Monday, February 16, 2009

Our New Home Away from Home

It has been a busy week around the Wheeler home despite my being under the weather for much of it. My husband has been wanting a Suburban for a long time. Even the mini van can get rather crowded when we travel and Adam would like to be able to drive up old logging roads without worrying the van is going to fall apart. Well, he found one very reasonably priced, so we brought it home last week. Then, to make those camping trips a little less stressful for mom, we bought a vintage 1958 Gem travel trailer. We don't know much about our little "canned ham" trailer. There doesn't appear to be much information about the Gem on the internet, so if you know anything let us know.
Saturday, we drove to Albany, Oregon to pick it up. It needs a little work to make it nice, but it is in very working order as it is. Yesterday, we clean it up with a lot of bleach. It has a couch that folds down into a double bed. The dining table also makes into a double bed. There is also a fold down twin bed in the back. We all slept out in it last night. I was a little worried about being cold, since the temperatures have been dipping below freezing, but we all managed to stay warm and cozy. My husband even made breakfast on the little stove. He's ready to head out camping next weekend. I think we should wait until the threat of snow has passed, though.
Now it's time for me to add all those fun comforts of home. I've been looking at fabrics for curtains and pillows. The old curtains reminded me of faded old shirts my dad wore back in the 80's. I've thought about 50's fabrics, but I don't know if I want to limit myself. I think it needs something bright and fun. Maybe I'll even make a quilt for the bed that matches.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

very nice!

clark

Anonymous said...

I think you need some stripey canvas deck chairs like in Kirsten's last 12x12 piece.

Françoise said...

Cute! And It looks rather comfortable.
Looking forward to seeing the quilts you'll make for it.

Jeannie said...

We had one just like that in the 60's. There was a "bunkbed" over the couch. Basically cotton duck sewn to three steel pipes for a sling type bed. We traveled up and down the Wa. Coast, Lk Chelan, and Alta Lake. Thanks for the memories and I hope you and your family have as much fun as we did in ours. Cheers.

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Oh, that is so cute!! Bright colors would look great and I like the stripe idea. Think Lucy and Ricky from the 50's. Love your stash of woolfelt. Great stuff, isn't it!!

Cathie said...

Oh my gosh - this is soooo cute. You need to get out your scissors and start interior decorating the entire inside - "Nikki Style!"
Lots of "togetherness" goin' on in there!

lori said...

Ooooh I've got some serious trailer envy right now. You guys are gonna have so much fun in that thing! And it's going to be adorable once you add your magic touch.
xx

Anonymous said...

I'd love to have a trailer like that! Check out this post, and you'll see several of them that have been restored and decorated. Danged cute!
http://thevintagehousewife.blogspot.com/2008/10/trailersoh-i-wish-for-sale-or-rent.html

Anonymous said...

GORGEOUS YOUR LITTLE CANNED HAM, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU CAN REALLY GO TO TOWN WITH THE VINTAGE LOOK OF OLD CURTAINS AND QUILTS AND ALSO TABLE CLOTHS. HOW FUN FOR YOU AND LOOKS COZY FOR READING, WRITING QUILTING, OR WHATEVER SUITS YOUR FANCY. MAYBE JUST BLOG IF YOU HAVE LELCTRIC ???
IZZY