Harry Halbritter was unique among the list of entrepreneurs I've met over the years. He was a hotel and saloonkeeper from San Diego, California, whose business grew during WWII, as each shore leave brought sailors and marines into his establishment. Harry's cashflow increased each time the register cha-chinged to ring up each drink and as his rooms were rented out.
He and his wife Allene were close friends of the Byams and Schwamborns. They shared a love of dancing. Their nightlife included going to clubs for meals and floor shows.
Harry had a great sense of humor. He never called me Dale, or even Pee Wee - always "Wee Pee." After dates in Europe and Africa, he walked up to me with his grinning Cheshire smile and asked, "Did the lion roar last night?" Oh, Harry!
The Halbritters began their Caravanning during the winter of 1952-1953, when they went to Mexico. They also went on the European Caravan in 1956 and returned to Mexico in 1958, later going on to Caravan in Central America as well. So it was only natural that when the famous African Caravan was announced in ’59 that Harry and Allene would join the group.
For Wally, this became a plus on arduous days when he could have dinner and relax in Harry’s trailer #616. Harry was just one of several seasoned Caravanners that had Wally’s back when times became rough and tough.
When Harry heard news stories about the African Caravan claiming the cost of the 330-day, 14,000 mile trip was cost upwards of $25,000 (a chunk of change today but a far greater sum back then), Harry was compelled to contact my mother, Helen Byam Schwamborn, vital in helping organizing the African Caravan, to share with her his actual expense report from the trip.
He wrote: “You know, Helen, we have read several news items from the United States in which it was claimed this trip cost $25,000. To us this does not seem fair to anyone anticipating a Caravan of this kind. As you can see from the above figures the estimated cost of this trip, $10.00 per day for two people, held true on this caravan – with our daily expenses averaging only $9.30 per day.”
That comes to just a little over $3,000 for the whole trip.
Harry went on to say, “So if anyone questions you on the cost of Caravanning, which we are convinced is the cheapest, healthiest and most comfortable way of traveling throughout the world, please feel free to quote any or all of these figures.”
Harry then added, of Caravanning, “It was the savior of my life. Without it I would have done just what a lot of people do. I would have retired, sat down on my front porch – and died.”
Harry and Allene Halbritter were traveling, seeing new horizons, forming new friendships, camping with fellow Airstreamers and knowing what it is to live the Airstream Life.
It doesn’t get any better that that.
Dale “Pee Wee” Schwamborn has silver in his blood. Each week, Pee Wee shares one of his many stories, including his experiences on the iconic Airstream Caravans, his time spent working in the Airstream factory, and the many Airstreamers he’s befriended, far and wide.
