Adding an Airstream travel trailer to your Santa Barbara or Montecito landscape can be a beautiful way to infuse both form and function. In 2014 I began helping clients redesign new landscapes around the idea of storing their Airstreams on site. Vintage or new… if you plan it right, an Airstream can actually add a layer of interest and fun to your outdoor space.
But how can an Airstream be incorporated into a landscape even if it might be in plain view? Clearly, there are benefits to having your home on wheels “on site”. For one, it makes it very convenient when packing for your next trip. Be sure to check with your local building department for specific setback rules, and how you can store and/or use your Airstream on your property.
When a garden landscape is well designed, a classic Airstream can actually fit right in. A well thought out area for storing your Airstream can almost make you feel you are on vacation right there in your own backyard! A few years ago Lori and I started getting interested in Airstreams ourselves. Being a classic vintage truck guy, I always thought they looked cool and it wouldn’t even look bad on our property.
Happily married since 1988, Lori and I have always found ways to blend our interests and personalities. Our previous trailer was ok, but not quite big enough for how we were enjoying our open road adventures. Lori warmed up to the idea of upgrading when I mentioned Airstreams fit within my love of vintage design. So… we saved up and took the plunge ourselves.
From Garden Art to Home on Wheels
In future episodes I will be posting more landscaping tips and favorite client projects centered around their Airstreams. But today, I wanted to share a recent Oregon getaway Lori and I embarked on. If this blog post is interesting to you, we also have a Utah trip, here.
Turns out, Airstreams are really nice conversation starters. Everywhere we go we seem to meet interesting people. On our way up to Ashland, Oregon we met a couple from Italy. They pulled up next to us at this rest stop in Northern CA. We all spent the night there, and the next morning enjoyed a friendly chat before we all hit the road for another day of travel.
Three nights into our trip we set up our camp at Lake Selmac in Josephine County, Oregon. The gentle breeze through the trees made for a perfect temperature, and instantly brought back childhood memories of growing up in Minnesota.
As many of you know, I moved out to Santa Barbara in 1985. To this day, many of my favorite memories are of spending time up at the lake. Lori grew up in Santa Barbara, but loves our summer vacations to Minnesota when we can make it. Above: With a skip in my step and camera in hand, I am loving the Minnesota vibe of Lake Selmac… cattails, dragonflies and everything in between.
This is a shot that makes me very happy. It brings back so many fond memories of me and my Grandpa Doubét fishing Gladstone Lake together. He’s been gone almost 40 years now, but we will fish again someday.
Lori and I love getting away on small trips like this. There is a fresh perspective that comes from being out in familiar nature.
Lake Selmac The Next Morning
It was our first time here at Lake Selmac Park Campground. It was a wonderful place, and we wished we could have stayed longer.
This is what the lake looked like the following morning. The picture perfect, glassy smooth lake and cool air was breathtaking as I started out on my morning run.
30 minutes in, as I headed back to camp, I stumbled upon Dave. I stopped to say hi, and to see if he had caught anything yet. Dave’s gentle kindness was evident the second my question rolled off my tongue. Later, he would tell me the story of how his wife died in his arms (of breast cancer) exactly 3 years, 2 months and 4 days earlier.
He wanted me to know about his hope in seeing her again in heaven. He encouraged me to nurture my inner soul, and to cherish every minute with beautiful Lori- (as we never know when it will be our time).
And there she is. Lori takes another hike through the campground before preparing us lunch.
One last shot before we packed up and headed out. The moment struck me as a window with living artwork. The fun part is the art changes from one location to the next.
More Rogue River Camp Destinations to Explore
Our next state campground was right on the Rogue River. Flocks of Canadian geese were going bonkers. It was really fun to see this group perk up when another flock flew low in a “V” formation- honking loudly at their friends below. Their loud calls echoed throughout the canyon as they circled back and landed in the river right in front of us.
Typically on other trips to Southern Oregon it has been ripe for blackberry picking. We were a bit early on this trip, but still found some to snack on. Not quite ripe, but more fond memories. Lori and I have been escaping to Southern Oregon for as long as we can remember.
I’m not sure who saw who first. Lori and I laughed as we caught this young doe helping herself to “lunch” at another campers picnic table. We figured they must have gone down to the river for rafting in the Rogue. “OK, you busted me… are their any consequences you want to mention before I disappear into the woods?” No, but Thank You for standing still enough for the shot:)
Camping With Family
It wasn’t long before Lori and I moseyed on over to Lost Creek Lake State Park in Southern Oregon. Months before, we had planned this whole meet up with my younger brother and his wife.
Nothing like my little brother providing plenty of firewood and great hospitality (again). During Covid, we had met at the exact same fresh air spot a couple of years prior. Fireside chats like this are becoming a highlight we look forward to “next time”.
Our campsites were a stones throw from hiking trails and lookout points like this. Here, Lori and I were on a hike down to the lake. The sound of boats and the families having fun in the water are all a part of this favorite Oregon getaway.
Our site had a peek view of the lake and a fellow Airstream couple, too. We would later make friends, exchanging stories about our trailers. Originally from Napa, they now live in Southern Oregon. They also had arranged a meet-up with friends at the campground.
During our visit, we learned they had restored a 1970 Airstream trailer. Turns out they live near the campground and invited us to check it out. We exchanged contacts as they headed off to lunch with their friends. We eventually bid farewell to my brother and his wife. On our way to our next State Park, we drove past their place. That’s when I snapped a shot of “Zelda” (above).
Although we missed them and a chance to visit more at their beautiful property, we kept in touch. Recently, they shared these shots (above and below). What a great place, and I am envious of their meticulously restored and polished vintage 1970 Globetrotter!
Seems that a lot of Airstream owners name our trailers, and I have to say… their Zelda is one beautiful girl:) As previously mentioned, Airstream trailers (new and vintage, alike) can literally be showcased. Functional garden art, in stunning landscapes such as this.
And to other favorite Southern Oregon Campsites
And onward we marched. After a couple of nights with family, Lori and I moved on to a perennial favorite.
Valley of the Rogue State Park, located between Medford and Grants Pass, Oregon.
Here, Lori and I take a selfie next to the Rogue River. The campground has miles of hiking trails, many of which are by the waters edge.
The following morning I was on my jog along the river path, and captured this young couple fishing the beautiful Rogue. She’s in the boat anchored on the shore, and he is in the shallows of the river (center).
Back at one of our favorite campsites, Lori does something at her home away from home.
I actually captured this shot of Lori at the same campground last Fall. As an aside, Keep Your Daydream is our favorite Airstream couple we follow online. We are just 2 of their over 501,000 followers. Marc and Tricia, just a friendly shout out if you ever find this post:)
On one of the days at the Valley of the Rogue campground, we unhitched and went into Grants Pass. We have done this in the past, and we like having a look around. There are a couple of neat vintage stores in the historic downtown district we like visiting.
Visiting the Grants Pass Riverside Park, we saw numerous jetboats full of tourists cruising up and down the Rogue River. This shot captured near the Hellgate Jetboat headquarters in the historic downtown area of Grants Pass, Oregon.
Appreciating The Art in Beautiful Things
Another fun thing we did was walk a classic car show at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. I started tinkering with vintage pick up trucks way back in the early 1980’s. Check out these curves… I see and have an appreciation for Airstream design and craftsmanship. And I have always loved fat fender trucks and this beautifully restored car really caught my eye.
Well, the fun and games are over. Heading back to Santa Barbara. Lori and I have always tag teamed on the driving. She tows the Airstream with confidence. Gotta love a girl who can tow her own trailer:)
Well friend, this wraps another Jeff + Lori episode. Thanks for joining us on our most recent Oregon adventure. My next post will be getting back to Creating Spanish Homes and Landscapes. Scroll to explore more helpful links and resources for designing and building your own Spanish-style home and landscape.
