Made it alive back from Garner!

We had a great time at Garner state park, despite the rain! We actually made it there and back and missed any big downpours - the real heavy rain was Saturday night when we went to sleep. Then it came down in buckets. Our awning did not make it, I neglected to leave one side down so the water could run out so it just filled up until BLOOOOSH it broke...

All in all it was fun, had a campfire, kids and dog went swimming, nice food and company..

More photos when they are off the camera.

Took too long to post this! We've been working on it, but just haven't taken the time to write. Since our first voyage we have ditched the portable AC in favor of a window unit, are working on the awning, and are finishing up the faucet/drain. The next camp out will be awesome!

Our maiden voyage!

We made it!

Our first camping trip with the camper!

Hitched up and ready to roll...

Almost.

Packed up and getting ready to hit the road

Steam cleaning the bench cushions!

Working on the curtains...

New photos - almost there!

Ok - been promising for a while now, so here they are!

What a change from the first time we opened it up, this weekend got a lot done, the axle is in, wheels painted and installed, interior basically all there (plumbing and electrical not hooked up tho), exterior lights all in place and basically tested...

Still need to find the right fridge, and test it all. We bought curtain material and new sheets so that is ready too.

More photos coming up!

New axle almost in

Axle looks GREAT! Really nice fit and finish and once I got all the old bolts off a snap to install. It was a bear to do with the rotozip but much better than fighting with rusted on bolts/nuts. I can't believe I dented the cap already.

Woo hoo! It's coming together!

Table challenges

Trying to figure out how it all fits.

Better photos

This is a reminder to me to take some nicer photos! Been using the phone and while it's handy it hardly makes great photos...

Axle is in!

Got word today that the new axle has arrived. I need to pick it up this week. It's a Dexter axle with electric brakes - we are excited because it really wasn't that expensive all things considered and it will make it all much more reliable (can't imagine breaking an axle in the middle of nowhere!).

Also tonight I was able to get the trailer lights working again with new wiring. Nice and bright!

Test fit of pieces

Not long now and it's all going to be bolted in! The old system was predominately riveted together. Where possible I will use bolts and lock nuts to make it easier to remove if I need to in the future.

I think the 1973 interior is a bit taller and less deep than the 1976 (which is fine) due to the placement of the holes for the old mounts. It's good because it means more floor space (slightly).

New interior is not an exact fit

The 76 Mesa has different cut outs than the 73, making this a bit more tricky. It will all work out.

Still looks messy but it actually cleans up really well all things considered. I'm still racing against the clock to beat the end of month camping trip!

Finally installed new screens!

Hard to tell here but they look great. Nice and clean. The first one is the hardest and then they get easier as I realize what I need to do. I'll change them all, so far it's only the endcaps and the door side. The others were still in good shape.

All clean now

After it's dry I will paint the metal bits and glue the plastic bits before reinstalling. I have no idea if the fan works and am toying with not putting it back in! Also need to remember to add more screen to stop wasps from making a nest in there.

Tackling the vent

I have no hopes the motor will spin but at the very least it will be clean! The cover is in decent shape but not perfect I'll glue the pieces together shortly.

Insulation and weatherstripping going up!

Looking good! We really hope the Reflectix insulation will make a difference. Considering that there only was paper thin insulation there from the factory how could it not help? Of course the ultimate goal is to make sure we are under nice shady trees but sometimes that isn't possible.

Have to say that nothing really insurmountable has happened yet. Even recently I broke the bolts on the left hand threads but this turned out to be a good thing - we will get a new axle with electric brakes (safer) and thus be better off overall. The aluminum polishing is a pain tho.

After the lights (next) we will raise the roof again and finish the interior insulation while repairing the cracked ABS in the corners.... after that, it's interior time!

The kids have been excited about the trailer and can't wait to go back camping...

Despite some setbacks

It's starting to come together. I think I need a new hub tho.

Left hand threads !!!!!

What the hell !!!!

Starting to install Reflectrix

Not sure how much this will help but we'll take anything here in Texas. I'll use a small dab of adhesive and also hi temp duct tape to install.

Some name ideas

Kids are trying out new names for the camper

Bed window in!

It will look better in the morning I'll take more photos.

Bed window going in

Bought clear lexan at hardware store and installed tonight. Looks phenomenal and easy to do. One side is tinted the other clear but it's ok for now.

Distracted by the step

Have to stay focused on the job at hand but the step caught my eye. Flaky rust gone!

Gearbox bolt part 1

Based on recommendations on the apache user group I quickly replaced two of the stripped carriage bolts using the fishing method. Really fast this way, took 5 minutes.

Problem is the OTHER two bolts. I read what you do is now drop the roof and remove the gearbox again and do it the same way. We will see!

Insulation time

We plan on using this camper in all sorts of weather and so we are adding all we can to help protect from the elements. In this case some lightweight Reflectrix material. We'll also add it to the sides and roof where possible.

Window replacement

First pop out the plastic rivets

Scrubbed some of the ABS too

It will be sparkly white when done. We are happy so far! End of day 1.

Progress?

Hose down!

I sprayed and then scrubbed twice. I'll do it again to make sure.

More from the inside.

I'm going to insulate before putting it all back. I also will replace the wood since it was water and mouse soaked...

It's all out!!

Next step is a bath. It wasn't that hard to pull everything out actually, I was surprised how simple it all is. Pop rivets, angle iron and wood.

Another shot before pulling out the bench

Even Betty is in on it

I had to boot her out because she wasn't helping...

Yuck

Dirt all over. Not for long...

New from Jason - Man, I forgot what it looked like without everything in there!

Everything is coming down

There is tape stuck everywhere

Turning over a new leaf...

The Mesa has officially entered into rehab, cleansing itself of its previous life...taking away the toxins and is ready to leave its previous identity in Michigan and start a new life in a new city. Let's all raise our glass to our brave little pop up and wish it well.

New from Jason - We had a long hill to climb but all in all it was a great project!

Ripping the inside out

Pretty dirty, this has never been cleaned! Just some progress shots because it won't stay this way long.

Nice and square

The incredible unfolding box starting to take shape. This afternoon I removed the old cabinets because Everything needs to be cleaned completely. I can the reinstall the 73 Mesa interior which is in much better shape.

Crooked camper

Lift system hosed? The drivers side front support seems to have jumped a cog. After wrestling with it for sometime I wound up removing the gearbox. This freed it all up enough for me to lift it while the crank was being turned.

Popping the top

MADE IT HOME SAFELY

Ok for the record it takes 54 hours to drive from Austin, Texas to Lake Orion, Michigan and back. It can also be done in a weekend, but just barely.

Very much like a kindergarten recess only with more tobacco; there was laughter, tears (ok tears of laughter), nap times (intentional and unintentional), celebration, disappointment, education, introspection, ... but all in all fun was had by all. Just don't put me in a minivan for about a month.

Statistics have not been added up but will come shortly.

Outside of Ft Worth - getting there

Texas!!! Never been so glad to see that.

Chandler, OK the town that time forgot

Being in a hurry sucks. I mean we all know that but are rarely slapped in the face with that realization as all others for the most part are in a hurry as well. There are varying degrees of pace based on where one lives. New Yorkers, for example run on a feverish pace compared to any of the southern states; as any person who has worked in the food service industry and had the displeasure of serving a New York native can attest. And also, people from the mainland U.S. have a different pace than those of our fellow Americans living on any of the islands of Hawaii.

Now, getting back to the pace we are in...well, compared to Chandler, OK we are in a rush. We went off of the turnpike to grab a quick bite at a Sonic, fill up the tank, pee, switch drivers and get on the road. Well a sign for Sonic on the side of the highway does not carry a proximity indicator. This is a flagrant omission of pertinent information in my opinion, but if one were to know that the Sonic resided 3-5 miles off of the highway, one would likely just pass it up and suck it up until Oklahoma City. But not knowing this, I felt cheated and somehow betrayed.

In our lack of information, we also took a wrong turn and wound up getting gas and asking directions after going down the main street. And what a street. The town was all but abandoned. It's Sunday afternoon and not one of the main street businesses were open save the single gas station. It felt creepy passing the dark windows of businesses without pedestrians or any sign of life. Have you ever seen Children of the Corn? Where the couple goes through town and they can feel eyes on them but don't see anyone? And you know that something bad is going to happen? Yeah, that's about how this felt. I was all to eager to get our gas and get to the Sonic on the quick. It was a really cool town and I'm sure it would be a fantastic place to raise your kids, but the lack of people on the street or in the parks was really disturbing.

Well, we get to Sonic after losing another 15 minutes, order our food and sit down to Nom it in speedy guy fashion when the wind kicks up and nearly blows us and the poor waitress right the heck over! We open our food, pinning the wrapping to the table with forearms and in Jason's case, knees as well. We somehow manage to eat our food with only a few tots being blown into the next county.

We get back to the toll booth and Martha, remembering us from 30 minutes before waves us through as we had already paid. I think that town would have been far more pleasant had we had the time to hang out..or if the people hadn't been eradicated by a brain-sucking alien species. Or everyone hadn't used this Sunday to make a run into Oklahoma City to buy shoes. Whatever the reason, to the townfolk of Chandler, OK I say, "Please come back, passerby's would like to see you and meet you, regardless of how hideously disfigured you are from the nuclear fallout only affecting your fine city."

Last top off

Surprised the wind didnt rip the nozzle from my hands.

Duct tape to the rescue

Repaired the flapping door at this bladder break. Hopefully the dents will come out. Love the orange!

Just bought this farm

Cows Cows Cows

We've been through just about all the weather you can think of and what seems to be all the seasons too. AJ has written about it - we left 80 and sunny in Austin, dipped down to 32 degrees in Kentucky, snow and sleet in Michigan now back up to 60's in Missouri. So far the best landscape was morning in Kentucky...

We didn't manage to get books on tape so AJ read the first part of Jitterbug Perfume from his Kindle.

Traffic has been heavy at times and not looking forward to the 35 corridor...

Still hilly and windy ...

Now with Internet we can listen to a whole lot more music..

40 miles out of Springfield IL

Making good time now, roads are clear but MAN is it windy! So far the camper is handling it well but you can feel it behind there rocking back and forth. Last night was much different even tho it was wet, a pretty smooth ride...

So last night we rolled into Godfrey, IL around 5am or so. We made plans with Jacob to meet at 630am which worked well. But too early to pick up the Apache parts! Took this as an opportunity to get some sleep at a nearby car wash parking lot. Across the street a dude was selling newspapers, it was a quiet area and he had no business and it was cold too.

So at 645 I woke up and called Jacob who said he was outside so we drove over the quarter mile. Funny to see another Mesa just like ours. The interior was out in the driveway and to make it easy we just bought it all but had to fit it in the van. So we opened the camper and AJ packed what would fit, then had the last big counter to deal with. This we put in the van in what room we had left...

I'm happy with the interior it should make it much easier to be functional this year. I can't wait to open it all up and start getting it clean...!

Last fill up!

We are down to 15 mpg with trailer and this amazing wind. The car is really pushing hard to get through it.

Fixed the laptop charger so longer posts coming up!

Move over waffle house..Denny's is pulling out the bacon! Mmm boy!