Are we there yet?

The anticipation of a trip. Preparing, making sure all things are ready, and packing up. And the inevitable return home. Beginning, middle and end of a cherished memory. What else can I say?

Wally (our Airstream) is sitting at Carolina RV, getting some work done. The converter/inverter/charger met the great bit bucket (in other non geek words, it ain't working) and needed replacing. That explains why the battery wasn't charging. Ah, the joys of warranties! After we pick it up next weekend, we'll be getting ready for a trip to Destin, Florida. We'll be staying at Destin RV Beach Resort. Just a quick walk from Wally to the beach! Nice. Definitely need some down time this Memorial Day Weekend.

So here's the list:
1) Get Wally (you did name your rig, didn't you?)
2) Spruce it up, spring cleaning.
3) Pack some stuff, clothes, beach towels, etc
4) Before leaving, fill the fresh water tanks, gas, cool down the fridge.
5) Fill fridge with snack packs!
6) Get out of dodge!

Top of Georgia WBCCI Park

Willa: Winter Host at Top of Georgia Airstream Park WBCCI from Richard Mageau on Vimeo.


Stayed here for the first trip of the season, this is nice! Full hookups, sewer, and a babbling river right behind us.

To be able to camp here, you have to have:
1) an Airstream
2) a membership in WBCCI

To get here, we had to go through what I call "Lil Bavaria". Meant to look like a German village, we ate at a restaurant in town that had seating outdoors, which was great as we didn't need to leave Miss Pickles in the truck while we ate. They even brought her a bowl of cool water with ice in it. Nice! And the bratwurst was good too (just a little too much sauerkraut for my taste).

They had just dewinterized the campground, so we had our choice of locations. We met Willa, the winter host there, and had a great conversation about the campground and WBCCI in general.Check it out!

Product Review - XChock

Review: X-Chock and Lynx Levellers from Richard Mageau on Vimeo.

This is the product I was looking for! Easy to use chocking system for trailers with multiple axles. A lot better than a wedge of plastic bought at Wally World.

Easter at Lake Lanier

Easter on Lake Lanier from Richard Mageau on Vimeo.

A bad day camping is better than a good day..you know the rest. Even if there's a ton of rain, your campsite is on a hill, not level, and consists mostly of gravel and mud, it's still better than being in front of a PC. Even with tornadoes looming. And you're stuck in the aforementioned gravel and mud, sliding ever closer to the lake.
Well, it wasn't all bad. Friday was the worst, Saturday was the best. After it dried up, and the backhoe towed us out of the campsite, we got another more level, drier, and all around nicer campsite.

It's April!

Well, almost.
First 2 trips planned. First one will be to Top of Georgia Airstream Park. This is a WBCCI only park. We finally got our numbers in, so this first trip may be the one to place the numbers on Wally!

Top of Georgia's a nice little park! Nested in the mountains, there is a nice little stream running through it, a clubhouse, and full hookup (including sewer) hookups for $7 a night. WiFi available, and cable (7 channels). Good place to make sure Wally's up for the summer.

Next trip will be a family affair at Lake Lanier Islands Resort Campground. It will be for Easter, having our family out to enjoy (hopefully) a nice day at the lake, good burgers, an Easter Egg Hunt, and some other activities for the kids. Good Times!

See you on the road y'all!
Team JuJuMagoo

Aluminitis setting in!

Just sitting here waiting for the first week in April when we can get to start our adventures. Stopped by storage to check out Wally, the batteries are dead. ARGH! Not a problem, plug it into the truck and let it set for 20 minutes or so, will be good to go. Lots of adventures planned. Cannot wait!

Alive and well in GA!

We're finally here, and almost completely moved in. Boxes still hanging around, but thier numbers are slowly dwindling. Can't wait to explore my new piece of America!
Wally is nestled down in a secure storage area, but would feel better if it was in our front yard, solely for a place to temporarily escape to, outside of the house. Wouldn't hurt to be able to 'mess around' with it either, pack it up and have it ready on a moment's notice.

Still looking for a campsite in Florida(beaches,Gulf) for Memorial Day weekend, and not coming up with much. Maybe coastal Georgia? Or maybe the mountains?

Joined WBCCI, perhaps we'll go the the clubhouse this weekend to check it out.

On the road again...

Gearing up for the move to Georgia! Woot! Much still needs to be done, packing wise. One of the beautiful things about having Wally is..
1)Packing space! We'll be putting some stuff in Wally to make sure we have what we need the day we arrive.
2)A place to stay on the road. We'll be CrackerDocking on the trip down there. Nice to have a queen bed where we need it, when we need it.
3)We had to get a truck to tow Wally, and we'll be making use of the space there too. Anything that can stay outside safely (meaning it won't matter if it gets wet) will be in the back of the truck.

Did I mention the forecast the day of our move is rain/snow showers/high wind?
The adventure begins!

Rode Videomic!!

Well, USPS finally got their act together, and I now have the Canon Mini Advanced shoe adapter to plug my brandy new Rode VideoMic in. Now people will actually be able to hear me in all my glory.

First Trip Success!

Lake Lanier Islands Christmas 2008 from Richard Mageau on Vimeo.

Wow, why didn't we do this sooner? Our maiden voyage with Wally was to Lake Lanier Islands Resort Campground. Being Christmas, there were only 4 sites booked, the place was wide open! We had a spot reserved, but we didn't like it, so we changed it to something a bit more agreeable (1 spot over).

Campfire and cocoa was a success! Had a bunch of friends over, made burgers, had a big ole campfire, and never once turned on the TV!

Things we learned:
1) As long as you have chocks in place, the trailer "ain't goin' nowheres". My biggest fear is that the biggest toy investment I have ever made is going to wind up in a lake somewhere, or rolls down a hill and hurts someone.
2) Digital TV is an all or nothing compromise. Either you get a channel or you don't.
3) Grey tanks fill quickly when you take showers. Next time opt for a full hookup site if it's available.
4) WD 40 is your friend. Make friends with the magical powers of WD40.
5) The dinette converta-bed is indeed comfortable.
6) The TV mounted on that really neat arm mount will swing all over the place when it's not restrained. It will stop swinging when it makes contact with aluminum blinds on the windows. Side effect of this are big creases in the blinds, causing many vulgarities to come out of your mouth when you see it, and realize that it was your own darned fault.
7) Campfires are best experienced with friends. And cocoa. And marshmallows.
8) Sway controler hitches can withstand an enormous amount of weight. Just one half of the hitch managed to suspend Wally for about 2 seconds before gravity took over and Wally rolled from the inertia. Note to self: always restrain the hitch before cranking down, lest you go chasing Wally. wiki Potential vs. Kinetic energy.

Happy Trails!