Maria Kacavas was traveling down the winding roads of Baxter State Park in Millinocket, Maine with the rain pounding down on the windshield of her Interstate 19. She wasn’t in a rush, and with safety top of mind, she pulled the touring coach to the side of the road to wait for the rain to dissipate. As she enjoyed the beautiful view of the mountains from her window, a grizzled, chocolate brown Moose walked into view. Astonished, she slowly slid the Interstate 19 door open and snapped a photo. From the safety of her touring coach, she had gotten closer to this stately animal than she ever imagined possible.
“I use my Interstate 19 as a blind to photograph wildlife,” Maria said. “I easily slide the door open and take photos. The animal doesn’t even know I’m there.”
Maria had never camped a day in her life before she purchased her Interstate 19 in 2022. Now, she travels the country pursuing her passion for wildlife photography with the comforts and convenience of home tagging along for the ride.
“My favorite adventure so far in my Interstate 19 was chasing fall foliage throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. I already had Fridays off, so I took off Thursdays too for extra long weekends,” said Maria. “I didn’t have to worry about finding bathrooms or restaurants. When I was hungry, I’d just pull over to the side of the road and make myself a sandwich. The views were incredible – I didn’t even have to get out of the van.”
Her trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was another road trip to remember. She made the trek from New England to Michigan with ease, thanks to the comfort, convenience, and performance of her touring coach. Each stop she made, setting up camp was quick and easy, taking less than 10 minutes. “I set up and then watch the other campers continue their work to get settled. It’s a breeze for me,” Maria says.
Once she got to Hubbell, Michigan, she took a flight to Isle Royale National Park, an island on Lake Superior that is only accessible by plane or ferry. She enjoyed exploring and photographing the wildlife and rugged landscape of the island. After staying at the only hotel on the island for a night, she knew her “home away from home” was waiting for her after the short flight back to the mainland.
Deciding To Become An Interstate 19 Owner
When her job as a Business Intelligence Analyst went fully remote during the pandemic, Maria considered what her life would be like if she was working and traveling. She loved the idea of leaving stressful flights, expensive hotels, and meticulous travel planning behind her. She did her due diligence researching options, but she always came back to the Airstream.
Many competing coaches often don’t include best-in-class features or offer sub-standard versions. When it comes to Airstream design and construction, you won’t find false windows, particle board cabinetry with subpar latches and pulls, stapled joints, or a lack of storage.
Maria’s top reasons for choosing Airstream over the competition, however, is the brand’s reputation for high quality, handmade craftsmanship and best-in-class safety features.
Maria’s Favorite “Best-In-Class” Amenities
The Airstream Interstate 19 doesn’t require upgrades, add-ons, or extra fees. What you see is what you get: it’s “best-in-class or nothing.”
Maria’s Interstate 19 wet bath is a great example – it’s full of smart choices that maximize the space and improve its functionality. The shower head pulls double duty as the faucet, the mirror extends and swivels, and retractable clothesline are built in. There’s even a waterproof cover for the toilet paper. Many competitors skip a bathroom altogether, or utilize a cassette toilet system that involves an unpleasant emptying process: remove the waste tank, carry it to the dump station, dump it, then manually wash it out. Interstate 19 bathrooms are fully-plumbed and designed with an easy-to-use sewer hose system. Maria loves that having a bathroom in her Interstate makes it feel like home.
Maria has also experienced Interstate 19’s advanced safety systems in action during her travels. In particular, the lane keeping assist, rear and side view camera views, and parking assist are her list of favorite features.
In fact, her experience with driving her Interstate 19 has been so smooth and seamless, it’s her only vehicle – and she doesn’t intend to purchase a daily driver. The touring coach’s advanced rear and side view cameras, paired with Parking Assist, makes it easier for Maria to park than most cars. It never feels heavy or bulky.
“The Mercedes can really move!” Maria says.
If she ever needs service or assistance while on the road, Airstream and Mercedes-Benz® have dozens of dealers across the country to support her when she needs it. Many van manufacturers have a single headquarters and a limited (sometimes non-existent) service center network, often requiring long drives when you need assistance. With Airstream, she’s never far from the service and maintenance she might require.
Eventually, Maria plans to bring along her cat, Gatula, on her adventures. When her Interstate 19 is parked at home, she lets Gatula explore the touring coach to get accustomed to the environment. The premium, marine-grade woven flooring is easy to clean, water-resistant, and engineered for longevity, so Maria won’t have to worry about having a pet on board.
Incredible Airstream Adventures Await in Interstate 19
Maria regularly experiences the amenities, power, and performance that come standard on every Airstream touring coach. From long weekend trips to extended adventures, she has escaped the frustration of luggage and stringent travel restrictions and fully embraces the comfort, sophistication, and flexibility that her Airstream Interstate 19 offers.
“It’s the best purchase I’ve ever made!” Maria said.
This summer, Maria is headed out west for 6 weeks. Her ultimate destination: Yellowstone National Park. But she has no plans for where she’ll stop and how long she’ll stay where. “When I like a place, I’ll stay longer,” Maria says with a smile.
Her best adventures are awaiting her on the open road.
Learn more about the best-in-class amenities, functionality, and experience that comes with every Interstate 19. Download our Interstate 19: Best-in-Class Guide and dive into the details that set this 19-foot travel marvel apart from the competition.
