July 4th 2021 - Happy 4th of July!!!

Finally! Finally a new post and finally back on the road. Due to the pandemic we did not travel much in the Airstream over the past 15 months. We took one short trip for Thanksgiving and that has been it. The time home did give us opportunity to work more on restoration of the 1948 Airstream and I will update this blog on that progress when we return home from this adventure. 

The push to depart was difficult. First I had to get home from working on a Netflix show in Atlanta. Had to acquire new home owners insurance and took a fun trip to the dermatologist. Then when Tim went to re-pack the bearings on our 2004 Airstream, that we are currently traveling in, he discovered that two of the four wheels had the brake pads separate from their backing plates. It took a bit to get parts but it all worked out eventually and not only are the bearings re-packed we now have new brakes. Yiiipppee! 

Our drive to north Florida on The 4th of July was mostly in rain. The destination was our first Harvest Host stay! We landed at a lavender farm!! The owners welcomed us and made us a feel right at home. We were able to purchase some of their products, walk in the lavender field and even pet some of the farm animals. Cotton the dog and Priscilla the pig were the highlights along with one of the roosters! 

Now for the ‘What’s next?’ … on our drive here one of the brakes on the Airstream overheated. It just needed another adjustment from the new brakes installed. Tim was able to adjust it once we landed so hopefully that’s fixed. 

What’s next! Then the AC began leaking inside the Airstream. Tim was able to clear the clogged drain. This had happened years ago and he always carries a long wire to take care of this if it ever happens. 

We were then able to hold our weekly family zoom outside the Airstream before dark then enjoyed some local fireworks. Morning came quick and of course it began to rain again when all of the sudden water started pouring inside on the backside of the stove hood vent all over the counter and into the stove. We believe an inefficient rubber seal on the new stove vent on the outside is the culprit. We can’t do anything about it until we get into dryer weather. 

For now we will drive about six hours north of the lavender farm to our next location and hope for dry weather on our arrival. Until then‘What’s next?’.

Meanwhile back home …

And we have LIFT OFF!!!

***NOTE: Some of you may get this post twice. My apologies. The blog platform has deleted some of your emails. In order to begin receiving them again you will need to accept the invite sent to you. The invite will be good for 14 days. 

And a successful landing!!!

The weather held us up a bit last week but we finally had a good day to do the shell transfer. 

This was a HUGE MILESTONE! It took us about an hour to do the lift off of the shell from the old frame. There were of course those HIDDEN rivets all by the door frame that slowed us down a bit. Our golf cart again came in so handy moving both the old and new frames around. 

Tim and I then took a break before spending a few more hours getting the shell to fit the new frame. We used lots of scraps for shoehorns. Did some tugging and determined the catch points. 

The day started running out on us as the sun was setting. We have spent the last few days tweaking the shell and have a bit more to go before making the final attachment of the old shell to the new frame. The shell has been so twisted in all directions for so long on a frame that was collapsing under it. So this next step we are going to take slow and do properly. 

This last picture above shows the shell on the new frame!

I will include the link to YouTube for the FUN time lapse we did as well ... 

And we have LIFT OFF!!!

And a successful landing!!!

The weather held us up a bit last week but we finally had a good day to do the shell transfer. 

This was a HUGE MILESTONE! It took us about an hour to do the lift off of the shell from the old frame. There were of course those HIDDEN rivets all by the door frame that slowed us down a bit. Our golf cart again came in so handy moving both the old and new frames around. 

Tim and I then took a break before spending a few more hours getting the shell to fit the new frame. We used lots of scraps for shoehorns. Did some tugging and determined the catch points. 

The day started running out on us as the sun was setting. We have spent the last few days tweaking the shell and have a bit more to go before making the final attachment of the old shell to the new frame. The shell has been so twisted in all directions for so long on a frame that was collapsing under it. So this next step we are going to take slow and do properly. 

This last picture above shows the shell on the new frame!

I will include the link to YouTube for the FUN time lapse we did as well ... 

FLIP’n FRAME!

Good morning everyone!

This will be a short quick update on the status of our 1948 Airstream Liner. The newly fabricated belly pan and plumbing has been completed. New axle was also installed!

Removed and cleaned more of the interior skins. 

And we flipped the frame back to right side up the other day!!!!

I think the old shell can be transferred to the new frame very soon! 

CATCH-UP TIME!

Hey there! Yes, it’s been awhile but also time seems to have flown by. 

Since our return from our trip out west last year we have only taken two short trips. Tim and I took the ‘04 Airstream to Savannah for Christmas last year. We stayed at our favorite park (said it again) and had the pleasure of other family members join us. 

My mother and stepdad, Phyllis and John, joined us with their RV in the campsite right next door. Then my brother Robert and his son Jax came with their tent and stayed on our camp sites. Totally had the best Christmas lights in the park!

Our time is Savannah was fun! We thoroughly enjoyed  a tour of the Mercer Williams House Museum from ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’, took a walking tour of the Bonaventure Cemetery, visited the Georgia State Railroad Museum, ate at some amazingly delicious restaurants and even took a trolley ride at night to see the Christmas lights. After much hard work Jax was awarded his first Jr Ranger Badge at Fort Pulaski National Monument. So proud of him! We all really enjoyed the time together and made some great memories. 

The next outing that we took in the Airstream was in February. It was our usual trip out to Brooksville to the 101st Winter Convention of the Tin Can Tourists. Again! Super fun as always!! Prior to the event our Canadian friends courtesy parked with their vintage Airstream at our home. Then after the event another couple from New York also courtesy parked with their vintage Airstream in our front yard. Breakfast coffee and Happy Hour have been taken to a new level! Our neighbors love us!!

So many people have been hit hard by this virus. In knowing and acknowledging that we hope the best for all. Everyone’s situation is different. Fortunately for us we planned an idle year for 2020. We needed to stay home to focus on the restoration of the 1948 Airstream Liner. Then the COVID-19 virus hit. Other than not going out to eat and no work for me it has allowed us to get not only some work done on the ‘48 but finish other projects that always seem to get put on the back burner. Jett has definitely kept us in check. This situation has also allowed for planning to begin on the next BIG trip. Staying home and realizing that ‘it’ doesn’t need to be finished today because hey ... there is always tomorrow has turned out to be just what we needed. 

As of now it looks like the world will slowly begin to open back up over the next few months. We are constantly thinking of our families, and friends and hoping good health comes to them. Not a single person has not been affected by this. Wishing everyone a safe journey through all of this. Onward. 

HOME, SWEET HOME!!

What a long, sweet trip it’s been! Our adventure out west was magical, incredible and indescribable. We know that we have seen more on just this one trip than most people get to see in a lifetime. Tim and I do count our lucky stars and know how fortunate we are to be able to make these adventures happen. This one took us into the clouds for a balloon flight, we scaled mountains, saw other countries, hiked in deserts, visited museums, did some location scouting, enjoyed amazing music along the way, walked into the depths of the earth in caverns, saw some pretty spectacular natural wonders, rode horses, took boat rides, slept under the stars in a tent in Canada, glanced across the Rio Grande into Mexico, hiked slot canyons, viewed wildlife, hiked through rivers, took in some yoga, visited many national parks and monuments, met some amazing people, saw old friends, drove over 10,000 miles and ate some pretty amazing food along the way. 

You know your close to home when you begin to see gator warning signs. We have now made it back home safely! We were on the road a total of 104 days. Living in less than 250 square feet really changes your daily outlook on life. Tim and I are already wishing we were back on the road. Life seems so much simpler out there. Seeds have already been planted for the next few short trips along with when and where the next big adventure may take us! The wanderlust will never go away. 

The Airstream is now tucked safely away in our backyard awaiting the next adventure! 

SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL

The beaches in and around Destin, Florida are some of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever been to. And I’ve traveled to many beaches both here in the U.S. and several other countries. Pure white sand that is so fine it crunches like compact fresh snow when you walk on it. Pristine! 

Of course Tim and I took advantage of eating some seafood while there. Boshamps was our first stop. We had snapper, grouper, oysters and shrimp! When we went back into town we had to visit this other place ... The Back Porch which was another highly recommended seafood restaurant. Both were super delicious and definitely worth going back to. 

 Seaside, Florida is located nearby and has a row of food vendors all set-up in Airstreams. We have visited them all a few years back and we were really excited to return. We just couldn’t help it! 

Our visits to the beaches here in north Florida were nice even though it was cold. The energy of these Florida towns were just what we needed before heading back home. The clean fresh crisp ocean air so welcoming! It’s great to be back to our home state!! 

WACO, TX to SANTA ROSA BCH, FL

Our travels from Waco, Texas to Santa Rosa Beach near Destin, Florida was very uneventful. Other than the rain the entire way there, there was nothing much to blog or talk about. We did take two days getting there and spent the night at The CB (Cracker Barrel) in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The great thing about a CB is that dinner and breakfast are just a few short steps away out the door! 

Tim and I were able to arrive early in Santa Rosa Beach and get in at Topsail Hill State Park in Florida only due to a recent tropical storm. The state had evacuated the park and there were a handful of sites that those who had been in did not return because they had to move on in their travels. 

We arrived safely in the rain and will spend a few days in north Florida before heading home!