On Saturday, I pulled out all my welding equipment and set up under the carport. My first job was to weld some corrugated steel to the back of my metal work bench to form a spark shield. But when checking the amp needed for the welder I was horrified to discover that galvanized steel is highly toxic when welded, and full face respirators are required. That steel was left for another non-welding project. So down to Lowes we trundled, where I got a solid steel sheet instead. Back at the ranch, I pulled out my YesWelder extension cord and dragged it to the dryer, which has a 220V plug. Once again, I was thwarted, discovering that the plug had 4 pins and my extension cord only had 3. I had no idea there were different kinds. I wasn't willing to pay out yet more cash to Lowes, so sat despondently, utterly dismayed that my project had been derailed. Dejectedly, I picked up my phone and began trawling Facebook marketplace for trailers, not expecting to see any, since the budget has dwindled somewhat after buying plane tickets to England. We've been wanting a vintage trailer for the front yard for a while, to convert into a potting shed with a little lounge area. I have a dream of how the area will look, and now there's a possibility that we may be on a garden tour next year, I want my dream to become a reality. So I was gobsmacked when I spotted a little red camper for sale, for $400, up in Maryland. Elliott took one look and gave a thumbs up. But it had been up for a few hours and was already saved by over 20 people. Nevertheless, I typed a very polite request to the owner, wondering if we could see it on Sunday at his convenience. I was amazed when, within 15 minutes he agreed, and Elliott and I grinned incredulously at each other. We made a reservation with Uhaul for a truck to tow it back home, which could be cancelled at any time before pickup, and then spent a very anxious and excited evening, waiting for morning to arrive.
These are the photos that were on Facebook. I quite liked the red, but we would want to paint it blue, to go with the Blue House theme. It was mostly gutted, which we had also wanted, since we had an idea of a camper with work benches under the windows at one end, for potting plants and overwintering patio plants, and a sitting area with a couple of armchairs, a vintage fridge, and a couple of old cupboards and shelves to store things and stack up gardening books and magazines. The biggest bonus on this camper was that the tires were new, as most we'd looked at had rotted tires and would need an actual trailer to haul them away. This one was ready to go.
Morning couldn't come fast enough. We went in Stanley, stopping for a very tasty breakfast in Berryville, and then reached our destination on time. We looked around and spotted the camper way up on a hill under a tree, a bit disconcerting, until Justin told us he would move it down where it could be hitched up. We climbed the hill and then clambered inside the little camper. It was the perfect size. The roof was sound, the floor needed a bit of work, and there were a few electrical and plumbing items that needed to be removed, but it was all doable. The windows were in good shape apart from one, where there was no glass, which was an easy fix. A bit of metal strapping and welding was required on the outside but the caravan was pretty solid for a 1982 Continental. I had always wanted one with the louvered windows, they're so cute!
Elliott and I looked at each other and it was a Yes please! from us! We drove to Frederick to pick up the truck and I followed Elliott back to the trailer. Justin had already got it moved down on to a level tarmacked driveway. Elliott reversed back and the camper was hitched. Justin also gave us blocks and bricks, plus a small jack and lights for the back. And we were off!
I had asked Elliott to stop along a highway that had chicory growing alongside it so I could take a photo. But as Elliott, ahead of me, slowed to pull over I spotted a black snake in the road, the poor thing curled around as cars sped over him. I spun around and drove back, blocking the lane where he was cowering. I got out of the car and tried to shoo him over to the verge where there was plenty of long grass, but he was having none of it. He reared up but I persevered and nearly got him to the side of the road, when instead of going into the grass, he slid under my car as fast as hot butter off a knife. And before I could reach him, he'd crawled up under the engine. By now, Elliott had called on the phone, wondering why I'd stopped, and other cars had pulled over to assist, so we had a nice little crowd of friendly helpers peering into the engine, trying to spot a handsome rat snake. This guy was about 6ft long so he had plenty of body to wrap around and secure himself to anything he took a fancy to. We waited a few minutes, then someone suggested that I drive slowly and see if he dropped out. Since Elliott was just down the road I thought that was a good idea, so I crawled down to the truck and camper at about 3mph. I parked up and walked around the car and spotted Hissing Syd peering at me through the back wheel. I opened the back door and pulled out a hiking pole to see if I could encourage him to leave, but he had disappeared. We waited a while but never saw him again. He had either sped out while our backs were turned, or nabbed a free ride to Front Royal, where he found himself a new home. I wasn't worried, since I never once smelled burning or saw anything drop onto the road throughout our journey home. He's likely safe wherever he chose to drop off.
We stopped briefly at a gas station, where Elliott dropped his sandwich onto the hot forecourt, the contents spilling out everywhere. I was howling with laughter as he picked it up, and could barely hold my phone steady as I snapped a photo of him grasping a slice of tomato. He did get another sandwich, which made it safely to the truck and inside his tummy..
It was an easy drive back home, with light traffic, and no bad corners to negotiate. Justin had put the lights on the back of the caravan back to front so the turn signals came on for the opposite turning which was needed, meaning that Elliott had to flash them for the direction he didn't want. I was quite impressed when he told me he'd done that all the way home. I thought he'd fixed them. Above, crossing over the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. I loved cruising along behind the camper, it looked so adorable as it bobbed along behind Elliott's truck.
I was a little worried about some of the tight corners once we got into Front Royal, but there was no need for concern Elliott motored around the beds with no issues, the little red camper bouncing up the curbs behind him, reminding me of a small dog that jumps up at his owner's leg with excitement on a walk; it seemed to be happy about approaching its new home. But as we neared the Blue House I held my breath. Our driveway takes some getting used to as it doesn't have a direct approach and there are steep cambers on the road right next to the driveway entrance.
We sat on the front porch with a well earned beer, and stared down at our dear little caravan. It needs to be turned 90 degrees so the hitch is facing the house, but that could wait for another day. We sat and stared, and Elliott asked me to pinch him; it was unbelievable how this event had taken place in just over 24 hours, when we'd been looking for months. These vintage campers are selling like hot cakes, with them being restored and selling for big money, but we just wanted one to turn into a little potting shed and lounge. Admittedly it will look cozy inside, with galvanized steel and painted wood walls, lots of insect and bee artwork up on the walls, vintage light shades in the windows, planters outside with a homemade trellis for privacy and the fire pit out the front.
I checked, as we sat on the porch, to see whether Justin had marked the camper as SOLD. He had, and I noted that 39 other shoppers had saved the listing. But we had got the camper. Joy!
