AguaDream

My friend Anne applying a little umph to get the skin in the track Optimism and Stick-to-it-ive-ness is a deadly weapon to time schedules. I think that Shasta restorers must have both.  That and loved ones who have deep reservoirs of patience and understanding for missed deadlines. All said, we are looking at being probably 2 weeks behind our latest revised departure date (June 14) and I am trying to inject some realism and take pride in the bits that get accomplished each day and let go of those things that seem out of my control. Can someone come up with a Shasta Serenity prayer? Enough philosphizing...much progress to report.  A couple of days ago my friend Anne and I finished adding the skin and started putting in windows, till I ran out of butyl tape Aquadream has her skin   Me putting in the first window! Yesterday was full of highs and lows.  First the high...and I was so excited I forgot to document it....wait for it.... WE TOWED AQU...

Yesterday was another milestone day. Had my friends Corey and Dave to help for a few hours. We attached the skin to the front of the frame.  I thought this was going to be really hard, but thanks to the expert work of sheet metal genius Chris Mast, the piece fit like a tight glove.  Had to work a bit to get the edges under the pittsburgh seams (open up the bend) without getting a tear.  Trick was to first do one side and then the other, and leave the middle window flashing for last. Yesterday also accomplished Installed the new trailer hitch Finished flipping the axle In progress Windows...in the stage of adding seals and putting them back together.  Replacing glass on most of them with lexan. Electrical is all connected but for some reason the blinkers are working but the running lights and brake lights aren't.  Gotta figure this out before the skin can go on the back. Inside trim is started. (I'll be doing some of this work on the road I think lol) ...

Okay so our departure date was supposed to be June 14....It is now June 18th...and we are looking at departing June 21 or 22. On the original schedule my son Ben and I would be whooping it up at the oldest whitewater festival in the US, FIBARK, which takes place in Salida Colorado on the Arkansas River. This morning is age group nationals for slalom. Next year! Instead, the first week of our summer vacation has been me furiously working on the trailer, and Ben experiencing his first unstructured school break. He's had to make plans with friends day by day. Not too bad...lots of skateboarding, a couple of movies, a day dirt biking. So here in Margueritaville, I've had several wonderful friends and some skilled craftsman helping me get her done. Caps off to Terry, Anne, Laurie, and Micci for helping scrape and polish windows and trim pieces. Corey and Dane for helping with framing, electrical and flipping the axle. And a special shout to Chris Mast at Mastco Sheet meta...