[VAC] Sonora Pass

[RJ Dial <rj.dial@xxxxxxx>]

         Reply to:   [VAC] Sonora Pass
Hi guys,
I've finally caught up after our vacation - and have a few minutes here 
to give a quick update on our last trip in the Airstream. The only 
reason I'm going to the trouble is:
a) many people ask what's it like to camp in the little 17' Caravel, and 
b) it was a great trip!

Destination was Sonora Pass (9860ft) in the Sierras north of Yosemite up 
Hwy 108, a narrow two lane winding road that still follows the original 
pack road that went between the old mining regions of Sonora and 
Bridgeport.  Never liking close neighbors, we hauled the little Caravel 
up a dirt road to a remote US Forestry Campground along a little creek 
that feeds down to the Stanislaus River.  
$5 a night gets you get a wood picnic table and few pit toilets, and are 
legal to have a campfire. But that's why we have the self-contained 
Airstream!  A built-in water supply, toilet, refrigerator and lights 
when needed.

The resulting camp atmosphere is that of the golden age of travel 
trailering - 1946 to 1968.  Mix the smell of pines, cedars and campsmoke 
with the visual of the little Caravel set-up in a camp setting using 
period pieces - with no other people in sight, and you'd swear you were 
back in time 40 years.  This is how I remember spending the summers, and 
the Caravel serves as the time machine.  No TV's, and only the sound of 
the wind in the tree-tops and the creek burbling all night long. These 
vignettes are still obtainable with a self contained smaller trailer.

How does the Caravel perform?  Well, we were there 5 days, and the 
single 12v Deep-Cycle battery was still going strong at the end.  During 
that time it powered the water pump through 40 gallons of water, 
operated the 12v incandescent lights as needed each evening and the 
exhaust fan on occasion.  Conservation is the key here.

The black water tank lasted the 5 days, but once again experience and 
conservation are paramount.  Conserve toilet paper usage (swells up like 
a sponge), and use the rinse nozzle for flushing.  The toilet tank is 
only for when you are hooked up to city water - it's amazing how many 
people don't know that and fill their blank water tanks and drain their 
potable water tank within 2 days.

Speaking of potable water, our 20 gallon tank required re-filling once, 
as we took 2 showers during the time. I must say, the ability to take a 
shower every other day is a lifesaver.  Anyone who has camped and hiked 
in the mountains in the summer know what I mean.  The key once again is 
conservation - this original shower wand has a on/off valve, and a navy 
shower (lather up, rinse off) is in order.

Gray water goes into whether a "leaky bucket" when drainage and soil 
conditions will allow, otherwise it goes into the blue tank and hauled 
off away from the campsite.

Sleeping arrangements in a small trailer like the Caravel are always of 
interest.  With two sofabeds and no permanent lay-flat bed, the trailer 
can seem voluminous - but at night it becomes another story.  All that 
open floor disappears except for a narrow 9"-10" path back to the 
bathroom.  The two beds, one full size and the other a twin, are suited 
best for 2 adults and one older or 2 younger kids - and only if everyone 
gets along as the setting is very intimate.  Someone rolls over - 
everyone knows it.  We have a divider curtain that can be snapped in 
place at the crown break to divide the two beds.

The fix-it list is getting smaller each subsequent trip - only 7 items 
this time - and nothing major!  A travel trailer is in constant need of 
maintenance, and vintage airstreams are no exception.  It is important 
to keep an ongoing list during the trip, because as soon as the last of 
the gear is put away, you will forget it all, only to have it come up 
again next trip.

All in all, it is great to return from a trip relaxed and looking 
forward to the next opportunity!

Later,
RJ & Krista
1965 Caravel
VintageaAirstream.com