Overnight at Hansen’s

Hansen’s is a Harvest Hosts site, so as members of the organization they granted us the privilege of staying on site parked next to the pond overnight. We weren’t the only ones. Two other RV’s rolled in just before yesterday’s tour. Afterwards we all rearranged to line ourselves up with a view of the pond and were socializing when we realized that a hailstorm was heading our way. We quickly installed our hail pads hoping to protect some of the most vulnerable parts of our T@B roof. With that we accepted Dave & Debbie’s invitation and enjoyed decaf and conversation while waiting out the storm. When we emerged, we delighted in a gorgeous Iowa sunset as well as knowing Sc@rlett has acquired no new hailstorm dimples. This morning we lingered. Our neighbors came by for a visit, then we all did some shopping at Hansen’s store. Since we have but a short drive today we just took our time leaving this pastoral place.

Our homegrown hail protection system is consists of two blue exercise mats and two yellow tow straps that we purchased at Walmart. We attach the tow straps to the rear stabilizers, flip them up on top of the T@B, attach them to the front stabilizers, slide the mats in so that they are anchored by the tow straps on each edge then tighten the straps. It’s not full coverage but protects some of the most vulnerable and visible parts of the aluminum roof of the T@B. (To see links to the exact Walmart merchandise we used, click on the highlighted text.)