She's Home...

Bad Weather On The Horizon

We slept well Thursday evening in Wapakoneta, and arrived in Jackson Center, Ohio early yesterday. Our Airstream, Aluminati, was waiting for us to hook up and leave. Handsome had new wheels installed before we arrived, having been told that there were two flats following our winter storage at the factory. We weren't surprised. The old set had served us well over the past six years, and it was time for a change.

Our trip was roughly 1,070 miles, roundtrip. Over six hundred miles were driven with Aluminati in tow, and in the rain. As we drove through northern Illinois, I photographed the squall line of a real gully-washer. Not long after I took this picture, we were being soaked.

Aluminati In Our Rear View Mirror

It was nice to look in our rear view mirror and see our Airstream behind us. With her new tires (and nearly empty interior), and the new tires recently installed on our tow vehicle, it was an easy - albeit long - trip.

Back To The Red Barns Of Wisconsin

Once we got into Wisconsin (in fact, almost as soon as we passed through the Illinois/Wisconsin toll stop) the rains subsided. We traveled up I-43 toward home, and we even saw the sun before it went down.

Back At Hickory Hill Farm

 

We arrived at the farm at almost exactly 8 pm...and we were glad to be back. We aired our two, furry road warriors and headed inside. We decided to deal with camper parking today, choosing last night to head into the house, feed Tag, Bella and ourselves instead. 

 

I always thank Handsome for getting us safely home. It was a long drive, but now this task is done and we can spend the rest of the summer enjoying our northern home. I may even change up the decor inside our camper before we take her south this fall! I'll think about that another day. I think today will be spent gardening. The weather is supposed to be perfect for it!

 

There And Back...

Indiana Sheep Farm

 

Our Airstream has been at the Mother Ship (factory) in Ohio all winter for repairs to a soggy dinette floor. Once they affected the repairs (due to a manufacturing glitch, so "no charge"), they stored Aluminati until we could come to get her. Sweet, right? That's Airstream's stellar customer service for you.

 

Anyway, it's past time for us to pick her up, but they let us extend our stay because of the move. We decided on Monday that we'd head out yesterday for a quick "there and back" to get her and bring her home to the farm for the summer.

 

Ohio Barn

Rather than take our extended route to Madison, WI, down through central Illinois, we figured we'd just scoot through Chicago. Let's just say we won't come back that way. Too much traffic and construction south of the Windy City and into Indiana for our taste.

Although, once we got into the Fort Wayne, Indiana (and south, into Ohio), the countryside sure got pretty. Of course, I was enthralled with the barns. It seems they prefer white to red in Ohio.

Ohio Barns

We drove through some rain, but it was mostly overcast and cool. Just right for driving, and the dogs were content to sleep most of the trip.

Ohio Barn

 

We'll pick up our Flying Cloud this morning and get under way as soon as we can. We plan to sleep in our own bed tonight...with the moon shining on our Airstream safely tucked in our yard at the farm. It will be a perfect start to the holiday weekend.

Another Day On The Road...

First thing yesterday morning, Tag was ready to "hit the road".

I just wanted to take a few last shots of our yard the past week before we left.

This was our view for most of the time. On the weekends, other campers moved

into the parking spots between us and the road. Where we park has been "our" spot

for the past three visits. (You'll remember, we couldn't make the trip last year.) 

Before we left, we told Robyn and Tim that we'll reserve for all three weeks next

year - just as soon as we have the dates for Band Camp. Of course, we'll request #5!

This is where we've parked all week, but by the time this picture was taken, we were

 hooked up and ready to depart Meadville. The photographer was the only delay.

By 4:30 pm, we had arrived in Jackson Center, Ohio. This shot is looking toward

the factory from our spot in the TerraPort (where all the Airstreamers can park free).

There's no shade on the campsites and, although it has all the hook-ups, there 

is no accommodation for campfires and such. It's meant to be a place to rest on

one's way to somewhere else, or a convenient spot to wait to have work done 

while you're at the factory service center. There are three hubs and I imagine that

from the air, all the campers look like spokes in a wheel, backed into their spots.

I took this photo across the TerraPort toward the other two hubs just as the sun was setting. We're all tucked in for the night and looking forward to a new day. So ends another day on the road.

Tuesdays With Tag - Leavin' Meadville Today...

 Hi, Everybody!!!   Yesterday was spent mostly organizin' and stowin' gear for our move from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin. I was happy to soak up the sunshine and supervise.   Mom and Dad have a mental checklist they follow as we prepare to pull up stakes. (Steaks? Did somebody say "steaks"?)

First, they have to make sure lawn chairs that got wet durin' the couple days of rains are dry and ready to pack in their travelin' cases. Otherwise they get musty, and musty is not allowed on the Flying Cloud...'specially not if it's me!    Everythin' has a place - just like on an airplane. I think our flight attendant  friend,  LauraBelle (back in Sarasota) would feel right at home travelin' this way.

There are special compartments for stowin' Dad's tools and campsite setup equipment. There's even a special place for my dog food and dishes! Don't wanna lose my stuff, after all. I need to stay fed to keep up my good looks and quick wit, ya know.

The special Hensley™ hitch (that keeps us safe on the road) needs to be   greased and tightened before we can hook up to our trusty Ford F150.

I decided to wait in the shade under the picnic table so I don't get too hot. I'm no fool! I've got a great vantage point for all the action from here, too!

The awnings have to be furled and secured. This is the long, narrow one on the street side of the Cloud. It keeps the sun from beatin' down on the refrigerator, as well as, shadin' the windows all along that side of the camper. We can keep the windows open, even when it rains, thanks to this convenience we added to the Cloud...

and this one is on the dinin' end (the back end). We're really glad we also added this one two years ago for the same reasons. Before we can leave our campsite, all of these awnings are retracted and locked to keep them from flappin' around while we're drivin' down the road. That could be disastrous, don't ya think?

Mom lowers our antenna, closes all the roof vents, and secures the inside contents.   Dad does all the outside stuff and then hooks up to our truck. Once we do a  lightin' check to be sure all our taillights work properly, we'll say goodbye to our pals, (KOA owners) Robyn and Tim Chilson and leave Meadville.  They're gonna miss me, for sure. We're comin' back for three weeks next year!

Next stop...Jackson Center, Ohio. Time for my Flyin' Cloud to check in at its birthplace. It's always good to stop in and say "hi" to the folks, you know.

Looks like that's all from your "rovin' rover on the road". We gotta "fly"! 'til next week... "Wag Like Ya Mean It!"