SilverGate's Safari is Home at Last!

[SilverGate]

Once base camp was set up, we cooked, feasted and entertained our way into the new year as our spontaneous rolling party in the desert continued.

See the full story, "Airstream Alley, part two" on Airstream Life Online Community

[SilverGate]

We hiked our way into the New Year as our rolling party continued.

See what we found along the way, and learn why Eleanor washed her hat:

"Airstream Alley, part three" on Airstream Life Online Community

[bolerama]

SilverGate, thank you so much for introducing us to your thread. Now I will look for even more secret doors! Your pictures and descriptions are priceless. They have really helped us to think of better ways to utilize the space in our 23 ft. We didn't get much of a walk-through when we bought our trailer (no one there knew how to operate the awning, let alone find the secret doors!), so I really appreciate all your knowledge. I read the entire thread tonight from start to finish....I'm not sure if I'll be able to sleep now, as my brain mulls over all the great tips! Thanks again! This thread is utterly fantastic!

Lisa

[SilverGate]

Lisa, thank you for posting your thread, Secret doors on 23D CCD...

Which prompted me to locate and highlight my exploration of our secret doors and spaces, which starts with post #226 and continues with post #279 here.

Thank you for your kind comments, which give me impetus to continue this thread.

Bill

[SilverGate]

Following our Alley-not-a rally New Year's in the desert trip, we returned to enjoy the desert while celebrating the Chinese New Year.

We added lights to large Oriental lanterns obtained from Cost Plus World Market and Larry made Chinese pork-shrimp dumplings.

See the full story and more images in my article, Chinese New Year in the desert, in my column, History Safari Express, which is part of the Airstream Life Online Community.

[SilverGate]

While we were in the desert during part of the Chinese New Year period, writer and photographer, Bert Gildart, joined us for a day of exploration.

Bert is fascinated with the Marshal South story, Ghost Mountain, and Yaquitepec, site of Marshal South's former home and experiment in primitive living. (See Bert's article: "Nonconformist Marshal South And The Stubborn Fishhook Cactus")

I showed Bert Marshal South's grave marker in Julian and we both got an opportunity to photograph the frieze that Marshal painted in the former Julian Library. (Julian, CA)

Bert posted this story, along with our story, in his article: "Ghost Mountain or Brokeback Mountain? Maybe There Is No Choice".

My story is in three parts: "Desert trails and mysteries, 1", "Desert trails and mysteries, 2", "Desert trails and mysteries, 3" in my column, History Safari Express, which is part of Airstream Life Online Community.

[SilverGate]

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was just beginning to bloom at the end of February and the beginning of March when we joined Prescott, Arizona based photographer, Rich Charpentier, on our annual spring wild flower camping rendezvous.

This California state park is one of 220 that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger might close to cut our state's deficit.

More photos of spring flowers and lizards, along with the story are in my article, "The desert is blooming", History Safari Express, Airstream Life Online Community.

[SilverGate]

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in full bloom...

See desert flowers up close and their names in my article, "Desert blooms 2009", History Safari Express, Airstream Life Online Community.

[SilverGate]

We were already camping just below Ghost Mountain at the beginning of April when Rich L. and family, along with their friends, Adam and Susan, joined us for a day of hiking and dinner.

We hiked the Ghost Mountain area, visiting morteros, pictographs, and Yaquitepec (site of Marshal South's former home and experiment in primitive living).

See the full, illustrated story (and why Emma is bowing) in my article, "Ghost Mountain spring hikes", History Safari Express, Airstream Life Online Community.

See Rich L's account in his article, "Anza-Borrego days".

See what we saw at Yaquitepec in my article, "Yaquitepec spring"

[SilverGate]

By the fourth week in April, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was cooking up to 100 degrees and we took advantage of the full hook-ups at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground so that we could run our air conditioner extensively for the first time.

We also utilized a variety of strategies to keep the trailer comfortable such as installing LED interior lights and insulated and reflective fan/vent covers (made by Larry).

We were pleased that our new 3-stage Xantrex converter worked perfectly and reliably. (See how I replaced the Parallax converter with Xantrex).

Full story and more images are in my article, "Desert heat", History Safari Express, Airstream Life On-line Community.

[SilverGate]

By mid-May we were ready to enjoy the cool ocean breezes and fly the Stars and Stripes at South Carlsbad State Beach, a non-hook-up campground on a 3-mile bluff overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

This is one of 220 California state parks that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger might close to reduce the state's budget deficit.

Our Airstream Factory-installed solar charging panels and system recharged our two AGM batteries to 100% (to 13.5 volts) by mid-to-late morning each day, even through the morning marine layer.

Full story and images are in my article, "Ocean breeze", History Safari express, Airstream Life Online Community.

[SilverGate]

The images below illustrate post #470, Desert heat, above.

[SilverGate]

The images below illustrate Ocean breeze, Post #471, above.

[SilverGate]

Each year following our beach outing, we do our big wash and wax job.

We also inspect for filiform corrosion and apply Boeshield T-9 and Meguiar's Professional Polymer Sealant #20.

See full story, along with why and how I replaced one of our Amber Teardrop Marker Lights, in my article, Wash, wax, and treat, History Safari Express, Airstream Life Online Community.

[SilverGate]

This is our third year of relying on our diesel truck to safely and comfortably carry us, our dogs, much equipment and to pull our 23' Safari SE trailer up and over our nearby mountains.

We are glad that we selected diesel power.

Read more about the history of diesel power in my article, "Diesel power", History Safari Express, Airstream Life Online Community.

[SilverCabin]

So far we haven't had any problems getting anywhere with our F-150 gasser. I do have to slow down though on the hills and let the oilers go by. If I get a do over a few years from now I will probably go with a set-up like yours.

Randy

[SilverGate]

Zip Dee says that our awnings need a thorough cleaning every two or three years. Earlier this year Zip Dee made instructional videos in conjunction with Airstream on the operation, cleaning and lubrication of their awnings, which made my job easier.

See the full story, "Trailer awnings", History Safari Express, Airstream Life Online community.

[Minnie's Mate]

Thanks for the reminder and the links to the videos on youtube. It is about time to accomplish these chores on our beloved "Changes in Latitudes". We also just returned from a week long camping trip to the beach so I will be washing the Airstream, again...third time this year (quite a record for me).

[altamont]

On the way home we passed an F150 pulling a 23 foot AS over the Sierras. They were crawling behind a very slow semi with their emergency flashers on (about 35-40 mph). We passed them doing about 65 with lots of power to spare. Diesel (at least at altitude) is the only way to go.

[SilverGate]

Periodic sanitizing the fresh water system with a bleach and water solution is important and recommended by Airstream.

But sometimes the fresh water tank petcock valve sticks and is hard to open.

Read how I sanitized the system and used Molykote 316 Silicone Release Spray to safely lube the drain valve:

Cool Clean Water, History Safari Express, Airstream Life Online Community