There is truth in the statement that things don’t just happen - people make things happen.
In 1951, Wally Byam organized and conducted the first Airstream Caravan to Mexico and Central America. This created a tradition of Caravans spanning the globe, traveling across Africa, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Middle East.
I first met Earl and Pauline Arborn on the first Caravan in 1951. They enjoyed the camaraderie being with like-minded travelers. Sometime after the first Caravan, a group of Airstreamers formed a small group for get-togethers to enjoy their Airstreams and to talk about the wonderful times they had on Caravans. They created a group name, for themselves: “The Jack Rabbits.”
In Caravan terms, a “Jack Rabbit” is any Caravanner jumping the gun and going ahead of the group to the next stop.
On these very early Caravans, these Jack Rabbits didn’t go ahead. In fact, they were some of the hardest workers on the Caravans. Their respect, love, and devotion for Wally ran deep and they always had his back and helped in any way possible. They even made Wally and Stella honorary members of their group.
In 1955, Wally planned his first Caravan to Eastern Canada.
Prior to the Eastern Canadian Caravan, Pauline Arborn approached Wally and asked him to form an all Airstream Club. The Caravans were getting out of hand with 500 trailers of all makes being on the 1955 Mexican Caravan. Wally gave her the green light.
1956 is the year for the first overseas Caravan to Europe. Wally and Stella were going over to scout the Caravan in 1955. So Wally asked his cousin, Helen Byam Schwamborn, to take over the Eastern Canadian Caravan in his absence.
Leading the Caravan was only one part of Helen’s duties. She was to assist the Airstream owners in forming a Club and to support them from her headquarters.
Unfortunately, Earl and Pauline couldn’t make the Caravan. But another Jack Rabbit family, Louis and Alice Beatty, was able to. The Beattys were seasoned Airstreamers. They, too, traveled on the first Airstream Caravan.
With evening meetings and layover stops, the Wally Byam Caravan Club was founded on August 3, 1955 in Kentville, Nova Scotia.
Fred “Pop” Riley, a Jack Rabbit member, was appointed the first Club President.
Why a Club? To bring together Airstream owners on a regional level, without going on extended Caravans, and to enjoy the same fun, camaraderie, potlucks (maybe a great rhubarb pie?) and to visit local points of interest.
Caravans began to show owners how to use their trailers, and to visit distant lands as a group. Airstream needed a boost in 1951 to survive as a company, and the advertising from the Caravans made Airstream world-renowned. From there, Airstream continued to grow - and to become an American icon.
There was a definite symbiotic relationship between Airstream and the Wally Byam Caravan. Airstream provided the money to keep the Club going, while the Club itself was a major selling point for Airstream dealers.
It is important to understand that the Club is a standalone entity and belonged to - and only to - the Airstream owners. Airstream supported the Club, but had no legal ownership. It truly was, and still is, an Airstream Owner’s Club.
Nothing just happens, it takes planning and dedication from those moving on and ahead.
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.
