SITTING IDLE

As of now the Airstream is sitting idle in our yard. Over the course of the last few weeks it served as our guest house for my sister who was in town visiting from Montana. Hopefully one day, when time and the pocket-book allows, we will be able to courtesy park at her place. We are currently still planning for our next trips to take this year. When we get those finalized you will be the first to know. So for now I will leave you with two things . . .

1. A link to the YouTube Alumapalooza 2011 video done a few weeks ago while Tim & I were in Ohio. See if you can spot us . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYh1WB83Q5U

2. A photo of a vintage Airstream I took a few years ago. Ohhhh . . . one day I'll have that fleet of Airstreams. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 8th

FINAL RETURN . . . BACK TO REALITY

Today we set out to just drive to southern Georgia - about six hours. Once in Georgia and seeing the temperature hit 99* in Perry we made the decision to drive the full twelve hours home in one day. We really don't like doing this but if we had made a stop in Georgia with the heat . . . what we would have done is plug in the power to the Airstream and sit inside. I would prefer to do that at home. We arrived home just before 8 PM and knew our decision made to come home a few days early was the right thing to do.

Once home we were welcomed by a stack of mail, bills, magazines, email, heat, humidity and mosquitoes. A few things you all did not know while we were gone was we had not watched any television while we were gone (reality escape). There is a flat screen in the Airstream but we had no desire to even turn it on. When we finally turned one on upon our return home we realized we had not missed anything . . . including that Casey Anthony Show that is being shown live on all the major networks during the day here. We are very thankful for the upper cable channels.

There is a lot for us to unpack, clean and re-pack over the next few days. The interior of the Airstream got completely coated with dirt from our travels. That leads me to the other thing you all did not know . . . the AC. We either had no power or not enough power during our entire time gone to run the AC. So the windows stayed open and the interior is now very dusty. Today we figured the AC in the Airstream was only used for two days during this entire trip of three weeks. With that being said we are great full to be home in Florida in air conditioning.

After we get settled back in our house Tim will be returning to the fire station this weekend and I will be heading back to the studios in a few weeks to 'live the dream' as we say in my world. I soon hope to recap the book I read previously by Steinbeck - TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY in Search of America before moving on to my next read TRAVELS WITH MAX in Search of Steinbeck's America Fifty Years Later by Gregory Zeigler. I picked up the later from Greg while at Alumapalooza. Tim & I will get back on finishing up the new additions to our house and all the other chores needing to be done.

This adventure was amazing and we had the best time ever. Again our travels have not let us down and we can't wait for the next trip. I hope this has inspired others to travel more . . . as I know many others who have inspired us to do the same. The bucket list of possibilities continues to grow with every one we meet in our journeys.

Until then . . .

Dream it. Plan it. Live it.

ALUMAPALOOZA 360* - DAY 2

MT. PISGAH CAMPGROUND

MT. PISGAH BUTTERFLY

TIM @ MT. PISGAH

MT. PISGAH LODGE OVERLOOK

THE ROCKING CHAIRS @ MT. PISGAH

THE FLOWERS @ MT. PISGAH

Tuesday, June 7th

This morning we woke to an interior temperature of 58* (all windows open) and an exterior temperature of 53*. Now that's what we were looking for. The days high barely broke 75*. It was perfect.

And if that wasn't enough we decided to hike to the lodge for lunch. Being we would get there just before lunch time I figured I might be lucky to get some biscuits & gravy or a burger. OMG ... little did we know we were about to land at the hidden gem of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The resturant at the Pisgah Lodge is to die for. The views were the most spectacular I've yet to see on the BRP. It was so interesting to watch the cloud shadows floating over all the mountain ridges - changing the landscape with every minute. I will leave you with our menu selections and the pictures of the day . . .

Fried Green Tomatoes w/apple, cranberry & blueberry chutney
Cornmeal Coated Rainbow Trout (Tim)
Almond Crusted Rainbow Trout w/Citrus Infused Butter (me)
Fat Tire Beer (Colorado brew)
Oatmeal Porter Beer (local NC brew)
Topped off with a shared piece of pecan pie
(the last was the fault of the lady siting next to us ... I could smell that hot, fresh out of the oven piece of pecan pie she got)

Monday, June 6th

Finally a morning to sleep in a bit. The weather was cooler in Kentucky than Ohio but we are looking for even cooler weather before getting home. We departed Levi Jackson State Park in the Daniel Boone National Forest just after 11AM. Right before we got on I-75 we hit the Starbucks in London. OH YEAH!!! Once we finally got onto the interstate we began heading south again. Into Tennessee then taking I-40 east toward Ashville in North Carolina.
We drove through Cherokee country and passed between the Great Smoky and Appalachian Mountains. It was a spectacular drive.

In wanting to get to a higher elevation and cooler weather we let the national weather map guide us. We've landed at Mt. Pisgah on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. Elevation 5,000 feet. Yup ... Off grid again. The temperature at 7:30 pm is about 69* outside. Bingo ... we got what we were looking for.

Our highlight of the day was feeding Seymour (the venus fly trap plant) for the 1st time. I had already collected rain water for him. I was told you can't give them tap water. So now it was time to hunt down a bug and begin the feeding. I snapped up a fly in no time and before you could blink Seymour had clamped down on it. It was very interesting to watch but also scary at the same time.

Just before dark I looked out the window of the Airstream and wondered .... Is that a bear trail leading to our campsite?

9:30 pm temp -
Int - 67.6
Ext - 61.3

Sunday, June 5th

ALUMAPALOOZA ... DEPARTURE @ 11:51am

After last nights storm, a repeat of last year, most everyone was loaded and ready for departure this morning. Tim and I said our goodbyes to the ones we could catch before we pulled out. It looks like we should meet up with a few before next years Alumapalooza. This years event was great. And yes better than last year. We are very grateful to be able to be involved with such amazing people. They are all inspirations to us. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We've already began plans for attending next year.

Once on the road we began heading south. Of course we were listening to the newly purchased Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours CDs. Some of my favorite songs include Aunt Beulah's Road Kill Overcoat, My Baby Whistles When She Walks, Trailer Park Princess, It Ain't Home Till You Take The Wheels Off and The Ballad of Skippy and Rover ... just to name a few. The CDs made the long haul to London KY pretty fun. I think there could be a few lessons learned by listening to every word.

Currently we have landed at Levi Jackson State Park in Kentucky. We are so happy to be plugged into 30 amp power so we can run the AC in the Airstream. The campground is decent but on the other hand this place makes us realize how nice the parks are in Florida. At least they have a place here to do your laundry . . . all my hanging clothes got flung off the closet rack due to the 'pot slinging' construction pot holes on the interstate in Ohio. So all my clothes will be wrinkly except those I washed today. The plan is to spend the night here and determine the next stop on our trip south. We hope to travel tomorrow to a higher elevation for a few days of cooler weather. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Pictures of the day ...

GADGET #4 - TIM'S GRANDMOTHER'S DRIP-O-LATOR COFFEE POT

(wait is that Rhonda & Raven's Design Within Reach Bambi Airstream I see out the window?)

ROXY & I RIDING IN TRUCK ... EXHAUSTED FROM OUR TRAVELS

OUR SPOT FOR THE NIGHT @ LEVI JACKSON STATE PARK IN KENTUCKY

Saturday, June 4th

ALUMAPALOOZA DAY 5

Our day started with a swap meet under the big top. Anyone could bring anything they had to sell. It was very interesting to see what all was there. I came away with a few free stickers . . . thanks Kirk!!! And I purchased a venus fly plant. I'm stressed already about it's care.

The rest of the Alumapalooza schedule included yoga, an open house (for those who wanted to participate), a New Airstream Product Showcase, Rivet Master Competition, An Aluminum Chef Demo, HAPPY HOUR, Dinner (sponsored by GEICO) and a great performance (in the rain/storm) by Antsy McClain and the Troubadours!!!! (now that was a GREAT night)

Pictures of the day . . . a few interiors and exteriors from the open house . . .

Friday, June 3rd

ALUMAPALOOZA DAY 4

Friday came and went by so fast. The schedule was full . . .

Yoga, Tax Tips for RV'rs, Factory Tour, Biking With An Airstream, Dutch Oven Cooking (yum!), Geocaching, Proper Towing, Awning Maintenance, Healthy Eating, HAPPY HOUR, Open Grill (Airstream supplied the food), "Bizarre" Magician Joe Diamond AND Antsy McClain of the Trailer Park Troubadours . . . Oh yeah!!!

It was a really great day. There were only a few Airstreams to park. Here are the pictures of the day . . .

ONE OF MANY PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKES DONE DURING DUTCH OVEN CLASS

HEY . . . SOMEONE HAD TO SAMPLE THEM

THERE'S AN AIRSTREAM WHALE TAIL AMONGST US

(EARLY 1950'S)

A LATE 1950's AIRSTREAM PACER . . . SWEET!!!

A LATE 1960's AIRSTREAM TRADE WIND LAND YACHT

(notice the front Aluminum Continental spare tire cover)

A 1964 AIRSTREAM BAMBI II @ SUNSET

Thursday, June 2nd

ALUMAPALOOZA DAY 3

The Bowlus 'Road Chief' (made back in the 30's) is here. Along with a multitude of shiny vintage rigs. I soooo can't wait for the open house on Saturday. Tim and I parked some more trailers of course. Tim bought me a fabulous new Airstream 'trailer dream' necklace (an early birthday present) designed by Kristiana .

http://www.silvertrailer.com/

THENNnnnn during HAPPY HOUR . . . someone won a necklace designed by Kristiana as one of the door prizes. YES . . . ME. I was so excited and nearly missed out. Since you need to be present I was in the vendor tent right next door and could hear the announcing of what as being given away and then could hear my name called. I ran so fast into that tent as everyone was calling for me. I just knew I was going to bust my butt running into the big tent. I ran to the finish line in one piece to get the beautiful 'bird pendant' necklace. Both necklaces have a special meaning to me. I love them both! Thank you Alumapalooza and Kristiana. XXXOOO

Thursday's events included Yoga, Airstream Product Feedback, Bike Ride, Factory Tour, Airstream Maintenance, Interior Design (by my fave . . . Kristiana), Cooking, Kids Kite Flying, Airstream History, HAPPY HOUR, K-9 Demo, Church Supper @ Jackson Center Days and an evening movie. Fwwww . . . hope I covered it all.

The day wound up with us having a relaxing evening hanging out with our fellow Alumapaloozers and my Aunt Martha and cousin Tom. It was really nice to get to see them again. Since we had a late lunch we decided to head out to pick-up a late dinner at the local pizza joint . . . Brew's. It was yuuuumy! I'll also be having some for breakfast!!!

Pictures of the day . . .

ROXY'S POSE OF THE DAY

(help'n us lay water & electric)

Wednesday, June 1st

ALUMAPALOOZA DAY 2

Wednesday was a great day. There were not as many Airstreams arriving today but a good time to catch our breath. We have approximately 65 coming in on Thursday making the total Airstreams parked around 200 by end of day Thursday. We popped our heads in the tent a few times yesterday between setting water and electric to try and catch a few minutes of seminars here and there. The seminars included Yoga, Dexter Axles, Service Demos, Safe Traveling, Airstreaming for 'Newbies', Factory Tour, Sketchbook Journaling, Kids Yoga, HAPPY HOUR, Open Grill Night, Jaws of Life Demo and an evening movie. We are meeting so many wonderful people here and are enjoying every minute. So since time is short it's again about the pictures of the day . . .

EMPTY FIELD PRIOR TO ALUMAPALOOZA

SAME PLACE AFTER START OF ALUMAPALOOZA

OUR QUICK DINNER LAST NIGHT

(It was our only chance)

UNDER THE BIG TOP

DEMO BY LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

OUR SPOT IN THE FIELD

OUR NEIGHBOR

THIS IS HOW ALUMAPALOOZA LIGHTS A GRILL

(The trailer is an open charcoal grill)

OUR OTHER NEIGHBOR . . .I MIGHT GET A READING TONIGHT