelling and courageous book about it.
August 21st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Thanks Linda… That is really interesting about the overnight parking registration sheet. I must confess that we usually just find a good spot and park! But many people have said they check in with the manager. I’m sure that’s a wise idea, for all involved. We have never stayed more than one night at the same Wal-Mart, because it’s usually just a temporary “rest stop” kind of experience for us.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I see that, you guys look like you had a nice time!!! Tell Kristy thanks for the friend request on Facebook!
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 am
Hey Sean thanks for the photos they add a lot between video’s. Colorado is such a beautiful place, remember your our eye’s.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Boomer, glad to do it. We will try to include more pics as we go. Thanks for the suggestion!
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Once you guys did a great episode! This just goes to show you just how great rver’s are and just how nice people can be.I was doing ok till you cut the last bit of footage in their with Kristy I was no good after that….. thanks a whole lot. I just love watching, this year is tight for us but watching make me feel better about our vacation home sitting. We have out trip planned in October and 30 of friends and family go to Granite hill campground for the halloween weekend and trick or treat for beer! The kids get to go too!
Keep them coming I’ll be watching. Thanks for the vegas site. I have picked a ton of stuff. Oh BTW I have been to the that pizza shop you visited on a work Great small town.
Matt
August 28th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Im lucky, the Airstream I have cant be locked from the outside without the key! Glad to hear everything went well!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Sean,
Once again thanks for the pics, got a little creative didn’t ya! Glad the tire issue is finally solved. Did they think it was the curb in Amarillo?
August 28th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Matt, many thanks… RVers are truly great people. I think if you are going to have a problem, the best place to have it is in a campground! People are usually very forthcoming and happy to help.
Laura, everything turned out great. We had a few minutes of consternation, for sure… I think we’ll be taking some extra precautionary measures next time. (ie. More spare keys in more places!) You are lucky your Airstream does not have a “forbidden lock!”
Boomer, glad you liked the pics – ha ha. Kristy’s parents were asking for pics of our campsites, so I thought it might be fun to look at some of the more unusual ones! As for the axle, yes, it was bent…probably from the curb in Texas. I’m happy to report we’ve got straight and true axles now, and our wheels have fresh rubber. We’re good to go! (And go we have lately…all the way to California.)
August 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Very cool, best part of the video was the short blooper at the end!!
August 30th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Hey Sean & Kristy,
If you liked Mesa Verde you would love Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. It is not far from Mesa Verde in the Four Corners area. Just south a ways from Farmington New Mexico off US 550. If you decide to go there, be warned that it’s some 16 or so miles off the main road and a good part of that 16 miles is washboard dirt road. Speed limit says 35 but you will beat yourself up at that speed. 50 mph has you skipping over the washboard but then it is like driving on ice. Your rig should make it just fine, make sure everything is stowed and tied down well first.
The architecture of Chaco is very similar to Mesa but it’s out in the open. It is also a World Heritage site and they have a very nice campground back in there. They also have an observatory for star gazing. Some of the shots taken at the observatory are spectacular. New Mexico is a low light pollution state and at Chaco you are really away from any light source. It’s much like being at sea during the night.
You guys have a great blog and we really enjoy it. My wife, Becky and I are RVer’s as well. We have a Cougar XLite that we pull with a King Ranch F-150. All for now, more later. Keep up the good work. We’ll be watching.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Laura, there are more bloopers where that one came from. Maybe I’ll start including them from time to time. Sometimes it seems I can’t string together two coherent sentences in a row!
Bob & Becky, thanks for the tip about Chaco Canyon! I just Googled it and it looks fantastic. Perhaps the next time we venture into New Mexico we will go explore the area. Personally, I love those out-of-the-way camping destinations that require a little effort to reach. Sounds like visiting that one would be an adventure. We really enjoyed Mesa Verde, and would love to spend more time learning about the Pueblo history.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Sean & Kristy, I love your videos & am so glad to see ya’ll back out on the road again! However, I can’t view videos on Vimeo. I don’t know why, but they just go black & nothing..unless that’s how your videos are now?
Will you be posting to youtube soon? Keep on truckin’!
Cyn in Texas
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 am
Cyn, I’m sorry to report that over the past few months, Vimeo has developed a drinking problem. It was once a brilliant service, reliably delivering videos in beautiful HD. But lately, it just seems to stagger home late at night, toss its cookies, and black out.
So, yes, we’ll start posting YouTube links too. Sorry for the hassle!
September 4th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Sean,
How do you find the next camp site. Do you have it all mapped out ahead of time or do you just drive to the next area, drive around and find something.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Boomer, we don’t have it all mapped out, but we don’t wander aimlessly either. They key for us has been the TRAILER LIFE DIRECTORY. You can buy these huge yellow pages style campground guides at your local Wal-Mart, or Camping World, or just about any camping/RV shop worth its salt. Our typical travel style is to figure out where we want to stop for the day, then Kristy looks in the Directory for campgrounds. The Directory has reviews, etc. and most of the campgrounds are Good Sam Club parks — that’s kind of a nice seal of approval. We call ahead, book a site if necessary, and plug the address into our GPS. The GPS then leads us right to the site. Once we got the Directory and a GPS, our lives became a lot easier.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Hey Sean I just thought you are in the west time for a custom hat! When ya come back home stop and a place and pick ya one up. I thing Kristy would look just great in a good ole cattleman hat. Give it a thought. Glad to see someone could do the job on the axles. Looking forward to the next one!
Matt
September 4th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Thanks Matt! I may take up that idea… Strangely, I like the thought of getting a cool cowboy hat — although I’ve never really owned one in my life, LOL.
The axle seems to be fine. We are now camping in Ventura Beach, and having a great time. Sunday I think we’ll head back down to Los Angeles. I will try to shoot some video, for sure. I know a nice place near the Hollywood sign that just beckons for a blog update…
September 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The 4 corners shot reminds me of the last time I was there:
http://airstream.casarodante.org/ll.jpg
September 7th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Roger, I love your pic!!! Much better than ours in every respect. We had to park our Airstream away from the fun. Thanks for sharing… Oh, and by the way, what’s the story behind that Airstream?
September 8th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
That was one of the 6 that my parents had (we have the last one). I have other shots at airstream.casarodante.org I think that is number 2 or 3. It is the one that I remember doing the most traveling in.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Roger, your photos are outstanding. What a great archive of family Airstreaming history… It looks like we have been to a few of your family’s destinations (the Keys, Banff, Grand Canyon) but we still have several more to go.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Sean,
Be sure and let us know when the HGTV segment will be aired!!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
will do, Boomer! Our portion of the show will be shot on Friday, but I don’t think it will air until next April.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Hey Sean just remember all of us when you both hit it big time! I can’t wait man what a wild ride from the night you got the Yamaha generator to the slick corporate jet and expensive shades! You might be getting the 30 footer sooner that you think. A cool name “The Kristy Palace”. Now all ya need to stop by QVC and sell your blog entries as season one and season two what a big hit. Hey when you were in Ventura Ca did you happen to run into Stew Olsen? I can’t wait for the HGTV episode to come on. What is the interview about? A show……and RV show with the both of you?
Matt
September 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
lol Matt — that is cool that you remember the Yamaha generator! That was just about the first entry on YouTube. I like your thinking with regards to a DVD of our blog entries… but please, can we hire someone else to edit it?
With regard to Ventura, I’ve never met Stew. If he is out there, maybe we will look him up!
As for the show, it’s filmed at some HUGE RV event in Hershey, PA. It will air on HGTV next April. The premise of the show, as I understand it, is that different potential shoppers will accompany the host to browse RVs. So it will provide a good overview of the RV world, from teardrop and pop-up campers to Class-A motorhomes. Kristy and I will be looking at towable RVs, since we are travel trailer owners!
September 11th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Oh, the PA show is a 3 day show it’s huge! It’s only about 45 min from the house. We are not going this year…..my credit card is complaining. We will be heading to the show in Maryland,not as good but it fits the bill.
While your there pick up some coco shells. They are the husks of the bean they sell in in 20lbs bags. You put it down as mulch and your house will smell the chocolate!
September 13th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Matt, the HGTV shoot seemed to go pretty well. We were at the RV show from about 8AM to 6PM — it was a long day. Unfortunately, the weather was atrocious! It started cloudy, moved on to drizzling, and then finally rained buckets. So we all got rather soggy. On the bright side, we saw a lot of cool RVs. We love looking at RVs, and this was a great show.
Love the idea of the coco shells. However, we had no time! We didn’t get to do any of the fun Hershey tourist stuff on this trip. We’ll keep it in mind for next time.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I really like that host and the programs HGTV puts out regarding trade shows. Do you remember her name?
Your video has great production. I’m a new subscriber, and new Vintage Airstream (‘78 Safari) owner, so I’m looking forward to more shows!
Jude
September 17th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Jude, the host’s name is Chi-Lan Lieu. She’s really great. She’s a fast thinker (trust me, this “talking on TV” stuff is a lot harder than it looks) and is also very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about RVs.
HGTV wanted us to comparison shop amongst different towable RVs, so we spent a lot of time looking at 5th wheels. Sadly, there were no Airstreams at the show!
Congrats on your vintage unit… Kristy and I love vintage Airstreams. To me, that’s the real beauty of an Airstream — they are timeless! Enjoy, and we’ll strive to keep the shows coming…
September 17th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Awesome entry once again. I see you have added colored filters and lighting to change to “feel” of the blog looks GREAT!!!! So how much did you pick from their sound guy and the camera guy tips and stuff. I saw the audio mixer they used what brand was that, do ya know? As you very well know I am a gadget freak and would love to see what lapel mic they were using. So many questions so little time!!!!! Oh god help me I am so high maintenance. Time to hit the coast and go to Big Sir and the the Hearst Castle. Great place and the bus ride up and back is one the remember!
September 18th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Thanks Matt! I’m not sure about the brand of sound mixer, but it was nice. The lavalier (lapel) mics were the Lectrosonics brand. (If you want to have some Web browsing fun, go to bhphotovideo.com and start browsing the goodies.) My impression of the TV production was that it’s kinda similar to our video blog production, but bigger (bigger crew, cams, scope, etc.). I guess the basics of visual storytelling are the same, whether you’re shooting a video blog or a TV show or a Batman flick.
As for Hearst Castle, that sounds awesome! Not sure if we’ll make it there this trip, but who knows. We originally planned to be back home off the road by now, but here we are in Southern California…so anything’s possible.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
OMG it just gets better and better! I’m sorry you had to sleep in such a dump but it makes for a great story. Just don’t take a black light into a hotel room ah…..if ya git my drift. Man the how should I say scent…..yea that it is oh so um eh hummmm hotel like. Ya just gotta gotta love it. Another good one!
Matt
September 24th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Thanks Matt, in fairness to hotels, we stayed in three during our recent trip to PA. The first (where we happened to shoot video) was the dumpiest. The other two were pretty good. What’s weird is that they were all rated as “three-star” hotels! When you book online, I guess you never know what you’re going to get until you see it. And BTW, I’m sure you are right about that blacklight! I wish hotels would just get rid of the bedspread COMPLETELY and switch to a washable comforter system. If they haven’t washed it, I’d rather not touch it.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I couldn’t agree more! I have to travel often for business and there’s nothing better than having all of your own stuff with you. Also, you’re being generous, actually a decent hotel room in LA starts around $159 with most north of that!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
The main reason we bought our 23 foot travel trailer was to take our hotel room with us. The quality of hotel rooms has gone downhill over the last couple of years. Yes, we still stay in them when the distance/time ratio is not right for us to tow the trailer, but even with our basic unit, we’re a lot more comfortable in our own dust and clutter.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Jude, I’m sure you are correct about those LA hotel prices. A week in an LA hotel of decent quality would probably end up costing us $1000, especially once you factor in taxes and parking.
Selene, I agree… It was really interesting to stay in these hotels recently. Before we had our RV we stayed in hotels often. Now we only do so if absolutely necessary!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hey Sean,
This is your best blog to date!!!!
What does it cost a day to camp on the strip?
September 30th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Sorry to hear about Kristy’s bike. Although that would probably be the cheapest I ever got off during my visits to sin city!
September 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
A penny for you’re thoughts! Man you musta called in advance for such a great site!!! I had to watch twice because I was Laughing so loud. I like the Yellow hue at the end of the video at the airstream. I like your shooting in 24p now. Keep them coming!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Sorry to hear about Kristy’s bike, NOT COOL!! Looks like you had a good time anyway!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:27 am
Thanks Boomer!
Camping on the Strip cost about $60 a day. If you stay 5 days you get 2 free, so we stayed there a full week.
Something we’ve started doing on this trip is exploring the weekly rates at campgrounds. Pretty much all of ‘em offer better deals if you commit for a week.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:40 am
Jude, the bike theft was a bummer, but that thought did cross my mind… we probably got off pretty easy for Vegas!
Laura, it really was disturbing… Being the victim of a theft makes you feel angry and sad (and unsafe) at the same time. Naturally, I shot some video that night to document the experience. Maybe we will do a blog on campground safety. We’ve never had the slightest problem anywhere else in North America. The real issue was that our Vegas campground had very lax security — no gate, no patrolling security, no cameras, etc. And let’s face it, Las Vegas isn’t exactly the Boy Scout Jamboree. It’s called “Sin City” for a reason!
Matt, I like shooting in 24p, but sometimess I shoot in 60i and render to 24p. In Vegas I played with shutter speeds a lot to make the most of our available light at night. I also like the effect!
Thanks for the comments, everyone! We are camping tonight just an hour outside Vegas. We had some cool stuff done to our RV today at a dealership — the best thing is a slick new wifi kit, so now I should be able to upload videos from just about anywhere.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:14 am
Oh man I missed Dale Chihuly glass ceiling the first time I watched it. That man is that great! I would loved to have seen that in person.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Hi Sean, I noticed in the photo of your truck and RV (with you in the foreground) that the front of the trailer is lower than the rear. Was your rig parked on a level road? If so you may want to get the front of your RV raised a bit. It’ll put less stress on your front RV tires and axle.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 am
Matt, that Chihuly ceiling (“the glass ceiling?” hmmmm
) is in the Bellagio. If you ever want to kill some time, go for a stroll in the Bellagio. The dancing fountains out front are the best free show in Vegas.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 am
Thanks Darrel… I will have a look at it, but I think the angle of that photo makes things look a little worse than reality. The camera (if memory serves) was actually resting near the ground, so the perspective is slightly skewed. But the next time we’re in a dealership I will ask them to check it out.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:35 am
[...] The Long, Long Honeymoon blog posted about their recent experience camping at a $1.1B campground in Las Vegas. Though they didn’t mention the name of the campground, I’m pretty sure they stayed at the Circus Circus RV campground located just north of the Circus Circus casino and hotel on Las Vegas Blvd. I once stayed at the Circus Circus motel that shares a parking lot with the RV campground and let me just say it’s an interesting spot. [...]
October 6th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Campground safety would be a great blog. Im really sorry to hear about the Bike, I know what you are feeling though, I have had my car broken into.
October 8th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Awww. Why is this a private video? I would like to see it too…
October 8th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Why is the video private?
October 8th, 2008 at 9:00 am
How do we gain Permission to see the video Sean?
October 8th, 2008 at 10:36 am
EXPLANATION: Why Our Video is Labeled “Private” And Other Mysteries
Hi everyone, I’m sorry about the “balloon” video snafu. Someday I’m going to do a video about uploading one of these videos when we’re on the road! Sometimes everything goes smooth as silk, and the process takes a few minutes. Other times — THIS TIME, for example — NOTHING seems to work.
Last night starting at about 10PM, I spent about two hours uploading this 135 MB video file from a pretty slow Internet connection. It started processing on Vimeo shortly after midnight, an operation that usually takes 30 minutes or so. By 12:30 AM, I got a message stating that there had been some sort of weird “exception,” so the video did not process properly. Hmmmm.
So I tried AGAIN, and when processing completed everything looked GREAT — until I started actually PLAYING the video. In short, for some unknown reason, it was unwatchable. It looked like someone had zoomed into one little corner of the screen. I can only guess that the original file was corrupt, or there was an error on Vimeo’s end.
So at this point, with the clock almost striking 3AM (!) and me having no chance whatsoever of uploading a repaired copy, I was at wit’s end. I just set the video to “private” and went to bed. Sorry about that.
I’m about to make another attempt. Wish me luck, and stay tuned!
October 8th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I see you are in Texas. Do you have plans on stopping in Louisiana? i have some great recommendations.
October 8th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
It’s a shame you didn’t have a chance to go up in one it’s great. My wife and I went on one during our honeymoon many moons ago. Once again a lousy video!
Keep’em coming
Matt
October 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
My wife and I are talking about going to this event next year it just looks amazing!How did you fair in the rain he first day?Thanks for sharing your adventures this is my first comment as I just found you guys.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Kim, we love Louisiana, and have visited New Orleans many times — although never with our Airstream in tow! But unfortunately, we won’t make it there on this trip. We go on and off the road as this “long, long honeymoon” unfolds, and are due for a break. We’ve been road tripping for over two months this time out. Thanks for the offer, though, and feel free to post or email any ideas for future reference!
Matt, we were interested in taking a balloon ride — until we discovered the price. Last I heard, the going rate was $395 per person. It might be cheaper to just buy your own hot air balloon and give flying it a shot.
I’m sure it’s a great experience, but we will save it for next time. That’s cool that you went up in one on your honeymoon!
Jim, you raise a good point with regard to the weather. The balloons are of course very susceptible to wind and rain. We caught the first mass ascension event on Saturday morning, and the weather was not yet a factor. But that evening’s events were rained out. Sunday morning’s mass ascension was also rained out. But we saw the Balloon Glow on Sunday evening. Monday morning’s mass ascension was delayed a couple of hours, but that worked out fine for me — we slept late and watched everything unfold from the RV park.
TIP: if you bring an RV to the Fiesta, try to get parking on an asphalt or gravel area. There was so much rain Saturday night that many RVs had trouble leaving their campsites on Sunday morning! Some of the campsites are loose earth, and after the rain they had become mud bowls. I saw a couple of Class A motorhomes and a 5th wheel being towed out of their muddy sites. ($$$ cha-ching!) We didn’t have any issues because we had a good asphalt / gravel parking area.
Overall I definitely recommend the Balloon Fiesta. We had a blast.
October 9th, 2008 at 10:59 am
That looks like it was a blast! I need to go out there one day, I have family in in Las Cruces, NM. Im glad you guys took so much video! It looks great!
October 9th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Laura, since you have family in NM, you should definitely make plans to attend someday. It’s a really unique event, in that most of the activity takes place EARLY in the morning (the mass ascension, etc.), and late in the day (Balloon Glow, music performances, fireworks). During the middle of the day you get to take a siesta.
October 10th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
WOW man their proud of there of that. Holy smokes you could fly from home the the balloon festival cheaper on a plane!I will admit it is way cool. we went up on Valentines day in Colorado. You could hear the cattle stomping thru the snow and the cars on interstate 70. The booze at the end was nice too all before 10:00. Man do they know how to party!
October 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Yea Sean, I need to go out there one day with the Airstream! I know all about flying time for ballons, when I was in flight school, they had ballon pilots, man, talk about bad hours!
October 13th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I would love to give recommendations. What is the email address?
October 13th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Matt, someday we will find a more reasonably priced balloon ride, film the whole experience, and seamlessly edit it into the Albuquerque piece. No one will ever know! Shhhhhhh
Laura, New Mexico is a great RVing destination. Interesting local culture, beautiful scenery, dry climate, excellent food… it’s a good place to hang out for a while!
Kim, you can shoot me an email at seanmichael@aol.com. Thanks!
October 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
sean, we just came back from the pomona rv show. we talked to the guys at the wifi in motion booth and they were playing your video at their booth. looking forward to see it on the site. also interesting in seeing how well it works in the real world.
October 18th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Dan, thanks for the update! The Wifi in Motion video is rendering at this moment, so it’ll probably be posted here in the next day or so.
I’m going to write a detailed article about our experiences with the kit.
Overall, we’ve been really pleased with it. In fact, there’s not much bad to say about it. The only “weakness” per se is connection speed in non-3G areas. If you are in a non-3G area, the connections speeds can get a little sluggish. But that’s not really the fault of the kit, but rather the service provider. When you’re in a 3G area, the connection speed is excellent. And any way you slice it, it’s really nice to have a reliable Internet connection even when you are boondocking.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Not sure if the Romans did the tailgate thing but they did feed the animals well lol.I don’t follow sports much (well motor-sports I do)but I have gone to some great games in the past mostly play-offs.Hey the tickets were freebies but I must admit the energy those places give off is intense!Did a Hula-Bowl a Rose Bowl and the Final four in 2004-yes all for free(just final four was recent)!Going on a week or more solo journey starting Thursday, Death Valley first stop.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Sean, Much love on this one but I think the they may have tailgated at the Maryland games. Matter of fact some of them still come
I love the added noise and purple filter to the video. Every week ya just getting better with the editing.
Matt
October 21st, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Jim, when I hear the phrase “Death Valley” my first thoughts are of LSU’s football stadium in Baton Rouge. Or perhaps you mean Clemson’s football stadium in South Carolina. What, there’s actually a PLACE called Death Valley?
Just kidding — I have driven through the actual Death Valley and temperatures reached 117 degrees. You might wanna check that A/C before you leave home.
As for tailgating, I’d like to do some more “in depth” tailgate party video. Most of what I brought home from that Bama-Tennessee game was really shaky. Let’s blame it on that fellow named Jack.
Also, your mention of motorsports intrigues me. Someday we will muster up the courage to camp at a NASCAR event. I know there’s a HUGE RV crowd at those races.
Safe travels!
Sean
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
Hey Sean,
Thanks for the great article, and video (as usual.) Although I agree that cellular is the up-and-coming way to connect from the road – there are still many places where it just doesn’t exist. See my RV.net article, I Love my Satellite Internet
I have heard of a system similar to WiFiInMotion that will roam among several cellular providers. It’s called Autonet and Avis is using it in their rental cars. It’s not quite ready for prime time yet. Sure sounds like a winner when it is.
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Thanks Chris for your comment! You are the real expert in these matters. I can only report on our individual experience, and so far it’s been positive.
I checked out your RV.net article and you make a good point — satellite will be available in certain places that cellular is not.
That said, we’ve only had a few instances where we’ve camped without ANY cellular signals whatsoever (Yellowstone National Park comes to mind). I suppose the cellular booster helps with signal range, but in places like Yellowstone we’d probably be out of luck.
An additional upside to satellite is the option to receive TV on it (with some extra equipment and an additional subscription).
But a satellite system costs about six times the Wifi In Motion kit! Like I said, maybe I’m a cheapskate, but I’m inclined to save the extra $5k (and quickly blow it on video equipment!).
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Awesome video! We have the WiFi In Motion system…works great! We couldn’t afford the more spendy satellite (nor justify it). Naturally, if you are going to be posted in the middle of a desert for six months and have crucial work that needs to be done…satellite is the way to go. However, we’ve had excellent coverage using the WIM system (we use a Sprint card with the system) traveling across the U.S.
We considered the Autonet product, but it has some drawbacks which steered us (no pun intended) to the WiFi In Motion system. The Autonet box doesn’t have a 3-watt amplifier like the WiFi In Motion system. Autonet also forces your provider on you(have to use Verizon). Autonet has an embedded air card that only will work with Verizon. While I think Verizon is one of the better providers, I do like that WiFi In Motion leaves the choice of provider up to you. As cell providers upgrade to the next level of EVDO (for example), the entire Autonet box becomes obsolete. We went through this with a product called Internet in Motion, and once Verizon upgraded their network from EVDO rev-o to rev-a, we were told we would have to pay an upgrade fee of $500…no thanks (we originally spent $1,600 on our first Internet in Motion system)! Instead, we went with WiFi In Motion. Once technology updates with our WiFi In Motion system, we just connect to the Internet, and do a firmware upgrade…takes a couple of minutes, and no $500 upgrade fee!
Also, the WiFi system has multiple ethernet ports (four), which Autnoet doesn’t. Autonet seems like a good system for a small family who sticks to metropolitan areas, as it doesn’t offer the amplification that we get from WiFi In Motion. Since we like to travel outside the metro area, we went with WiFi In Motion and couldn’t be happier. Hopefully our post will save some of you the headaches we went through.
As usual…great job Sean! Hope this info helps! Keep up the videos…our family loves them!
October 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Rick, thanks a lot for sharing your experience. It’s good to hear from someone else who has “real world knowledge” of the Wifi In Motion kit. We have really enjoyed our kit so far, and I know it will make a MAJOR positive impact on our RV adventures in the months ahead.
As for your comments about the videos, thanks also! I really appreciate the positive feedback. As I’ve said before, positive energy is what keeps this blog going…
October 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I was just catching up on my RV.net acct and noticed your on there,your site,Vimeo plus updating from the road. On top of all of that ya gotta film script and edit.
How the hell do you have time to have fun. We just got back a wet weekend in Gettysburg and had no way to film at all how the hell do you do it!!!!
I took pictures and tried to keep the dogs and kids dry but trying to update sites is insane! Once again I have to hand it to kristy, dude you married RIGHT!!!!! For the both of you to do this and she’s in too whew,lucky man!!!!
Hey how the hell do you keep the camper clean. Every 5 min my wife or myself were sweeping out all the crap and removing shoes. With all of that it still looks hammered.
Once again keep them coming, I always enjoy watching them. Can we get some Police or Pete Townshend in the background music. Yea yea yea I know the whole authorization thing or ya gotta pay it just sucks. Oh well keep’em coming.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Great re-mix of one of my favorite video blogs! Thanks for all you do. Your site and “Full Hook Up’s” are on my daily schedule of web hits.
My wife and I are approaching retirement and plan to have (if this stinkin’ economy ever recovers) some of the same fun you two are having now. You are smart to do it now! Don’t put off today for the promise of tomorrow….
Best of luck Sean and Kristy!
Brad West
October 28th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Matt, the truth? It’s tough! You’re right, you gotta script, shoot, host, edit, render, upload, update, etc. etc. There’s only so much time in the day, and we do the best we can (but always feel something’s getting neglected). That’s life, I guess. Kristy is a big help!
With regard to keeping the camper clean, it’s an ongoing struggle, especially in times of bad weather. We wear Crocs flip-flops and generally remove them at the door — that prevents dirt getting tracked all over the floor. We also keep a small hand vac plugged in by the door. Finally, we keep some Clorox wipes under the sink. Every once in a while, we pull out a few wipes and wipe down the interior surfaces.
With regard to music, yeah, I really wish we could use whatever music we wanted. But there’s the nagging issue of copyright law and paying for usage rights, blah blah blah… If anyone has Sting’s phone number, please pass it my way.
Brad, thanks for your comments and encouragement. Glad you liked the “re-mix” of our Disney Halloween video! We tried to add a little something new.
In addition to a musical soundtrack and the “surprise finale,” there are a few new shots. Sometimes it’s interesting to go back and reexamine material with the benefit of a little extra time. That’s the thing about video editing… you are never done.
Also, thanks for your comments with regard to travel and “the pursuit of happiness”… At my age (late 30s) I’m old enough to have lost a couple of young friends unexpectedly. Also, I have lost all of my grandparents. Whenever I begin to question or second guess our “seize the day” spirit, I think about mortality — not in a morose or somber fashion, but rather an inspirational one.
We really never know how much time we have on this planet, so I’m committed to pursuing happiness in the here and now. Hopefully, we can do so in a way that not only facilitates personal growth, but provides an enhanced perspective that we can share with others via this wonderful medium we call the Internet.
And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming…
October 28th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Kristy,
Have you seen the ending????
October 30th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Sean,
Get back out on the road, you have way to much time on your hands!
October 30th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Ha ha, Boomer, if you are referring to the “latte art” video, there’s a story behind that one. I will post it…
Sean
October 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
OMG!!!!! too much oh wait way too much Cooooofffffeeeeee. Nope I’m ok I like my pulse somewhere around 210bpm. I love the rush, paint you house….how about a hair cut. Ah just another Latte please. Another good one!
Matt
November 7th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Spray it on anything huh. Hummmmm so that’s why the honeymoon……. oh nevermind. Where did you get it from? I have used gun honing oil on my trailers frame to keep the chalk down and to keep it looking new. You also may want to check out powered graphite it comes in a small bottle with a metal needle to get into small areas, caution a little goes a long long way. Nice one again!
Matt
November 7th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Never heard of the product but sounds promising,will see if Wally World has it on the shelfs?
November 12th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Sean,
I saw Kristy lowering the stabilizing jacks…by hand?! Get her an early Christmas present. Go to The Home Depot and buy one of the cordless drills on sale. Then go to Camping World (or online) and buy the socket adapter that fits perfectly on the jacks.
Y’all will be raising and lowering them in a jiff.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Wow. I see you all tripped around the peblos but not the great pow wow down in NM now this is for the Americans
http://www.gatheringofnations.com/
but the real native american Pow wow is at taos
http://www.taosvisitorsguide.com/events/powwow.html
The place is closed to all but native americans for about a week while the gathering of nations holds its council.
Then of course there is always the hot air balloon fest at KABQ
Another area that you overlooked is the great Canyonlands just down the road from where you are
http://www.nps.gov/cany/
some call it Monument valley when its on the indian land
http://www.navajonationparks.org/htm/monumentvalley.htm
We set up (crew and some hollyweards that get in front of the camera who joined us on vacation) basecamp with the AS’s …unhooked the old 4×4 pu’s and like in the movie Twister…the gaggle of vehicles headed out for a wonderful 3 days of exploring the upper area of the Grand Canyon/canyonlands… 190 miles of dirt road. No I don’t think I would take the AS down on it. The sign says 4×4’s, bikes (peddle power) or walking is recommended. We used the 4×4 pu and camped in the back. Some of the morning and evening pictures where the color comes alive were priceless. You could hear the old waggon trains and indians calling… why I even think I saw John Wayne and the horse cav charging down on the mesa.
By the way we went to Ham radio in the trailer and truck now that the test is so easy. Staying in touch when the cell or computer is out of area is so much better. CB is nice but ham radio is much better and more fun. We talked to several people down under in AUK that were camping outback while we were camping down by the Co. River. in cayonlands… the exchange of discription was interesting. consider a blog about it and these areas where the american pioneer sprit still lives.
Enjoy the new camera. We were given the new panasonic HPX 3000 to tryout and see if we like it better than the old cannon HL X1 that we use on location setup shoot with. So far I like the cannon better but on trips like these we are using both to see which one is stronger… once we get back to the studio we will evaluate them both.
Motor on… gM>
November 21st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Oh ya next year its off to AK by road and ferryboat system. Have you made the trip yet? The adventure contenues
g.M>
November 21st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Thanks G.M. for your posts. If I’ve learning anything about traveling around the United States it’s that there’s so much to see, you can’t see it all on one trip. So we cherry pick and go where the wind blows us, and if we miss something, we plan to catch it next time!
We did manage to make it to Albuquerque for the balloon fiesta, and had a blast.
Your tips on the pow wow action sound exciting. Kristy and I both love the Southwest. I’m sure we will return someday soon, Airstream in tow. As for Alaska, maybe next year!
I will check out ham radio — sounds like it would be very useful in the remote places!
The HPX 3000 looks like a fantastic cam… With 2/3″ chips and 4:2:2 color, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed by the footage.
Thanks for checking out our blog and taking the time to post. Perhaps we’ll see you out on the road someday.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
That was nice guys and thank you for sharing your great adventures with us (me).Can’t wait to see how the new camera works.Me and the DW are headed to my Dad’s place for a few days so have a great Turkey Day!
November 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Thanks Jim, we appreciate your interest. As a filmmaker, it’s flattering just to have someone watching one’s work. I’ve learned a lot blogging, and met some great folks too.
The primary upside of the new camera will be its lowlight capability, so we may be able to capture some nighttime camping shots that we couldn’t before. The audio is uncompressed, so that will be an improvment. And the camera is capable of variable frame rates, so we should be able to generate some slick slow motion. The resolution is awesome — at the moment it’s higher than we could even display online. The impact of all these features will be gradual (as I GRADUALLY figure out how to manage the thing).
Anyway, safe travels over the holiday and beyond. Enjoy the turkey!
November 26th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Sean you dog!!!!! I want a camera too. What a great camera. I have used my buddy’s and it’s just awesome!!! It’s so easy to use it and the video out of the thing is to die for. You will be blown away by the audio as soon as you hook up your mic to it. As prosumer gear goes, that’s the best! Good luck and, I can’t wait to see footage from it! So get on the road, and have a blast!
Matt
November 26th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Matt, this camera is an “embarrassment of riches” as the French say… It’s got full raster 1080p recording, 1/2″ sensors, overcranking and undercranking, superb lowlight performance, etc. etc. And you are right about the audio! It records audio uncompressed, so that’s going to be a nice upside. Really, the camera is almost a little overkill for what we do, but I figure we will “grow into it.” Next year we may tackle a feature length documentary, and if so, it will be shot with this baby (Kristy has suggested the nickname “Black Bart” for the cam — we’ll see if it sticks!).
Cheers and have a great Thanksgiving!
November 26th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
another thing ya need for it is STEADICAM!!!! The vest not the built in sudo steady cam. http://www.fsprostab.com/english/index.htm watch the video you will have to have one. SSHHHH don’t tell Kristy just have it just show up to the door don’t tell her I told you.
I like Xanadu you know for the Sony XCAM good luck.
P.S. Man I could spend your money faster that you can think just Give me the word and before you know it you will be shooting in IMAX!!!!!!!
Matt
November 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
LOL – I could easily be talked into a steadicam! I actually have the poor man’s version of that thing. Mine’s called the SteadyTracker, and it works pretty well. We also have a DVRigPro (great mobile camera rig, in which the belt supports the weight of the cam), a Glidetrack dolly, and a few other filmmaking gadgets. I guess you can tell where all of my spare change goes.
Really, it’s gonna take me a while to just get the new camera workflow figured out. The trick will be mixing new XDCAMHD footage with good ole HDV. My first few projects have crashed my video editor! Ugh, I hate when that happens…
November 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Sorry guys, I just realized that my responses were eaten by Wordpress (or something). Weird! I did post replies, but they disappeared, or never appeared in the first place.
Matt, we thought about pursuing the “honeymoon lubricant” angle but thought better of it! Ha ha… Sometimes it’s a struggle to keep this blog on a straight and narrow path.
Jim, I believe that Boeshield is available at Sears. Haven’t seen it make an appearance at Wally World just yet.
Robert, I really do come across as a lazy so-and-so in that video, just letting my wife do all the work on those stabilizer jacks! Actually we have a cordless drill and socket adapter that you mention. But I’m glad you mention it, because that’s one of the ALL TIME BEST TIPS on RVing I ever received. The first few months we owned our trailer, I was doing those jacks by hand. The cordless drill has been a HUGE timesaver. Someday we’re going to do an “RV tips” video, and that one will rank high on the list.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
wow… a new sony PMW… ouch ouch ouch.. now what does the other half get?
You need to go check out the Cannon ones at this address… it was a trailer made to show the features off on the current one we are using. (if nothing else study their way to get effects that they want.) Note why are you watching, what is the subject doing in the action to keep your interest.. and how do you show this… note also the audio effects used… These are things we look for in the production of simple trailers. The XLH seems to be quite versable.
http://downloads.canon.com/seethedifference/XLH1/XLH1_Watchmaker_FULL_low.mov
So far its been a good camera with no problems .. yet…
Next stop … mixer board for adding sounds and doing a lot of the editing/effects.
I think there are several of the industry manufactures which also have seminars on the use of their products. I know our camera ops went to some sort of school on the new cannon…
As to gyro stable … best get the battery powered one that screws to the table or bottom of the camera for hand held shots. Without it your going to have some real jerky shots that will be exagerated by the digital today.
Of course we never travel to a shoot without at least 3 cameras. Let the editor then pick and choose which shots he wants.. also lose the mic.. go with the wireless clip pack. Again using no less than one per person per track and two for background noises so that its not a can’ned item. (by the way use a 4-8 track sound recorder and not the camera audio… again mix and match back at the editing room not on site.
One thing also… standing in direct front of the camera is good for you smile.. but the backgrond shots leave a lot to be… you have a video (motion camera) to show movement… ahhhh… so why stand their with a mic in your hand??? best take a shot of you first and then let the VO take care of the rest. You get more interest (hook) that way) … shooting from the ground level up at the actors direct in front is a no..no too… (home movie) also if you leave them with the … next time… hook .. or see what happend to…. next .. causes them to beat your door down for the next blog…inquireing minds want to know kinda thing.
Lighting the subjects (actors) is another area that needs some help. Background foreground lighting helps give the contrast the camera can’t. (i.e you and christie are discussing issues… she and you should be brighter than the background…) Also now that your into effects… little pic on pic inside the fraim helps keep ‘em looking. Cut too effects also help keep the viewer on their toes…
Just some suggestions for the camera guy and editor…
Looking forward to seeing your blogs extend now that you have over 140 min of camera time.
Hope you and yours had a great thanksgiving. Now on to Christmas…
To leave you on a lighter note…
Seems a 70 year old dad called his son in Michigan from tucson and said.. son were getting a devorice. I am tired of looking at your mom and we just can’t stand another day… were through..
The son said.. Pop how can you do this you have been married for over 40 years. What will mom do.
He hangs up with the dad and calls his sister.
The sister says to the brother.. well we will see about this..pack your bags and book the flight were going down to Tucson
She calls her dad back…
Pop she says… don’t do a thing till we get their were on our way…
As he hangs up the wife says.. well…
He replys.. ok their on there way down for thanksgiving and we don’t have to by them airfare…
… he pauses .. and smiles at his wife.. then says… but now what are we going to do to get them to come for Christmas….
Looking forward to seeing the new improved Blog… next comes adventures…
December 6th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Congrats on the new camera. I just picked up a new HV30 to play with and was reviewing the HV20/30 site when I followed your link. I knew I have head of this couple before, I to have 25 foot Airstrean then it dawned on me I have seen some post on Airstream Forums. Did you guys deal with Airhog1? Great work and some great tips, keep enjoying the road.
Jim
December 6th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
You guys just opened my eyes to something. Im on facebook more than Kristy! Oh boy, I think I have a problem. Thanks for the wonderful message and hope you both enjoyed your thanksgiving! So who won the Iron Bowl this year?
December 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I love Ft. Wilderness, too, but you didn’t mention my biggest pet peeve with it: NO HOT TUB!!!
(Yeah, well. What do you expect from a royal?)
December 8th, 2008 at 2:02 am
ROOOLLLL TIIDDEEE
December 14th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
We, too, prefer the trailer/tow vehicle combination. I guess I just have a problem needing to maintain another ‘vehicle’ that I would not drive that often. My truck is my daily driver and it also tows the trailer. It is also nice to have the truck for exploration after reaching any destination. You can use a toad with a motorhome but now you have 2! to maintain.
Just my 2 cents.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Now that we have a pickup truck, I wonder how we managed without one! We use it all the time (for example, when fetching Christmas trees…)
Also, I reached the same conclusion when comparing a towable RV vis-a-vis a Class A motorhome. I think the original idea of motorhomes was to eliminate the necessity for towing. But since Class A’s have grown in size, you now need a toad just to maneuver around town. So either way, you end up towing something. We decided to go the towable Airstream route and have no complaints.
December 21st, 2008 at 12:30 am
The new application in Capetown, South Africa takes the cake. You should check it out. It’s like a campground on top of a hotel roof!
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 am
Cold Weather Ops. What a great idea! I was wondering how the Airstream would size up to the cold.
Here’s an idea… Take Seemore and Airstream to Vail or Keystone for an extended Winter test. Ski, Hot Toddy’s and Hot Tubs and Propane blastin’ RV furnaces.
BTW, when boondocking, just how long can an average couple last before the fresh water tank emptys and the grey and black tanks are full??
As always, great site! It’s informative and entertaining too! I hope it remains fun and not too much of a job. The new camera will make the the blog better. (say the previous sentence over and over – I just saw the price in my B-H Video catalog Whoa….)
All the best! Brad West (future retired boondocker)
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:25 am
Brad, the Airstream does well in the cold. It seems to be well insulated. I guess the biggest liability are the windows… The large windows in the newer units are nice, but of course they allow for more heat loss.
I like your idea of a Colorado adventure! I have a friend who Airstreamed in Colorado a few years ago DURING A BLIZZARD, and had a great experience. When you think about it, you’ve got some challenges not only with regard to staying warm, but also the potential for the water tanks freezing up.
With regard to the water tanks, we have a 60 gallon fresh water, 39 gallon grey, and (I think) 29 gallon black. In my experience, we are good for 3 days on water without trouble. The black is no problem, but the grey and fresh are variables. Really, it all depends on your shower habits! You gotta keep the shower water usage in check. You can stretch the fresh water if you are miserly with it. After all of our travel, I can now take a shower with 3 cups of water.
Thanks for your comments. The blog remains fun — and equipment like the new camera helps to keep it fun! I have viewed it as a challenge in solo filmmaking, and it’s just a satisfying creative outlet. (I like the writing too.) We hope to do some cool stuff in the coming year, maybe even experiencing the RV life overseas. So, thanks again… We’ll try to keep it interesting!
December 25th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
The Red Cross emergency water ration of 10 gallons per day is “practice” for boondocking.
As one who in his misspent youth winter camped in the high Rockies by Jeep CJ-5 & tent, the AS is a womb… propane and Sparky nearly optional.
Research: How low can the AS furnace thermostat be set and still keep the plumbing above 35 degrees F?
I’ll be 4-season ASing while I build in the Northern Rockies; I’m shopping now for 31′ or 34, for a 3-season ice maker in the salon’.
Your Beloved and you have entertained, informed and inspired. Winter data is critical for us. Please keep up the good work and play.
Merry Christmas and a well traveled New Year.
December 29th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Camp Kilgore, thanks much for your kind post — it made my day.
I will keep the 10 gallons per day practice ration in mind. I could handle it, but I suspect Kristy’s hair could drink 10 gallons all by itself.
We really like the 31′ and 34′ Airstreams. They also make a 30′ in a floorplan we really like. Who knows, maybe someday we will make that leap. For long term usage, the 34-footers look fabulous.
Thanks again, and we will try to partake in more winter adventures. We live in sunny climes, so we don;t get the opportunity as often as our northern neighbors. But we really enjoyed winter camping, so I’m sure we’ll be doing it again!
December 29th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Red, white and blue & Airstream! How classically American!
Happy New tax Year, Kids.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Thanks Kilgore, and that reminds me — property taxes are due! Yeesh.
Happy New Year to you. I hope you enjoy a safe celebration, and the new year brings you that shiny 31/34-footer.
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Happy New Year, Old Man.
I have lurked since last June, learning much. “Topics” which I would find most useful as an about2B part-time full-timer ASer are:
Kitchen cooking-baking ( more than finest blueberry muffins – a future long, long book, (I like cast iron indoors and out., but I have yet to AS.),
your Beloved’s insight into fem-civilizing an AS bachelor pad as in “dating” – as without saying, you have dismissed all thoughts of it,
realities of AS space (I am 6′1″ XXL), the shower stall,
details of learning to be productive with your new blogomatic HD Sony camera. (sponsors’ product placements, Old Man…)
You two have become an institution, while in your youth. We appreciate your 20/20 insights and patronize your recommendations. See y’all.
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 am
Sean, I’ll wait for the video…
January 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Camp Kilgore, thanks for no longer lurking and posting your thoughts. As for us being an institution, that’s very flattering! I am humbled and hope we can live up to the billing.
You make some great topic suggestions. We’ll add them to our queue. I think the “realities of AS space” would be very interesting for a lot of us big guys out there. I am 6′2″ so I know what you mean. When we first started looking at RVs, I wasn’t sure if I could be comfortable in ‘em. But the “cocoon” theory applies here.
Anyway, thanks again for the kind remarks. Stay tuned, as this should be an interesting year!
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Well, guy’s we don’t have an Airstream. A Keystone works for us, But late August in South Dakota brought Temps in the twenties. We were toasty as a bug in a rug… Even the Critters enjoyed it!
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Dennis, a Keystone would work fine for us too. Glad to hear your rig kept you toasty! We haven’t done any RVing in South Dakota yet. I’m sure at some point we’ll want to visit Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:41 am
KriKids,
Spent the 24.95 today like you told us. Boeingjuice needs to be ordered.
Since you have been experiencing much of what I need to do over the next year or so, piggybacking on your learning curve is sweet, often with a Happy Face. Please blog a “My new Sony Camera” soon. To date, I am a HD vidiot.
When I get my first camp sited, you’ll be invited, off the record. We’ll teach earthologies with biological sciences and economics to counter the trance inducing Saint AlGore’s panntheistic, Marxist central planning, secular-religion of corrupt socialist man-made Global Warming – oops – cum Climate Change taxing authority and other fun of politically incorrect 18th to 21st Century American Frontier skills, joys, and tranquilities.
Camp Kilgore shall offer rustic B&B, chapel, full docking and boondocking available, but no fascists’ boondoggling allowed.
Kristy, I never understood why one would name a college for a woman’s beautiful hair color, but for you, Go Auburn.
Tom Kilgore
a Texas Aggie & U. Texas Ex. (4 degrees but single, whoda thunkit)
January 9th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Thanks Tom! I’m sure you will enjoy the Directory. We use it to find pretty much all of our private campgrounds. Pay attention to the reviews, because they are usually accurate and give you a good idea of what to expect.
I will blog the new camera! Actually I am working on a project that will help other people with some of their camera issues. Really, you don’t “need” HD to blog on the Internet, but it sure is nice. The camera I just bought is a high end pro model, but you can take stunning HD video with the over-the-counter consumer cams. These days, the line between pro and consumer is blurred.
LOL – I took a few “earthologies with biological sciences” back in college, but my memories of those years are rather cloudy. After college I enrolled in law school, completed two years (the toughest years I might add), and then wisely walked away, never to return. Every day I’m thankful that, um, I’m not wearing a suit and tie and arguing for a living.
Kristy is a devout Auburn fan, but I am working on her. Too bad the Longhorns didn’t get their shot at Florida! I think they might’ve done a little better than the Sooners…
Cheers,
Sean
January 11th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Hello,
I stumbled upon your site today while searching for reviews of the Weber Q grill. I ended up sticking around and watching a few of your videos. They were so entertaining that I had my wife and 6 year old daughter watching them with me. We enjoyed them. Now, we have a desire to go camping and start creating memories like you are. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 11th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Hi AJW, thanks for your comment! I really appreciate positive feedback, as it helps to keep the ‘ol blog going. We’ve had a lot of fun making our videos, and by the way — the Weber Q grill is awesome! And I think they’ve redesigned the newer models to address my one complaint (regarding the size of the propane tanks). So I don’t think you can go wrong with that grill.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Well…. little rough around the edges as we would say…
Nice trailer.. glad that you are telling us about it.. however, I think I would have set your best camera up on a tripod.. and use the better looking half.. Kristie.. to do like vana white does… with the wheel of fort… you know…
putting the camera on a tripod that rolls.. shooting towards the rear … would allow you to start at the back…(Kristie moving from right to left and so forth… and as you moved forward show off what is at each side of the AS trailer…as you move towards the front… then cut to … where you are re-covering by camera the center section… and move now forward with the camera and allow Kristie to again show what is left /right up or down.. but, be careful that you don’t get too much camera movement (left, right, up, down…) in or people will start feeling kinda sick…
Here a wide angle lense is perfered due to the close quarters. but if not use the fullest depth of field lense you have… so you dont have to move the camera around left or right, up down… kinda thing
Lighting is another area that we seem to find darkness in… what was that in the bathroom… a sink, a tub.. ?? too dark to tell… So some form of backlighting is also nice to use over the top of the camera.. but again not so strong that it spots out on one thing… or reflects in the mirror… here we found that mirrors are best controlled by using a piece of wax paper from the kitchen… gives the mirror still a definition but won’t show you in the background or reflect so much that it disturbs the lighing…
Going back through it.. do you have a AC, heater… what s under the sink/stove pantry, refrig… a lot left out… Not to mention the OUTSIDE?? Sean… Now I am not saying that Kristie should be demo’n the bed… in a tiger PJ set… with cuite little bunny slippers…on satin sheets… ahhhhh…well… hmmm .. never mind… Not that I am picking on you but, helping to get your trailers (not the AS) up to better professional quality now that you have a better camera to play with… Hope you don’t mind… our 2 cents worth…
Best of all its .. fun your having … we can tell…
January 16th, 2009 at 8:32 am
so many places … so little time…
Canada and the stampeed… large mall… alaskan highway (old road) .. caravaning… Washington, Oregon, Northern Calif and old Columbia,twainhart Yosmite, HOLLYWEARD (where if your lucky you can meet some camera and directors… maybe make a short movie too… ), Bolsa beach, San Diego, Baja Mulege, la paz, cabo… should bout take a couple of months off your shoes… grin
Happy New year to you and Kristie… May all your travels be grand adventures that never stop.
GMAs
January 16th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Hi GMAs, your criticism is certainly fair and you make a good point: this video is due for a refreshing! It was one of the very first we shot for our blog. As you can see, it was just me and the camera.
I did have a tripod, but no one to move it. And this was before we had much in terms of wide-angle lenses.
Bear in mind that on most of these videos, it’s just me… There’s no crew. I am the writer, host, director of photography, director, and editor – so I guess there’s no one else to blame if it sucks, ha ha.
Sometimes Kristy is with me, sometimes she is off doing her own thing.
Anyway, I like the idea of doing a fresh edit of this video since the subject matter is popular (everyone wants a tour, you know?). Thanks!
January 16th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
GMAs, we were close to the Stampede a couple of years ago! You may be right, another excursion north of the border may be due.
We are planning some cool adventures this year. We intend to not only RV throughout North America, but we’re going to jaunt overseas and camp abroad.
Thanks for your comments. Keep ‘em coming!
Cheers and happy camping in the new year…
Sean
January 17th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Sean.. Sean.. Sean… what you need is one of them fancy director hats… and a big Sweat shirt that says I MAKE MOVIES… on it… (DIRECTOR is nice too) grin… ahhh then you will be the artist you aspire (notice I almost said perspire) to be…
Now what I do…. when it is only I at the film…port
You can get one of them little remote controls that will turn the camera on and off… so you can be the main event… while using a remote mic also … that works for a single shot sequence… then what one can do is use the T-W remote button to make the camera lense go from close up to wide… yes you can’t see what is happening unless your get an additional remote monitor… or if your cheap like me… plug the computers one into the vid out from the camera.. and have it face you so while your looking at the camera… the monitor is what you can look at to get a idea of what frame your in…
Now some of the more neat features also that you can get as accessories besides the gryo stablizer is… a gimbal that allows the remote.. (which you conseal in your hand) so that you can not only make the camera go on and off.. … control the lense but also the camera direction… yep you can make it go up and down or side to side or both at the same time.. however, I don’t recommend that as you will max out… watching your own videos…
Now as you set the camera up on the gimbal tri pod… you can have it pan in on your or you walk on camera… turning it on … and have it zoom in on you while your addressing… and watching the monitor… (in the big stuff we also have teleprompters for the scripts.. each one to the actor… with instructions as to where they are to move also) … then without moving.. you can use the remote again and have the camera pan off and widen out to give ou some footage to blend in back at the mixing board…
Ah yes this is fun… but not to ignor Kristie.. you need to get her a shirt that says GET A GRIP… and one of them french camerapersons hats also…
remember also that you need to check your lighting with the hand meter.. or have someone check it while you stand in.. its always fun to get others involved with movie making too.. you can’t imagine how many really ham it up… and play along… when you ask them to help you make a movie clip…
I take along a couple of folding reflectors.. look like silver umbrellas… and a couple of tripods to hold ‘em… so that you can concentrate the light into the subject area… Now to soften it… I use just plane old white plastic or clear.. to get rid of the 5 pm shadow… over or from the direction the sun is lighting from… try it and see if it works for you too…
Now armed with all this knowledge that took me years to learn behind the camera… you should be able to revisit the trailer (AS) .. and we should be seeing a improved Sean… of course the shot with Kristie… pink bunny slippers.. ahhh never mind… the mind is running away again… I keep forgetting this is a family show… hee hee…
And at the end.. don’t forget to keep the blems /outtakes… that you goofed around on.. lots of people like those better than the trailer (film) your making… grin… makes it more human too… Purpose got yassss are allowed.. such as you say.. and here is the bathroom…open the door suddenly… but wait someone is in the shower… ahhhh.. ops… flash.. so they can’t seen who it was…kinda thing.. off camera comments …. adds spice and a hook to the ho hum some consider it to be… grin….
(what is even better is when the subject that your filming doesn’t know what s comming next.. i.e .. the props guy put a mechanical fish in the pan.. that the subject was supposed to be cooking… it flipped out of the pan..in the background… while the narator is talking… he sees it making a escape.. .. the subject that was cooking it then chases it.. beating it back with the pan… This was a simalar outtake that they did with robin in RV.. where his wife opens the oven and suddenly their are racoons in their…(prop guys joke) the reaction was so spontanious and funny that it made it into the film… and the script writers had to scurry and re-write how to get rid of them in the movie… check it out… If you have the DVD… )
from their your on your own… after all YOU ARE THE DIRECTOR AND PRODUCer too… so make it ZINGGGGG…. KEEP ‘EM GUESSING WHAT IS NEXT… OR all you will have is a home movie type of trailer (film) Try to keep it going both visually and un-expectedly… Then when you have the serious romance… it wants to be a quieting velvet glove warm feeling.. you leave ‘em with… as most then rode off into the sunset… and fade to black…
That is what makes a good shot even better… on and you can’t determine if it sucks or not… only the audance can do that.. if you do.. they call it something else… grin…
By the way .. no you know why I have more than just one camera… sometimes when we shoot… I would assume by now you have wished such also as you get more into it…
Again just some minor suggestions for your toolbox… Heck you should put on a seminar so that you can inspire others to get busy also… and start filming… mabye a side blog now and again showing behind the camera stuff on how too… Hmmm
HI Kristie… not to forget you… ahhhh a scriptwriting class… who knows you could start one of them soaps … days of our trailer lives… kinda thing .. ahhh I hear the wheels turning now…. picture Kristie on the red carpet in her white dress…cameras flashing… pepole screaming her name… to the golden globe awards…presents … for best writer…director… hmmm… (still wearing the pink bunny slippers) …. film at 11… smile
January 21st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
GMAs, if I had a separate hat for every one I wear… well, we don’t have a closet large enough to store ‘em.
I thought about getting a director’s chair, but the Zip Dee will have to suffice!
We actually do use multiple cameras on our videos. The primary camera is a Sony EX1, but we also have three other HDV cameras (a couple of Canons, and a Sony). And I guess we should also count our Nikon SLR for stills.
At first it seemed a little too ambitious to be doing a “show” in this “one man band” style. But now we have TV shows like Survivorman on Discovery Channel that I believe are using similar filmmaking techniques. The alternative would be to carry around a cameraman with us…and that would make our Airstream a little crowded, heh heh.
Really, I think doing a TV show would be much easier (on me, at least) than what we do. It would be a cinch for me to just write and host a TV show. But for ONE GUY to write, host, shoot, direct, and edit a show? Now that’s a creative challenge. Of course, that’s also why we don’t produce 22-minutes of material per week.
Who knows, maybe someday we will “progress” to TV, so I can take a break.
BTW, I like your thoughts about surprising people! I agree that this is an important mission in any creative endeavor. It’s important to keep it fresh.
Cheers,
Sean
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
What? No beer? I…whu…well…. can’t even deal what such a notion.
You sir, are a man of more conviction that I. That is the one thing I know.
And to think, for the first few “drinking years” of my life, I didn’t even like beer! Good Heavens! I’m almost ashamed to admit that, but there you go.
Mind you, in hind sight, when my charming wife and I were living in Puerto Rico for just over a year, I did balloon up to 185…..and it was definitely all due to beer, since typically beer up to that point in my life had been a “summer” drink. For a gringo, it’s summertime all year ’round in PR, so it was the drink of choice.
Now that we’re living in the Netherlands, and since our second vehicle is my bicycle..(and we remembered to ship a bathroom scale!), it’s a bit easier to keep an eye on any expansion problems. Keeping it at a reasonable 170 these days.
Best of luck to you with the abstinance. Once again, you’re a better man than I.
Oh, and is that a Canadian Flag I see behind you? Was that when you were up in B.C.? Enquiring minds want to know.
Cheers.
Bob.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Yes Bob, a world without beer is a “less happy” place. I’m not sad exactly, but my days are missing that gleeful 5 o’clock ritual of tasty brew.
I think I could lose quite a bit of weight by sacrificing beer long term. But what might this do to my mental health?
Nice to have a Netherlands resident here on our humble blog. I’ve visited Amsterdam a few times and really enjoyed the city. We have family living in Germany, so later this year we’re hoping to hop across the pond for a visit. Who knows, perhaps we’ll rent an RV and park it in front of your neighborhood watering hole.
Good eye on spotting the Canadian flag. That image was taken in Banff, Alberta at a rooftop pub. Not a bad view in that place!
Cheers,
Sean
January 24th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
That is some incredible video. For a wild animal like that to come so close it would seem as if it either had to be too old or too sick to care about the fact you all were there. By it’s appearance though it looks quite healthy. Pretty amazing encounter.
Keep up the great videos!!! You are living the life big guy!
January 24th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
You finally convinced me to watch the last lecture in it’s entirety. As a high school band director the concepts he taught are tightly bound to what I do for a living. Thanks for the encouragement…it was worth the time!
January 25th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Thanks Mark. I’m glad you agree that the Randy Pausch lecture is time well spent! His grace and courage were inspiring.
While I don’t walk around all day long thinking about mortality, I feel it’s important that we remind ourselves that life is fleeting… We’ve got to appreciate and enjoy every day.
Yes, I’m sure that you can apply Randy’s philosophies to your band activities and the daily positive influence you have upon your students. Doing what you enjoy leads to a more happy life!
January 25th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Thanks Mark… Glad someone out there is enjoying these videos! A filmmakers’ work is never done… It’s quite a creative challenge, so it’s nice to receive positive feedback.
Glacier is one of the best national parks in terms of not only scenery, but wildlife. One day Kristy and I enjoyed three separate bear sightings (totaling about eight bears). (We “enjoyed” seeing these bears because they were at a safe distance!)
I thought our mountain goat friend might go for my camera, but thankfully he strolled on past.
January 28th, 2009 at 3:50 am
You guys stink! I have been watching about the best job and have been working on my video. It must be mine!
I really enjoy watching your videos and this one lives up to your fine abilities. Good luck because the game is ON!
January 28th, 2009 at 3:51 am
Sean,
Good luck with the gig. Hey, someone has to land the job and the two of you are qualified and have proven experience. Since I stumbled on your site back in December I refer to you as my new best friend. I’m impressed with the site and quality of the videos. Again, good luck.
January 28th, 2009 at 4:30 am
LOL Tom… That is great that you are doing a video also! Hey, if WE don’t get the job, it would be cool to KNOW the guy who gets it.
Best of luck with your entry. It’s pretty tough cramming everything into 60 seconds, but we did the best we could.
Thanks a lot, Joe… We’ve made some good friends through our blog! I hope it’s of use to people, both for information and for just entertainment. We have fun making it…(err, usually)…
With regard to the job, I’ve read that Tourism Queensland was deluged with entries. We’re talking over 5000 so far… so it’s really a long shot. Supposedly they will be choosing a “top 10″ list of candidates who’ll be flown to Australia for interviews…
February 1st, 2009 at 2:04 am
Very Nice. We perfer the Gas model due to the odor and rattling. But, more to the issue of… hurry to the store. While the Diesel is a great engine to haul the mail with, it does not lend itself to liking the starts… no waiting for warm up… run to the store.. en home agian. No more the diesels like the start, warm up, get on the road and spend hour after hour at it. The good old gas engine is good for the quick starts and short runs to the store, etc…
Cost is another factor that most don’t take into consideration.
Have you had any work done on the engine yet? ouch that going to hurt.. is what we have said when we had one. They all break at some point.
Any complaints about you trying to sneak out early in the morning … quiet ‘ly.
We had one neighbor that read us the riot act for starting up and letting it warm up. (noise and smell)
After getting gas ‘ed .. does Kristie comment about the new wonderful body … smell you aquire when you spill some on your clothing? Mine wouldn’t let me get back in the trailer until after I … lost the odor…man it got cold outside and I had to submit …that was tough…arr arr arrr… grin… not so with the gas now.
And the fun of REALLY COLD WEATHER.. and no engine pre heat and at altitude (7000 ft) (acutally had illusions of building a fire under the engine to warm it up so it would start) Been their .. done that yet?
Ok so now what about the hitch? which type and all?
Brake controller? which one did your truck come with?
And…. Tires… on the truck… rock hard 10 ply (to keep kristie bouncing and getting sedimentary) or soft ride…??
and the ever important rear axle ratio. Yours?
Keep telling you that you need a 4×4 grin.. but hey at least you have the hooks on the front … .when you get stuck…
Sure enjoy your blog. Pass it on to others too.
GMAs
February 1st, 2009 at 2:45 am
Its not the beer that is doing it… Sean… You think all them guys that are 50+ and have … santa button pop’n abs.. all drank beer? Nada…
What the wife and I came to agreement on was… she would get in the truck and drive down the road a mile or so 2 or 3 times a day…when we traveled… and wait…(promased not drive off)
I then would start hoofing it to catch up… worked for me for a while… but now she wants these long consitutions after we park for the night. I guess its the holding hands and… on down the road of life thing. It was either that or…. grazing on the grass , grains and … aw..nuts… a man has to have steak…not bird food… then she holds up the mirror and say… really!!!! (oh by the way don’t do that to her … or you and the dog outside will become best buddys… and to think she is afraid of a mouse.. hmmm)
Your lucky your still on your honeymoon… most of us old farts have learned to just smile and say .. yes dear… but… you know she is right in the end… so you learn some different approches to enjoy the golden brew.
Argentina huh… what happened to Canada and Ak this year? If you wait too long global warming will be over and then ya can’t go north because of all the ice age and snow. .
hey while your at it.. take flying lessons so you can rent a plane and get some great views… better lookng down than always having to look up… and… a firearms course helps too… as the rules are normally .. when in roam.. do as the roam’ns do… international scout motto… be prepaired… ain’t no cops out their in the back 40 when you think you’re all alone.
Don’t be gone to long dear.. you know how the trailer will start to rust up when its not used.
The adventure conteues… go.. go.. go…. have fun. live for today as tomorrow may never come…. in size 32 anymore.
February 1st, 2009 at 3:14 am
Ha! GMAs, you are certainly correct with regard to your comments about the noise. There’s no such thing as a quiet exit when you have a diesel truck. When we are going through drive-thrus, I’ve learned to just shut the engine off. It does make quite a racket.
One of the improvements Ford made in the ‘08 models concerned noise. The new diesels are MUCH MUCH quieter than the one we own. They sound more like gas engines.
As for the smell, I haven’t found it to be too bad.
The cold weather? We don’t get much in the South. But I agree that’s an additional consideration in colder climes. Our truck has an outlet plug… You can plug the engine into an electrical outlet at night to keep ‘er warm.
Diesels have their compromises for sure. But I think we all agree that safety comes first, whether you opt for diesel or gas.
And thanks for the comments!
Sean
February 1st, 2009 at 3:21 am
LOL… I remember size 32… Those were the days!
Nevertheless, tonight at midnight I think I’ll have my ceremonial beer.
Surprisingly, it’s been pretty easy to give it up. The hardest part was the first week. Once you establish the new habit of not having that 5 o’clock brew, it’s smooth sailing.
I did really drink a beer for the “Best Job in the World” video, BUT it was a nonalcoholic O’Doul’s! Ha ha…
Yes, we are headed to Argentina. I will explain in an upcoming blog post. I want to try RVing abroad, and we’ve been wanting to visit Buenos Aires for a long time. So this is the year it all happens! We are going to spotlight an RV business in Buenos Aires, and what’s it’s like to camp in the country.
Stay tuned, as I will post to the blog later this week, with video soon to follow.
Cheers,
Sean
February 1st, 2009 at 3:25 am
Did they mention that only ONE of you will be on the Island for a year… alone and no BEER.
What sounds like a great time in fact becomes a trailer for the hit series LONE survivor… The occasionally fishing leaves out of the pool… naaa wait a min… its says ocasionally fishing… with leaves out the pool… which by the way is your only source of drinking water… replinished when the next typhoon passes. And as to the lounge around a lush island… ahhh did they tell you that this is the same island of Dr. marroo… later to be known as Jurasic park? Hunting and fishing at your leasure… ya but who is doing the hunting… if your the only ONE PERSON on the island.
Of course it says you will be visited by people passing by… The Nuambie tribe is noted for the finger licking good shrinks and treatment they gave Robinson C when he was their years ago… (don’t consern yourself with that person saying… they eat people don’t they??)
As for the job description of … duties include sunbathing, swimming, and occasionally duking it out with the sharks and sea snakes… something about only things with two legs being on the menu… one can only imagine what one does at night after the sun goes down… ALONE with no BEER. arrrrgggg
The last guy who stay’ed on the island was only the’re for a whopping 36 days and now has dolpins, sea crabs and a coconut Named Mr… pib … for his best friends.
Ideal job… but what is Kristie going to do while your playing with the locals??
Pack your bag I hear your in the running… best start jogging that 5 miles a day to get them 6 pack abbs going… I hear the deadly black momba can only do 15 mph for half a mile… so set your targets high… and hope there is only one …smile…
Have fun… you have the right stuff for the job…least a new camera… that the other guy doesn’t…. well… for real… like in running man… movie… its all about how you percieve it to be… Just remember your ON a ISLAND… OUT in the BIG OCEAN..ALONE with no BEER… and only the coconut to talk to… after the float plane leaves … it gets real QUIET.. except for the anamules that are duking it out … sizing up how to fix whats for on the menu for dinner… ALONE for a whole year… and did we mention… NO BEER
February 1st, 2009 at 7:56 am
LOL… Well, the job’s in Australia. I’ve never been there, but if what I’ve heard about the place is remotely true, then the beer flows freely!
It’s a longshot… If they receive over 10,000 entries as expected, it’s a long, longshot. But I am a dreamer, so I will toss my hat into the ring.
I think I know what they are seeking. They want someone to showcase the pleasures of Queensland effectively using video blogging as the medium. And they’ll expect regular personal appearances at local events and related PR functions.
It’s a brilliant campaign. It’s been fun just participating in the application process. I hope they are taking it all seriously and there’s really a good hire made at the end of it!
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Well if your dead set on going… have your bags already packed , all dressed and ready to go… grab your camera, remember what we told you on how to get the best shots… get dressed, pack the trailer..(you are taking your AS and Seemore with you)…. weight??… may have to leave Kristie at home (like that is going to happen I see she handcuffed herself to the door of the AS already) …
we made the call from the studio and put some good words in for ya.. (after we had the boys over in production…touch up some of your posted work to give it that extra zing… remember the hook ) remember no whining no return. This is what you wanted… (we don’t say your in .. but at least the director look at your (our) tape… that we sent down to ‘em on the transfer system. His comment was … blimie… good
So now what to do…
Contact AS and see how they pack the trailer for shipping to AU. Contact Ford and see if they too want to sponsor you to go also… as you would be using one of their products to tour AU with the trailer… hmmmm.. (might as well get all you can from the others too ) Making this into a GREAT adventure… for not only the Aussie’s but for the RV industry and manufactures here in the states toooooo…
G L break a leg…
Oh and make sure the management of the two manufactures also contact the manager down their… with the idea that this will benift all…
Doesn’t look like you may be going to Argentina this year… after all.. hmmm…
Rooting for ya … and who knows .. may even get on the big bird and come down to film you doing your thing … Do they have Caravans to AU?
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Oh ya the beer is Fosters… bad news is…., its not real cold…. pooooo…
Good news is… it comes in a liter glass… (grinnnnnnn)
February 4th, 2009 at 10:58 am
“Girls go crazy for a sharp dressed man”.
…was the first thing that came to mind.
Nice to see you’re off to some new adventures. We just got back from four days in Switzerland. Much easier to simply drive down than try and negotiate airports, plus there are still many sections on the Autobahn in Germany that have no speed limits…and our “company car” is an Audi A6, so you can figure out the rest.
There will be a day however, when my wife and I may never have to take another airplane…..ever. But for the mean time, it’s still a necessary annoyance.
That day is still a good three years off. (*sigh*)
I do miss our Motorhome when it comes to travel. So nice to take along one’s own bed etc. (I know…we’re infidels…we don’t have an Airstream)
Best to you both.
Keep yer stick on the ice. (ok, that’s not a true Canadian saying, but I do like it)
Bob
(in The Netherlands).
February 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
My 2 cents: I have driven since 1965 almost exclusively (a Jeep CJ-5) 1 ton and 3/4 ton trucks and Suburbans. Towing my Jeep on trailer ~6,000# east from deep powder skiing Colorado in winter with a one ton, I had my one and only faded brake failure; I can still taste the adrenalinagainagain!
Wide ratio gearing was the problem on steep, long down hill stretches. I had a big block 6-cylinder with 4-speed manual transmission and a 4.56 rear end. Even big brakes faded. It needed an overdrive unit to split gears to avoid redlining or brakes-only controlling speed downhill.
I now drive an ‘08 F-450 crew 4×4 6.4 D/5-spd auto with tow/haul with 4.88 specifically to pull and stop anything that I can hook up drive over mountain passes in inclement weather. I bought at the summer’s panic price peak. It was too cheap not to buy discounted so. Very Big – yes. Fun – yes! Economical – no – unless one factors in the damage & wear costs avoided by the near impossibility of losing control of truck with up to 8 tons of trailer.
“08s on give up perhaps two mpg because of political emission systems foisted upon us because of wrong data “science” demanding 15ppm Sulphur fuel. I expect 300,000-400,000 miles out of the engine with my light duty use. Each step up from 1/2 tons gain in frame-suspension-axel-brake strength = durability. I get 11.6 mpg – not towing! Look at low milage ’07s too.
I would advise a 3/4 ton crew 2×4 6-speed diesel, if high miles per year, or big block gas if you drive <10,000 miles per year. The diesel engine should last at least twice the miles of a gasser. A 3.73 rear end not in overdrive will pull 6-7,000# easily even in low altitude hills unless you attack the Rockies’ passes all year round. If your AS is over 7,000# consider the 4.11 or 4.56, with gas, depending on the transmission’s overdrive ratio, e.g. 0.72. 4 doors are convenient and a short-bed good enough if available. Get a roll bar – not a light bar, just in case. Single rear wheels is fine with best quality tires – I like 32″ tall LT265R70×17 E-or near equivalent.
Every 1,000 foot in elevation costs about 4% in engine’s power. Diesels have much more torque at 2,000 RPM than gas at 3,500 RPM. Understand your gearing & engine’s power curve.
Best of luck. With all advice, you need the luck.
Kilgore
February 6th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Thanks for sharing your advice, Kilgore. They haven´t bought their Airstream yet, but are thinking about the 28-foot Safari and International models. I think your truck recommendation sounds spot on!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Thanks Bob! So far, the adventure goes well.
We have been staying in Buenos Aires, but on Monday we will pick up our RV and venture to the countryside. Camping in Argentina! No worries… we´ll be infidels too, since there are no Airstreams to be found here, ha ha
We aren´t sure what we´ll be driving, but it will probably be some sort of camper van. Stay tuned! I have some video to upload if I could ever find a decent Internet signal…
February 10th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I’m looking way forward to tales from your adventures in Argentina. I wouldn’t mind doing a Vespa vermin trip there myself. Though I doubt I’d RV there, but who knows, I’ve sort of outgrown hostels (well somewhat).
I really enjoy your video adventures… It makes me want to get the cameras out myself. I use to be a filmmaker ages ago, but hung up that hat. Making adventure videos like you guys and posting them for free might be fun. Anyway, your site is an inspiration.
Happy adventures.
February 11th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
What model of Sony HD did you get with which to dazzle us all. Technogeek chatter is requested.
Last year I got a little Sony HD for video audit real estate work, but a larger, more stable HD digital platform sure looks enticing where zoom distances are appropriate – e.g. wildlife – rural and urban, hyper-rural, ufo.
Bigger is almost always more better whether at fun or work – the same as you two are so convincing to us all.
God knows many of us need more stability in our lives today, recoding for tomorrow.
February 12th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Hi Travelfables, thanks for your comment. We are still in Argentina at the moment (I’m tapping this out on my laptop since we’ve managed to snare a stray wifi signal!).
We’ve taken lots of photos, interviewed lots of people, and gathered WAY too much information in a short amount of time.
My present plan is to sift through, edit, and post updated Argentina videos sometime next week once we are back in the States. We’ve learned a lot about RV camping here and I’m happy to download my humble info into the collective wisdom of the Internet! So stay tuned, and I will get it online as fast as possible.
With regard to filmmaking, yes, it’s time to break out those cameras! Actually, given the recent advances in digital filmmaking, it’s time to buy a new camera and take advantage of all the latest developments. An incredible amount of filmmaking power is available to the average consumer these days, right over the counter. It’s a great time to be working (and playing) with moving pictures. Cheers!
Sean
February 12th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
So…that’s why I’m kinda torn you see, since I realise you’re not able to post too darned much from Argentina with sketchy internet connections, hence a bit of a dry spell.
It’s certainly not anyone’s wish that your trip should end anytime soon, but some of us are dying of curiosity here.
We’ll all just have to be patient I suppose. Something I’ve been working on in recent years, especially after living in Puerto Rico and now the Netherlands….oy.
Best to you both.
Back up them files!
Bob
In Delden, nl
February 12th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Thanks Bob… and hey, I’ve got wifi again!
We are headed back to the States on February 16. Once we get back home and recuperate just a bit, I will descend into my video editing “man cave” and start pulling it all together.
We’ve taken a lot of still photos on this trip also, so I’ll try to work ‘em into the posts. I suspect we’ll eventually have an “Argentina” icon on the main page that will lead to all of the videos and content in one area. As we add major destination experiences such as this one, we’ll do the same. (Err, that’s the plan anyway.)
Thanks for your patience, and good advice about backing up the files! I have a 16GB SD card, so maybe I’ll port all of our media onto it before we head home.
Well, it’s almost 10PM here in Buenos Aires… that means the restaurants are now getting going, so we are off for a late (or is it early?) dinner.
Cheers,
Sean
February 13th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Kilgore, my fancy “Mac Daddy” Sony camera is a PMW-EX1. It’s just a fabulous camera… has three 1/2-inch CMOS chips, records to solid state media. It’s a beast!
But… most of The Long Long Honeymoon has been shot with tiny little Canon HV20 cameras. They record HD (HDV) and are not too expensive. They are just excellent little HD cameras, especially for those shooting travel footage. They are easy just to toss in a backpack and take with you anywhere. And unlike the Sony, they don’t attract too much unwanted attention…
February 14th, 2009 at 4:59 am
Holy Smokes! That’s a tiny one! It makes your TT look like a mansion!
February 15th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Tom, honestly, we missed our Airstream. The camper van is fine but it has a few compromises. We were told that the smaller RV sizes are necessary to navigate rough roads here in Argentina. Also, the winds in Patagonia are dangerous, and smaller rigs better navigate that area.
We return to the States on Monday the 17th… I will start plowing through our video and try to get some fresh material online soon.
February 19th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Well, I finally got around to doing my video. It’s no Walkabout Production but I did one.
Check it out: http://thebraseltons.com/2009/02/18/help-me-get-the-best-job-in-the-world/
–Tom
February 19th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Tom, nice job! I think your video turned out great. Congrats on Zoe, too!
It was fun to learn more about you. You managed to cram a lot of quality info into 60 seconds. I also like the touch of using the “Best Job” interface throughout the video.
Look at it this way… If you make the top 11, I’ll throw my endorsement over to you, and campaign accordingly!
A couple of days before we left for Argentina, I uploaded a 2nd video with a very different tone. It’s more of a straight business pitch. I have no idea how they’ll take this one, but when I read that their “bread and butter” travel is honeymoon tourism, I thought I should make the case:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-whgLv022M
(BTW, if you click the “Watch in HD” link on YouTube it all looks a lot better.)
I’ve noticed the quality of videos has really increased in recent days. It’s going to be tough to make the top 11, though I’d like to think we have a shot.
February 19th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Seeing this vid I’m reminded of my neighbours 1st dump experience.
He had just moved in across the street and we had not really met. I was having some issues with my jeep overheating. I had rented a trailer to move my tractor from my house up to our trailer park. In the true fashion of good neighbors he offered to use his early 1970’s Winnebago to haul the trailer and tractor up to the park. Off we went. The motor home was fairly new to him at this time. He had used it a couple of times to take his family camping. We drove the 2 hr trip with no problems. On the homeward portion I wanted to fill his gas tank . we stopped at a flying J to do so. He noticed the dumping station and decided that it would be a good idea to to empty his tanks as he had not done so yet.
Let me pause here to say that this day was in the middle of July and very humid out. with the humidex it was over 100 deg. I was hanging back watching the process. he made all the connections and pulled the valve. the hose popped off the fitting at the valve. please note this was 3 yrs prior to the movie RV. The flood of stuff running across the parking lot had me bent over in stitches laughing so hard. There was such a stench that people at the fuel island were sniffing the air. The poor guy was trying to shut the valve but now it was self preservation and it was get soaked in “stuff” or let it drain. we quickly packed up and got the hell outa Dodge….. We are very good friends now and I still bring this up from time to time.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
LOL ad2madmac, that’s a great story! Yes, under the circumstances, I think I would’ve hit the road and not looked back.
I have some friends at an RV dealership who told me a similar story. This guy had just picked up his motorhome from having the undercarriage serviced. He drove about a half block down the street, then for some reason stopped, exited the RV, and went back to the valve area…maybe to examine the work that had been done? While he was lying on his back looking up his rig, he somehow managed to pull the valve! He got totally drenched head to toe in “stuff”… He didn’t say anything to anyone, he just climbed back in his rig (soaking wet .. ewwwwww) and drove home.
Thankfully, we haven’t had any major dump station disasters. I’ve got the hose/fitting connection wrapped in duct tape (the instant cure all) to help prevent the hose popping off, as happened to your friend.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I forgot to mention that I really enjoy your site and will be back often to check for updates.
February 21st, 2009 at 2:39 am
Thanks Sean!
I agree, the later videos have been super impressive. I didn’t think of sneaking a couple of videos in there you dog! I like the second one too.
Good luck! It’s better odds than the lottery!
I’ll keep enjoying your blog and carry on with my business. I find that we have many things in common.
Have a great day!
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Hmmmm what part about don’t drink the water didn’t you understand??
BEER BEER BEER… don’t drink anything from other countries unless it either says BEER on it, comes in a sealed bottle like aquafreea… or something else that is pasteurized, boiled or sealed. Wine is what most drink… not water… when they have anything to eat… BEER Works for me though… grin.. you should have told kristie that is the only thing your drinking…. and you beeing a BEER man…..
GMAs (oh look a outhouse… brings back thoughts about doing the hopping dances too when you find their is a waiting line…only to find out they don’t use toilet paper… ugh how do these people live..)
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
The compact small, short not too long honeymoon. Just think the EU’s can pack in 6 kids 2 dogs and the family duck all while pulling it with the vespa. Then again where did the kids come from? go figure… grin…. With this thing… your honeymoon RV days are numbered (Europeans like numbers) Now just think what they could do with a 25 footer… does farrari make a trailer hitch ?
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 am
While we don’t think much of the length today ((32-foot 1953 New Moon ( which cost $5,345 at the time) ) back then you only had this to pull it with…
1953 Mercury with a 125 HP flathead V8 engine. ( WE have come a long way baby today.. with the 460 putting out almost 400 hp.) But according to my dad… trailers were about the size of teardrops and maybe 14-18 ft long… so this was a long long trailer… the road in the movie is none other than the Whitney Portal Road which leads up to Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California. The hairpin turn featured in the film provides a then scenic views of the Owens Valley. (less populated)
Do you know where the trailer is now? We do… matter of fact the lady who owns it now allows people to tour it… and has kept it all orginal .. just like in the movie… It was in part filmed at the burbank studio sound stage …Mt Whitney… as well as over in Arizona( Apache Junction) off of apache trail (now highway 88) on the way up to Roosevelt lake… (which by the way you can still take your traler on if you up to the adventure.. we did) (Sean here is your Q… to remake the orginal movie with kristie using the airstream over the same route…same script.. etc… well ok modified script to better enhance the beer drinking.. ahhh honeymoon …. but, use the same acting manors and charter names… that would be fun… make it for TV and you should have a hit on your hands… again…))
However, did you know that the orginal car blew up…developed problems in the movie… yep the ‘53 merc (according to older associates(sk) we worked with at the studio recalled it was a very real disaster in making this film…almost didn’t get made) The car didn’t have enough power to pull it up the grade.. so a switch was made with the directors car… yep they took his..replaced with a larger but similar appearing 1953 Lincoln that had a whopping 205 HP V8 engine…. (biggest engine of its day)
When you go back and watch the film again.. sure enough.. the front grill changed without notice… grin… and when you study the film further you can pick out a lot of the mistakes made..sudden changes in location… i.e why is lucy setting behind the wheel on the video cover painting with desis’ LEFT arm around her? . Also Lucy goofs several times… calling hm ricky (from I love lucy show they were in tv production with) instead of his charter name Nicky in the movie… grin.. ahhhh and their are others.. but you have to find ‘em on your own… detective..
When I was stationed over at Williams AFB for pilot training.. (now phoenix mesa Gateway Airport) We used to go up apachie road to a great place for entertainment called Miners camp Restraunt…(http://www.miningcamprestaurant.com/) wow stil their … even Elvis bought a church on that road… when they made some of the western movies out their. and down in old tucson (film set) Yes indeed elvis played a roll in a western… go figure… Joey bishop played a apachie indian …seriously… nothing like a new york wild indian.. hmmm Dean martin…(hick) Jerry lewis, (partners.. I have a picture of them with my folks (sk) on the set back then… and old blue eyes… frank (well… the rat pack) also made westerns… what a hoot…
Being part native american (not that the apachies’ liked us… profession curt. however) we used to go hunting havilina up in the Superstition Mtns… part of the ledgend of the lost dutchman gold mine. (natives say it is stil their…and it has been found.. but the governmt has made the area off limits to all… something about UFO’s and little aliens.. no doubt…
For a great weekend outing with the gals…(not married back then) we used to get some in-nertubes from the aircraft tires… cooler of beer and eats from the flight kitchen.. and head up for a day tube’n from the the dam at saquaro lake down what was refered to as the salt river…. about 25 miles…
Further up the road is the verdi… ruin’s… zane grays place (he wrote books made into movies of the old west) … payson, pine and stawberry.. then if you had some extra time…and a 4×4 Pick ‘em up truck … up on the mesa… to mary’s lake , country western barn dancing and steaks… cave exploring the lava flow tubes from mt. humpry. (natives believe its a holy mountain and you could not go on it… ((center of the nations because of the points… really a old valcano that blew off the top 4,000 ft into the next state one day…. bet that made a bang..))
The AF used to have a RV rec park at Ft Tuthill outside Flag. But, I think its gone now that the military left. . North Grand Caynon, cinder cone, marble caynon, lees ferry crossing (campground their too)
Ahhh yes them were the days… still lots to do and see up their.. if you only know where to go… best kept secrets of any state.
Happy Trails… GMAs
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
Tom, I think we are fellow geeks. (Hey, in high school my prized possession was not a car, but a Commodore 64.)
With regard to the “best job,” now I see where they had over 34,000 applicants! They will have their hands full winnowing the applicant pool down to 11.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:14 am
LOL GMAs, they actually say you can tow this Bambi with a VW Golf! It’s pretty amazing to me that they cram all of the amenities in so small a space.
That said, I’m still a little unsure about the toilet situation. I know it has a fresh water tank, but I’m not sure about the black. In fact, I think it may lack that feature. If so, that’s a pretty big downside.
Our camper van in Argentina lacked a black water tank, so the toilet was a plastic portable thingy. Let’s just say that the phrases “Monetzuma’s Revenge” and “portable toilet” really should not go together…
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
No more like… whats that smell…indicator when its full… LOL… the EU’s use a little portable dolly tank that sets on the ground under the RV.. for the black water… (they charge for the dumping of it too) In Some campground the things come with the rental space…as they don’t have sewer hookups… instead use it later.. saved in tanks for farm nitrogen…
A lot of the more parks over their now seem to have the same as ours. But, the power is 220 volt only… no 120… so make sure you get a stepdown transformer for your goodies… otherwise your elect shaver will have a mind of its own… and Kristies hair turbo dryer might doubble as a blow torch… (what gray hair!!!) least for a short while… Try looking for fam camps…they are all over the place.. some right downtown… grin…
Ya you think this is small.. try camping in a VW pop top bus for a month… by the time your done.. you know where every crack and seam is in the thing… grin… now that is small… every time you want to do something.. you have to have a chineese fire drill… and convert… no waisted space… Heck you even can rent out the gas tank as a basement condo complex… with pool… for the dog… so he walks a little funny in the morning from all them gas fumes… he’ll get over it… but, don’t give him any of the tap water.. or you will be sorry… big time…
From one world traveler to a newbie… only drink beer or bottled stuff.. that has not been opend… the exception is wine and hard drinks… their the alc takes care of the bacteria… never.. ever ever drink the water…unless its been boiled and bottled… your body is not akin to it.. however, if you do …after a while.. it would be… but, that makes sitting down a problem for about a week or two…
If you have to drink the water.. use the pills, boil it for 15 min…or one of them little pump thingiees… and event then… you could be effected…
Shower, shave and .. well you know…. using their water.. but, again… put a warning sign on the faucet… not drinkable… (red circle with a slash bar through a glass) besides. gives you a good excuse to get that tall neck out of the refrig… (beer is about 80% water you know)
If you head off to spain or italy …. others.. you will notice they always drink osso (sp) not water… but don’t tell Kristie..its good… or she will hord it all…and you will never get to leave…. Also I found that women over their drink flavored schnapps … really good stuff… or wine…(their wine they keep is not bad) again don’t tell kristie… about it… she will be putting it in her mint juleps from then on… grin… and you’ll be sorry… nothing like a buzzed woman on your hands…to make life …. ahhh interesting… (ouch thats going to leave a mark…)
Happy trails… G.M>
February 24th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Thanks G.M., that is really interesting about the portable dolly tank. That must be what Airstream is using for the Euro Bambi.
With regard to drinking the water, I know, I know… Where I have a problem isn’t at lunch and dinner…it’s in these situations:
Brushing my teeth (I know…use bottled water!)
Taking a shower (gotta keep any stray droplets of water out of your mouth)
Drinking coffee (I guess it just shouldn’t be done)
We decided that my condition was probably caused by drinking coffee in restaurants. Apparently it takes several minutes of boiling to kill the illness-causing microbes, and most coffee makers do not do the job. When I made my own coffee, I used bottled water. But I also had coffee in restaurants.
In the future, whenever we head “south of the border” I am packing some antibiotics. I’m always careful, but seem to get affected anyway!
February 24th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Coffee… ya depends on how its made.. most new brewers don’t hardly boil the water… but your right… not long enough at public places. If in doubt.. boil it for 15 min.. and then put it in the coffee brewer… and let it do its magic. However, I usually rense mine out first with the boiled water.. to insure no bug are still attached so to speak… Yes its in the water.. most food is cooked long enough (except for greens and salids which is rensed in tap water most of the time) to kill the bugs… If not BBQ till it turns a little… grin…
As to the bottled water… we found that some places already have the seal broken… ahhh wrong.. we tell the server.. please do not break the seal… if it is we won’t take it… we actually found that some take the bottle back and fill it from the tap… then sell it as bottled water…to you again… ahhhhh nope…
So just a few things to watch out for traveling outside the US.. actually even in the US now a days too…
it gest worse as you get older… beer is the best bet.
Hey on another note did you see AS is making a new box trailer called the scout.. or something… like the bambi for EU.
We are see’n a lot of people looking at the new toy haulers due to the fraims having problems in the AS. Here is a typical adventure that is interesting to read… note his trailer falling apart…
http://hamnqvist.org/vacations/alaska06/index.htm
Yet we are seeing others go to smaller rather than larger now also. Seems they can pull a teardrop and have about as much fun… of course taking a shower outside is a real adventure also…but, hey its camping… We already have a heat exchanger we built for the hot water coming off the engine… use a elect pump and 5 gal water tank.. old water saver shower head… works good… but we also now have it plumbed back to the trailer… so that while were going down the road.. we get hot water going through a heater core.. thus when you get into the trailer after going down the road… the thing is already warm and nice… all water is seperate from the coolant system.. so if it leaks.. no big deal..
speaking of downsizing.. we also are seeing a lot of people going back to the camper on the back of the PU… about 60 inches high from the bed of the truck… they use them for weekenders and travel away from the trailer… Vans are also making a comeback as a tow vehicle.. from what were seeing.. they have a more multi use-ability… as people downsize due to economy… they are consolidating the vehicles into two only… one for town one for fun…n play…
things are a changing.. and I think AS knows that … and thus why they are coming out with smaller units again… .
February 24th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
DODO…. ahhh I hope this is the bird and not what it says… grin… Dod-o-do is better choice?
February 24th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
LOL
It is not every day that one is called upon to spell an extinct bird.
But I’ve done a little research.
I am correct to say that many dealerships have gone the way of the “dodo.”
Meanwhile, our economy continues to go the way of the “doo doo.”
February 24th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
GMAs, good tip on the coffee.
And I think you are absolutely right about the bottled water! At least once we ordered bottled and when it was brought to the table the seal was already broken. I should have sent it back.
Often when we are overseas I order mineral water “with gas” because to my knowledge they can’t get that stuff out of a tap.
But as a general rule, I will commit to drinking more beer. It’s a good policy, regardless of where we may find ourselves.
Yes, the Airstream Scout is really interesting. In fact, I think it merits a new blog post! When we were at a big Pennsylvania RV show last year, we saw a few vintage style campers that were similar. It certainly makes sense for Airstream to get a share of this business.
The Alaska trip you reference looks really interesting. We would like to make that journey someday. Who knows, maybe later this year! Stranger things have happened.
I have a friend who took a pickup truck camper to the Arctic Circle and back (starting in Alabama). What’s really funny is that he was driving a BRAND NEW truck. He put like 25,000 miles on the truck in the first month! Along the way, the A/C failed, the windshield cracked, and he needed to replace the gas tank.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I drank my fair share of Argentine beer (usually the Quilmes brand… pretty standard stuff, as beer goes) but obviously not enough!
You aren’t kidding about the toilet paper situation. Let’s just say that we never traveled anywhere without stuffing a roll in our backpack!
February 27th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Your videos are fabulous, I have watched almost all of them. If the economy ever recovers, I am planning on buying a rig very similar to your, (GMC/Chevy, Duramax w/Allison tranny, 25-27 ft. Safari) and hit the road, starting from the West Coast. Until that time, I will be camping vicariously through your blog. Keep it up!
February 27th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Thanks Tom! We’ve produced our videos with no budget, instead substituting blood sweat and tears.
I’m glad they are finding an audience.
I hear ya on the economy. The way things are going, we may end up living in our Airstream (or maybe just our truck, ha ha).
We are actually planning a big camping trip up the eastern seaboard. If all goes as planned, we’ll hit the road in April and May. So please stay tuned!
March 1st, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I don,t know what to think right now. I have a friend (amazing as that might be) who was employee #27 at a large robotics company(they employed 1400 people 2mo ago).They now employ less than 400….. the big 3 being there biggest customers, came to them and dictated that the machining of all their parts can be done in China at a reduced rate. He has been with this company since 1982, as a machinist. He now finds himself pounding the pavement.
Good to see the big 3 taking care of the country this way, Hands out for money, jackboots laced up to give the boot to those that gave it to them.
Tax breaks for rv’s sounds good on paper but I wonder if the new RV’s coming out of the brand new cheaper to run plant in China will help ? Seems the wall-mart philosophy has moved into the automotive sector where next?
Doo Doo (I don’t mean the bird) is the stuf you buy at above mentioned retail chain who have a price chopper, waiting to chop you right out of a job………
The above oppinion is the sole responsibilty of myself (the poster) and in no way should reflect the oppinions of the of the web page creator and his lovely wife.
March 1st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
A2MadMac, we welcome all opinions that are respectfully expressed (as was yours), so no worries there.
My own armchair analysis of the stimulus bill is that it’s impact on RV sales will be modest. For anyone shopping for a travel trailer or 5th wheel, it does nothing. It only applies to motorhomes, and only to the first $49.5k of the purchase, and only to buyers in certain income brackets… and even then, it’s really just another buyers’ incentive. We’re ALREADY in a historic buyers’ market, so I doubt this one little tax cookie will unleash a huge wave of buying.
Low fuel prices — IF they remain low — will help. But the biggest hurdles facing the RV industry now are rock bottom consumer confidence and the frozen credit market.
With regard to outsourcing and China, it’s complicated, and I think the issue runs far deeper than Wally World. At the end of the day, Wal-Mart just distributes and sells products; they don’t manufacture products. At this point, if they refused to stock any product made in China, they’d have a bunch of empty stores. The horses have already left the barn (or however that old saying goes!).
With regard to the Big 3, here’s what I can’t figure out… In my home state of Alabama, there’s a thriving auto industry: Mercedes, Honda, and Hyundai all operate massive production facilities, employing thousands with quality jobs. How is it possible that those companies can do it, while the Big 3 cannot?
And now, I will finish on a POSITIVE note. The real upside for the RV industry and RV travel may be cost. Studies have shown that RV vacations COST LESS than other forms of travel. With an RV, you can control your expenses via your choice of where to camp, where to dine, etc. In tough economic times, the cost advantages of RV travel come to the fore.
Whew… heady stuff for our blog! But these topics are on everyone’s mind. Thanks for joining the discussion.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Love the back yard. Man…you could just camp right there.
Funny what snow does to people. We’re not really missing it here in the Netherlands. Mind you, it was below freezing for the entire first week of January and all the Dutch folk were happy happy, since they could then skate on the canals. The emergency rooms were a tad busy as well, unfortunately. It hadn’t been that cold in about 10 winters, so I guess the skaters were out of practise.
My peeps back in southern Ontario are complaining of the bitter cold, but that’s pretty much a seasonal thing. Don’ t miss that either.
Have fun in the white stuff. Although it’s probably gone by now.
Anxiously waiting for some footage from Argentina. Well ok, maybe not that anxious. No pressure.
Keep yer stick on the ice.
Bob.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:47 am
Thanks Bob, the backyard is pleasant. We have a lot of deer in this area. They’re pretty, but they also love to munch shrubbery.
What really amazed me about this snowfall was not only the amount, but then the speed with which it disappeared. During the first half of the day, the forest was a winter wonderland. Just glancing around, you might’ve thought you were in Colorado. But then the afternoon sun emerged, and things warmed up in a hurry. I guess it was an ideal snowfall; we had our fun, and then it promptly cleaned itself up. No shoveling required.
Sorry for the delay on the Argentina videos. Lately I’ve been concentrating on a couple of clients, trying to get some projects completed. I will get cracking on Argentina this week!
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
It’s OK, working is permitted. Good for the ole economy.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Heh heh. Let it be known that we are doing our share to kickstart the economy! Not that it appears to be helping much. I think the stock market is melting faster than our snow….
March 4th, 2009 at 12:08 am
My Tivo is set. Really great site. My wife and I are just getting started on the RV thing and have enjoyed watching the videos. I blog about our travels at – http://sichblog.wordpress.com/
Cheers,
Scott
March 4th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Thanks Scott… It’s going to be an interesting experience seeing this show. Bear in mind that we filmed it 6 months ago! There’s quite a turnaround time on these things (and you thought my blog was slow! ha ha). I am as curious as the next person to see how it turns out. Hopefully it will prove to be Tivo-worthy.
BTW, I checked out your site, and it looks like you’ve had some impressive travels yourself! Congrats and well done….
Sean
March 4th, 2009 at 1:03 am
I like positive…..
Thats why I like TheLongLongHoneymoon ;o)
March 4th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Thanks! I like positive too. I figure we’ve got plenty of places to hear bad news, so I’d like “The Long Long Honeymoon” to be a beacon of good news.
Someday I’m going to do a video about our very FIRST camping experience. (Yes, I brought a video camera.) We had a $40 tent and a couple of sleeping bags. We had the time of our life!
March 4th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
See… good things happen to good people… grin.. While you were looking at the camera.. others were also looking… but, I can’t say who… grin..
Yep love the filters… your last blog though was a little over kill…
by the way did you get the camera guy to show you his toy…?? now that is a camera Sean.
We are up north.. in the snow.. making movies right now.. but, glad to see your climb up is coming along good… now do you still want the job on the island? More fun here. More fun going to AK this year during their 50th… you know..
We will see what can be done to get you on the set… if your up for it..
Some discussion of the remake of the long long trailer… has been going on.. except this time… guess what they are thinking about using and who’s script (real life blogs provided) Just needs a good story line… grin.
Indeed we use our AS for the back side of the movie… its much less stress when you have your own habatation… The reasion that your not seeing too many AS is because they don’t have all that much room…for everything. Most don’t pull their own either.. a service provides the transportation of the units.
Now as to the AS you mentioned… its down at malbu right now…. where he is using it when he gets a chance…after filming… he loves the beach… we only talked about AS as we were passing… Might want to see if he wants to do a interview for one of your blogs… on his AS and what you all have in common.
Might want to check out a old state trailer park… down at doheny, ca. Can’t say much but its a old old state park.. that has a vast background for surfers and campers… including a old gent named Pop Warner… that we used to also know when we were kids…
Hearst Castle… is a icon… but so is solvang… and a host of others as you come up the coastline… but, don’t let the northern border stop you… gold beach and the mail boat ride… comes to mind as a fun time too…
Keep up with the camera learning.. I can see a improvement… grin.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:02 am
LOL GMAs, you have certainly raised my curiosity. I get the impression you run amongst an interesting crowd!
You are probably right about my overkill on the filters! I try to keep such things in check, but also don’t want the image to look too plain. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right balance, especially since we don’t have much time/energy to dedicate to lighting. On a narrative shoot you might spend most of your time lighting, but we don’t have the luxury! The challenge here is to make a solo project look as pleasing as possible.
With regard to MM, we would LOVE to contact him for an interview. He seems like a genuine Airstream enthusiast and a great all around guy. He did an interview for the RVIA a couple of years ago that was really nice.
Hey, we are definitely up for getting on the set! Just say the word and we will be there. I would appreciate the opportunity to learn.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Ahhhh well… we don’t want it to be known.. who we run with… as some of them are really hollyweard. Their are rules.. written and un-written that must be maintained.
I will see what we can do about … inviting you to the shoots. I think you may find it VERY interesting and helpful. Again I suggest that you look up USC and see what they can help you out with… learning. Its the best around. .
On the back lot … one can see how its done.. but as you said… it looks easier than it is. (some think that you just need a camera and your all set… atttt wrong) That is the signature of the director… as I once was told.. the writer is a artist in coming up with the idea… but, its the directors job to portray this written script into something that has the visual appealment to the viewers.
something to add to your production… thoughts… as you already have probably found… video presentation is made up of four things… action, location, dialoge and…. sounds. So far Sean, you have developed the action, dialoge and locations but next your adventure into sound needs to be…. so you can enhance your blog… (my humble suggestion) If you go back and watch your movies… this time note the score.. sounds… that enhance and set the treashold for the next …. as utoa said… close your eyes and listen… does the music and background do anything for you??? Indeed it is one of the senses that movies play on quite a lot… sets the action.. enhances….
So the first step is really … screen scriptwriting… their you can learn about how to think movies. Then its on to production… where you learn all the mechanics of making it happen… and finally the top of the mountain… directing. Ahhh the agony and stress of trying to get all the people to agree on something. Not to mention the weather, lighting changes, actors fussing, bad hair days… and equipment failures. All of which are a normal days work. (lock the door on the AS when your home) … oh and you want to get into the picture.. write the studio and let them know you and krisite are good technical advisors on the issues of traveling with the AS … submitt some of your blogs trailers) who knows… what happens then.
Lets not even mention the public who some THINK that they should be in on the silver screen… you will have that next when you get more popular… then where you going to go? You will never be alone…!!! See it all comes with a price to pay.
Now as to meeting Mr. MM… (nice orginal touch) If you head north from hollyweard… their is a great trailer park with a pier … just south of Malibu.. lots of movies were made in it.. (you almost could do a travel blog on the place showing historical outtakes on moves that were made their… ) you still can park their too as its a working trailer park… I would go see the park…with the pier… just down from the colony and walk up past the lagoon… for whale watching… (grin) Its a nice place to camp for the weekend as well as hobknobing with the other folks. It is their that you will find what you seek grasshopper.. according to the locators. ..right now. Jogging along the surf line is fun and interesting too. Lots of people do it around their. hint hint… So take Kristie for a nice … ahhh …walk… but, remember… privacy is …
let them know your looking for a interview conserning his trailer… who knows … magic things happen.. huh… he seemed real talkative about the AS when we passed him..
Be looking for the blog on “a trailer for a star” … oh and try and keep Kristie from oggling,druling and zombism… after all he does put his pants on one leg at a time too.. you know… moreover have fun… hey he just might ask Kristie to go surfing with ‘em… now that we would like to see… Kristie surf city USA. LOL.
Happy trails… the adventure contenues…. back to work.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Yep its AK’s 50th state this year… so lots of happenings up their.. might want to see about making some plans … if you can still get in.. the AK inland water marine highway ferry boats are booking fast.
We are going to do the drive, boat, drive, train, drive, boat…. home. (and in record time of 2 weeks too..) Putting the AS and truck on the AK ferry is the only way to go when your exhausted from driving… Take the Ferry and Plan Your Own Alaskan Adventure… well that being said… driving and camping is also a adventuer of its own.. so you get camping, driving, fantastic views/pictures, train ride, aircraft sightseeing and a cruse on the boat to boot… not bad for a first time adventuer hitting all the transportation modes…
Ahhh well if not Beer… then ask ‘em for a bottle of low cal diet water still sealed when delivered… (have Kristie jump in and say… make that two… I’ll have one also…) but make sure you do it with a somber face… LOLLLL They will know your from hollyweard for sure…
March 6th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
[...] anywhere wireless access in their Airstream. They loved the product so much that they even did a video about it! Sean was amazed at the ability to upload his large videos to his site using the WiFi In [...]
March 7th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Sean, Love your site and all the videos. Keep all that good info coming.
Re: the Weber Q. If you unscrew the top retaining screw on the stainless ring that holds the small diameter propane tanks and bend the ring open about an inch or so you can then easily use the standard camping propane tanks (larger diameter).
Does the Airstream have an outside grill/stove shut off on the side? That makes for a perfect spot to hook up a hose assembly for the grill.
Happy Camping or RVing!!
Joe
March 7th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Ahhh nice.. but we will miss it sorry… will have it taped for us..
… off on a adventure right now and so won’t be able to view it currently…
While your getting used to being in front of the camera…
I know Sean and Kristie will do great… its the start of their new adventure in RV’n. Next up the Silver Screen.. and you will have to pay for them to come give a talk at your club rally… (smile)
I am sure by now that they have a manager… don’t they… well next up to join the actors union group.. Airstream is going to be loving this… no doubt…
Behind the camera things have happen …. and now that your “discovered…” smile… we expect to see great things from the both of you… but, life will change.. so be careful what you wish for… you can never go back… the demand is high and the time short… (while it appears fun to others.. you know how much work it is .. the director said that you appeard to be having fun on the site set… now that you have had a tast of it… hmmm… what you think… on to bigger things?? next up a part in a movie??? acting tutor… makeup… ) from behind the camer to in front of it… ahhh sweet… can you imagine how it all started and got to where you are now… go figure…
hey what are friends for…
My only advise… these two sayings…
remeber always … Actors at first enjoy the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. The actors rides in a triumphal chariot, the enthused public walking before them. …And a director.. stood behind the actor holding a golden oscar high… and whispering in the actors ear a warning: …that all glory is fleeting”
tempist fugit ((”Irretrievable time is flying”)… points out that time passes rapidly and relentlessly.
Sean Kristie.. break a leg… ( good luck saying in the industry)
Happy trails… the adventurer contenues… I got to get back to work… C U
73’s and 88’s to Kristie
March 7th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Ok… AK here we come…My favorite Locations director made all the arrangements… she is soooo good… and what deals they have too Sean… its their 50th you know.. what a photo op… both in front and behind the camera (shhhh I am not telling anyone here that we are going… as then it would be a three ring C… kinda like in the movie twister… which way is bill going… they want to go too)
oh did I mention I was driving the rig.. hmmm though I said that..
Nooo Nooo Nooo… I’m the driver.. see the one with the keys.. drives the vehicle… I’m driving… you pax… you pay both ways.. too bad… grin…
Shortly their after I checked into the medics for multi bruses.. seems the other half didn’t find that amusing…(why is it only Kristie is laughing)
what a deal they have
Summer Specials
Round Trip Driver Goes Free!
Valid for travel from May 1, 2009 – September 30, 2009
The licensed driver of a passenger vehicle will be allowed to travel FREE when accompanying a drivable vehicle on a “mirror image” round trip itinerary on the Alaska Marine Highway System. The Driver goes Free discount cannot be combined with any other passenger discount or promotional fare. All travel must commence between May 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009. Tickets may be purchased through our online reservations system, by calling 800-642-0066 or visit your local ferry terminal.
Other conditions may apply, for full details see the offer rules.
it would be great if the group on the RV net might put togeather a travel adventure that could be filmed for any upcoming shows… with hooks on your blog posted to show ‘em what they missed.. who knows… might even see Old Al up their on a hunting trip.. arranged by the Gov… driven by Ken, and directed by Chaney… (smile) You know how them hunting trips went with Dick C down on the texas ranch.. I think the last guy is recovering just fine… LOL
Seriously though… If one could be put togeather… just think of the photo ops… it would be like WB travel adventures all over again… with new video historical documentation… and here is a thoght… why not invite all the rest of the camera geeks to come along also… and make it into one big travel adventure movie… each brining their teck abilites and equipment to add to the whole… why I’ll bet even Ford, AS and others would want to sponsor that… and then see if HGTV wants to put it on the TV… oh ya.. not to mention others… .
But, be careful.. you don’t want it too big… but, I would imagine that it would make the news.. and bring out all the political management to meet the group as it moved around… what fun… big time.. news at 11 daily kinda thing.
Already one of the national TV groups have asked… for support…
I would imagine the Gov up their is going to pull out all the stops… you will see things you never will again in native and historical events… this would add to the mix too…
Oh ya your going to the island of Dr. Marooo for a year .. I forgot… oh well… LOL
Happy trails.. the adventure contenues.. still working today… 16 hrs.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
GMAs, sorry to hear you will miss the show, but no worries. I think that HGTV will rebroadcast it at some point. Also, it sounds like you have some adventures going yourself!
Ah, those 16-hour workdays… I am often amazed by how much work is involved in the creation of entertainment. And it all goes by so fast on the screen. Sometimes Kristy and I will be watching TV, I’ll see a cool shot and say, “They probably spent three hours setting up that 10-second shot.” If people only knew!
You raise a great point about a manager or agent. That is on my “to do” list this year. Any advice?
We’ve talked with the folks at RV.net about doing a full TV show. At this point, the catch has been the economy. Financing a new TV show is a tall order in this climate, so Kristy and I keep on doing our video blogs and building our site. Really, I totally enjoy what we do and how we do it. I just wish we had more resources so we could be more creative.
Also, with more resources we could deliver a lot more entertainment. Sometimes I am the bottleneck, because fresh video depends on me doing the editing! I enjoy doing it, but my plate is pretty full.
I love the idea of the Alaska trip! We will check it out. This does seem like a special year to be there.
March 9th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Just saw the show on hgtv and was intrigued by your story so I had to check out your site. I’m addicted. I’ll be following you all now and look forward to browsing thru the videos.
March 9th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Thanks and welcome to our website! We have some fun stuff planned for this spring, including a journey up the Eastern Seaboard. Stay tuned!
March 9th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Have been following you for a year now on RVnet and just saw you on the HGTV special. Great job! You two are certainly an inspiration!
March 9th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Thank you, VaVet!
We’ve had a great time so far, and I’m excited about the adventures that lie ahead. This spring we’ll be heading north, so we will have lots of fresh material to post!
March 9th, 2009 at 4:48 am
You should have stayed at Oasis RV Resort (www.oasislasvegasrvresort.com), just south of the strip. My husband and I stayed there in our Airstream last October for a week and really enjoyed it. I would definitely stay there again. There are pools, a restaurant, trees and a dog park. It also has a gated entrance, we felt very safe.
March 9th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Thanks Jomick, I think we considered the Oasis and it looked very nice, but we wanted to be on the Strip. We ended up paying the price in more ways than one, lol. Next time we will check out the Oasis!
March 9th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Congrats on the show. Looks like most of it is online – http://www.hgtv.com/videos/fifth-wheel-rvs/34304.html
Did you guys buy a fifth wheel or one of the magic toyhaulers that can be towed by a minivan;?
March 9th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Caught the show last night. You guys looked great but I’m afraid Chi-Lan came across as somewhat of a dolt RV-wise. I’m sure she just reads what the writers hand her…
Seemed like kind of a waste of your talents to hand you the towables segment. Apparently your desire to expand somewhat from the Silver Bullet was interpreted as “Hey…a retro 18′ Shasta would be perfect for these guys!” by HGTV. I’m surprised they didn’t try to cram you into a teardrop!
Ironic the two mfg. that got the most coverage are now in bankruptcy. I feel bad for the folks down the valley (I live in Portland) who really did make nice stuff, but maybe they should have considered the masses a bit more – not everyone can/will/should spend $500k on an RV.
Keep up the good work – love your vids!
March 9th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Thanks Scott! Yes, a good portion of the RV 2009 show is online. And if anyone missed the full show, I think HGTV will rebroadcast it on April 3.
We are still camping with our Airstream! Really, for the type of RVing we do (always on the move), the Airstream has worked out well. Sure, we’d like a little more space…but who wouldn’t?
If we were staying in one spot for a while, I would go 5th Wheel. The amount of space they offer is impressive.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:26 am
LOL Dave…
With regard to our segments, I hope HGTV was happy with the way it all went. We really did our best, and the production company was really good. We enjoyed working with everyone and learned a lot.
That said, I think I refrained from being my usual hammy self on the show. First of all, it wasn’t my show to host. And secondly, I’m not sure that HGTV wanted me sticking my nose into the camera, etc. If you watch a lot of HGTV (and we do) there’s a consistency in tone and visual presentation to their shows that is highly successful. Our role was to shop, so we shopped!
You are right about Monaco and Country Coach. They built beautiful RVs (the CC Veranda was stunning) and I’m sorry to see them on the bankruptcy ropes. The industry has had the roughest of times lately, and hopefully the rebound begins this spring.
Thanks for your comments. We plan to do a lot of traveling (and videoing) in April and May.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Yep.. your about right… we figure for the production an hour for each min of show. … and that doesn’t include the script or mo-alog time..
Who me… naw… I don’t have any real adventures going on right now… LOLL
Well as to agents, I will ask around and see what /who is the best for your area…
Hmmm yes you need to be able to send the video through the media.. to a home base.. of sorts .. which then can edit it and send you back a silent transfer.. … and post it for you… if your doing all the work youself .. your going to be one busy boy when you start to expand into more informative adventures…. Of course you can train Kristie in the art of sound collection, mixer and sound editing.. but that then fills her plate…
I am suprised that you and the others that produce video adventures for the RV groups (I have seen 3 now on the RV net that produce the travel logs..) have not tried to set up a common editor studio place… i.e where you and they send your work and can get it edited and sent back… to you… heck the TV stations do it…now… and I would think you all could come to some sort of agrement saving both time and money.. while producing a first rate edited production. You all should have a teleconferance and see what it would take to set up a studio…for your application.
Their are commercial studios that do exactly that for you… that is the way the big guys do it too…but, you need a good editor which you and he have ESPN so to speak… which thinks like you and you him… once you find him/her… then you can send your video and sounds and they will edit it .. put it togeather and send it back for approval… then its .. only add the front and rear trailer of credits and your good to go… simple huh… but, as you say.. all it takes is money… Good place to solicit for your productions is a college person going to school ….. like USC or one of the others that specialize in those areas… most upcoming video-ugher-fers.. (gofers) usually start in that area… and work their way up… once they get good at it…
We have a whole trailer loaded with electronics that the primary editors are located in.. they take the real time stuff and start processing it on site.. but more for the stills and locations… i.e you shoot one scene… you don’t want the next one where the guy is truned around or the sun is shining from the other side… people start picking up on that when its supposed to all be the same..moment… so we have people called stand in’s… where the actor was.. they stay… so the actor can go REST or what ever they do… then when were ready to shoot again the stand in is replaced with the actor.. these editors then confirm the last fraim of the shot and once everyone is lined up… someone yells Action… and were off to the races filming… easy huh… no you don’t get a stand in.. sorry.. once you get a star on your door.. the actors union then says you can get a stand in… grin… expensive yes.. but, in our case necessary…
You know I’ll be their are a lot of people now reading your site which also are thinking… hey I can do that too… you might want to reflect on your experiances and some of the real time problems you have had… if you want to help ‘em out…
You bet AK is going to be the place to be this summer… its too bad that the RV industry is not making the most of it… the oppertunity is ripe… they should try and get all of you free lance people on the same boat… and then get the best of the best to edit it out… and produce a travel adventure… of course featureing their brand of RV shown rocking down the road…with happy campers inside… well…. ok people who know each other inside… or people who don’t want to know each other inside once the get home… whatever…
March 10th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Hmmm guess HGTV was reading the mail… as I just got a transfer of the production… through the studio… so I sat down with a viewer and reviewd the takes on the RV’s.
You all were against a real person who has had some acting school. Indeed if you look at the way Chi-Lan Lieus’ mannor, body language and grace… she has had lots of practice from what I see. (right down to the outfit… who picked Kristies one… ??) She also has command of the verbage. ( go back and watch the trailers you will see she uses both body language and physical expression…. verbage that is a cut above the normal person. auummm , wow, ya and some of the other repeated words like that…. do define the manor and grace and effective lang… as protrayed.. She comes off as simple.. yet delicate with knowledge of what she speaks… programed expressions…etc…hands, expression, position and lighting just right… again it appears she has been well trained… and schooled at grace, expression and body language… .from what I see…
Probably also has a lot of support writers to help her get it right…
As to AS.. I didnt’ see any… ahhhhh they are not going to like you talking 5th wheel… and the AS people are VERY protective of the metal monsters. You may find that your not as well like among them anymore… when they see this… grin…
Heck you didn’t even walk into a airstream.. then again.. when your in the high priced town car or cad…elete home away from home… going to a VW is not …. aaaaa going to work.. poooo… People like the high end.. but that is why the word lookielou was made up… most have a beer budget and a champain taste…
However, one thing that can be said for the AS is that its about the lightest trailer out their.. so mileage is a given…
Toy haulers are making a big inroads on the RV’s .. being a dual purpose vehicle we are seeing a lot of them on the back lot showing up… however, most family’s are looking for something to haul the mail.. as well as camping in… so it fits the needs of the people… something to be said about that.. however, they are heavy and you won’t be making the gas mileage you would in a AS…
A most interesting series… good camera work… impressed
March 10th, 2009 at 4:45 am
GMAs,
If necessary, we’ll hitch our Airstream and move to LA (maybe park it next to MM’s rig in Malibu!)… But we need an agent plugging away on our behalf from a business standpoint so I can be creative.
Can I do the business stuff? Yes, but it’s at the expense of the creative.
Can I do the creative stuff? Yes, at the expense of the business.
I think the right agent could help us make the most of these opportunities.
As for your editing solution, I love it! I agree that we need some sort of seamless upload/edit/download solution that removes me as the bottleneck. But these things take money, and so far we have financed pretty much EVERYTHING ourselves. The Long Long Honeymoon is a product of my company Walkabout Production Group — and that’s it.
We need some corporate partners to step up and contribute, and we can build something mainstream. Otherwise we will continue to bootstrap.
And BTW, we love our Airstream, we love pretty much all Airstreams…and if Airstream had put a frickin’ Airstream at the RV show then you better believe we would’ve been all over it!
But alas, there were ZERO Airstreams at “the largest RV show in America”… not a single one. So we had to browse whatever was on hand. HGTV wanted us to browse 5th Wheels, Toy Haulers, etc…. so we complied.
As far as the RV 2009 show goes, we were simply guests… not the hosts. Our job was to walk inside RVs and rattle off whatever thoughts popped into our heads… Kristy and I didn’t have writers or pre-prepared lines to deliver. If you ever watch any other HGTV material, you sort of know what to expect of hosts vis-a-vis guests. If we had started acting like hosts instead of guests, I don’t know what would’ve happened…but it probably would’ve been edited out. Seriously… when you step far outside the boundaries of what is expected, people start to look at you funny.
HGTV knows what it’s doing… it’s a very successful network. So we did the best we could do in our roles, and hopefully it all worked.
I’m thinking that this spring we may do our own RV video show pilot the way we’d like to do it. But first we need sponsors to kick in some $$$ to make a little magic happen. As the old saying goes, “fast, good, & cheap — pick any two.”
March 11th, 2009 at 3:34 am
[...] of our favorite camping experiences have happened at Good Sam Parks. The Schlegels’ campground on Route 66 in Texas, for example, is a Good Sam [...]
March 11th, 2009 at 5:35 am
Pete, we would love to check it out in person. Someday we’re going to South Africa, and when we do we’ll pay this place a visit!
March 11th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
We ended up buying the smaller brother to yours – EF2400iS – after reading the positive reviews and tests on the Internet. I’m thinking I will also keep it in the back of my truck but wondering if I need a cover. What do you guys use?
-Scott
March 11th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Scott, I’m a little ashamed to say that I don’t have a cover for our Yamaha.
But we do garage our truck. So when we are not camping, our generator is usually tucked away in a cool garage.
I’d like to have a cover for when we are camping. I’m pretty sure Yamaha makes one.
Some folks recommend you build a generator box for the bed of your pickup. This would not only protect the generator from the elements, but would also hide it from prying eyes. This project could be fodder for a future blog video!
March 11th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I’m guessing from your videos you might be mechanically challenged like me and as Cpt Jim my father in law would say – you can waive your college degree in front of it all day long but it won’t make it start after you’ve wrecked it. Might be a funny segment to bring back your father in law or some guy named Bubba to help with the project.
March 12th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Scott, I am definitely “mechanically challenged.” Yes, even something as simple as building a box would probably overextend my abilities.
My father-in-law, on the other hand, can handle electrical, plumbling, sheetrock, woodwork, engine work, tile, carpet, metalcraft, and a few other crafts I’m probably forgetting. In his spare time he restores classic cars. He built his own swimming pool and finished his own basement.
Our Airstream stabilizer jacks had rusted, so he removed, sanded, painted, and reinstalled them!
Someday (if I can convince him to participate!) we will do a video blog with some Airstream fixes and upgrades. Actually, that might be a fun video to shoot before our big spring trip…
March 13th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Like everything else… RV’n is what you make of it.
The manufactures just go quietly into the night.
No from what we see the RV now is becoming like it was during WW2.. a temp housing for fam’s relocated.
I don’t think you will ever see things “bounce back BIG TIME’” again. time changes a lot of ideas and the way we used to do things. People get old and as such so do enjoyments.
Don’t get me wrong.. I am not saying doom and gloom… but rather you will see a adaption, new uses and ways we will find enjoyment out doors camping.
Just as the big V8’s have been taken away… we now do more with less that has better effecencies and uses.
Families still need recreation… or it becomes a pretty sick socieity. .. the RV will always be their in somr form or another.
As we posted previous… that disappeared…
Its not the cost of the RV that sell.. but more the idea that one can use it for.
If you read Wallies B’s life… you will see that Airstream trailer were expensive back then… (comparitive price to earnings) So how did he sell so many.. easy.. it wasn’t the trailer he was selling but the idea (which he showed) of enjoyment one gets when being a member of the club … which the only way you could was to have one… so basically the RV is a tool to a great adventuer… and stll is.. but, when you get down to it.. its is temp housing.. while traveling.. emergency.. or now as we see supporting life of the fallen.
March 13th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
wow F450 is quite a BIG truck.
I think if they are going to buy a 28 ft… a F250 truck like semore .. is about perfict and not so much over kill.
What I think has been the bst vehicle to have so far… 1996 F-250 HD 4×4.. w/ winch gas 460 ci. Stock it made 18 mpg @ 60 mph cruse. We just got back from a adventure/work up north and it made 15mph country driving. Pulling the AS normally is around 10 mpg. We have stock 3.55 gears in it. ( I would recommend 3.73 gears in the new trucks) Now over 100,000 miles and still going strong. Some ask about the 4×4 use. Yes we have used it several times both pulling and solo. We like to go exploring in the back country off main roads.
Mainly it works out good in soft areas to get you though without stopping. (beach, snow, mud etc)
We also use the Low range (leaving the front hubs unlocked) to help get the trailer into position .. just so.. it gives you better control in tight places. that being said… we also installed the front reciever not only to carry items but also to hook the trailer to .. which then allows better manuvering while seeing the trailers position.
I can not tell a lie… the warn winch has never been used on my truck for my getting stuck. It has however seen lots of use on others who didn’t have 4 wheel drive… and got stuck big time trying to power their way through…. at the ranch we use it mainly for moving things, tightening the fences etc…
I don’t recommend you waist the money on a winch, dual tires or 4 wheel drive for the truck if you always use it on pavement/roads. Weight is costly in mileage.
Kilgore and I probably go back about the same time. Both of us could probably write a thick book on the adventures we have had… I have never added up all the miles we have pulled /pushed RV’s it would be interesting to have a side slot on your site showing .. mileage to date…log… grin
March 14th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Your site is truly entertaining and your videos are soOoOo much fun to watch and educating too. Your trips are great ! You sure have the “Best Job In The World” !
Thank you for letting us link your site to ours ( http://lettylogan.com ) We’re sure our visitors enjoy watching you as well.
Happy Airstreamin’ to you and Kristy. Have a Great Day
March 14th, 2009 at 6:17 am
GMAs, we’ve definitely lost some fine manufacturers over the past 18 months.
And the RV industry in general is on the ropes (if not the mat). The RV business got hit from all sides last year, as both the credit crisis and the fuel prices did a double whammy.
But people still want to own RVs. The problem has been getting good buyers credit.
Lately the talk is that the manufacturers themselves may band together to offer buyers credit. I think they would be wise to do exactly that, and not to wait on the government to provide a solution.
Yes, RVing is what you make of it. For some people, it’s a cheap family getaway. For others, it’s sports tailgating. For others, it’s a summer (or winter) home. For others, it’s full time housing. But any way you look at it, the core desire to RV isn’t going away.
Sure, people may not be buying a $500k motorhome and driving it to Alaska. But there’s a huge range of RVs that will do the job in a smaller, more fuel efficient package.
Will things bounce back “BIG TIME”?
Well, it depends on how you look at it. Maybe I’m being too optimistic. But I think the good times are probably never as good as they seem, and the bad times are not as bad as they seem. The full scope of this financial crisis is still being revealed. Most economists are now saying things will bottom out later this year, and then begins the recovery.
I agree with you about Wally’s vision, and that’s why RVing is here to stay. There’s just no better way to roam our vast country. And it’s possible to do so while managing the cost.
March 14th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
GMAs, that’s a great idea about mileage to date! Hmmmm, maybe we can add that feature to our website.
With regard to 4×4, we don’t have it, and I have learned not to venture onto soft terrain with our truck. Ironically the one time we got stuck was on our own property (just turning around SEEMORE on some soft ground). F250 are heavy vehicles, and they tend to sink in soft earth and sand. So now we stick to pavement and hard earth.
We get about 12 MPG when towing our Airstream.
March 15th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
[...] and I are fans of the town of Seaside, Florida. We produced a video there (featuring the Raw & Juicy juice bar). Not only is Seaside a beautiful little beach town, it’s also Airstream friendly. Two [...]
March 16th, 2009 at 12:50 am
I don’t know if I will ever be in that type of RV’n
I tow my 35′ 5ver with a 3500hd Chevy. We’ve officially dubbed Roman.
I can hear Tim Allen now.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:01 am
I’ve just returned from an outing to Chapters. Where I’ve bought the latest RV gazette. its showing whats new for 2009. New is smaller. I think the mfg’s are reacting to the fuel cost from last summer and current economic times. The offerings are well thought out,look cute and should be affordable. I don’t know if I could step back at this point but you never know……….
March 16th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Yeah, this one is more of a metallic tent than an RV! It would probably fit inside your fifth wheel’s living room.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Really, I’m not convinced that any models of RV are “on the way out.”
Yes, we need more fuel efficient motorhomes.
But since a lot of people park their rigs in one place for an extended time, even fuel efficiency is not a complete deal breaker. It’s not a big deal if you aren’t burning much fuel anyway. :O
Available credit is the deal breaker. Last year’s credit freeze, combined with fuel prices, killed RV sales.
I really hope that the high quality motorhome manufacturers like Tiffin can ride out this economic storm. The industry needs to get some credit options in place fast.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I don’t know what to say about fuel efficient. My own experience is that the new green laws are causing the diesel industry to go backwards. I had a 1997 Kenworth with a 14 litre Cummings. That truck used to get 7 to 8 miles per gal.
my new 2005 western star with a greener motor (15 litre Cat) only gets 5 mpg. Over a year and 100000 miles there is a 5714 gal difference in fuel used. The pollution laws have been forced down with no time to perfect the science. The 1st round came in 2003 the second round 2007 and the third is due in 2010. Cat has said “we give up” they no longer produce a semi truck engine.
I heard that VW wont be making any new cars for north America with a diesel because of the restrictions. Yet the world record for mpg is held by a 4cly diesel.
I understand the need to go green but right now greener is meaner. Burn more to pollute less?
Just another 2 cents from my soon to be bankrupt mind……;o)
March 16th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Good point about the diesel engines.
It’s sort of like the “water conserving” toilets we are forced to buy in the United States. They only use 1.6 gallons per flush. Of course, when you are forced to flush THREE TIMES because they don’t work, the water savings go right down the proverbial drain…
March 16th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Outstanding…. as we said you have the eye now.
Now all you need to do is get AirStream to promote a show … with sponsors.. and invite you all to host it … now that you have seen how its done… and you will be a hit with the AS group too. Next then you would have to get out your Wally hat (krisite would have to make up a Wally-et one)… as they would like you to appear at shows, meetings and caravans… you will be the next sensation and leader of the pack… see what happens when your a hit…
They love ya…go for it… as you show them the adventure they want…
Next stop a star n the walk of fame… hollyweard… grin.. well maybe not quite yet …
Congrats again.. the industry is waiting for you…
March 19th, 2009 at 6:13 am
GMAs, thanks for your ongoing comments and support.
I agree with you about the show. What I’d really like to do is continue what we’ve been doing… only bigger and better, with more resources. I know we could put together an RV show unlike any other. As you have written, we’ll do like Wally and sell the adventure! That’s the fun part anyway.
I suspect we’ll find ourselves in California later this year. Why? We usually do. We look forward to meeting you someday. Maybe we’ll park our rig in Malibu for a couple of months…
March 24th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Only if you stop making these B rated info shows that don’t have any airstreams or others. Indeed go back to making the travel and places’ adventures. I am afraid that you hurt your credit rating with the Airstream group when you did the HG thing. From those we have met now on the road after it was previewed…. not good…
For sure we will have to go back and take up space again at the Malibu beach park.
We like space v5-7 and always try and get one of them their spots. Although Mathew (you know who) likes the spot also. (we actually had to tell him to move one of his friends toys that was parked in our spot… go figure) He was nice about it and the gal moved her M. (but, don’t tell Kristie that we all sat out and watched the sunset ..Little beer, wine and sea food on the bar-bie…gassed and carried on till about midnight… don’t want her to get too excited about going to Calif… grin Oh and I like our older AS better than his… too. ) I won’t mention who else stopped by his trailer… while we were their… and through conversation about RV and travel…said someone else… another heart throb… is also getting a AS… and may be going to AK this summer also…. Even Mat said something about it…and his AS (let you know when we confirm it) again don’t want Kristie to get her BP up…. Hey its SOAP out here in Calif.
Most people come for the winter… and stay for the summer. The view is always good.. wink wink…
It was a nice break from the cold north weather… but, now off to another location for a new prospect on a shoot and background footage.. Do try and stay out of trouble… but, stay in front of the camera…
Alaska is coming up fast… big 50th this year …. lots of shows. Best be making plans with the AS group to tour… as you have yet to cover a WB caravan in one of your adventures. I am sure you could have fun doing that also.
The adventure continues….
March 24th, 2009 at 6:43 am
I know what you are saying about the HGTV show and lack of Airstreams… But really, is it our fault that AIRSTREAM SENT NO AIRSTREAMS TO THE BIGGEST RV SHOW IN AMERICA? What were we supposed to do? Throw a temper tantrum and storm off the set?
I wish I had been calling the shots at the HGTV show, but as you know … it just doesn’t work that way. I couldn’t control the content of that show any more than a Tonight Show musical guest could rewrite Jay Leno’s monologue. Quite honestly, without our participation there would have been no Airstreams whatsoever in the 60-minute show. At least we managed to get a little screen time for our rig.
Kristy and I camped in Malibu a couple of years ago. MM’s Airstream was there, but it was moved to the side of his sites, in storage. I thought he was settling down and going all domestic on us! It’s good to hear that he’s still enjoying it. It’s in his blood, no doubt.
We liked camping in Malibu (despite a major ant problem, ha ha). I’m sure we’ll go back someday, maybe later this year. I have a couple of videos from California that may not be on our site at the moment. I will see about getting them posted.
Hey, if you see Matthew, please send our regards as fellow Airstreamers. We’d love to video interview him for our blog. That would be an occasion worthy of the Sony cam.
There’s a fellow in Florida who’s a major Airstream enthusiast… Brian Johnson, led singer of AC/DC. He is on our interview “wish list” also…. as are Jesse James & Sandra Bullock. We need a little Hollywood pizazz to jazz up this place.
Now you’ve got me thinking about Alaska. I definitely want to go, it’s just a matter of when. Okay, no excuses… but we’ll see when we can work it all in. We are slated to head up the eastern seaboard in May, and hit a lot of TV talk shows along the way. Our spring will be booked!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Ahhhh… I know .. I know.. I get what ou say all the time from the hollyweards… they just can’t do it… and they try… or cry till they get out of it…too… grin… The best one yet was when the subject was supposed to jump into a stream and save her friend… first we had the complaint.. the water is too cold.. so we actually heated up the water and dumped in hot to blend so it was not so cold.. then it was.. my hair will get wet… oh please… can we get a doubble for the shot… or else it ain’t going to happen folks… after all its only water.. but when they found out fish are in the stream…you would think JAWS was lurking to bite ‘em… Ya we get the … fact that you could n’t rewrite the script… but, yes they do have writers on stage with Jay to take care of the problems.. and modify it accordingly… whole ting is not live you know…
As to M’s knowledge… Indeed he does know about you all… we showed him some of the early work and your current … he was very interested … you just might seek his agent to see if you could book a interview with him… (some get paid however for doing them) I am sure if you meet him on the beach… get kristie to go surfing with ‘em or jog on the beach… (he is a PE keep in shape kinda guy)
.. and don’t take up too much of his free time.. he just might come down the hill to stay next to ya at his trailer… while he surfs… and does his workouts… just don’t tell anyone what your doing… or with who… or the plague will decend among you…
I would think the next time he does a shoot … and its at a beach… he might book the park again…which then would give you some time between sessions to interview him.. but that is just me.. and you would have to be very flexiable to go at a moments notice… his agent is the key…
Sandra B who?? exactly… I could think of a lot more that we known.. through the years who would be better spices.
The only problem I see is about the same as you did at the HG show… Airstream just isn’t out their pushing …. or offering … to get ahead… they seem to ignore the’re chances to advance in the industry for promo sales. Maybe they have lost the ability, touch or dream like the Old Man did… Sitting and waiting for someone to come to them just doesn’t seem to cut it today… they need to be agressive and out showing… M did it using the trailer he got from ‘em and promoted his movie by having it painted… like a moving billboard. In the industry you have to have a HOOK… to get their attention… Airstream seems to be using a fishing line with a safety pin… grin…
Good.. on AK… now go.. go.. go… let the radio stations, TV and others up their know your coming and when your going to be their… if they want to do a interview…of you and RV’n up their for the 50th …. you really need a promo agent… Then you can have fun while getting even more exposure… at the same time…they make it so easy.. you just pick up your schedule daily and wham… all in a days work… hmmmm…
Well were half way to Idaho ..oregon… stopped for the night.. with three other crews in AS’s here now… camping in the good old Airstream by a little river that I was flyfishing in earlier… nice for breakfast… kept the beer cold in the stream… ice cold…to keep them rocky mountain labels blue… just the way I like it… I offered you one.. but you didn’t drink it …so I didn’t want it to go to waist and finished it off for ya… sorry… ya snooze ya lose… letting good beer go to waist is a sin you know…
On the road again… the adventure continues… tomorrow
March 24th, 2009 at 8:09 am
ya we had one of the other directors who got a new one… cry about it. I will let him when we see ‘em tomorrow …. that they are going back into business. Should brighten his day…as He has been keeping Johnny walker in company ever since he got the bad news… it was a big loss .. one would think his only friend the dog died.
So when you going to get one of them fancy Veranda ones. Great place to unwind after a hard day on the video making trail… Wonder how they keep the beer cool out their ?? I guess you would have to get up and go insided to get a refil….aw heck just hire a butler or maid… thats eaiser than getting up to go get it…right… LOL.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Oh by the way Sean… check out the new proposed CO emission credits. We’re not out of the woods yet. Just when things start to recover in the RV’n here comes another wave. This ain’t gon’a be good either. I’m thinking titanic here… something about the best of times and the worst of times….
March 24th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Yes, I’m sure that everyone who has a new-ish Country Coach is breathing a sigh of relief. Maybe their warranty isn’t worthless after all!
As for the Veranda…LOL…. I think it must be the most controversial RV of the past year. We actually shot some video inside a Veranda out in Las Vegas. It just happened to be in town for a big RV dealers’ convention. Maybe I will put together some footage for the Sidebar Blog. Yes, it’s ridiculous, but it’s also kinda cool in a Las Vegas over-the-top kind of way. Of course, I’m perfectly happy with our Zip Dee chairs and awning.
I will check out the proposed CO credits, but I have a feeling they’ll be depressing. Your reference to the Titanic is well taken. As the saying goes, “A lone amateur built the Ark; a team of experts built the Titanic.” As always, fear the experts armed with statistics…
March 25th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Okay, if we ever do make a “Long Long Honeymoon” feature film, I know who we’ll try to cast as me in the picture. Unfortunately MM will have to gain some weight for this role. It will take at least 6 months of heavy pizza and beer consumption before he’s ready to go. This will be kind of like what Christian Bale did in “The Machinist” but in reverse…
Or maybe I will get with the PE program myself and start surfing.
We were actually in LA last summer with our Airstream. I regret that we didn’t stay in Malibu! I’m sure we all would’ve crossed paths at some point.
We were staying at the Malibu park in ‘07. MM was off shooting some movie, but there was another Airstreamer staying in the park. I was speaking with him one day, and on the spur of the moment the guy gave me a nice new Airstream jacket! He said it didn’t fit, so he thought he would pass it on. It’s the blue jacket I wear in some of our blog videos.
I will see about contacting MM’s agent. We’ve spent the past 2 summers in California, so maybe history will repeat itself this year. Hard to know for sure, especially since our spring travels will take us to the opposite corner of the country.
I agree with you about Airstream. Someday I hope to sit down with those guys and discuss these matters. Airstream is one of those brands with incredible latent, long term power….like a Harley-Davidson or a Porsche. But sometimes it seems like it is a niche, when it could be mainstream.
Anyway, safe travels to Idaho! I like the sound of those river-cooled beverages. I am getting eager to hit the road again myself!
March 26th, 2009 at 5:30 am
Love your site, my wife and I have dreamed of doing what you have done. We travel often and as far as possible. What really made me laugh is we have some good pictures somewhere of our 16′ DWR airstream with our Mini Cooper S right in front of it to look like it was towing it! However, we have since expanded our Airstream to a 27′ International so the Mini would just look, well, Mini in comparison. Keep doing what you’re doing, we love it!
March 26th, 2009 at 7:33 am
ahhh… so far things have been excellent. If I may brag a little. These AS trailers are great in the snow and bad weather.
Here is how it all started…. We left the campground yesterday morning and it was lightly snowing with slush and rain. Easy 50 miles, just reach down and put the old PU into 4 high. No problem. Then the snow got a little bit deeper. No problem, 15 miles to go…Just reach down and put the old truck into 4 LOW. And we kept going. Now some would say that the AS bottom is on their for to keep the inulation in place, but we can tell you that it also keeps the high snow out from under the trailer… we pass a little car that is now stuck, its too deep for ‘em… Indeed I think we drug the Trailer over a couple of snow drifts that now were out on the road… by accident of course. No damage to the lines and all which were on the bottom that I could see…. Just in case we had the maintenance engineer on site…check it out when we got to the location. No problems. Trailer was set up and everyone was rushing around getting equipment set up to get what we came for…. snow shots… and backgrounds. But, the weather cleared for just enough time… to allow the crew to set up. While this was going on I went back to the trailer where it was already warm… ahhh the smell of coffee when its cold is marv… Like on Q it started snowing again. Everything in place everyone rushed out and threw the covers off the equipment… lights , camera , action… and you can’t believe one could have called for a more perfict storm setting. nature was playing her part perfict.
tonight between snow showers … little pearls of snow that fall so gently that you can almost hear them… you will find us camped like the wagon trains of old in a semi-circle. Days job done, now comes miller time… and star watching. The clear air is so perfict. A light puff of a breeze of cold air makes you feel alive… eveywhere its white and still. Total Dark, as the tech truned off the generators… One of the crew made a bon fire.. as you walk from the trailer to where the fire is, the snow below your feet make this crusty sound…Now over by the fire… everyone is sitting around watching the cinders sparkle up into the sky to meet the flickering of the stars. Huddled in warm coats someone got out a couple of musical insturments… and now we hear song, laughter and everyone enjoying the moment. No work tonight… Oh look the cook brought over some somores’… and toasting forks to roast the marshmellows in the fire . This should be interesting….
Ya… and this is work….. right!!!
As the postcard says…. wishing you were here…
March 27th, 2009 at 3:49 am
I DVR’ed the show and watched it. I liked you guys in it but the show was, well, so-so. The host didn’t really know anything about RVs or the industry. Apparently a minivan can pull a 26′ Travel Trailer! Wow, cool minivan!
It also appears that you guys are going to get a 5er (What did she call it? A fifth wheeler? What the heck?). Kidding, just the way the show plays you guys off. I know better since you are very fascinated by and enjoy the Airstreams.
Keep up the great work! I always enjoy your content.
The wife and I are talking about going part-time-fulltime. What is that? Out a couple of months and then back. Rinse. Repeat. We have a list of places to visit. I mentioned that some time we could perhaps meet up with you two for a beer or something. We’ll see if this even works out.
Have a great one!
–Tom
March 27th, 2009 at 4:22 am
LOL Tom…
I have probably been a little overly diplomatic towards the show, but you understand my position. (Yes, that’s gotta be one hell of a minivan! And I don’t foresee any “fifth wheelers” in our immediate future.)
“Part-time-fulltime” is what I like to call our Airstream travels….because when we hit the road, we are usually gone for a while. I suspect we’ll be out and about the entire month of May, perhaps longer.
Note that we won’t be burdened by any “greatest job” opportunities Down Under! Struck out on that one…
We’d love to meet you guys for a beer. Someday, if and when we get organized, it would be fun to have some “meet and greet” events in different parts of the country. Unfortunately that would require some planning and forethought on my part, which is not my strength!
Cheers,
Sean
March 27th, 2009 at 4:29 am
GMAs, I love your description of your current snowy camping experiences…. It’s downright poetic.
I think you have captured the essence of what’s special about camping… simple, elemental pleasures like cold air, hot coffee, a crackling fire….and the camaraderie of fellow campers.
Glad to hear your Airstream is performing well in the snow. You are making me eager to get back out there!
March 27th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
LUNCH!!!
Well… I could have expanded but then I would have missed out on the fun. These were all professional (hollyweard ) people from the industry… Goes to show that they all can have fun tooo… I am sure it takes us all back to the days of being kids with our folks camping… (by the way what is your past memories and experiences of younger years? Kristies?.. more good stuff… ? )
Indeed with the airstream.. Camping can be fun anytime, in any weather. All you need to do is back the tow veh up and lock n load… the adventure then begins… you know it does … because you get that rush feeling that is like no other. I still get it every time too.
That is what is missing from the HG show. (telling it like it is) It only showed the rich tools you can have to work with…. most bound to resort parking… (ya I would like to see them tow a 5th up here) HG left a lot out that really is the excitement and adventure of RV’n today. (then again it was a sales job only.. that the director got paid for… hmmm) When the professional actress was bouncing around I actually felt frustrated… halfway through… about the same as watching the laundry dry in a Laundromat just going round and round… (I like this.. don’t you like this… this is the best… this is what you need…)
Your specialty Sean, is showing the rest of the mass’s the fun and use you have put your aristream tool to work with. IS this the same adventure and fun that MAKES YOU LONG TO GET BACK OUT THEIR… huh…
Indeed you need to get back in the saddle and start producing what you do best.
is all I am saying. Like in the field… if you build it.. they will come…
How do I know this… easy … each time we stop for Gas or rest… the airstream becomes a people magnet. I am sure you get the same… (where ya been, where ya going…wish I had one of them…etc..) It is this interest ….that shows they are looking for an adventure…
Poooo…. just got word on the link that AK may be canceled… seems they have this little mountain zit that keeps popping up their and is putting fear into the hearts of the powers to be. shake and bake… So travel is saying that scheduling may be canceled… darn…
March 29th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Kristy and I need to get back to doing some REAL camping. The past year or so, it seems like a lot of our camping has been in urban areas. Last summer we saw way too much asphalt.
We need to get back out to the national parks and enjoy the type of experiences you describe. The type of camping I really enjoy … is being “OUT THERE” in the middle of nature. But that may wait until later this year.
This spring we will be camping our way up the east coast. We’ve been asked to become spokespersons for the RVIA, and we’re honored by the opportunity. We’ll be visiting a lot of cities because that’s where the media opportunities lie. I think we’ll be doing many regional (and perhaps some national) talk shows, spreading the word.
With regards to our Long Long Honeymoon footage, one idea that we really should pursue…is to produce a DOCUMENTARY FILM. We’ve shot several dozen hours of footage all over North America, all in HD. I’d love to hand it off to a top notch editing / film transfer firm in Los Angeles and produce a feature film. Financing such a film would actually be one of the best ways the RVIA and Airstream could invest their marketing dollars. Our material is organic, and people can easily smell the real thing.
One change you may see in our video this year is more voice over. I’m taking your suggestion and including more VO in future episodes. Honestly, it’s not only easier than doing “on camera” improv, it’s also more effective. I’m also striving to spend a little more time on the writing side because that kicks up the quality a notch.
Sorry to hear about the AK cancellation. Keep me posted!
March 31st, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Looks like a lot of fun;)
Was there a shovel included? Consult your old Boy Scout Manual on digging a latrine. In the city you can empty the portapottie into a toilet. After trying to pour 5 gallons of waste carefully into the bowl you will never complain about an RV dump station again!
Seriously though we had a porta pottie in our trailer sailboat and it wasn’t that bad as long you didn’t let it go to long.
March 31st, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Thanks Scott…. The experience actually was great fun, although I couldn’t resist showing the “real story” which admittedly isn’t what one might put in a glossy brochure. Our first day was pretty rough with all of the rainfall, but we thoroughly enjoyed Tigre.
As for that toilet… The crux of the problem was the “no number 2!” directive. While I understand the rationale behind this rule, try explaining it to one’s intestines at 3AM. I mean, if you don’t have a solution inside your RV, you have to venture OUTSIDE…and if the outside solutions are closed, you’re up ___ creek with no paddle.
You are quite correct; I’ll never complain about a dump station again!
April 1st, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Let’s not forget the notion of what I would call a “lifestyle choice”, even for those who only use their RVs on weekends or for a vacation of an extended period.
While I realise this doesn’t quite fit in the neat little category presented by the survey results, (even though it might fit into the 77%) there’s something to be said for avoiding the pitfalls of air travel and staying in hotels. With an RV you get to take your own “stuff”, cook your own food, you know who used the bathroom last and most of all, get to sleep in our own bed. Of course, some folks will never quite “get it” and would sooner hang around airports, since they figure a motorhome (in our case) gets horrid fuel economy. On that point I do tend to agree, except that really, it gets fabulous mileage for a house….AND I’m willing to pay a little extra for all the cool stuff I mentioned above.
I’m just sayin’.
April 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I agree completely with the notion of RVing as a lifestyle choice.
For Kristy and me, our hotel choices have been a “hit-and-miss” affair. We’ve stayed in some nice places, but our “misses” were some really bad places to spend the night. After traveling with our RV, I have no desire to check into a hotel again.
With regard to the fuel economy, even last year when gas prices were skyrocketing, many “travel experts” stated that RV travel was still economical.
The survey indicates that despite the scary economy, those of us who already own RVs are not going to stop using ‘em. That’s good news for campgrounds, RV service centers, etc. The industry is hanging on…
April 1st, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Somewhere I have a cost break down of the modes of travel… trains are the most effecent… RV’s are within the top 5 for effecency and cost savings… Airlines are the worst .
It cost more in CO emisssions and fuel waist to fly 300 miles than to drive your RV cross country.
I wish I could find the report as it was done by the crew over at FOX news… natch it never made the view as it was un-politically correct so to speak. Never the less the RV industry should show how the RV is still a contender for a family of 4 to vacation with.
Of course the over night fees just went up in a lot of places… strange how when their are hard times for the masses in economic money making… that the gov and others use it to INCREASE THE USER FEES’. Says something huh… Fuel is a factor but not the major one today. Most are more conserned about the location of where they stay than a couple pennies at the pump. (when you actually look at it… even 15 cents a gallon increase (Calif taxes now went up 1%.. fuel included) is really only $2.70 more to fill the 18 gallon tank…
A lot of savings can be had in the way one drives too… How many floor the poor old engine when the light truns green to keep up with the guys and gals around them going down the road… ever think about how much more fuel it takes to accelerate the mass to speed at that methode than if you allow it to ..ramp up… I think if you plot it out on a test you would be suprised at the amount of fuel it takes…( I know my gas mileage drops from 11 pulling to around 8-9 when I did the test) One could figure out how much mileage they could get compaired to the price of a gallon of gas per mile… and they would be amazed…
Also traveling at a slower speed… from 65 down to 55… makes a big difference too… (wind resistance and less hp requirement) and for those who say… but I have to keep up or else the guys in back get mad… to which I say… well are they paying your gas bill?
Think about it… if you made 2 mpg more per tank of gas… you could save the increase in fuel cost.
That being the major factors… should not be of consern.. as even the hotels and motels rates in compair… are also up. All things being equal… and you don’t have to put up with the guy next door having adult party activities all night long ratting the mirron on your wall… that is cutting into your sleep time… grin
With all the conserns about bugs… indeed sleeping in your own bed and using your own pillow, bathroom.. etc… seems to be more ideal.
Where the RV shines big time is when your in a dry campground… being out their.. and not in a hotel… and you can take your shower in the morning.. while not having to trip down to the public outhouse. To me that is worth the extra fuel and time to haul the trailer.
I wish I could post videos on the web here… as one of the student video graphics techs. put togeather a old film from the 30’s-40’s of a family going camping with the AS WB trailer… its in black and white… then it graphically changes to todays modern trailer…AS in tow.. in color… grin… going down the same road… camping in the caravan campground… switching back and forth from old to new… like stepping from yester year to todays… and nothing seems to have changed much… except for today…its in color and much more warm and detailed… it was a outstanding trailer (film) that he threw togeather… showing then and now… as RV’n hasn’t changed much…its still fun…
Oh and Sean…
One of My ausie friend that came over to be in a flick… tells me that when camping the guys cook… the gals make salids… and the guys only drink beer…while cooking… while cooking??.. if a second male takes over cooking its a sign of intrusion… on the first males’ grill….. not good I guess… and the duity of the first male… who gets the meat… to run the intruder off… ahhh depending on the size and shape of the intruder to the defender cook…I would imagine… smile Never the less the other males that are standing around are to keep the cook at the grill …. this includes keeping him hydrated with lots of BEER… to which he then uses some to spread on the items cooking… (such as beer battered shrimp or links…mmmm) They consider it a insult to the guy cooking if he has to ASK for another BEER… and as such it becomes his duty to promptly BURN what ever is being cooked… for the other males that have Diss’ed him by not keeping him supplied with BEER…
the women folks are