A new adventure/Airstream Trailer days/1974-

Bob went to work for Airstream Trailer dealer in Kirkland, Washington. He was in charge of the service department. Service was most important to Bob. He treated his customers the way he wanted to be treated. He had to deal with a dealership that was not always on the same page as he was. I would not call the owner a crook but he pushed the envelope a bit. The dealership insisted that we belong to the "Wally Byman Travel Tralier Club." Wally was the man who designed the original Airstream Trailer. It was designed to be like the body of an airplane so the wind would just slide over the body of the trailer . Very road worthy. and the amount of fuel to pull it was very small in comparison to the square built RV's. Of course in the late 30's not everyone could afford to purchase even the kit to build their own. We joined the travel trailer club and shortly after we "floored" a trailer that I was able to decorate the way I wanted it. Flooring is a term that means we put up the money through our bank, made the payments. The bank held the pink slip and we were able to use it when ever we wanted to. However it sat on the sales lot and was for sale. It turned out that since our bank held the pink slip we really were in control. Thank goodness. later I'll tell you why.

We attend the club meetings and went on the rallies and to the Eating meetings. Members began to realize that Bob was to be trusted and you could depend on his work men ship. As time went by we left the Kirkland dealership and became connected to another dealership South of Seattle that had been in business for many years. The Kirkland dealership tried to Cheat us out of the trailer but fortunately our banker held the pink slip. That is a whole story in it's self. you need to know it that we won. Boys if you never learn anything--keep track of your money, pay the bills yourself and be sure to deal with someone you trust. Bob and I both served as President of the club. When I was President we joined a caravan of trailers and went to Notre Dame University for the International Rally. What fun. We made many trips with that trailer. It was necessary to have the certification showing that you were accepted by the Airstream company. We drove down to Anihiem, Ca. to stay in the Disneyland RV park for the week. It had been arranged that we could sleep in the trailer and shower there but no cooking. That was alright with me. It meant a real vacation.We had arranged to be able to park next to the restrooms in case the trailer was not ready and of course it was not. Looking ahead I had a cooler for cold foods and the necessary things for happy hour. We were sitting on the tail gate of our tow vehicle having a drink while waiting to go to dinner at a favorite place when this lovely lady came over from a very new motorhome and offered us a pot of tea. It was very clear that she was not from the US. We thanked her, declined but said that after we came back from dinner we would come over to visit. That we did. We always went to the early bird special and when they found out about the early bird special they accompanied each day for dinner. There we met and became friends with Margery and Julie Freidenthal from Johansburg, South Africa. We began a whole new chapter of our lives.

Marge wanted us to come over to visit so badly. We promised that we would. My father-inLaw was so adiment about us going to Africa that we did not go until after his death. Unfortunately Marge who suffered from a heart condition also passed away.

In 1988 Bob" retired". We made out first trip passing through Yuma. Arizonia on our way to

Texas. We traveled with one motor home brand X and 2 other Airstream's. Our goal was a rally in Harligin, Texas to a company rally. We never made it. Bad weather got in the way. The motor home had stayed in Yuma. one of the trailers left us and returned to Washington state. We stayed in Yuma for a period of time and then began to work our way home. WE learned a good lesson. Never travel with anyone that is military retired. He insisted that we be close to a base and only he could avail himself with the services offered to retired military. No taking turns in choice to stay. Must be the way all retired navy chiefs think.

We continued to be active with our Airstream unit. Bob then accepted an offer from Central Trailer Exchange and he did a lot of work for them in the north end of Seattle. He continued to service RV's in Yuma and it became a full blown business.