Airstream on Hiatus

We have been noticeably absent from our Airstream travels. Last year we began the construction of an off-grid cabin. The Airstream became our living quarters for the non-frozen seasons - May to November.  2015 will be another year of building and not much travel.  But we will keep you posted.

Mom and I in November just before Airstream went to winter storage.

Our off grid cabin in progress.

Where is spring 2014???

From an astronomical perspective spring arrived two weeks ago, but from a weather perspective … it is still winter.   This is the first year that Airstream is still in storage in April.  And here is the reason why.. my Mom took this picture last Friday morning.

Friday March 28 2014 

Even I'm getting sick of the snow.  GRRRRRRRRR!  With these conditions it will be at least another two weeks before we will able to bring our bus out.  Keep checking.. we will keep you posted on our 2014 schedule.

Airstream 350 LE - is an adventure! (Hints from Papa)

Travelling with an older RV is an adventure.  A big part of the fun is seeing the smiles snd surprised looks on peoples' faces as they see our 1991 Airstream 350 LE.  

35 foot summer home!

Another part of the adventure is the bit of trepidation we feel as we embark on a long distance trip. In our four summers of travel with "airbus" we've learned some things.  Here are a few of them..

To make the most of your tank of gas…(everyone always asks about gas)

Install a gear vendor overdrive..(aka gear splitter) you'll recover the cost of this up-grade in fuel savings in two years. This also makes uphill climbs possible - without spewing coolant.. which has happened several times.

Carry as little water as possible.  Take only as much fresh water as needed for the day's travel.  Always empty the gray and black water before departure. We get best fuel efficiency travelling at 100 km/ hour.

Daily checks of all fluid levels and pre-trip checks of tire pressure - just a reminder.

Other stuff ...

Use those gears on the downhill side -save your brakes1  - especially on the Cabot Trail or you will be "glowing like the shuttle on re-entry" - Papa's joke!

Install new radiator with extra core. Chevy big blocks run hot. Really hot in summer and when climbing hills.

Travelling on hot days when AC is needed ...use your on-board generator and roof top unit.   

Carry a full set of tools and extra bulbs extra fuses and high speed tape.

Buy and interior ceramic heater - avoid using the propane furnace on cool days.

I love the ceramic heater!

Have a battery operated CO2 monitor on board. 

Carry 2-5 gallons of drinking water at all times - we use 5 gallon exchangeable tanks with a pump dispenser. The whole thing sits in plastic milk crate in closet.  Thanks to previous owner!!!

This summer's aha… Buy an electric outdoor grill - saves buying and then getting rid of propane bottles. 

That's all we can think of just now...

Homeward bound

Today we are on the last leg of our trip. Yesterday was a brutal day. We left Rivière-Ouelle and travelled through Quebec City,  Montreal and Ottawa. It was very stressful the cities and traffic are a challenge for sure. When you add in hot humid weather, construction and detours, the result is frayed nerves!

A long and difficult 600 km!

I was cooped up driving all day in the motorhome. My only entertainment was sitting and sleeping in  different places - ultimate boredom for me!

We made it - to Ottawa last night with considerable navigation challenges and camped on the east side of the city - making it a bit easier for our departure this morning.  I wasn't able to post because the campground in the nations capital has the worst cell and wireless system we encountered!

Homeward bound…hound - well terrier actually :)

Bored

The fan sounds weird!

Now I'm too hot!

1973 GMC motorhome rolls in!

While we were camped at Rivière-Ouelle a 1973 GMC motorhome pulled in. Papa recognized it right away much to the surprise of one of the travellers. The driver said "the guy in the airstream knows this motorhome? I'm not surprised".

Papa thinks than less than 5 percent of this model of motorhome is still around today. This one was even more unique with the custom slide-out. Very rare to see!

1973 GMC with custom slide-out

Day 11 Longs Creek NB to Riviéré-Ouelle QC

Todays route was about 420 km - about a five hour drive for us. We are travelling west toward home and that is a bit sad. Our trip is winding down, but we're not done yet.  There is still time for one more stop along the St. Lawrence River. The skies are overcast, but the wind is light and it is much warmer.

Rivière Ouelle was founded in 1672. Read this interesting historical account of events at Riviéré-Ouelle ...

"Early in the process of sorting out who my family was, I realized that the people who populated the increasing number of charts were actually participants in an incredible drama... the founding of a country and a culture.  That country would become known as Canada, and a people often referred to as French Canadians."

The Heroes of Rivière-Ouelle...

The river front here is stark and dramatic especially at low tide.  Amazing rock formations are visible - which are fun to climb.

Climbing on the beach rocks

  

Sedimentary rock formations visible at low tide

And even this late in the season the wild roses - rugosa are in bloom along the shore. 

Rugosa in bloom

We stayed at Camping Rivière-Ouelle website -a gorgeous and immaculate campground.

!

Watch the birds along the shore in comfort!

Immaculate campsites!

Recalling East Coast trip of 2012

So as I am sitting here on the way to Edmuston NB I thought I'd recall the route we  took last year - when I first attempted (and failed) at blogging.

Day 1 Talon lake -near Mattawa ON

Day 2 Chambly QC - Festival des Bierres

Day 3 Becancour QC

Day 4 Becancour QC

Day 5 Trois-Pistoles QC

Day 6 Mont-Louis QC

Day 7 Along route 132 past Grand Vallee

Day 8 Carleton-sur-Mer

Day 9 Caraquet NB

Day 10 New River Provincial Park NB

Day 11 St. Andrew NB

Day 12 Rivière du Loup QC

Day 13 Fitzroy Provincial park ON

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