We celebrated our 42nd anniversary by renting Eszter's beautiful 2014 Airstream Interstate for a week and seeing some of Southern California's wonderful parks; 5 parks in 7 days, in fact! Everything about the experience, the trip, the van, and Eszter, was just great.Of course, we had a few "user error" questions, regarding this we weren't familiar with on an Airstream. All were minor things that Eszter handled for us by text almost immediately. (It was almost as if she was there with us!) They will become part of her FAQ fact sheet.We averaged 16.5 mpg over the week, and the only driving issue we had was a real test of the A/C heading from one of the desert Parks to another. The ambient temperature became too hot for the Mercedes chassis to adequately cool the cabin while driving. With rest, this resolved. Cabin cooling, even in the desert, and refrigeration - both on external power - worked flawlessly the whole time. We didn't use the generator, or the entertainment systems, and had our own wifi (Verizon MiFi) for connectivity - everywhere but the San Mateo Campground within the San Onofre Beach State Park: no internet or cell signals at all. None (on Camp Pendleton property, with no line of sight or other access to towers).The van was easy to drive but take care backing into wooded spots. I learned after the fact that a branch met with the rear door, unhappily. Glad we opted for the insurance.The van is close when the bedding is out. In that regard, we have a king-size sleep system that we deployed on top of the queen-size bed. It served as a great topper (we used the sheets on top, rather than within, the system, given the desert heat).As Eszter predicted, we used the portable Coleman butane cooktop for just about everything we cooked. Outside on picnic tables or on the folding table that Eszter included with folding camp chairs (thank you!). The only time we used the [terrific] propane indoor cooktop was to heat water for coffee. The fridge was so cold (on 5) that our morning yogurt was more like ice cream cone yogurt. not quite frozen. VERY efficient fridge!The only negative comment I have to make is with regard to Outdoorsy and their insurance coverage. It is egregiously expensive. I paid more for it, for one week, than for my house and auto annual payment. But take the insurance. If you are like me, you might not know you need it until after you return the vehicle. So far, so good, but it's not over yet.Would I rent from Eszter again? ABSOLUTELY. She is always available, highly competent, and very friendly. She went over the van systems with us twice, once a week before the rental (at our home) and then again the day we picked it up.
5 Photos submitted by Allan B.