I have Just Been Lazy....

I sure hope some of you are still tuned in, even though it has been a long while since I posted. I have been going to the mountains on the weekends and working hard during the week.

I have been moving full steam ahead on several projects these past few weeks. The '79 Argosy was in need of a new door lock and latch. This hasn't been available for a few years now. I found enough of the parts (3 locks) in pieces to fix my lock. I am going to leave the hasp on the trailer. It's cheap insurance to keep the suicide door closed for now.

I also had the rear twin beds recovered in a nice upholstery fabric. The Airfoam mattresses really look good now.

The propane tanks on this Argosy had older valves and needed updating. I installed some temporary steel tanks to check out the operation of the appliances. So far, the oven and range are good, the fridge cools properly, and the water heater works as it should. (It is a new replacement Atwood) I have some touch-ups to do in the paint on the body. Also, after I install the hitch jack, I'll repaint the A-frame and install the new aluminum propane tanks. Ivory gloss is a good touch up in a spray can. It matches the original Argosy paint well enough that you would hardly notice the subtle shade differences.

Thanks for checking in on me,

Kevin

Escape to the Mountains

I have been looking for a place to park a camper for a few years. I found a park in the east Tennessee mountains a few years back, but there was never a site available. Until now....

I know it's not an Airstream or other shiny aluminum riveted trailer, but that's right where this BIG and HEAVY Jayco 32 footer needs to be. The park is The Heights and it is beautiful. I just got the trailer set up on Saturday morning and I have many things I want to add, such as landscaping, outdoor lighting, fire pit, deck, storage building, AND more. Improvements will all come about in time. For now, It's fine just as a mountain rest getaway.

A Time to Grow Up

AS many of you know, I have owned Airstream and Avion trailers for many years. I bought my first Avion and Airstream in the same year, 1981. The Avion was purchased first and was a 1969 25' model. It had a side double bed with front sofa and it was prized by me. Later that same year, I bought a 1962 24' Tradewind. It was a front gaucho trailer, with free standing table, and mid-ships gaucho with side vanity, and a rear bath. A friend at a local RV dealer located it for me. I sold the Airstream after 6 months, doubled my money, and considered it a good money making deal.

Fast forward to today, when I have owned more than 50 trailers, some Airstream, some Avion, some Shasta, Apache, Frolic, Champion, Hi-Lo, and Spartan to name a few. Way in the back, in a nice enclosed garage, I have always kept my "one special trailer". It is a 1964 Bambi II. It was on the list of things to finish one day. But, time marches on. Yes, I SOLD IT today. It can be better used by someone else. I had kept it out of the rain and weather for the past 26 years. A good body, straight lines, clean interior, and a rarity among Airstreams, NO ROT in the floor, not anywhere. The axle was shot. But it was still special. 26 years is along time to hold on to something. I had to grow up and let it go.

Time Flies

Since it has been SO long since I last posted, I'll have to get everyone up to speed on my trips, travels, and otherwise (goofingoff). I spent some time with friends at Linville Falls Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway over the 4th of July. It rained a bit each evening, but that made for perfect temps since I was boondocking. The cool evenings were well suited for a roaring campfire and marshmellows.

On the 20th of July, I went to the old wild west theme park of Ghost Town in the Sky, located in Maggie Valley, NC. It was a perfect day for a trip to the mountains, windows down driving on the parkway, and very little traffic. Balsam Mountain CG just outside of Cherokee was about half full. It is a perfect get-away and very secluded. Night time temps were in the low 50's in this area at 5300 ft elevation. We were cautioned to watch out for black bears and to keep our food in the bearproof lockers.

This past weekend, 08-02-08, I visited The Biltmore House, in Asheville, NC. I had not been there since the 100 year anniversary of the house in 1995. Later in the evening, the south terrace of the estate came alive with about 3000 people enjoying the summer concert series. KC and the Sunshine Band were the headline performers. The sunflowers in the picture are on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate.

Oh yeah, and sometime this past month (July 12), I found a 1948 Spartan Mansion 30 footer. It was almost local by being only 19 miles from my house. This one is in great shape for being 60 years old. The original range and fridge are in place and DO still work. These old trailers just keep following me home. Really....they do....I can't say no....They need a home....so why not?

The Saddest Part

I went to central South Carolina to look at a $1000 Airstream today. From the phone conversation with the lady, I didn't get my hopes up too much. It was a trailer, left on their property, by a deer hunter, now deceased. It is a 1952-54, possibly a Cruiser, 13 panels and all. The windows are in good shape, so are the 13 panels, both front and rear. The door and inner door are both in good shape. It is a front kitchen model, front streetside corner toilet. The dinette booth is across from the entrance door and the furnace is just to the left inside the door. The entrance door is NON-suicide, meaning that it is hinged on the right. With all this "good" going for it, I didn't buy it.
The rear area over the back bumper had a storage hatch. It had been removed along with the rear window. The panel had also been CUT to allow a chest freezer to be put inside to keep the DEER MEAT in.
The current owner is a taxidermist. I was invited into his home to avoid the thunderstorm that arrived shortly after I got there. (reason there are no pictures) In his living room, up on the console stereo, was his faithful dog, full sized, stuffed, with paw in air looking like Lassie. What more can I say? That glassy eyed stare gets me every time..........Later, Kevin

VAC Virginia Rally is History

I arrived at the Virginia Shenandoah Valley KOA Campground on Thursday evening 6-19-08. It was nearing 10 PM when I got to my campsite, but many people were gathered around various campfires in our area. The park is beautiful. The sites are shady and the weather was cool, perfect for open window nights and warm fires outside. The amenities at the park were nice too, pool, mini golf, hot tub, fishing lake, river tubing all added to a restful weekend.

I made many new friends at this rally. Many of the VAC members were from the WDCU. I hope to camp with this group again soon.

There were trailers from the 50's, 60's ( the biggest group ) and the 70's represented. By far, the most popular trailer in attendance was the Globe Trotter. It was great to see so many small AS trailers in one camp.

NOTE: Notice the NEW Carrier air conditioner on top of my Caravel. I had to be comfortable and have dependable A/C. Glad to have that unit installed now.

Armstrong AC IS Working Again

Preparing to take the Caravel to a rally this weekend, I had to get the A/C working. I have purchased a new Carrier unit and it is ready to be installed this afternoon. However, I just had to make another attempt to revive the ever faithful Summer Breeze unit by Armstrong. I read the wiring diagram, checked the wiring, and checked the thermostat. Wait......the thermostat? Yes, there was a bad connection there. The fan fired right up and the compressor came on and began cooling. Glad to have that out of the way now.
I installed the new rock guard on the front before the last trip out. It sure looks good.
I'll be meeting with my Piedmont WBCCI unit at Palmetto Cove RV Park, near Cleveland, SC. It is a beautiful park. Come camp and visit with me sometime......Kevin