By Tony Sherman

My wife, Dorothy, and I love to "go down the road" and see what's over the next hill. Several years ago while crossing the USA in a relatively new pop-up trailer, I realized I was too old to crank up that roof and pull out those sides every night. While on that trip, we tucked into a lovely campground near Memphis, TN. It was about dusk when this pickup came down our row with a beautiful Airstream gliding silently behind. I was smitten. At that moment, I knew the rig I wanted.

So in May 1997, we sold our pop-up and purchased a new twenty-five foot Airstream. We chose Airstream because it's been around forever -- since the 1930s. And it has a tremendous reliability record and is one of the best resell values available.

Each coach is leak- tested at the factory (Jackson Center, Ohio) and every component goes through the door. That means if the refrigerator needs to be replaced, the old one will come out through the door (and the new one in through the door) without tearing the trailer apart. The Airstream Company uses only the best products available and loads up its trailers with the best accessories so the awnings, electric jacks, furnaces, etc., are all included and top-of-the-line.

We purchased a new trailer because all recreational vehicles have numerous systems -- fresh water, gray water (from the sinks), black water (from the toilet), water heating, HVAC and refrigeration -- and we wanted to start out with all systems functioning properly. That first summer we took our Airstream on a six-thousand mile trip -- on the road just over two months, what a ball!

We loved the entire adventure. We made a decision to travel between 200and 300 miles per day. We left early on travel days and pulled into ournext campground by mid-afternoon. When traveling through a majormetropolitan area, we adjusted our schedule to avoid rush hours.

The advantages were incredible. We didn't worry about leaving clothesor toilet items somewhere. At noon we pulled into rest areas, steppedinto the coach and fixed lunch. Afterward, we often took a ten to twentyminute nap before hitting the road again. We enjoyed home cooked meals,using a typical residential-style gas stove with oven, a microwave andrefrigerator with separate freezer. Another great plus was alwayshaving a bathroom.

The best and yet-to-come caught us by complete surprise. In the Fall of1997, we drove to a nearby state forest (without trailer) to check outthe camping facilities. By chance we wore our Airstream jackets. Thefirst thing we noticed in the camping area were two Airstream trailerssitting side by side. That was neat but we didn't think too much aboutit. We parked and began walking the campground. Approaching us weretwo women with several small children. The older of the women seeingour jackets suddenly exclaimed that we must have an Airstream. Weconfirmed and she immediately told us about the Wally Byam Caravan ClubInternational (WBCCI) and urged us to join. We asked some questions;she gave us a brochure and told us next meeting of the Connecticut groupwas to be at her home.

By nature we aren't joiners but decided to go and check it out. What a great decision! We've met such wonderful people. You may want to check out the WBCCI page at: www.wbcci.org You'll find stories, pictures and links to other sites. Our unit, the Charter Oak of CT, has its own web site, which is linked to the national site.

To join, one must own an Airstream trailer or motor home. The club isorganized according to units (local chapter), regions and thenational/international level. WBCCI provides rallies and caravansthroughout the country and even around the world.

Each year over the July 4th holiday, the International Rally is heldsomewhere in the United States-last year in Dayton, OH, next year inBismark, ND. Over two thousand Airstreams show up. It's quite amazing. A community of approximately 4500 people springs up for a week and thendisappears without a trace.

Members receive a monthly magazine with helpful articles and listings ofcaravans that travel to spots all over. A biggie in the works is one tothe Panama Canal leaving in January 2001-seven countries in seventydays! Members also receive an annual directory that lists membersthroughout the world along with their WBCCI numbers. These numbers areplaced on the front and rear of the trailer; and when members meet orpass on the road they can identify each other. Often one will hail theother on the CB and chat.

The camaraderie and the fellowship are wonderful, and it's a life stylethat gives such joy and excitement. Planning that next trip or rallykeeps one young at heart. Going down the road is what it's all about.

Editor's Note: Tony Sherman is a communications professor at Southern ConnecticutState University. He is married to the director of a choral groupin central Connecticut, and the two of them hit the road in theirAirstream whenever they get a chance. The rig cannot leave the yard,however, without Charley, their black standard poodle, who is named for that famous literary character in Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley."