A Silver Bullet Hits Its Mark

I admit it. I love the outdoors. But I am also a camping wimp who likes creature comforts, especially a private and clean shower stall and bathroom at the end of a dust- or sand-filled day.

As for the idea of getting closer to the outdoors with an RV, which comes with a bathroom and shower stall? It’s not on my list of 100 travel adventures before I die.
Yet, I’d make an exception for a trip in a state-of-the-art Airstream, a.k.a. Silver Bullet. Now, that’s definitely something I want to check off my list.

I’ve always had affection for the Airstream’s instantly recognizable exterior – the all-aluminum skin and the curvilinear corners that give it a graceful profile. It’s a timeless design that’s retro yet modern at the same time.

As for longevity, a majority of Silver Bullets are still being used, according to Airstream, Inc., which is celebrating its 80th year. My husband’s Uncle Jim and Aunt Jerry – lovers of travel like my husband and me – continue to rely on their Airstream’s staying power.

They take big trips in the U.S. only in their Silver Bullet, criss-crossing the country countless times for more than two decades, sending us postcards, and lately, e-mails about their journeys.

Still, it wasn’t until the interiors became the subject of contemporary makeovers that the Airstream began hip again, so much so that now, celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp and Matthew McConaughey each own one.

Curious about the Silver Bullet lifestyle, my husband, Kevin, our two young kids and I took a mini-vacation over a long weekend in a new Airstream International, one of the largest in the company’s fleet of trailers.

Ours for three days, the new International revealed itself to be sleek inside, from the pale faux wood floors to the gray upholstery, the dark wood cabinetry, streamlined fixtures, and the modern appliances – defying the very stereotype of a trailer. If I add a small crystal mini-chandelier, it would have looked almost like a diminutive but glam modern studio apartment. The only thing that still begged for a makeover was the sheer white window treatment.

But putting its looks aside, we were curious to see how it performed on the road and at the campsite.

We arrived late on a Friday night from OC at KOA, a privately-owned, well-kept campground in south San Diego. My hubby, who had never towed a trailer before, eased the Airstream into its spot in one shot and hooked up the utilities. In less than half an hour, we had water and power. Our friends Jonathan and Tricia, who are camping veterans, arrived a few hours ahead of us and already had their tent and gear set up in a spot nearby, so they came by with their two kids and nephew to say hello. Given the lateness of the evening, we all decided making s’mores would have to wait until tomorrow. Our friends headed back to their tent, while Kevin converted the dinette into a second bed and I tucked the kids in the bed in the rear of the camper.

Early the next morning, we awoke to sounds of other children playing and riding their bicycles around the campgrounds and gorgeous sunshine peeking through the windows. It turned out to be the beginning of a perfect day.

What is it about being outdoors surrounded by big trees and warm sunlight that whets a big appetite? Everyone was ready for a hearty breakfast, so the two families teamed up to make toast and bacon and eggs, with fresh strawberries. The best part: It didn’t take long because we didn’t need to use the outdoor grill. The pleasure of having an Airstream is that it came with a stove, oven and microwave – all arranged strategically for ease of use. We also had stocked the pantry and refrigerator with food before leaving OC, so there was little need to stop by the store or bring more than one cooler. Post-breakfast clean up was convenient because of the kitchen sink and ample running water in the trailer.

We locked up the Airstream and left it on the campgrounds while we headed to the beach with our coolers, blankets and swimsuits. When we returned in the afternoon, I could not have been more thankful that we could take an unencumbered warm shower and be able to easily change into clean clothes in the trailer. After Tricia and I got our kids cleaned up and into their PJs, we set the table outside, put the hors d’oeuvres in place and poured glasses of Pinot Noir and Champagne for the adults and juice for the kids. The children, in the meantime, played inside the trailer.

The men were just as busy. Jonathan, Kevin and Jonathan’s grown up nephew built a campfire and tended to the thick steaks and vegetables on a grill. At sunset, we all sat down for a relaxed al fresco dinner. Somehow, in that setting, everything tasted that much more delicious. Sitting back in portable chairs, we watched as campfires burned around us and our neighbors worked their grills. It was as idyllic a scene as it could get, given that we were, for all intents and purposes, in the leafy suburbs and not in the wilderness.

As our fire grew brighter against a darkening sky, we realized it was time for dessert. The dads and kids toasted big and fluffy marshmallows while the moms assembled s’mores out of the toasted marshmallows, chocolate pieces and graham crackers. After the last morsel of chocolate disappeared, Tricia and I half-heartedly quelled the kids’ protests to stay up longer. She headed back to her tent with her kids. As I put my own tired kids to bed in the Airstream, I heard the muffled sounds of Jonathan and Kevin talking contentedly by the fire while they waited for the last of the wood to turn into embers. This camping wimp felt spectacularly happy.

The next day, we reluctantly packed up and headed home. Our kids didn’t want the zero-stress weekend to end. Fortunately, towing the Airstream forced us to slow down literally and figuratively, effectively delaying the end of our mini-vacation. You can’t really rush or take the fast lane when you’re pulling thousands of pounds behind you on the freeway.

That afternoon, we took a detour to Crystal Cove State Park to get a photo of our family with the Airstream against the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. I posted a photo on my Facebook page shortly afterward. Not surprisingly, the first to comment was Aunt Jerry, Airstream traveler extraordinaire, who wrote to say she liked the picture.

At last, I understood why she, Uncle Jim and many others were captivated by this American icon. Ever since that lovely weekend, I too have succumbed to its indomitable spell.

Airstream Redux
The Airstream is celebrating its 80th year – and it’s one hip octogenarian, thanks to the makeover of its interiors by Airstream, Inc., and by several design enthusiasts who saw the trailer’s potential for creative expression.

About six years ago, a design team at Quiksilver redid the interiors for the 75th anniversary limited edition of the Airstream Bambi, as did San Francisco architect Chris Deam, who partnered with Design Within Reach to create a midcentury-inspired version. Newport Beach-based Barclay Butera customized an Airstream Bambi, took it to the Sundance Film Festival, then auctioned it off on eBay for a children’s charity four years ago. These designer Airstreams rarely become available for sale. Other themed Airstreams include those by Victorinox and Eddie Bauer.

One way to check out if the Airstream lifestyle is for you is to take a staycation at Hotel Airstream at The Dunes in Newport Beach, which features understated décor that is beach-inspired and relaxed, with soothing hues such as pale blues and greens and sand.

If you love humorous and art-inspired design coupled with unusual accommodations like I do, put these two places in South Africa on your must-visit list: The first is the Airstream Rooftop Trailer Park atop the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town, which features seven themed or artsy Silver Bullets.

The other is the ultimate example of how an Airstream can be a fantastic blank canvas for creativity and hospitality. Located in Elgin, just outside of Cape Town, Old Mac Daddy has made what seems like an oxymoronic concept into a jaw-dropping achievement: an ultra-cool luxury trailer park. The so-called trailer suites with a minimalist Scandinavian style look like someone drove an Airstream straight into a house. Like their cousins at Grand Daddy Hotel, each vintage Airstream has been converted into a room and decorated with a tongue-in-cheek chic theme by artists or designers. The one I’m dying to visit is The Dream, artist Sarah Pratt’s interpretation of Henri Rousseau’s famous painting of the same name.