The Brilliant Shiny Thing That Binds
When Bob Hoffman and his partner, Wayne Clark Jr., chose to purchase an Airstream, they went all-in. They packed that 2020 27-foot World traveler with all the alternatives.
” Oh, yeah,” states Bob with a laugh. “We purchased it with all the bells and whistles. It features whatever we desire for how we take a trip.”
However soon after beginning their Airstream odyssey, Bob and Wayne found their Silver Bullet came basic with another fantastic device. Neighborhood.
” We have actually been invited with open arms from the first day,” states Bob. “It’s been a sensational journey. Wayne and I have actually found out that Airstreamers originate from various backgrounds and have different political viewpoints. However when we’re camping together, the important things we concentrate on is the glossy, silver trailer.”
Maturing in Allentown, PA, Bob did a great deal of recreational vehicle outdoor camping with his household. When he and Wayne got together, the couple began camping tent outdoor camping and later on owned a series of pop-up and hybrid travel trailers. A couple of years earlier, they chose to purchase a larger truck so they might tow something grander. At first, they thought about a 5th wheel trailer. Then, Wayne had a surprise.
States Bob: “Since I was a youngster, camping with my household, I have actually constantly desired an Airstream. I have actually constantly discovered them remarkable, and I have actually spoken about Airstreams as long as Wayne and I have actually been together. Lastly, Wayne stated, ‘You have actually constantly desired an Airstream, now appears like the time to do it.’ So we did.”
In their pre-Globetrotter days, Bob and Wayne were relatively singular campers. They selected camping areas near locations they wished to check out, consisting of wineries and breweries, and didn’t invest much time joining their fellow RVers.
So, when Bob raised the concept of taking a look at a few of the regional Airstream clubs, Wayne was doubtful. In part, due to the fact that he questioned if the couple would be accepted. Still, he accepted let Bob check out the Airstream groups near their home town of Charlotte, NC.
” I began by type of stalking our regional clubs’ Facebook pages,” states Bob.” In the photos from the Carolinas Airstream Club, I observed that a person of the ladies had purple hair. I stated to Wayne, ‘If they’re accepting of individuals with purple hair, I wager they would be accepting people.’ So we chose to provide it a shot.”
The rest is wonderful history. Bob and Wayne signed up with the Carolinas Airstream Club. In the 2 years given that they purchased the World traveler, the couple has actually registered with 5 more clubs related to the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI). Bob is presently working as a Director for the Carolinas Airstream Club and will be inducted as the 2 nd Vice President for Area 3 of the WBCCI at the International Rally, which occurs in August.
” A few of our friends are Airstreamers, and I understand they have an entirely opposite political view than we do,” states Bob. “Yet we are all friends when we’re camping. It’s been a cool journey, and it’s the trailer that truly pulls all of us together. As wonderful as that sounds, it’s genuinely the Airstream that makes it all click.”
Because taking shipment of their World traveler 2 years earlier, Bob and Wayne have actually taken a trip 26,000 miles and invested 362 nights in their Silver Bullet, passionately called “The Chang Tin Pony.” Their experiences have actually taken them from the Gulf Coast to Lake Michigan to Kentucky’s horse nation. One unique memory: in 2015’s Charlotte to Secret West roundtrip babble, which was visualized as a brief jaunt however wound up long lasting 6 weeks.
That journey was enabled by the couple’s capability to work from another location and the conveniences of house they enjoy in their World traveler.
” With our other Recreational vehicles, it was a great deal of vacations, where we ‘d leave possibly a Thursday night and return on Sunday,” states Bob. “Now, with the Airstream, we’re generally gone 4 to 6 weeks at a time. We’ll return to Charlotte to reset, take things out that we do not require, put things because we do require, and after that we’re off and running once again.”
This summer season’s huge experience is a journey to Maine for the yearly WBCCI International Rally. Next summer season Bob and Wayne will lastly cross the Mississippi with their World traveler as they head to the 2023 International Rally in Rock Springs, Wyoming. In between those tentpole journeys, the couple will continue to babble regionally and have a look at more of their cherished wineries and breweries.
However no matter how far they wander, Bob and Wayne will constantly be close to their neighborhood. Their Airstream neighborhood.
