Category Archives: Airstream

Leg 2 – On The Way

After a wonderful Christmas visit to Jennifer, Ben, & Mac – where we went to a frenzied but fun church pagaent, participated in a memorable Christmas buffet coked by iron chef Ben, and had lunch with our dear friends, the Russell’s, we headed out from MA Saturday morning. (this was after several days of thawing out the Airstream, loading gear, and finally, hoooking up Friday night.)

My plan was to leave Saturday to avoid the heavy commuting traffic on I-495 beltway, and later, through the I -84 passage of Hartford, CT. That worked as planned – we lauched at 7:50 AM and the first few hours were easy. The truck pulled well, the weather was great, and things were rosy – until Danbury, just before the NY border.

I have decided that there are too many people and too many cars in the Northeast. I noted a warning sign saying, "traffic congestion Exits 3-1" and shortly thereafter, a long line of stopped cars and trucks. It was awful – extremely slow moving with no relief. (I later realized that it was caused by the I-184 exit down to New York city.)

Finally, I came to an exit and got out of the mess, made a wrong turn, explores some new industrial parks, and eventually, with Mary’s help on the iPad, got into another slow moving stream on a small road that followed I-84. We were moving and soon, travelling at 50 mph. We entered the Interstate just before the Beacon-Newburg bridge and off we went westward. After fueling (don’t ask) we stopped for a lunch break at spot where Penny could get a short run, and we could sort-off picnic outdoors in the 50 degree weather.

I had never driven I-84 in PA over to Scranton – it was hilly, lightly travelled, and an easy drive. The entrance on to I-81 was smooth (the interminable construction seems done) and soon we were cruising toward Wilkes-Barre, until we weren’t. Again, an abrupt stop, two long lines of stopped vehicles, and a long wait. A police cruiser raced by on the shoulder and we crawlwd, for a half hour. It was a minor accident that clogged things, and then it was the typical I-81 rat race of many trucks heading toward Harrisburg.

Ten miles north, I saw another electric sign: "watch for slow traffic due to an incident at exit 77). Great! What a trip this was turning out to be. Six miles or so out, we hit stopped traffic, that crawled ahead, but then loosened up for a few miles. Then, three miles north of Exit 77, we hit another long line and spotting an exit, headed off to try something, anything. Mary launched her iPad, which was getting low on juice, and I spotted a possible alternate route. No one else was taking it – now I know why. It was a Vermont-type narrow wingong road – a challenge hauling a trailer at times – but damn it, we were heading west and not just sitting there. There was no internet signal so the iPad essentially said, "You’re on your own, folks" as we wended our way through parts of PA we had never seen, and hope not to see again.

We made it to Harrisburg, joined the trucks and cars heading south, never really knowing whether my "shortcut" was worth it. About an hour later, we pulled off at Chambersburg, ans found the Walmart where we have overnighted before. Saturday night brings out all the country kids with their tune-up pickup trucks so we went to bed to the sound of noisy exhaust pipes, and slept quite well.

This leg was planned to be our toughest of the trip – just get out of the winter weather. I never anticipated the extra several hours due to traffic. Today (Sunday) is a shorter run down I-81 to another Walmart in Virginia. It’s raining, and will much of the trip today but it will help remove the road salt from the trailer. I hear a crow calling and of course, Penny has to growl at it. After more coffee and yogurt, we’ ll ease out of here and be traversing Maryland, West Virginia before lunch. Traffic should be light on Sunday (famous last words.)

Getting Ready For Winter Traveling

With the exterior polishing project shut down due to my knee operation, there’s been a hiatus of sorts on Airstream work until the last few weeks, when I started to get serious about readying the rig for our upcoming trip.  Last week, with cold weather forecast, I drained the water system and winterized it with RV anti-freeze.  There is a sequence of isolating and draining the hot water tank, switching a valve so that the water pump pulls from a gallon jug, and then the pumping until pink liquid comes out the fixture.  I think everything is set — we will find out in late December when we hit warmer weather and get the water running (and hopefully not spraying through cracked pipes or joints) again.

In spite of only getting about 1/2 of the polishing process, the old girl looks ok. I'll bring the polishing gear and perhaps work on it in the SW -- otherwise next summer.

In spite of only getting about 1/2 of the polishing process, the old girl looks ok. I’ll bring the polishing gear and perhaps work on it in the SW — otherwise next summer.

Last trip, I built some shelving for the shower — which we seldom  use — and we found it handy for storing clean and dirty laundry.  This trip, we decided we might want to use the shower (rather than always relying on public facilities) so out the carefully-built wood came and I stored it overhead in the garage in case we change our mind after this jaunt.

I ordered a new latch, and a new air-relief valve for the shower from Out-of-Doors Mart, a fine mail order place for Airstream gear, and after those little tasks were done, I tackled some of the safety systems.

Checking fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and LP detectors, I found that our aged LP unit was intermittent.  It was also too close to the door so I bought a new one and installed it in a better place — after quite a time finding 12v lines available to extend.  Now we need to look at CO monitors and buy a new smoke alarm.  (A lot of the gear is original which means it is 14 years old.)

LPDetectorW

We stopped using the gas furnace system several years ago because the electric blower was a real energy hog and drained the battery quite fast.  We installed a catalytic heater to take its place and it works quite well.  However, as we found in 2012, the first few nights in Walmart lots can be pretty cold — so I decided to see if we could resurrect the old furnace.

I’ve had really good success getting repair work done at Mekkelsen RV, a local dealer who seldom services an Airstream.  Systems are systems though and they are pros so next week, off we go to get furnace work done.  I also thought, “You know, I don’t want to be driving in West Texas thinking, ‘I wonder if I should have gotten those bearings greased?’ so that’s on the list as well.  They tuned up the rest of the gas system this spring so with this, we should be all set.

The game plan is to move the ‘stream to Merrimac, MA at Thanksgiving and launch from there right after Christmas.  Stay tuned, it’s always an adventure.

New Tow Vehicle – Boy, that was quick!

The 2007 Ford truck that we bought used in 2009 has been one of the best vehicles I’ve ever owned.  We have hauled the Airstream to Texas with it three times and it has handled our tough Vermont driveway and backroads nicely.  It’s getting on in mileage — mid 80K — and I’ve been thinking about replacing it.  However, the two-month hiatus forced on me by the knee injury, operation, and slow recovery, had sort of put that project on the back burner.  I did have files going and was watching not only Craigslist but also the inventory of local dealers.

The 2007 Ford has been a reliable tow vehicle for us but was showing its age.

The 2007 Ford has been a reliable tow vehicle for us but was showing its age.

About two years ago, my younger brother bought a new Ford F-150 with the Eco-Boost V6 and has made several trips south with it.  I was intrigued by the system, about which I’ve read good things, but also put off by the cost of new trucks.  I knew that I’d take a beating on trading in (or private sale) since our dog (well, my dog when she does this stuff!) had chewed up door liners as well as a nasty chunk of the soft wool headliner.  She gets anxious when we leave her too long and while she’s better, and we are smarter about it, the damage is there. Everything else with the truck was good for a six-year old truck.

So, I was vacillating about holding on for another year when I got a text Monday from Barry saying that he was in town and wanted to swing by to check my Airstream polishing project, and my health.  He showed up with his grey Ford and we got to talking about various things — particularly how he loved the performance of his F-150.   Having driven Tundras for years, he was surprised that he’d turned into a Ford fan.

His visit got me on the replacement thinking again and I did another online review of trucks available locally.  Not much looked like it had the towing specs I was looking for but yesterday morning, I took Penny and we did a few errands and then dropped by the Ford dealer.  It was a busy place — they are launching some Fall sales campaign – but they invited me to bring Penny in.  Of course, she was the star of the show, garnering attention from particularly the young women, but slipped her collar and ran off to check out other parts of the facility.  I chased her through cubicles, behind counters, down parts aisles — and finally caught her and put her collar on a little tighter.  No one was very freaked out – they thought it was cool.

So, I met with a sales guy, Ian, with whom I had had a short phone and email exchange a few weeks ago.  I gave him my requirements list and said that didn’t see anything that he had that fit the bill.  He responded, “Does it have to be new, Dick?”  He then described a year-old truck that they just took in because the owner needed a crew cab instead of the smaller super cab.  To cut to the chase, it sounded like just what I was looking for.  We loaded up Penny, went for a test drive, and within an hour or so, had a deal.  I came back and closed the deal yesterday afternoon, and ready or not, have a new-to-us silver Ford in the garage.  I think it was a fair deal and will make us a wonderful truck to tow the Airstream – and with the trees turning and winter nearing, it was good to “Just Do It.”

NewFordW

Airstream Turns 80

The Airstream recreational vehicle, all curves and chrome, was originally designed to evoke the open road and the aviation age. Hawley Bowlus, the man who created the brand’s toaster-over-in-a-wind-tunnel look was also the chief designer of Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis. His America was all about going places and the Airstream was intended to be both a way to get there and a way to stay.
Over the years, the vehicles have gone from being associated with innovation to being of a piece with thrift store Americana — what Instagram is to cameras, Airstream is to vehicles — yet, in 1932 when company founder Wally Byam was just moving beyond tinkering in his back yard, he was engaging with a very modern notion: Mobility is the ultimate luxury.
The irony, of course, is that a company catering to Americans’ travel yen has itself been nothing if not stationary. The popular vehicles are still manufactured in Jackson Center, Ohio and their names still betray these roots. Buyers can choose between Sport, Flying Cloud and Classic Limited models. There is also an International, but that seems almost antithetical to the whole endeavor.
Despite its proud middle-American sensibility and heritage, Airstreams have always been more than middle class kitsch. They helped ferry generations of children and parents to beaches and wild places. They may not have conquered the West, but they certainly made it more accessible, allowing the denizens of America’s growing suburbs to get back into the outdoors. If Airstreams now look tiny next to the rolling mansions being offered by recreational vehicle manufacturers, there is a reason: They were designed to help us get away, not to help us schlep everything along with us.
Eighty years later, an Airstream in the driveway still means one foot out the door, an American stance if ever there was one.
Many thanks to Reminisce Magazine for providing a background on Airstream History.

Waiting through Hurricane Irene

Living in a rural area in the path of a hurricane (or tropical storm) with hundreds of miles of power lines and thousands of trees, combined with heavy rain and wind, make losing power almost a certainty.  Our power has already flickered so all the clocks are blinking and showing the wrong time – but we’ll find that manual for setting the oven stove yet.  Once electricity goes, we lose the water pump, the stove and oven, and the refrigerator and lights.  But we have a nice backup plan sitting in the yard, our Airstream travel trailer.


So yesterday, in pre-storm preparation, I added water to the ‘stream for ballast, checked the gas stove, started the gas refrigerator, and checked the battery charge.  The pads are down and it should ride out the storm nicely — and allow us to make coffee in the morning.

When I walked the dog early this morning, the trails were already flooding in places, but the birds were singing in the light steady rain.

They have been stoking up on thistle seed and sunflower chips all morning and in between downpours, a couple of hummers tanked up at their feeder.  We’ve had soggy Chickadees, Song Sparrows, American Goldfinches, and Hairy Woodpeckers and a Downy.  A placid Mourning Dove has sat through squalls in the crabapple tree, watching it all.

Hey I’m wet and molting — ditch that camera!

Wet but hungry Hairy Woodpecker

Momma Hummer tanks up in the rain

Man, it’s wet up here.  How about some room service?

The birding blogs are full of hurricane-related activity, starting with the wonderful story of the radio-equipped Whimbrell who made it through a few days ago.  Birders are looking forward to post-hurricane birding — here’s an article from Connecticut and one from Albany. 

Here’s what Brian Pfeiffer, one of our top birders just wrote:

“Hurricane Irene’s passage through Vermont is an opportunity for rare birds. Increasing winds today may deposit odd birds nearly anywhere in the state. Please use common sense out there; this is a dangerous storm. We need not lose anyone to high water, falling trees or downed power lines. Common sense is a far better thing than a Sooty Tern.


But do take note of what may be flying over or floating in large waterbodies. The Connecticut River will also be worth investigating. So will flooded fields for that matter. Monday morning may also be a fine time to search for the rare stuff. The hurricane of 1938 brought Cory’s Shearwater (Wheelock), Greater Shearwater (Rutland), Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Barre, Norwich, Rutland, St. Johnsbury), White-tailed Tropicbird (North Danville and Woodstock) and other delights to Vermont that particular September. When your neighbors call to report “a strange bird” in the yard, take it seriously. Go investigate if it’s safe to do so…”

 So, today’s a nice day to curl up with a birding book and think about possible new birds in your area.

I plan to check our nearby reservoirs tomorrow to check for wind-blown vagrant birds.  Be safe and tonight, most of us can hum, “Goodnight Irene.”

Shakedown Cruise

After several months of repairs to the underside of the Airstream damaged last winter in our dramatic arrival  (belly wrap aluminum sections, plastic bannana wraps on front and back, and the replacement of the steps and step light), we started cleaning the inside.  I won’t mention the condition of the refrigerator.

Loaded up and ready to go camping

Having made reservations over at Groton State Park’s Stillwater Campground, we hooked up and launched Tuesday mid-day and gingerly worked our way down the driveway and road.  The trip is only about an hour and the traffic was light.

Vermont parks don’t have electric or water services and seem to be more set up for tent and lean-to campers.  The sites are generally pretty small and close together.  However, we chose an empty site which was spacious and being mid-week and before the major family camping season, was pretty isolated.  It even was level.

It felt good to settle into the routines of the Airstream even though the temperature was in the 80’s — quite hot for Vermont.  We got the kayaks set up and went for a short paddle before supper.  Groton Pond is dark from tannic acid and lined with camps — it’s crazy on the weekends with a lot of boats on a small body of water.

We opted for a movie on the computer instead of a campfire Tuesday night.  Everything on the camper worked fine although the noisy water pump could use some muffling.  We checked out the campground showers (two quarters for four minutes) and rated them excellent.  In fact, the overall appearance and cleanliness of the restrooms, the sites, and all facilities was exemplary — the staff and volunteers do a great job.

Wednesday was cold in the morning — 49 degrees or so — and I lit off the propane heater for a while.  I got an early morning paddle in — freezing my hands — and later took the dog for a long run alongside the bike.

Rain later in the day cancelled any campfire plans but we were snug in the ‘stream and glad to be in such a beautiful setting.  We decided to pack up the next morning and head home a bit early since the weather forecast was not good.  Another easy trip and except for dragging the back bumper on the driveway turn (another repair job), it was excellent. 

All in all, a successful re-entry after months of letting the Airstream sit.  It’s nice to have it ready to go as we look at the rest of the summer.  We also need to start thinking about winter travel for 2011-2012.  Stay tuned.

No Smiley Face from McDonald’s

Throughout our trip to the Southwest, we were careful about cornering and getting caught in tight spaces with the Airstream. Many a time, we passed up a gas station because it looked too tight to get in and out of the pumps. Anyone who pulls a trailer or drives a big rig knows: you’ve got select your food and gas stops a little more carefully.

We did very well until the last day of the trip. We’d found that McDonald’s for coffee often worked well — the coffee is passable and there is usually room to park the truck trailer. Well, we pulled of I-81 north of Scranton at a little burg called Clarks Summit, which has a strip with many of the ubiquitous service and food outfits. We saw a McDonald’s and after a tough left turn, pulled in. We parked and I could see right away that it was a mistake — there was no exit on the “drive-around” side.

To cut to the chase — after getting some breakfast, we carefully circumnavigated around the facility and made a sharp turn out to the access road. Too sharp, as it turned out. When we got home, we noticed paint down the right side of the Airstream. We never heard a thing but Mary remembered seeing a pole over there as we left.

So, once the weather is warmer, it will be time to take out the lacquer thinner (which seems to work) and get the blemish removed, or at least looking better. It sort of matches a crease the former owner put on the other side. I’m glad it is a 1999 Airstream and not a 2009 model. It’s a little road rash but we’ll see how it turns out when cleaned up, washed, and polished. Just another item on the “to do” list for this Spring.
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Snowstream

I bought and installed new support rod for propane tanks and after a lot of drilling, was able to paint the parts yesterday — and install and test everything today before the snow hit. Things are buttoned up, the ‘stream is winterized and parked until mid-January, and we’re starting to plan the route and stops for our trip to Texas. With a wood fire going and snow falling, it’s nice to think of warm desert camping.

Coldstream

We hitched up and headed out mid-morning on Wednesday for Thanksgiving in Massachusetts. We’re bringing the Airstream as part of the continued shakedown cruise before our Southwest trip.

I tend to forget how steep the hills are on the interstates in Vermont until I start hauling the trailer out of Montpelier and start the long climb to Berlin. The Ford truck chugs away but our speed drops and I can almost see the gas tank gauge drop. There are several climbs that have to be at the maximum grade allowed — and it is very tempting to then let it fly down the hills but troopers (and trailer tires) don’t work off average speed.

The trip down was foggy and had more traffic than normal, but the early start avoided the heavy load on Wednesday night. We had one close call in the right lane in New Hampshire with a stream of merging traffic which refused to yield — and a truck on my tail — and the left lane filled. It was just one of those ten seconds of either an accident or a close call. Horn and brake and accelleration and a few curse words got it done.

Arriving in Merrimack, we geed and hawed backing the trailer into the driveway and to a cleared out area we had previously prepared. It was nearing dark at 4:00 as we set up — the plan being for the dog and I to stay in the camper and Mary to sleep in the house.

To make a long story short, I soon found out that the Atwood 8500 furnace is not working. We have used it several times before without problems but this time, the blower starts, it ignites as it should and heat flows for about 7 seconds, then the heat stops. It does that three times and then just refuses to try to light.

So, it’s been a camping experience for the last three days. I’ve managed to take the edge off heat-wise by running a stove burner but at night, it’s strictly sleeping bags and the dog for warmth. Thanksgiving weekend is not the best time to get answers and the cold rain has made working on things unpleasant. It could be a gas valve issue, a sensor, a mud wasp nest — who knows? I’m glad to encounter it now rather than mid-trip on a cold night out west.

On the plus side, we have a nice woodsy setup here at Jennifer’s and it will be a good way to visit and keep the impact low. We ran a 5K yesterday, a family tradition, and our grandson ran a kid’s fun run. Thanksgiving was wonderful and we have much to be thankful for. A cold Airstream is really not that big a deal in the scheme of things.

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Look out for Muffler Men


I got an email from Gabriel Aldaz, a friend in Copenhagen with whom I’d once been discussing a bike touring book. Life (a new child) changed some of his touring plans but he told me:

“I have not worked on my bicycle stories, but I have been wrapping up a different project. You will think that I am crazy, but I have written an entire book on a specific kind of 20-foot-tall fiberglass statue, known as the Muffler Man. These guys are all over the US – there is even a tracking chart on Roadside America…my book tells about how I first encountered this statue in 1984 and the ensuing 20-year (with many long breaks in between) scavenger hunt to discover its origins.”

I love it when I brush up against something that I know nothing about and find out that there is a bunch of people who do — and like barbed wire collectors, orienteerers, or members of Vermont’s 251 club, are pretty passionate about their activity. So I’ve already boned up on how “to avoid the social embarrassment of incorrectly categorizing a muffler man sighting by studying his simple features and variations” and reviewed the U.S. map with Muffler Man sightings.What’s this got to do with Airstreaming? Well, I’ve never seen one of these dudes and since we’re heading through many states with Muffler Men, we might just track down some of these along the way. It’s a neat part of roadside Americana. For equal opportunity viewing, we’ll also keep an eye open for UniRoyal Gals. Stay tuned for our results.

top photo from bradbridgewater lower photo from Mykl Roventine

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