Cousin Eddie might be at your door soon!

The story you are about to read is 100% true.  And 100% wacko!

Peter was recently on the phone with one of his dad's longtime best friends.  His friend happens to be named John too (irrelevant).  Anyhow, he has this RV ... You know, the BIG kind that has the driving portion attached... a 34 foot, bucket seat, home on wheels.   Pete's dad always wanted one ... this one in particular.  Apparenlty John's kids don't want anything to do with the perfectly functional Cousin Eddie Mobile (who knows, maybe they aren't secret rednecks with a hankering for road adventures).  John decided to GIVE it to US!  Yes, GIVE US A VERY NICE 34-FOOT RV!  

So after discussing this for 5 minutes we thought, "hmm... WHY NOT and HELL YEAH!"   We love our little Airstream, but come on ... Bigger bed, bigger bed ROOM, bigger bathroom, full kitchen, we don't have to haul it behind our car, and IT'S FREE! 

The best part -  we need to go to San Diego and drive it back!  Road trip!  

We have our tickets booked (free because of airline miles) and we are off to San Diego - me, Pete and Matine  -  to pick up our new home on wheels.  The Family Truck-ster. Our first family road trip in our new RV.  Our "proposed" travel plan is below ... This is fair warning to our friends that live in our path ... We will be parking it in front of YOUR house!  (kidding .... sort of)

Airstream Adventures

We haven't taken the Airstream on a legitimate "maiden voyage" quite yet.  Since the day after we got Her, she has been parked in our driveway and graciously housing our constant rotation of house guests.  She has proven to be quite the extra bedroom.  A reminder to future visitors:  the Silver Bullet has air conditioning - our house doesn't!  The mobile living unit is very cozy and all Her guests have raved about her comfort, temperature and overall charm.  

We have taken her out to Joellyn's house twice now as our living quarters when we are there.  When there is a houseful of Amy, Eric and kids and other miscellaneous visiting family - even Jo's spacious house gets crowded and loud.  We love being about to sneak off outside and find peace and quiet in her metal walls.  Matine sleeps better in the Airstream than in her bedroom - she loves it!

There our beauty sits, perfectly at home as a backdrop to the Horseshoe Hills

She is an excellent focal point for adult and child gatherings alike.  Throw a few cushy Paco pads, bouncing balls, and dogs and the kids are right at home!

Sally, Audrey (pictured with Matine) and Camille came up last weekend for a nice relaxing day on the Howell Farm.

Camille cuddling her favorite friend and sister.

Amy and her baby, Miniature Eric (we also call her Jhett Marie)

TWO sweet babies - lucky me!

Cute and blurry picture of Mattie with her proud daddy.  These two are starting to look like twins.

After Nana read her grand-babies some stories, it was off to the Airstream for Matine who slept from 8pm to 8am!

On the road

Meet our new 31ft Airstream Sovereign, born in 1979, adopted by the Howells July 24, 2010!

She's a beauty and we are convinced will provide us with some super fun, retro camping action.  We have already planned our trips to see YOU, go to Baja, all the Coasts, and of course, many of the fabulous locations in beautiful Montana.  This has been a dream of ours for a while... we just never thought it would really happen.  The stars aligned and we got the "deal of the century."  Seriously folks.  All our karma was used up with this steal. 

She's in great condition, has all the original everything, AC, stoves, ovens, refrigerator, a "china cabinet" (they seriously called some storage in it a "china cabinet" in the very amusing, full picture 1979 owners manual).  I think I will have to get some of those pics up here soon.

We have already put in a new mattress in the bedroom and Matine has enjoyed jumping on it.  We haven't left the driveway (yet) and we already love it.

Here are some more pictures of her insides.  We need LOTS of ideas and help fixing her up and decorating her for function and fun.  Ideas are welcome! 

Backing her in to her temporary home in the driveway.  I am certain our neighbors LOVE us even more now.  Just what our 2 car driveway with no garage needed - a 31 foot AIRSTREAM!  

Come on in - original screen door, still in tact and working perfectly!

Here's a shot of the living room where the fold out bed / table will be.  The seller had them, but not in the trailer at the moment.  We will likely be refurbishing / reupholstering the couch - suggestions?  

Can't you see us playing some Uno, Parcheesi and Cribbage on a cool summer night? 

4 burner gas stove and oven - original!

Fridge and Freezer, tons of storage and the Caned "China Cabinet" above.

Looking down our hall to the bedroom, bathroom on left, closets on right.  The framed Ansel Adams prints came with! 

Bathroom with sweet 70's floral walls.

Mattie testing out our cool new bedroom.  We now have a real mattress - we were "staging it" for fun with our Paco pads here.  She LOVES it!   Who said kids need big houses has never seen a kid in an Airstream.

MANY more pictures, tales and updates to come...  Let the ADVENTURES BEGIN!!!!!!!  Wahoo!