Alumapalooza 2012

The past week, I was in Jackson Center, Ohio to attend Airstream Life's "Alumapalooza" for the third year in the row.  Not only did I attend, but I was once again the photographer for the event and each year always seems to be a bit better than the last.  Maybe "better" isn't the word, but one thing is for sure... it is growing in numbers!

For five days, I walked up and down the grounds of Airstream looking for people to photograph.  Some days it wasn't easy with the rain and wind.  Usually people hide away and shut the door and I won't come knockin' if it's closed.  Once the sun peeked out, so did everyone else and that's when I ran around to capture to moments of the event.  

I can't just take a photo and leave.  I really do enjoy talking to everyone and getting to know the new folks that make the trek all the way to Ohio to be a part of the festivities.  It was nice to see familiar faces and I think most people approached me to see if I brought Max along.  Sadly, he stayed home.  One of the things I love the most is the dogs that come and bring their owners along.

This year didn't disappoint.  I can go on and on about the week, but for now... here are some of my favorite images thus far.  I am still glued to the computer, editing and have a lot more images to go through.  If you met me at the event, hold tight...I have many more photographs to post. I look forward to Alumapalooza 2013!  If you haven't been and you have interest in Airstreams, it's the place to be.  To me, it's family.

To see more photographs with option to purchase, click HERE

Airstream Life Magazine Fall 2011

I had so much fun last June in Jackson Center, Ohio for the second annual "Alumapalooza" event!  Held on the grounds of the Airstream Factory, hundreds of dedicated Airstream owners gather to meet, learn, and mostly have a good time together with their common love of Airstreams.

I wrote a little about my experience HERE and put together a slide show of some of the photographs I took while I was there.  You can see that slideshow by clicking HERE.

I am thrilled that eight portraits I took (including the cover) are featured in the Fall, 2011 edition of Airstream Life Magazine.  Sign ups are already happening on their official Alumapalooza website, so I would get your reservation in early for 2012.  I hope to see you there next year!

Alumapalooza 2011

It was that time of year again.  A time where all of the many dedicated Airstream owners come together at the birthplace of Airstream in Jackson Center, Ohio.
In the course of a week, the open field in the back of the plant transforms into a small community of people with their common love of Airstream trailers.

This was my second year of documenting the event for Airstream and Airstream Life.  I have been looking forward to it for months.  The airstream owners are like my second family.  Everyone is so down to earth and friendly.  Because of this event, I've met some people that will be lifelong friends.

Many of the people I met last year were here again but there were many new faces added to the mix.  For the entire 5 days I was there, I would circle the property several times, walking through rows and rows of Airstream trailers looking for people outside and the door open so I could photograph them.

Some came to me with their framed photos from last year and so many people told me what an inspiration I was to them.  One woman said that she was there, traveling with her dog because of me.  It was flattering but mostly I felt so happy that she was realizing a dream for herself.

I am truly grateful to have been able to be a part of such a fun event and be among a wonderful community of people.  I look forward to seeing your faces next year!  A big thank you to Rich and Brett (shown bottom right) who managed to coordinate each moment.

Here are a few photos from the festivities.  As you will see in the event album, I tend to gravitate towards animals and love to document the relationship between owners and their pet.

To see all images from the festivities with purchase options, click HERE.

Meeting Halfway - Visiting Kristiana Spaulding And Osa On The Road In South Dakota

It's always nice to have another traveling friend on the road the same time you are on the road, especially when you cross paths on the way.  I was lucky enough to be able to coordinate a visit with Kristiana on her way heading West, while I am currently headed East.

We decided to meet in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at their beautiful Motel 6.  She didn't have one of her 5 Airstream trailers with her and was traveling without camping equipment so it was a nice break for Max and I to stay in a luxurious hotel (for us anyway).

I haven't seen her since Alumnapalooza so we had a lot of catching up to do.  It was a first time visit with Max and her dog, Osa and they did so well together!  Kristiana and I have become close friends ever since I decided to meet up with the Silver Sisters last March.  The silver sisters are a group of women that meet twice a year camping with their Airstream, or in my case...my silver teardrop trailer.  It's a weekend of ditching the husband and kids (if you have them) to bond with other women with a common love for Airstreams or as the sisters say, "all things shiny."

If you are a woman, in the Southwest area and have a silver trailer, you should join the unofficial group! They have meet ups on the Air Forums and you can see what they are up to by clicking HERE.  It's a confusing site so don't be upset if you don't get it right away. Their next gathering is in September.

Anyway, I am so happy that I was able to meet up with Kristiana on my travels.  The last two photographs are from Alumnapalooza when I did a photo shoot with her. She designs beautiful jewelry (I wear my bird necklace every day on this journey) that you can purchase HERE.

Max and I are refreshed from our visit and on the road again headed East...

Welcome To Canada! (I think)

Max and I decided to head to the border to Canada to meet some online friends.  The last time I was in this country, I was 10 so I don't really remember what it was like to cross the border. I suppose when you travel to another country, you need to have a specific plan in place.  As you know, I like to wander around and make up the journey as I go and I decided at the last minute to go north to meet some nice folks I found on the internet a while back that travel in their airstream part of the time and work at a motel when they are not traveling.

Sometimes I meet people without talking to them on the phone or even through email.  I don't remember how I came across Kim and Deb's blog, but I enjoyed it and Kim made a few comments on my blog so I decided to see what their life was like in Canada.

When asked why I was coming to Canada by the border police, I said, "I'm meeting some friends I met online."  Then they asked why I was meeting them, how I knew them, where they lived, etc.  Immediately, I was flagged as suspect and sent inside the office.  While in the office, I was asked the same questions.  It's a good thing I wrote down the address moments before crossing.  Even so, that didn't seem to justify my story.  The border police wanted her phone number so I dug in my email and supplied that to her.  Once I did, she looked at me with a very serious face and tone and said, "that phone number isn't from around here."  I said, "I don't know what to tell you, that's the number."  Her suspicions deepened and consequently, I had to go out to the car, take Max out and put him in a kennel so she could search the car.  While I was kenneling Max, she called Kim to see if her story matched mine, which it did.

After she searched the car, she came to me and said, "how come you have so much stuff in there?" Well, I am traveling for months in my car and I need things to camp with but I guess I need to travel lighter.  Who knows?  In the end she let Max and I proceed into the country.

What if I didn't have a destination in mind?  I am not sure that the country wants people wandering around seeing the sights.  I am glad I was able to get through and get on our way, regardless.

Just an hour away, we met Kim and Deb at the motel they run and lucky for us, they offered their 1974 Airstream Overlander to sleep in.  This was my first time sleeping in an Airstream and I know it won't be the last.  It was so nice to meet these two.  They treated us so well with their hospitality and cooked some delicious meals!  The area is pretty incredible.  Click HERE to visit their blog.  I look forward to sharing more of the sights with you soon.