My first Wanderlodge experience:

[ernie ekberg]

Fast back to 1982. A friend, who was a neurosurgeon, bought a brand new FC in 82. i had a Southwind. We went everywhere in West Texas. He had a sailboat, as did I. We were in Del Rio, Tx at a marina. A law enforcement person arrived at the coach and told the owners' wife: "You can't camp here" Without blinking her eyes she said" Sir- this coach costs $300,000 and I hardly think we are camping"
And with that statement she went on with cleaning the outside with Windex. Folks- I don't make this up~

[Arcticdude]

That's outstanding. I have to chuckle to myself when people ask about our camping trips. No bird truly "camps". We might dry camp or stay in a campground, but I wouldn't call what we do camping. I do that on the motorcycles. Tent strapped to the back and sleeping bag under the headlight; that's camping. Wanderlodging is not camping! Thank you, Mr. Luce!!!

[Ms. Bee]

OTOH,

An electrician came out to our BB farm when we blew the power after turning on the jets to our newly installed 'spa' (hot tub).

Darrell was speaking to him about upgrading the service and about bringing in 3 phase power. Being that we would have to move boxes etc, I said that we should take the Bird/s into account as well, as currently we are just running a line along the ground.

Electrician said, "I can install a dual 50amp pedestal for your trailer".

So now, jokingly, I refer to da Bird as the 'trailer'.

[pgchin]

(02-22-2013 23:42)ernie ekberg Wrote:  Fast back to 1982. A friend, who was a neurosurgeon, bought a brand new FC in 82. i had a Southwind. We went everywhere in West Texas. He had a sailboat, as did I. We were in Del Rio, Tx at a marina. A law enforcement person arrived at the coach and told the owners' wife: "You can't camp here" Without blinking her eyes she said" Sir- this coach costs $300,000 and I hardly think we are camping"
And with that statement she went on with cleaning the outside with Windex. Folks- I don't make this up~

Now THAT story is priceless!!!! Thanks for sharing Ernie! We went from decades of tent camping with motorcycles to a bird so we affectionately call the bird "5 star resort camping"! Take your 5 star resort hotel anywhere you want!!!!!!!!!!!

[ernie ekberg]

Fast back, part 2. Seems my old Wanderlodge buddy had a penchant for Scotch. Now this is back in 82/83 when there weren't any open container/breath tests. Nope- just pure-d ole scotch- over the rocks- of course the rocks were made in the U-Line icemaker.
He would be humming right along driving down the road- till it got time to park his coach in his newly constructed metal building. And we just got back from a day of sailboat racing. I won. BUT- being the neurosurgeon he was- he couldn't back his coach and boat into a 60 foot wide hangar.
Since I was just had a beer buzz- I think- I told him- let me at the wheel, I can back your bus in there.
Sure enough, he gave me his seat- and here I sit at the controls of this monster. I owned a southwind gasser at the time. Holy Cow- can I do this? Can I back up his windex clean pride and joy? YUP- placed everything just like he wanted it.
Hell, I was grinning from ear to ear- like I just bought the thing. Little did i know that I would eventually own a bird. Now, I'm on my 3rd. and still grinning.

[Ms. Bee]

Bet you needed a scotch after that!

[pgchin]

(02-26-2013 22:49)ernie ekberg Wrote:  Fast back, part 2. Seems my old Wanderlodge buddy had a penchant for Scotch. Now this is back in 82/83 when there weren't any open container/breath tests. Nope- just pure-d ole scotch- over the rocks- of course the rocks were made in the U-Line icemaker.
He would be humming right along driving down the road- till it got time to park his coach in his newly constructed metal building. And we just got back from a day of sailboat racing. I won. BUT- being the neurosurgeon he was- he couldn't back his coach and boat into a 60 foot wide hangar.
Since I was just had a beer buzz- I think- I told him- let me at the wheel, I can back your bus in there.
Sure enough, he gave me his seat- and here I sit at the controls of this monster. I owned a southwind gasser at the time. Holy Cow- can I do this? Can I back up his windex clean pride and joy? YUP- placed everything just like he wanted it.
Hell, I was grinning from ear to ear- like I just bought the thing. Little did i know that I would eventually own a bird. Now, I'm on my 3rd. and still grinning.

Thanks Ernie for sharing part 2. It reminded me of the ole days that you described about open container laws, etc. Back in those days, the cops in my neighborhood, if they knew you or your ole man and saw your car parked car at bar would come in and would point blank as you..." when are you going home", then they would come back to the bar at that time and drive you home and tell you to get a friend tomorrow and to go get your car! now THAT is SERVICE!!!!!!!!

[Garynmike]

Back in the day, drinking and driving was widely accepted. The police, due to what they saw on a daily basis, were trying to prevent such tragedy as politely as they could.

Too many people today to allow for such humanity.

[RetDA]

Often friends will ask me where we "camped" when we have been on one of our junkets.

My response, we don't "camp". Camping (being very liberal with the term) is what I did in the Army - 1/2 of a shelter and a buddy with the other half. I now have a luxury condo on wheels will full amenities.

[ernie ekberg]

I'll amend my original post. Now, we are on our 4th Bird