withdrawl symptoms-how to survive the winter without your Airstream

[bhsl8]

This query is predominantly for those of us who become snowed in and in general can't play with our toys outside from November until March for April. However, I am going to accept suggestions from anyone who can be constructive. This will be my first winter to put away the AS and I am wondering, now what am I going to do with myself? Surely, someone has come up with strategies to deal with this problem to keep the idle hands from mischief and general misbehavior. I am semi serious about this question but don't let that stand in the way of our having a good time. I will consider movies(I've seen the long trailer), books, or anything generally cultural in nature! As you can see I am already suffering from sunlight deprivation. So friends, bring it on; let's see what you got!
Brouck

[gwsullivan]

My solution was to move to California where you can play in the snow in the morning and the sand in the afternoon.
Former (upstate) New Yorker.

[Jabba]

With the onset of winter, there is a lack of vegetation, so, go trailer hunting/spotting! You'd be amazed at what you can find by looking behind houses, garages barns and stuff. It can be quite entertaining. That's how we occupy our kids during our travels, heck, our 3 year old even calls them out! It's not uncommon to be startled out of road hypnotism by hearing a shrill "Airstream!" or "old trailer" with much excitement. Hey, it keeps you occupied! Might find a new toy along the way.

[Pahaska]

Of course, it doesn't get terribly cold here, but I pull my trailers home from the storage yard every couple of weeks and do little odd jobs inside (or outside if the weather permits).

It doesn't take very long to get the interior warm. A few minutes running both the furnace and a ceramic heater, then just the ceramic heater. I often run two ceramic heaters at less than full power, one at each end.

[bhsl8]

Jerry, I'm sorry but you get an"F". You cheated! You're probably still a Yankee fan anyway.

Jason, I am giving you a C+. It's a good idea and I see your need for it. However, it's not original, I did that for the last three years until this summer. Even my dogs barked when they saw an airstream.

Brouck

[Jabba]

Ok Brouck, you topped me! Getting the dogs to bark, that's an accomplishment! You sure they weren't mistaking them for a big silver fire hydrant? And I thought the kids were something...mutter mutter.....

Ok, here's one, how about building a scale model of your trailer out of Aluminum? Like the fanatic did shown on the VAC Rally page from Estes Park? That ought to take up some time...if you're really bored.

[airstreamcaravel]

Winter is one of my favorite times hide away in my camper!

No critters or kids to share the place with and SOOOO peaceful with a 1 foot snow covering to insulate any noises.

Propane and electric get it cozy in about half an hour.

Then ... I read.

DMC

Yes ... I will admit to being strange....

[Action]

Brouck,

I thought you were doing it! Surfing the net!

Assuming your bright baby is on your property, take your 'puter and put it inside and surf the net. Look at all of the Airstream sites. Plan your next travel destination. - One of my favorites, go to Tahiti. (I went there on my honeymoon last month and I go there at work on line for a minute every now and then) Balance your check book. Pay bills. Play games (like spades, hearts, or?)with people across the globe. Shop for upgrades to your bullet. Find the entire number for pi. Use the screen to display a fireplace. (with sound of course) Set up a new company. Shoot the possibilities are endless.

Or you could be like DMC and read a book, magazine, newspaper.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[airstreamcaravel]

I read ..... online ......

and on occasion I have been known to write ...... online ......

DMC

[Edie]

Okay Brouck, let's get down to business. Does your Excursion have 4WD?

When we lived in Wauwatosa, we didn't put our AS away until after the first of the year. Door Co. is great this time of year, very few competing tourists.

Can you take a long weekend? Mammoth Cave NP in KY is about a long day's drive away. Mammoth Cave is a great place this time of year, because the interior temperature is so stable. You may need to find a private local campground if the campground in the park is closed for the season, but you won't have trouble doing that.

Link to Mammoth Cave

Effigy Mounds National Monument is beautiful. They don't have camping, but are VERY close to Pikes Peak State Park (IA). Pikes Peak has beautiful trails, and allows you to take dogs on the trails. Both parks are just across the river from Prairie du Chien.

Link to Effigy Mounds
Link to Pikes Peak

Going to parks this time of year offers a great benefit. You will be one of the few guests at the northern parks. You can get virtually private tours by very knowledgeable park staff.

If you just can't get out with your trailer, can you get out and scout new destinations for next summer? Can you start planning trips and making reservations?

I find that at least half the fun is in the planning and anticipating the upcoming trips.

[john hd]

as a fellow wisconsinite i understand where yer coming from.

here are some suggestions;

deer hunting
pheasant/grouse hunting
ice fishing
snowmobiles
green bay packers!
shoveling
clearing the ice dams off yer roof
snowshoeing
crosscountry ski
movies
antique hunting
hang with friends at a tavern you have never been to before
wondering if the days are actually getting longer
wondering if it is new black top or black ice as you drive
getting up before dawn
going to bed before it gets dark(4:30 pm)

john

[John]

Viewing Beach Bunnies is also another excellent way to past the winter months!
John

[Fatt Ratt]

Hey y'all;


1- Once a yankee, always a yankee, or were you talking baseball?

2- Start to restore a vintage car to pull your vintage A/S. Then we can share more info. - Ray

[apple 1]

It's too early to put the trailer away. Yes it has to be winterized now here in the north, but in Michigan several of the state parks are open year round. If the weather is forcast to be good this weekend we will head up north. The camp grounds are almost empty and you can really enjoy the outdoors. Once deer season starts there will be several campers in the state parks. As long as your furnace is working fill your water tank and GO. We have even camped in Febuary at Petoskey State Park, where they get lots of snow. We just call the park on the day we are going north and they will plow out a campsite. They keep a small section of the campground open and plowed for the skiers.

GO FOR IT.
Jim

[Pick]

Pull your Airstream to Florida!

[airstreamcaravel]

No one has yet to mention ......

Snuggling up to the Mrs... If you are so cursed and BLESSED to
have one of them ... there people .... In your life .... A wife.

DMC

[bhsl8]

All in all, excellent ideas. I'm not sure how my wife would feel about the beach bunny concept however. The reality is that without much free time to react to good weather spontaneously or take an extended trip I may be stuck with Jason's idea of modeling an airstream with wadded up and discarded pieces of aluminum foil. The downside here is that for it to be lifesize, it will take quite a while. The upside of course, is that those close to me may call for the men in the white coats to take me away for a well-deserved rest.
Brouck