Spring work day for the Cruiser!

Spring is here and time for Nellie's spring tune-up! We have been having increasing trouble closing the door on Nellie so after disassembling the latch  and door and repositioning the lock assembly a few times I think I finally got it! Now the door closes with a click and not a campground waking slam!

Next was installing a new screen door guard which was given to us from good friends Brad and Jennifer, It is a very nice addition!

Then moved on to the next project on the list, after almost 4 years it is time to refresh the shine. So a new polish job is in the works. I use a cyclopolisher and truck box aluminum polish-http://www.lowes.com/pd_57122-76354-29810184_0__?productId=3035639

This product may not leave  quite as much shine as others but it is simple to do.

 Her shine will be back soon!

Looking forward to the first trip of 2015 coming up in less than a month to Eureka Springs,Ak

Three years on the road and an airstream wedding

We have now been traveling with Nellie for 3 years and a total of about 8000 miles. We have met many new friends and given countless tours of our cruiser. 

The best use of Nellie so far was being front and center in my son and daughter in laws wedding!
We were very honored to have her in the wedding!

Looking forward to many more years of fun!

Another great summer!

About 30 nights in the Airstream this year, I'll start with our first time going south and earliest trip, going in April. Eureka Springs,Ak 

 Who knew Iowa had such nice state parks and very inexpensive, Ledges state park was a great place to start our camping season!

 We were able to  give Nellie a bath, the road through Ledges park winds back and forth through the river. I may have gone through the river a little to fast once??

 We found this little roadside park and figured it had to be nice since we are from Roberts,Wi.

 Nice thing about traveling in April, we almost always had a great spot!

 Look Mom no head, we always stop to save turtles on the road, this is a first for this kind of turtle. He pulls his head all the way in and closes the front door. Lake of the Ozarks state park.

 The dogs always had to check things out, better if they could run, that didn't work out so well when we tried!! Only once!!

 Always like the sunrises and sunsets!

 Wonderlust campground, Eureka Springs,Ak

 Lots of interesting shops in Eureka and lots of history. http://eurekaspringswebcam.com/index.html

 Son Ben, spent a lot of time on the phone with his then girlfriend, soon to be fiancé, and now wife!

 Many hikes!

We found Jesus, he's in Arkansas!
Next trip was in May to St. Croix Falls, Wi

Progress with Mae

Made a little more progress with Mae our 1964 Safari, finished removing the 50 year old sub floor and belly pan. Both were in pretty bad shape. The frame though is in great shape and only needs a few minor welds repaired and  some paint and new subfloor!

Nice to be done with the nasty stuff that seems to collet in the belly pans of these. I don't know why they still put fiberglass insulation in the frame? It just makes good nesting material for lots of critters and if or when you do have a leak it holds moisture??

Mae looses her top!

Started on the 1964 Airstream Safari, after 50 years she needs a new floor!

It didn't take to long to drill the rivets out compared to the 54 Cruiser. I think airstream used fewer rivets 10 yrs later.

 Non stop fun!

 After 50yrs the floor has seen better days.

 A little clean up on the frame and some new plywood!

Nice to have a safe place for the top while I work on the frame!

A new floor in the bathroom

Our toes were a little cold in the bathroom, so I came up with this. 

Fun to make!

Nellie gets some heat!

We don't camp in the cold to much but in the early or late season when you just need a little extra heat in the morning or late evening we needed something. Until now we used a couple of small electric space heaters but we were out of luck if we were anywhere without hookups or boon docking out in the hills. I looked for a long time trying to find something that had some decorative style to it and still lightweight. 

I really only found two choices in heaters, we chose the cozy cabin heater from http://www.go2marine.com/product/83100F/cozy-cabin-heater-propane-boat-heater.html  

The other option we looked at was a dickinson fireplace:

http://www.go2marine.com/item/20009/dickinson-marine-newport-propane-lpg-boat-heater-fireplace-p9000-00-new-p9000.html

The cozy cabin heater does not put out as much heat as the fireplace but it does produce more heat then the two electric heaters that we use.

Things I liked about the Cozy heater: physical size, weight, 1" venting, cost, unique look

I also liked that it could be vented out the original roof vent so Nellies outside appearance didn't change.

Our first trip of the year is coming up so we will get a  to try it out!