Welcome to the Zoe, the Airstream!
Let’s start with some random bit’Zoe trivia!
Zoe – rhymes with row, row, row your boat J
Zoe is a 2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB (Flying Cloud is the model, she’s 23’ long and FB means the bed is up front near the hitch).
Yes, I do take Zoe out and about but only in the summer months. During the cooler months, she hosts guests just like you as an Airbnb. But the summer months here are WAY too hot for a metal box in the desert, so she’s game for trips up north.
Most Airstreams have names…and most are registered with Airstream. Zoe is officially registered and her nameplate is on the door!
Zoe is named after a character from the TV series Jane the Virgin. Jane’s mom is Xiomara, usually shortened to Xio. But who’s going to know how to pronounce Xio?!? So, she’s Zoe and is totally fine being called Zoey.
Zoe gets moved in and out of the backyard BY HAND. Yep! I have this super cool thing called a TrailerValet and it lets me hand crank her in and out. It’s slow process, but it keeps her safe.
I was inspired to get an Airstream after staying in one (same model and all) up in Seattle on my way to spend a few weeks in Haines, Alaska. I loved the space, the design, the comfort, the minimalism and being gently nudged to enjoy time outside even more.
Many of the homes in my neighborhood, Coronado Historic District, have guest houses out back. Some were originally carriage houses. I, too, wanted a guest house but that seemed like a lot of work and a lot of permitting. And patience…not my strength. So, inspired by my stay in Seattle, I decided to buy and Airstream and roll her on in the summer of 2017.
So, that’s a little bit about Zoe.
Here’s some helpful info. There’s plenty more in the welcome packet to read through if you’d like when you arrive. Click here to read about my favorite nearby places to eat, details about the backyard and pool and view the Cat-alog. Cheers, Amber
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Gate Lock – You’ll receive the gate code a day or two before you arrive via the Airbnb app. You will use this code to unlock and lock the deadbolt from the outside. Please lock the gate when you are going to be here or gone for a while. We want to make sure no one wanders into the pool accidentally.
Airstream Awnings – We will have these in or out depending on the current weather and upcoming forecast. Wind can be deadly to awnings, so sometimes we have to put them away to protect them. They aren’t intuitive or easy to maneuver, so please leave this to us.
Door/Screen Door – The door can be closed all the way or you can have a screen door. Just work your way through the latches until you figure it out. The door and screen will need to be latched together for the door to close properly.
WHEN YOU DEPART
Power off AC and/or heat.
Additional departure info (including trash, recycling and compost details) is included in the welcome packet inside of the Bitty Bungalow.
WIFI
The wifi network name and password are on the front page of the welcome packet. It’s one of the first questions people ask!
TV/CHROMECAST
If you want to watch TV, you can choose to watch some really weird channels that come through the antennae (sorry, no cable here) or you can watch anything from a service you subscribe to such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. via the Google Chromecast. Details to connect to the Google Chromecast are in the welcome packet provided in the Bitty Bungalow.
LIGHTS
Lights are inside the door to the left. The main lights are marked with a gold heart sticker. The two switches up top control outside lights. You can turn them on if needed at night. The bottom row controls the awning light and main galley lights. You’ll also find a dimmer for the galley lights.
WINDOWS
The windows can be tricky to open. Whatever you do, don’t force them open! The windows must be raised using both levers at the same time. If you try to do one then the other, the glass won’t bend – it will shatter into a million pieces. Been there, done that! If the windows are being difficult, try going outside and running a credit card between the glass and the rubber to “break the seal” and things should be much easier.
CEILING VENTS
The ceiling vents are a great way to move air in the Airstream. To open or close them:
1) Make sure the switch labeled ON/OFF is switched to ON.
2) Turn the fan to at least Speed 1.
3) Toggle the small black unmarked switch back and forth once or twice until the fan starts.
4) Choose your fan speed. You can also switch it to 0 so it’s just a vent, not a fan.
Note: If it starts to rain, the vents will automatically close as long as the fans are in the ON position.
Also note: The square pillow-looking things in the closet are to stuff into the vents. Just make sure they are closed first. They will block the light and help insulate the Airstream.
KITCHEN
· Dishes are in the cabinets above the sink.
· The kettle, French press and toaster are in the cabinet above the stove along with an extra gallon of water.
· Silverware and cooking utensils are in the drawers below the sink. Mixing bowls are down there too.
· The stove (and oven!) is not hooked up or supplied by a gas line. Instead you will find an induction cooktop in the stove you can place up top. Just plug it in and you are good to go!
· A large induction-friendly pan is stored in the oven.
Please remember, there is NO garbage disposal in the Airstream. Dispose of solid food in the trash before cleaning dishes.
Dishes – You’ll find a plastic bin above the kitchenette in the left-most cabinet. If you’d like me to run your dirty dishes through the dishwasher vs. washing them during your stay, I’m happy to do so. Just fill up the basket and leave it on the bookshelf by the French doors. I’ll wash and return ASAP.
Radio – You will find this above the dinette/couch in the right cabinet. Connect it to your phone’s Bluetooth by syncing M303. You’ll also find the DVD player here.
Vacuum – You’ll find a small hand-held vacuum in the middle cabinet over the dinette/couch in case you need to pick anything up.
BATHROOM
Water Heater Switches – You will use electric to heat water. It’s signified by the lightning bolt and should be turned on. It’s also marked with Ý. The gas line (marked by a flame) is not hooked up, so please leave that switch in the off position, marked with ß. If the water is cold, most likely the electric water heater switch was accidentally turned off.
Water Pump – Please don’t touch this button. You are receiving water from the lines just like a house. If you turn this off, you’ll run out of the tank reserves pretty darn quick!
Towels – You’ll find and extra set of towels above the bed in the right cabinet. Pool towels are stored outside in the round wicker-looking tabletop container by the pool steps.
Shower – The shower has shampoo, conditioner and body wash available.
Under the sink – You’ll find a few items such as:
· First aid kit, hair dryer, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
BEDROOM
Lights – The overhead lights and dimmer are below the TV. There are two reading lights above the bed for your convenience as well.
Extra Towels – In the bedroom area in the upper right cabinet.
Blanket – In the bedroom area in the upper right cabinet.
Thermostat – You’ll find the thermostat in the bedroom. It is digital and you can change the unit of measure (F’/C’), temperature or fan speed (auto, low, med, high) as you’d like.
To cool – Change the mode to AC.
To heat – The trailer stays cozy with a simple space heater. It’s MUCH quieter and more efficient than using the built in system. You’ll find it in the large closet.
If you can’t change the temperature, you probably accidentally pressed the Program button. If you see PROG on the display, just press the Program button in for 5-10 seconds to clear it and you’ll be all set again.
If you will be gone during the day, please change the temperature to conserve energy.
In Arizona, electricity costs 4X more from 3pm to 8pm M-F, our peak times. We do our best to shift our energy usage to non-peak times, and if you’d do the same, we – along with the environment – say thanks!
Have any other questions? Just message me through the Airbnb app.
Cheers,
Amber
