We decided just a couple of weeks ago that perhaps we should look into a camper shell for the truck. Don't get us wrong, we actually LOVE tent camping. There is something truly restful about it, really! But there were some nights when it was raining, and we had to still set up our tent. And our tent is really quick to set up! OR the bugs were REALLY, REALLY plentiful and we'd be swatting and staking. To be truthful, Cheryl would be swatting as her blood type must be perfect for all insect grazers and Andrew isn't bothered in the least. OR it's really late as we wanted to make up time or the campsites were full, or some other reason. We decided it would be really handy to be able to just pull over anywhere and easily just go to sleep.
Did you know that you can't just buy a new camper shell quickly? They "customize" them for you and it takes a minimum of 3-4 weeks? We even tried to get one un-customized--not maroon-ish? No big deal, we'll paint it later!! But no, that is not an option.
AND it is really complicated to find one for a short-bed truck! Did you know that trucks periodically change their bed shapes? So our truck is a 2013 and it's bed is not a true rectangle. Interesting! But we also learned that the bed shape was the same for all the 2009-2014 years! One of the people we called, and we called many, suggested Facebook Marketplace. I had never ventured into that part of Facebook but decided to perhaps try a simple search. MANY different hits resulted from that search, and most were not for Fords or the brand was not listed; we were warned by many that you do want an exact fit or it may fly off. Now that would be interesting and definitely something that would happen to us!
Last weekend we were on our way to Indianapolis to meet our Italian friends for the Indianapolis 500 when a "hit" popped up on Marketplace, and it was the right length and even the right color?? Could it be this easy? So my first venture into FB Marketplace proved amazing and we drove to Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and Brian sold us a perfectly fitting shell that actually matches our truck for a really reasonable price! Andrew built a platform and we will be able sleep above the wheel wells, which still gives us plenty of headroom but, more importantly, gives us room underneath for our cooking, hiking, kayaking, etc. supplies! The back seat of the truck can be reserved for food stuff and things we need quickly. Win-Win!
We have decided it was easier to camp in Europe though as we were limited on what we took on the plane in our bags whereas we can pretty well just throw "extra" things in the truck somewhere, "just in case." :)
First stop: We are heading to Cleveland and the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame so we stopped in Indianapolis to spend the day with the grands. It worked out well as JP/A wanted to spend their 5th anniversary on a "real" date and we were more than happy to spend that time with the grands. :)
So, our first day to travel to parts not before traveled is really June 2, but we have our gear packed and have officially left home. Thanks to Margie for always moving in and taking care of Phoebe and things for us while we explore.
This will be our first time of trying to add pictures to our blog as we go. Ruby Tuesday (our truck) looks lovely and is ready for her newest adventure. Andrew and Cheryl left REALLY early and have the luck of yellow "glow" from Andrew's shirt. :)
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