The Velveteen Casita - Fiberglass RV
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:36 AM   #1
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The Skin Horse had lived a long time in the campground ... longer than any of the others trailers.

He was so old that his gleaming-white solid-fiberglass coat was chipped in places and slightly yellowed and he showed the drips on the ground from fresh water spigot.

Rain had etched dark rivers down his side and some carpet fibers had been pulled loose inside. His owners rarely waxed him anymore.
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:36 AM   #2
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But he was wise, for he had seen a long succession of stick-built, fancy trailers arrive to boast and swagger ... by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away.

The Skin Horse knew that most trailers were only regular trailers not fiberglass rvs, and would never turn into anything else.

They would never become Real Trailers.

For "Real Trailer" magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those campers whose trailers are wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:37 AM   #3
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"What is REAL?" asked the new Casita one day, when they were parked side by side near the campground entrance, before Nana, the campground attendant, came to tidy up.

"Does it mean having a crisp, brand-new flaw-free gleaming-white exterior and a shiny black trailer A-frame," the new Casita asked?

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When people love you for a long, long time, not just to camp in, but REALLY, REALLY love you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the new Casita.
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:37 AM   #4
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"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real, you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once?" The new little trailer asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become real. It takes a long time.

"That's why it doesn't happen often to trailers which break easily, or have sharp edges or wooden walls, or who have to be carefully kept.

Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your newness has been loved off, and your cushions are worn and your tires get worn (and occasionally pop), and sometimes, your gleaming-white solid fiberglass exterior gets chipped. The chips aren't bad chips, just an occasional little chip, from people who love you towing you down the road.

But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real Trailer, you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:41 AM   #5
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I know ... I know ... this is a recycled story ... from long, long ago.

I think it was from my childhood.

But, since the website hack ... I'm not sure the story survived. For that matter, I'm not sure it was ever posted here.

But ... I want to say a special "thanks" to all those Skin Horse fiberglass rv's on this site. Particularly those who are several decades old ... for showing all of us that we don't need to be a fancy, shiny new rig.

In fact, like fine wine ... our fiberglass rigs only get better with age.
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Old 12-14-2005, 10:37 AM   #6
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Wonderful, terrific story Charles....I don't remember reading it here either

Thank for sharing!!!
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Old 12-14-2005, 12:38 PM   #7
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What a great rendition of the Velveteen Rabbit, Charles. Thank you, thank you.

Nancy
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Old 12-14-2005, 03:53 PM   #8
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But ... I want to say a special "thanks" to all those Skin Horse fiberglass rv's on this site. Particularly those who are several decades old ... for showing all of us that we don't need to be a fancy, shiny new rig.

In fact, like fine wine ... our fiberglass rigs only get better with age.
Thank [b]you, Charles. You do understand.
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Old 12-14-2005, 04:38 PM   #9
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What a great rendition of the Velveteen Rabbit, Charles.
Oh! The Vel[b]veteen Casita ?

I've been reading it all day as the Vel[b]veeta Casita!!


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