Our Home on the Road

Since our Camp Inn trailer, whom we call #531, is in many ways the central focus of our planned adventure, let this be our opportunity to introduce her to you.  She was born in early August 2012 and made the first fledgling flight from her nest in Necedah, WI on Monday, August 13th of that year.

#531 as we left the Camp Inn factory in 2012.

She's pretty remarkable, and most folks agree that she has an almost heirloom quality.  Hand crafted of marine grade hardwood plywood, birch, aluminum and stainless steel, she's designed to outlast us and several tow vehicles, provided we are attentive to her modest needs.

The Cabin (without screen doors).

She has two main areas:

1. THE CABIN, with a beautifully finished hardwood interior, complete with plush queen size mattress, air conditioning, TV/DVD, screen doors, lots of windows (for a bedroom), a surprising amount of storage and no end of thoughtful details designed to optimize both comfort and utility.
2. THE GALLEY.  A pop-up hatch in the back reveals an ingenious galley created from stainless steel and hardwood, with a sink, a two burner stove on rails, an AC/DC refrigerator, two tables that attach to the exterior to form about ten lineal feet of counter space, and lots of storage options.

The Galley, stowed.

The Galley, deployed.

What she lacks, as compared to the typical RV, is a toilet, a shower and the need to carry either a vacuum cleaner or a mop.  She has everything else that is needed, and it is all designed to be within an arm's reach.

And she possesses one other skill that we've never seen in another travel trailer (though we confess we haven't met very many trailers thus far, or at least they won't talk to us like she will): each year she writes our annual holiday letter to friends and family (personally, that talent alone is certain to pay back our investment in her many times over).