Last weekend we took the Airstream out for its maiden voyage. We purchased the trailer in July and began the restoration. Still not complete, but the work was done to the point where we could take the trailer out. The kids had been bugging me since we bought it to take it out so we burned the midnight oil to finish the floor, drapes, wiring, and propane tanks so we could travel to Green River State Park in Green River, Utah with family and thier SOB.
Sorry I have not been posting regularly on the progress of the semi-restoration. Things are busy with work, family, working on the Airstream, and still trying to have some fun. But here are a few shots of the floor going in and the kids helping.
There is still a ton of work to be done such as the entire bathroom and all plumbing including the water heater but we were just planning on keeping the doors to the bathroom closed this weekend. I don't even have any pictures to show you how ugly the bathroom is right now...
Since it was UEA (Utah Education Assocation) weekend and the kids were out of school on Thursday and Friday, we loaded up on Friday morning for Green River. It is only 180 miles form SLC and an easy pull. The Suburban did very well and I have no complaints. And this is even pulling the trailer without somekind of weight distributing or stabilizing hitch.
Here we are after pulling into site 29.
Here we are the first night. This is the entire fam. Cole, Riley, Sid, Andy (me), Zoe, and my wife Debi. What a rowdy bunch. Check out the handywork on the drapes that Debi sewed. They went on my special drapery rods made from 1/2 copper pipe.
Saturday morning gave me the opportunity to flip the first pancake on the stove. Sorry that you have turn your monitor on its side to see this one.
It rained most of the day, but it didn't stop us from having fun playing Blongo Ball and Track Ball. Plus Riley had to give us a handsome pose.
Saturday day was an eventful day for me and this project that my kids lovingly call the big rolling silver turd (thanks to the movie RV). I had just barely put on the propane tanks and really didn't know what/if any of the appliances worked. The fridge was not working while plugged in at home and I was hoping that on LP it would work. So I lit it up and within 30 minutes it was cold and actually froze the milk overnight. The furnace pilot lit after several attempts and blew hot air within minutes. It wasn't quite cold enough to run the furnace overnight, but at least I know that it works. And I gave the oven a proper cleaning and it too fired right up. I was so excited we just had to make brownies.
You have no idea how happy I was knowing that all the appliances work (haven't touched the water heater yet, that will happen next month). My joy was so great that it outweighed having to wake up on Saturday night to try to stop a leaky skylight. I had to run a bead of Vulkem on the inside of the makeshift skylight that one of the PO's had put in. Just a temporary fix to keep us dry.
Sunday before heading for home we went southwest to Goblin Valley State Park to see some sites. It is an amazing place and is absolutely a blast to run around on terrain that has to resemble Mars. Because of the rain it was a little muddy but we were having too much fun to worry.
Here we are leaving the campground ready to head for home. Sure wished we could have stayed longer.
Our maiden voyage was an extreme success even without any plumbing in the trailer. The kids had a blast and we can't wait to get out again this year before the snow flies.
Thanks for everyones help so far in answering my questions about fixing up our 69 Overlander and I am sure I will be asking more questions in the future. But hopefully I will be posting more trip reports like this.
Regards,
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