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Hibby · 02-14-2010, 05:40 AM

My wife and I routinely make HUGE mistakes...

As all of you know, occasionally the best laid plans can fall apart last minute for no apparent reason. However, my wife and I are great about taking what life gives us and making the best of it.

We recently had a weekend getaway planned, and at the last minute our plans fell through (the romantic lodge we had reserved burned to the ground). As a result, we decided we'd just go to the Travel & RV Show here in Grand Rapids to burn a few hours. The first RV we walked into was an Airstream Sport 22 FB. HUGE mistake...

We toured many RVs throughout the rest of the show and went back to look through the Airstream three more times. We bought it before we left the show. Expensive weekend at home.

Last time this happened was about two months prior, when I accidentally sold my old truck. HUGE Mistake... Fortunately for us, we ended up buying a new 2010 Ford F250 diesel, so we were prepared to tow already.

Three years prior, our week long vacation that we had planned fell through last minute to due to an illness, and we decided to go to the boat show. HUGE Mistake! We left with a new boat and tandem axle trailer.

So now we have this new Airstream and are so excited to be able to go where we want, when we want...

We would LOVE to hear ideas for travel or locations to visit near Michigan.

My best to all of you,

Hibby

centennialman · 02-14-2010, 06:04 AM

Congratulations Hibby!

I would tell you to stay home the next time you have the itch to go on vacation somewhere, but now you have all the toys so......Hit the road!!

ROBERT CROSS · 02-14-2010, 06:55 AM

Boy does THAT sound familiar....

Nice Toyz are not just for the Boyz...if it ain't fun why bother.

Keep up the good work...we love photo's around here!!!!

Ed Emerick · 02-14-2010, 07:04 AM

Great purchase I hope (know) you will enjoy it!

Living in Wisconsin we spend some time in the UP. With our daughter in college at MI Tech in Houghton we like to go camping at McLain State Park. Also in Houghton there is a nice city campground along the waterway and walking distance to down town, again a nice place.

Have fun, there are a ton of places to go!

boondockdad · 02-14-2010, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hibby

The first RV we walked into was an Airstream Sport 22 FB. HUGE mistake...

We bought it before we left the show. Expensive weekend at home.

So now we have this new Airstream and are so excited to be able to go where we want, when we want...

We would LOVE to hear ideas for travel or locations to visit near Michigan.

My best to all of you,

Hibby

That's what I call a fortuitous mistake!

You've got the trailer and TV for immediate, winter camping. If you're looking outside MI, but nearby, one of our favorites is Pokagon SP, IN... and do some high-speed tobogganing!

Gene · 02-14-2010, 08:11 AM

Hibby, you better not go to an airshow.

Gene

**moosetags** · 02-14-2010, 08:12 AM

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us. Great story!

eubank · 02-14-2010, 08:18 AM

I'm glad that there is no such thing as an RV show here in the boonies. As it is, we have to hold ourselves back from peeking at stuff virtually.

Have fun with your new Airstream, and welcome to the forums!

Lynn

wheel interested · 02-14-2010, 08:26 AM

River Ridge in Stanwood (not far from Big Rapids) is super! I like your run of mistakes...

Those are the kind I could LIVE with.

Try River Ridge it is not far at all and we have always enjoyed it. It is on the river and is a great park with great facilities and activities in a beautiful setting.

We even had an Airstream group join them for their Luau. The store and the marina and river views are very nice.

http://www.michcampgrounds.com/riverridgervresort/index.php

AirsDream · 02-14-2010, 08:33 AM

Congratulations on a nice, shiny new machine! You will love it. Lemonade from lemons and all that.

We're just back early this morning from Key West, and would tell you that for this time of year, a tow south or southwest might be best, but in the spring, there are so many places in Michigan to go that you can't possibly get to them all. I love to flyfish, so boondocking streamside in some of the tiny State Forest campgounds is ideal. We also love the UP (get a Woodall's to get some idea of commercial places), and Michigan has pretty terrific State Parks such as Porcupine Mountain State Park, if you like larger places with their own hot showers ... but pay attention especially to smaller places such as the Munising municipal campground that's right on (as in rear of your tailer is six feet from) Lake Superior ... and don't forget to check out all the nice Ontario Provincial Parks on the east shore of Lake Huron.

Two ideas for you: first suggestion is that you do a lot of reading on the Forums before starting out, and make the first few trips close to home with an "idea" notebook ... you'll soon figure out what foods and tips and tricks work best for you! Second suggestion is that you attend a Forum rally somewhere as soon as you can, to chat over a campfire and a beer or cup of coffee with other owners as to their best successes and worst failures - you'll learn a LOT literally overnight.

Oh, yeah, and read the manual. There's a lot of information in there, distilled down for ease of use. A/S systems are not too complicated, but you do need to use them right ... leave a little water in some of the piping in today's weather, and you'll find expensive repairs follow.

Have fun!

Ryanh

FreshAir · 02-14-2010, 08:51 AM

My parents made a HUGE mistake in 1952. They sold EVERYthing we owned, bought a 26' trailer, packed up my brother (10) and I (14) into the '48 Nash tow vehicle, left Detroit and headed west on Route 66. So here 58 years later I languish in Calif. Never been back to beautiful Michigan. I feel that perhaps I need to make my own HUGE mistake.

WELCOME to the Forums.
Neil

loudruff · 02-14-2010, 09:22 AM

Uh oh....Aluminitis has set it! You are infected..Settle back and enjoy it! LOL!
And read up on the Metro-Detroit Rally 2010...Where we come from near and far to have a great time at KC Campground..in August! We all bring our big shiny trailer and have a good time talking about our latest adventures. Join us!!

And if you want to venture forth before that Ohioans are having the NOVAfest rally at the Airstream factory at the end of March! All of you Michigan folks are invited!

Lou and Larry---in snowy Ohio

Minnie's Mate · 02-14-2010, 09:55 AM

Welcome to the forums. Anything Airstream related can be found here...or someone will find out and get back to you.

Just ask away.

loudruff · 02-14-2010, 10:38 AM

Here is the link for the Metro-Detroit :http://www.airforums.com/forums/f288...0-a-59877.html

and for NOVAfest
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f286...eam-60537.html

Hibby · 02-15-2010, 12:48 PM

Wow! You are all truly amazing... I never expected to get so many great thoughts and ideas so quickly. I have printed many of these posts, and we are compiling a binder now so we can refer back to them every time we have a spare moment to hook up and go!

Keep it coming, and I will get pix up soon. We are scheduled to take delivery the first week of April; perfect timing for Spring camping!

bfusco · 02-15-2010, 03:17 PM

We LOVE Michigan IN THE SUMMER! You are only 170 miles from Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore near Empire MI. We have been National Park campground hosts there for the last two years and had a great time. If you happen to be eligible for the Senior Pass, National Park campgrounds are half price so you could afford a few more "mistakes"

After our two months at Sleeping Bear, we took six weeks to see the Lake Superior shoreline from White Fish Point MI to Split Rock MN and visited many of the lighthouses along that Lake. Most of the state park campgrounds were OK, but sites are very close and would be crowded in high season. Many towns have township or county parks that are great also. Do some google searching and look at Woodals or other directories. We traded our 22' Safari for a 25' safari after six weeks in Maine, so be prepared for even more changes in you aluminum lifestyle

Rhonda · 02-15-2010, 03:31 PM

I can't believe Lou or Carol didn't mention the Metro Detroit Rally!! We are pretty sure it will be August 20-22 in Milan. Come on down! We would sure like to meet ya!

wheel interested · 02-15-2010, 03:44 PM

Lou did! MI Rally, posts #12 and #14!!! You see it now right?

I confess I was thinking rallies as an event and not a location or travel destination, sorry!

But everyone should come for a great time with great people! Kid and dog friendly!!! Cat not so much...ok just kidding.

I will have to keep a tighter leash on that darn cat!

Hibby likes boats and is near Grand Rapids at least for the RV show, RR came to mind, it's nearby. I was going to make more posts. I am just giving others a chance to post.

Whose got pictures?

Bo&Susan · 02-15-2010, 05:02 PM

Great story. Welcome to the forums. Lots of luck and fun with your new toy. Susan

Hibby · 04-25-2010, 06:26 PM

Hooray! We took delivery about week ago and we managed to pull it off without any major catastrophes! I appreciate all of the lists on this forum for what to pack...
Our fall vacation is a Michigan U.P. Camping trip, and we will definitely visit the Munising Municipal Tourist Park (thanks, AirsDream!).

Here's a photo of our 11 year old labrador (Benjamin) watching anxiously for my wife who has mysteriously disappeared into what appears to be a giant can of premium dog food! Sorry for the poor picture quality, but I took it with my phone:

(Note to self.... Add camera to the packing list!)