Now, three months later...

I didn't have the heart to post again after my last entry in October, because our deal fell through on the 1992 Excella we had wanted. Although I was too discouraged to blog about it, we figured maybe we weren't meant to have it and through life experience, we've learned that often when something doesn't work out, it's for the best. Learned when doors close, it's best not to ram them open. We told each other that if it was meant to be, the Excella would still be available when we could buy it with cash in 2011. We never really thought it would be.

We called the former Airstream of Arkansas yesterday, and suprise! She was still there as if she waiting for us.

So, today, we went over and bought her, signed the papers, wrote the check. Bought it. $9,000 if anyone is curious. We think it was a good deal.

Stopped by Moix RV at Conway and bought a hitch as AofA isn't selling them anymore. Getting the hitch tomorrow, picking 'er up later this week after we get our proverbial ducks in a row. Trying to decide whether to have tires put on her at Searcy (75 miles or so from home) or try to pull her home on the ones she has - which are too old although they show no signs of cracking or visible dry rot and look like new as far as tread. We'd like to bring her in and use our local tire dealer, but flats, blow outs, etc., isn't a scenario we want to experience if we can help it. AofA guys think the tires will be fine as it was pulled in on them without incident.

She probably needs axles, (sigh) but we'll wait a while and drag her around and see if we have a crisis or can just roll and ride for a while. We already have a plan if it must be done due to advice from our trusted friends at Moix.

Inside, she's just plain boo-tiful. Inlaid oak laminate floors put in right, vinyl tile in the rear. Everything working. Put juice to her and all her pretty lights and stuff came on - including...heh heh heh, closet lights! Cool.

There's a new air conditioner, an almost new sofa, an oven which looks like it has never been used. All hard firm floors (feel better than the ones in our house!) and the storage areas, under sinks, etc., are all surprisingly clean and free of boo-boos. Wiring looks good, and we practically climbed in nooks and crannies with flashlights to look at it. Plumbing looks good and has been tested before it was winterized.

Worst (ugliest) problem is a streetside rear tire apparently blew out at some point, tore the dickens out of the bottom skin around the sewer valve, etc., and demolished the little storage thingie down low. Looks like there might have been some damage to where sewer pipe goes into tank, so it may leak. From what we read, this is a fairly common problem and we can fix it ourselves - maybe.

Can't wait to get her home, but taking some precautions and trying not to act like the kids we feel like (NEW TOY!). Probably ought to get insurance, roadside assistance, tire inspection, etc., before we succumb to our childish desires and run over there and pull her in. But childish desires are a lot of fun and we've been giving in to them more and more in recent years.

We have even more photos of her now and we're thinking about a name. Hope it's not "moneypit", but we've had boats, bikes, etc., and figure - yeah, money will be spent. But it's just money and it can only buy love and happiness, right? We are going to have so much dang fun hanging out in her and traipsing around the country - it doesn't matter much.

Been reading some obituaries lately and have decided life is too short and not guaranteed for any specific time.

We just couldn't make ourselves really want SOB, and in the last four months, we must have looked at hundreds of them. We still wanted the Excella, warts and all.

So, here goes our newest adventure as Airstreamers. Anxious to hear from others who have a 1992 Excella 29' AS. We'll be picking your brains, cause we know nothing! Spent the day asking the patient guys at AofA, "what's this?"

Looking forward to learning more and someday being able to help other newbies the way many on here have already helped us.

Ray & Carol