And thus begins a new chapter!
Its opening day at the Arizona Renaissance Festival!
Pretty soon we'll be putting on our costumes and funny accents, opening our booth, and letting the marshmallows fly from our little catapults!
Looks like the weather has turned around for the better for us as well. Now they are saying it will be cool today and tomorrow...in the high 50s...but no rain until Monday. SWEET!
Off we go!
Kev
Break a leg..
Here's what I woke to up by SR69/I-17:
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(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2FIMG_0109_zpsf3eb0ef2.jpg&hash=b385e828623bba7e162704789a6ef26d1e932f26) 4000ft
LOL Don! Looks like what we woke up to in Tombstone when I took the dogs out that snowy morning...by the time I took the pictures most of it was gone.
We had a decent opening day...actually probably our best at this faire, despite the cold windy weather and relatively light crowd. Even with the low crowd, our location is much better now.
But DANG it was chilly with the constant wind we had today! Low 50s...brrrrrr!
Tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same. I went out after faire today and got more marshmallows for tomorrow, and snack bags and paper bags...and dinner of course.
I have to get up early tomorrow to rake up the marshmallows, then its back to the RV to get costumed up, then back to the booth.
Monday I have to get up early and go get a couple of tools and wood, and then build a crap ton of 10 dollar catapults for our first student day on Tuesday. Patti and our friend/employee Casey are going to work both student days while I build catapults, so we can have plenty of stock for the 3 day President's Day weekend.
By the end of the week, my goal is to have the workshop totally retooled and tented for as cheap as possible, and more than enough catapults built for the 3 day weekend.
Its going to be jumping through hoops, but I have learned that we can do anything we set our minds to...just gotta bust hump to do it.
Once the 3 day weekend is over, we can downshift a bit and have a day off a week, where I plan on doing fun stuff with Patti and more than likely drag her to the shooting range with me once a week...lol!
So Don...let me know if you plan on coming to the Faire! I can get you free tickets!
Kev
We had a pretty decent opening weekend all in all! And today ended up being bright and sunny and WAY warmer than yesterday.
Tomorrow its up bright and early to rake the marshmallows up, then off to the gun shop to pick up my latest Ruger Security Six...and then off to Home Depot to pick up pine and poplar boards, an 8 inch Ryobi miter saw and Diablo blade and a bucket, lid, stain, and a sanding belt, then off to Walmart to pick up a cabin tent...then back to camp.
Then set up the tent, run the boards through the table saw, cut out a crap ton of parts, drill them, sand them, assemble them, and get them all stained before I can call it quits for the day...gonna be a long day!
Then on Tuesday, while Patti and Casey are working kids day, I'll drill even more parts and sand them and assemble them...then after kids day run out and get a router and router table and a compressor and hose...and possibly a thickness planer and get as much work done as I can before dark.
On Wednesday I'll have two helpers in the workshop, and we'll bust out what we can...and then on Thursday I'll be in the workshop solo again while Patti and Casey run that kids day. Then more work with 2 helpers on Friday, another long day, to get as many catapults finished and stained before the 3 day weekend!
Its gonna be crazy!
Kev
Whew! Finished the run of catapults for tomorrow's student day right around 9pm...and DANG its cold outside! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
After raking up the marshmallows, I drove down to my favorite gun shop and picked up the Ruger Security Six I had on layaway, then drove down to Home Depot and picked up the necessary tools and supplies, then back to camp...was about 1:30pm by the time I got back.
Then it was a lot of table saw work, a lot of chopping with the miter saw...and a LOT of drilling and sanding. I finished sanding the last piece with a rechargeable work light...lol! Then it was assembly in the warm house (the easy part), and then the staining.
While Patti and Casey work the student day tomorrow, I'll be drilling and sanding more parts...already cut out...so that I'll have another run ready for Thursday. That will leave me Wednesday with my workers to get parts prepped out for the complex catapults that we'll need for the 3 day weekend.
Wow my back is sore! Guess I got a little TOO much rest on vacation!
Kev
Kids days are over and the 3 day weekend is coming right up! We did pretty well on the student days, and I built a lot of catapults while Patti and Casey ran the booth. I have a LOT more to build today...I'm gonna break my own rule and get an early start...my neighbors are just going to have to understand when the saws fire up. I usually won't use any loud power tools until after 10am, but I'll have to make an exception today.
So I'm off to take the pups out, then down to the booth to pick up a few catapults that need repairs, then back to camp to get going on the final build before the weekend.
My weekworkers will be here at 10am, and I spent all day yesterday prepping out parts to keep them busy while I build trebuchets and ballistas.
Busy busy busy!!!
Kev
Good week workers this time around! They finished all their stuff early enough to help me out finishing the bigger machines, and it was a pretty early night at 7pm...and that was everything stained and on the rack (so much it barely fit on the stain rack), all the tools put away, and everything tidied up!
Then a quick run to the market for marshmallows and bags and whatnot, and back to camp to feed the pups.
We are ready for the 3 day weekend...woohoo!!! And they are predicting awesome 70 degree weather...a DOUBLE woohoo!!!
Kev
Wish us luck! We have lots of stock and perfect weather...should be an awesome and prosperous weekend!
Kev
The w/e does look good, was 70 here yesterday. Looks like mid week issues coming up tho'. Make hay while the sun shines!!
LOL Don! Crappy weather around Wednesday, then clearing up to another great weekend next week.
Had an AWESOME day today! If it keeps up the next 2 days, we'll be out of stock and I'll be working some late long hours next week!
Let me know if you want to come to the faire so I can arrange tickets for you and yours.
Tomorrow is going to be another awesome day!
Kev
Gotta go rake up the marshmallows and open up the booth for the girls, and then get back to camp, change into street clothes, and leave site before 9am to get materials for the week! No vehicle access backstage at this faire after 9am, so when I get back I'll have to park in weekender parking and walk my materials back into camp. Then change into costume, and join the girls! One more day of this crazy 3 day weekend! Then its back to business as usual...more crazy hours of building tons and tons of catapults...lol!
Kev
Picture's where's the pictures? Hm?
Time to rake up the marshmallows, set up the workshop tent, and get to work! We only have a handful of catapults left after this crazy week...oi vey!!!
The goal is to get everything cut out today, and maybe even get a jump on the drilling process. Gonna be busy!
Kev
Have the girls take pics of you slaving away. :laugh:
LOL Dave! No pics of us working...too busy working to take pictures.
I got the workshop tent sent up and organized yesterday, as well as all the parts cut out for the Bandit and Twister catapults. That will give my workers something to do today...LOTS of drilling and sanding! While they are doing that, I'll be cutting out the parts for the mousetrap and torsion catapults and trebuchets...and hopefully have time to assemble the bodies on the torsions before it gets dark.
Supposed to be cold and rainy today! I'll be doing all my cutting on the porch under the awning while the boys toil away in the workshop tent. Lots and lots to do before the weekend! And Patti has a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so I have to get a lot of prep work done today so the lads can keep busy in the shop tomorrow while I take Patti to her appointment.
Huge temperature drop! Yesterday was in the 70s...only supposed to get into the mid 40s today...geesh!
Kev
Crazy freezing weather today...snow, sleet, and hail! In Arizona...the lower elevations!
I decided to take advantage of the non cuttable weather...too windy and rainy to even cut anything on the porch under the awning. So I had my workers drill and sand in the tent while Patti and I made the journey for a good usable router table since the one I had sucked more than words can say.
We returned the evil router table from hell, then tried Lowes and Home Depot, and finally decided on a slick one from Harbor Freight with ALL kinds of bells and whistles.
Took me ALL the rest of the day to assemble this Chinese made monstrosity. Its an AWESOME router table, but ye gads man! All day?
Gonna be a late couple of nights. Behind schedule, have a doctors appointment with Patti tomorrow, and way more to do than I can fathom.
I'll get it done though...I always do! Just gotta buck up and do a couple of early mornings and late nights. Sorry neighbors! Gotta start early and end late! I hate to run the power tools during those hours, but its gotta get done!
Kev
DANG I'm beat! It was after 8pm when we finished everything...
Lots of stock for the weekend! Patti is taking the weekend off...she had a procedure that will keep her home this weekend, so its just me and my employee Casey!
Gotta get up early tomorrow! Gotta shave and shower, set up the booth, bring all the stock to the booth, take care of the pups, and do it all in time to have a few cups of coffee...so I don't kill anyone...lol!
No breaks this weekend...gotta eat on the fly...good weather and lots of stock...we are gonna rock it out!
Kev
Decent day at the faire today! Not the best, but good! Other events around the Phoenix area slowed things down a bit, but we still pulled out decent numbers.
Poor little Patti's procedure...a cosmetic laser procedure...left her face all red and blotchy, with spots like a leopard for a while until it peels, or whatever...not sure I understand it or even want to...lol! Girls are weird! She's already getting sick of my Beam me up, Spotty jokes...hehehehe!
Anyhow, it was a solo day with me in the booth with our lovely employee Casey...it was fun and went by quick.
Just one more day, then its back to a normal crazy workload.
Gonna try to find time for the shooting range on Monday, dammit!
Kev
Decent weekend overall...even despite the cold as hell unexpected windy weather today...SWEET!
Lots of catapults to build this week. And hopefully at least one trip to the gun range.
My friend Jeff that owns my favorite gun shop came to the faire today with his family...it was nice seeing him out of the shop when he barely has time to talk...he puts in as many hours as I do...lol!
Kev
Kev,
I'm always looking for a friendly gun shop. Where does your friend Jeff conduct business? I'm just outside Phoenix.
AJI Sports in Apache Junction, right on the Old West Highway/Apache Trail. Best gun shop around, lots of used (and new) guns, and great customer service. Awesome prices too!
Now, time to take the pups out, give them breakfast, go rake the marshmallows, and go get all my materials for this week's run. Looks like the shooting range is going to wait until tomorrow!
Kev
I really didn't have anything to say, but I wanted my Holiday Rambler parked with the other two. Enjoy your warm weather, I'm getting ready for 15 more inches of snow on top of the 12 we still have on the ground. Where is that damn rodent that said Spring was coming early this year??
The old girl won't be going anywhere for awhile. This is the before picture. I'll take another tomorrow after the blizzard.
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Quote from: HandyDan on February 25, 2013, 12:20 PM
Where is that damn rodent that said Spring was coming early this year??
Al Gore is at home. :P
LOL! Nice and warm here in Apache Junction, AZ today...huge contrast to yesterday's bitterly cold winds!
Got all my materials, bought a couple more speed loaders and some other shooting stuff, and am now waiting on two Ruger sights that I'm going to snipe at the last minute on eBay.
Tomorrow its a lot of cutting and drilling, and hopefully a trip to the gun range! I really need to pick up a couple of .22s...ammo is getting bloody expensive, even for the .38 Special!
Kev
Good luck finding .22s. They're getting hard to find
Here in southern ontario we are expecting 10 inches tomorrow and 8 more the next day.
looks like I'm fixing snow plows for a little longer.
damn ground hogs.
The only good news is lot gas $$ being stashed away for summer, and God knows we can never have enough with the milage we get. lol
AJI has two used Ruger Mark .22s for pretty cheap...I'm thinking about it! What is disturbing is that its getting hard to find bulk ammo in any caliber right now! It seems that Americans are stocking up! The local Sportsman's Warehouse's shelves are EMPTY, Cabela's is putting limits on how much they sell at a time (and their shelves are pretty empty as well), and if you go to Brownells or Sportsmans Guide online, even non combat ammo like .38 Special and .357 in bulk are backordered for months! I'm going to run down to the gun shop before getting to work today to buy some ammo before even AJI runs out...geesh!
Then its back to camp to cut cut cut, and drill drill drill!
Kev
Went to AJI Sports today on my way to dropping of the laundry and dry cleaning...even with a washer/dryer, you still have to bring the comforters in, and the kilt is dry clean only.
Looked at the Ruger 22s, and Jeff told me not to bother. .22 ammo is scarce, and even Jeff can't get it! Everyone is stocking up, and the cost is outrageous when you can find it!
He did sell me an awesome hardly used Colt Agent .38 though, for a song! I pick it up next week. Vintage 1970s...early 70s, like 71. Barely fired, with holster wear, but no bore wear at all. SWEET! Its tiny and light, but six shots. Pretty neat, and an awesome price!
He sold me 100 rounds of preowned ammo for the .38 for a low price, then I bought 3 boxes of 50 rounds of .357s...next week I'll buy even more. I hate to be the jumping on the bandwagon guy, but I'm starting to stockpile. At least while the prices are reasonable.
Got back to camp and cut out all the parts for tomorrows run, and drilled them all while I was at it.
Lots more to do tomorrow!
Kev
Here is a picture of my new toy I pick up next week...its pretty neat, and obviously only fired a few times! Holster wear, but the bore looks brand new.
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Got LOTS done today on the catapults. The Bandits and Twisters are completely finished and stained, the Trappie mousetrap catapults are ready to stain tomorrow, and the desktop torsions are almost done and will be ready to stain in short order. Still have to build rat trap catapults, trebuchets, ballistas, and mangonels, but with 2 days to do it, it will get done quick! Might even be able to hit the range on Friday! One can hope!
Kev
Holy crap we got a lot done today! The torsion desktop catapults are done and stained, the mousetrap desktops that Patti finished yesterday are stained, and the 3 Mangonel and 2 Rat Trap catapults are done and stained...all before 5 pm! And not only that, butt tons of prep work was done for next week, all the parts for 4 trebuchets and 3 ballistas are completely prepped for assembly tomorrow, and we can pound out the rest in a couple of hours tomorrow. SWEET!
The gun range just might be possible after all! At the very least I have to pick up the laundry and my kilt from the dry cleaners.
We'll see how it all goes tomorrow. So far so good! We rocked it out this week!
Kev
The booth is PACKED full of catapults, loaded up with marshmallow ammo, and the weather is supposed to be Arizona perfect this weekend...in the 80s!!! Its going to be an awesome weekend!!!
Kev
'Tis beautiful here, enjoy make lots of money!
Awesome day today! And if past history is any indication, we'll have at least as good a day tomorrow! Its nice doing faires that AREN"T in the Bible Belt...Sundays are as good as Saturdays!
At this rate, we'll be all back in the black again tomorrow, I'll be able to pick up my "new" little Colt snubby, go to the gun range on Monday and try a handful of rounds through it, try some rounds through the "new" Ruger Security Six I bought a while ago, shoot more rounds out of my already tweaked and perfected favorite Security Six to keep in practice, and have a great time!
Going to be a lot of work again this week, but my crew this year is awesome and we'll get it all done in short order!
Kev
Today was as good as yesterday...awesome weekend overall! New toy tomorrow, a trip to the gun range while its cool in the morning, and then a materials run. Tuesday its cutting and drilling, then a whole lot of catapults the rest of the week! Busy busy busy!!!
Kev
Hey Kev are there many people at the range when you go ? And what seems ton be the popular firearm ? Cant you shoot almost anywhere out there ? Frank
Yep...lots of places to shoot Frank...all kinds of public lands. But a shaded canopy with shooting benches and rests for 7 bucks for the day is where I opt to go...especially with how well the range marshals control the safety of the course. The give you the wood framed targets with cardboard backing to stick your own favorite target to, and the range is already set out by the yards. Its pretty awesome!
Most popular guns today seemed to be rifles, bigger bore, and a lot of semi autos. Me and a few old timers were slinging wheelguns...I guess that either makes me an old timer, or else the old timers are smarter than everyone else with a gun that won't fail in any condition...lol!
Not many .22s, since the ammo seems to have dried up completely!
Probably about 30+ people there when I got there at 10am.
Kev
FINALLY made it to the gun range today! Shot about 200 rounds.
The new Ruger Security Six shoots true, although it needs some trigger work.
The new little Colt Agent .38? Holy crap what a nice little gun! At 10 yards, the groups...even fast groups, are around 5 inches. At 25 yards, you are still on target and in the kill zone.
By the way...Patti loved the little Agent, so its hers now...guess I gotta find a new snubby for myself!
Actually, when I first saw the Agent, I knew it had Patti's name all over it. Awesome little gun and perfect for her, which is the reason I bought it!
It was fun at the range, and the little Colt Agent is one damn fine little combat snubby revolver! Great accuracy for the barrel length, and the trigger draw is amazing. In single action, its a very light, almost hair trigger. In double action, its as smooth as my heavily worked on Ruger!
Anyhow, it was fun at the range. Took FOREVER back at camp to clean up the Colt Agent...taken care of but not shot in over a decade and put away wet, so it was a real cleaning job...plus I did some rebluing on it and aluminum black. New Security Six took even longer with the trigger job and sight change, and it was NEVER cleaned by the previous owner obviously. Lots of gum and goo, and now its as smooth as my carry Security Six. My carry piece took me 10 minutes to clean and put away.
Anyhow, part of the fun of shooting at the range is the zen of cleaning your weapons thoroughly when you get home. Took a LONG time today with the 2 used ones!
Gonna have to get up EARLY tomorrow to make up for time! I pretty much took a whole day off from work today that I shouldn't have!
Kev
Right on schedule! Everything and more got done today...not a lot to do tomorrow. Could it BE I might have Friday off? Probably not. But it should be a LIGHT Friday.
I found a Ruger snubby locally on the cheap, a blued Service Six...as long as its a good weekend, I'll pick it up on Monday. Hope we have a good weekend!
Patti claimed the Colt Agent...she took one look at it and said "MINE"! So its hers now...damn nice little snubby. I bought it for her anyways. The weight, caliber, everything, it had Patti's name written all over it.
Tomorrow? MORE catapult building! Lots to do!
Kev
Got ALL the catapults done and stained today...including the new Magnum Pistols...lol!
Gonna have to bring them off the stain rack soon...supposed to rain something good later tonight!
And all day tomorrow, which is why we pushed to finish everything today.
Tomorrow the boys are coming in for prep work for next week, unless the rain is really coming down.
Good lads this year! Very fast and dependable! Gotta love Kyle and Will!
Kev
Raining lightly up here Kev. Warm and no wind. T storms are "dew" today.
EDIT: No sooner did I hit send and BOOM! Thunder.....!!
Pouring here in Gold Canyon, AZ. Gotta put on the rain gear...and put the pup's rain gear on them as well...and take them out. Good thing we finished up all the catapults yesterday! I took the catapults off the stain rack last night and put them in the Jeep just in time! Just as I closed the hatch on the Wranger it started raining HARD! Good timing! Gonna be a lazy day off today!
Kev
Welp...Lost the awning!
An insane wind storm just passed through...unforecasted of course...and BAM, slammed the awning down, bent the center pole in half, and the whole thing was whipping around in the wind...good thing I had the ends staked down with 18 inch rebar stakes and ratchet straps, or who knows what it would have done to the RV!!!
So without a second though, out I went with my K-Bar, and cut the awning fabric loose for the roller tube, and then from the RV...and then unbolted the arms and center pole from the RV. The wind was so strong it blew over my heavy steel router table...turned it upside down! The workshop tent held on no problem...those Coleman Insta-Tents hold up well in the wind...although the plastic shelves inside fell over. Doesn't appear that much was damaged in the shop though.
While I was taking care of that, Patti and our neighbors took down another neighbor's car port right behind our RV, which was whipping all around...that would have been all we needed...the steel carport whipping up into the air, up on the RV, and breaking our solar panels! So Patti and the neighbors took it down before anything bad could happen.
Of course, as soon as we were done, the wind died down...now its only raining and breezy.
So if we decide to save the awning, it will need new awning fabric, a center rafter tube replaced, and one of the knuckles broke off at the roller tube. Roller tube itself is okay, and the rest of the arms seem okay...of course, the roller tube has a broken torsion spring already, so we might just scrap the whole thing.
Probably scrap it and wait until New York and get another awning...this time an A&E...I had this cheap and crappy Carefree awning set up the same way I set up my A&E awnings in the past, and they saw way higher winds than what just killed our awning. It was probably about a 60mph gust. Even the old crusty A&E awning that was on the 77 Itasca held up just fine in 70 mile an hour sustained winds! Ah well...
Hopefully the weather will be nice tomorrow!
Kev
Glad no one was injured. I Sturgus SD a guy was killed when the canopy he was trying to hold down took him for a ride into a building.
Yep...no one got hurt, thankfully! Even with me up on the roof in my PJs and duck shoes with a razor sharp K-Bar...thought the wind was gonna blow me off the roof a couple of times! Had to stay real low...like a ninja...lmao!
So its decided though...we are going to scrap the inferior Carefree awning, and wait until we get to New York and get an A&E electric awning with a wind sensor. I'll probably list it locally on Craigslist for like a hundred bucks, since the roller tube isn't bent, and most of the hardware is still good...lots of RVers around here...if it doesn't sell by the end of the show, into the dumpster it goes!
Anyhow, weather will be cool tomorrow, but it shouldn't be rainy, and then Sunday is going to rock!
And then on Monday I pick up MY new toy...since Patti claimed the Colt Agent.
Its a near perfect Ruger Police Service Six snubby, .357 Magnum blued finish in really nice condition, barely fired. Comes with a Hogue rubber grip, the original grip (which is what I'm going to put back on it since its going to be a deep cover piece, nice and small and concealable), a holster, and 150 rounds of ammo...on the cheap!
Here is the picture of it the seller sent me:
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SWEET!
All that is left to add to my collection...although I'm sure there will be more, is a 6 inch barrel Security Six, so I can scope it...lol!
Kev
Sorry about the awning. :(
Any chance you have some type of comprehensive insurance coverage for that? Reason I ask is my old Winnie has a newer awning and I found an estimate in the rigs paperwork that was sent to an insurance company listing it as storm damage. My dad lost the awning on a 5th wheel about 10 years ago and insurance replaced that as well.
As of right now, we only have comprehensive on the Jeep, and state minimum on the RV, except uninsured motorist. We were planning on adding full coverage at the end of the show this year before hitting the road again...just didn't get it in time...them's the breaks!
Should be a decent day at faire today, although its starting out cold. Looks like the rain played itself out though. Sunday the weather is supposed to be perfect and in the 70s, so we should be SUPER busy on Sunday.
Kev
Decent day at faire today! Way busier than I expected, although not nearly as good as a normal Arizona faire day. Still, not bad!
And tomorrow should ROCK! Especially with Patti back in the booth!
We expect a VERY busy day tomorrow...perfect weather, around 70 degrees...and all the folks who believed the idiot weather forecasters will come out in droves tomorrow! Awesome!
Kev
Decent sales day on the lower side of the scale. Lots of folks, but mostly they bought the cheaper catapults. Ah well. Gotta make a lot of little catapults this week, but very few of the more expensive ones. So on the bright side, its a light work week!
Gonna get materials tomorrow and pick up the Ruger, and then maybe the range if Patti is up to in on Tuesday...poor baby twisted her ankle yesterday coming out of the RV!
Light workweek as stated...2 days tops, so we'll have Friday off as well.
Time to feed the pups, take them out, and hit the hay! Gotta rake the marshmallows in the morning, then get on with the day.
Kev
Got the marshmallows all raked up bright and early, then got all the materials, and met the nice old gentleman with the snubby at the Cabelas parking lot in Glendale, AZ. Very nice shape, with a holster, 200 rounds of ammo, and 2 grips...definitely a good deal!
Stopped by Wallyworld on the way home and bought season 3 of Justified, so Patti and I are having a movie night tonight...and a date day tomorrow! Gonna relax...maybe do some gunsmithing...and then take Patti out for dinner and a movie! Gonna watch Oz, and take her to any restaurant she wants to go to.
Poor baby has been cooped up so long, and now she has a sprained ankle. Gonna give her a fun day tomorrow!
Kev
I'm having Kevin withdrawal. He hasn't posted anything in six days. i??
I hope he didn't shoot his eye out. ???
LOL Dan! All is well on the Arizona Front. Just been really busy building catapults and limiting my internet time to just mornings so I can spend quality time with Patti.
Except for losing the awning in the wind storm, all it well!
Kev
Thank Goodness you're back. I've been reading the Apache Junction newspaper online looking to see if you were involved in some accident or lost in the woods. Apparently, someone was! I was ready to ask someone to go look for you. Man, a whole week without Kevin is a week without sunshine. Glad everything is fine and work is doing well. I did see that your Faire had backed up traffic for 13 miles on President Day weekend. I guess that would make your work a little busy.
Well I don't know about the sun shine part. :laugh:
Crazy busy over here, but there's only 2 weekends left, then we go on a month vacation before heading to Muskogee, OK for our next faire. I'll be able to post daily on vacation! Love you all!
Kev
Ahh, Muskogee, OK. Home of the chiggers and tornadoes right? - Dave :)
Yep...chiggers. ticks, tornadoes, and lots of nice folks. Didn't keep the awning down in Muskogee anyways in case we had to bug out for a tornado...we'll get an electric one in NY. More Boondocking on the way! Our next stop has been decided...Tonto National Forest for a couple weeks until heading to Muskogee...Grand Canyon on hold AGAIN...life happens!
Kev
Got all the trebuchets completely done today, and the ballistas only need to be strung. Mousetrap pistols only need handles screwed on. My worker will take care of all of it tomorrow while I get materials and do gunsmithing stuff, and post a bunch of stuff on eBay and Craigslist.
Kev
Out of curiosity, what length was your awning that went blowing in the wind?
18 feet. I have it listed now on eBay and locally on Craigslist. If it doesn't sell before we have to leave, into the dumpster it goes!
Going to be a busy day today and tomorrow! Perfect weather in the 70s forecasted, so its going to rock! Woohoo!
Kev
Sorry about my lack of posts and how boring they have been. Very busy over here! Last weekend of faire coming up, so I'll have more free time to post coming up shortly. After this weekend, we'll still be here building catapults and doing RV and Jeep road prep stuff, and then its a boondocking vacation for a couple of weeks where I can have more time to post. My plan was to go to Tonto National Forest...Patti wants to check out Sedona, which means that is probably where we go...lol!
Be patient my friends...it will get more interesting soon! No matter where we end up!
Kev
I was beginning to think that you were abducted by aliens :D
Sedona is beautiful. Bring money, tourist town :-) Wheel Chicken point, Sacred Pools too. Not challenging but nice.
QuoteI was beginning to think that you were abducted by aliens
Me too. You know how much them criters like marshmellows and Kevin produces mountains of them.
Dave
LOL! Last weekend coming up, and then its either Sedona, or Tonto National Forest for a couple of weeks before the Oklahoma faire campground opens. It all depends if we can find a place to boondock on the cheap in Sedona or not. Doesn't appear to be any BLM lands or national forests in the immediate vicinity, but there are a couple of state parks. Gotta check to see what their camping fees are. Its only 1.50 a day at Tonto. On the other hand, the elevation is a lot higher in Sedona, so the weather would be a lot cooler and we wouldn't have to run the genny to run the air condition like we might have to in Tonto. Which genny, by the way, I still haven't had time to get running yet!
Last big push today to build catapults. Then breakdown and pack up next week, then a 2 week vacation, then Oklahoma! WOW this faire went by quickly!
Kev
Be advised, in the actual summer Sedona gets very hot at times. You will still be in springtime it "should" stay cool.
Looky:
Boondocking near Sedona
Boondocking opportunities also abound in the Coconino National Forest located near Sedona. If you are heading north on highway 89A towards Flagstaff there are several woodsy U.S. Forest Service roads on either side of the highway that allow disbursed camping. You’ll probably want to visit the Coconino National Forest ranger station in Sedona to get some advice on which roads are the best for your rig because some of them are very bumpy.
There is also a large plot of desert land south of Sedona that is designated for boondocking and is in an ideal location. You’ll want to head south on 89A towards Cottonwood. After the last traffic light on outskirts of town, drive about six miles. Turn right onto FR 525 and go about half of a mile. You will see a big sign on the left. The area past that sign is a disbursed camping area.
There are also several other locations around Sedona. It's a good idea to visit the ranger station for a recreation guide that includes a map and directions to all the free camping areas.
Kev, if you are going to be near Sedona and need a genny, you are welcome to use my 5000w open frame Coleman. You have my email addy.
Out in the open it's not that loud. I find bulilding a simple soundwall from local stuff..rocks etc really helps too. if you've got a large gauge cord long enough set it way out in the boonies.
Kev..where are you? i??
I'm still thinking that aliens got them.
Mabey Mexican bandidos !!
We miss you Kev!
The aliens are holding him for marshmellow ransom.
Is he off the grid perhaps? Hm?
Well, they aren't too far from Area 51.
LMFAO!!!
We are still in Gold Canyon, AZ...about to leave on vacation Sunday morning.
Thanks Don for all that info. I already downloaded the free camping map, and its extensive. With Patti's Senior card, its free in almost all areas.
Today I changed the oil and filter on the RV, added 20 gallons of gas to the tank via a gas can, was going to the fix the genny but it started right up and ran fine for 20 minutes, topped off the power steering fluid which was a bit low, changed the compost in the toilet, filled the freshwater tank, washed the solar panels and turned them back on, washed the windshield, and of course stopped by and said farewell to my friends at my favorite gunshop.
We are going to leave on Sunday morning, hit the Flying J in Phoenix (dump the grey tanks, fill the propane, and gas up), then backtrack to I-17 North to Sedona.
We have the free camping map downloaded, and think we'll be okay.
So this leg of the adventure is almost done. A new chapter is about to begin.
And I'll have a lot more time to post until our next faire starts in May, in Muskogee, OK!
I think I'll call the next chapter Spring Vacation Boondocking Adventure, 2013.
Gonna wrap this chapter up tomorrow.
Kev
And I was hoping for a good alien abduction story....... :)rotflmao
I agree!, ahh well we just have to put up with his adventures in the land of the chiggers. :P
And the R/V Fairy that repairs things wile you sleep ! W% W% W% Frank HAVE FUN Its vacation time !!
My word their alive,there alive. Nice of yeah to drop in once in a while to let us know you haven't been abducted by aliens. Had us worried for a while but then I think he's a little strange even for aliens even. :)rotflmao :(
Yep...no aliens...well, not the extraterrestrial kind anyways...lol!
Packed up the porch today and staged everything to load into the Jeep, and then Sheba got sick all over the carpet...ewwwwwww!!!
Of to Basha's bright and early to rent a rug shampooer, shampooed the rug, and returned the unit. Once Patti is ready to go...she's doing the girly hair and makeup stuff right now...we'll go down and pick up some groceries, get back, load the Jeep, and be ready to hit the road first thing in the morning. First stop, Flying J since we'll need fuel, we'll need to dump the grey tanks, and the propane tank is totally empty. Been running off a pony tank for a couple of weeks. Too bad no one delivers propane around here to RVs!
I'll have to run the fridge off the inverter while we travel up to the Flying J, and then once all our tasks there are done, we have to backtrack to I-17 North, and then its a few hour drive up to Sedona. I'm going to print out the free camping map now, as well as our new insurance cards, and then its off to the market.
Kev
So the freezer is PACKED with meat now, the fridge is overflowing, the Jeep is all loaded up, bikes and all, tow lights are in place, and its ready to attach to the RV tow bar tomorrow morning. The free camping map for Sedona (and our new insurance ID cards) are printed up and ready to go. I'm all showered up and shaved, and Patti is all prettified. So we are ready to go bright and early tomorrow morning!
Thus endeth this chapter!
Kev