While I grew up in Michigan, I was born in California and my parents have always had a fondness for our lovely Golden State. Every summer they would pack up the car and we would all drive cross country to Santa Cruz (where my parents taught at the UC Santa Cruz Summer Language Institute....my mom taught German, my father Spanish). I looooved spending my summers there and have so many great memories, but I have to say I always enjoyed the drive cross country too. In retrospect I think my parents were crazy—when we started our Santa Cruz trips I was 7 1/2 and my brother was 2 1/2....can you imagine going that far with two little kids?? And our first trip was in a Volkswagen station wagon...no air conditioning and AM radio only. Ahhh, those were the days! I will say it was a fantastic way to see the country and ever since I've always loved a good road trip. On the top of my list of places to visit is Bisbee, Arizona. Why Bisbee, you ask? Because it's home to the Shady Dell motor home lodge! Featuring 9 refurbished vintage aluminum Airstream Trailers, it has got to be one of the cutest places to stay in the country.
Picket fence anyone?? It's seriously the perfect amount of mid-century cool, Americana kitsch and all the comforts of home. All of them have different themes, from the 33 foot "Royal Mansion" (complete with leopard carpeting and martini glasses just waiting for happy hour!) to the adorable Tiki Bus Polynesian Palace (with built in breakfast nook and hi fi stereo). Let's take a look inside:
A stones throw away is Dot's Diner, an authentic 50s diner that used to be in Los Angeles and was transported via flat bed to Bisbee. I mean seriously, can it get any cuter? All they need is an on-site miniature golf course and I'm set! Have any of you stayed here? I think I need a roving reporter to check this out for me! Any takers??
Images from: Ginger <3, Jek in the Box,
