After our long trip in the summer of 2023, we both felt the need to get a little more space. We researched and eventually decided to get an Airstream. After 6-8 months of searching, we found one we loved in our price range. We picked up our 2017 Airstream International Serenity 30RBQ in Bokeelia, Florida. Before we brought it home, she got new tires at Goodyear in Punta Gorda. The Ford F-350 (AKA “Mr. Hard to Park”) had no problems towing the Airstream. It actually got better fuel economy. The Airstream tows beautifully!
Once home, we got busy getting to know all about our new Airstream and making it our own. Ruby, our Rockwood Mini-Lite was sold to a new owner in Sebastian. Our new Airstream came around the same time as Jimmy Buffet passed, so it was named after a song on Jimmy Buffet’s last album, “Bubbles Up.” Bubbles up is about if the journey is long, bubbles will point you to Home. Sandy was somewhat reluctant to change to an Airstream. So, I had to bargain a little. She has carte blanche on interior design. So, It’s got a lot of Lilly Pulitzer throughout. We didn’t care for the red wood in the interior areas so we added a white and green wallpaper there. Kind of like a Tommy Bahama. We upgraded the privacy dividers to black out curtains to make them look homier and actually have privacy. I set out to make shelving in the wardrobe and other storage areas. We made a ton of small improvements and upgrades to make it comfortable on long adventures. The biggest one was a complete solar upgrade including batteries. We decided on 800-amp hours of batteries and 800 watts of solar panels. We plan on doing many nights at National Parks and Harvest Host locations with no hookups. Stewart of Thompson RV Services did a great job on the solar. We lost very little storage. (@thompsonsrvservices)
“Bubbles Up” is now ready to take us our longest adventure yet, 24 States, 14 National Parks, 47 National Park units in just shy of 6 months.
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