Thank you for letting me know you enjoy learning about Wednesday the Airstream Adventure Mobile, a 27′ vintage 1975 Overlander. We bought her in September, on a Wednesday (See “Introducing Wednesday, our Airstream Adventure” for this story). She does have her own Instagram account @WednesdayTheAirstream) which has been fun for discovering that community. Sit back, relax and enjoy Wednesday the Airstream updates (as of November 2019) and a little bit of fun stuff at the end.
Adventure Attitude and Airstreams
“It has taken me a long time to truly understand that adventuring is what makes my soul light up and my heart open. Something I knew as a child, but somehow those messages got lost along the way.
Traveling with my home is where I find both comfort and experience. With the ability to hitch up my home and take it with me on my adventure, I find the nervous excitement of the unknown, yet travel with the comforting experience of the familiar.”
-Karen Flett, Living the Airstream Life
Freedom and…
What do you feel when you think of Airstreams? I’ve been searching to describe the freedom people feel when I discuss remodeling my vintage airstream to turn it into a rolling home. To me, I found this sense of freedom after going deep into discovering who I am. I discovered adventure, as I like to say, in my backyard. It’s a way of looking at life, with childlike wonder. When I think about my future rolling home, it isn’t about living the gypsy life. It’s about exploring other people’s “backyard” while helping them (you?) find their (your?) sense of adventure, what sets them (you?) free.
…Adventure
Just as creating my adventurous outlook took work, so does renovating Wednesday the Airstream Adventure Mobile. We watch hundreds of how-to videos, and many more to go. I am developing the vision for how we want her to be designed. Meanwhile still working on creating and growing businesses that will allow us to travel in our home. Don’t be fooled by all the pretty images on many accounts you see on social media or other blogs. It’s slow. There are surprises (like chipmunk nests, old tools and water drips). But we have determination and the ability to see that it will be worth it.
Wednesday progress
Home is where you park it
We consider ourselves blessed to have a place to stay and to park Wednesday during her renovations. We have access to some tools and space to work. One of the first things we bought is a metal shed to store all her insides. We also bought some tarps and poles to build a protective cover over her for the winter months. Ken and I may use this shade structure next summer at Burning Man…we haven’t decided yet.
When we bought Wednesday, the previous owner had already started some work. They pulled the kitchen counter from its spot. The flooring and the frame had work done. After taking out the things the past owner had worked on, we set on taking out the rest. This did not happen in a day! We have created an excel sheet to keep track of our expenditures, as well as our wish list. “They” (aka experts) say that it will cost twice what we expect and will take twice as long as we plan.
Airstream Rally
We went to an Airstream rally to check it out. There were about 20 of them, many new. We saw one Argosy (similar to one we “almost” bought). I think learning about this rally was our first inkling we had unknowingly joined a cult.
Vintage Airstream Restorers
The best part of the rally was meeting Brad Taylor, who heads the Oregon Airstream Club . He owns a business restoring vintage Airstreams (Shiny Shacks . His wisdom about our upcoming adventure? “You’ll find two things in every vintage trailer project: leaks; and rodents”. Brad says he is busy with renovation projects through the end of 2020 . His daughter owns a local business doing the same thing (Wayward Trailers ).
Learning how to camp with trailers
Halloween
Lost somewhere in Pinterest I found an inspiration for this year’s Halloween pumpkin. It’s been a few years since I’ve carved a pumpkin. Do you do more than basic scary pumpkin faces? I am grateful for my brother, who gave me a little insight and lots of encouragement to go for it. Do you agree my pumpkin rendition of Wednesday the Airstream came out pretty well? I shared it with some of the Airstream groups – and hundreds have agreed I made a cool pumpkin!
Wednesday’s Dump Run Adventure
Taking out (almost) all the things. What to save? What to dump?
This was the oven they had installed in the wall. I took off the glass door and frame (maybe it will be part of the remodel?). A friend junked the metal. 
ceiling vents, the old cover and after we removed it. These will be replaced with nice new models that let in more light and have a better fan. 
I debated about saving these curtains, at least for sizing. They are so filled with dust & gunk. Blech. Then I discovered an easier way to install curtains…so out they came! Rippppppp!
Fun in the bathroom
Ken in the old bathroom, taking out the hundreds of rivets. So many rivets! 
The “requisite” pole dancing pose on a bathroom pvc pipe 
After Ken removed many of the parts of the bathroom and tons of rivets, it was time to take out the bathroom ceiling. The end caps are fiberglass fit to the curves of the airstream. We will be re-using them, unless Ken convinces me we take on the project of creating our own curved ceiling. Do I look like Atlas, holding up the world! (haha)
We found more remnants of critter home in the fiberglass by the bathroom window. Fortunately they moved out long ago. Don’t you love those 70s bathtub stickers? 
We found this empty bag of sunflower seeds in the insulation. Do you think a person left it when replacing the insulation, or did a critter drag it in? 
Everything seems like an interconnected puzzle sometimes. You can’t remove this, until you deal with that. For example, we had to take everything apart to get the very long skin (inside wall) off. Once that was done, we could then work on removing the bathroom back wall. But to finish that we had to remove….(and the list goes on)
Is she pretty yet?
The Dometic fridge had a vent. We found more discolored insulation (signs of rodents). The fridge is too unworkable to keep, so that was junked for it’s metal too. I saved the front panel, in case there’s someone out there who wants original parts. 
Looking towards the front we see Ken removing rivets from center panel. This panel runs the entire length. We ended up rolling it up for storage. We will have to remove all the grime and the old wallpaper before we can put them back in. 
October is breast cancer awareness month. Appropriate that I chose to be silly with these speakers…and noting that the speakers are probably the same age as my ta-tas. Whatever it takes to raise awareness of important issues, right?
Rodent nest found behind the stove vent. No bodies, just droppings. Thank goodness for work gloves and dust masks. 
The Airstream’s vintage control panel. We are guessing we will either reconfigure this one, or get a new one. Since we won’t be using the black tank, and changing up other things – this vintage one may not make sense…except as a design element (IF we have room) 
It was satisfying to see all the parts we took out, before moving them into the storage shed.
The front
“Before” The front convertible couch used a sliding system I like. I took lots of photos so we hopefully can figure out how to put this back together. I would like to have a place for friends & family to sleep, if they so choose. 
“After” Well, sort of after. We did remove the bed, side shelves (one held an audiocassette player!), walls and insulation. I like the sliding shelf doors and clock/temp unit. Taking this whole unit out at once was a challenge (and we did it!)
Since we are reconfiguring the entire layout, we have taken down almost all the wiring (except the ones to the tail lights). If we can’t reuse this wiring…hmmm, maybe I will get crafty and make baskets or something useful! 
All the windows will need new gaskets and sealing. This one, and a few others, will have to have more work done to them. Apparently it’s common in old windows for them to “bubble.” We may even consider adding new tint for energy efficiency. 
Fortunately not every single rivet needs replacing. These are ok. The windows will be taken out and fixed up. The door will be fixed up too. I’m wondering how to create a really fun screen door that will be pretty as well as practical. Also, all the locks will be replaced (the former owner had none, and the set we found hidden away went to nothing on the Airstream!)
At the dump
Wednesday the Airstream plans
In addition to watching YouTube tutorials, we have been exploring Airstream Forums, Vintage Airstream and Facebook groups. It has a wealth of info of all sorts about Airstreams. There are also a few places for information about vintage Airstreams (such as some of the suppliers Vintage Trailer Gaskets & Vintage Trailer Supply ) I called one of them and they were incredibly patient and helpful. I am sure they know I will be a future customer!
We are at a point where we need to commit to a layout for Wednesday the Airstream Adventure Mobile. Especially since the electrical will need to be figured out: what kind of lighting do I want? and where? What about appliances? How do we rig it so we can add solar later? Below is a basic idea of what I want. Changing the back bathroom to a queen size bedroom. We plan to have a small “wet” bath on one side. I would like a deep kitchen sink (instead of the two shallow ones). We are still debating what the layout for the front: pull out table; or one that becomes a bed support? Will we place the desk up front or on the side? There are so many choices!
Just for Fun
Recently I discovered Spotify has playlists they curate for long drives. Check it out under Airstream public playlists
Check out a song called “Airstream” by Miranda Lambert. For your ease, I found a video of her singing. While the video is not very well filmed, it is Miranda singing live. To entertain you a little further, here’s an HGTV special about her Airstream, Wanda. Miranda takes it on tour with her, to use as a place to hang out with the gang after a show:
1. Miranda Lambert’s Airstream Makeover: The Inspiration
2. Miranda Lambert’s Airstream Makeover: The Design
3. Miranda Lambert’s Airstream Makeover: The Reveal
While Wednesday may seem like a lot of work (ok, she is), we are enjoying the learning and the creative process. There are so many really cool inspirational projects out there to check out. Choosing the parts of projects that will be “right” for us is…an adventure! Does all this information overload you or inspire you? Or motivate you to come help??
You need more fun & spontaneity in your life, and aren’t sure of next steps or the path to follow. Let’s connect! You could choose a free 15 minute chat, various courses, or even select one-to-one coaching.
I love Wednesday the pumpkin! What a great update for this big adventure! A true pleasure to read ?
Thanks Karen! Enjoy your holiday!