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rperrym · 02-20-2014, 06:28 AM

I could use some advice on our plans to travel to Jackson Center for an April 1 appointment. Looking at the monthly temperature averages, I am now thinking I should have made the appointment for later in the month. We have never made this trip, and I am wondering if others who have been in the area that time of year could advise us of probability of snow, ice or dreaded salty highways. I made this late last fall without looking at the monthly averages in that area. April is great in Arkansas, but maybe not so good in Ohio.
It's not too late to change it, but we wanted to get this out of the way, before our spring/summer camping trips.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Rick

TinTin · 02-20-2014, 06:41 AM

We have an appointment March 31 to have our new to us Flying Cloud checked out. In our case, there isn't a lot of flexibility in our scheduling, and I'm aware that we risk spring snows etc. If there's salt on the roads, we'll be visiting car washes frequently.

See you at the Terraport if you decide to keep your appointment!

COUNTRYSONG · 02-20-2014, 06:59 AM

I always hate to forcast weather, but in April you should find southwestern Ohio quite pleasant... Jackson Center is an adventure anyway.... Now about the food situation... OH Well...Have fun You'll enjoy it..

rperrym · 02-20-2014, 07:21 AM

Thanks Tin Tin and Country Song. Tin Tin, We will look you up if we go as planned. So, sounds like we need to cook and not eat out?

Rick

COUNTRYSONG · 02-20-2014, 08:02 AM

Only trouble with planning to cook is that about 7:30 AM the INFAMOUS John Deere tractor comes and tows your house away to the service center --- they bring it back about 4:00 ---- There are a couple of places toward I-75 to get lunch and we found some good Mexican in Sidney...probably 15 miles or so....It really is a fun place to go to.....we try to make it once a year to get fixed whatever needs fixed... All of their techs are very skilled working on Airstreams and they have whatever they need right there to fix it..

dkottum · 02-20-2014, 08:25 AM

Actually, the John Deere shows up at 7 AM to start moving trailers in. If you have a ProPride (and maybe Hensley) they need the stinger in the hitch to move it.

damonbeals · 02-20-2014, 08:33 AM

The Veranda restaurant in Jackson Center is open again, and there is a subway and a pizza place and another local restaurant within walking distance. Sidney isn't too far and has several great places, including 'The Spot'.

As for the weather you should be okay, we don't get snow or ice in April, unless is a rare storm.

Damon
#4827

rperrym · 02-20-2014, 08:49 AM

Thanks for all the good input. Sounds like we need to plan on eating out some, and being ready early for the tractor, everything unhooked, etc..
Also someone in a previous thread mentioned an old hardware store within driving distance. I do like to wander through old hardware stores. Does anyone remember where it is?

Rick

AtomicNo13 · 02-20-2014, 09:08 AM

There is a newish "Family Dollar" store now where Paul's Grocery used to be. They have all the snacks and soda you'll ever need as well as a limited freezer section. Its not a grocery store but at least some ingredients enough to make a dinner saving a 60 mile drive elsewhere! Last time we were that way there was talk of a little bistro opening directly across the street in the old church now art gallery. Not sure if this became a reality...

AtomicNo13 · 02-20-2014, 09:13 AM

The hardware store is left out of the driveway a few blocks on the left. It is certainly within walking distance from the Terraport.
It is owned by a former AS employee. Is a good source of obscure stuff....
He bought some parts from AS as well.

scotttho · 02-20-2014, 09:26 AM

Weather can be hit or miss, we were there last year in early April and there were mounds of snow around and it was cold. We still were able to get the needed work performed and since the Terraport has full hookups we were able to run our electric/ceramic heater to keep warm.

If you're looking to kill some time while waiting be sure not to miss the Bicycle Museum Of America in New Bremen, OH. It's about 30 minutes to the West of Jackson Center (just turn right out of the Terraport) on the same road as Airstream. Cute town and the museum is really great even if you're not a bike nut. Hundreds of unique bikes are on display from around 1870 through modern times. We loved it.

Here's the website: Bicycle Museum of America

Also, we had breakfast at a little pub / restaurant which is right next to the Airstream factory, only a very short walk to the west. Food was ok and the price was very inexpensive.

Also, you'll surely want to take the factory tour while you are there.

Enjoy your visit.

Scott

AtomicNo13 · 02-20-2014, 09:33 AM

X2 on the factory tour! Don is an amazing wealth of knowledge and overall fun Guy.
The tour assembles every day at 2 pm in the service center lounge.

rperrym · 02-20-2014, 10:19 AM

Thanks also to Scotttho and Atomicno13. We will record all these suggestions for our trip. We may call when it gets closer although I would rather not change anything as the next one could be too far in the future.
I see you live in Telluride. We used to live in Craig.

Rick

AtomicNo13 · 02-20-2014, 10:49 AM

It is a truly small world...
We have been full-time now about 3 years.

ghaynes755 · 02-20-2014, 11:18 AM

Have lunch on the Square in downtown Sidney at The Spot. Classic diner and has been there since I grew up there in the '60's.

And the Neil Armstrong Museum is not far away in Wapakoneta.

rperrym · 02-20-2014, 11:45 AM

Thanks, we will include that on our to-do list.

Rick

tinbender · 02-20-2014, 12:23 PM

Don't miss the chicken dinner special at the "In Between". It was complete with a nice salad, about $7.50 and way more than I could eat at one sitting. Complete menu with a special every day. 2 bucks bottled beers too. Make a right turn out of the terraport driveway and cross over I-75 , just down on the left. Maybe 8 or 9 miles if memory serves. Went there 3 times, place was packed each time.

Breakfast 2 doors down from service center. Cheap, good and lots of it. Just walked to it.

rperrym · 02-20-2014, 01:35 PM

Thanks Tinbender. I was also wondering when they bring it back after service is done.

Rick

m.hony · 02-20-2014, 02:47 PM

We have a service appointment for September 16, 2014. We have lots of things planned to do while we are there. While the trailer is in the service center I hope to tour the Bicycle Museum of America (and donate/loan a recumbent bicycle) and the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. There will an adventure on the way to the service center and many adventures after.

BAB · 02-20-2014, 04:24 PM

I've been to JC 4 times, 1st time before I bought SilverLeaf. The Service Center is a really efficiently run operation, and I love the fact that they let me watch when they installed my 2d AC last fall. It's amazing to see how quickly they are able to pull down a couple of panels, wire, put panels back, etc. AND I second the comment on the hardware store! It's a step back in time to go in there. They have everything you can imagine....though it may be 15 feet above you! Don't worry about the weather, just enjoy the trip.