Our 2006 F-250 4×2 Crew Cab Super Duty XLT diesel truck is a thriving star that has dependably pulled our Airstream trailer to our favorite beach, mountain and desert campsites in San Diego County for the past 10 years and yet, has only put on 22,728 miles, and now is looking for a new owner who will give it the same loving care (oil changes and service every 6 months by our local Ford dealership) as I have. Its gleaming Silver exterior matches the Airstream trailer and together make a handsome, eye-catching couple. Over these past 10 years this blog has documented how we use the trailer as ..read more

This blog was started in 2008 to share our experiences camping with our 2007 Airstream Safari travel trailer, along with its care, maintenance, and repair.  Website stats show that Airstreamers or Airstream enthusiasts come to this blog everyday to find information regarding over 10 years’ worth of Airstream-related subjects and care.   Each blog page has a search window where specific topics can be searched and found.  To further facilitate viewers’ most commonly sought after subjects, I have listed my all-time top 11 Airstream-related viewed webpages and their links: Filiform ..read more

Ten years ago we celebrated New Year 2008 at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park where I was presented the opportunity to be one of ten blogging contributors to Airstream Life Online Community. My first History Safari Express blog post, “All Aboard…,” was launched on January 11, 2008, and began a 10 year odyssey of documenting how we used our custom-ordered 2007 Airstream Safari in southern California, while celebrating the seasons and meeting new friends. Our Safari was built in 2006, the year Airstream was celebrating its 75th Anniversary.* As we were celebrating New Year 2008, Anza-Borrego Dese ..read more

December in the Northern Hemisphere, is a time of dropping temperatures and lengthening nights, leading up to winter solstice that has had cultural significance dating back to Neolithic times for people who have responded with observances often associated with the reversal of the Sun’s ebbing and the beginning of longer days, resulting in cheerful celebrations often around themes of birth or rebirth, renewal, hopefulness, and new beginnings, and characterized by people gathering, celebrating, feasting and drinking (Wikipedia).  December’s full moon is known as the both the Full Cold ..read more

November, along with its holiday of Thanksgiving, is a wonderful time to pause and take a moment to reflect on our blessings, the fruits of our labors, our families and loved ones, our health, nature, our beautiful world and universe, and appreciate everything that inspires gratitude.  It is also a great time to be grateful for the health benefits that come from an attitude of gratitude.  The CBS This Morning video, “Why an attitude of gratitude can help your health,”* points out that research studies have found that an attitude of gratitude can have health benefits such as a sounder ..read more

San Diego is home to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot where over 21,000 enlisted recruits a year receive their initial training in the United States Marine Corps, whose motto is Semper Fidelis* (Always Faithful).  The official motto of the Marine Corps League is “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.” For many of us who have or had an Airstream, that special esprit de corps rings true to us Airstreamers and is the theme in Rich Luhr’s post, One community, indivisible …, “I’ll keep touting the message that no matter which Airstream you own, you’re a part of Airstream Life.  Special interest g ..read more

In our younger years, we enjoyed tent camping, so shortly into our retirement, 11 years ago, we rekindled the dream of camping and explored the RV options that would make it more pleasant and comfortable.  After visiting dealers of pop up and white box, and finally Airstream trailers, we came to the conclusion that it would be Airstream or nothing!  After doing almost a year of homework and exploring all of the information and opinions in AirForums and Airstream Life, we bought a 2007 Airstream Safari SE 23′ trailer and brought it home in January 2007, as detailed in “SilverGate’s Sa ..read more

This is the tenth year that our 2007 Airstream Safari has had a thorough washing, waxing and treating (filiform corrosion control and prevention), which has preserved its iconic beauty, even though it lives with us along the San Diego coast.  (Note: we routinely cover our trailer tires for sun protection.) As it awaited its big wash and wax job, it proudly flew the flag of the United States and the United States Navy.  I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman 1971-1975 and June 17 was the 119th birthday of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps! Last week I donned sun protection for my skin and eyes a ..read more

What sold us on this 2007 23′ Airstream Safari were the many space-saving components such as the versatile L-lounge that can be opened up to become a large bed while providing abundant storage space, a concept seen in Japanese space-efficient designs.* We strengthened the supporting construction by replacing staples with screws and bolts, and installing hinged fold-down legs for added support.  (See bedding details here.) Bamboo floor mats have a nice feel and have kept the floor in pristine condition.  Large storage space is provided below, above and on the side of the lounge ..read more

Our 23′ Airstream Safari Special Edition trailer was made in December 2006, Airstream’s 75th anniversary year! Our custom order through our local dealer included our Airstream factory installed solar charging system with two solar panels and AGM batteries.  Our records show that on most non-hookup days our AGM batteries are back to 100% by midday.  See how I changed our Lifeline AGM batteries. Also see how I replaced the failing OEM Parallax converter with the Xantrex XADC 60A converter/charger. See how we changed out our hot Halogen lights to cool LED lights that use less energy ..read more