On the Road Again

We're heading out on the raod again for a short trip. We're not taking the airstream this time. I'm cashing in some Marriott Rewards points for a free stay...

Since our blowout a few weeks ago, we haven't replaced our tires yet. Hubby is researching trailer tires on Air Forums and all over the web. We need to take care of this before we start our next project (which is soon). Any suggestions? We'll need to go ahead and replace all four while we're at it.

Anyone use the Continentals?

Any help/feedback would be appreciated.

Meanwhile, Back at the Farm....

We've been doing a lot of stuff with the airstream lately. Catching up on odd jobs, and marking items off our "To-Do List."

Things we've done:

1. Hubby mounted our external internet antenna - our internet service is cellular. This keeps us connected while on the road. The external antenna helps to boost our signal.
2. Hubby lubed the awning struts and the steps.
3. I've been cleaning out the rear storage compartments - Let's just say that we have accumulated a lot of JUNK! We need to keep our excess junk at a minimum...LOL!

Things we need to do:

1. Today's job for me is tackling front storage and under the bed (yikes!). I clear the storage areas every 4-6 months. This keeps unused stuff from handing around.
2. Hubby had to pull out the fridge to fish the antenna wire to our router, so he's gotta screw the fridge trim back on and do some caulking.
3.  He's also got a few cosmetic things to take care of.
4. I'm re-doing a couple of window treatments. We'll be hanging a rod to create a valance over the double window over the sofa area. This way we can still use our pull-down shades. I'll post a pic when it's all said and done!
5. We're toying with adding another horizontal surface to our bedroom nightstands. We found some lamps at Ikea that we will permanently attach to the new "shelf". The tools are down here at the farm, so we'll see what we can do there... Just involves some plywood, laminate and trim.
   

Just a few thing to help make our rolling house, a home!

Mixed Bag

The Culprit

All in all, today was a good day...with just a bit of mayhem thrown in. We ended up stopping just short of our destination due to a blowout on a trailer tire. One tire completely failed, blowing the valve stem off the other and damaging the wheel well and some of the trailer's trim. Not fun!

But what counts is that we are at a nearby campground, settling in for a good night's sleep.

We stopped on the way back at a rest area off the Occoee River. There I enjoyed a bit of peaceful solitude. Taken with my crackberry. My only wish is that you are there to witness this as I saw (and felt) the peace.




Have a great week, y'all!

Only the stubborn stay...

The rally is now a memory. Sad... but we had such a good time. We met lots of new folks, re-acquainted ourselves with some old friends, and ate well at the potlucks.

Airstream potlucks are the best! My favorite pot luck item was the smoked turkey with the homemade red pepper cranberry jelly. It was awesome! Close second was the rotel dip. I don't get that often so it's a HUGE treat for me.

Most everyone left yesterday. There are a few of us stubborn ones here... LOL!

I told hubby that we need to quit wandering on our WBCCI membership and join a unit. I suggested that since we know some of the GA folks, we should join that unit. They also have a killer airstream park nestled in the mountains. Our membership is up for renewal, so he's considering this....

Yesterday we lazed around and then drove around the mountains. Folks, this is just beautiful country. We stopped off on a couple of scenic overlooks and took in God's glory. It took my breath away!

My crackberry photos don't do the colors justice. Imagine a dry brush painting technique using green, ochre, yellow, red, orange and a bright magenta/purple...

These were taken on the road to Franklin, NC (Hwy 64).

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We celebrated our last night here with a wonderful dinner of beef short ribs. They are a dream in the crockpot! How did I make them? Please forgive my lack of measurement. I'm a dump and throw type of cook.

I threw some beef stock into my crockpot. To this, I sliced an onion, a handful of carrots, and a bit of celery-- just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. I was using the veggies to flavor the meat and stock. I also added some garlic powder. I didn't have any, but I'd also recommend a little worcestershire sauce, too.

At this point you can dredge the ribs in flour, salt and pepper to make a gravy in the crock pot then sear them -- I skipped the flour part. In a hot skillet I poured in a bit of oil (hot pan, cold oil -- food won't stick) and browned/seared the ribs. Then I threw them into the crockpot for a heated swim. I de-glazed the pan with some Merlot and poured the wine-y goodness into the crockpot.

Two meals worth of short rib goodness!

I was a bit lazy in getting this going, so I set the crockpot on high and cooked them while out on our drive. When we got home, I took some of the stock/juices and poured it into a skillet, added more merlot, and reduced the liquid down (I used a skillet on an outdoor grill, but you can easily do this on your stove.) To finish the sauce, I added a bit of butter, and poured it over the ribs.

 I like using the crockpot while camping. I have a table set outside under the awning just for cooking. The best part is that the trailer doesn't smell like what you just cooked. Believe me, that helps with cleanup as well. Oh, and those crockpot liners... they're da'bomb! Remove the liner and the crock is uber-easy to clean. Don't travel without 'em!

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We toyed with going somewhere else, but nothing is really "hitting" me. Plus everywhere we can go, it's gonna rain. No fun! We thought about  going to the smokies to camp, but we're not prepared to boondock.  This morning we found out about the rock slide on I-40 so that further knocked East TN out.

I think we'll head toward home and park the trella at Gladys and Darryl's farm. This way hubby has a place to work on the trella and putter around. Plus, the campground is free... It comes complete with two puppies and loving family... now that's a bargain!

So this morning we'll ready the trailer for travel and head on out.

See y'all on the flip side... We're marking this rally a huge success!

For thsoe that missed the rally tour...

BRRR! It be freezing cold up here in the mountains! Hubby's got a case of popsicle toes. Funny part is that hubby has his side of the electric blanket set on thermonuclear...

We're tying to figure what to do after tomorrow. Sad part is that wherever we go it will be raining. Nothing is really striking my fancy... We may just head home tomorrow.

Yesterday was fun meeting new people and catching up with familiar folks. All we did was eat. Why is it that big groups of people getting together means lots of food and eating?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just wonderin'...

We had our trella spiffed up for touring... This is my version of Ocean Breeze... Much happier than Airstream's version.

Welcome! Come on in!

Take a peek inside...

This is where we eat and cook...

It's really cozy...

...and has a perfect spot for snuggling and napping on a chilly day

The fall colors are awesome right now. Yesterday I took lots of mental pictures of the mountains covered in trees giving color all their go. This is truly a beautiful part of our great country.

Not sure what we have planned today. I think it will be safe to assume we'll be lazing and lounging in our trailer trying to keep warm. LOL!

Who knows... Maybe we'll be blogging en route to some place exotic...