Grasslands, Halloween style

Time to camp! We have been working way too much for retired folks. We spent several weeks preparing for Erica's baby shower. At least Shelly did, while I worked on getting our 1957 shell back on the frame, so we could get it out of the barn. We sold what was left of the 2013 Keystone to a guy who wants to put a slide out on a cargo trailer. That frees up a little time and space so I don't have to disassemble it further. I burned a pile of lumber from the Keystone, and Shelly hauled a bunch of scrap aluminum to Cleburne. We sold a head gate I got free from a guy in Meridian. Damon weedeated, and I mowed all day Friday before the baby shower. All that to say we got a much needed cleanup around our place. I had also built a row of enclosed shelves in the barn, and Shelly polyurethaned them. The baby shower went great, and as dad put it, it was the best baby shower I have ever been to. Ha! The only one.

Erica opening gifts, while everyone else plays baby shower bingo.

The cake!

But I digressed, we're going camping! Thursday, we went to the dentist, then drove to Meridian to vote, and pay taxes. We loaded up the 73 and drove to Decatur. There's already 12 other campers here, so we're not lonely. We visited with friends and met several new friends. The weather is perfect so far, but the wind is supposed to be stronger on Friday. 

 I took Sadie for a two mile hike on Friday morning, and enjoyed the cool morning. The name of the place is LBJ grasslands, but where we camp is mostly wooded, with live oak, post oak, red oak, and juniper. We went into Decatur looking for garage sales, but there were only two around. We ate at Panda Express, and drove back to camp. There was a cool north wind blowing about 15 to 20 miles per hour, but it calmed about sunset, and the fire felt good. Shelly made corn salsa for the evening snack, and there was a lot of snacks to fill us up. 

 It got down to 35 degrees on Saturday morning, and was cold with the breeze in the morning. 

Early morning

More aluminum 

The campfire was popular

Janie with Sadie, and Susan

The campfire was popular on Saturday morning, with the temperature getting down to 35 last night, and the wind picking up this morning. We visited with everyone in the morning. I hiked across to the ridge west of the camp, and probably hiked about two miles. In the afternoon, Shelly brought out her chili, about 4:30 because I was hungry. Everyone who tried it liked it. We stood around the fire again on Saturday night, but left early because the smoke got pretty bad, and we were tired. Sunday morning was not as cold as Saturday, but still cool; about 40 degrees. I got up about 6:30 according to our clock, but laughed when I realized the time changed this morning, and it was really 5:30.  I'm not telling Shelly yet. 

1957 Overlander restoration part 1 deconstruction

Well, we've started another crazy project. You would think we would have learned a lesson after the last time, but here we go again. At least this one is already a double axle. We bought this Airstream as a shell only, and with no floor. Some of the interior walls were already taken out, and the previous owner had redone all of the window glass. 

This is how it looked when we got it! 

We finished taking out the remaining interior walls, and removing the brittle insulation. I washed down the walls, and braced the sides to get it ready to remove the shell.

Raising the roof!

Trying to be careful

Setting the shell down

 I was debating on whether to use the original frame, or the frame from the 2006 wrecked Airstream. To use the original, I was going to need two new axles with brakes, and a new hitch. I was going to have to cut several crossmembers to allow for the holding tanks. The frame from the 2006 already had a new hitch, and two good Dexter axles, and was heavier duty since it is a 5" frame. The only problem was the frame and axles were 7" too wide. My solution? Cut 7" out of the middle of the frame and axles and weld it back together! Ha! Sounds crazy, huh? But as always I am up for a challenge.

Starting to cut!

Ready to make it narrower!

Welded back, with the tank supports in place.

Painting the frame black. I want to see it painted, painted, painted black. Thanks Rolling Stones. 

Cutting the axles. 

Cutting the belly pan pieces. Did you notice the Airstream end cap light fixture on the wall? It was from the 2006, and I hated to just throw it away. I am waiting on the aluminum step I ordered from Silver trailer supply. 

The belly pan ready

Final welding

The gray and fresh water tanks

Insulation in place

The subfloor plywood painted

The plywood subfloor bolted down, and the bottom rail in place

The new aluminum step

Bolting the axles back on.

I am almost ready to put the shell back on. And not a minute too soon, because Shelly wants the barn empty for Erica's baby shower next weekend. She had to light a fire under me. One more day of finishing the side pieces of the belly pan.

Lifting the shell

Off the ground

Almost on

Slowly, slowly

It fits!

I put about 50 Clecos in to temporarily hold the shell on, until I can rivet it back in place.

Wisconsin in September

We had been back from Santa Fe for a week, so it was time to go somewhere. Actually, we had planned this trip two months ago, and was why we left Santa Fe when we did. We are traveling with my parents to Wisconsin. Dad is going to his 60th class reunion! I have been wanting to go back, and this seemed like a great time to go. Mom and dad stayed at our house on Sunday night, and we left on Monday, September 1. We got to lake DeGray state park in Arkansas by about 5:30, and set up camp. It is nicer than lake Catherine state park, where we had planned on staying, and a little cheaper at $21 per night for us, and $16 for mom and dad. The sites are more separated, and spacious.

Sites 72 and 74

 Dad and I walked down to the lake and probably walked about a mile and a half. It was warm, but a nice evening.

 We had a relaxing morning on Tuesday, and got on the road about 10:15. It started raining during the day, and we had separate lunches in the campers at a roadside park. The 18 wheelers created a nice ambiance. We took off in the rain, and Shelly told me we forgot to shut the front vent. It was pouring down rain, and couldn't drive over 35 mph. The road was under construction, and we were driving on the old shoulder. We kept waiting for an exit, but it wasn't for about 15 or 20 miles down the road before the next exit. I was expecting an inch of water in the floor, but there was only a small puddle. We stopped in Charleston, Missouri at Boomtown rv park. It wasn't much, but we got full hookups for only $12. Mom, Shelly, and I walked down the road to the Boomtown gift store, where they got a few things, and I got big firecrackers. We sat outside and relaxed. The sunset was beautiful.

There are geese in the lower left. 

We drove again! It is a long way to Wisconsin. Surprise! We made it to Comlara park just north of Normal, Illinois. It is also north of Bloomington, Illinois, also, but now I can say we are just a little way away from normal. We visited with Mark and Mattie, who were locals camping next to us. We sat outside, and enjoyed the cool breeze. 

 The next morning, we looked at the radar, and it showed rain coming in from the west, and the threat of large hail and severe weather tonight around Green Bay. We are going to wait out the rain this morning and drive a few hours to southern Wisconsin to camp tonight.

Shelly at our campsite #40a

 

Thunderstorm rolling in.

Mom and dad's campsite#80

We avoided the rain by waiting, and drove through the countryside around Rockford, Illinois, to avoid the turnpike. It was only about 15 minutes longer, and we got to see nice farms. We stopped at Mukwanago, Wisconsin in a nice city park. We sat outside until the Mosquitos made us go inside. We played scat until about 9. The cool front has not gotten here yet, and was uncomfortably warm trying to sleep.

We called Don Stenz in Cleveland, and we'll be staying at their house tomorrow night. This will be the first time to use the courtesy parking from WBCCI. 

Don and Kay Stenz's back yard. 

We stopped in Sheboygan at Walmart to restock on groceries, and were impressed by the low prices on most items. We took pictures of the huge flag as we drove by. We arrived at Don and Kay's place in Cleveland a little after noon. Kay showed us where to park, and we visited with her for an hour, before driving to Valders. Juel was home, and Toby, their collie wanted attention. Jeff came by later, and we caught up on Valders news. We drove back to camp, and visited with Don and Kay.

 On Saturday, we left Cleveland about 9 to set up camp at Village Inn near Two Rivers. Chad stopped in while we were setting up, and we got to meet his kids, Andrew and Grace. We felt bad about hurrying, but we had to pick up Karen at 11 in Green Bay. Her flight arrived on time and was uneventful. Green Bay airport was great because it was uncrowded and small. We were only there about 20 minutes. Back at camp, Shelly cooked chicken tortilla soup and topped them off with brownies. Yumm. We walked on the lake walk by Lake Michigan, and when we got back, Warren had invited us to come over. We drove to his house, and they kept us entertained with their huge collection of vintage toys, games, and puzzles. We had fun catching up on old times, and didn't leave until almost 10.

 Sunday was the big reunion, and amazingly, the weather cooperated with a perfect sunshine warm day in the 70's. Juel and Marie had everyone over to their house. Between all of my cousins, and their kids, there were probably over 50 people there. Warren and Barb also cooked an amazing array of burgers, hot dogs, brats, and grilled corn on the cob. I was not thinking, when I stuffed myself before going for the desserts. Everyone brought delicious sweets, and I was really full after trying several desserts. It has been 15 years since I have been in Wisconsin, and it was good to try to catch up with my cousins, and their kids.

Warren, Blane, and I 

Mom, dad, Luke, Juel, Karen, and Mark.

Me and Erin

Shelly and Erin

All the cousins- Blane, Karen, me, Dan, Jeff, Krista, Mark, Chad, Craig, Katie, and Sam

We were missing Jeri, Tracy, Sheila, Jesse, Shawn, and Heidi

Cousins and some of their kids!

Craig and family

Earl and Donna stayed at Village Inn where we are staying, and we all sat by a campfire telling stories. 

 Shelly made breakfast burritos for everyone. I have been wanting to see the Hecker homestead, so Shelly, Karen, dad, Earl, Juel, and I drove to Newton. Juel was the tour guide, and dad and Earl got to tell stories of their memories of the area. 

Abraham Hecker's barn

Abraham's house

Dad and Karen in front of the hospital she was born in.

We stopped at several cemeteries to see Knutson, Hecker, and Madsen grave sites. 

Agnes and Abraham's headstone

Dad's grandpa's headstone

Dad's grandma's headstone

Peter Knutsen's grave had us confused as to when our name got changed from Knutsen to Knutson. We had never seen the Knutsen spelling associated with our relatives. Juel, Marie, Earl, Donna, Warren, and Barb came over to our camp, and ate supper with us. 

Enjoying the fire

Shelly had grilled ribs, and roasted redskin potatoes. Warren had given us some fresh corn on the cob, and we cooked that, and mom made salad and fruit salad. After supper, we sat by another campfire until about 9:30. 

Tuesday was much more relaxed. Mom and dad went to his reunion, and Shelly drove to the laundromat to wash clothes. Maybe I should say Tuesday was more relaxed for me. Karen, Shelly, and I started to go to the antique store, when Jeff called. We realized we didn't have the key to mom and dad's Airstream, so we tried our keys to no avail. Karen suggested taking the hinges off, which turned out to be almost too easy. We were able to show their Airstream to Jeff before he had to go to work. 

Shelly and Karen trying to put everything back in it's place after we broke in.

We went to two antique stores before coming back to Village inn. Karen and I went swimming, but stayed mostly in the hot tub. We all visited in mom and dad's camper, since it was cool and windy outside. 

 Wednesday started cool, rainy, and windy. The waves crashing in the lake made a constant roar, but the fog kept us from seeing them. Dad decided he wanted smoked chub from the fish market in Two Rivers, so we took a trip. We started in Manitowoc, and shopped for a few things, before heading to the fish market. We went back to our campers for smoked chub, smoked salmon, asparagus, corn on the cob, salad, and ice cream for dessert. We took Karen to the airport in Green Bay, and followed mapquest directions through a construction zone. Luckily a construction worker felt sorry for us, and backed a concrete truck up so we could get through. The rest of the trip was better, and we said goodbye to Karen. 

 Thursday morning was cool and windy, and we left around 9. At least the wind was out of the north, and was at our back.We made it back to Comlara county park just north of Normal, Illinois. It seems we're never normal. We camped in sites # 36 & 37 this time. We lit a fire, but the wind kept us from enjoying being outside, so we decided to play Yahtzee instead. 

 The trip home has been cool and cloudy, but rain free. We drove through St. Louis with no problems, and stopped at a city park in Waynesville, Mo. It is a nice city park, with a creek on one side, full hookups, and only $20. 

Sites 13 and 14

Shelly!

 Two more days on the road took us home. We stopped at lake Eufala state park on Saturday night. There were plenty of sites available, and we got two overlooking the lake. They were premium sites, but still only $26 for us, and $24 for mom and dad.

Shelly saying "again? Really?"

Me and dad looking at lake Eufala.

 Mom and dad stayed at in their camper Sunday night, instead of driving home tired. We played triple Yahtzee again. Mom got six yahtzees! She won!