Announcement "spamalot" Is On Her Way

Well George, If the wife is agreeable and you can swing it, get the TD. As Steve, the guy at Mt. Lassen who gave us the grand tour of his CI said, "Do it fast. You aren't getting any younger."

Was it my gray hair, do you think? Or Jim's balding head....?
Oh, but he is soooo cute with that shiny pate.

Sue and Jim

PS:

Thank you for your service, vet.

 

As someone who owns the cabin as well as the TD, you made the right choice. We purchased a place up in the mountains about 12 years ago, primarily because it had a trout stream running through it. For 11 years our recreational time was spent at the place and nowhere else. The fishing is great, the stars are bright, and the scenery is awesome. Howevever after about 5 years, every trip is dejavu all over again. We picked up our 550 Ultra last May, and since that time have put in about 5,000 miles of adventure. We are seeing parts of the country we haven't experienced before not to mention a great bunch of people. Our cabin is isolated and about the only visitors we see there are bears and and a mountain lion or two. The TD has allowed us to get out and enjoy new experiences on every trip. Believe me, you will not regret your choice. Since purchasing the TD I have been up to the cabin once.
Leo

 

Sorry about that, Cary, but mommy always taught me to share....

And now for something not at all different in any way:

The final check went out Monday!! Woooo-Hoooo!!!(you already know this, Cary) and Spamalot is almost ours. Our only sorrow is the darn thing wasn't ready in time for the CI-Co. Sounds like you all had a fab time and would have loved to have been part of the fun. Ah well, such is life.

Also saw one of the crowd had a scary episode with a hinky heart. Glad to hear he was quickly cared for and is on the way to recovery. Best wishes for good luck to him and his family.

And now back to Spamalot..

The hardest part now is waiting for the last few weeks of the build and getting the date for pick-up so we can pack the bag (no, we're not referring to me, the little wife) and hit the road.

We enjoyed receiving the build pictures and watching a pile of lumber turn into our shiny, silver dream castle on wheels. So thanks to Craig for getting those out. Sweet. And thanks to Cary and Holly for bearing with all our panic e-mails and silly questions....which is not to be confused with silly walks.

The saga continues.

AND, we are watching a Monty Python Marathon tonight: The Life of Brian and (of course) The Holy Grail. This is to put us in the right (or is it left) frame of mind to accept the challenge before us and to journey forth on this most holy quest which God Himself has given..... Spong!!

"Watch out! They've lobbed the Trojan Rabbit at us! Run away, run away...........!"

And you thought we were sane.

Sue and Jim

 

Ah Sue, the second you started throwing around Monty Python quotes, I knew you weren't sane. Bright side, you are in great company here!

You are a total hoot! Hoping we cross paths out there!

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's done, it's done! After seven long months, time's up and we still haven't finished carving out a space in the garage for Spamalot's new home. Panic ensues. Knew this would happen. It's down to the wire and the debris is flying in all directions faster than a park full of single wides in a twister. Duck!!!

Yes indeedy, on October the 14th our little darling will tumble from the nest, stretch her wings and fledge her way home to sunny California - where it happens to be raining at this moment.

Got a feeling we're going to be chasing this storm all the way to Wisconsin. With our luck, it'll be snow and sleet all the way back home. Just hope some of the campgrounds will still be open along I90 the week of the 17th. Well, it won't be the first time we camped in bad weather....but we won't have to dig a drainage trench around a tent this time. It'll be dry and cozy in our baby TD. We'll just circle the teardrop around the campfire so there won't be too much peril....well, maybe just a little peril, if it's not too perilous....

Ni.

Jim and Sue

 

Thanks Jenn,

Jim and I are life long campers, but strictly bags on the ground/canvas over head types. A TD will be a new adventure for us so we can use all the tips we can get and yours are very helpful. Funny about the shoe box thing, Jim just picked up a couple of plastic boxes for our shoes yesterday (ESP?).

The shake-down voyage home won't have much to shake. Over the years we have whittled down our camping gear to one bin (mostly food, cooking supplies, first aid and an ax), a tent, air mattress (getting old, you know), sleeping bags, cooler and a lantern. The cooking gear includes one deep CI pan (George ought to love that) a large granite ware coffee pot, one spatula, a long handled metal spoon and matches. No stove, I cook over an open fire. That's it. Now we can 86 the tent and mattress. If there's anything we need down the road, we just buy it along the way - though I fear with all that storage space we'll be tempted to buy a lot of superfluous junk.

25 degrees, huh? That'll get our attention and make the old fingers clumsy. It will also make the morning coffee extra tasty - provided we don't slosh it all over ourselves. We California types are weather spoiled - use to mild winters and all that. The only time we've experience 25 degrees is when we pass the frozen food section in the supermarket - or drive the three hours to Tahoe for week end sledding. Well, we'll just keep and eye on the weather reports and adjust our travel plans accordingly...........but I really want to see the Bad Lands. We are already contemplating going to the UP before we pick up the trailer. Would rather camp there, but chances are all the campgrounds will be closed by then. Such is fate.

In California this winter? If you don't mind howling, pounding rain storms and thundering surf, the Northern Coast is spectacular in winter....but treacherous, the Sierras are fabulous, but most of the roads are closed due to heavy snows and the Giant Redwoods have a nasty habit of falling over when they get too wet and taking out half a dozen other giants on their way down. But other than that, it's wonderful.

We are planning to hunker down this winter and wait for spring break. Then it's off to Death Valley for the flowers and 80 degrees in March. Late enough for the desert bloom and too early for the rattlers. Thank God for hibernation.

Anywho.... gotta get back to that garage and finish clearing a space for the TD. So much stuff piled up in layers, it's like an archeology dig. Who knows, maybe we'll find the Lost Ark....or the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.




Jim and Sue

 

In October the weather can vary greatly. This week daytime temps in upper 70's. Lows above freezing. Fantastic evenings. Yet, next day can snow, then melt.

Check out UP state park listings before deciding not to visit. The main season for fall leaves will be done. Landscapes take on a whole new aspect after leaves have fallen. Birch trees agains rock backgrounds.

Badlands would be great to visit in October.

I was in Death Valley end of January, neat place then. Spring bloom must be wonderful.

Jean

 

JEAN,

One way or the other we are going to the UP. Jim's great, great grand dad is buried there and he wants to pay his respects. If parks are closed down, we'll just visit before we get the trailer. And even if we've missed the fall color, bare trees against solid rock can be beautiful.

You make me hopeful for our plans with the Bad Lands. We'll have snow chains and four wheel drive, so maybe we can go after all.

And if you liked Death Valley in January, try late March into April. It is fantastic especially if it's been a wet winter. Check the Death Valley website, they keep a weekly report on the wildflowers. But you'll need reservations to camp. They only have a small site and it fills up fast. And if Death Valley is full, try Anza Borrego just south west of Palm Spring or Crossroads by the Colorado River just south of the Parker Dam and, of course, the Mojave Desert. Spring time in the desert is unbelievable. Again, just make sure you are early enough to dodge the rattlers. They can make hiking an adventure..... Oh, and take extra gasoline with you if you can. Gas prices in Death Valley are a crime!!!!


Sue

PS,

Jenn-

W. W. is my fave poet. I sing the body electric....

 

Sue,

You don't need snow chains around here, UP, or Badlands in October.
Where do you anticipate needing them?

Jean

 

Jean,

On the way home.

Snow forecast for the Sierra passes this week end and once that starts, it doesn't stop until spring. Always better to be prepared. Traveling in the high country is sort of like playing in the ocean, never turn your back on it. To quote one of my favorite plays, Greater Tuna, "You just give nature some room and she won't kill ya!"

Besides, I was a Girl Scout. No really, I have the scars to prove it.

Jenn,

You'll love Placerville. My brother lives near by and we visit often. That old hang town is a hoot. Some darn good vineyards up there, too.

Sue and Jim

 

Well small world!

Both Jim and I grew up camping in the Tahoe area. For Jim it was Richardson (yuck) and El Dorado campgrounds (close by the casinos for his mom's sake) and before that they camped in the Dardenelles on 108 east of Sonora. My family tended toward Fallen Leaf and wandering around Taylor Creek and Pope's Beach. This was when we were in our tweens and teens after my parents discovered the joy of Harrah's and the one armed bandits (got a lot of blueberry pancake breakfasts out of those machines). Before that it was Yosemite Valley, camp seven on the Merced River (ice cold!!) and the fire falls....ooh, that dates me.

Yep, a foot of snow in the higher elevations last night. Darned early for the season, too. Hence the chains in the truck for our trip. If it's going to be as I suspect, an early and very wet winter, we'd better be prepared. After all, autumn on the high plains of Nebraska and South Dakota can be unpredictable....and far too perilous.

Yes, I just had to get a little Monty Python in there. My bad.

Sue and Jim

 

Hold on to your hats!

The sands have run out, the alarm is ringing, flashing lights and sirens abound!! Our TD is ready and so the heck are weeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's ready for pick up on October 14th and we leave tomorrow bright and early...Okay, after noon or so. We're retired, ya know. Besides, tomorrow is the annual family gathering at the local pumpkin patch; a chance to gossip with the adults while watching the wee ones race around, tripping over each other and skinning knees. Fun for the whole family.

After the gathering, we will bravely sally forth on our quest for Spamalot! Taking I-80 straight across to Chicago for some "Big City" sight-seeing (yes, I know what parts of the Chi to avoid-no worries), then the meet and greet and get to know your TD with Cary and the crowd at CI. After that, it's off to the UP for a shake down run. We plan on taking I-90 back as far as Montana, sight-seeing all the way, and then down through Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons to reconnect with I-80 for the rest of the trip home. Looks like the weather is going to co-operate for the most part. Goody.

The final packing is under way and before you know it, we'll be off faster than an unladen swallow.

I am not going to be able to sleep a wink tonight!

Sue and Jim

 

Jim and Sue,
If you are planning to be on Death Valley in March, please consider the Lake Perris teardrop gathering! It will be changing organizers this year, but it has a 15 yr history of being a great gathering! Lots of homebuilts and retored oldies, as well new TD's. Its where we saw our first CI. On your way back -take HWy 1 and stop in San Simeon (or Morro Bay) and visit the Elephant Seals! My personal favorite.
info on Lake Perris is athttp://teardroptime.weebly.com/registration-form-lake-perris.html

Eileen

 

Congratulations! We are jealous! Our wait has just begun

 

Sue & Jim - Congrats on your canned Spam! I hear your excitement and had it myself last March when out of the blue we were able to purchase MiniMc earlier than expected, so we didn't have the long build wait - just 2 years prior! Wish I was a fly on the wall! We've never been to the home nest and were about to be at the Camp Outt but it didn't work out...so I'm JEALOUS that you're getting to meet the folks and see the plant! Have fun and be careful!

 

Thanks to all.

Eileen, thanks for the tip on the Lake Perris gathering. We'll check it out.

Ken and Kathy, felt the same way when we first ordered Spamalot. It just couldn't be made fast enough. Pins and needles all the way. But time does pass and before you know it, your baby is ready. Thanks for the kinds thoughts.

Linda, Yeah-canned Spam! Best time you can have in a can! I'm so excited, my toes are curling!!! We'll be careful....sort of. This is such a blast!!!!!!!!!

Talk to you all when we get back and fill you in on the adventure. And thanks again for all your kindness.

See ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sue and Jim

 

Enjoy your trip! I know your going to love it. Oh, and remember to post pictures when you get back!

 

I was right.

Couldn't sleep at all last night. No problems, will sleep on the way. As I write, we are tossing in the last of the travel gear. Yahoo!!! We'll take lots of pics to share.

And now it's off we go to seek the old man who waits beside the Bridge of Death that spans the Pit of Eternal Peril to ask of me the questions three-ere the other side I see.....


So, what IS the capital of Assyria...?

Sue

Oh, right..It's Nineveh!