Monday, March 21, 2022

Annie Lee the Argosy Update No. 056

 
Craig has been doing an incredible amount of work on our Annie Lee -
 [a 1973 Airstream Argosy for those who might not know about her.]
We picked her up in South Carolina about 2.5 years ago...
And, like any older camper there's been 
some THINGS that needed to be worked on... 
We had receipts where the plumbing, electrical, fridge, and another thing or two had been updated just five years prior... so we mostly focused on the foundation 
[ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE TO START]
 and got the frame situated first. 
Then situated again...
 
And some cosmetic stuff too - of course.
Still LOVING the [Honda Pilot] colors: Lunar silver and sapphire blue...
We want to keep her as close to original as possible, 
but admit that we've made some changes along the way.
And y'all know we are strong advocates to camp as you're doing the renovation because we believe that's the best way to see what you really want and NEED.
 
You might remember that we've had a couple of electrical things go awry last year. 
[Shaky photo becuase, well - FIRE.]
-- Let's just say that we've learned that just because someone is PAID to do something it doesn't necessarily mean it's DONE RIGHT.
 
So, these past few weeks Craig's been working on a complete electrical overhaul. 
And it's been A JOB. 
[I know because I helped him 'pull wire' a time or two - not an easy thing, 
and something he did mostly on his own...]
And, YAY.
It's done.
One of the biggest changes is that he wanted the electrical box to be more easily accessible [reaching in directly from the closet door vs reaching in, leaning down,  and turning left inside the closet.] GREAT IDEA.
 
Secondly, he wanted the solar system / batteries to be configured so that the fridge can be on / cooling and we can use the the microwave while we're on the road...
 
So fun that we popped this popcorn without being hooked to electricity!
Yum ~ YAY
 
Bonus: now that we have the electrical wires all done and placed in conduit the closet is much neater and easier to use.
[No more lines / wires / cords for the broom / vacuum to get tangled in!] 

We [and by that I really mean, HE] also added a shelf above the box and
as a result we have more storage in this bathroom closet.
He did a great job! 
And I feel like I can safely camp again...
[Let's just say, smelling / seeing smoke in our camper a couple of times caused my anxiety to jump up full force...]
I'm BEYOND happy that it's all brand new!

And I know a crazy full utility / bath closet doesn't excite a lot of you - 
but it represents so much more on our old camper journey!
Also, I know these are such minor things to be concerned about when there others across the world who are consumed with thoughts of keeping their families safe. 
I have problems reconciling these thoughts every single day...
 Next up I'll share a bit about the bathroom and plumbing...
Craig did a great job on THAT too!

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