This blog has so far mostly been about renovation - or retro-vation as we call it. Thus, it has mostly discussed construction and products, which is interesting to us, but we never forget the purpose behind all this and our ultimate goal: TRAVEL. We are mostly stuck right now for a variety of factors, but we did have a little adventure travel recently.
On a trip (without the Airstream) on Interstate 10 near Casa Grande, AZ, we ran into one of the infamous dust storms there. The desert develops a hard surface over time, so only disturbed soil generates dust. In that area, there is a lot of farming (Pima cotton comes from Pima County and Pinal County), and some construction. Thus, if the wind is strong, there are terrible dust storms, some of which occasionally result in massive pile-ups and shocking death tolls. No one seems to know what to do about it, including the AZ Dept. of Transportation. The only advice I've heard is get off the road - like onto the desert - and turn your lights off so no one follows you.
The problem is, you really have no time to react. It was that windy kind of day. The radio had alerts not to use leaf blowers and for people with allergies and respiratory illnesses to stay inside. We could see lots of dust devils and a brownish haze. Then, as we were driving south, a dust cloud rolled over us, instantly reducing visibility so we could not see the truck right in front of us. It was only for 3 seconds or so, but it was amazing to suddenly be so blind. Luckily, it was that brief and from then on it was fine, and the beautiful Arizona sunshine returned.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Nifty Table
vWednesday, February 8, 2012
Tow Vehicles - Part 2
Having decided to replace our F250, we - that is, Max - started to look around for a suitable replacement. There were 3 changes we wanted: 1) better gas mileage, 2) a gas engine, and 3) a blue truck. There was one change we didn't want: less towing capacity. We found 2 local vehicles to fit these criteria: a Toyota Tundra with a double cab that would tow 11,000 GVWR, and a Ford F150 XLT Short Bed Crew Cab with Eco-Boost that would also tow 11,000 GVWR. (BTW, both are made in the US, a bonus!) We chose the Ford, mostly because Max was confident in their engines and because they would take the F250 on a trade-in.
And here it is. The color is actually darker than it appears here - a Navy Blue. The coolest thing is the Eco-Boost. Here is how Ford explains it:
The power is instantaneous and incredible - just like a sports car. That's a huge safety factor and fun to boot!
EcoBoost® Engine
Ford engineers drew from their extensive experience using direct injection technology and turbocharging in diesel engine development and created the innovative EcoBoost® engine option that's unsurpassed in combined power, efficiency and capability. Direct injection produces a cooler, denser charge that generates more power per every drop of fuel, while the two small air-to-air intercooled turbochargers spool up much more quickly than a single large turbo. What you experience is instantaneous low-end torque responsiveness with virtually no turbo lag. EcoBoost generates 90 percent of its amazing 420 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm. And can it tow? F-150 with EcoBoost has best-in-class maximum towing capability at 11,300 lbs.
The power is instantaneous and incredible - just like a sports car. That's a huge safety factor and fun to boot!
It also has the Tow Package and built-in Trailer Brake Controls and Electronic Locking Rear Differential and a Tailgate Step. The digital control panel gives a constant read-out of average mpg plus "miles until empty". And, the mirrors even when not extended (which they do) give the best rear view of any truck we've had.
So, all in all, we are delighted with the new F150, and hope to use it for many years and many aluminum adventures!
Tow Vehicles - Part 1
Of course with all the attention on the trailer you're pulling, we don't always focus on the tow vehicle. But they can make your life either a breeze or, if they are malfunctioning, a misery. We have had 3 different tow vehicles, all Ford trucks. The Airstream 25' Safari is about 6300 GVWR dry weight and 7000 loaded. Many tow rigs are right on this cusp -- pretty adequate most of the time, but when you get to those long slogs uphill, they are not happy, which means the owners are sweating it too. That was certainly the case with our first 2 F150s.
We live in Arizona which, although not directly in the Rocky Mountains, has a lot of topography - the hilly kind that is! Just drive through the Salt River Canyon. It's about 5,000 feet of upward climbing, then an abrupt 5,000 foot descent, then a steep 6,000 feet of up again to reach Showlow and Pinetop. It's absolutely gorgeous, but your truck is probably not enjoying the view!
Thus, in 2006 we traded the last F-150 for an F-250 diesel turbo with 11,000 GVWR. It was one of those loss leader types of advertisements to get you to the dealer, and then you are supposed to find something else you wanted. But we knew what we wanted - a great price on an F-250 and, arriving first thing the morning of the sale, we got it. Wow! It was a wonderful truck. You didn't even know the trailer was behind it. And, it was a Lariat, with leather seats, etc. etc. etc.!
But, all good things come to an end. First the truck had a little adventure. It was stolen from a Lowe's parking lot. The thieves, a couple young guys, were caught the same afternoon for speeding, and took off through the desert with a Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff right behind. When they came to a gate, they abandoned the truck, unfortunately leaving it in neutral. It rolled backward into the Deputy Sheriff's "unit", as she called it. She soon had them under arrest, and wasn't too pleased about the damage to her vehicle. Although our truck was returned and did not suffer any major damage, it had some cosmetic scratches (cactus?) and the back bumper was bent. The thieves are out on probation, and they are supposed to each pay us $50 per month for the damage. We have received one $50 payment in 6 months.
We did get a bonus, though. There were 36 Wendy's hamburgers stuffed in bags (human smuggling?) and a sheet of drywall in the bed (to hide bales of marijuana?). But, best of all, nothing else in the truck was touched, even some credit cards tucked into the door pocket. It was a lesson in not living out of your vehicle.
The real negative, however, was that the truck got about 11 mpg while towing, and diesel fuel is about 70 cents more per gallon than gas where we live. That adds up really fast. Since the truck is 6 years old, we decided it was time to trade, and that is why I am speaking of this truck is the past tense. As of today, it is history - a fond memory.
We live in Arizona which, although not directly in the Rocky Mountains, has a lot of topography - the hilly kind that is! Just drive through the Salt River Canyon. It's about 5,000 feet of upward climbing, then an abrupt 5,000 foot descent, then a steep 6,000 feet of up again to reach Showlow and Pinetop. It's absolutely gorgeous, but your truck is probably not enjoying the view!
Thus, in 2006 we traded the last F-150 for an F-250 diesel turbo with 11,000 GVWR. It was one of those loss leader types of advertisements to get you to the dealer, and then you are supposed to find something else you wanted. But we knew what we wanted - a great price on an F-250 and, arriving first thing the morning of the sale, we got it. Wow! It was a wonderful truck. You didn't even know the trailer was behind it. And, it was a Lariat, with leather seats, etc. etc. etc.!But, all good things come to an end. First the truck had a little adventure. It was stolen from a Lowe's parking lot. The thieves, a couple young guys, were caught the same afternoon for speeding, and took off through the desert with a Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff right behind. When they came to a gate, they abandoned the truck, unfortunately leaving it in neutral. It rolled backward into the Deputy Sheriff's "unit", as she called it. She soon had them under arrest, and wasn't too pleased about the damage to her vehicle. Although our truck was returned and did not suffer any major damage, it had some cosmetic scratches (cactus?) and the back bumper was bent. The thieves are out on probation, and they are supposed to each pay us $50 per month for the damage. We have received one $50 payment in 6 months.
We did get a bonus, though. There were 36 Wendy's hamburgers stuffed in bags (human smuggling?) and a sheet of drywall in the bed (to hide bales of marijuana?). But, best of all, nothing else in the truck was touched, even some credit cards tucked into the door pocket. It was a lesson in not living out of your vehicle.
The real negative, however, was that the truck got about 11 mpg while towing, and diesel fuel is about 70 cents more per gallon than gas where we live. That adds up really fast. Since the truck is 6 years old, we decided it was time to trade, and that is why I am speaking of this truck is the past tense. As of today, it is history - a fond memory.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Fabric
I've been sewing since I was a child, so I LOVE fabric. I have met many women with this ailment, and there is no cure. "She who dies with the most fabric wins!"
The dinette cushions were looking a little worn - again the front part of them was pale blue! Looking for replacement fabric, I checked out my favorite stores, but nothing had that right Retro-vation look. So, I chanced going online, and found this beauty:
You always risk the unexpected when you order online, but this turned out to be a nice heavy weight upholstery fabric which I hope will hold up for several years.
Re-using zippers and cushions, the final result looks like the photo below. The wrinkles are in the original cushions, and give it a little
give without stretching the fabric. I know it is wild and crazy and not for everyone - just for us wild and crazy types.
Of course we didn't stop there with fabric. We needed new curtains. I tried to be a little more subdued with these. For the "great room", I choose this pretty blue pattern (below). I bought the tool to put the snaps on so they would be firmly anchored. And we re-installed the existing sliding rails - both top and bottom - but only ran them over the actual windows (no coffin curtains!).
The final fabric was for the chairs. The couch was gone, the leather chairs were in our living room, and we coveted some Ikea chairs but they weren't in the budget. So, we settled for plastic Adirondack chairs from Lowes with new cushions. They have a couple advantages. Unexpectedly, they are lower than the old chairs, so there is more headroom. Also, they weigh nothing, and thus any movement during travel won’t cause problems. And, finally, we can easily take them outside – once we figure out the best way to get them through the door. This is an interesting fabric from a local store, and is quite soft and comfy!
You always risk the unexpected when you order online, but this turned out to be a nice heavy weight upholstery fabric which I hope will hold up for several years.
Re-using zippers and cushions, the final result looks like the photo below. The wrinkles are in the original cushions, and give it a little
give without stretching the fabric. I know it is wild and crazy and not for everyone - just for us wild and crazy types.
Of course we didn't stop there with fabric. We needed new curtains. I tried to be a little more subdued with these. For the "great room", I choose this pretty blue pattern (below). I bought the tool to put the snaps on so they would be firmly anchored. And we re-installed the existing sliding rails - both top and bottom - but only ran them over the actual windows (no coffin curtains!).
The store where I purchased this fabric did not have enough for the bedroom curtains also, so it was back to the Internet. This fabric is slightly heavier that I would have liked, but it is quite visually stunning.
The curtains have Roman Shade type folds instead of the pleats that were in the original curtains. That means they can fold back into a smaller space. Instead of the Velcro on the inside fold of the middle edges, they just overlap in the middle.
A matching duvet cover completes the bedroom fabrics.
The final fabric was for the chairs. The couch was gone, the leather chairs were in our living room, and we coveted some Ikea chairs but they weren't in the budget. So, we settled for plastic Adirondack chairs from Lowes with new cushions. They have a couple advantages. Unexpectedly, they are lower than the old chairs, so there is more headroom. Also, they weigh nothing, and thus any movement during travel won’t cause problems. And, finally, we can easily take them outside – once we figure out the best way to get them through the door. This is an interesting fabric from a local store, and is quite soft and comfy!
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