We done did it! We have graduated from just looking to owning.
After a week or so of back and forth internet emails and picture attachments including several lengthy phone dialogues with the most recent PO and the PO before her, it was time to go look for ourselves.
On July 31st we drove up to north eastern Ohio, just below Cleveland. The 1992 29' Excella Classic was as represented by the seller. We spent about an hour and a half looking it over and letting the POs show it off and demonstrate the different buttons switches and features. Then it was time to pull the trigger. The POs helped us hitch it up and we were off.
Happily we had only to drive about twenty miles to arrive at the home of our new AS friends Larry and Lou Woodruff. During our long distance investigation phase we were introduced and the Woodruffs graciously invited us to spend our first two nights as owners parked in their AS ready driveway complete with full hook ups.
They spent that evening and the next day looking over the AS and helping us get comfortable with it's various features, etc. Their help and graciousness made this a terrific experience for us.
From "Camp Woodruff" we drove about nine hours to Natural Chimneys, Virginia for a preplanned group camping trip with friends. We routed ourselves to avoid toll roads... The joke was on us. By not taking the interstate we ended up driving mostly two lane undivided winding mountain roads all the way through West Virginia and Virginia until we reached Natural Chimneys, about 200 miles and 4 plus hours of mountain driving. Believe it or not we never saw another trailer that entire time until we got close to Natural Chimneys. Hmmm. Note to self, interstate when towing through West Virginia.
To say we put our new AS and ourselves through a truly thorough shake down cruise would be putting it mildly. I do have to give lots of props to the AS. It handled beautifully.
We only had one small tragedy. The drawer beneath the front sofa, which the PO had reconfigured to sit sideways against the street side wall managed to roll out and come off it's track on one end. I was able to get it back together, but I know it needs more work as there are some, ahem... extra parts and ball bearings. I'll be looking for some repair advice for that in another thread.
Between the two nights at the Woodruff''s and the four nights we spent at Natural Chimneys we can also give our Excella and "A" for comfort.
We gave it a bath yesterday which it truly needed. It looks much better. Not that it really looked bad, but after taking nearly the entire day to wash it inside and out, to us it looks better.
Here are several pics taken before the bath and a couple after:
The Proud New Owners
Awnings UP at Natural Chimneys
Curb View of Our Luxurious New Digs
Pulling Up Back Home
After Bath
After Bath
Thanks to everyone who helped us by looking over pictures, exchanging messages, talking on the phone, and dispensing much appreciated advice and encouragement.
Having been Pop UP campers and travelers for the past 6 years we had decided it was time to make a change to something a bit more substantial. We've searched and debated for over a year on what was our next direction from the Pop Up. We looked at everything out there and decided it should probably be an AS. Air Forums and the wonderful and gracious folks we've met here convinced us this was the way to go.
Thank you,
Pete and Phyllis Woodhead
Hello Again From Virginia Beach as Proud New Owners
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