Into the Great Wide Open

I hate to admit this, but one of my biggest fears going into our first trip in the Airstream was that things would not turn out the way I envisioned they would, leaving me to feel nothing but buyer's remorse and a deep sense of regret for spending money in a way we have never spent money before. Thankfully, that did not happen. We had one of the best trips we have ever taken, and the only regret was that we didn't plan a longer trip.

Our journey began at a truck stop. Brian wanted to weigh our rig, the trailer, and the truck to determine how large a load was being carried on each axle and to find out if all the components were set up correctly. It turns out he had it perfect, but the peace of mind was worth the $10.50, the trouble, and the befuddled looks from nearly every trucker watching our family play with their scale. This drive-thru is most definitely made for the big rigs.

Is this thing on?

Yes. Hello. I'd like to weigh my trailer please.

Goodness. We went through the scales three times for three different configurations. He'd run to get the results from the station, and I'd pull everything around so he could make adjustments for the next time through. Though I have extremely limited towing experience (like twenty minutes in an empty parking lot), I'm grateful truck stops are so roomy. In the end all was well, so we filled the tank with gas and went on our two and a half hour drive up the mountain with no problem whatsoever. According to Brian, the Sequoia towing 6000 pounds climbs better than our Highlander.

We camped at a campground about thirty-five miles east of Payson and above the Mogollon Rim. The weather was very cool and a welcome change from Phoenix's oppressive heat. The first thing we did before changing into some warmer clothes was fill up our water tank. Matthew was very helpful.

He continued to help set up camp by lowering the trailer's stabilizers. Elizabeth supervised.

Then we had lunch with a view. At 2:15. Because Mom wasn't thinking and put the sandwiches in the trailer's refrigerator. Mom fail. We're all still learning. Brian had a fail, too, but the Walmart in Payson saved the day and his teeth.

And then...it rained. For six hours. But that was okay because we had a warm and dry place to be. Thank you, Airstream. We got very familiar with the space in that time, so it worked out well. We got things organized, played some games, and rested and relaxed. It wasn't bad.

Matthew entertained us with a puppet show.

I took a nap in the bedroom and woke up to a view of the trees.

Elizabeth read, Brian fixed the lantern, and Matthew beat himself at chess.

sunset view from our dinner table

I heated up potato cheddar soup on the stove for dinner, and we ate it with crusty sourdough bread. It was cold and damp outside, but inside we were warm and toasty and full. Brian turned on the furnace for the night, and though I had a tough time falling asleep because I was afraid of carbon monoxide poisoning, we all got a good sleep and, even better, we all woke up.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast of eggs and sausage in tortillas or on toast, we headed to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. What a park! It was better than we had expected. It was the perfect temperature (low 60s) and partly cloudy for hiking. It was so comfortable that we did both the Gowan and Anna Mae trails and were able to see the bridge from all sides. After a picnic lunch we did the waterfall hike which is 120 steps down to a pretty waterfall and back up. It was a great day of adventure.

If you look closely, you can see the kids on top of the bridge.

hiking down the Gowan Trail

It's a cool little cave under the bridge.

doing a little rock scrambling at the bottom of the Anna Mae Trail

a shot from the rim on the way back to camp

That afternoon, we relaxed at our site and were happy to be able to spend the time outside. We had no rain after that first day.

Brian showed Matthew how to chop firewood with an ax. Then that's all he wanted to do.

Elizabeth can draw or color anywhere, anytime.

When we got hungry, I made dinner. The plan was BBQ chicken, but charcoal is tricky and we ended up cooking the chicken on the stove. I found a great new recipe for one-pot mac and cheese where you don't have to strain the macaroni. Not only was it so simple to make in a small kitchen, but it was a big hit with the family. We had the leftovers for lunch the next day. After dinner we had a campfire and marshmallows and good family bonding time.

Thursday morning, we woke up and had another hearty breakfast. I made the same eggs and sausage, but this time I accidentally checked the smoke detector. Good news. It works. Then we hiked from our campsite to the Sinkhole. It's a big hole in the ground that sunk about two hundred years ago. We nature detectives figured that out by counting the rings in a tree at the bottom. Makes sense, no? 

After lunch, we went fishing at Willow Springs Lake. Sort of. Whatever we do with poles and bait shouldn't be called fishing. One of these times, we should read up on exactly what the heck to do because they never catch a fish, and all I do is catch cute pictures of them holding fishing poles. I guess that's okay. Then again, twenty minutes into it Matthew lost his bobber and fetching it was the only thing he could concentrate on for the next hour. It eventually washed up on shore a ways away from us, and while they all did that I sat and watched our stuff. The air got colder, the wind picked up off the lake, and I was freezing my butt off. This, out of all the activities we did, was the least fun. Still, the view was gorgeous.

Back at camp, we used the campground showers to refresh and warm ourselves. The trailer does have a shower, but we're still not sure how long 39 gallons lasts. We conserved so much that we probably had thirty gallons left. Hard to say, but since the free showers were there we used them. It was kind of like how I never used the trailer's bathroom. The campground had vault toilets, so I used those instead. My family thought I was ridiculous, but I declared I would use it only in an absolute emergency. Long ago, GiGi's family farmhouse was the first in their community to have indoor plumbing, but her mother would never use the toilet. "You shouldn't do that in the house," is what she said before heading to the outhouse. I think she and I might have been kindred spirits.

After our hot showers, we had french dip sandwiches for dinner and muffins from GiGi for dessert. Then we bundled up and had another nice campfire.

In addition to improving our fishing skills, we need to figure out camera settings for good campfire shots.

Friday morning we packed everything away, unhooked from our site, hitched up, dumped the waste (not as bad an experience as we thought it would be, actually), and successfully made our way down the mountain and into our driveway. Unpacking, cleaning, and laundering ensued, but it was all worth it.

Overall, it was a successful first outing in our new digs. We are very happy with our decision and our purchases, and we look forward to many more fun adventures as a family.

Into the Woods

Here we go.

We are headed out on our first Airstream adventure in a few hours. First, we're driving to a truck stop along I-10 to weigh our rig and make sure the weight is distributed evenly. I asked Brian if he knows what the numbers should look like and how to fix it if they don't look right, and he has assured me he does know and will be able to make adjustments to correct any problems. After all that, we head up the mountain to Canyon Point, about thirty minutes east of Payson. It's right along the Mogollon Rim (but not too close, Mom).

Just in case you'll miss me, be prepared to not see a new blog until at least Friday. We have instituted a strict no phone/no computer zone in the Airstream, at least until it becomes our permanent residence. Hey, maybe someday! :) This no electronics rule will not be difficult to enforce because our phones are the worst and we are T-Mobile customers; we barely get coverage outside the Phoenix metro area. So no Minecraft, no texting, no mechanical designing, and no social media-ing. This is how we get away from it all.

It's exactly what we want. Peace.

If Only

I went to the Arizona MVD this morning to register our trailer's title. I got there about ten minutes before it opened and joined the line outside. I counted and was twentieth. I know no one likes to go to the MVD. No one has liked it for like fifty years. I don't know why it's so bad; I'm sure the employees at the counters work hard and the higher-ups configure the processes as best they can with the resources they are allocated. It's just one of those annoying things that all of us who drive or own cars must do in order to keep the general population safe.

While waiting in that long line, and while waiting in the other long line after the first, I couldn't help but think that it should be this difficult to get a gun. I thought about the mandatory tests we must pass before we can drive and the insurance we have to pay on our vehicles in case of accidents. Then I thought about how I bought this trailer from a private seller, and I have to register it with the state. On the other hand, if someone buys a gun from a private seller there's no law mandating that gun be registered to the new owner. Don't you agree we should have a record of that?

Life's not fair. I know that. But this isn't about fairness. It's about public safety.

Yes cars are dangerous, but they serve the purpose of getting us to where we need to be more efficiently than walking, running, or riding a bike. Take a moment to consider the purpose of a gun. Shouldn't ownership of and the privilege to operate something that's only purpose is to severely harm or kill be more highly regulated than a car? I certainly think so. Why wouldn't anyone feel that way?

Some do, and they drew up this enlightening chart. What a coincidence it came up in my Facebook feed this afternoon.

I think most gun owners would agree that when you own a gun, you should register it with the state. Just like a car owner, if you bought it legally and everything checks out, you have nothing to worry about so just get in there and go through what will likely be a slow, but valuable, process to help protect everyone. Additionally, requiring people to pass a test on gun safety and operation in order to get a license to shoot a gun sounds like something that should have been required since guns were invented. And why shouldn't gun owners be required to carry liability insurance on their guns? Especially since we are all painfully aware that "accidents" do happen.

Ready to Roll

This morning we brought home the Airstream. If you know us, you know this had to be quite an ordeal. Nothing is easy with us. We must over-analyze and over-complicate things. In our defense, all we want is to do the right thing the first time. That takes patience.

Thankfully, it's Sunday and all we had was time. Lining up the truck with the hitch wasn't difficult to do, but newbie hitchers move methodically and slowly. There's a lot to consider, a lot to measure, a lot to remember, and a lot that could go wrong. Plus, an uneven gravel surface at the RV storage lot isn't the best place to set up your ideal towing system. So, we did the best we could for the five-mile ride home, but it wasn't the smoothest. Everything was fine, but I learned porpoise can be a verb. We were, however, able to set things right in the comfort of our own street.

I also wiped down the inside of the trailer, opened all the windows, and the kids and I sat in it for about an hour while Brian went shopping for a new tool he needed. We even entertained a neighbor! I guess our other neighbors were unimpressed as they just waved or picked up their paper or drove into their driveways and shut the garage door behind them as though there wasn't something bright and shiny right in front of their eyes. It's fine. It's not like we have block parties or anything. Whatevs.

After we got the hitch set up in the ideal position (or what we believe and hope is), we headed to the empty college parking lot to practice our driving skills. We worked on our backing-up routine (Brian drives, I direct), turning corners, and testing the manual trailer brake that we hope we'll never need to pull.

We brought it back home, looked over a few more details and systems, and then we took to the highway bound for GiGi's house. If you think we're excited about this, you should see GiGi. She and Grandpa owned several motor homes and trailers over the course of their time together, so I think all this is making her a bit nostalgic. She even gave us her old trailer-sized coffee maker, toaster, heater, and snacks for our first trip.

It was a long day, but we got a lot accomplished and gained some confidence. The plan is to not be newbies for much longer. Here are many photos from our productive day. And those of you who are sick of hearing about this Airstream, well sorry. This is big news so you're just going to have to deal.

"Dad, what you need to do is this."

Matthew was actually quite helpful, especially as a spotter. His voice really projects.

Almost the whole way home, I looked in my mirror to make sure the trailer was still there and not tipping over.

Does Elizabeth look nervous?

carefully carefully, Airstream Driver

Home!

Matthew "making lunch"

It was a little warm.

so happy

trying out the screen door

Not only am I driving a Sequoia, I'm towing an Airstream!

our rig

GiGi giving her seal of approval

Surprisingly, it was her first time in an Airstream.

another pretty cool day

To Julie!

This evening I celebrated my friend Julie's 40th birthday. She invited "her peeps" to a wine bar. So she set up her own party, yes. :) Julie's one of the most giving, most selfless people on the planet, so we were all proud of her for doing something for herself for once.

Everyone loves her. You can't not love her. She has the biggest, most compassionate heart, and she opens it to all. She loves everyone, and if she's not loving them at a particular moment, then she's feeling for them. She's someone you'd never be angry with because she'd never do anything bad. Quite simply, she is good. Pure goodness.

Though I knew a few of her friends, I didn't know others. I met Julie at the kids' school, and even though no one else from school could be there tonight, it was nice to get to know others close to her and be part of her inner circle. She is loved, and I'm grateful she loves me back. Like so many of mine, she's a special person whom I'm very fortunate to call a close friend.

Happy Birthday to you, Julie.

I Get So Emotional, Baby.

I really need to get a grip. Or maybe I don't. I haven't decided yet.

We got our Airstream. And just last weekend, we got the Sequoia. We have what we've been dreaming about for years, and whenever I think about it I get a lump in my throat and my eyes start to burn. Suddenly they're all teary. It's happening right now, actually.

I don't know if it's the fact that we finally did something that we really wanted to do for a really long time or if it's the whole dreams coming true kind of thing, but whatever it is, it keeps getting to me. I think, We did it! or We're really going to do this! or It's finally time. 

I know a lot of people don't get the Airstream thing, and that doesn't matter to me.

"One of those old silver things?"
"They look like tin cans."
"You could get a lot more trailer for your money if you bought any other kind."

I don't bother defending our choice because people who say things like that to me don't understand. They will never see an Airstream the way we do--as an iconic product that's a symbol of American ingenuity and entrepreneurship that provides families with the freedom to go anywhere, anytime. For years, the four of us have practically jumped out of our seats in excitement every time we saw an Airstream on the road. If our dream was to go RVing, then we might have looked into other options, but from the start we were interested only in Airstreaming. There's a difference, and it's more than superficial looks.

It's a different way of thinking, a different attitude towards spending time in the outdoors, and it's a very devoted community to keeping Wally Byam's dream and philosophy alive. We want to be part of that.

We don't have "toys" to haul and don't need lots of room because we don't want to take a lot of stuff. When we go away, we want to live simply. Granted, I don't want to live so simply that I carry my tent, clothes, food, and sleeping bag on my back through the wilderness, but the relative simplicity of an Airstream is what appeals to us the most and what had us dreaming of owning one someday.

Someday is now, and that's proving to be a lot for me to take in. This weekend, we're hitching it up and bringing it home to prepare for our first trip. I may stare outside the window for three whole days, Kleenex in hand.

Soda Jerks

Do yourself a favor. Go to MacAlpine's in Phoenix.

I had to exchange some promotional materials with a Moms Demand Action friend today. She lives all the way in Cave Creek, which is probably close to an hour from us, so we decided to meet in the middle. I suggested this cute, old-fashioned soda fountain shop near downtown Phoenix, and she was all for it.

I'm not a foodie, but I do have somewhat of a restaurant life list. It's not long. It's not filled with five-star restaurants, either. But the Phoenix area has quite a few notable spots that I long to try. I've knocked a few off the list over the years: Pizzeria Bianco, Cork, Cafe Boa, Vincent's on Camelback, and Matt's Big Breakfast. Some of the others still on the list are House of Tricks, Quiessence at the Farm at South Mountain, Sweet Republic, and Tammy Coe Cakes. I'll get there. In the meantime, I was happy the kids and I put a check mark next to this place today.

MacAlpine's has been on 7th Street since 1928. It was originally a pharmacy, but now it's a restaurant known for its sweet treats. I don't think the decor has changed much, and the retro boutique and antique stores attached on both sides help transport you to another era. You'd love it.

You'd love the sodas even more. Though they have 99 different syrup flavors so that you can create any concoction you could ever want, we all chose one of their suggested combinations with a cute title. Matthew had The Dark Side (vanilla and chocolate ice cream with a chocolate root beer syrup). Elizabeth had the Harry Potter-inspired butter beer soda (vanilla ice cream with butterscotch syrup). I had The Classic because, you know, I'm so classic. It was vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup. Classics are classics for good reason. My friend Kathleen had the I Dream of Jeannie (vanilla ice cream with Dreamsicle syrup).

I tried three of the four, and they were the best floats I've ever had. Kathleen said hers was scrumptious, and I believe her. Now you need to believe me and get to MacAlpine's.