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Towing Miss Trilly

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Towing Miss Trilly

Tag Archives: vintage trailer

Transition Journey

01 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

camping, fiberglass trailer, Miss Trilly, road trip, trailer travel, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

October 6— We had been on the go since o’dark hundred, having awakened before five a.m., even before the iPod alarm sounded. There were last-minute details to wrap up before we locked our boat’s companionway drop-boards for the final time until next spring. The Washington State Ferry departs from Friday Harbor each day at 8:05 and we wanted to be on that sailing. Clark and I had spent the previous nine days preparing our trimaran, Rikki-tikki-tavi, for his long winter sleep at the dock. The weather had become enjoyably mild after the first two days of blustery wetness following our re-entry from British Columbia on September 27th, which allowed us to take care of decommissioning chores in good order.

Between the 27th of September and October 5th, Clark borrowed a hooka, dove under the hulls, cleaned the metal parts and replaced the prop shaft sacrificial anode. We stowed gear, dried out the mainsail and removed it from the boom. I packed the sailcover to take back to California as a pattern for constructing a new version, which will also be of the sort that catches the sail as it is lowered. We also demounted our wind generator to take with us as the Rutland had developed a noise in its bearings. We removed the covers off the settee seat cushions and the complete back cushions for cleaning and revamping. We managed to get in a few visits with friends during those frenzied days, too. By the time we were ready to leave, the Trooper was packed very, very full. Confident that we had not missed anything of great importance, we drove away from the marina toward the ferry landing on the other side of the island.

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On the road, enjoying yet another sunny day, we stopped at the Costco in Clackamas, Oregon, to buy a battery for Miss Trilly and a couple of rotisserie chickens for dinner with family in Estacada. Finally, in the fading afternoon light, we had returned to our sweetheart Trillium trailer. We greeted family and sat down for some conversation to catch up on things. Because rain was to arrive overnight, the decision was made to hitch our lovely lady to her tow vehicle, Zuzu, before dinner and move her to the driveway. She followed the Trooper obediently, leaving the protection of her Summer Palace. Dan and Clark took the vinyl off The Palace for dry storage over the coming winter months.

Clark and I had been excitedly looking forward to the places we’d see during our first real land adventure with Miss Trilly. There was just a tiny problem… all the federal lands were closed to visitors. This meant no Yellowstone, no Grand Teton or Glacier to visit, no BLM lands or forest service campgrounds to stay in. Choices for sightseeing and camping would be limited to county parks and state parks. Our budget and our proclivities for more out-of-the-way places did not include private campgrounds. So, we sat down with the maps and brochures family had so thoughtfully collected and deliberated on the possibilities for routes and campsites. Miss Trilly was ready. We were ready to see some new territory. Where should we go?

We spend the majority of our time on the water, exploring the inner coast of British Columbia. We see a lot of saltwater, barnacled rocks, and green trees. After a while, it all starts to look much same. Clark and I were hunting for some scenery done up in colorful earth tones, so we chose a route through the rugged, arid center of Oregon. We would travel north and east past Mount Hood to the eastern side of the Cascade Range. Our drive would take us to the valley of the Deschutes River, which is contained entirely within Oregon, emerging from Little Lava Lake near La Pine. It flows north, passing through Bend, then onward to its confluence with the Columbia River a few miles southwest of Biggs Junction. Near the town of Madras at Billy Chinook Lake, the Deschutes is about 300 feet below the surrounding plateau. Established there is a state park named The Cove Palisades. The photos in the brochures showed interesting basaltic geology, so we chose that campground as our first stop.

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Mount Hood in the distance–The Cove Palisades State Park.

The campground had been whittled down to one loop, all with full hookups. The camp host informed me that we must pay the $21 hookup price even if we chose not to use it. All the tent sites for $16 had been blocked off, so we plugged in. In the photo above, we are parked along the road that descends to reservoir level from the campground perched on the basalt cliffs above. This part of the Deschutes River is an interesting area, but we were glad to be there in the uncrowded shoulder season. Observing the launch ramps, mini marinas, and large parking lots, it was evident that the lake was heavily used during the summer. As you can see below, there was no activity on Billy Chinook Lake during our visit.

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Next morning, we drove to Bend to fuel up and make a quick stop at Trader Joe’s for provisions. Our goal was another state park down Highway 97 called Collier Memorial. I had used our iPad to research the Oregon State Parks website, making sure that the parks were open for camping. Because prices were posted on the Collier camping rate page for the time period of October 1 to April 30, stating that a tent site was $14 and that full hookup was $17, I assumed that we would be able to stay there on October 7. We made the left turn off 97 and were stunned to encounter a gate across the campground entrance. A sign read “Closed for Winter.” Now what? The casino parking lot eight miles farther along? That option sounded dreadful to us.

We were on a Forest Service road and our 3G service on the iPad was working, barely. An app we use extensively, AllStays, indicated there was a Forest Service campground just down the road a short way. It was closed, right? We had already turned around and were about to head back to the highway when a pickup truck turned in. A young man with a dog pulled alongside to ask if we needed assistance. He told us that the USFS campground was open, though the water was turned off. He noted, however, that the toilets were not locked and that he would be heading there shortly. So… we turned around yet again and drove down the gravel road to Williamson River campground.

The campsites were completely vacant. The fee box was covered with a plastic bag and there was a very small “Closed due to government shutdown” sign on the information board. We parked in a pull-through site, leveled the trailer, turned on the propane, lit the fridge, then had something to eat while coffee trickled through its filter. Outside, there was a faint whiff of propane reaching my nose. I tracked it down to the new regulator Clark had installed in April. The leak seemed to be very minor, but it seemed quite odd. (Note: The problem that prompted the replacement of the regulator turned out to be a clog in the fuel line leading to the trailer. We had not needed that new regulator after all.)

Over our afternoon ritual drink, we discussed whether to stay and risk being asked to move long or move along and risk not being able to find another camp spot. How comfortable did we feel with each choice? There was another state park a bit up the Crater Lake highway, a primitive campground with only ten sites, that was open through October 31. We could either drive there or stay put. It was very quiet at Williamson River Campground–a bit too quiet, perhaps. If something were to happen, there was no way we could call for assistance or alert someone nearby. We decided to leave.

On the road out, we crossed tracks with a couple in a VW Westfalia. They passed us, but Clark stopped. The Westie stopped too and backed up to meet us. We asked about the USFS camping. The couple said they had stayed in the campground the previous night and they would stay again that night. We then felt more comfortable–someone would be nearby in case of need. The problem then became that of turning Zuzu and Miss Trilly around yet again on the narrow gravel road. Clark managed the task with aplomb, with only two or three attempts. We chose a spot within sight of the VW, but far enough away as not to intrude on their privacy. Later on, two other campers arrived to share this “closed” area for the night.

Williamson-River

Tell us where to go next!

Settling into our new spot, we turned on the propane again and tried to light the fridge, but it simply refused to fire. The 34-year-old Dometic failed to work on 12volt setting too. Darn! Clark had tested it for a couple of days back in Estacada. What had gone wrong? Not having the fridge was very inconvenient. Another concern, besides losing our frozen food, was finding places to camp. Along routes south into California and/or Nevada, most sites are federal. What to do? Commiserating, Clark and I decided to turn westward toward the coast. For the time being, we had finished with earth tones. Decision made, we enjoyed the Ponderosa pines and the peacefulness of the area. No fumes or generators, perfectly quiet. We slept like babies, serenaded many times by choruses of coyotes.

Last to leave the following morning, we stopped at the casino for fuel, then headed up the Crater Lake Highway. Knowing we were prohibited from stopping at the National Park was a huge downer. We resolved to come back at another time and settled back to enjoy the scenery along Highway 92. The traffic was extremely light, which made the driving that much more pleasurable, though it was distressing to see so many “Closed” signs along the way.

Just shy of Medford, we stayed at another Oregon State Park–Joseph H. Stewart Recreation Area. Situated on another reservoir, we found the campground a bit crowded with motorhomes and fifth-wheels, but most folks were quiet. We stretched our legs, enjoying the balmy late afternoon light. Clark and I couldn’t help but notice the humongous nature of the vehicles people camp in these days. There was only one other small fiberglass trailer, a Casita, and the gent who traveled in it with his wife came by to spend some time with us. He was chock full of information! The restrooms, though, left something to be desired. One would think that a Camp Host’s duties includes more than just dumping the trash and sweeping the center of the floors.

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Next day, we stopped in Medford for fuel at Costco and a new 2014 Rand McNally Road Atlas at WalMart (only because WM was convenient) AND some ice! Clark transferred frozen food to a cooler and we continued onward. Our route toward to coast took us on The Redwood Highway, Highway 199, which runs 80 miles from Grants Pass OR to Crescent City CA. Again, it was a road worth driving simply for its beauty. I enjoyed all the hairpin turns and curves, though negotiating them was tiring for Clark.

We chose a Del Norte county park in which to spend the night–Florence Keller Regional. It was a dark and wet little area located off Elk Valley Cross Road at the intersection of Highways 99 and 101. We parked in #3 in this small section of second-growth redwoods. Redwood forests just smell good, which was a relief since the restroom in this park was horrible! Country Western music was playing somewhere in the back of the very rundown building and the facilities were not what we could call sanitary. I asked Clark to accompany my visits even though the Camp Host was just a few yards across the narrow road. The host’s site, with its mobile trailer, was crammed with what appeared to be many years’ worth of collected “stuff”–a veritable junkyard. It left us wondering where our cash camp fee would end up.

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Florence Keller Regional Park in Del Norte County.

As Zuzu carried us through Crescent City the following morning, we spotted at least a dozen very spiffy classic cars taking part in a car rally. Very fun! We aimed for another county park on the Samoa Peninsula, which is a coastal bar that once separated Humboldt Bay from the Pacific Ocean. It is across from the city of Eureka where we had overnighted Rikki-tikki-tavi in the Woodley Island Marina on our “sail” up the coast in June of 2005. This time, towing Miss Trilly and traveling on the land, we stopped at one of our favorite places, the precious town of Trinidad, to wander down the pier. We bypassed several lovely North Coast California State Parks–specifically Prairie Creek Redwoods and Patrick’s Point–because of the high camping fees. This region of California is one of our very favorite environments, but we simply cannot accept paying $35 to $45 per night to camp. Samoa Humboldt County Park Campground is much less expensive, but it is an unsightly gravel parking lot. There were flush toilets and free showers, but we won’t stop there again.

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An expanse of Humboldt Bay outside, Clark studies our new road atlas.

Continuing south from Eureka, we made a side trip to Ferndale, with its Victorian Village and small-town atmosphere. The ornate buildings are pridefully kept and we strolled up and down both sides of the main street. This very quiet town (at least when we were there) is very pleasantly surrounded by pastoral country.

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Ferndale, The Victorian Village

Driving on, we left Highway 101 to meander along the Avenue of the Giants, which is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101. Next trip, Clark and I will get out and hike. I am recuperating from a broken toe and torn ligament in a knee. It is a shame that we weren’t able to get deep into the stately and beautiful groves of tremendous Sequoia sempervirens. We were forced back onto 101 due to road construction. At Leggett, we bailed off the freeway to pick up the coast road, the famous Highway 1.

Redwoods

Avenue of the Giants

There were only state park and private campgrounds within reach. Would we want to pay $35 at MacKerricher SP or $25 at Westport-Union Landing SB? MacKerricher is a very nice park. We have visited many times in the past before the prices went crazy. Ten dollars buys a bit more than a couple of gallons of gas, so we stopped at the roadside primitive (pit toilets) site of Westport-Union, just north of Howard Creek. We discovered that seniors get a generous (?) $2 discount, so I wrote a check for $23 to park on the bluff above the waves. The weather could not have been more beautiful. We met a couple who were camping in a new R-Pod with slide-outs. Larry told us the trailer had two big-screen TVs and a pet iguana that had to be kept at 90˚ constantly.

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Miss Trilly’s spot at Westport-Union Landing SB.

The waters of the Pacific Ocean were mesmerizing and, well, pacific. We could envision our trimaran sailing past this coast in weather such as this. We would be motoring, of course, as there was no wind to ruffle the sea or propel a sailboat. In 2005, rounding Cape Mendocino from our overnight anchorage in Shelter Cove, which was within sight, the sea was as flat as glass. We could peer into deep blue of the Mattole Canyon! We sighted many sunfish and thousands of by-the-wind sailors, even a couple of puffins. From our current vantage point above the soft surf, we enjoyed our afternoon java, then watched the sun slowly “sink” into the horizon, the golden light reflecting off the washed sand below. Sublime.

In the page headers, you will see a view of the Trinidad pier with fishermen, another of the line-up of campers at Westport-Union (Miss Trilly is visible if you look for her), and one of our Zuzu and Miss Trilly parked on Little Lake Street in Mendocino. Of course, we spent a few hours wandering around the lovely town of Mendocino, enjoying the art galleries and bookstores. Then, we stopped for fuel in Fort Bragg and a driving tour down to the harbor of Noyo, where we had spent eleven days in June of 2005. Such excitement we had back then–a USCG inspection, frightening sea lion encounters, a tsunami alert scramble, hiking across the bridge into Fort Bragg against a gale wind. Happy memories include a steak dinner and rock jam session with a new friend, many fun and inexpensive bus rides to Mendocino, and meeting the delivery crew of a motor yacht who introduced us to Saint André cheese (OMG!).

We thought we might overnight at the Navarro River Redwoods State Park, but we did not want to park in another gravel lot like we found at Navarro Beach, so we drove to $25 Paul Dimmick Campground–and found it CLOSED! Phooey. Hendy Woods SP eight miles northwest of Boonville is an outrageous $40 a night, so we continued to tiny Indian Creek County Park in the tiny town of Philo. We are fans of community public radio (our favorite is KVMR in Nevada City). Philo is home to KZYX and we tuned in. Indian Creek has only ten sites, but the place was empty. A bobcat came strolling down the road soon after Clark got the trailer leveled, but it spotted our movement and trotted off in the other direction. There were no pay envelopes and nobody came to collect–another free night to offset the more costly stops. The smell of propane emanating from the new regulator was getting stronger, so Clark replaced it with the old original unit. Hooray, no more odor!

Driving east on Highway 128 next day, we were astonished to see how many vineyards have been “installed” on the hills in the Anderson Valley since our last visit in 1987. Incredible. Do we really need to plaster the planet with wine grapes? In Calistoga, we parked at Pioneer Park and took a jaunt down the main street. I ambled around a consignment shop while Clark checked out a gourmet kitchen store. We briefly contemplated getting spa treatments at famous Doc Wilkinson’s, which we had experienced many years ago. Best massage I’ve ever had! We had visited Harbin Hot Springs on our honeymoon and enjoyed it very much too, so I checked on their offerings using my iPad. Because the weather was so perfect, it was very tempting to stop for another day or two, dragging our feet. The rates and facilities at Harbin were quite inviting. In the end, we chose to continue driving east to Sacramento. We enjoyed cruising the back roads past Lake Berryessa. Miss Trilly and Zuzu were parked in front of the house before three in the afternoon. Time for coffee!

Until our next adventure, happy travels!
9ah & Clark

Addendum to fridge problem: Clark discovered a missing pin in the connector between the control selector knob on the face of the fridge with the actual fuel selector inside the unit. A bent-on wire served as a quick and free repair. Clark later became suspicious of the accuracy of the thermostat, especially the propane side, as he monitored the temperature on different cold settings. Subsequently, we installed a new one. That cost $100. I have no complaints. Clark is the cook. Enough said.

The Final Chapter (until Fall)

22 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

camping, DIY, IKEA hack, interior design, Travel, vintage trailer

The weeks of seemingly nonstop tasks are finally at an end. Miss Trilly is snug in her Summer Palace in Oregon. We left her with caring family on April 16th, continuing north without her trailing behind Zuzu. It was sad to be parting without having time to fully enjoy her fresh new look, but she is packed for camping and ready for our return in October. It is our plan to head northeast from Oregon on our first big journey together. We are excitedly looking forward to an extended trip to parts of the country we haven’t yet explored. Miss Trilly has a new lease on life as an able traveling companion, all dressed up with places to go. She (and we) will be waiting patiently until then.

The Unveiling

April 8th was the official unveiling of our sweet Trillium’s makeover to family and a couple of special friends. Nina’s mom was invited into Miss Trilly’s bosom as soon as all her new accoutrements were in place. Mom was extremely accommodating and gracious. She was highly aware of all our difficulties, challenges, and the extraordinary amount of time we had put into the project. For three months, we had taken over her garage, set up a worktable in the office, stacked foam and fabric in the sewing room, spread yards of fabrics across the family room floor, cleaned aluminum windows on the side yard picnic table, and even used the expanse of the backyard deck for spray gluing. Mom had earned the privileged position of first viewing. Choking back tears, she managed the words, “It is so beautiful!”

She is beautiful…

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Some details… The window shades are what I guess is known as an IKEA Hack (there is a website devoted to projects using IKEA products in unique ways). I used beige Anno Sanela curtain panels, which are made of paper and look like fine grasscloth. Only fifteen dollars apiece, three were more than enough to make shades for all the windows. I sliced up the 23.5″ x 118″ panels with a rotary cutter and glued them back together with the wonderful adhesive from Beacon, Fabri-Tac. The shades roll up by hand and fasten to a large wooden bead attached at the header with a single loop of cord, crocheted out of embroidery floss because it was the only thing I could find that was the right color. The headers are accented with welting made from the seat upholstery fabric. I waterproofed the small shade over the door window with spray silicone. Forty-five dollars, a bottle of glue, some scrap wood cut to size and painted, five beads from an old necklace, and three skeins of embroidery thread at thirty-seven cents… Voilá, lovely window coverings with a definite Zen feel. Peaceful. Simple.

One of the trickier aspects of the new upholstery was a result of our decision to create wrap-around cushions for the front dinette. We assembled the foam shapes from “Q” foam we had left over from our boat cushions. It is very high quality material, expensive too, and we had saved all unused pieces. We glued slabs together to the size and thickness we desired, using spray adhesives. We used both 3M High Strength 90 and Loctite Professional. Each has a web spray pattern, which is easier to control. I found that I prefer the 3M product. We had used that on our boat headliners and it has held up well since 2004. We let the glue cure overnight, then cut wedges out where we wanted the cushion to make a curved right angle. The first set of wedges weren’t deep enough, so we cut them larger and glued again, jamming the folded foam under some furniture to force it into a tight bond. Here is Clark cutting the foam with an electric knife that we found at the thrift store for fifty cents.

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And here is a finished corner cushion. This is the starboard one with the back shaped to accommodate the bump next to the door. This allows for a cushion the full width of the seat.

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On the Road!

On April 11th, together we hit the pavement, driving north on Highways 70/99 through Yuba City and Chico, joining I-5 at Red Bluff. This is “the scenic route”, more leisurely without the interstate’s many trucks and vehicles whose drivers always seem to be in a hurry. The day was clear and mild, a perfect day to enjoy the passing rows of flowering fruit and nut trees of Northern California’s “fruit basket” agricultural area. We were aiming for Valley of The Rogue State Park, just a bit shy of Grants Pass, Oregon. We wondered how well Zuzu would behave towing the Trillium through the winding passes and steep grades of the Klamath Mountains. This system includes the mighty volcanic Mount Shasta and the somewhat infamous Siskiyous. We were especially curious to see how she towed after we simplified the hitch setup by removing the trunnion weight distribution kit, which we felt was unnecessary for towing our Miss Trilly’s mere 1300 pounds.

The driving proceeded beautifully and we enjoyed the sights along the way–our view of Mount Shasta was glorious. The traffic was remarkably light and our Trooper didn’t flinch with the trailer obediently following. It was much less bumpy and jarring towing without the weight kit on the hitch. We were able to pass the double-rigs as they negotiated the downgrades under low gear and slowed to a crawl on the upgrades. The going was comfortably smooth.

Inside Oregon, we pulled off in Medford to fill the fuel tank at Costco, then drove on to the state park where we found a spot to spend the night beside the Rogue River. Unfortunately, the camping area is also flanked by the freeway on its other side. The trailer seemed to dampen the whoosh of traffic–we were glad not to be sleeping in a tent!

Dinnertime. No propane. Hmmmm, we had tested it before we left. It had to be that the 34-year-old regulator decided to take that moment to give up the ghost. Cold chicken thighs with slices of Irish cheddar and Jarlsberg took the place of a hot chicken and cheese omelet that night. We slept very well on the custom mattress that came with Miss Trilly. I made up the bed with our fleece sheets and a “down alternative” throw (Don’t you just love that? It’s just Dacron, folks.) from Costco. It felt just like our berth on the boat or the bed at our studio in Sacramento–much nicer than sleeping bags. Without propane for the wall heater, we were fortunate to have electricity for the small space heater because it got very chilly. We had to wear earplugs to block out its loud fan and the freeway noise. In the morning, we went into Grants Pass to find a restaurant for hot coffee and breakfast. We admit with some reluctance that we ended up at Denny’s, where we split a Grand Slam with four eggs and four slices of paper-thin bacon.

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I looked up RV parts stores and, after a foray into the town’s nicely stocked Fred Meyer store, we pulled into a yard with dozens of new motorhomes for sale. The gal behind the counter told us, after we explained our regulator problem, that they would charge $44 just to “take a look at it.” We were in the wrong place! On the road again, we hadn’t even reached full inertia when we spied a small RV yard on the west side of the freeway. We took the off ramp immediately coming up and pulled into Oregon RV Outlet, where Howard sold us a new regulator for only $17. They were doing work on a very unusual vintage fiberglass trailer, one of only two made in 1969. The name on the side of this beautifully painted unit was “Experimental Grimm-Aero.” We have not been able to discover any more information.

The Exit 99 (Canyonville) off-ramp took us to the only privately owned rest stop on the West Coast, Jordan Creek. It is on the Seven Feathers Casino property. It is very well appointed and it’s BIG. I learned the details about this new rest stop on the internet using 3G on our iPad as we drove away. This rest stop has only been open since autumn of 2012. A sign indicated that a maximum of twelve hours of parking is allowed. We marked it down as a potential overnight location.

Next stop, the Salem Costco for gas. While Clark waited in line, I ran in to use the restroom. On the way, I noticed that they had the 10′ x 20′ carport we had purchased in Sacramento on display. If you are a Costco member, you will have learned to buy what you want the first time you see it in the store, because when you go back the item may be sold out. That is what we did with the shelter for Miss Trilly. Yes, we could have saved paying California sales tax, but we did not want to take the chance of Salem not having any available. Besides, we had to pack all our boat gear around that gigantic box.

We arrived at my aunt’s rural home just after 4:30 p.m. My cousin and her husband were out working in the expansive yard. The weather was now cold and gray, quite a change from sunny, warm California. Rain was in the forecast, so the huge box that held the Summer Palace was immediately unloaded from the Trooper. We had the frame all set up and ready for footings before dinner. Easy.

The guys made a trip into town the next morning for concrete. They set about making forms and digging post holes as anchors. We understand that the area is subject to some strong, unpredictable winds. We certainly don’t want the vinyl-covered tent to be lifted off its legs and blown around, so it is secured every which way. My family is very generous in providing the space for and attention to our trailer, and we want to ensure that having this new object to care for is as simple and uneventful as possible. The shelter must also be attractive and unobtrusive. Terri’s prowess as a gardener is obvious–her landscape is simply lovely, manicured to perfection, with wonderful combinations of textures and colors. The new addition to the yardscape is more than acceptable, she told us, and it is not white! (Believe it or not, this is important.)

The men building forms as Miss Trilly awaits.

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The Summer Palace complete with our sweetheart snugly ensconced…

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Here we must leave Miss Trilly and you, our dear readers, for we are now back aboard our trimaran, Rikki-tikki-tavi, readying him for a full six months of cruising the Pacific Northwest. Clark and I will pick up where we left off when we return, put Rikki-tikki to bed for the winter, and begin our Great Journey with Miss Trilly. Until then, we wish all of you safe travels and wonderful adventures!

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Happy travels!
9ah and Clark

Nearing the Finish!

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

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Tags

DIY, interior, interior refurbishing, vintage trailer

Our “finish line” of having Miss Trilly ready for the road is coming into view. All the Hehr jalousie windows have been removed, cleaned up, and reinstalled. Originally, plywood strips surrounded the windows. Clark cut solid wood as replacements. The windows were attached into these using new stainless screws. The sealant, butyl “combo” tape generously applied, will stop any leaks for perhaps three more decades. We are elated that this undertaking is complete. My fingernails are completely worn down from all the scraping and steelwooling. Even though I strongly dislike cleaning aluminum, I enjoy seeing it clean and shiny. However, one can never remove all the corrosion and pitting. Just accept it.

Removing the vinyl-faced Ensolite insulation from the wood strips inside the trailer was difficult and tedious. The cement used in 1979 stuck very well, especially on the wood that was not rotted. A very sharp thin bladed kitchen knife, I found, was the best tool. It was the point of the knife that presented a hazard – too easy to slip and make a mistake. I only poked through the face once when freeing a corner from the wood. Hopefully, I will be able to repair that small tear satisfactorily. I never want to have go through slicing Ensolite off of wood again, so we trimmed the windows with painted wood. This finishes off the contemporary look very well and holds the wall insulation in place, covering up any holes from previous window covering installations.

In the spaces of time between cleaning windows and removing paint from the portside exterior aluminum (again!) vent grills on Miss Trilly, I covered the bottom of the overhead shelves with Sunbrella®. The sticky coating on the mahogany skin, we discovered, originally held some kind of thin vinyl material. It is the same vinyl that is on the inside of the drawer stack in the aft seat and that had been applied to the two barrier boards that protects wiring, all of which is peeling off. This covering had dried out and come loose long ago and had been torn away. The remnants were still stuck along the edges where the shelves were held by the aluminum framing.

Clark cut new sliding door panels out of scrap doorskin material we had on hand and painted these to match the window trim. We have reinstalled the shelves (correcting an egregious misalignment while doing so) and remounted the original under-cabinet light fixtures. These are updated with Valspar spray paint. I removed the brown-painted frame on the lenses with acetone and Clark replaced the lamps with LEDs. He found adapters for the bayonet fitting. The doors now have contemporary knobs that coordinate with the original copper-colored/bronze latches.

Overhead ShelvesToday we finished the interior of the closet. The “rat fur” has been replaced by “medium neutral” EZ-Flex automotive carpeting, which I glued in with latex carpet adhesive. Clark cut a mahogany panel for the floor, coated it with polyurethane and I covered that too with the carpet. We painted the raw wood sticks that held up the white (!) vinyl-coated wire shelves that came with the trailer to match the carpet. The closet now looks modern and clean. The auto carpet is well-made stuff and will be extremely durable.

The vinyl “wood” on the cabinetry is, unfortunately, in very good condition, with the exception of the top drawer. It was peeling badly, so I pulled off the vinyl. It may not work out, but I wrapped the drawer front with the same Sunbrella® that we used under the overhead shelves. We like how the fabric looks and hope that because Sunbrella® is scrubbable, we can keep it looking nice. The new pulls are elegant and they won’t catch on our pants pockets! Perhaps during the winter of 2014 we will have the gumption to makeover all the fake walnut particle wood doors. In truth, the original dark vinyl everywhere is looking very out of place now.Drawer

We each worked through several more tasks. Clark installed two 12-volt receptacles, one under the forward dinette, the other above the power converter, which is original equipment. We haven’t decided where to put the Morningstar solar controller yet. The wood headers for the roll-up shades are painted, so I am assembling them and gluing a wood strip into the hem. We should be ready to hang these by tomorrow afternoon, Friday at the latest. We will have crossed a threshold when the window coverings are finished. They will look fantastic – very Zen.

Here is what Miss Trilly’s port side looked like in January…OrigPort_sm

Here she is now – higher ground clearance and solar panel instead of AC.MissTrilly_Apr1stWe will be storing Miss Trilly in Oregon for the summer. She will be watched over by attentive family, who generously offered to harbor our sweetheart. We deliberated for weeks with choices for a weather cover for our treasure. Should we buy a full RV cover, build our own carport from wood or steel, or buy a temporary shelter? Money always a consideration, we did not want to spend more than $300. A shelter like the one from Costco that protected the trailer while we worked on the new axle would be perfect, but these were no longer available at Costco. We checked each time we went, which is fairly frequent when we are in California. Finally, on a visit just last week, we saw an employee atop a display assembling a large patio umbrella, so we asked him if they were expecting any of the carport shelters Costco had stocked in the past. He lead us to a stack of them that had just that morning been delivered! A very heavy box is now taking up a lot of room in Zuzu, our tow vehicle. Miss Trilly will be protected like royalty during her sequester in Oregon. We breathe easier now, another item checked off the list.

The finish line is in sight! Everything is coming together quickly now. We are getting antsy to hitch her up and be on our way! Photographs will be posted of the new and improved Miss Trilly as soon as they are available!

Happy travels,
Clark & 9ah

The Mystery of the Ironwork

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

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Tags

interior, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

CeilingSupportSM

This is a very intriguing mystery, for us at least. Perhaps it will also be compelling to other vintage Trillium owners out there. When we wrote about Miss Trilly’s unique pink-colored ironwork on her Attributes page, we were under the impression that Trillium didn’t have supports between the galley countertop and cabinets or between the countertop and the ceiling. We had never seen even one photo of a Trillium with a support between cabinets. In truth, we felt that the thin, twirly iron supports in Scamps were rather unattractive. Our reaction to the gargantuan structure possessed by Miss Trilly, when we first saw it, was one of distaste.

The existence of iron braces, we believed, was unique to Boler fiberglass eggs, among Canadian-built trailers, and to Scamps. When we visited the Trillium RV factory in Florence, AZ, in January, we asked Tom Young about the ironwork in our 4500 w/AC. Without seeing our Trillium, he immediately responded, “You have a Boler!” He told us that Trillium “never” put supports in their trailers. “They don’t need them because of how they are constructed.” Subsequently, it was our theory that this prominent piece of metal (painted PINK! omg!) had been added by an owner somewhere along the line, perhaps because they’d been concerned about the 82 extra pounds of AC on the roof.

Like everyone who acquires a vintage trailer, fiberglass or not, one begins to seek out other examples of said trailers. So, unable to sleep one night, I lit up our iPad and began cruising through Google® images under the search “Trillium 4500”. To my great surprise, what should appear but another “very rare” 1979 Trillium 4500 with factory installed roof top air on Fiberglass RV Classified Archives. Two years ago, this Trillium was located in Missouri and the seller was asking $7500. As I scrolled down the page, I was amazed to see, revealed in the photos of the interior, a twin (!) of our heavy-duty ironwork, except this one was painted white. Wow. Our theory (and Tom’s assertion?) was derailed. I almost woke Clark to tell him, but restrained myself and decided to wait until he was enjoying morning coffee.

WhtCeilingSupport

Where does this new revelation leave us? Were these twin supports installed by Trillium as the campers with AC were being manufactured in Ontario, Canada? Or were both of these structures installed by a Trillium dealer? The same dealer would have had to sell both trailers, don’t you think? We inherited a binder containing the paperwork and history kept by various owners of our 4500. The original Owners Manual and Warranty Card (in French), is dated 30 November 1979. The dealer on the card is Camping On Wheels in Irvine, California. We wonder if the 4500 in Missouri with matching ironwork (wondering, too, where the trailer may currently be) was also sold through this particular dealer. All very interesting questions, which serve only to deepen the mystery of the ironwork.

As of yesterday, however, our Miss Trilly has lost some weight. We removed the rooftop AC unit AND her pink ironwork. Yippee! She looks so much sleeker on the outside and roomier on the inside. (The paper towel holder went away, too. Neat.)

Should you be able to provide a clue to help solve this mystery, please let us know.

Happy travels!
9ah & Clark

New Seat Cushions

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

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Tags

DIY, interior refurbishing, sewing, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

Yesterday, I am proud to say, marked the completion of new upholstery on the seat cushions. We are pleased with the textured Crypton fabric and are certain it will wear extremely well. The color complements the buttercream of the trailer’s gelcoat. I chose a very elegant Barrow fabric with a leaf pattern for the seat backs.

Crypton Textured Earth for the seats:Crypton-Fabric

Barrow M8221 Chameleon for the back cushions:BacksFabric

My mom’s 85-year-old Singer sewing machine performed the majority of the stitching. She says it was Singer’s very first electric model. I was unable to get the tension set properly on my much younger and fancier Brother machine. It does a myriad of decorative stitches, but apparently doesn’t like heavy duty thread. The old Singer handled it just fine. I decided to make cushions with a top and bottom welt, so it would be nice to have a welting foot to make the sewing a bit easier, but I am making it work with a zipper foot.

And here is the result…
FwrdSeat1sm

SetteeSeat1Next, we will build up foam to make a deeper wrap-around back cushion for each front dinette seat. The flat cushions do not provide enough support as they are. The small table there was designed to drop down to make up a single bed, but we will never use it that way. Instead, we will create an attractive and inviting sitting area. This table will be utilized constantly, so the seats must be comfortable and functional.

Miss Trilly came with a new, one-piece foam mattress to fit the large, aft settee. It is very comfy! We will leave this mattress in place with the bed made up. Perhaps we will also have throw pillows there for lounging. You are probably wondering why I am going to the trouble to recover the cushions for this area. Just in case we decide to use the area as a table sometime in the future, we want everything updated while the fabrics are available and I am set up to sew.

We have ordered a new Torflex axle. The next post may be about the axle installation! Stay tuned…

Happy travels,
Clark & 9ah

A New Sweetheart

27 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by clark9ah in Miss Trilly

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Travel, Trillium trailer, vintage trailer

We met her the first week in December 2012. The very second we set eyes on her, we were smitten. A sweet buttercream “glass egg” trailer, she charmed us with her clean good looks and splendid health. All her systems were in working order––remarkable for her nearly thirty-four years of age. As she welcomed us inside, we found her diminutive size perfect for us. We were completely taken over with the excitement and anticipation of getting to know her and enjoying her companionship.

Clark and I are still amazed that the chaos of the universe managed to bring us to her––and to her caretakers, Lloyd and Judy. They welcomed us and made us feel like special friends right away. We spent hours talking and found we had much in common. We told them how we were camping with our other vintage trailer, a 1948 Higgins. Lloyd, especially, was excited to meet our old pal. Next day, we towed him down from the campground and introduced everyone. We don’t think Mr Higgins was too upset upon meeting our new love. He had plenty of his own admirers that day! Then, apologizing for our disregard, we abandoned him to cozy up overnight with our latest infatuation. She was everything we had dreamed of and we were like kids snuggling with a new puppy!

It was time to leave our new sweetheart behind. She would wait for our return. We had come to the dance with another partner––dear Mr Higgins was our companion. Waving farewell to our new friends, Lloyd and Judy, we drove away without her, Higgins following obediently behind Zuzu, our trusted Trooper. Our new love would be safe in the hands of those who had been caring so well for her.

Three weeks later, we returned as promised. We made her an official member of our family of vagabonds and towed her home to California, happy to be once again wrapped in her cozy embrace. We call her Miss Trilly, an endearment of the proud Canadian Trillium family name. She is a 1979 Trillium 4500, a vintage fiberglass trailer. We introduce you to her now, as she was when we first met. Isn’t she simply lovely?

OrigStarBd_sm

Clark & 9ah
(Don’t worry, Mr Higgins. You love you for who you are. We shall never part with you.)

Miss Trilly

Mr Higgins

Contents

  • About
  • Miss Trilly
    • Miss Trilly’s Attributes
    • Makeover Details
  • Mr Higgins
  • Links of Interest

Recent Posts

  • A Yearly Check-In?
  • 4,244 miles!
  • Fall Road Trip
  • Transition Journey
  • The Final Chapter (until Fall)

Archives

  • March 2016
  • February 2015
  • March 2014
  • November 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013

Blogs We Follow

  • WALKING WOMAN
  • Christopher Briscoe
  • Wright Away Sails Away
  • Birgitta Höglunds Paleo
  • tylersculinary
  • The Science of Human Potential
  • Adventures of Dave and Ann
  • WatsonsWander
  • Wheeling It: Tales From a Nomadic Life
  • Technomadia
  • Gone With The Wynns
  • The Graphic Side of Life
  • Movin' on
  • Travels with the Blonde Coyote
  • rvsue and her canine crew
  • WEB OF DEBT BLOG
  • Eat Like A Swede-LCHF (Low-Carb, High-Fat)
  • Red Road Diaries
  • Zeebra Designs & Destinations
  • Anita & Michael's travels
  • A Word in Your Ear
  • Worrall Travel R's
  • simpletravelourway
  • Family Outdoor Adventure

Copyright 2013

Text and photographs included in these pages are copyrighted to Nina Courtney Wagaman and/or Clark Wagaman, except where noted. You may NOT use either media on your website or on another website without express permission. However, you MAY quote a short excerpt with a link back to this website. Thank you very much for your interest.

Blog at WordPress.com.

WALKING WOMAN

Christopher Briscoe

At the intersection of storytelling and art.

Wright Away Sails Away

Going where the water is warm and clear.

Birgitta Höglunds Paleo

Let food be your medicine

tylersculinary

Tylers culinary blog

The Science of Human Potential

Understanding how to be the best you can be. Professor Grant Schofield.

Adventures of Dave and Ann

with appearances by Mr Higgins

WatsonsWander

with appearances by Mr Higgins

Wheeling It: Tales From a Nomadic Life

On the Road Since 2010, Traveling Across USA & Europe With Pets

Technomadia

Adventures in Nomadic Serendipity

Gone With The Wynns

The Graphic Side of Life

Movin' on

Meandering with camera...

Travels with the Blonde Coyote

Follow the Blonde Coyote and see more of the world!

rvsue and her canine crew

Living on less and enjoying life more

WEB OF DEBT BLOG

ARTICLES IN THE NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMENTS, FEEDBACK, IDEAS

Eat Like A Swede-LCHF (Low-Carb, High-Fat)

Join the LCHF movement in Sweden!

Red Road Diaries

Musings from the back roads

Zeebra Designs & Destinations

An Artist's Eyes Never Rest

Anita & Michael's travels

Just another WordPress.com weblog

A Word in Your Ear

Stories and Photographs of my travels, Tales of friends, family, animals and my life

Worrall Travel R's

with appearances by Mr Higgins

simpletravelourway

Beth and Joe enjoy simple and active travel – every day of the year. They started their trip in 2012 and are still slowly traveling the world.

Family Outdoor Adventure

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