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Mac1 · 05-04-2007, 05:44 PM

Well it's almost time. The stops are defined, lists are being checked twice, truck is being serviced, dog and cats records are collected, dog is scheduled for dip and check up. Grades will be turned in Monday, graduation is Saturday. We'll celebrate Mother's Day then.......
I can't wait, I think I will sleep in the camper tonight just to get used to it.

Can anybody else feel the pull? It can't be the full moon, it must be the silver one.

Mac

maxandgeorgia · 05-04-2007, 07:22 PM

I'm chiming in with CanoeStream about the Beartooth Hwy. DON't miss it! However, leave your Airstream behind and make it a day trip with the truck, across and back again. It's a drive and a day you'll always remember, but we for sure will never pull our Airstream over. Hope you can make it and report back here on the adventure

~G

CanoeStream · 05-04-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac1

Do you have the address/directions of/to Spafford Park in Cloquet?

I don't want to share this. There is an unimproved (no plug-ins or dump station) state forest campground under the pines that is the most sublime, peaceful experience I have ever known. If you are coming from da U.P. toward Superior/Duluth and running later than you thought -- won't make it to Brainerd and it is not a weekend -- stop and boondock at the Bois Brule state forest campground just SW of the town of Brule half an hour east of Superior, WI. Trout fisher people need apply... Don't bother on Friday or Saturday -- you'll need to get there early to find a site big enough for a medium Airstream. Pit toilets only -- you'll need a Water Thief or jerry can for fresh water from the hand pump. Better yet, stay an extra day and go into town, rent a canoe and have the Brule River Canoe Rental drive you upstream for a leisurly paddle back down to the campground. Please, nobody except Mac1 take note of this jewel or else it will be too crowded next time I want to go there.

Mac1 · 05-05-2007, 03:50 AM

Bob,
Thanks for the tip, as I was going over the route on AAA looking for gas stations I came accross Brule. We will certainly keep it in mind. I know that this area is going to be spectacular, I just wish we did'nt have a timeline to meet. We have to cover quite a bit of country in a short period of time in order to spend time with the grandkids. Perhaps we will get a chance to retrace our path with them and do some fishing to boot in the next few years.
Thanks,
Mac and Linda

Mac1 · 05-05-2007, 06:00 AM

Those of you who may be following our journey please let us know where you have found the best local restaurants that are masters of regional specialties.
The smells and tastes of this great land are every bit as important as the visual sights and sounds in enjoying the journey (as well as the friendly people).
Thank you,
Mac and Linda

dpandorf · 05-05-2007, 07:30 PM

When you go through Brainerd, MN say hi for me to the nice folks there at Pine Shadows. The Haglins are great people and that's where our Butch came from: http://www.pineshadows.com/Haglins.html

Mac1 · 05-07-2007, 04:17 PM

The trailer wheel bearings were cleaned and repacked yesterday and the breaks were readjusted. Brake pads looked very good (new last year). Truck will be checked out by my mechanic this week. I have someone to mow the yard, the neighbors have volunteered to keep an eye on things and water the plants.....Grades were turned in today, graduation on Saturday.......close to GO!

Mac and Linda

Mac1 · 05-07-2007, 04:53 PM

dpandorf,
What a great looking dog, if we get a chance we certainly will say hey for you.

Mac and Linda

dpandorf · 05-07-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac1

dpandorf,
What a great looking dog, if we get a chance we certainly will say hey for you.

Mac and Linda

Thanks Mac. The problem with him he's knows only two speeds. Sleep and 110%. We head out on our maiden voyage in a week with our newly bought 2000 34' (our first RV). The dog will definitely be a test as we're taking him with us.

Enjoy your vacation too and we also plan on heading west in September and I've already booked an RV space in Yellowstone.

Mac1 · 05-12-2007, 03:06 AM

pandorf,
Congratulations on your new AS. I am sure you are going to really enjoy it. Best wishes and safe travels to you and yours.
Maybe we will meet at a rally somewhere. Have you joined WBCCI? We belong to a great group Eastern North Carolina Unit and look forward to see them at the 50th International in Perry.

Mac and Linda

Mac1 · 05-12-2007, 03:23 AM

Well final checks are underway. We took a test run yesterday to Myrtle Beach (157 miles) to Camping World. That propane leak was really bugging me so I bought a leak detector from a local gas company (expensive!) and found gas coming out of too many places on the original furnace. We opted to buy a new furnace NT 34000 to replace the original NT 30000. We lucked out calling CW on Thursday and getting an appointment on Friday. No more leaks! Wheels and tires ran cool, bought a few items for the International (end cap with grey water hose attachment, flat tire changing ramp (for dual axels), etc.
Any ways we are down to loading today and checking weights, going to graduation ceremonies, celebrating Mother's day tomorrow then Monday...... we're off.
More to come.......

Mac and Linda

overlander63 · 05-12-2007, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac1

We will post pictures and comments as we go (does anyone know a quick and easy way without having to go into photoshop and edit?)

Mac and Linda

Mac, I post pictures here all the time without Photoshop. The trick is to take the photos at low res, or "normal" setting on your digital camera, save them to your computer, and upload them to the forums from your computer. Piece of cake. I posted all the photos of our new trailer here i about 5 minutes, from plugging in the camera to the 'puter, to the pictures appearing here. If you want to take hi-res photos for your own uses, and don't want to keep messing with the settings on yourcamera, you could get a cheap (like $50) digital camera. set it to the low setting, and use it to dump photos here, the poorer quality pictures won't be evident at the resolution the forums can handle.
Good luck on your trip, we may even see you somewhere during it

.

sd90mac · 05-12-2007, 05:58 AM

Mac and Linda,

I wish God speed and safe passage for you. I have been closely following your thread and am learning from it.

We will be starting our grand adventure the last week of October and are very much looking forward to it. I have all summer to learn how to stuff an airstream and keep within the weight restrictions.

Take lots of pictures for the rest of us to follow along with your dream.

Marie

Mac1 · 05-12-2007, 07:34 AM

Thanks Terry and Marie we appreciate the info on posting the pictures and the best wishes. We will do our best to post pictures and updates as often as we can.

Mac and LInda

vajeep · 05-12-2007, 07:39 AM

Mac and Linda,

Sounds like a great trip!!! What about a stop at Highland Haven Airstream Park?? We would love to have you for a night or more!!! Here is our link

http://vahighlandhaven.org/

We have 4 or 5 formum members that are usually up at Highland Haven.

Hope to see you soon!!!
Abe

Mac1 · 05-12-2007, 07:58 AM

Abe and Melissa,
Thank you, Highland Haven is on our list of places to visit but probably not this time around. Our first stop will be in Shenandoah Jct., WV for an overnight on the old family farm and a quick check my 90 year old Uncle.

Hopefully we will get up there in the Fall sometime.

Mac and LInda

Mac1 · 05-17-2007, 11:19 AM

GO!

Well I tried to post Monday before we left home but couldn't get access and did not get any until visiting the Mifford Public library in Michigan.

Day 1.... loaded everyone and animals then weighed the vehicles at Southern States scale on the way out of town - weight was within the margins and we drove the I95 gauntlet up to Shenandoah Jct., WV and boondocked in my Uncles driveway on the farm. The dog loves that place.

Day 2 we stopped to visit my uncle in Martinsburg, WV and then drove to Brookville, OH KOA. We visited with some coaching friends we had not seen for about 15 years, we enjoyed our visit and the home made cherry pie. Had pretty bad front go through with pea sized hail and a ton of lightning and rain. Discovered a leak, probably from the wind driven rain into the Fantastic fan.

Day 3 we visited Wright Patterson Air Force Museum - wish we had more time. Three Air Force One planes on Base then three huge hangers full of planes from all eras. They even had one that saved my buns in Viet Nam a B-29. A must see for history buffs......we continued on to the Tin Can Tourist Rally in Milford, MI. Several airstreams already on site and more arriving.

I will try to get back here tomorrow with the camera and down load the pictures I have to date ...... weather is cool and drizzling.

Day 4 - Slept in, set up satellite dish did some shopping and visited the library.

Later,

Mac and Linda, Buckeye, Squeeker and Princess

JakBluMule · 05-17-2007, 04:42 PM

If you're in the UP area of MI, be sure to get some pasties
(pronounced pass-tees)......they are these wonderful meat and vegetable pies that you hold by the crust and eat from the middle. I guess the only place one can get them is in that particular area of MI.

Phil Gobie · 05-17-2007, 07:47 PM

I would want to take a card like the Verizion pc card. We have been traveling with one for about a year and a half. I can't imagine not having it while we are going down the road and also once you are stopped. It lets you check out camp grounds, check weather, get info on towns and cities, keep up with the forum!, stay in touch via email etc. etc. For us it is a must have!
It sounds like a great trip! Be sure and have some fun!

JakBluMule · 05-17-2007, 07:58 PM

Does anyone make a device (I'll be the first to admit that I'm pretty stoopid when it comes to these computer gadgets) that will connect the modem in a laptop (apple, specifically) to a regular cell phone? We occasionally luck out and find a wireless connection, but if I could plug the computer into the cell and dial up the service,,,after the free minutes kick in....maybe I wouldn't have to wade through 250 e-mails when we do find a signal. I'd rather do that than get a separate phone bill for the number assigned to the pc card.