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Teardroppers of Oregon and Washington

Serving those who are or wannabe teardroppers

TOW Line Number 23 April 2008

Published whenever

Marty Boehme, Editor

20232 S. Jasan Dr.

Oregon City, OR  97045

503-632-6563

teardrops@bctonline.com

www.teardroptrailers.org

IN THIS ISSUE

  1. 15th Dam Gathering of the Tears

  2. Midwinter Luncheon – By Katie Boehme

  3. TOW Nametags, Patches and Jackets are Available

  4. Midwinter Potluck Next Year

  5. Spring Fling #10 is Nearly Here! – By Trudy Glassett

  6. The Annual Kelson Kampout for this Summer

  7. An Invitation to the Carnation FourthBy Ken Masden

  8. Passports and Requirements for Entry into Canada

  9. Oregon’s Antique Powerland Invites Teardropper

  10. The Ken Austin Shop Tour

  11. Tri –T-NW Hosts Great Beaver State Teardrop Campout #11

  12. Towing a Teardrop Behind a Manure Spreader – By Hiram Stumpjumper

  13.  Calendar for Upcoming Events

 

 15th DAM GATHERING OF THE TEARS

It’s hard to imagine that Grant and Lisa Whipp started this gathering 15 years ago.  Grant is credited for the “revival” of teardrop trailer camping.  The first two gatherings were held at the campground at the base of Shasta Dam.  If you were there, you are a pioneer!!!

This year the dates are May 1st to the 4th.  The place is Antler’s RV Park and Campgrounds on the banks of Lake Shasta.  The campground is 25 miles north of Redding and about 95 miles south of the Oregon border on I-5.

Friday night will be Dutch oven samplers.  Saturday night – potluck, Chili bean feed and a fabulous Dutch Oven Extravaganza.  This event has lots of door prizes; so if you have anything to share, please bring them to add to the fun at the Saturday night big campfire.

There is a $11 registration fee and it cost $11 a night to camp. . For more info, call 530-275-6728 or e-mail info@teardrops.net.  Find the registration form at our universal teardrop web site www.teardrops.net/15thDG.html.

MIDWINTER LUNCHEON  By Katie Boehme

There was lots of talking, laughter, and many hugs at the midwinter luncheon, as 45 tear friends reunited..  The Flying Tomato Italian Grill, near Puyallup, Washington was our gathering place - it provided excellent food and a fun atmosphere for our meeting.  A big thank-you goes out to Danny and Jane Fantoni for making arrangements for our group.

This gathering gave us time to preview all the upcoming events.  Kicking off the camping season will be our annual Spring Fling on Memorial Day Weekend.  Can you believe it’s the 10th anniversary of this event?  To honor the Spring Fling hosts and show our appreciation, Rod and Trudy Glassett were presented with commemorative versions of our new teardrop TOW jackets.  Their jackets had the new patch sewn on the back with the inscription “Spring Fling 2008 – 10 Years of Fun”.  This TOW couple has watched the event grow from five teardrops at the first gathering to 50 units and 106 campers last year.

Also on display at the luncheon were samples and order forms for three new teardrop items - denim jackets, a TOW patch, and name badges with the TOW logo (made of blue plastic that attach with a magnetic bar).  Herb and Elaine Kipp were presented with the first TOW patches as thanks for designing the patch.  Elaine sewed many designs and color combinations on her home machine before deciding on the navy background with yellow lettering and border edging and the “TOW” in red.  The large oval patch looks just great - as the expression goes the colors just “pop”.

Steve and Peggy Birley took time to express their gratitude and thanks to the many teardroppers who have helped them.  Last December, their home and all vehicles were wiped out by the Chehalis flood.  Teardroppers contributed funds and many, many hours of labor to restore their home.  Some teardroppers donated furniture to replace items that were destroyed.  They were so appreciative!  A surprise for the Birleys was a framed picture enlargement of their Model A pulling their tear.  Teardroppers are a great group of people with big hearts.

 TOW NAMETAGS, PATCHES AND JACKETS ARE AVAILABLE

At this year’s Midwinter Luncheon the new TOW patch went on sale.  It was designed by Herb and Elaine Kipp and featured the cartoon-like TOW logo.  It can be seen on the TOW website www.teardroptrailers.org.  The new nametag is shown  on the site also.  Several orders were made at the luncheon for the nametags.  The patches sold out.

Along with these two items, a jacket for both sexes can be purchased with the patch sewn on the back.  But, many prefer to sew the patch on a favorite jacket.  Look for the order form on the website as well as the attachment to this issue of the TOW Line.

 

If orders are received by April 15th, free delivery will be made at the Spring Fling.

 

 

MIDWINTER POTLUCK NEXT YEAR 

We’ve just been notified by Ed Kelson, a long-time TOW teardropper, that we will be holding our Midwinter outing at his “Everything-Vintage Museum”.  The date will be reported in the January 2009 TOW Line.

 

The Kelson Museum is located in the south Seattle industrial area to the west of I-5.  This is part of the business/shop that the Kelsons have had for many years.  It can hold 100 plus people.  Tables will be set up in the middle of the museum with vintage stuff all around.  So, stay tuned – our Midwinter Potluck is a go again.  

SPRING FLING #10 IS NEARLY HERE! By Trudy Glassett

With the unusual (weird) weather we’ve been having recently, we have no idea what to expect for Spring Fling #10.  We’ve seen all kinds of weather during the past nine years, so we try to be prepared for anything.  Rain or shine, the participants seem to have a good time and continue to return to this event!

As of April 1, we have nearly 30 trailers - teardrop, vintage, and even several more modern trailers - registered.  The manager at Gust Backstrom Park in Morton is looking forward to having us camp there again.  She said we were one of the best groups ever because we left the campground spotless.  We want to continue to keep up our great reputation this year.

Once again, we will have the “favorite” activities from the past:  Bingo, door prizes, team Family Feud, treasures from the Packwood and Randle swap meets, great food, and fun.  The hosts will provide Sunday and Monday breakfasts and we’ll have potlucks on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  The “Cowchips” will make a return appearance for our listening and toe-tapping pleasure.  (We’ll pass the hat to help defray their travel expenses and they’ll have their CDs available for purchase.)   Irma and Larry Reed will provide an informal worship service Sunday morning.  New this year - Mike Burton and Jack Jacobson will lead a Dutch oven seminar, so bring your seasoned DO and be prepared to learn a new/different art of cooking.

At this time, there are several full hookup sites at $17/night (even though most don’t need the sewer) and lots of tent sites for $10/night available.  This year you will pay the manager your camping fee as soon as you get set up.  Registration is $15 for the weekend.

If you haven’t registered yet or need more information, please contact us at glassettgang@juno.com or 360-293-1108.  We would like to have all registrations completed by May 15th, so we can have enough dash plaques and food for breakfasts.  We hope you’ll be able to join us in the first Northwest teardrop/vintage trailer event of the camping season.

 

 

THE FIRST ROGUE VALLEY RENDEZVOUS

In the January issue of the TOW Line, it was reported that a new Tearjerkers chapter has been formed.  It’s called Jefferson State.  Ken and Eunice Hill are chapter directors.

 

Their fist gathering will be held on Father’s Day Weekend (June 12th to 15th).  The campground is Cantrall Buckley County Park Group Area.  Located 18 miles west of Medford, Oregon, you will be camping on the banks of the Applegate River that runs along Hwy 238.

 

The schedule:  Saturday evening potluck, Dutch oven feasting all weekend, maybe some cast-iron waffle breakfasts.  There is lots to do in the area on this weekend, including the annual Medford Cruise car show, Britt Music Festival in nearby Jacksonville and the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

Early bird check-in is Thursday.  The cost is $25 and covers registration and camping for the entire weekend.

For more info, contact Eunice Hill at 707-725-4674 or via keneunicehill@sbcglobal.net.

 

 

THE ANNUAL KELSON KAMPOUT FOR THIS SUMMER

This year’s dates are June 13th, 14th and 15th.  You can’t ask for a more “laid-back” place to visit, share stories and admire teardrop trailers.  It’s a great experience camping near Roslyn, Washington.  Ed and Linda Kelson are the hosts for this campout   Roslyn is a town that boasts “vintage” stores, restaurants and even a few “water holes”.

 

Roslyn was also the town where an Alaska drama TV series was filmed.  However, it’s reported that the moose seen walking the streets on the program is nowhere to be seen.

 

Breakfasts are hosted by the Kelsons.  There will probably be Dutch oven cooking and shared potlucks.  

 

For reservations, contact Linda at 253-797-0708 or via raisinldy1@comcast.net.

 

AN INVITATION TO THE CARNATION FOURTH By Ken Masden

Marty and I are hosting our traditional Carnation Fourth campout again this summer.  The dates are July 3rd to the 6th (Thursday through Sunday).  We have the event on our five-acre property near Carnation, Washington.  Well-behaved pets and kids are indeed welcome (we have a dog and a bunch of feral cats).  We ask everyone to NOT bring fireworks to our place (fire hazard as well as problems for the animals).

 

We have a great time “playing cars” with our collection of mostly 1936 vehicles.  Last year we had some 31 trailers of various types and some 70+ people, so there should again be plenty of folks to talk trailers/cars with including many who have built their own teardrop and likely a few teardrop builders.  Several of us have or are restoring antique/vintage travel trailers as well.   We have two bathrooms with showers available and will also have two “honey buckets” near the camping area.  We have a meeting room where we’ll get together for a few meetings and our group meals.

 

I’m thinking that most folks will arrive on the afternoon/evening of Thursday, July 3rd.  We will continue through the weekend (many folks head home by noon on Sunday).  So, we’ll likely do the Spaghetti Feed at the Carnation Senior Center for dinner the evening of the 3rd (including an old car caravan the long way to get there).   Everyone usually goes to the pancake breakfast and parade in Carnation and back to our potluck on the Fourth.  Then back to Carnation for the fireworks at dusk (Carnation puts on quite a parade and fireworks show for a small town).  Then, perhaps do any Dutch oven cooking on Friday also, this year combining it with the potluck.  We will do our Antique Car Caravan to the XXX Root Beer Drive-in restaurant in Issaquah on Saturday evening (the 5th) as everyone seems to really enjoy this.  I think that some folks may not attend until the weekend.

 

There is no fee for this event as everyone is our guest.  I’ll have a registration form to fill out.  It would be good to know how many are going to attend because we feed breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  We have plenty of room.  In the past, everyone seems to have a good time.

 

One other note, some year’s mosquitoes are bad.  I can’t predict if they will be back this year, but we have a supply of repellent on hand.

 

To view pictures of last year’s event with teardrops and teardroppers go to http://teardrop.blogicalthoughts.com/td_4th_of_july_teardrop_fun_2007.html .

 

For more information, contact us at 425-333-5219 or 36fun@centurytel.net.

 

PASSPORTS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INT0 CANADA

For those traveling into Canada this year, they need to know that US citizens going by land DO NOT need a passport until at least the summer of 2009.  That would be next year.  Meanwhile, it would be a good idea to apply for a passport soon.  The cost is $99.  Google “US Passports” to get more information.  Last minute applications cost a lot more.

For now, an American citizen crossing the border into Canada by land or water needs ID that proves two things: 1) Citizenship and 2) Identity by way of a photo.

Be aware that “A driver’s license on its own or a Social Security Card on its own IS NOT valid ID to cross the Canadian border.”  

The following pieces of ID are OK.  1) US passport, 2) Birth certificate or 3) Certificate of citizenship or naturalization.  One of these is OK, but you also need “Photo ID”, such as current driver’s license.  Please note that photocopies of ID MUST BE notarized.

 

 

OREGON’S ANTIQUE POWERLAND INVITES TEARDROPPERS

This new event starts on Friday night August 1st with camping on the campus of the Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum.  Local teardroppers are invited to display their tears an Saturday, but you have to arrive before 9 AM.  Because of the midday parade and crowds, move-out has to be after 3 PM.  Free admission for two people is included. 

Antique Powerland’s annual Steamup is attended by thousands of spectators that wander the grounds enjoying demonstrations and displays of 14 separate museums.   One feature is the steam-driven vintage sawmill.  Another is the outstanding Pacific Northwest Truck Museum occupying two buildings.  Many, many antique tractors of all types operate all day long.  Caterpillar has a museum building.  John Deere tractors are everywhere.  A vintage trolley runs on tracks around the grounds.  Railroad cars/engines are on display on the grounds.

Take Exit #263 from I-5 north of Salem.  Follow signs west for a quarter mile to the display area.  Camping is $5 for Friday.  No registration required.  For more information, contact Marty Boehme at 503-632-6563 or via teardrops@bctonline.com.

 

 

THE KEN AUSTIN SHOP TOUR 

This is a joint tour arranged by TOW for Northern Willamette Valley and Portland Area teardroppers partnered with Trick n’ Racy street rod car club of Oregon City. 

Ken Austin is perhaps the most successful entrepreneur in the Pacific Northwest.  Not only has he made Newberg, Oregon the dental equipment-manufacturing center of the US (like Detroit is for cars), he has a stellar collection of various vintage cars and trucks.  He’s a gracious gentleman who has opened his collection for shop tours

This will happen for us on Saturday, April 19th when Ken will be there for us to meet and enjoy touring his collection.  You’ll enjoy hearing this local farm boy telling us about his road to success as he speaks about “chickens, cars, castings and cavities”.

One rare car in his collection is a bone-stock 1905 Ford model K.  Others are cars he’s personally owned through the years.  All are on display, especially the ones he used to pioneer “speed” components for.  Many early hotrods used them to soup up their Ford V-8s.

The tour starts at 10 AM.  A caravan will start from the K-Mark parking lot on the west side of I-5 at Nyberg Rd (Exit 289).  Turn into the parking lot (the first North driveway).  Look for a group of vintage and street rod cars.  We leave promptly at 9:15. 

For those driving directly to Newberg, turn onto Springbrook (north of Newberg) and drive west to the first roundabout.  Go around 270 degrees (3/4 of a turn) to the south opening onto Crestview.  Ken’s shop is in the building on the right.  Turn into the first driveway on the building’s south side.

TRI-T-NW HOSTS GREAT BEAVER STATE TEARDROP CAMPOUT #11

We’re sad to report that this event is having trouble getting off the ground.  But, the hosts are determined it will happen.  This year, the hosts are asking for your help.  Read on.

 

As reported in the universal teardroppers web site (www.teardrops.net) Tri –T– NW (previously know at Northwest Teardroppers) is holding its eleventh gathering hopefully the weekend of July 25th to 27th.  The location is to be determined, so stay tuned for a special announcement to be made very soon.  The date might have to change.

 

The same things will go on as before, but the location has to change because, at the last minute, Camp Lane could not live up to its commitment.  As in the past, Friday supper, both breakfasts and Saturday lunch are provided, so the total camping cost might be only $45 per trailer.  Saturday supper is potluck with Dutch oven cooking.

Come join a family-style gathering in a park-like setting located somewhere in Oregon.   In addition, if any teardropper in Oregon has a good suggestion, contact Lonnie or Sheryl Aaron at 541-688-9545 or via e-mail at aaroncruiser@aol.com as soon as possible.  

TOWING A TEARDROP BEHIND A MANURE SPREADER By Hiram Stumpjumper  A while ago, I was driving on a rural road in the Pacific Northwest.  I came up behind a slow moving tractor towing a manure spreader.  What came to mind was the old adage – “A manure spreader manufacturer will not stand behind its product!”

You have to be raised on a farm to understand the humor of that remark.  If you don’t get it, ask someone who grew up on a farm.  

(Editor’s Note:  Hiram is our roving reporter from Aumsville, Oregon.  His camping began as an eight-year old watching his father build a camp trailer.  And, he did grow up on a farm.)

NOTE – WE WILL SOON CELEBRATE OUR “SILVER EDITION”.  WE WILL PUBLISH ANY SUITABLE TEARDROP STORY OR CAMPING/TRAVEL STORIES SUBMITTED FOR THIS SPECIAL #25 EDITION OF THE TOW LINE.

CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

 

MAY 1ST – 4TH - Lake Shasta Meet– Northern California

15TH Dam Gathering of Tears in Antlers Campground at Lakehead, California.  Contact Grant and Lisa Whipp for registration information at info@teardrops.net .

 

MAY 23RD – 26TH - Spring Fling, Our 10th Gathering – Morton, WA

Held at Gust Backstrom Park in Morton.  Vintage Tiny Travel Trailers welcome too.  Contact Rod and Trudy Glassett at 425-760-4964 or glassettgang@juno.com

 

MAY 27TH – JUNE 1ST – Fiddle Around the Stars  - Goldendale, WA

                        2nd gathering for all vintage trailers and teardrops.  Stay at the county fairgrounds.  Contact Lorraine at 509-773-0567 or web site  www.cityofgoldendale.com.

 

JUNE 12TH – 15TH - Rogue Valley Rendezvous – Medford, OR

                        Tearjerkers Jefferson State Chapter first gathering at Cantrail-Buckley County Park.  Contact Eunice Hill at 707-725-4674 or keneucicehill@sbcglobal.net

 

JUNE 13TH – 15TH – Kelson Kampout – Roslyn, WA

                        This annual gathering on private property is a real laid-back and fun weekend.

Contact Linda Kelson at 253-797-0708 or raisinldy@comcast.net

 

JULY 3RD – 6TH – Carnation Fourth – Carnation, WA

For all teardrops and small vintage-looking trailers.  Fun on a four-day weekend.  Contact Ken or Marty Masden at 425-333-5219 or 36fun@centurytel.net

 

JULY 25TH – 27TH – Great Oregon Campout – Somewhere in OR

HOPEFULLY  - STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION  

JULY 25TH – 27TH – Vintage Trailer Rally Number 2 – Sweethome, OR 

                        At the Sunnyside County Park put on by Rollin’ Oldies Vintage Trailers of Oregon.  Contact Jerry Kwiatkowski at 503-831-4991 or jerryk20002000@yahoo.com.

 

AUGUST 1st - 2ND – Teardrops on Display – Brooks, OR

This new event includes admission to the annual Antique Powerland Steamup.  Contact Marty Boehme at 503-632-6563 or teardrops@bctonline.com

 

AUGUST 14TH – 17TH – TCT Vintage Trailer Rally – Deming, WA

This traditional vintage trailer rally also invites teardrop trailer owners to attend.  Contact Pat or Joanne Ewing at 360-966-4253 or pre52@verizon.net.

 

AUGUST 29TH – 31ST - LeMay Open House Campout – Tacoma, WA

Our annual rally and volunteering for the LeMay Open House for the LeMay Museum.  Contact Pat and Jan Estes at opasgang@yahoo.com 

 

SEPTEMBER 19TH – 21ST – Festival of Wheels – Goldendale, WA

                   Third gathering for all vintage trailers and teardrops.  Stay at the county fairgrounds.  Contact Lorraine at 509-773-0567 or web site  www.cityofgoldendale.com.

 

 

 

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Last modified: June 30, 2008