This week I was finally taken to The Shady Dell by my friend, Paula Sindelar. This unique motel is just outside of downtown Bisbee, AZ, which was built to support mining and other pursuits a century ago.
Fully restored trailers of the vintage aluminum variety dot a desert landscape.
Add to this a restored 1957 Chris Craft Yacht, a sort of tribute to Gilligan’s Island, and a fully restored bus and you have quite a few extremely unique places to stay and relive the 1950’s.
After finishing my novel, AIRSTREAMING, I’ve been following and visiting many people and places with Airstreams, and this was the most unique place I’ve encountered. Justin and Jen bought The Shady Dell in 2007 and have lovingly brought it back with all sorts of classic touches including:
Dot’s Diner
An Outdoor Movie Setting
Vintage Accessories in Every Trailer
and Vintage Cars and Trucks in various stages of restoration.
Jen toured us through the 1949 Vintage Airstream, which has a beautiful interior featuring polished aluminum that reflects back the years.
What was striking was the 1957 Gold Airfloat. It’s unique shape and reflective exterior really is a stunning thing to see in person.
Signs of the times and a welcoming reception finish out this extraordinary place.
Relax, break out the perfect novel, and spend a weekend soaking up the sun and history of this one-of-a-kind motel in historic Bisbee, Arizona.
Photographs ©2014 Tom Schabarum
Tagged: 1949 Airstream, 1950's, 1957 Airfloat, Airstream, Airstream Motel, Arizona, Arizona Destinations, Bisbee, Boles Aero, Chris Craft Yachts, Desi Arnez, Diners, El Rey Trailer, Long Long Trailer, Lowell, Lucille Ball, RV, Spartanette, The Shady Dell, Travel, Vintage, Vintage Airstream, Vintage Trailers
I sooooo want to go there!I love this post. I will send you a note offline to discuss what we talked about earlier this year. Thanks, Deb