"Third Time's a Charm"

[cesalie2]

Goodies received!

Mailman and FedEx delivered Nutone Power Center and Magic Chef oven.

Removed the four screws securing the 4 burner cooktop, turned off the LP at the tank, disconnected the gas line and pulled the unit from the coach.
Then removed 4 screws from the trim securing the microwave, unplugged the unit and pulled the unit from the coach. Appears there is a 3 inch aluminum riser riveted to the frame that supported the microwave. Removed four screws, drilled out 7 rivets, pulled two wooden supports and wanted to call it a night. Plan for tomorrow is to measure the height of the Magic Chef oven and modify the existing support.

As I was putting away tools, noticed the overhead lights were dim.
Checked Shorepower, plugged in.
Checked several outlets and they had power.
Checked voltage at coach batteries...9.5 volts, that's not good.
Checked fuses at the converter, nothing appeared blown.
Removed panel to examine converter. ( Previous owner replaced original converter with Parallax 7455).
Noticed the unit was plugged in but the fan was not running.
Jiggled the 12 volt wiring and the converter fan started.
Turned on the overhead lights and they were much brighter.
Made sure all the wires were tightened and re-installed the cover.

You gotta love these old coaches, I've learned more in the last few months about the care and feeding of classic Airstreams then I thought possible...

[cesalie2]

Labor Day Vacation - Great!

DW and I travelled to Bull Shoals - White River State Park, AR, with our dear friends Dudley and Patty ( about 220 miles away).
It's great fun for two Airstream Classic Motorhomes to caravan together. Everywhere we stopped people admired our coaches and asked a lot of questions. Even ran into an elderly couple who refurbished their Classic 350 a couple of years ago. He shared some of his polishing "lessons learned"...



















While Dudley and his cousin fished, we played tourist and visited Mountain Home, AR and some of the neighboring towns.

Hated to return to Memphis but all good things come to an end.

Where did you spend the Labor Day Holiday?

[cesalie2]

Cruisin Cajun Rally

Just returned from a week long trip to southern Louisiana. DW and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We joined the Cruisin Cajuns in May of 2013. The group does not hold rally's in the hottest part of the year (June, July, August) but, holds a rally the remaining nine months.

The October Rally was held in Thibodaux, LA at the local convention center. 104 Motorhomes were in attendance. If you've never been to a Cajun Rally before...you are missing a once in a lifetime experience. There are events and outings each day...and the food is unbelievable!

It stormed one day, but true to form the cajuns turned it into a party...



We visited a local distillery (Donner-Peltier) and sampled 101 Proof Vodka, White and Dark Rum, Gin, Whiskey and learned of the legend of the "Rougaroo".

One day, our small band of Memphians visited Grand Isle, LA. What the cajuns describe as "small fishing camps", I call "McMansions"!




And a "small fishing boat"




There are dances each night and a themed skit.




We hope to make the Crawfish Rally in April 2014 and definitely plan on attending in May 2014.

[cesalie2]

Halloween at Village Creek State Park near Wynne, AR.

DW and I attended the Wynne Chamber of Commerce Second Annual Halloween Fest at Village Creek State Park.

Our good friends Dudley and Bill and their wives attended as well. Sort of a "mini Airstream Rally"...2 each 1982 Classic Motorhomes and a Classic Trailer.



Arrived friday afternoon, setup camp and enjoyed a fine Chile Dinner, courtesy of Dudley and Patty.

Had to setup the "bar"...


Gift from Bill & Lisa:

Airstream Beer?

DW and I prepared dinner Saturday evening - Beef Stew. And breakfast Sunday morning, Sausage Gravy, Biscuits and eggs

The Chamber of Commerce reserved 2/3 of the camp sites for the Halloween celebration. As we participated last year, they welcomed the "Up and Down the Bayou Gang".

Late Saturday afternoon the coaches, trailer and cars were decorated and we setup a table to hand out candy to the children.




About 500-800 children participated, followed by their exhausted parents.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves ("the best time ever")

[cesalie2]

Village Creek State Park revisited -

DW and I reserved a campsite in the upper campground with our good friends Dudley and Patty for Village Creeks Starry Night.

University of Memphis Astronomy Society will setup their high powered telescopes for an evening of stargazing.

Both couples are bringing their grandchildren for a fun weekend!

More to come!

[wxbuoy]

Wow! Just read the whole kit-n-kabodol! You are truly blessed and skilled!

[cesalie2]

Dave,


Thank you.
Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday!

😃

[cesalie2]

Starry Night - "a bust"

We we able to get an earlier start on Friday and arrived at the campground by 4 PM. Quickly setup camp and unleashed the grandchildren on the unsuspecting park. They quickly explored their surroundings and made friends with some nearby children and several dogs...

Dudley and Patty had made friends with fellow "Airstreamers" (Don & Pam) and introduced us. We shared stories of our travels and agreed to meet again on our next adventure.

We unloaded Buoy (Smart car) of the firewood retrieved from our Halloween adventure. Who would have thought that this small car:





Could hold this much firewood?




Dudley prepared a home made soup for dinner and our motley crew "dug in".

We made S'mores for dessert...DW found "marshmallows on steroids" and a sticky, gooey good time was had by all...

The wives and kids went on several hiking trips and collected sticks, rocks, etc...

For breakfast Saturday, we enjoyed "big breakfast", a favorite on our trips. The kids wanted "pop tarts"...I guess their traditional favorite.

We grilled hot dogs and burger for lunch and while the others went hiking, Dudley and I adjusted the choke on his motorhome.

Late in the afternoon, the University of Memphis Astronomy Club cancelled
"Starry Night" festivities due to weather "cloudiness". Disappointment was evident on the grandchildren's faces...

We prepared Spaghetti, tossed green salad and garlic bread for dinner. Followed by a movie for the kids.

Slept in later then usual. Prepared biscuits, sausage gravy and cheesy eggs for breakfast. Grandchildren had...you guessed it pop tarts...

Wives and kids had us drive them to the trail head and leave vehicle at the end of the trail. Dudley and I relaxed around the campfire and discussed future trips.

We grilled burgers for lunch and began packing up for the trip home.

Penny performed admirable on our return trip...happy to report no issues.
With each trip, I add some "honey do's" to the list:

Repair Shower drain leak
Reverse refrigerator door opening
Pop rivet small moulding above drivers head
Add PVC holder for sewer hose

We hope to make a small trip over the Thanksgiving weekend...

[cesalie2]

And on with the picture show:














Love the color of the Fall leaves:

[wxbuoy]

Very cool! Keep me posted for after the first of the year ventures. I "should" be far enough along by march to take her out for a week-end.

[tony6373]

Hi "aluma-holic",

Could you maybe post a picture of your smart hooked up to your 310? Yes, I think it would make a cute picture but my real reason for asking is I have a little red smart that I hope to tow behind my 270 someday.

I've been thinking that I might need a sign in the back window of the smart that reads: "Sorry I'm so slow but I'm pushing as hard as I can!" Remember the old days when people put big wind up keys on the back of there VWs?

[tony6373]

Hi "aluma-holic",

Could you maybe post a picture of Buoy hooked up to your 310? Yes, I think it would make a cute picture but my real reason for asking is I have a little red smart that I hope to tow behind my 270 diesel someday.

I've been thinking that I might need a sign in the back window of the smart that reads: "Sorry I'm so slow but I'm pushing as hard as I can!" Remember the old days when people put big wind up keys on the back of there VWs? Small cars are so much fun.... just sold my Z3 to the son-in-law.

[Smartstream]

I just wanted to say how great the smart looks with the Airstream. I have to ask how do you fit everybody in the smart when you have the grandkids along?

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by tony6373

Hi "aluma-holic",

Could you maybe post a picture of your smart hooked up to your 310? Yes, I think it would make a cute picture but my real reason for asking is I have a little red smart that I hope to tow behind my 270 someday.

I've been thinking that I might need a sign in the back window of the smart that reads: "Sorry I'm so slow but I'm pushing as hard as I can!" Remember the old days when people put big wind up keys on the back of there VWs?

You mean like this?



Not to cut in on cesalie's thread but here are a couple of pictures of my red smart behind my 280.

[cesalie2]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Very cool! Keep me posted for after the first of the year ventures. I "should" be far enough along by march to take her out for a week-end.

Dave,

Welcome aboard shipmate!

We'll plan to include you and your wife in our spring adventures!

Thinking about Mardi Gras (4 days), Crawfish Rally (4 days) and several 2- 3 day trips.

Hopefully, the other members of our small group can join us as well.

[cesalie2]

Originally Posted by tony6373

Hi "aluma-holic",

Could you maybe post a picture of your smart hooked up to your 310? Yes, I think it would make a cute picture but my real reason for asking is I have a little red smart that I hope to tow behind my 270 someday.

I've been thinking that I might need a sign in the back window of the smart that reads: "Sorry I'm so slow but I'm pushing as hard as I can!" Remember the old days when people put big wind up keys on the back of there VWs?

Tony,

"Sorry I'm so slow but I'm pushing as hard as I can!"...cracks me up!

I searched our photo archive and could only find a picture of our former coach (1995 AS Land Yacht) towing Buoy.

[cesalie2]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

I just wanted to say how great the smart looks with the Airstream. I have to ask how do you fit everybody in the smart when you have the grandkids along?

Funny, you should ask...1 kid at a time!

Seriously, Dudley tows a Honda CRV with seating for 5.

[cesalie2]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

You mean like this?

Not to cut in on cesalie's thread but here are a couple of pictures of my red smart behind my 280.

Smartstream,

Love the photos of your "smartie!"

[cesalie2]

Originally Posted by tony6373

Hi "aluma-holic",

Could you maybe post a picture of Buoy hooked up to your 310? Yes, I think it would make a cute picture but my real reason for asking is I have a little red smart that I hope to tow behind my 270 diesel someday.

I've been thinking that I might need a sign in the back window of the smart that reads: "Sorry I'm so slow but I'm pushing as hard as I can!" Remember the old days when people put big wind up keys on the back of there VWs? Small cars are so much fun.... just sold my Z3 to the son-in-law.

Tony,

Here are the only photos we have:

[wxbuoy]

Originally Posted by cesalie2

Dave,

Welcome aboard shipmate!

We'll plan to include you and your wife in our spring adventures!

Thinking about Mardi Gras (4 days), Crawfish Rally (4 days) and several 2- 3 day trips.

Hopefully, the other members of our small group can join us as well.

Is that the WBCCI Mardi Gras rally? If so you can count me in. Hopefully Felicia will be able to get off and go as well!