On DaRoad to AIBF–Day 29 and Counting

We left Liberal Kansas around 7:50, this morning. Susan has the first shift and I’ll have the second. For those of you, who may ask, what is there to do in Liberal? Well, Liberal is the State’s Home of Dorothy’s House. Along with a historical society house and museum. Both of which are a must see. Along with the Mid America Air Museum.

The museum is based at the original B-24 Liberator WW II air base. This based operated from 1942 to 1945 ish. The museum has bragging rights as the largest General Aviation Museum in Kansas.

Now, for those of you who read trip reviews, you will notice some people (guys) complaining about not going out on the tarmac. Well, this is all I have to say about that:

“To those that wait come good things.”

We stop in and were amazed at the general aviation airplanes and fixed-wings. Being retired from the Aerospace field, I was surprised at the quality of them. Walking around the history that is stored here. Truly amazing. We saw a 3 time world record holder, Fastest time in a straight line, covering over 5,000 miles. Planes that were ahead of there time, when produced. Small scaled planes used by the military, 2 of the smaller instrument flight simulators.

As we were getting ready to leave, we asked if a volunteer was available, as we did want to walk on the Tarmac and look at the 5 planes outside. Boy where we surprised, when the new museum general manager introduced himself and said he would escort us.

After introductions, Scott gave us a personal tour. As we walked around, he explained the many changes taking place and what they were expecting in the future.

One of the special planes on hand was Burt Rutan Starship Enterprise. Which you can read all about it:

HERE

This was the first Composite construction and an all glass cockpit display. I marveled at this, when the plane was introduced.



Now look how many commercial airplanes have the same things.

Another plane I marveled at was a Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing. You can read all about it:

HERE

This plane had been owned by a ranching couple (JR Ranch). After the couple passed away, the family decided to donate it to the museum.

Now, you are wondering why, I stated the quote? As we continued to walk and talk about the many aircrafts, Scott, asked, which airplane would you like to peak inside and even sit in. WOW, a big WOW.

Highlight? Burt Rutan’s and the Staggerwing of course. To sit in a plane with such advancement at the time and a luxury plane of the time.

I do have to say, if any of you come this way and have a week or 2 to spend, I would think about doing the time volunteering at the Mid-American Air Museum. As a volunteer, think about the many planes you could touch, look inside, feel with your hands and marvel at the many miles they traveled. Even just picking up a broom and sweeping the floor, you could gaze at the many planes.

My hat goes off to Scott and his wonderful knowledge of the many planes on site. A person that moved from Orlando, Florida to become the general manager? Museum Curator?

Mid-America Air Museum  
Website
Directions
4.213 Google reviews
Museum in Liberal, Kansas
Address: 2000 2nd St, Liberal, KS 67901
Hours:
Open today · 8AM–5PM
Phone: (620) 624-5263

So, as we leave Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas we bid a fond farewell and refuel for $2.39/gallon.

By the way, if you wonder how Liberal got it name, you can read all about it:

HERE 

And I thought, this is where all the LIBERALS came from.

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeyshttp://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

On DaRoad to AIBF–31 days

So we left the Derr Family farm round 7:14 am.  As I slowly drove out of the driveway, I saw Dwight and we both made our last goodbyes by waving at each other.

Some people wonder, why we would stay in one place so long. Well, it is the close friendships we have established, with each one of you.

Our travels will take us to NE 6 and then onto US - 81 heading south to Kansas. Once in Kansas we will eventually pickup I-70 and head west, where we will exit at #225 taking Ks. Hwy 156. Once on 156 we will be going southwest and thru Great Bend, Ks. You’ll remember GB, as we stopped and spent a few days enjoying that town on our way east earlier this summer.

Along the way, we saw many small town, some with parks, some with museums. We are thinking, we have to come back and do these small towns. The small parks are large enough to park our Beast, yet still enough room to walk around and sit a day, while seeking out new things and new friends.

When we pulled into a fuel station on the south side of a town called Ellsworth, Ks. While filling up, I spied a breakfast burrito – YUMM . So, after fill up, Susan paid, got coffee and a breakfast burrito. All four of us shared it. It was hot (not spicy hot), lots of eggs, meat all the stuff bad for you.

We switched drivers 3 times, I started and ended, while Susan did the middle. Sorry, no photos along the road, but one thing, as we rode along we keep discussing the different crops we saw along the highway. Thanks Dwight, now we can’t get the crops out of our mind - think we are becoming farm helpers????
Gee, is there any photo I can leave you with?  Let’s see:

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

On DaRoad to AIBF–Countdown 32 Days

So, here it is travel day. Awoke early and decided to get up and read a little before takeoff.

After reading the news and checking on the weather, decided to write a little. We definitely have had a great time at the Derr Family farm. We have been invited back for the Breaun's Granduation Celebration (early May) and anytime in the area. We definitely love our time here.

Plan, well, no real plan except to head to Liberal, Kansas. Where we plan on spending a day or two checking our the area. The fairground has camping at a very reasonable rate, so, we will be stopping and looking around.

I currently see the temps will be heading back to the low 90’s by the time we enter into New Mexico.

Somewhere along the way, I will complete the purchase of 2 more 6 Vdc batteries. This will bring our Amp Hour Capacity to 880 amps. This should allow less time on the generator use due to nighttime usage.

So, what can I leave you with?

This is my take on a burial plot:

So, when you are gone and buried, who’s going to take care of the ground? 

Side note: Every time we travel back to Chicago area, I visit my Grandmother and Aunt's at St. Adlebert's. I have learned to call a month ahead to have them clean and raise headstones up to ground level - perpetual maintenance they call it.... So 

I leave this for you to ponder, if you aren't here, who's going to do it this for you and visit your gravesite?

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song
.

On DaRoad to AIBF_Final Countdown

Monday, Sept. 4th, our final day here at the Derr Family farm. Dwight & Sharon went back to the State Fair to see Lady Bre model her dress. We elected to stay and prep the Rv for early departure on Tuesday.  Like is our schedule, when we wake up, we make our final adjustments and get on the road, usually between 7 and 8 am.

So, we today we have prepped inside and outside, moved the Rv, dumped and backed into a spot where we can just start up, slide in, antenna down, raise levelers and head straight out.

Like last year, we will say our goodbyes tonight as everyone will be up and gone or sleeping in when we leave.  One last beer-30, sitting around and talking about what we accomplished.  (note from Susan) And we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with the Derr's/Tisdale's on our last evening.

So, what have we done?

Worked with Dwight and helped get the coach painted. All that is left is painting brackets, awning rails and re-installing everything.  Hummm, wonder how be the pile of leftovers will be?  Ha, Ha

Along the way, we went to the Nebraska State Fair to see Lady Bre show her chickens, eggs and ducks in the poultry barn. All in all she did very well.  Showing poultry is a crap shoot game, it is all up to the judge, he/she will say something based on there opinion. You win or lose at that point, too big, not big enough, etc.

Along with feathered fowl, there are the rabbits, sheep, goats, cows, all different varieties, floating around and being shown.

But you know me, I can only sit for so long on a metal bench, so after an hour, I decided to head out and see the fair.

So, all in all this is a very large and well attended fair. And so much dryer than when we were there last year.

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

On the Road to AIBF - Tisdale's Coach

Ok, so, we have been very busy getting the Tisdale's coach ready for paint. We have completed and painted the driver's side, front and rear caps. The last 2 twos days we have completed the passenger's side prep work.

Today Friday) is paint day.

We decided to stay an extra week to help Dwight accomplish this task and enjoy more time with friends. With this done, Dwight can start working on the smaller things. The coach is looking very good, he has just about taken it all apart, sealed, cleaned and reassembled.

As for us:
Rewired my solar panels to produce 80Vdc instead of 40Vdc. Higher voltage lower current coming down the wire to my MPPT controller.

Susan has made major changes to the bathrooms. She has added back splashes and using the same material made a photo collage wall. I installed a Talavia sink for her that we bought in Rocky Point on last trip. Also added new faucet.

Removed the sink in the toilet room, polished it, and added water cut-off valves. 

I also redid the sewer compartment, never liked the sewer outlet never exit angle. So a little cutting and shaping. My sewer hose now goes straight down. This project took less than a hour. 

And of course many beer 30's, after working, of course, the Brisket Sunday. Andy, Dwight's son-in-law is a very good smoker. Dwight always say's the Traeger was the best birthday present he purchased for is son-in-law. 

And of Course a Photo of Dakota, showing us a new thing she taught herself:

Dale

DaGirls Travels

Aka Dakota & Tilly

Safe Travels and Journeys

http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/

You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

Changes Completed - Battery Frame

You read where we/I started our new battery box configuration changes. Changes you ask? Why? Didn't the Alfa come with Qty. 6, 6Vdc batteries? Yes, but since we dry-camp alot, we really need the extra storage capacity. So, with this change, we can use the following size/type of batteries:
T-105, T-125, T-145 and even the L16 size batteries.

Battery frame on the passenger side:

Battery Frame on the Driver's side:

Here is an excellent example of the different capacity of the battery sizes:

	Length		Width		height		Lbs	$$$
T-105	10.3		7.11	28.44	11.07	447	62	133
T-125	10.3		7.11	28.44	11.07	448	66	165
T-145	10.3		7.11	28.44	11.9	530	72	193
J305H-AC	11.6		7	28	14.5	781	98	210
J305E-AC	12.1		7	28	14.5	645	83	239
L16P-AC	11.6		7		16.7	850	114	319

Time will tell, when we upgrade our batteries, for now we will add 2, bringing up our system to Qty., 8, 6Vdc batteries.

So, I will leave you with a few more photos:

Safe Travels and Journeys 

from DaGirls, Dakota & Tilly

More Changes coming

So, what drove us to Friend, Ne, besides friends? Changes to the Rv. Where else can you go and have a shop of tools to use. The main thing? Battery box configuration changes.

First remove some batteries and setup outside the coach.

Next remove the frame, clean up the area and change the location of the grounding studs.

And before you know it the right side is cleaned and ready for the build process.

Since you did the right side, you now do the left side faster and wow. All done and cleaned. Next, you begin laying out the template for the frame.

More for later, as I continue to redo the battery box

Safe Travels from
DaGirls Dakota and Tilly