Arthur Airstream is a 2020, 27-feet, Front Bed, Globetrotter. While he came pre-wired to accommodate roof-top solar panels, we weren’t experienced or economically sound enough to have the panels installed when we purchased him in September 2019. But after nearly five years on the road, and with very real prospects of needing to boondock (camping without water, sewer, or electric hook-ups) on our trek to Alaska, we decided to spring for solar. MFI made all the contacts, and we settled on Ultimate Airstreams and Airstream Adventures in Clackamus, OR (two companies sharing one building).
We took a day-trip to Clackamus to speak with company representatives, discuss our desires, examine options, and get some cost estimates. In addition to the solar, we wanted our seat cushions replaced due to wear and tear, and had a number of other maintenance and repair items needing attention. Ian Harnish was our solar agent and Kimberly Savage was our contact for everything else. Ian was most attentive for our visit, but everyone we met was helpful and accommodating. We left with a much clearer understanding of the the high quality of their facility, employees, reputation, and capabilities. Our appointment was scheduled for 6 May 2024.
We quickly realized our economic eyes were bigger than our stomachs, so the closet and front dresser modifications we had hoped for were delayed for now. We subsequently made an appointment for Ian’s group to replace our lead-acid batteries with two 100 AH (amp hour) sealed Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and make four new seat cushions; and Kim’s group to perform a standard series of approved maintenance protocols and work on our list of accumulated repair items, hopefully to be covered by our long-term service agreement.
Our plan included dropping Arthur off on May 6th, then flying to Florida for a week and returning through Texas for a week to visit Sarah and Jon’s families. Great use of our time while Arthur got prepped for the Alaska road trip.
The drop off!
Our Getaway!
The primary purpose of our visit with Sarah and Mike was to participate in Happy’s 4th birthday. But we were also able to take and pick up the kids at their respective schools each day, then stop for our second cup of morning coffee at our favorite lovcal shop. We watched both kids swim in Mr. Aaron’s pool (neighbor across the street whose daughter is friends with Sammy), and finally watched Happy at his soccer practice. I was very impressed with his skill level, the way he listened to his coach, and his non-stop effort despite the hot temperatures. Another highly enjoyable experience.
I took a number of videos at Hap’s practice session but chose this one because it demonstrated him doing exactly what the coach asked and scoring with the outside of his foot on his second kick. I liked the high-five slap with coach at the end.
One of the week’s highlights was seeing Mima (Happy’s 103-year old great-grandmother). Carl, Mike’s father, brought her and Ilsa (Carl’s sister, who lives with Mima) to celebrate Happy’s birthday. She’s a wonderful family matriarch, who amazes all of us with her continued health and mental acuity.
We spent the second getaway week at Jon and Kat’s place. They purchased an inflatable queen-sized bed for us and set us up in their former dining room (current music room and home office). Again, I was able to accompany Kat when she took the boys to their respective schools. It’s such fun to converse with them and watch them in their school environments. There was an open-house at Logan’s school, where each student was charged with showing their guests what they had been accomplishing. And it was fun saying goodbye to Max at his classroom door and watch him join his classmates with great interest.
Of course there was plenty of play time, much of it in the back yard where Jon had built the kid’s a deck and assembled a playhouse. Jon installed outdoor carpet around the house, and Logan took me shopping to buy plastic flowers to complete the landscaping. Max was never far away and demonstrated his own talents.
We returned to Portland fully refreshed and ready to hit the road. Similarly, Arthur was refurbished, upgraded, and equally prepared for our big Alaska adventure. Our sincere thanks to everyone at Ultimate Airstreams and Airstream Adventures. Appreciated you for all your help, support, quality workmanship, and terrific customer service.
