.svg)
The story of Alissa and Dory
When I say that Safari Condo changed my life, I am not exaggerating. I could never have predicted that buying a 17 foot aluminum trailer would become one of the most important decisions I have ever made, but here I am.
My journey to finding my joy began ten years ago. My small kids were growing up, and after years spent tending to their needs, I was beginning to feel a yearning for adventure. I got a crazy idea in my head about traveling again with my husband, but we had long since outgrown the “roughing it” stage of our lives. In younger days, we had gone backpacking and bicycle touring, with ultralight tents and inflatable sleeping pads. There was no way I wanted to go back to that. “But what about a tiny trailer?” I wondered. Could that give me the freedom to get out there and explore, without the discomforts of sleeping on the ground?
I started researching in earnest, and considered dozens of possible small Travel Trailers solutions. Some were too big, some too small, most just plain ugly, and my internet searches always brought me back to the Canadian-madeAlto . I wished I hadn't wanted that Travel Trailer because getting it, at the time, meant a trip to Quebec. It seemed frightening and logistically difficult. But I couldn't shake my growing obsession with the unique design and build quality of this beautiful little Travel Trailer. I kept searching in vain for something else that might be comparable but available closer to home. But there really is no equivalent to theAlto. I fought in vain against falling in love with this thing.
I will be forever grateful that I gave in to joy and got the travel companion that has made so many adventures possible. Yes, it was scary that first trip, driving all the way across the continent, from California to Quebec. And yes, it was even scarier towing our new baby all the way back home, when I had never towed anything before in my life. But oh my, how our lives have transformed!
We knew immediately that the Alto was going to be a game changer. It was small enough for a novice to tow easily behind a regular car. It has every amenity that we could possibly need or want, with nothing extraneous weighing it down. It is smart, and sexy, and just plain cool. The only part of traveling with an Alto that is hard, is having to come home. That first summer, we felt awake and exhilarated in a way we hadn’t been for years. Being out in our Alto is where we feel present and alive.
Now, we go camping almost every weekend, rain or shine. We have organized the storage so that I can cook delicious, healthy meals on the road, no matter where we are. I gathered dozens of recipes, and have ingredients on hand so that the only things we need to shop for are the meats and vegetables. I’ve got a dry pantry set up for staple items like rice, couscous, flour, sugar, dried fruits and nuts, and a variety of condiments. I have glass bottles stored under the sink that contain liquid staples like oils and different kinds of vinegar. Then there is a fridge pantry where I store hard to find items like soy glaze, hoisin sauce, romesco sauce, chipotle chili paste, or other specialty ingredients. Having these big flavor elements on hand make it so we can enjoy bold, bright dishes from a wide array of international cuisines. Meals never get old or boring when we’re camping!
Because I am a teacher, we are able to get away for extended trips several times a year. Then, our big trips happen over the summer, where we get to be out on the road for over two months! Even though we are both native Californians, the Alto has allowed us to experience things we never even knew existed in our home state. From the deserts, to the coast, to the mighty redwoods, there seems to be no end to the surprises. We love to hike, bike, and kayak, and have been able to get out into nature more than any other time in our lives. Because of our Alto, we are healthier now than we have been in years.
Sometimes we meet up with camping friends, and sometimes we are able to join “Altogathers,” where other Alto owners come together to share a few meals, swap stories, and enjoy the company of folks who share a love for this unique camper. Occasionally, we are surprised to see another Alto on the road. And though it doesn’t happen that often, out here in California, we sometimes find another Alto staying in the same campground. Of course, we always go say hello to the owners, and chances are, we probably even know each other from our “Altoistes” facebook group. It’s like having an extended family wherever you go.
Even though I initially thought the idea of driving from California to Quebec was crazy, we have been back to the “mothership” two more times since then. You see, Safari Condo is more than a company to us; they are family. So when they put on a big party to celebrate their anniversary, we simply have to be there. We have gotten to visit countless national parks on our way across the country, from the Grand Canyon, to the Grand Tetons. Every summer adventure just seems to get better.
We did experience a tragedy a few years back. Our first Alto, which we named “Dory,” was involved in a rear end collision. We were devastated. But rather than let that sink us, we took to heart Dory’s motto: “Just keep swimming.” We used the insurance money to put our order in for a replacement: “Dory2.” But in the meantime, we simply could not be without an Alto. So we bought the first used 1723 model that came up. We didn’t even hesitate. That is how important Altos are to us. When the time came for us to pick up our brand new Alto, we decided not to sell the used one, just in case. And we even have plans to put our beloved Dory1 in the backyard as a guest room and place to chill and hang out. We may be the only people who have 3 Altos, but somehow, that doesn’t even seem crazy to the people who get it.
I hate to think of all that we would have missed if I hadn’t listened to that little inkling ten years ago. Just imagine if I had ignored that tiny voice, whispering, “Girl, you need to have some fun.” Making such a significant investment in something solely for the purpose of frivolity and play was not an easy thing for me to justify at the time. But knowing what I know now, seeing my photo album filled with thousands of happy moments captured and preserved in my memory, I know without any hesitation or doubt that this decision was one of the best I have ever made.
I'm grateful that I listened to my intuition ten years ago and invested in this incredible little Travel Trailer. It has brought so much happiness and unforgettable memories to my life. I can't wait to continue exploring the world with my Alto, meeting other camping enthusiasts and creating new unforgettable memories. Safari Condo has truly changed my life, and I'm grateful for everything it has given me.
- Alissa Levenberg