1977 Dodge Cobra Van

In August 1979, at the US Army Base at the Benjamin Franklin Village in Mannheim, Germany, we saw a 1977 Dodge Cobra RV with a “For Sale” sign in the window. After contacting the owner, a Colonel in the US Army, we made a deal and went on our way. After 96 days and 10,900 miles through 16 countries, we garaged the Dodge in Mettlach, Germany, near Emmy’s cousin’s home.

Six months later (1980) we returned to Europe and after a battery charge the Dodge started just fine. This time we traveled 171 days and 17,500 miles through 17 countries, before selling the RV to an US Army high school teacher in Zweibrücken, Germany. A fascinating 267 days during two trips. Cost maybe a dozen dollars a day, the cost to rent a bike.

This photo was taken in October 1979, while we were parked beside the Eiffel Tower in Paris. That is the Palais de Chaillot in the distance, and the Seine River is between the Eiffel and the Palais. At lunchtime one day during this visit to Paris, we parked right under the Eiffel Tower and fixed lunch. The few people who seemed to notice (both tourists and employees) were delighted that we had the nerve to "make ourselves at home."

There are restaurants on the upper floors of the Tower. A restaurant named “Altitude 95” is located on the first floor, 189 feet above the ground. The name comes from its height, 95 meters (312 feet) above sea level. The prestigious Jules Verne Restaurant is located on the second landing, 379 feet above the ground. The Humberd RV Cafe was by far the best place for us to eat, during our visit.

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