Side trip.

Garden of the Gods

Near Salida CO.

We took a short week long trip to CO just before Christmas to help some friends move in to their new place.  I did mange to squeeze in some time for 2 paintings in plein air.  These are the 2 locations I painted.  I kept thinking, IF we had the airstream finished.....

Tire cover complete!

Before and After...

 The day we brought the trailer home.  Yicks.  Serious oxidation and scum.

 Today, a new shiny tire cover that just may convert in to a table!

Stainless cladding on drawer in bathroom.

Derald is covering a lot of the old wood with stainless in the bathroom.  It will really look sharp when he has it complete.  He is an excellent 'craftsman' and ARTIST.  And I am proud of him!

Martin's Apprenticeship

 Precise measuring required.

 All fingers accounted for.  No cuts...

Martin did a great job with snips cutting miters on stainless steel!

Dressing up for Christmas.

There was a little wind that made it a challenge to take a night photo of the green chili lights on the airstream!

Happy Happy Happy

We have so much to celebrate!  We have both had birthdays in this past week.  Thanksgiving was a lovely dinner and gathering with friends and family.  Today was Derald's very first day of RETIREMENT!!!!  He hung up his snips as of Dec. 1, 2010.  He didn't take a day off, but has continued to work on the airstream. Tomorrow promises warmer weather, so he is making hay while the sun shines.  If you think you have seen progress on this baby, just wait!  He will accomplish so much I'll have a hard time keeping up with photos of the work.

Oh baby it's cold outside!

 A before and after shot of the tail lights and polish.  The temperature has dropped double digit degrees outside, so I didn't take any new photos today.

Work that was completed this weekend. 65 degrees sure made it comfortable.

 China cap for the vent pipe.

 Lots of polishing to do on this side.

Derald made a new panel for under the hot water heater.  I'm not sure what is stored in there...maybe black water tank pipes.

Beautiful weather in KC to work on the airstream!

The front eyebrow was put back on today.

 Polish is nearly done on the end (well to #7 polish) for this year.  Both tail lights installed!!

Back brow finished!

Sunset and the Airstream

Cold in KC

I can't believe it's Thurs. already.  Cold.  I returned all my flooring samples, but still don't have a solid choice made.  Derald worked for a while INSIDE the airstream with a portable heater.  The stainless steel in the bathroom is nearly installed.  It will really look sharp!  This cold weather will slow up the polishing.  No photos today.

Day off!

Derald took a day off from the airstream to finish the flashing around the chimney.  Finally the blue covering is off!  I brought home tile samples today.  We may have found our choice!  I'll try to get a photo of it tomorrow.  Then I need to return samples to 2 locations.  Returned 2 books to the upholstery guy today.  Grey and Red reversible cushions are the final decision.  (For now!)

Back lights

The back lights above the window are in place.  Right light base primed and sprayed silver, left is waiting patiently.  Hoping for clear weather for the weekend.

Tail lights. The red lens can be ordered and replaced, but the metal part can't. So, Derald sprayed the old ones with some kind of paint to stop the rust, then sprayed them silver. The lens are waiting to snap in place.

Kitchen backsplash? What do you think?

 Kitchen backsplash sample.

Interior questions on remodeling has slowed us down a little on our decision making.

The couch will remain in this location as a fold out double bed.

Jane experiences polishing the airstream!

Jane pulled up this week and jumped out of her car and said "I want to try this polishing!"  Derald immediately handed over the buffer and ran in to grab the camera.  A Kodak moment.  4 days later, and Jane said to me "my arms are better now...."  I had to laugh.  One has to experience this buffer to appreciate all the work that goes in to getting this baby to shine.  Someone on a blog mentioned 140 hours to polish one.  I know Derald has surpassed that number and only one side is buffed up to a #7 polish!  The idea of a "polishing party" is still in the future.  Stop by anytime.  Derald will set you up.  Then you can point to the airstream and say "I did that area!", like Jane did this evening.  :)

Back to the upholstery shop for more fabric ideas. Selecting fabric is way harder than I expected. Meanwhile, Derald continues to polish!

The weather has cooperated with us to work on the outside of the trailer.  Now the polishing is really looking great.  The sunsets have been fantastic in the reflection of the airstream.