I bought my 16 ft travel trailer in 1969. It was the same day that I picked up my new son from the adoption agency. So as the saying goes if walls could talk this little trailer had a million stories to tell.
We had been campers as a couple. We wanted to keep on camping but with little kids we needed something that had more protection and conveniences. In the trailer we would be dry, warm and have all kinds of space to bring along necessities. So supplies and clothing were much easier to handle.
We didn't travel extensively but did get far from home once and made many short local hops. Mostly the trailer sheltered us at a lake lot that we bought. The lot, development, lake and beach provided the kids with all kinds of places to play and explore. We have many stories to share. When my daughter was six , she accidentally stepped on a wasp ground nest. As the wasps came up and started stinging her she froze and howled. We could hear her from 400 m away. It wasn't a funny story but just one of the many adventures. Most adventures were of the happy type. Many hours were spent sitting at the table playing games. When we cleaned the trailer out we found the old games and left them there.
We advertised the trailer for several months. There were many inquiries and some people seemed really interested. The last caller seemed really interested. He came to look at it and I'm sure had made up his mind before he came as he had the money in his pocket. What's more he had two boys who were five and six. These little guys were just bug eyed over the trailer. They took it home and slept in it the first night.
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| "Out of the garage the old girl's easin." |
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| "Out to the road she bounces" |
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| Out of the gate so slowly |
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| "The last time ever I saw her." I get tears looking at this shot! |
So it was with some mixed feelings that I parted with my old friend. But the writing was on the wall. I had not used it for seven years and I was not ever going to use it again.
So goodbye old friend with some sadness and a lot of happy times.
aww. that is so sweet! the fact that she will be used and love by a family, again, should make it a bit easier. glad you left those old games for them to find.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't realized that it had played such a prominent role in my life.
ReplyDeleteWell you do have the memories. My parents bought one in the 1960's and as I was reading your story I was wondering how in hells name you could go on holidays and sleep in a trailer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photos, we call those homes on wheels here, caravans. Now, not so many, as big mobile campervans are the "in-thing" for the retired (mostly) people to do the nomad thing.
I think the terminology here is the "blue nomadic brigade". Seeing the country at your leisure.
Some of these campervans, mostly all imported from the USA, cost over $800,000!!! They are huge. I dread to think what the gas/petrol bill plus the insurance must be.
I was shown all over one of the manufacturing places of these "campervans" in Iowa. Brand W-something????
Very interesting blog.
Cheers
Colin
The big ones are popular here too. Why? I don't understand.
DeleteSad to lose a good friend, but if a trailer can look happy going to a new home, your trailer looks happy.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's happy that it's going to be used. I know I'm happy that it will be used again.
Deletenice to see new banner header picture vs fall leaves...
ReplyDeleteRed Deer River picture is nice.
Time to put back the leaves glad I saw the river or will something new appear .,.
Thanks for the reminder. I've been dithering about changing the picture. It will be a surprise.
DeleteWon't those little boys have a marvelous time!
ReplyDeleteThe sparkle in their eyes said it all.
DeleteI feel for you. The loss of my camper would finish me.
ReplyDeleteI gather your camper is it. If you didn't have it you'd be outdoors.
DeleteAww, parting with all those memories must be quite hard, Red. I know that the children it now belongs to will sure be having the same kind of adventures your children had growing up. Two generations of lucky children :-)
ReplyDeleteThe kids eyes said it all.
DeleteThey took your trailer, but they can't take your memories :) I'm sure the new owners will have wonderful adventures too.
ReplyDeleteI'm satisfied all the way around. I had fun and now I don't have to worry about the thing anymore.
DeleteSuch a touching post.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteWe are facing that day before too long...I won't let Dan see your post today - I know he will have the same reaction! We have had it out 2 times this year and on this trip, he has been a little bored. I think maybe the "fun"is wearing off for him. It wore off long ago for me...I miss my house and my "stuff"...but he is a people person and is happiest when there are lots of people for him to talk to. The campground emptied out yesterday after the festival, so I think he was missing the hustle and bustle. Glad you found a family that would love your camper the way you did and get years of enjoyment out of it with the youngsters!
ReplyDeleteAt my age there are quite a few serious decisions that are going to have to be made.
DeleteNice story Red - and letting go of your FRIEND. Nice to see it passed on to a young family that will have many of the adventures your family did and I bet they will use those games you left. Nice post about Olde Friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure these guys will have fun.
DeleteWell written, Red. I could feel the sadness of losing an old friend, but now I'm so happy to think that old friend will be giving others memories like yours. :-)
ReplyDeleteI remember the thrill when it was new. Trailers were fairly recent at that time.
Deleteyep..I think everyone knows what you mean by an old friend...kind of bittersweet.
ReplyDeletebittersweet is a good choice of words.
DeleteI feel you pain. Although, with us, it is the farm. We are not going to sell it, nor are we going to 'stop' farming. But the work is starting to be well.....work. So today Terry said no more pinto beans, ever again. (We will see, but I really think he means it). It's the ending of all endings that I think we all know is coming slowly around the corner for all of us to face.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Red. I feel your pain.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
My brother is 71 and still farming with a son. The son can't make it on his own so brother is caught having to continue. So I know what you have to go through.
DeleteRed I got a lump in my throat when it came to the final photo and your words. The joy these young boys and their parents will have with this trailer... well you know first hand how it's going to be for them. I love that you left the games in the trailer, hopefully the electronic gadgets will be forgotten at home and they'll pull the games out for some quality family time.
ReplyDeleteI was just trying to tell a story. I didn't want people to choke up. I must admit that I did choke up when a worked with this photo and that surprised me.
DeleteThis family is one that will do things with the kids and skip the electronic gadgets.
Red, I was a little worried when I started reading this. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was the end of your adventures with wonderful memories made, but a new set of adventures and memories are ahead for this family. I'm glad it went to a family with children to carry on the tradition with which you intended when you purchased it.
I know that the title would make people think if the passing of a friend.
DeleteThese people seem to spend high quality time with their kids.
Ah what a wonderful post about days gone by..your memories are good ones! :)
ReplyDeleteGood memories for sure. We hadn't planned it this way, but "I guess things just happen that way."
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