SierraNevadaAirstreams.org – Pee Wee’s History

Enjoyment of the whispering winds, the zephyrs, the airstreams of the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin areas of the United States in a recreational vehicle.

The 1959 African Caravan

A conversation with Dale Schwamborn – Part One

This was Dale's first trip to Africa. He was 20 years old and by this time a well traveled and experienced Caravanner.

Q – How did it come about that you acted as scout on this caravan?

A - In April of 1959 Wally called my Dad and told him to tell me he was taking me to Africa. The group had reached a size that justified a scout. As it turned out it was an important slot on the tour. The scouting was simple. In areas where it was feasible Nick and I went ahead of the Caravan and did our thing. In the middle of nowhere where there were days of tough roads, not cities, Nick and I stayed with the Group. Then as necessary we were always a day or a week ahead of the main part.

Q - How did you prepare for going?

A - Selection of a minimum amount of clothing, a suit, shorts, jeans sport shirts, boots, lederhosen… all in a minimum. Appropriate medical supplies. Visas. Numerous shots. Test drive of scout vehicle in Ohio. Driving the Scout Truck to the Brooklyn dock.

Q - How many people went with you?

A - I believe we had 105 Caravaners, I can verify this at a later date. Traveling with me as a scout was Nick Charles, Andy Charles’ son. He was 17 and I was 20.

Q - Did you take Airstreams with you on the scouting trip? Kind of looks like you did.

A - Airstream had three vehicles on the trip. The Scout Truck, and Utility Truck were ton and a half Chevrolet's, four wheel drive with wenches. Airstream added a contoured shell to the frame and made a close, but adequate living area. There was a third truck used by Pete Turner the photographer. Nick Charles, Art Ruiz, Pete Turner and myself all worked for Wally, if you wish Airstream.

Q - Had you done scouting trips for other caravans before this one?

A - No this was the first time as scout. But I started Caravanning on the 1st one in 1951 to Mexico and Central America. Also the 1955 and 1957 Eastern Canadian Caravans, and the 1956 European Caravan. I was seasoned in the knowledge of roads, campsites, and meeting officials.

Q - Did you have a set of criteria that you needed to check out, a plan or something to follow? Route, gas, water, roads, camping spots, food, etc.

A - All of the criteria you mentioned were part of the scouting process. We met with city, state and federal type officials. Nick and I introduced ourselves and informed them about the Caravan, what we needed and such. We also put up arrow signs to the campsites. When we were the first ones in we picked up the mail for the Caravan Postman. When the road became difficult and there were no cities, we stayed with the Caravan.

Q - Was it your Mom, Wally, or someone else that helped determine where the caravan should go, how they would travel, etc.

A - Wally read the 1927 National Geographic issued from Cairo to Cape Town. He determined that Cape Town to Cairo was the better route. The climates are reversed in June south of the equator. We traveled from Winter to Spring to Fall to Winter. Plans were made around weather first and foremost. A general route from south to north was second. If there were festivals, like the Shembe in Durban, South Africa we tried to fit that it to the schedule. Interesting sites, like Krueger, the Ituri forest, an ostrich farm, and many more were fit into the schedule. As simple as it was to go south to north, there was a very intricate schedule weave for the Caravaners. Wally had the overall plan. He discussed with my Mother. She sent letters to the countries, cities etc. Due to lack of service stations, letters went to Mobil and Shell. If the frontier areas, they brought tankers, trucks with gas drums, and of course bottle gas. Visas were applied for. Contiguous letter informing the Caravaners of the status of the trip. My Mother worked with shipping lines on the East, West and Gulf coasts for vehicle transpiration and for Caravaners. I sailed on the African Enterprise from Brooklyn to Cape Town.

Q - How was it decided which countries to go through?

A - Weather, roads, interest, politics.

Q - How long were you on that scouting trip and how much time was there after you got home before the actual caravan took off?

A - I left Bakersfield in June 1959 and returned late May 1960. I took a break between my Sophomore and Junior year of college. My time reflects the real time of the Caravan. Nick and I were sometimes a week a head. Or we traveled with the Caravan. Ethiopia is an area where we all traveled together.

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The documents provided and the pictures in these photo galleries have been used with permission of Dale Schwamborn. They are intended for personal viewing and enjoyment only and are not to be used in part or in full on other websites, for commercial purpose, or for any other use. For information on this material you can contact Dale at peewee@sierranevadaairstreams.org

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