After months of research on Craig's List, E-bay and other various web sites we have found the family camper. On Friday, September 5th, "Fandango", the family Winnebago entered our world!
How did we get to this point? I grew up camping and prior to the past ten years or so, I previously spent almost all of my vacations camping. When I say camping, I mean no RV's, no cars, packing everything into your backpack and hiking to places where the family station wagon cannot reach. I have never owned an RV and I never thought I would join the world of campers, RV's or motor homes.
With that in mind, you are likely wondering why someone who spent his youth and early adulthood backpacking would want an RV. Well, like many people, I am married now and have a growing family. It dawned on me that I have not been camping much at all in the past ten years and I would like to make sure my daughter gets to experience the outdoors as much as possible. We do take our pontoon boat out a lot so my thought was to combine my two favorite activities - go camping and and take the boat with us most of the time. The RV gives a good basecamp with real shelter, A/C, bath, etc. and I can start teaching basic camping skills to my young family. I have numerous friends who also own boats and some who have also added RV's to their bag of tricks. It has become clear to me this is an optimal way to get the family out to more parks and have a great mix of boating, hiking and camping.
So here it is! We found a 1972 Winnebago Indian for sale on Craig's List. I have always been a fan of "old school" designs and there is definitely truth in the saying, "they just do not make things like they used to." The previous owners of this Winnebago are skilled mechanics who have their own shop. The interior is still the original material with functional A/C, fridge, stove, bathroom, Onan ganerator, etc. We are really happy to find a motorhome that has received so much TLC which has allowed it to keep its character.
Why "Fandango"? Any true Austinite and UT alum that is skilled in classic movies should know the answer. Many people do not realize that Kevin Costner's favorite movie that he has ever filmed was Fandango. The movie also takes place in May of 1971 so that movie has always captured that great mindset of traveling and enjoying "the privileges of youth!"
Well that is our introduction. I will be adding some additional posts as we take our maiden voyage (Well, a voyage other than hanging out in my driveway like what we did this weekend).
