Last Friday, August 18th. Claire and I decided to full-fill a long time promise we had been keepin on our "to do list"
So we ventured off to a baloon festival to get initiated to this grand hobby!
Here is a quick look at our ride.
We started by choosing a baloon, and a great pilot.
Remember to click on the pics for a super-sized picture
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:31 AM
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We just stood looking around in amazement really....so much going on all at once!
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:24 AM
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Everybody starts airing-up almost at the same time...
It's exciting, so colorful...
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:20 AM
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Leaving terra firma, mother earth is getting smaller by the second.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:14 AM
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This is how it looks from the air as you climb, and watch all the other baloons doing the same.
Not all pilots choose the same trajectory.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:07 AM
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Were we having a great time....? Ahhh...Yes !
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:03 AM
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It really can't be shared with just words, breathtaking is about all we can say.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 9:57 AM
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Very exciting being up there with many, many other baloonists...great views!
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 9:52 AM
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After an hour or so in the air, we touched down in a farmers field, sunset, and got the traditional "baloon baptism", champagne for all, and some good laughs!
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 9:31 AM
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The amount of space that is usable is quite good, and with compartments behind the wheel fairings, this inexpensive truck-bed will work for me........
This is how it looks with the deck lid closed & locked, as well as the wheel fairing door closed & locked.
I can mount our bicycles, and still open the deck lid for access below.
Be sure to click on the pics for a full-size view of the details.
And yes,.... I know the back of the cab needs paint....I am slowly getting there....I will paint the wheel fairings on both sides at the same time.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 11:05 AM
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Here are a few pics of the project at this point.
It is progressing, and the passenger side will also be done similarly to the drivers side box.
The deck-door is lockable. It unlocks to provide access to the lock pin for the wheel fairing door.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:58 AM
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The tricky part was the hinging of the wheel fairing. I needed to hinge it to open wide enough for access, but when closed it needed to be locked tight, and solide enough to stand on the steps for access to the deck.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 10:02 AM
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The Volvo had a lot of wasted space between the rear drive wheels and the back-end of the fuel tanks.
I decided to use that space to house my generator on one side and a water tank on the other.
I needed to frame the compartment, which was fairly straight forward.
see pictures.
I fabricated a door frame using the original mount for the plastic wheel fairing, and basically hinged it so it could open almost 90 degrees, but not bind, or contact the other boy work, and also remain stong enough when locked to not move at all.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 9:55 AM
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Upper NY State, July 28/2006. Here we are, ready for a little vacation.
The only place on the Ausable River where camping is affordable, and enjoyable...
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 3:44 PM
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Well....rustic is a good word to describe the reception lodge here in Keesville NY.
Claire is helping to show off some of the local ingenuity in sign making...
Looks sorta like-a-fish.....?
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 3:40 PM
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Well, it wasn't a river site, but site 64 was just fine with me...beside the pool...nice big Pine tee for shade...some days it was over 100 degrees in the shade!!
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 3:36 PM
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Well, for 9 days this little spot was home.....
Great weather & peace + quiet made our little sejour in Keesville quite memorable.
The Ausable River was interesting to watch as it reacted to torrential rains.
Claire and my sister had a very interesting adventure.......
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 3:16 PM
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My sister Diana has summered here in this campground for over 15 years...
Here are a few shots of her home in Keesville NY, on the mighty Ausable River.
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 3:00 PM
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At the end of the day I tried my hand at capturing one of our many gorgeous sunsets...
Tricky with-out talent....but it is my "best shot"
posted by Rick Lacombe (AKA-PSD_Tweaker) @ 2:45 PM
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This humble blog is an account of my travels, road trips to be specific using our trusty old 1998 VOLVO VNL610, and 2004 Mobilesuite 36TK3. The combination has been very reliable, and comfortable for my wife and I. We hope to continue travelling for many years. Our archives date back to October 2004, so have a look into our past.....
I'm the handy type I guess, I like to fiddle with things mechanical until they work better, or at least WORK !! Archives * October 2004
