January 29 2015

Follow That Caboose – How it all got started

Travel Star Camping, Follow That Caboose, Travel 0

Caboose Camper back door

We will be sharing our adventures camping with the caboose and so I thought I would share with you where it came from, what it is, and why we bought it. I can’t wait to enjoy many camping trips with my family in the big red caboose.

“Is it a real camper?”

One of the first questions people ask us is “Is it a real camper?” Yes, it is a fully functioning camper. It has heat, air conditioning and running water. Inside is a kitchen complete with a sink, cook stove, and refrigerator. All camper sized, of course. There is also a bathroom with a toilet, shower, and sink. The caboose camper sleeps 4 people and is the perfect size for our family.

Inside the caboose camper. Take a peek at the kitchen and bathroom

“Where do you sleep?”

The caboose camper has a queen size bed and two single beds. Like most campers the dining table transforms into a bed. There is also a loft bed which can either be a second table or abed. The loft bed has a special compartment that opens for taller children to be able to stretch out their legs. During the day the queen bed is two sofas. At night it converts to a queen size bed, which sleeps two adults comfortably. The sleeping arrangements are perfect for a family of four. At some point our boys will outgrow their beds but we will figure that out when it happens. For now we are all cozy in our little caboose.

Caboose Camper with seats up in the back. These seats fold down and make a queen size bed.

Caboose Camper with seats folded down to make queen size bed.

“Did you build it?” or “Where did it come from?”

No, we did not build the camper. We are the second owner. The camper was built by a very sweet grandfather so his grandkids would have a place to play and could travel with them. The grandkids grew up as they have a tendency to do and he felt it was time to pass the much loved caboose on to a family that would really enjoy. We found the caboose on sale by the owner at the annual Ashland Train Day in Ashland, VA. For all you train lovers out there, Train Day is a free event with tons of free activities for kids of all ages. Did I mention it is free! It is held the first Saturday in November, rain or shine. If you happen to go stop by the caboose and say hello. Tell us you saw it on Vacation Maybe! It is on display every year (part of the buying agreement, not really) but we have agreed to take it every year as the original owner always did. I fell in love with the caboose at first sight, saw the for sale sign and as they say the rest is history.