JAMES ISLAND, SC

Our stay at Cracker Barrel in Virginia was the best for the price (free) even though we had to sleep with our heads at the foot of the bed. I'm so not complaining. Breakfast was very tasty, quick and oh so convenient.  They even let me take a cup of coffee to go. We felt safe and slept sound. I don't think we will ever hesitate to do this again. 

Monday brought another long day of driving. As we approached our destination the rain came. Once we arrived in our site it was still pouring (ok flooded) and we had to wait for some of the water to recede to finish setting up camp. 

We have landed at James Island County Park in South Carolina. This huge recreational park is located on the coast near what use to be known as Oyster Point. Tim and I will be staying here through the end of the week. This will be quite the adventure with the area having been attacked in the past by Spain, France and pirates!

I can't wait to explore the area. On our way in it still looked beautiful despite the rain. Even the majestic magnolias & mansions still stood out in the down pour. 

TRAVELING SOUTHEAST . . .

It was yet another amazing year at Alumapalooza. Everyone had fun and a great time despite the weather. There were factory tours, seminars galore and abundant camaraderie  . . . friendships made that will last a lifetime. 

Friday the rain came and we didn't think we would have a break in the weather. The rain continued through Saturday morning adding mud to our fun. Everyone prepared for the worst of the weather still to come but it never did. Only a few Airstreams had to be pulled out for Saturday departures. By Sunday morning the field was almost dry for everyone else's departure. 

As the attendees depart their separate ways home or to the next destination there is still excitement in the air.  Talk of Alumapalooza 5, Alumafandango, Alumafiesta and especially Alumaflamingo. 

Tim and I headed out today as well. Traveling southeast through the hills of southeast Ohio, the breathtaking mountains of West Virginia to finally land in Wytheville, VA. The scenery was non-stop the whole way. Originally the plan was to stay at an Airstream park near Roanoke but with our delayed departure this morning we decided that a side trip to this hidden gem in a meadow was too far out of the way. 

        REST STOP IN W. VA.

Tonight is a first for us because we are at a Cracker Barrel for the night. We've already had our dinner and can't wait for the doors to open in the morning for some bacon. We will be sitting in the rocking chairs waiting. 

          CAMP CRACKER              BARREL

APZ4 DAY 5

SO MUCH MUD . . .

AIRSTREAM BEING PULLED OUT OF MUD

RIVET MASTER COMPETITION

AWNING MAINTENANCE 

WALLY BYAM'S GOLD AIRSTREAM

LAST HAPPY HOUR

FINAL SUNSET OF ALUMAPALOOZA 4

APZ4 DAY 4

ZIP DEE AWNING REPLACEMENT 

          WHERE WE ALL CALL HOME

                BACK-UP DERBY

                    SOME MUD!!!

APZ4 Day 3

APZ4 Day 2

APZ4 Day 1

        WAITING FOR GATE TO OPEN

Tuesday there were a total of 80 Airstreams parked and set-up for water and electric. It was a good day considering we started with a little rain. We are glad day one is done and that everyone is settled in and happy. We are anticipating an additional 40 tomorrow. Then a few on Thursday and Friday. 

               HAPPY 'PALOOZERS

           ALUMAPALOOZA SUNSET

MEMORIAL DAY IN THE JC

It was a very busy day getting all the final preparations finished. Luckily I was able to make a trip out to do laundry in the morning. This afternoon we did a Memorial Day cookout for all the 'Paloozers who have arrived early. I'm guessing we fed 80 people. Tomorrow is a big day with 100 trailers arriving for Alumapalooza4 Day 1!!! 

Woo-Hoo and a yiiipppeee ki-yay!

GREAT DAY TO RELAX

Today's work load was very minimal. We had goody bags to assemble. Brass valves to mark with bright spray paint and that was about it. Everything was done by noon. The weather is still nice with highs in the sixties and lows in the forties. Being a Florida girl I have my winter coat on by 4 o'clock. It will begin to warm by the middle of the week. 

Finally today we had an afternoon to relax and socialize. It's going to be a busy week ahead with some long work days. Sometimes it's nice while traveling not to have a day on the road moving an be able to chill out. 

A few pictures from the day . . .

         Our spot in the Terra Port at the Airstream factory. 

        Butters . . . Roxy's new boyfriend 

A must have Bowlus Road Chief trailer from the 1930's. Notice the door entry is over the front hitch. 

APZ4 FIELD PREP

With Alumapalooza nearing we took advantage of the nice weather today and began the field prep. Last night it got down to 43* and the high today was 66*. So with that we were able to get the flags set with Lou & Larry for where every Airstream will be parked. Then Tim and I checked out all the temporary water and power systems that will be laid out for the event looking for leaks and ground faults. 

                    LARRY & LOU

We finished at four o'clock then went back to the Heidout taking my Aunt Martha who met us for dinner. A few cold beers, a glass of wine, good company  and pizza made for a nice relaxing dinner after being in the field all day. Thanks for hang'n with us Aunt Martha ... We enjoyed it. 

LEXINGTON TO JACKSON CENTER

TGIF! Today Tim and I made it safely to the Mothership in Jackson Center, Ohio. But before we left The Horse Park Roxy had a few minutes to roll in the Kentucky bluegrass. 

After we arrived & unhitched at the Airstream factory we said hello to everyone here. ThenTim and I had to take care of the business of replacing our spare. Originally we were going to go to a local shop for a new tire. BUT we told one of our friends here what we were doing and he had just got six new tires for his tri-axle Airstream and a few of those tires were still good. So we wound up having the factory swap out our rims with the new & used tires and we were on our way for $35. This was way cheaper than some of our first quotes. 

By the evening we were settled in, had the tires changed and had had dinner at the Heidout with two other couples. With the week that we just had the hot meal and a cold beer was well deserved.