The making of Aluminum Acres - A History Lesson

I for one was not much of a fan of history as a youth. It seemed musty and old. Now that I am "older" I have a certain appreciation for it.

Mostly because it scares me that I remember doing things SO MANY years ago!



Remember back in 2011 when I wrote about Norm and Jules getting the property in Malden, in 2010?

Ah, the innocence of those early days. The bright dreams, hopes and aspirations.


Not that it was all seen through rose colored glasses.

We knew it was going to require a lot of effort. Looking back at photos I can't believe that they decided to tackle this project to begin with.





I was ready to bail as soon as I got inside Ilean.
But, Norm and Jules chose to stick it out. I couldn't run out and have them thinking I was afraid of work. Besides, I had to gnome-up and show Norm how to do most of the repairs.

Who could forget the scary building? (The thought of that building still gives me the willies!)






What we didn't know back then was how much the property would challenge us and how much it would change from then until now, 2018. We also didn't know how many tasty beverages would be consumed there! We didn't get to stay at Aluminum Acres as much as we wanted last year but we plan on making up for lost time this year! I am going to drive the golf cart whether Norm "allows" me to or not!!

I just realized that in these four original pictures, very little remains.

The van was replaced by a Suburban (Bubba). Ilean, after being remodeled and used for a couple of years, had to be demolished (Ilean: Farewell My Friend, Rest in Pieces - June 2015 blog entry). She was replaced by Big Shirley.

Of course the scary building was torn down as I mentioned in a previous post (Altering the Malden Skyline - April 2016). We met our new friends, Joe and Lani during the tearing down of the building, making the event that much more special!


Norm and Jules lost a building but gained Joe and Lani as new found children. Its really rather cool that in the loss of one thing, often times you find something new. 



Clearly, I have been a serious SLACKER. This was a draft in the blog files. 2018!

 Here it is 2023 and updates to the updates are in order!!

Norm said I should fill everyone in on all the happenings in separate entries. I think that is a good idea, but, first I'm going to need to sort through all of my notes. I may need a glass or three of tasty beverages to help the process along.

Some topics for future entries...

Rosie, the Gypsy Vardo. 

Built from a hay wagon.

Alice, as in Alice in Wonderland. 

It seems that Norm and Jules' "problem" with collecting campers is growing.

Bonus sneak peek, lighting changes at Aluminum Acres.

The crew expands.

Introducing Skeeter and Spade

Camp Runamuck!

Michigan.

Norm says that since I'm back I have to do chores if I want to stay. I have to find a way to get my chores done without doing them myself. 

Maybe helping him build the bar in the basement of their new house could be something that would count. I'm pretty good at supervising him. 

Oh, hey. Maybe I could do an entry on their new house, The Chateau Julia. Norm says no because its already been done on mugbook. We'll see. He's not in charge, Jules is.

See you later tater!

Travis

Ahoy landlubbers! Travis Here!

Tis' been a very long time since I've written.  

Something I plan on changing.  

Skeeter, me and Big Bill have been cruisin' around, taking in the sights and staying out of the view of the paparazzi. We are THAT good!

Oh, I might not have introduced my friend Skeeter. Vito was down with 'the COVID' for a while and needing a temporary bodyguard replacement I took out an ad. Skeeter saw it and applied for the job. His shotgun made him a shoe in. He also provides a meal now and again, so that was a bonus. I just let him know I don't want to know anything about how he gets or prepares the meal.

We have travelled a bit in the past couple of years and recently checked back in with Norm and my favorite girl, Jules.

Ah, just as beautiful as the day I met her.

Holy stinky fish, have there been a few changes with that clan. 

They have grown a LOT!! Norm mostly around the waist, but I digress. 

If you're counting, there are a couple more grandbabies in the mix since we last chatted.

Meet Toula, aka 2, and Norm. 

Yep, NORM. As in the FOURTH. We just call him 4.

Hard to believe that Toula is six weeks older than Four.

This is the whole grandbaby crew. Look at how big Duncan and baby Jules have gotten!

When it comes to being in charge (and sass!), leave it to Toula (the smallest) to show you how it's done.

Dynamite comes in small packages!

I found that Norm has OLD friends that hang out in the office and around the house. They really are baskeball fans of two of Norm and Jules grandsons.

I don't know much about these guys. But, I'm pretty sure that I know one thing about them just by looking. They can't hold their tasty beverages!

I have so much to tell you about the last few years. All I need to do is get Norm away from the computer long enough for me to have a go.

Happy to be back!

Talk to you soon,  

Travis.

* The editor said "stinky fish" makes no sense. I don't think the editor has ever sat close to a mackerel.

Oh the FUN we have been having! Welcome 2020!

Greetings fellow travelers. I know, its been quite a spell without any interacting. Well, its not for a lack of dull boring sitting around. Just the opposite actually. Busy, busy, busy, (as Jules' mom always said).

We have had numerous events happen and some I actually attended. I just haven't sat down to blog about them. Mostly though because Norm hogs the computer.

Here we go. BABIES!! 

We have had a couple...

Duncan Roger - (His first thought) What have I gotten myself into?

Duncan joined the clan in 2015. He is Norm's Godchild too. I think Joni did that so Norm would get his stuff together and get healthy. 

Dunk really likes hanging out at Aluminum Acres. This is a picture that has inspired an annual re-creation.











Dunk is a true pirate. Often seen with a sword (pronounce SWord I was told).











Brock, Heath and Duncan taking no prisoners at Norm's (G's) 60th birthday shindig.

Arrr matey. Seen any scallywags about?

Duncan and his mom (Joni)

As a pirate, Dunk has a favorite spot.


Anywhere that has WATER!







Yes, the boys have grown A LOT! Norm tends to spend more time with the boys and I usually sit on the side and watch. Rotten boys!


You would think that having three grandsons would be sufficient in creating as much fun as a family can handle, right?  Nope, not this family.

During a stress filled day in October 2017...

Yes, a maternity ward.

A new member was introduced.

Named after her grandmothers, meet Julia Louise.

That's right, JULIA!

As in MY Jules! Well, Norm's Jules, but that is only temporary.

KC and Kyle decided that adding a baby girl would be a fun way of mixing things up.

Baby Jules and her mom (Kate)

They grow so fast.... (When I don't update frequently because of a computer hog.)

No, Norm isn't smitten at all.


I see my chance at winning Jules over, now that Norm is distracted with Baby Jules.

Baby Jules loves camping already.

And, she is very handy helping out her Dad in the garage.


Especially when she gets to work on Casper for Amma and G.







There are rumors that 2020 will be a very busy year for our clan.

Silly String! What a great way to announce what kind of baby you're going to have.

I always thought you just waited until the hatch day to find out.

KC (aka Kate) and her new headband. Pink!

A baby girl!

They are pretty good at making girl babies!


Now Baby Jules will have a little sister to tease. I mean love.

We had a wedding too!

Yep, Norm 3 tied the knot. That is the lovely Wendy with Norm 3, I used to call her Miss Wendy, but that changed when they said I do.

The whole clan in one spot. We clean up pretty good too.

Just so you KNOW that I actually attended the nuptials.

I also was invited back to Norm 3 and Wendy's house for the reception. They had a small gathering for their wedding.

Of course Norm (2) started making wisecracks because I said small. What a jerk.

They even have a pool table in their living room. If you're thinking that was a bachelor thing that will probably change, you don't know this crazy couple.

I had to show Heath a few trick shots.

Dunk is quite a bit bigger now.

Baby Jules too.

The desserts were out of this world. I know, I've been there and back.


           PHOTO BOMB!!
                I love her.

This is EVERYONE that was at the wedding. I told you it was a small wedding.

They contemplated eloping. Yeah, that wouldn't work with this group. This is Norm 3 and Wendy eloping, with their entourage.

Meet Wendy. The newest member of this crazy clan.

I was surprised that she actually wanted to join. But I'm real happy that she did!

I got to meet Michelle, Wendy's mom. If I had to guess, she might think we're a bunch of strange birds and is wondering what Wendy got herself into.

Is an odd duck, a strange bird?

Ka Kaawww

Ahh, thanks Jason! I needed that.

Some folks were brave enough to pose with me.

April is a lot of fun. I can't believe I haven't met her before the wedding.





April is also trying to get Norm and Jules to buy her Memaw's house. I haven't seen it yet. Probably because Memaw hasn't decided to sell it yet.

April fits right in with this clan.




Is there a new way to have a wedding reception that I didn't get a memo about?  Gender reveal!!!
Click the link to see the actual video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BNpSxvRwKk

One happy man there!

A new Dad to be.

As you can see...

Norm IV is on the way.

(The pink smoke that you see in the video is actually white tire smoke and red tail lights. No actual pink powder was harmed making the videos.)

Oh yeah. Nice burn out.

Someone is going to need a new tire.

Just sayin'






So, If you are keeping score...

Two more babies heading our way, making a grand total of SIX grandbabies for Jules and Norm.

Its a good thing we like grandbabies.

Arrr   They be all pirates!

A camper of my OWN - Woo Whoo! Party time!!

A little while back Norm and Jules started to think they were pirates. 

Personally, as a REAL pirate, I can spot a phony from quite a distance. At least a yard arm or two. Jules is a beautiful pirate wench. Although, I'm not real partial to calling her a wench for fear that I might loose her affection. A pirate must follow the code though.

Norm, is not a pirate. Unsettling, but true. Yes, he says ARR, Aye and Matey a lot. Yes, he likes tasty beverages. But, he doesn't have a peg leg or a really awesome beard. So, he can't be a REAL pirate.

See...

I'm a pirate. With a real pirate beard. Not to mention a cool bandana too.




Easy, even pirates drink Waffle House coffee.



Well, then THIS happened.

Do you know WHERE this picture was taken?

New Orleans, Louisiana!

Yes, the official Nawlins. Cajun food, THE French Quarter, more food, oh, and LOTS of tasty beverages. A 24 hour a day party, even when its not Mardi Gras.






One question....

Do you see me anywhere? Hmmm?

Nope! Left home.

They scoot off to Nawlins, my favorite place ever I might add.

They take Kyle, Baby Jules, Kate and Jason and renew their vows under the Tree of Life. Leaving me at home. Heck, I was there when the tree of life was just a sapling.



While I appreciate the gesture of trying to save my feelings, since Jules was saying yes again, but its NAWLINS! I think I would have gotten over myself after visiting my old stomping grounds in the French Quarter. If not, I'm sure I could have been swayed with a tasty beverage or three.


Well, since they decided to be pirates there was one, very cool, result...

They needed a camper with a pirate theme.

I know, I shouldn't yell. But I was so excited!  Of course with my vast knowledge of real pirates, I immediately volunteered to be the decorator and care taker of said pirate camper.

I found a nice looking camper. A 1994 Four Winds. Newer than their other campers, but still nearly vintage at 24 years old. It had a bathroom and everything. No musty or bad smells, no major problems. The toilet and bath tub were new, so, I convinced them to get it.


After three days of being buttoned up we were finally getting started on the transformation to Pirate Camper. Almost immediately I noticed a peculiar odor. Norm did too and asked what I had been eating.

Rude.

We started searching for the source. Not being able to readily identify the source we first just aired it out. Nope. Fans, more airing. Nope.

Then the "digging" into the camper in an effort to locate and remove the stink. Since I was overseeing the project I sent Norm underneath to search.



That was when we found out that I had been hoodwinked. The seller did a real good job of covering up the black mold, unsafe and rotten parts of a camper that should have been sent to the junk yard, instead of being sold. We found that we had done business with a less than respectable pirate. A costly mistake.

Jules and Norm did the right thing. They junked it so nobody would ever get sick fixing it. Norm was ready to make me walk the plank though.

Jules to the rescue!!

Jules had her heart set on having a pirate camper. I'm sure she had it all decorated in her brain, she just needed a camper to let it out on. She scoured websites, dealerships, marketplace pages, you name it. She found a specific camper model that was new, but looked retro / vintage.

Norm was not swayed. He still wanted me to walk the plank. Jules actually got him interested in a retro camper and I felt I might have a chance. Did I mention Jules has a charm that is irresistible?

It took Jules 3 more months! But then it happened...

Jules convinced Norm that their perfect pirate camper was a 2018, Riverside Retro RV, model 157.

There were only 13 left in the country that were still BRAND NEW. Worse yet, only TWO in the color selection that Jules wanted. One in Texas and one in Georgia.



Another few days, turned into a couple of weeks but then, everything fell into place.

Can you say...        ROAD TRIP!!!

Welcome to Southland RV, in Norcross, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. Everyone at the dealership was very friendly and helpful.

Yes, we found, bought and travelled to Georgia to get; Bootstrap Charlie!!









We also did a little shopping at the dealership too.

It was an exciting, yet exhausting weekend road trip. Illinois to Georgia and back, over 1700 miles, over the weekend.

Norm and I got along great the whole time.

At least that is what I thought until we got the pictures off the camera.

Back at ya buddy!

I was hungry.

Isn't she beautiful.


We were happy campers. Full tummies and a new camper.

On the way out to the car Norm said, "saddle up." I thought he lost it since we didn't have any horses.

It turns out he didn't have horses growing up either, but his dad would say that all the time. (It means, Get in the car!)

Casper and Bootstrap Charlie were waiting patiently.

I hear Willie Nelson...

"On the Road Again..."
(Sorry. Its stuck in my head now too.)



I'm sure some people think Norm and Jules might be a little off center. Cracked even. I don't debate alternative thinking. Besides, its fun to not really be sure where the roller coaster is going.

But seriously, buy a brand new camper and immediately take every decal and identifying sticker off of it. Yep, that's Jules and Norm.

Then make it your own. Apply your own touches.

A new awning. Wooden pier steps. Rum cases.

A hanging lamp. Candelabras.

A pirate flag

AND

the name of the camper!



A personalized license plate has been ordered and is due to arrive in the next 20 days. No, it doesn't say Travis, but it should.

By the door is our "campground" logo.

Some interior changes. Curtains instead of blinds. Made by Jules of course, although I tried to help since I sew. She likes me, but apparently not enough to relinquish the sewing for Bootstrap Charlie.

Jules' awesome decorating includes her hand made treasure map.

Fleur de lis towel hooks.


Where do you get pirate skull and crossbones bath and hand towels anyway.

The universe knew we needed them.

I just love the way Jules decorates.





But the best part of all???

Jules convinced Norm to buy me a camper of my own!!

Thanks Jules!!






Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Norm and Jules have a new baby grand-daughter.

Yeah, she's a pirate too.