The origin story of our Airstream “Beauty” and truck “The Beast” — how the right rig became the foundation for our life on the road.
Published on April 12, 2026 – Narrated by Jim
“Tale as old as time,
song as old as rhyme.”
Mrs. PottsBeauty and the Beast
Once upon a sunset in 2015, a retired couple longed to cross the bridge from their cozy little island and venture over yonder to see what they could see.
First, we called Carmen’s dad, Allen Perry, in Mississippi to ask which RV to buy.
“You’re looking for an Airstream,” he said.
As if we’d asked, “Who’s the greatest football coach of all time?”
“Why, Bear Bryant, of course.”
Carmen chimed in. “I knew he’d say that! On family road trips he was always on Airstream watch. ‘Kids! Look!’ he’d shout. ‘There goes the finest trailer ever built!’”
“Think of the one thing that you’ve always wanted.
Now find it in your mind’s eye and feel it in your heart.”
The BeastBeauty and the Beast
Allen’s Counsel
It’s intimidating to call my esteemed father-in-law into question. A retired U.S. Navy aeronautics engineer, mechanic, and aviation officer — and a super-ager at 92 — Allen Perry seems to have expertise in just about everything.
When Allen speaks, people tend to reach for a notebook. But this decision was too important to rely on anyone’s first advice — even Carmen’s dad.
“So why didn’t you ever own one?” I asked, respectfully.
Allen’s tone softened as he explained how he fell for that riveted aluminum camper with military-style moxie back in the 1950s. But Carmen’s mother — an award-winning chef — wanted deeper storage and a bigger galley to prepare grand meals for family reunions and church camp.
Carmen laughed. “It woulda been a bloodbath bunking four rambunctious kids within reach of ‘the guillotine,’ Mama’s industrial-sized food processor.”
But Allen was already thinking ahead —
“The 30-foot Classic will give you a good long time of service. Just don’t get any dumb ideas about pulling it with your ’65 Mustang convertible — looks great, real stupid. You need a road beast. Get a RAM 2500 Cummins with four-wheel drive. Safest rig on the highway.”
“Everything is under control.”
CogsworthBeauty and the Beas
The List
Allen said the next decision was whether to buy used or new — and what to name her.
Carmen’s heart was set on GoGoRuby, after my mom. Rubies are aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). And Mom’s nickname — another super-ager who loved travel — was Go-Go-Girl.
That night, over beers at CBC, we realized how many details we’d overlooked — safety, efficiency, weather, park size limits, and self-care.
So we made a list of must-have features: no particle wood or laminate (Me),
a private loo with natural light (She),
plush recliners (We).
all-around awnings (She),
personal desk space (We),
a sound-conditioned interior for studio-quality audio for Carmen’s voice-acting biz,
and a top-notch gourmet galley.
Our rig would be personal — built for a happily ever-after of good home-cooking and slow-paced travel, and cozy enough to support us in sickness and in health.
Our list of needs required customization, so we visited Air Forums to learn more about the history, features, and tech — and to browse interiors.
Recognition
One morning — at the exact same moment — we emailed each other the same ad for a used 2001 30-foot Excella.
Both emails were titled: “Found it!”
Later that week, Allen drove to Alabama to inspect our potential Airstream. After looking her over, he called with his report:
“She’s a beauty.”
Just like that, it was “Hello, Beauty.”
A few weeks later, on the Mississippi/Alabama border, Allen found the biggest vehicle we’d ever own — a 2014 RAM 2500 Cummins.
Voilà! Our team was complete. Months later we flew to the Deep South for our 40th wedding anniversary to meet our team and take them home.
(left to right: Jim, Chris Perry (Carmen’s brother, and Allen)
“I want adventure in the great wide somewhere.”
BelleBeauty and the Beast
The Airstream Way
But let’s get real — a trailer and truck are just a rig.
Yeah.
Like the Orient Express is just a train.
Like Doc Brown’s time machine is just a DeLorean.
Some things are more than they appear to be.
Airstream’s founder, Wally Byam, had a Da Vinci-style spirit.
“Adventure is where you find it.”
Wally Byam
Beauty and the Beast fuel our travel fantasy — wanderlust, growth, and purposeful play — like someone we know who recently scored two holes-in-one at his local golf course.
Allen was right. Airstream was the way to go — and it’s still the most iconic trailer for more than 90 years.
Good genes are impressive, but top-notch craftsmanship sealed the deal.
Flashy accessories have their charms, but most are doomed to become ugly stepsisters. Before visiting an RV show, stop by the county dump to see what’s NOT there.
Or just ask Allen — for maximum mobility, bigger isn’t necessarily better. More space means more maintenance, more packing and unpacking, and less lighthearted fun.
For Beauty, age — like the arbitrary 10, 15, and 20-year rules — is just a number. The reservation desk always says, “The age rule doesn’t apply to Airstreams.” Not because Airstreams don’t age — but because they rarely show it.
Nearly three-quarters of all Airstreams ever built are still in use — rolling down highways or tucked into campsites under the stars, just as they were designed to do. In the short run, they’re not the least expensive choice, but quality over quantity pays off. Airstream isn’t a starry-eyed belief system. It’s a one-and-done long-term relationship built to last.
On the flip side of her crown-jewel exterior, Beauty is an old-fashioned girl in sensible shoes. Her cabinets meet our hands where we naturally reach, her storage is logical, orderly, and enough.
Like an airplane fuselage, her aluminum shell is semi-monocoque — the curved skin carries the load. That’s why these trailers last for decades — and often far longer.
At 25 years young, Beauty is a pristine vintage classic, and admirers often ask if she’s this year’s model.
“Try the gray stuff, it’s delicious! Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes!”
LumièreBeauty and the Beast
Even with a 5 o’clock shadow, our 180-square-foot working gal dazzles.
Morning, noon, and moonlight — nothing escapes her serene brow.
“Do not be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within.”
NarratorBeauty and the Beast
Traveling Light
Lightweight gear is the faery dust that makes Living in Beauty run as smoothly as a magic carpet ride.
With not an inch to waste, every item is dual-purpose.
Our gear is like connective tissue holding Dem Bones together so the parts function as a whole.
Our desire to travel depends on our ability to travel. Our ability to travel depends on our health and happiness — and our health and happiness is hitched to our gross travel weight. Minimalism and a healthy dose of idealism provide lift.
Towing too big has limitations. Towing too small has discomforts. Towing Beauty is just right.
California — Beauty’s ancestral home — where her capsule was designed and tested on rugged terrain, prepared her for anything.
Travel isn’t always a bed of roses. After a gnarly 4-3-2 day in backcountry, you need a hero.
And Beauty’s welcoming interior is ready for relaxing,
hot showers,
dinner,
ice cream,
a movie,
and bedtime.
“This is not proper!”
CogsworthBeauty and the Beast
Summer is coming. Soon, we’ll move on.
Here, in our home base since early November for my first pre-surgery appointment, hitch-itch is setting in.
Carmen, Stella and I walk the campground every day to get in our steps.
At first our long walks relieved anxiety about medical stuff, but now that rehab is going so well, the conversation turns to summer destinations. Mountains or coast? Lake or beach?
But this morning, Carmen’s focus shifts to the words painted across the front caps of RVs.
“Integrity. Uh-uh. Too much pressure.”
“Lone Wolf.”
“Ew. Sad and kinda creepy.”
“Allegro.”
“Not us. We’re more ‘Lento.’ Slow, like slow dancing, slow cooking—”
“No one’s gonna buy a vehicle called ‘Slow’”.
“Probably not.”
“So, what word describes our travel vibe?”
She pauses and floats, “Sexy?”
“The vice squad’ll love it.”
She gives me a wry smile. “It’s a squeaky initialism: Surreal Excursions Into The Yonder.”
“That’s SEXITY.”
“Even better.”
She sells it. “When the team is hitched, sashaying our everything through dust storms, icy mountain passes, and sandy desert washouts without a whimper or a groan, it’s like magic and—
“Magic is sexity.”
“Bingo.”
And with that let’s just say the flamingo stops here.
Was it Bear Bryant who said, “An Airstream isn’t everything, but it sure beats the second best trailer”?
I’ll ask Allen.
“There must be more than this provincial life!”
BelleBeauty and the Beast
The Point of It All
In the end, what makes this life work for us is not a logo, a look, or even a legacy. It’s thoughtful, disciplined design with user-friendly systems that keep us from worrying about the ride — and frees us to focus on the possibilities ahead.
But Beauty isn’t the whole story. The Beast complements her attributes and carries her over the threshold into adventure — a well-suited team for the extraordinary RV retirement we set out to discover.
This story is entirely our own. We were not paid, reimbursed, or influenced in any way by anyone.
Do you have a story about how you chose your RV? Please share!
You can see our exact route on this map.
*Photos in this post, unless otherwise noted, were taken and copyrighted by Living in Beauty.
Follow Living in Beauty
New posts, about once or twice a month.
We’ll email you when there’s something new to read — nothing more.
One quick confirmation, then you’re set.
Join 9,808 fellow subscribers
Or follow us where you already are
We share every new Living in Beauty post on these social channels.
