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- Flying Cloud is the model name of our "new" 1963 Airstream.
- Leigh, Brian & Curtis
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putting brian to work
Yesterday Brian fed the horses in AM and PM, drained the dishwasher and spoke with the manufacturer's tech support, defrosted the fridge, unloaded lumber, drove to town for ice (20 miles), set-up and shot video, and took trash down to the main gate.
cell phone service
We don't have cell phone service here (even with the powered antenna booster). If you need to reach us in the next 2 weeks, send an email! xoL&B
horses
These are my aunt's horses that get the run of her entire property. Since our arrival it seems, they're staying closer to their barn
If you stood at the front door of where our trailer is parked, you would see this ridge. Apparently there are ruins up there, and my aunt's friend Toby might guide us up there on the horses! Yikes!
near Abiquiu, NM
"you can do whatever you want here,
you can wear a shirt or not wear a shirt"
- Rosemary
usa rv park - gallup
For those who like to comment on politics, you'll be interested in the sign that greeted us upon entering the USA RV Park in Gallup, NM. It is run by a veteran, is very clean and has a lot of rules - including some very strict dog rules. Fortunately we were only there for one night.
Gallup, NM
Hi All -
We're in Gallup New Mexico, connecting to the internet via Verizon Broadband - which means the pc is connected to the cell phone. Won't work with the mac, so no pictures until the dish is up on Sunday.
xoL&B
the studs next door
There are 2 eleven week old chihuahuas next door. The guy transporting them says they're "lucky boys" because they're going to be studs for breeding.
problems solved
(copied from an email to my parents)
Best news of the day - the electrical problem is SOLVED. It turns out the batteries were so far drained, and the inverter couldn't communicate that info to the control panel because of the missing piece, that when we were plugged in, it didn't recognize that we even had batteries.
We spent the day with the generators directly hooked into the batteries and all is a-ok now.
The airport is fine too. It turns out that the 12V part of our setup just died when the batteries did, so that's why the airport died.
The only problem left - I keep bumping my head (hard), so now Brian wants me to wear a football helmet.
misc
Problem #6 wasn't a leveling problem. More on that might be considered too much information, but that's another problem solved.
It turns out that piece we need for the inverter was sent 3 day mail because UPS won't overnight to Flagstaff.
At lunch yesterday we took Curtis back to the meadow to play ball off leash. While driving through the forest, we saw this (pictured below) so we had to stop.
Rich, the owner of this cool old Bambi Airstream trailer and Dodge truck gave us a map of the crater on the other side of the highway. We'll probably go for lunch or sunset today.
Everything is right in the world when my pc is up and running. Yay! Leone, thanks for helping with the airport setup via cell phone.
New problem: the airport suddenly lost it's power, and it's wired directly into the 12V system.
problem solving
It feels like we're on our own reality show with all of the challenges we're working through.
1. awning not working - SOLVED
2. water tank not filling - SOLVED
3. inverter not working - STILL A PROBLEM
4. pc not working - SOLVED
5. dumping - SOLVED
6. leveling - we're slightly off of being level. We know what we're supposed to do, and really need to do it because the black water tank is holding all of our "recent activity" right under the toilet (not good)...it's the details that keep you coming back right?
To solve the computer problem, yesterday I googled flagstaff computer repair and found PRN Computer Services. They are located in this house. These guys were very attentive and quite funny. It turns out my computer is fine and I bought a UPC box to protect it from our inverter once it's fixed.
flagstaff koa
We're staying at the Flagstaff KOA until we receive this part to "fix" our inverter (a part wasn't installed). It was supposed to come today, but it didn't.
I've been in one other KOA and it was horrible, this one is actually quite cozy and the rigs here are great. Some are huge and probably cost a few hundred thousand, some are retro, there's even one with a sliding glass door!
internet
Brian setting up the satellite internet dish.
what time is it?
Does anyone know why Arizona is striped?
Sunday in Flagstaff
Sunday at 9a we leave the noisy ATV campground, solve the water problem by cutting the end off of a flexy hose which we can force past the ball bearing mentioned in our last post. We find the beautiful spot pictured above, but have to leave because our batteries drained and the inverter and generators weren't working properly.
Soooooo we went to a trailer park and plugged in. As we're dealing with the battery/inverter problem, Brian decides to take advantage of the direct hook-up to water, takes a long shower and fills the grey tank. Fortunately for us, an "airstreamer" guy comes over to talk to us as Brian tries "dumping" for the first time. Turns out we didn't have the right connector - Here's Walt and Brian, problem solved.
saturday night
Saturday we drove about 8 hours and made it to Flagstaff. We arrived as the sun was going down - and encountered our first problem. The little ball chain that holds the water cap on the side of the trailer obstructs the input - and our fresh water hose didn't really fit it. We forced some water in - thought it was full and then found a place to park. See picture.
We kind of knew we were parking in an off-highway vehical campground, but were too sleepy to do anything different. We moved in the morning.
say goodbye to hollywood
almost done
It looks like everything will be wrapped up tomorrow, and friends/family can come have a look at the finished product on Friday night.
Here's a the stove and my spice rack.
(no rude comments about my rack please) xoL
wifi
Thank god for wireless. Today during our oil change I found a good connection outside of an apartment building. Then jumped on one outside of Brian's mom's house during a conference call. Then used Cyndi's during the afternoon, and we finally settled in at our cheapie hotel in Burbank.
Looks like we won't be pulling out until Thursday or Friday - but at least I know how I'm connecting to the internet from now on.
more about the polish
For all of you airstream owners - these guys were incredible. They polished our trailer in 1 day. The interesting thing about it is what they used. We've read in the airstream forums about all of the fancy products people use to shine up their trailers...these guys used a combination of flour, a cheapie aluminum polish called "Coopers" (I couldn't find it anywhere online), and best of all charcoal lighter fluid!
By the end of the day - the 4 guys were covered in black, like how a cloth gets when you polish silver - but they were covered head to toe!
bling bling
update
We have 2 nights left at Cat & Robb's, then we're on to "The RichBauer's" - can't wait to see Curtis on Saturday.
Wayne is hoping the trailer will be ready on Monday...they're doing the big polish this weekend...this is the heater >>>
thanks everyone
Thanks for the great good bye poker party last Saturday (I think there might be a few more since we're delayed). Thanks to everyone who has let us stay in their home. Thanks to the new tenant at my old place for letting us use the storage shed. Thanks for all the great going away gifts...
Poor Ron is leaving this Saturday for Hawaii and he wanted to know why he wasn't getting similar fanfare. Aaron told him he needed a better publicist.
couch surfing
After our Saturday plan fell through, we called Days Inn because they're supposed to be "dog friendly." We show up and it turns out the only way they'll be friendly to your dog is if you stay in a SMOKING room. I offered to pay a bigger deposit, but they said "no, would you like to cancel your reservation?", and I said "yes".
We ended up at the Burbank Hilton - and we're here for 2 nights.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we're staying with people that can't have dogs - Curtis is hopefully going to a swank kennel if there is room, otherwise he's going to a nice one.
our schedule:
Monday night - Flying Cloud commenter "The Mainstream"
Tuesday thru Friday night - Cat & Robb
Saturday and Sunday night - Jen and Ron (Curtie gets to join us here)
Thanks everyone for helping us out and making us feel warm and fuzzy!
we have a toilet!
where the magic happens
the closet and the bath
the infamous orange awning arrived
one of 2 sconces
facing the bed, reading lights in the back on the right
Well - it looks like this should all be done a week from tomorrow - giving us a 6/11 departure date...
curtis
Curtis just went more than a day without touching his food (eating has never been a big priority for him) - he finally chowed down today after some encouragement.
We're quite comfortable in our temporary home. Thanks Scott!
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