Finally...INDOOR PLUMBING.....

We have camped a couple of times since I last wrote anything and they have been fun times without the use of running water indoors. I must take the time right now to comment on the fact that I can't put any bold print or extremely odd fonts that I have used in the past, because they have seemed to have gone away. I am a total computer dummy that always has depended upon my extremely talented and gifted daughter "Tomara" to make my final product look good.....well I can't figure out all these details because all my settings seem to have gone away and I simply can't find anything. I do realize that this speaks volumes for my lack of computer knowledge. SOOOOO... back to what I was talking about.
Pat has gotten advice, tools, parts, and we have decided to do the repairs our self and save our self a huge $$$$$$$$ repair bill. These Airstream trailers are built so conservatively and everything runs underneath along the floor and you have to disassemble beds, toilets, just everything. We have three sizes of tubing, requiring three sizes of hose to replace, three different clamps and we have used two different sizes of copper pipe cutters. You have to try to reach into a 4 to 6 inch space to cut then patch with hose...install the clamps. Here is a word of advise if you ever undertake this kind of project....put the clamps on before you connect the hoses. This is such logical advice that it seems almost ridiculous to do anything otherwise, but I did it two of four repairs. NOTE... If you would like to hire me for repairs, I am diligent,BUT I work my the hour.
You need a very patient wife that is supportive of your endeavors and who will actually do most of the work. We would complete one repair, look over our work, pat ourselves on the back, then turn the water on and cuss because we find another leak more challenging than the last. Another trip to the plumbing store, more hose, more clamps, another type gizmo and another couple of stupid questions. Well, I'm sure you are as tired of hearing about this as I am about telling you, so I will just say we went through this process four times and we are now proud owners of an Airstream with INDOOR PLUMBING. We will be undertaking the propane someday and I'm real sure you have some good chuckles ahead.
I will say, we were real proud that we fixed it ourself and rewarded ourselves yesterday. I will not elaborate, just let your minds wonder. Our next camping trip is a Vintage Rally of Airstream owners with old units. Ours is nearly 40 years old so we qualify. This should be fun, we will be able to go to different forums about topics we need MUCH information about. We just hope we don't really dumb down the whole crowd. I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about the next time we talk...So until then THIS is what he said, and see WHAT she said...if she ever says anything again...

Mother Nature..Make Up Your Damn Mind

Well, it has been awhile since we last talked. We are the same couple, stumbling, fumbling along in the world of RV'ing and camping. It seems like if there are any mistakes that can possibly be made, we do them and EXCELL very well. If we are anything, we are consistant. Before, I go any further, I will tell you this fast saturday was our anniversary..26 years...been great years and I Love Pat to death. We seem to be getting more organized each trip, just manage to make new blunders. Pat made reservations and we had a great location, no incidenses, boom we are there and we unhook...the levelest spot we have ever had. We put down our mat, unload our brand new lounge chairs, even get Maggie the dog staked out, hook up the electricity, THEN BOOM....we hook up the water and nothing happens inside, faucets don't work, toliet don't flush....and water just started leaking out underneath, not inside in the floor thank god, just underneath. WELL, we turned the water off and did the bottled water thing all weekend. WELL, that wasn't too bad. We just acted lazy all day, gave our new recliners a good work out and tried our new alcohol beverage of choice. You would think at our age, we are not easily impressed by some new product....however the new drinks you find at the checkstand area in Walmart with the alcohol added..you just freeze, squeeze, and boom a slushy strawberry marguaritta. I'll be the first to admit they definitely take the edge off your day. Saturday, we went into the town of Whitney...had a great anniversary meal at a restaurant I hadn't been to before, but Pat had. Very, very good food topped off with a ice cream shop across the street..at which we probably made a new friend...plus enjoyed some BLUE BELL!!!! It was a very nice day and we topped it off with some television. The weather was great, it got up to 90 and had cooled down and was a little breezy, so we put our canapy up and turned off the air and opened all the windows and fell into a deep comfortable sleep. YEAH RIGHT....the wind blew, the temperature dropped bigtime..and the next thing we knew it was in the 40's. We started closing windows, piling under covers and just trying to keep warm. OH, DID I MENTION..we still haven't gotten the propane checked out, so the heat wasn't an option. The poor people camping in tents were pouring out early all morning. We put on all the layers we could, but didn't have anything but shorts. I did have the sense the pack a light golf pullover and my TEXAS RANGER longjohn top. We got everything hooked up and got the heck out of Dodge. We made it home without incident, unhooked and then I had a do alittle work for my job getting ready to start a new week. We both bragged about how good Maggie was this weekend and how so well behaved she was. I went to work...Pat went shopping at Walmart and MAGGIE ate a whole loaf of bread. OH WELL...We had fun....so now you know WHAT HE SAID....SEE WHAT SHE SAID!!!!!!!!

MAN... Those Mountains are HIGH!

Well, the time had finally arrived. All the work, planning, organizing was done, so it was time to basically poop or get off the pot.

New Tires. New Mirrors. Truck checked out with oil change, new brake controller, and all the other things that are necessary to get on the move.

Everything we have done to this point was done with the intent of making a long trip in the Airstream. We now have a hard copy check-list to make sure everything is done properly (hook-up), and I wish it was possible to just turn it upside down to unhook it.

We have made several short weekend trips, practicing and trying to get comfortable with the equipment and all that goes with it. We still have a way to go to be proficient at everything, however, we have gotten REALLY good at Margarita consumption.

This trip was just Pat and I; no Maggie. It was difficult leaving her behind, but we felt it was the right thing to do.

We decided to avoid the freeway until we got past FT. WORTH. I swear, mile-for-mile, there is more construction on I-35 through Ft. Worth, than anywhere in the state.

We pulled out at 7AM in the morning headed toward Colorado Springs to visit Pat's son George and his family. It was going to be about a 900 mile trip, but we aimed to make it to Dumas, TX that evening--we were told they had a city park with free electric hookup for overnight parking. The price seemed right so we stayed there. The only thing we had to put up with was all the railroad tracks that went by within a block. The AC DROWNED that out.

We walked a couple of blocks to a fast food restaurant and fed our faces. IT WAS AT THIS POINT, we discovered the first major thing that we had forgotten. While we had the NEW flat screen TV and NEW HD antenna... NO COAXIAL CABLE!

So much for television that night.

Well, with an early start, we were on to Colorado.

We weren't to sure what to expect when we started climbing in New Mexico at Raton Pass. I'm sure Pat was much more nervous than I was, however, my attention was glued to the road. I was extremely happy to reach the top on the Pass, and I remember saying to myself as I looked at the traffic going the other way, Wow! That is going to be a Bitch to get up on the way back.

We made it to Colorado Springs without incident, and went directly to the RV park where we had reservations. We thought we had reserved a pull through space, which I was soooo ready to use, but no... NO pull through--just a crowded space that I had to back into.

Small ordeal but we got through it.

DID I fail to mention, it was 106 in Dallas the day we left and it was now about 80 degrees in Colorado?

Nice...

We were even able to sleep at night with the AC off and the windows open.


We got to visit a few days with our kids and beautiful grandchildren. Since they had jobs and the kids were in school, we went sightseeing in the daytime. Everything was beautiful and overwhelming. We saw The Garden of the Gods, Manitiou Cliff Dwellings, and beautiful mountain ranges; as well as visted quaint little shopping areas.

Pat had a spiritual reading and I TOOK PICTURES.


Everything was great... then the rains came.

We had backed our Airstream into this space, and we were right up against a creek bed with soothing light flow of water that was actually nice to fall asleep listening to it.

RAIN...RAIN...RAIN....I was getting a little nervous because it was about to crest. We would look out the back window, look at each other, and say "this doesn't look good."

I went to the office and inquired, and was told by the little oriental woman, "Nothing to worry about."

We didn't wash away and all was well with the world.

We DID have a little ordeal with a spider bite, but I'm not getting into that. Two days of pain and itching!!!

We left for the trip home Wednesday, dreading the Raton Pass that we were going to have to climb. To make this story short (too late), we were white knuckled and tense.

The incline actually pulled us down to 40 mph, and that was on the FLOOR. It was smooth sailing after that. We spent the night at the Free Park again, and were on to Hillsboro, Thursday night.

We had a little trouble backing into the driveway when we got home--it was dark and everyone in town stopped to watch. I think they were actually driving around the block just to screw up traffic.

To sum it up: We had fun, and I just loved it. We will be doing a lot of this traveling when we retire. There is so much to see in Texas, we could have a lifetime of travel.


BIG BEND anyone?????????

So until later this is what HE SAID, see what SHE SAID..........

THE TUNE-UP TRIP....

Friday, this is the busiest day of the week for me, and normally I methodically pack out my accounts for weekend business, However.....this is our weekend to go camping. We are in tune-up mode...for the upcoming vacation. We are still learning all we can about this process, and still make mistakes...however none have put us in harms way. We have laminated hard copies....HITCHING and UNHITCHING by the numbers. One would think that after you have followed the procedure number by number hitching the Airstream to the pick-up, that when you unhitch, you would start at the bottom and work to the top. WELL, somehow....it is confusing doing it that way. We remedied this with another laminated list to stop some of the confusion. And you thought this camping stuff was simple, WELL buying the RV AND TRUCK is the easy part. Then there are the check lists, know how manuals, maps, brochures, regulations,etc.........

Pat and I chose a park we haven't been to yet...one a little further away.... only criteria was it needed to be a Corp of Engineers Park, because, WE being old geezers, get a discount. The park was nice and hardly any crowds at all. We had reserved a PULL THROUGH space... HOWEVER, it had very little shade. The heat was terrible, so we stayed inside most of the day watching videos and sucking back MARGARITAS. I failed to mention that as we checked in at the gate, they handed us some literature that we stuck with our reservation and didn't bother to read. We parked, got set up.... noticed alot of little ants, then more ants, more ants, ANTS...ANTS..EVERYWHERE! If we had read the literature we would have known that they have an ANT PROBLEM.......Be sure to spray around your tires, your water and sewer lines and in general EVERYWHERE...Now these aren't fire ants that bite the crap out of you....these are just a nuisance. They got inside, we sprayed. they THRIVED!!!! You could feel them crawling on you..not a fun thing. We survived this.

I mentioned the park wasn't real full, but right across from us was this big rig with a toy hauler. This black guy....I only mention he is black because he was a black man, rolled off the back of his toy hauler with a tricked out four wheeler with a huge AMERICAN FLAG on the back, and I reached the conclusion that he was a VIETNAM VET. He had army stickers all over it and it was decked out with a killer sound system....on which he played 60's & 70's music all evening. I'm talking PETER, PAUL& MARY...BEACHBOYS....MONKEYS.....no SHAFT !!! I kept expecting to see a rifle and camouflage at any time ...but no just WAYNE NEWTON....

Well the week ended..we got back home, had a nice rain while gone....grass grew...no good neighbors mowed the lawn for me... so I guess I got to get that done sometime this week. We won't be doing anymore weekend getaways for awhile.. ..We are going to Colorado Springs, for our first long trip later this month...so I should have some good material for you...SO...if you don't hear from us for awhile...it could be because of several things....AND MOST OF THEM AREN'T GOOD.....SO until then HE SAID.....see what SHE SAID.......

Camping with Papa

Pictured from left to right: Danni Sottile, Brynn Armstrong, Gabriel Bell, Ella Sottile, Bill Lovelace

A TIRE is a TIRE is a TIRE or is it?

Well nothing new to talk about.. no near catastrophes...no week-end excursions...NOTHING!!!!
We are in the planning process of our first extended trip in the Airstream. It will be a trip to Colorado Springs to visit Pat's son Georgie, and just try our new found skills on the open road. SKILLS...HA.

We have been told by all the professionals, "other Airstream owners" the importance of FRESH tires. As hard as I try, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept of FRESH tires. They say, when you go for tires be sure and tell them you want FRESH tires. Can you imagine going in your local Walmart tire center and having a conversation that goes like this. " Excuse me, I could use some help, I am looking for tires to put on my travel trailer, and by the way, they need to be fresh." The clerk says one moment please,trying his best to hold his composure so not to laugh in your face. He then goes to the backroom, has a good laugh with his buddies, gathers his composure and returns with..."Your in luck we just got this new shipment in yesterday and they were so fresh, the rubber burned us while unloading the truck." I used the Walmart name because in most PODUNK towns that is all you are left with. You hate to piss them off, because you might have to camp on their parking lot some night. The spare that came with our Airstream looked brand new, still had the little rubber thing.a.ma.gigs (trying not to say rubber tits) yet it was made in June 2000. NOT GOOD SAY ALL THE AIRSTREAM PEOPLE!!!! So we'll see what we end up with.

We haven't been able to camp the last couple of weeks because we have been baby sitting our sons two dogs and this weekend we have children and grandchildren coming in to visit. The plan is to chill down the Airstream and let the grandchildren spend the night inside doing their thing..television..videos..computers...just whatever. Someone will have to stay with them...LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS...Any Takers? I must tell you, there will be FOUR, three girls and one boy, all younger than teenagers...much younger. I bet that scared off any potential volunteers. Special note to my daughter 2Mara , Byrnn is being put on notice, last visit she lasted 15 MINUTES , then it was back to the house...this time if she backs out. she is banned for life from the Airstream. JUST KIDDING BYRNN, I LOVE YOU!! Until next time HE SAID, see what SHE SAID....

On the Road Again, an Original Piece.........

This camping is getting easier and easier...however there is sooooo much to learn and remember. We made a last minute decision to take a trip this 4th of July weekend. We thought we would have trouble finding a place, making a reservation at the last moment sounded impossible. However, Pat was able to book a space online and we had a great time.


We are going to be babysitting a couple of dogs for our son the next couple of weeks, so this weekend would be our only opportunity to camp in the month of July. Along with the trip, it gives us the opportunity to try out some more of our newly acquired camping skills, I USE THE TERM SKILLS LOOSELY, and other techniques. When we last blogged, we had yet to use the bathroom in the airstream. It is sad to say, we were walking a couple hundred yards to the bathrooms, instead of having to face the decision to carry around our own crap and actually have to hook up and dump it when leaving. For some reason, THAT JUST DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT !! Being a city boy, I just never took the time to even think about it, upon finishing my business in the bathroom. WELL... now you have to deal with it TWICE. That's enough about that.


The weather was rain, intermittent rain, with occasional sunshine. The really nice thing was the temp never got above 85. We were basically shut ins, leaving Pat time to sharpen her MARGARITAS skills. We rented videos and just chilled all weekend. Did I mention we have our new flat screen tv and antenna? We are really starting to bring this whole camping thing together.


To sum up our weekend quickly, we saw some fireworks in the distance, used our new toliet skills, watched television, drank margaritas, got wet and saw a lot of deer around the camp. For a holiday weekend there weren't very many people. PRETTY UNEVENTFUL, at least until we got home. Major screw up at this point.


We keep saying we are going to do a check list, but, well it hasn't happened yet. HOWEVER, I bet Pat will have one up and running in the next few days. I had to work most of the day Sunday because I shut work down early friday so we could hook up and get out of town early. We finally got into the driveway after holding traffic up both ways for several minutes. We went through all the motions to unhook the trailer, and being nearly through, Pat was in the trailer doing stuff to get off what she needed. WELL, we had put blocks underneath tires to level for the refrigerator, taken stabilizer bars off , unhocked chains and the electrical lines and I had put the front stabilizer arm down and was raising it,WHEN....the airstream rolled forward off the leveling blocks and came to a stop against the chainlink fence (thank god for that fence). I looked like Tom Cruise in RISKY BUSINESS...holding onto the bumper, trying to prevent the car from going into the lake. No damage was done, but it really did scare Pat. She was thrown around inside the airstream like a ragdoll.

SO MUCH TO REMEMBER, so until later, HE SAID, see what SHE SAID...