Monday, July 25, 2019
A nice couple had stopped to admire the Airstream. They were from Newfoundland, but moved to Nova Scotia to be near their children. There are no grandchildren yet, but they were taking care of the dog this week. I asked if they knew a place where I might wash the Airstream. They suggested talking to the campground staff.
I had Googled truck wash, but it was questionable whether I could get the trailer in. Hooking up, I stopped at the office. Two young men were in their golf cart ready to start their workday at the campground. They told me there was a Shell station in the next town where they had seen lots of people washing their RV’s. I thanked them profusely and headed that way. It may not seem like much, but there are not so many places you can wash and Airstream, much less one of those big RVs.
I found the Shell station and very cautiously pulled in, getting out several times to check clearance and to see if the arm of the washing wand could travel to both sides of the Airstream. I was joyous when I saw it would. Finding no change machine or credit card way to pay, I went inside for Loonies. The lady said she could change my American, but without the exchange rate. I was just happy to find a place and agreed.
I took a good hour or so to wash it good. A fellow with a big RV pulled in the bay next to me. Climbing up on the truck toolbox, I sprayed the solar panels and roof the best I could, wondering if it would leak.
I filled up with diesel, and started talking to a fellow gassing up on the other side of the pump. He was from Newfoundland, and wished me well in my travels. He was impressed we were going for two months. I drove back down the road to an auto parts store and bought five gallons of DEF. I asked the nice man at the desk for a hardware store, and he directed me.
I looked all over the well-stocked hardware store for any kind of sheet metal before finally asking a man. He took me through a closed door into the sheet metal cutting shop and cut me a 3’ x 2’ piece of aluminum. I then got some sheet metal cutters. I have some, but did not bring them on the trip.
I felt good getting all this done before noon, so went back to Laurie Provincial Park, ate lunch and took a big nap.
The roof repair at Profile was pretty good, but there was a depression where water was collecting and eventually leaking. Backing the truck as close as possible, I could climb up on the roof. I usually bring a ladder, but of course this time I didn’t. I cut, placed and riveted aluminum in two pieces trying to level out the roof. I taped one with RV roof tape (great stuff), the other with duct tape since I ran out of RV roof tape. I would ask Martha to bring more. Lots of people watched as they walked by, but I couldn’t afford the time to look up.
Then I moved my “ladder” and washed the solar panels. Now I could engage with people walking by. Many said how much they liked the Airstream, and everyone was so nice.
It was a good day. I got a lot of important things done, but now I was very tired. Martha comes late tomorrow night, and I still had a lot to do, but they were little, manageable things.
Greg, We just sold our RV and are happy to be free of it. We just didn’t use it enough. Glad your having a good time . I know you’ll be glad when Martha gets back so she can find more things for you to do!
aren’t Newfies good folks? a bit different, but so genuine – when I am having a bad day, I usually go to Newfoundland time – they are 1.5 hours ahead of us, so one can start drinking wine at 1530!!! It is, how you say, clevaire? N’est-ce pas? back from my trip and badly jetlagged – BUT learned of a place in Russia perfect for large salmon catching – go to Murmansk, and rent a chopper to go farther somewhere – guaranteed salmon catch, they said!!
Newfies are absolutely great folks Carol, and I must say, I like your thinking on happy hour. Yeah, you had a heck of a trip back. I hope you are all rested now, and playing golf!