The Airstream, in motion

With trepidation and a little bit of angst, I found myself behind the wheel of our 2004 Dodge 3/4 tonne truck, pulling our 8500 pound Airsream (empty weight!) behind, on her maiden voyage Our Airstream (yet to be named, but most certainly a ‘she’) — we, uS, one. Today so happened to be the 8 year anniversary of our meeting and ultimate relationship. On that note, the day seemed most apropos and nostalgic in giving both our Airstream and our new life together on the road wings.

The rain was lightly grazing the mirrors which held my beloved in focus. My other beloved sit behind me, coaxing me gently and with reassurance, as my Father sat beside me with a smile and suggestions as to safely maneuver ‘the beast-ess’ around corners and in circles. I was actually surprised at the solid state she stood stoic in her willingness to be towed and turned on demand. The trailer having its own brakes helped me to feel safe under this 16180 pound load. A scary thought indeed, barreling down the highway. A silver bullet with the capacity to bear dreams and cre8te havoc, an instant and breath in the making. So with courage, hesitant exuberance and a little bit of defiant false certainty, I maneuvered our Airstream forward, backwards and in circles, learning with cautious hands and light-hearted spirit. A steep learning curve, but a necessary baby step forwards towards our dream in the making.

slaDE~ was a natural at driving and piloting our trailer. Having experience under his belt of driving trucks in Alberta and Burner’s balloon trailer across the Arizona desert is a most helpful bonus. Of course, we’ll learn together with another set of eyes and ears as a positive asset on this journey. The first big lesson of the day: checklist, checklist, checklist. A few potentially tragic missteps cropped up, but luck was on our side and with that, we have learned, like piloting an airplane, a checklist is most beneficial in going through the details of safety before launching into motion. Seems like we are all human and open to error and misjudgment, regardless of our experience and skill. Here’s to a safe and long life on the road.

It was a fabulous day.

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