Getting back into shape... one step at a time

I've made some goals for myself since I'm turing 40 this summer... and one is to train and run in this years October Marine Corps Marathon. So, to help cross train, I purchased this old Roadace road bike to switch up my running days with some on the bike. I'm looking forward to riding this summer! About 6 months before the race!

Rainbow Terrace - Waikiki

A view from the room - 12th floor!

Looking out at Diamond Head - that's where I just got back from running to.

Another shot from the room!

A better shot from Diamond Head from the balcony.

From the VIP terrace

VIP terrace view of the Pacific

Someone has to do it.. I'm out in Hawaii for a 3 day meeting... this morning, I'm up at 0 dark thirty because I'm on east coast time, 6 hours ahead of these guys out here. I'm here sitting on the VIP Terrace overlooking the Pacific, a nice breeze blowing and probably 70-75 out... I can't complain. It's 5:30am and very peaceful... people are starting to stir - probably all east coasters. Take care!

This needs to be updated! For Lance if he checks!

Why is a Frenchman pulling an American Icon?

Lance - this should be you!!!

Got Sheep?

This is our newest edition to the farm. Zoe' and the boys went and picked these two up, momma Ewe and baby lamb. We're looking for a few more. Zoe' wants to learn spinning to go with her knitting hobby. Enjoy!

Motivating!

Some people out there say I'm not into Streaming as much anymore.... since I've bought the farm and have sold all but our pride and joy - the SOTR.. so, I've been out mowing the spot out back that will be our own little slice of Airstream heaven alot this summer. Now it only has to get green! So, here are my motivating photo shots for those out there that can not come close to being "Into Streaming" as much as I.... so - what's the formula for AirstreamIntoItNess? I know it has the following variables in it that cover 1 Jan - 31 Dec... (# of rallies attended, # of miles towing your OWN Airstream, # of thumbs ups or walk ups at gas stations, # of years in the WBCCI, year of Airstream (bonus if it's in the 50s) (minus points if it's a 70s), # of nights spent in the trailer, # of Caravans particpated in, a visit to the factory, WBCCI member, VAC member, TCT member - what other variables are there and then what's the formula??) - enjoy the photos!

Thanks for the motivating shot Paul!

Thanks for the motivating shot Marc!

These guys are motivating!

This advertisement is SO Motivating!

This guy motivated me so much I rallied in Michigan last year!

Of course, any SOTR and Torpedo in the same shot is M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-N-G!

Our 59 Buick towing WILL be motivating!

Getting stuck on a hill is Motivating too! Go Dick, Go!

If Dick only knew what was ahead - the last motivating photo!! Anyone coming to a rally motivates me!

Of course, flying flags are MOTIVATING!

Vintage Water Decals drive the motivation!

An Airstream returning 50 years later to its birthplace is VERY motivating! I wonder if Fleetwood gets pictures like this?

Off to the races - of course the SOTR is in the lead! By four Globetrotters at least. Racing Caravanners motivate me.

Polished aluminum - nothing motivates me more!

The fabulous 50s motivate some... what were the 60s and 70s... not so motivating, right?

My 400th Blog post - can you say M O T I V A T I O N ?

November 21st....

Well, that's the day the doctor is picking for our 4th child - yes - we're expecting our 4th. Now that we've told our 3 boys and parents, we're letting the cat out of the bag. So, I bet it'll be Thanksgiving timeframe. We're excited to say the least! The boys hope for a girl. Who knows!

Planning a Caravan

Ok, now that CBR is over with, my next big Airstream outing will be our WDCU Caravan out to Madison, Wisconsin for the WBCCI International Rally that starts on 27 June and goes through July 4th. For that, I'll be leading a Caravan out and Frank Yensan will be my Wagon Boss making sure our stay-overs are good. I am looking for someone to work at bringing up the rear of the Caravan each day ensuring that all Caravanners on the route make it to each way point / layover and to collaborate with me and the WagonBoss. Our plan is to meet somewhere near Pittsburgh, Pa on the afternoon / early evening of the 23rd to have a check in around 530pm at a site soon to be identified. We will then travel on the 24th to Jackson Center to the Airstream Factory and the plan is to be there by 1pm to make the Factory tour. We will stayover at the factory that night and then get up and head for Elkhart, Indiana on the 25th where we will be staying at the RV/Motor Home Hall of Fame on the night fo the 25th, to get up and roll to Jefferson County Fairgrounds on the 26th to meet up with the VAC Rhendevous for the Parade of Vintage into the International on the 27th. I'm working on my CB installation for the Caravan as well as working up a roster of who is coming. I need to know if you are participating by the 15th of May to have good numbers of who is participating. It will be a good time. If you are looking at just caravanning out to the factory with us, you are more than welcome, or even if you want to Caravan out the hole way and turn around for a neat trip. Either let myself of Frank know if you are coming. My email is airstreamnut@gmail.com if you want to participate.

Obie's Blog Video Link

Obie, a good friend, and fellow Airstreamer, has posted a video of our Caravan coming into the field at CBR - enjoy!

http://airstreamhobo.blogspot.com/

Check it out.

CBR and home again!

On Tuesday last week, I pulled from Jacksonville, NC to Lake Fairfax County Park in Reston, Virginia to get close to our rhendevous for the Caravan into DC on our way to the 10th annual Cherry Blossum Rally.. the CBR! There were two other Airstreams there at the park.. and one surprise - Dacia and Pee Wee "Dale Schwamborn" were there as well. I spent the evening chatting with Pee Wee about Wally and Airstreams and Caravans.. Pee Wee was to be our guest at CBR and wanted to be on the Caravan with us - how perfect!!!!

I had no idea as to how many were going to show up for the Caravan. So, at 7am, I got underway and headed for the Great Falls National Park - our rhendevous. I had a couple from Montreal in a 63 Globetrotter, who was the other Airstream at park, follow me over to the Falls.

The plan was to meet by 0930, get a group photo near the falls and start the Caravan. One by one, trailers rolled in. There's the big red Suburban I'm towing with.... I'm glad it still has the Fire Department air horns on it.

There's Frank and "Anna" below with the Fowler's right behind:

The Great Falls and our group shot below:

We departed about 15 minutes past 10am...not bad for my first Caravan. We had a total of 8 trailers in all, I would think perfect for a first timer.

Below, we are parked around the top side of the Marine Corps War Memorial.

One of my favorite shots taken by the Fowler's:

Below is on our way out of the Memorial, with downtown DC in the background.

This one below is one of my favorites out on Marshall Drive looking towards the city.

Here we are on Madison coming back towards the Washington Memorial:

And then turning left and down around the Jefferson Memorial:

On the tidal basin pulled over on Ohio Drive in Washington, DC below:

Heading for Mt. Vernon on the George Washington Memorial Drive:

Below we are parked out behind (in the employee lots) the Mt. Vernon facility:

Below we are parked out in front of Mt. Vernon. If you take the two shots you can get a nice panoramic shot.

Heading for CBR site heading north on the George Washington Memorial Parkway:

CBR - Arriving!

And then, Frank, Pee Wee and myself at the CBR chatting with Marcus, Steve and John.. how cool is that:

The weekend was a blast. Zoe' and the boys pulled right in behind our Caravan and it was so nice to see them and spend a great, memorable weekend there in Maryland. We went over to Annapolis on Saturday to see the Academy (my alma mater) and the new field house they've built. There were 49 Airstreams in all in attendance, including my uncle Donald - see it was his dad, my grandfather, that got me into Airstreaming - thanks Grandpa - I know you were watching us this weekend and guiding me during the Caravan!!!! Next rally - my own Pageant of Bands boondocking rally - if not the Region 2 rally here in NY.