Working on the Packard

With Labor Day behind us and a beautiful summer coming to a close, I decided it was time for an update.  The Traveleze has made several more adventures, and the more time I spend with her, the more I fall in love.  The little trailer is so much fun and it makes me smile from the inside out.  The little appliances perform amazingly well.  I've cooked full dinners in the Dixie oven and I have invited neighboring trailer-ites over to enjoy hot meals.  We've cooked meatloaf's, pork loin, cookies, cinnamon rolls, peach pie and much more in this tiny kitchen.  Everyone seems to be surprised I use the oven, but that's what it is there for and if I'm hauling

it around it's going to get used.  There is something wonderful about preparing food in the trailer.  It fills the tiny space with amazing aromas of delicious food and evokes all kinds of memories.  I can't help but remember how my grandmothers kitchen smelled when she would pull fresh hot cinnamon rolls of the oven.  

I can't help but feel at home in the little trailer.  Bring friends with me to share the experience and meeting new friends along the way, is all about the fun.  The warm amber glow of the birch walls, create a cozy inviting space, that transports me back in time.  I wake up in the back bed and look over the tiny space (which seems much larger when laying down) and I can't help but feel I am safe in familiar surroundings.

The 53 Packard, needed some help, and last May I took her in to start a frame off restoration.  The goal was to have her done by August 5, but that didn't materialize.   She is currently off her frame, getting rust repair performed and minor body work.  With a little new paint, rubber, chrome, wiring and a handful of miscellaneous pieces and parts....she should be good to go and most importantly be ready to pull the Traveleze around Central Oregon.

As we enter into September the weather levels out into perfect days and cools nights, ideal for taking the trailer out camping.  The big South Beach rally is coming up and I'm eager to pull the trailer to the coast again. There are over 50 vintage trailers signed up and I'm eager to meet up with new found friends from the last trailer rally in Seaview Washington. 

When I look back over the restoration process and the ridiculous expense involved, I no longer have heart palpitations.  The Traveleze is pure joy and I enjoy every minute I can spend with friends and the Traveleze.

 

Day 893, The Traveleze safely stored under cover for the winter

Newport, Oregon

Well, here it is several months after my last post.  The Traveleze went on a big adventure to Newport and along the Oregon coast in September.  My good friends Tracy and Christian went with me and we had a lot of fun.  I even managed to take them past our old cabin on the coast in Waldport and show them where I spent my summers and weekends as a kid.

Hwy 101, Oregon Coast

Right now the Traveleze is safe undercover and is plugged in and is being heated through the winter.  The low temperature the other night was ZERO and we have had snow on the ground almost since Christmas.

1942 Packard 120 Convertible in the snow, Christmas 2012

My friends at Flyte Camp have done several TV programs and they keep finding vintage treasure after treasure to restore.

I did manage to snap a few pictures of the Packard in the snow.  I backed the car out of the garage about 11:30 at night.  The temperature was around 19 degrees and with the camera set on a night setting on a tripod I was able to get some pretty neat shots. I really wanted to back the trailer out of it's resting place but I figured it might be a bit difficult to get back in with the snow.

Packard in the snow, Christmas 2012

Winter has a firm grip on Central Oregon and the days of camping with the trailer are a long ways off.  I'm already signed up for two vintage rallies this summer and I'm sure there will be a few more opportunities that will show up.

Day 751, The Terrebonne Cruz-In.

Once again, I was up early and ready to head to Terrebonne at 7 am.  I had left the Packard hooked up to the Traveleze in the back driveway and I had put a cover over it to protect in during the night.  I uncovered the car, secured the trailer and pulled it down the driveway where I could get a good picture of it in the morning light.  It looked awesome and I was ready for the 10 mile trip to Terrebonne.

The Packard and Traveleze together at last.

I got there about 7:30 am and got parked in an "okay" spot, nothing special and no shade, but it was easy in and out.  The show registration started at 8 am and people really started arriving by 9 am.  It was a really big car show with over 270 cars in attendance and lots of spectators.  Everyone enjoyed the car and Traveleze and I had the door open so people could look in side and check it out.  There were lots of questions about the restoration and I had Flyte Camp's cards and a few flyers on their work.  I must have handed out 15 cards and all of the flyers.

2nd Place, or first looser as my friends say.

Around 10 am, Christian and his daughter Stella showed up to check out the show and we walked around and looked at all the cars.  We had a great time looking at all the cars and voting for the many categories.  At 3 pm they had the Awards ceremony and I didn't have a note on my car, so I assumed I didn't win anything.  They had all most all of the cars gathered in the winners circle, when I was asked why I wasn't bringing my car up.  I said I didn't win anything and was told I had, so I went back to the car and sure enough there was note.  I back the car and Traveleze up and joined the others.  I won 2nd place in the Orphan Class, (the parent company is no longer alive).

After a long day in the sun, Christian and Stella came back to my house and we barbequed some burgers.  Stella fed the horses and let the chicken out and it was a nice summer evening.

Day 751, The Packard is ready to be picked up.

Hitch and stinger in place - ready to tow.

The Packard is ready to be picked up and my parents picked me up at my house at 5pm to take me to Prineville.  Rick hooked up the wiring for trailer lights and mounted a hitch to the car.  He was also able to fix a few other things like a sizable vacuum leak, a sticky throttle linkage and more.  He said I should be able to notice a significant difference and on the way home I really could.

I was so excited to see if I could hook up the car to the trailer and to see how it does pulling it.  I needed a new stinger for the car and had to go to three places before I could find anyone open at 7pm on a Friday night.  Fred Meyer's was open and had what I was looking for.  I rushed back home backed the car up and hooked everything up.  I had to do a minor wiring change with Rick on the phone and all was ready.

With the car hooked to the trailer and all the lights working.  I pulled the Traveleze around the block (about a 2 mile loop). The Packard pulled it with easy and I was surprised how well it did.  I did however discover that the extra strain on the car made it flex a little bit more than usual and the drivers side door flew open when I went around a corner.  Obviously there is a bit of body flex that was enough to let the door swing open.

I needed to wash the car and get it ready for tomorrows car show in Terrebonne.  

Day 750, First frost of Fall

Frost on the roof, August 23, 2012.

I don't know what it is about frost and August 23rd, but you can always bet there there will be frost on August 23rd, just enough to damage your garden and then it will warm back up.  Sure enough I woke up to a very cold house with all the windows open and there was frost on the roof.  The temperature was 34 degrees and it was cold.  the high for the day is expected to be 81.  I had to snap a picture of the roof and send it to my friends in Oklahoma, where it has not dropped below 70 for months.

Day 749, Wednesday Concert

This is concert day, so we put up the big tent up at 10:30 am.  The concert starts at 6 pm and goes until 7:30 pm.  The vendors arrive at 5 pm and the die-hard concert goers are there by 5:15 pm.  It's always a fun night and we have lucked out every concert night so far, so we are counting out blessings.

My mom and I at the concert

My parents have attended most of the concerts and they were here for this one.  My mom really like the band, "the Noteables" who played swing and big band music.  It was definitely an older audience but the park was packed. 

By the time the concert is over and we have everything unloaded back at the office I get home around 8:45 pm., so it's a long day.

Day 748, Tuesday up early.

I was up early and had the Traveleze hooked and was ready to go by 7:10 am.  They were only going to need the trailer for a day and could pick it up tomorrow.  I got there before anyone else, and I quickly unhitched and headed to work.

It was a pretty uneventful day and the office was starting to look a little more respectable after the giant mess we had created the week before.

At 5 pm I headed home and my parents were going to follow me to Prineville, so I could drop the 53 Packard off at Rick's and he was going to put a hitch on the car so I can pull the Traveleze.  He was supper busy this week, but  he wanted to get me in so I could be able to pull the trailer to the car show this weekend in Terrebone.  A trip to Rick's is always fun, and my parents get a kick out seeing his amazing collection of cars and automobilia.


Rick said the car would most likely be ready on Thursday.

Day 747, Another Monday

The Office looked like something exploded in it and was a complete mess from the golf tournament.  We spend most of the day cleaning up and putting stuff away.  It was nice to have that event over and to be moving onto the next.   This Wednesday will be the fifth concert of the summer season and our events will slowly be winding down in September.

I loaded up my truck with all the things that needed to go back to Bend and left around 3 pm to drop everything off and to go workout.   I wasn't feeling that energetic, but after the workout I felt better.  I headed over to Flyte Camp to see what they are doing and made arrangements to bring the Traveleze over in the morning.  I really needed to rush home and mow the lawn that was getting really shaggy.

Day 746, Happy Birthday

Hilarious Birthday card from my brother.

I finally got to sleep in and wake up naturally without an alarm.  I woke around 7:30 and laid in bed until 8, it was awesome.  Today's my birthday and I have no plans other than I wanted to take my parents kayaking.  I gave them and call and they said no.  I was a little bummed and thought oh well I'll just stay home and do yard work.  My yard was looking a bit out of control and I had lots of pruning to do and pulled out the hedge trimmer and worked on the boxwood as well as trimmed up the Shasta Daisy's.   It was a great day with no plans and just putting in the yard.

The only thing I was going to do was go to dinner with my folks at 5:30 pm.   They wanted to take me to Black Butte Ranch and eat the lodge.  I love Black Butte Ranch and the view is the best in Central Oregon.  By the time I was done working in the yard, I really wasn't in the mood to get cleaned up and drive into Black Butte, so I called my parents and they said no, they were taking me to dinner.  Ughhh. I jumped in the shower and got cleaned and ready to go.

Black Butte Ranch

It's about a 30 minute drive to the Ranch, and it really is an amazing place.  It's always nice to spend time with parents and the food was excellent.  One thing I was pleased to discover is the color of the walls in the restaurant.  They are exactly what I have been looking for, to repaint my house.  I had just painted my house last fall but it is just too dark and I want something different and lighter.  I asked the host if he could find out and he yes that he could call maintenance and call me tomorrow.  This was the best birthday gift, I had found my new color.

Day 745, The Car Show.

Harris and I enjoying a summer afternoon.

Despite an early morning the day before and this being a Saturday, I was up early once again to get the Packard down to the car show.   I was supposed to meet up with the car club at Fred's and then drive over and they were all hoping to get a good spot in the shade.  As it turned, there were several other car buffs thinking the same thing and we didn't get the good spots in the shade.  I was parked right in the street if full sun, but today was not supposed to be as hot so I wasn't that concerned.  What I was bummed out about, was I had wasted some prime sleeping time, but oh, well I was there.

One happy chicken

Surprisingly the skies were a bet threatening of possible thundershowers and it hurt the turnout for the car show there was about 170 cars and the cloud cover kept the sun's rays from baking everyone.  It wasn't until around 2 pm that the sun came out and it felt hot.  The awards were at 3 pm and I had entered the Packard in the Stock/Original class, knowing that the competition in Best 50's and Convertible would be stiff.  To my surprise all the great cars of the 50's and Convertibles of the era entered in the same class, so I knew I didn't stand a chance.   I really didn't want to stand in the sun so I stay in the shade and didn't pay much attention to the awards.  I could still them, but I didn't want to get hot.  When they got to Stock Original class I heard my number and the Packard took first.  I had to run to get there to accept the award.  Immediately after the awards ceremony the event was over and I had to time to go home and rest.

I got home and let the chickens out and kicked in the yard with Harris and the chickens. It was a nice summer evening and nice to slow down.

At 6 pm Tracy was having a birthday party for me and many of my friends were going to be there.  It was a fun excuse to get everyone together and to see Tracy's newly painted house.

Day 744, Tournament day

The alarm went off at 5:15am and I was in the truck and down the driveway by 5:45 am.  It was a bit cool but I knew today was going to be hot so I enjoyed while I could.  It was really a beautiful morning and the tournament went off without a hitch.  We were a few teams sort of selling out, which was a first for us, but still we had a large tournament.  Around 10 am the temperature was starting to get warm and by noon it was in the 90's.  We were lucky to have a slight breeze and if you stayed in the shade it wasn't too bad.

At 1:30 pm we had our barbeque lunch and award ceremony and everyone had a great time.  By 3pm we were breaking down and loading up all our vehicles and heading back to the office.  Surprisingly we still had a lot of beverages left and my truck looked just as full as it did this morning.  Even my friend Christian showed up to see how the tournament was going and we filled his truck clear full too.

Back at the office the car show people were busy getting ready for their big event and several of the people dieing from the heat so I invited them in the office to cool down.  It took us about an hour to unload everything and we left the building unlocked so the car club could come and go as they needed.

Packard parked next to a 1953 Pontiac.

I ran back home and laid down on the couch for a bit and then got fired up the Packard and headed down to the car show.  I was got down there and the cars were starting to pull in.  They had a great turnout and I got parked next to a 1953 Pontiac convertible.  It was neat to see the two cars parked next to each other.  The Pontiac was in much better shape than my Packard.  I had to drool over the Pontiac and I can only imagine how nice the Packard would look if it was restored. 

Around 8 the car show did a cruise and everyone jumped in their cars and drove around 6th and 5th street, making  a big loop.  It was a lot of fun to see everyone, and all these great cars in action.

Day 743, Tomorrow is the Tournament

Today, is all about setting up and getting ready for the golf tournament.  We will be on the green by 6am and setting everything up on time for the 7 am registration and breakfast.  It really doesn't seem like that big of deal to host a golf tournament, but there are a lot of little details that require attention.  I had to run to bend to pick up cigars, beer, sodas and stand up coolers.  This always fills my pickup clear full and then I take it home and put the truck in the shop to keep everything out of the heat.  And speaking of heat the hottest day of the year is predicted for tomorrow at 101. 

Tonight I have an airport meeting that hope to get done with by 7pm and get a few chores done.

Day 742, Mid week

Still not time to run the Traveleze to Bend, but I did manage to come home for lunch and let the Chickens out.  The poor little guys have not been out much so I wanted to give them an afternoon of freedom.  They have been laying about 6 to 8 eggs a day, so they deserve some free time.  They were in need of some fresh water, so filled their bucket and took it out to them.  Most of the chickens were out on the lawn, so stopped there and let them all have a good long drink.

Day 741, Tuesday

A very cool Traveleze hubcap.

Last week I was looking on eBay and typed in Traveleze hubcap and too my surprise I found one.  I thought I could use it on trailer if I ad a spare tire on back the trailer originally had.  It had a buy it now price of $45 plus shipping which I thought was way too high.  Long story short I made an offer and they had accepted it.  It arrived today in the mail.   It really looks kind of cool.  It won't fit over the end of the axle which sticks through the wheel or I would get new wheels and look for another hubcap. 

Day 740, Monday

I had the best time taking the trailer to Seaview, Washington.  It was just a fun adventure and I think Tracy had fun too.  There was something about the cool coastal air and being all cozy in the trailer that was just so much fun.  I can't wait to take the trailer more place and have many more good times.

But now it's Monday and it's back to work.  This is our golf tournament week, so it will be a busy week.  There is always lots to do before a big event and this week seems to booked with more than usual.  This week should fly by and after our golf tournament is Harvest Run car show.

There are a few more things that were discovered, that will require some tweaking on the trailer and sometime during the week I need to take it back to Flyte Camp.  I also need to wash the it and get the road grime and salty sea air off it.  I'll be lucky if I get the trailer in, but I'll hope to at some point. 

Day 739, Fun weekend comes to an end

Another great Seaview home

With a 6 hour drive a head, you can't help but think about packing up and hitting the road.  I really didn't want to leave, and could easily enjoy several more days exploring the area. I was planing on leaving sometime around noon.  We had time for another walk around the neighborhood to look at the old homes and to see the amazing gardens.  Flowers seem to thrive here and almost all of the yards looked like something out of a gardening magazine.

Heading back over the Astoria Bridge

The Astoria Bridge that we crossed

Before long, the noon hour had rolled around and we had the Traveleze loaded up and ready to hit the road.  We said goodbye to our new friends as they packed up and pulled out too.  We headed back to the Astoria bridge and then took a different route home, taking Hwy, 101 to Seaside and then inland to Beaverton.  My brother and sister-in-law wanted to meet up with us and give me an early birthday gift, so as we got close we called and arranged a meeting location. 

We were shocked to open the door of the truck to step out into 99 degree heat after being in the 70's at the coast all weekend.  Tracy said it was the first time she was warm all weekend.  It was great to see everyone and I had to open my birthday gift.  It was a hilarious trailer, Christmas, music box, that lights up and has a scene that turn inside.  It was too funny.

Tracy and I still had a three hour drive ahead of us, so we said good bye and jumped back into the truck. 

The Traveleze pulls so easy, I would almost forget it was back there.  I could tell on hills that the truck had to work a little harder, but it was a really easy to pull.

After 6 hours of driving I had Tracy back home and I was heading home.  It had been really fun weekend. 

Day 738, Saturday August 11, 2012

Last  nights dinner

Friday night Tracy and I had cooked a pork  loin in the oven and had mashed potato's and of course we couldn't wait to dive into her chocolate cake.  It had been an awesome day.  Neither of slept all that great, but we were eager to start a new day and explore Seaview.  I was shocked at the number of historic homes and buildings there were.  There was obviously a tremendous history to the town and to the Sou'wester lodge.

Some of the great old homes of Seaview, WA

For breakfast we made cinnamon rolls in the oven, which were very tasty and then we put on our shoes and went for a walk to find the beach and to look at the homes. I was so surprised to discover that most of the homes were built around 1880 to 1900 and they were in great shape.

At 1 pm to 3 pm there was an open house of all of our trailers and the community had been invited to come take a look.  It was a lot of fun to see so many people interested in vintage trailers and everyone them.  Of course having so many people coming in and out of a trailer does cause wear and tear and my step into my trailer gave way when a particularly large gentleman stepped out of the trailer and put all of his weight on it.  I was just glad no one was hurt and that it wasn't an elderly person.  With Justin just a few trailers over, Tracy went to see if we could barrow a socket set to see if we could fix the step.

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Justin, is Mr. Customer Service and came a running.  We tried a few things but realized we would need to repair it back at home in the shop.  It was no big deal to put the step away and just let people step up into the trailer.

Tonight was the big pot luck and it was fun to meet and spend some time with the folks who had the trailer next to us.  They were far more seasoned than us and have hauled their little trailer all over the country.

Day 737, Sou'wester Lodge, here we come.

A quick oil change

In the middle of the night I realized that I needed to change the oil in the truck.  I figured I could get up early and run into the dealer and have it changed quickly and then get ready to leave.  I had a few chores that needed done before leaving, laundry, neighbors cat, etc.  I headed out about 8:30 am, for the oil change and got right in with no waiting.  I was out in 20 minutes and headed back for home.

I texted Tracy that it would probably be 10:20 am before I got over there and she was fine with that.  I ended forgetting to toss my wash in the dryer and quickly tossed it in. I had the sheets in the wash and I needed to make the bed before I go.  The thought of clean sheets when I get home will be a nice way to end the weekend.

Mt. Hood rest stop

My 10:20 am pick time quickly became 10:45 am, but she had no problem and was ready when I got there.  By the time we got Tracy and all of her stuff loaded and packed in the trailer it was 11 am.

Our route was going to take us north up 97, to Madras and then over Mt Hood, to 205, and into Washington.  We would actually be crossing the Columbia three times, going from Oregon into Washington, back to Oregon and finally crossing the Astoria bridge back into Washington to get to Seaview.

Crossing the Astoria bridge

Our first stop was in Madras to get something to eat and a few groceries that we forgot.  We were also not sure if we would have water, so we picked up two big water jugs.  The second stop would be at Mt Hood so Tracy could use the restroom and I used it as an opportunity to take a few pictures of the trailer.

Backed in and ready to set up camp

The total drive was 6 hours, but we made it.  Driving across the Astoria bridge is weird feeling.  It is truly an amazing bridge and I felt like the Traveleze was really on an adventure.

Pulling into the Sou'wester lodge was a flash back in time.  The lodge was once a private home built in 1890 and there were rental cabins and vintage trailers you could rent as well.  It reminded me of a vintage camp where you would spend your summers and escape the heat of the city.  I pulled the Traveleze in and we headed to the trailer camp area.  Many of the rally goers were there and we quickly parked and set up camp.  I could tell this was going to be a great experience.

Day 736, Getting the Traveleze ready

I was eager to get home after work and start packing the trailer.  I ran to the store after work and bought a few supplies.  Tracy had bought a bunch of food and was baking a cake, yum.  I needed to pull the trailer out and reload all the stuff that I had removed when Justin had done a few repairs to it.  I quickly changed cloths and put on shorts and sneakers, moved the car loaded all the basics and then pulled it out to the driveway with the trailer dolly.

Traveleze waiting for tomorrow's trip

My neighbor was turning the drying hay and I went out to help move the wheel lines while he was driving the tractor. It's a lot easier for him to have someone move the wheels and I was happy to help.  I thought the trailer looked neat in front of the house from the viewpoint of out in the field.

I packed all the food and everything I could think of for the trip. I left a few things in the refrigerator and plan to pack them in the trailer refrigerator with ice just before we left and it should keep everything cool.

Day 735, Concert nigth

I had an email back from Don, with links to the Sou'wester Lodge and a blog about their rally.  I made a phone call to the Lodge and talked to the owner.  The blog had indicated that they had sold out, but in talking with owner, she thought she could get me in.  Seaview, Washington is 257 miles away or about 5 hours.  I wasn't exactly sure I wanted to drive that far, and I was cat sitting my neighbors cat for the week, but still it would be fun.  I emailed my friend Tracy to see what she thought.  She was totally on board and ready to go!  I told her my dilemma with the cat, but I had a text into the back up cat sitter.   Within an hour I had a cat sitter and I confirmed with the Sou'wester that we were coming.

A beautiful August sunset

Tonight we have our 4th concert of the summer and it is another warm day.  The high is expected around 93, but there is a slight breeze.  The heat can have a huge impact on the crowd size but luckily we had a large showing and it was a perfect night.  It's amazing how fast summer is going and that we will only have two left after this one.

It was a great day, and I was home by 8:30 pm just in time to see a spectacular sunset.