RE: [A/S] first trip in A/S--Caravans

["Perry Joe Scudder" <perryjoe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dick,
I have found in my travel among Airstreamers from all over that two subjects
are extremely interesting. Caravans and Hensley Hitches. People will go to
great length to describe how they are worse than simultaneous root canal
work while having a baby. After getting this clear picture of how horrible
the two things are, 95% of the time if you ask if the person has ever owned
a Hensley or been on a Caravan the answer is "no , but I can just tell you
that is the way it is".
I have learned that no amount of input from a Hensley owner or seasoned
Caravaner will put the slightest dent in the "Non-believer's" thinking or
story. I have just about given up on getting involved it conservations on
the two subjects. The only time I infringe on this self imposed rule is when
I think there is an opportunity to help a new Airstreamer get a fair chance
to make up their own mind by using a test drive.
A lot of people do not look at the name of the Airstream Club they belong
to. It does not say "Rally Club" or "Social Club", or lots of other names I
could plug in here. It says "Caravan Club".
The other thing that gets me about Caravanning is the economics. If you
found a deal like you get on a caravan at the local mall some place, the
line of Airstreamers would be longer than the one to view the Pope. There is
NO WAY you can see the amount of country in a guided tour, while having all
the freedom you want for your own agenda, than a WBCCI Caravan. Some people
just can't deal with the term "Guided Tour". They want to be their own
guide. You will note I DID NOT say that was wrong, just fact. We have a lady
in my local unit that thinks Caravans are the pits, but she spends 6 months
designing her own caravan and recruiting people to go with her. She spends
the rest of the year telling everyone how great it was, and sharing her
pictures and stories. The difference is "she plans the caravan", so it is
not a CARAVAN.
Mary and I are terrible at finding stuff to do along the way as we travel on
our own. We love it when someone takes the time to scout out the route in
depth, arrange for tickets to the best seats in the house at all the best
entertainment in each area, and negotiates a group rate in order to save me
money. This is really a good deal when they don't charge me anything for
this service. Throw in the time they give me to seek out any things  I might
like in the area, after arming me with information on what there is to
choose from. That is what you get on a CARAVAN, so if that is not what you
are looking for - you will not like caravanning.

That is my speech for the year for caravanning. Mary and I have decided to
limit ourselves to two each year, so it you decide to take one you may run
into us.

Joe Scudder
WB - Caravan Club - I 8624