Thursday Three:

 

1. I'll admit it -- I'm breaking ALL [my self-imposed] rules for Christmas!** I've seen the BEST Christmas movie this week, worn my favorite gnome holiday dress, and now I'm sleeping with THIS right outside my door

2. I'm enjoying another little Christmas Bible Journaling retreat over in the North Georgia Mountains to kick-start the Advent Season.

3. It's been a busy but good week. We turned the heat on this week for the first time ... after going about six weeks without using heat or air... so I'll have to say we've had some pretty nice fall weather...

#hardwickadventures

** I've always been pretty strick about keeping Christmas stuff after Thanksgiving -- which I love and enjoy equally as much... but I'm loving beginning the celebration of Jesus ' birth a bit earlier!

Thursday Three:

 

1. This was a quick turnaround week with only a couple of days at home before adventuring again...

2. It's unseasonably warm for us ... so no cozy sweaters are in our near future ...

3. We're enjoying the weekend in Tennessee with our Music City Friends - even with the rain...

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 027

 OMGOODNESS. Y'all.

 

Let's talk a bit about International - 

This is what people in the airstream world call the yearly gathering / convention that has to do with ALL THINGS airstream. I know for sure that I cannot fully cover it in one blog post - so here's some highlights -

But first, some back ground - Craig and I attended the Vintage Airstream Club [VAC] Rendezvous in 2021 with our #AnnieLeetheArgosy - and this was our introduction into the world of VAC - but also the WBCCI [Wally Byam Caravan Club International] now known as Airstream Club International [ACI] - and we REALLY enjoyed getting to know other 'streamers.

 

We were intrigued with the idea of International, but couldn't commit to a week-long gathering -- both due to travel times [International Rallies are held in different places across the US each year] and, well, work. Also, to be honest - we weren't sure we were interested enough to do ALL THINGS AIRSTREAM for an entire week.

So. The next year we flew to Maine to experience a couple of days at International. [Note: I'd recently been appointed Region 6 VAC Rep and wanted to attend their luncheon... I had airline $$$ that I was about to lose and had to use... and, hey WE LOVE MAINE.] We really did enjoy it... and decided to sign up for one that could work with our travel schedule.

All that to say --  last month we found ourselves in Sedalia Missouri at the 67th annual Airstream International Rally. And let me say - the International Rally is SO MUCH MORE than workshops / vendors about all things airstream - and those were GOOD.

I think I'd have to  sum it up and say it's about community.

 

 We loved seeing so many familiar faces and meeting up with so many people we've met over these last four years. And we regret that we didn't have time to have a good catch-up visit with each and every one! [We're already thinking about how we can remedy that in the coming years -] Because we WERE BUSY y'all.

In addition to the [very] informative workshops we attended, we also had VAC activities, a few meals with both our Alabama and Music City Clubs, activities with some of our affiliate clubs, and our caravan friends... plus large group activities... whew...

And there were fun things on the agenda too -

 

Like a Bridgerton inspired tea party - where we dressed up and enjoyed tea and sweets. All proceeds went to a local charity.

 

And a 'workshop' for stuffing / sewing tiny pillows for preemies. Such a sweet donation to a NICU hospital - and a great time to visit with some new [Alabama] friends! 

 

The VAC Party was THE BEST. Since it was October, they went with a halloween theme and the costumes were over-the-top... The music was THE BEST. and we had a blast. 

 

[And I'm glad I could pitch in and help get everyone their raffle tickets...hmmm.] 

This is our little group that caravaned in together [and thus parked next to each other...] - a fun group of friends from Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee.

I also did a fun little class where we made a crochet flamingo. And well. You've already seen my results on the socials... lol... But I'm determined to give it another go!

 

There was also a pajama party movie night... And while I made our pj t-shirts with a Wally Byam quote... -- See More -- Do More -- Live More -- I'll admit that our little group was just too tired to go to the movies... so we hung out in our clam and played dominoes...lol .

 

Okay - so we had over 1200 rigs come and go this week with about 2400 people. Everyone had their own idea of how to set up their trailers... and some of the VAC went all-out since they had an open house. [And I DO love seeing how these trailers have maintained for over 50+ years -]

 

We had several opportunities to gather together as a large group with updates, announcements, the airstream band and choir, give-aways, church services, dances, and music. No doubt - there was plenty on the agenda to choose from!

One of the highlights of our week was the Region 6 Luncheon. [I'm still loving that BeReal app, lol] We'd met many of these folks at the Region 6 Rally back in the summer so it was fun to reconnect with everyone. [Region 6 is Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the panhandle of Florida.]

After the luncheon the Region 6 Leadership took a moment for the installation of Alabama's new officers. That's Mike Riggens our new Alabama president, Eric McHenry our ACI President, Craig - 1st VP, and Rob Fike, our 2nd VP.

 

We're looking forward to being a part of the leadership team for our Alabama Club [I'm corresponding secretary -] and think it will be a great year! [Of course I had to get a photo of Craig with our Alabama flag -]

Takeaways: We'd do it again in a heart beat. #AishlingtheAirstream was a joy to be in during these 15 days! From the Rolling Rally to our little VAC Rendezvous and throughout the entire International Rally... we had THE BEST TIME. Now that we know more about the agenda we hope to add in some time to catch up with friends we don't see very often... But we were going from sun-up to midnight most days... 

Especially that night God's glorious lights showed up!

 

And side note: I am SO VERY GLAD Craig found these Lectric bikes [used] for us back in the winter. Everything was at least a half mile from our campsite and we were back and forth multiple times each day. These bikes helped save time and who-am-I-kidding? our knees, lol... Pedal-assist is the way to go - ha - 

PS - The Katy trail just outside the fairground  was wonderful!

 

Thursday Three

 

1. I had the best time with my Kansas friends! [We're actually from all over the country... lol]

2. Enjoyed the routine of Bible Study and Wednesday morning service before heading out

3. On another adventure down at The Gulf... [It's over 80* down here, y'all.]

#HardwickAdventures

Let's talk NORTHERN LIGHTS

in Sedalia, Missouri

WOW.

I feel blessed to have seen them twice now - without even going to the Far North!

My aurora app alerted early in the week - but it was our first cold night and I was just too cold [and lazy] to get up and go outside... 

 But it did get my attention...

And when I saw this on the socials, we were determined to BE READY. 

So we scoped out some viewing places and started looking early in the evening.

They were very faint and slow just after sunset... 

 

We left the campground and went over to an open field where they just seemed to continue to grow and grow.

 

Both in size and in intensity.

Love the blues and yellows in these photos.

These photos were taken looking to the northwest 

[not due north -]

After a bit we went back to the camping area

 

becasue I [soooooooooo] wanted a photo of 

#AishlingtheAirstream with the northern lights! 

In retrospect, maybe I should've talked Craig into 

hitching her up and moving her to that field - lol - 

JUST KIDDING.

...maybe.

 

It seemed the later we were out 

[and everyone was outside - PAJAMA PARTY!!] 

the brighter they were... and the more we could see their movement with the naked eye. Sadly I never saw these magnificent colors without the camera...

 

I LOVED how they danced across the sky!

And seeing the stars combined

with the lights was just awesome!

It was hard to stop taking photos!

And it was definitely a magical way to 

end the 67th Airstream International Rally!

 

Note: My photos were taken with my cell phone [android] on night mode - 6 seconds. But I noticed that sometimes it would auto-set to 4 seconds. [I'm not sure why -]

Found this explanation on the socials and thought it was interesting...

What a joy to see them twice in one year!

Tursday Three:

1. I've enjoyed some [not so] lazy days at home...

2. Even managed to watch a movie several days... and we're loving the new Matlock [TV show.]

3. Looking forward to the next few days at The Whatever House with some faith journaling friends...

Aishling the Airstream Update No. 026

  

Ozark View Campground

Omaha, Arkansas 

Near Branson, Missouri 

The VAC Rolling Rally continued...

As we rolled out of Maumelle we sadly dropped a few who couldn't go on to International with us [NEXT YEAR!]... but we also picked up a few more rigs once we settled into Ozark View  -  This was our first time to stay here - 

From their website: "Ozark View is a family owned and operated RV Park nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Stay with us and experience all that the Ozarks have to offer. The views of nature are breathtaking. Bring your camera, binoculars or even your watercolors. Sit in the great outdoors at your spacious site or in our pavilion and let nature share with you the awe that makes Arkansas the Natural State. We are a family and kid friendly Arkansas RV Park ...  with 26 beautiful acres of gently rolling hills creates the backdrop for this restful resort experience. We offer level, shady campsites with all the amenities, laundry facilities, pull thrus big enough for RVs with four slides, and clean restrooms/showers. Wireless Internet is available so you can take care of business, surf the internet, or touch base with the folks back home! This is one of the most comfortable RV parks in the Branson, Missouri area."

It really is in a beautiful area! 

The drive up was very nice... we left the 'caravan' behind

 because we had an appointment to keep...

We splurged on a mobile RV wash - and needed to be there by noon. .. I wrote in my traveler's notebook that the truth is 15, 10, or even 5 years ago we would have never dreamed we'd own an airstream, much less have the disposable income to pay someone to wash it for us at our campsite...

 [And YES - I know many people do this all the time.]

We are very [very] thankful for our retirement $ that we both worked over 35 years to have...

It was just us and a couple of friends in the early afternoon before the other airstreams started pulling in, so we enjoyed a quick lunch of leftovers from our fridge[s].

Two things:  I LOVE having a fridge - we camped for years and years without one. And two: I'm also glad we have these fold-able square tables that are so easy to get in / out of the truck to use at a moment's notice.

Later that afternoon we drove back to a local bakery for fresh bread - and who am I kidding? GOODIES. Craig and I had some extra tomatoes so we popped into town and picked up some bread and mayo so we could invite everyone to a sidewalk cafe with tomato sandwiches.

It's always surprising to me how many people have never heard of this delicious southern concoction... And we think everyone [who tried one] enjoyed it!

Cheers to tomato sandwiches 

and a beautiful sunset reflection!

[Friends from California, Texas, Tennessee, and Canada -]

 

Side note: I love that Craig took the time to put up our lights -

they really do make things a bit more cozy and inviting.

[The little fire pit on the side of the hill was nice too -]

My take: Ozark View

It does have some beautiful views... it's EASY on/off the main road... and they have a great pavilion to use for groups... we just decided to gather close to our spot for this quick get-together. Bath houses are not modern, but are clean and nice. Internet was great. Sites are staggered on slopes, but ours was an easy enough pull-through... We'd probably stop again if we're ever in the area.