Enhanced Camper Security

In May, our T@B 320 was stolen off our driveway at 4:30 AM. We were awaked by the noise of it being scraped away but didn't get a visual. We called the police immediately. We had a coupler pin lock on that the thief couldn't break, but hauled it off by the chains, and with the tongue jack down (see how it bent to 90 degrees in the picture). Within several minutes the thief flipped it about a mile away and it was totaled. Thief escaped. It was only 10 mos old, and had been used only a few times.
We got an insurance settlement and just purchased a 2023. We're hoping to minimize the chances of this happening again, so we were motivated to increase our security. Here's what we've implemented:
-We installed 3 motion detecting Ring cameras on our property. Any motion where we park the camper immediately alerts us by app and is captured on video
-We already owned one wheel lock. It was not on at the time of the theft. It's not fabulous quality, but it is a visual deterrent. Now we'll use it every time. Also, we'll put the four stabilizers down every time we park it (stablilizers were not down at the time of the theft)

-We bought a 6 foot chain with hardened square-shaped links that are hard to cut and a padlock that is also hard to defeat, and lock it to an Artago ground anchor attached to a buried block of cement.
-We bought a Proven hitch lock, model 2178A, which also protects the tow chains

-I did some research on whether to get a GPS tracker or not. As I thought about it, a GPS tracker would potentially be of value if you assume that the thief is rational (ie they will attempt to preserve the camper during theft) and that it will be in good enough shape that you will want it back when reclaimed. Neither of these assumptions were true in our case, as our T@B was completely destroyed within minutes of the theft. Given this, paying for a monthly subscription for GPS (especially when we already pay for secured indoor winter storage) didn't seem like a great value. Instead, we opted for a good, replacement value insurance policy.

While every security method can be overcome, we hope this combination of methods will not only serve as visual deterrents, but also slow down a determined thief long enough that the motion cameras will alert us and we can call the police, while simultaneously getting good video of the crime.

We're looking forward to getting back to camping!

Sewing for a Wedding

Meg and Ben got engaged in Oct 2021, and me and my mom didn't waste much time starting to think about a dress for her. The prom dress sewing projects were such a hit, we thought it would be great to offer to make a custom-made dress for Meg (to be clear, when I say "we" I really mean 99% my mom).

Over thanksgiving weekend, Meg, Sally and I made a quick stop at David's. The quality of the dresses were poor, but it gave Meg a chance to try on a number of styles to see what she wanted. Guess what we discovered? She basically wanted the same kind of dress as her purple prom dress: v-neck fitted bodice, A-line skirt, back buttons, some lace on the bodice. We also had some fun conversations about all of the different shades of "white," Meg being under the illusion that there was only one white.

One of the polyester dresses at David's. We can do much better

We went home and did a fitting on the prom dress, so it could serve as a fancy "muslin." 

My mom used a combination of the prom dress pattern and a vintage Vogue 8997, which has princess lines in the bodice.

The prom dress pattern

We also got out my wedding dress, which my mom made of silk dupioni with scallops along the top. The veils (both short and long) were in good condition, and Meg thought she'd like to use the shorter one. My mom decreased the volume on the veil and it was ready.

My dress and veil, which mom made for me

With the dressmaker

In December, mom and I talked about different fabric choices (Andy was amazed at how long we could talk about fabrics), looking at samples she'd received from Ginny's Fine Fabrics and Support Group in Rochester MN.

Design discussions

Mom ordered 6 yards of silk shantung and 3/4 yard of a really gorgeous lace, along with cotton organdy underlining and a bemberg lining, from Ginny's.

The silk and lace arrive

In January, we went shopping for basic leather flats. They're harder to find than you'd think.

Mom was spending many hours and making great progress on the dress. She'd periodically send photos of her progress, and would update me on all of the audiobooks she was consuming during the process.

In February I was able to see the dress in person. I was amazed at how lovely it was. And it has pockets, which every bride needs!

In early March, everyone made a trek to our house for a fitting. The purple prom dress "muslin" was such a good guide, that only a few fitting tweaks were needed.

Using the stairs as a make-shift hemming platform

Mom did a little altering for Sally, the maid of honor's dress, as well.

With the wedding dress done, my mom offered to help me make the up the pattern I'd picked out. Thank God- it was a complex pattern.

I'd ordered 3.5 yds of dupioni silk in a bright royal blue. Mom made a muslin, and needed to do several fittings and adjustments to get it to fit really well. 

Muslin of my jacket

Completed jacket. I love that neckline

She made a matching clutch for me, as well

When mom was done sewing my suit, she made a dress for herself to wear.

Next it was time to consider accessories. Maisy was going to be the ring bearer, so she needed a ring pillow and a tutu. I made these for her.

Maisy is a good sport about the tutu

I used some of the leftover dress shantung to make the ring pillow.

Harriet tries on the ring pillow

Meg and Ben wanted a chuppah for their ceremony, so with some trial and error we rigged up our camping awning with tulle, ivy, and sewed two vintage linen tablecloths that were Andy's grandma's together for the roof.

Trial run of the chuppah

The wedding, May 28th, was BEAUTIFUL. 

Wedding day chuppah assembly

Some improvising required, as it's a windy day

Chuppa is ready

Grandma does up the bride's dress

The trifecta!

Maisy with the wedding party

Action shot of Maisy coming down the aisle with the rings

It was a wonderful ceremony and celebration. Thanks to everyone who came and supported the lovely couple.

And a most heart-felt and sincere thank you to my mom, who through her love, talent, and investment of many hours, contributed significantly to a day that will be remembered by us all.

Postscript

Let's also remember the other beautiful gowns mom made for family weddings:

Tim & Elizabeth Poeschl, 2002

Mom made Meg's flower girl dress, as well

Reworking Grandma Margaret's dress for Sara, 2006

Willow & Marie, 2012

Hawaii

Will graduated from college, in three years, and we had him pick where to go to celebrate. He picked Japan. We watched Japan's travel policy for months, and as the pandemic continued to drag on and they were not allowing any incoming travel, we realized we had to make a different, domestic, choice. We'd never been to Hawaii, so Will picked it.

The flight there was tough. We didn't realize it was treated as an international flight at LAX so we had to claim our baggage and get to another terminal and clear security again. It was a race, and I think in the process we walked 3 miles with suitcases. Then our Hawaiian Air flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue. We'd already boarded, and it was hot as hell in the plane (summer in LA), so they opened the airplane doors and allowed a few people into the jetway while we waited about 90 min. Then they reboarded us and taxied to the runway, then determined the mechanical issue was still a problem so they turned around and we repeated this entire procedure. Then we finally took off, and as we were nearing HI they announced a mechanical issue and that they would be landing on Oahu, and get us on another plane to get us to the big island. But that plane wasn't there yet, so we waited another couple of hours before boarding a short flight to Kona. We were scheduled to arrive at 1:40 PM but we actually arrived at 10:45 PM, and the rental car places all closed at 11 PM. I ran off the plane and got to the rental place barely in time, then we had to find our Air B&B exhausted and in the dark. But the next day, we were in Hawaii and ready to go.

We were surprised by how vocanic the landscape was, where the only thing that could survive were the feral goats. Vast barren fields of black lava intersected by a single highway. We stayed 3 nights in Kona in an AirB&B condo overlooking the rocky beach. We went to the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Park, picked coffee beans at Kona Joe Coffee, the Hamakua macademia nut factory, the Puako Petroglyph Fields on the Kohala coast, Puukohola Heiau National Park, Lapakahi State Historical Park and the incredible Pololu Valley Lookout. We snorkeled on two reefs on a Kona Coast snorkel tour through Fair Winds Tours. We were followed by a pod of dolphins playing in the wake from the boat. 

Malasadas donuts from a roadside stand

Picking coffee-Kona Joe's

Pololu Valley

Pololu Valley

Pololu Valley

Snorkel excursion

Next we drove to Hilo, where we spent 3 nights at the Castle Hilo hotel. We spent a day at Volcanoes National Park, including hiking to see the lava after dark, and stopping for one more hike through the lava tube in total darkness. We saw the 442' Akaka falls, and enjoyed the tour guide at the Lyman museum in Hilo.

Akaka Falls

Volcanoes NP

We flew from Kona to Honolulu, a blessedly easy 45 min flight, and rented a Jeep.We drove to the Polynesian Cultural Center, where we had a great day and a wonderful luau dinner. After the show, we drove to our rented Bambi Airstream (2 nights) on the North Shore, placed on an inlet from the ocean. We spent a beach day at Haleiwa then had a campfire outside of the Airstream. 

Polynesian Cultural Center

Polynesian Cultural Center

Polynesian Cultural Center

Bambi Airstream

Dole

We stopped by the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the drive to Honolulu and checked in at the Ilikai (4 nights) before getting to our 1 PM biking food tour, on which we had all kinds of great foods, including amazing fish tacos with garlic aoli from South Shore Grill, Laulau pork from Da Ono Hawaiian Foods, shave ice from Waiola shave ice and malasadas from Leonard's Bakery.

We rented kayaks at He'eia State Park and kayaked out over extensive lava reefs on which we could anchor the kayaks and go snorkeling. We saw five enormous sea turtles. Then we hiked to the top of a mountain (Lanikai Pillbox) and had great views. At precisely 3 PM we tried to get tickets for the Arizona tour at Pearl Harbor. All 3 of us tried on our phones, but they were snatched up in seconds and we were deflated. Then Will had the brilliant idea to check 10 min later when some left in carts would have expired, and we got 3 tickets- what luck! We went back to South Shore Grill for more amazing fish tacos, then had mai tais at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and watched the sunset. 

He'eia State Park

He'eia State Park

View from Lanikai Pillbox hike

Mai tai

We stopped by Iloni Palace, but because we didn't have advanced tickets we could only see a few artifacts in the basement. At Pearl Harbor we toured the Bowfin submarine and had a 3 PM tour of the Arizona memorial. We hiked to the top of Diamond Head, went to Waikiki beach and spent a few hours at the fascinating Bishop Museum. We made sure to get some last fish tacos before an early flight home. 

Bowfin, Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor

Diamond Head

Diamond Head