"Honeymoon in the Rockies"

We capped off another successful Rocky Mountain Rally at Blue Arrow/Elk Meadow RV Park in Estes Park. The rains visited us only the first day, a welcome relief from the heat and drought. This year our numbers swelled to 26 Airstreams registered for the Rally, with a few more camped nearby. Either it is the lack of oxygen, or we tend to attract a freer spirited bunch to the Rocky Mountain Rally. This year was even more bizarre than last.


   

The Rally began with a preview of VAC'ers in Denver’s Rocky Mountain News, featuring the Davis’ Globetrotter, “Maxwell”, and the interest in restoring vintage Airstreams. This helped bring out other vintage Airstream owners who didn’t know about our active club. In addition to the 26 attending Airstreams, another 13+ stopped by to learn more about VAC and view all of us having so much fun. A ’60 Serro Scottie with ’46 Chevy pickup also joined the fray.

After last years taste test of Gosar Organic sausage, Kris and Jill Gosar offered to host a Saturday BBQ, complete with their finest offerings. But before we get to that, one week before the Rally, Kris and Jill were married, with their Airstream. Believe it or not, they still planned to attend the RM rally…for their honeymoon: thus, this year’s title.

Our attendees included prior veterans plus VAC heavies Bonnie and Bob Herman from Florida (but on the road since April) and Tom and Corinne Reed from California, giving us the distinction of being a coast-to coast Rally. In addition, Ben and Molly Butterworth from Missouri attended their first WBCCI/VAC rally with their beautifully restored 71 Sovereign. Also, Chris and Cheryl Fahler pulled from Indiana with their 73 Overlander. Ken and Molly Reed treated us with their 53 Bubble, as did Heidi Snow and Ted Thomas with their 61 Bambi. The list goes on, refer to the table below for all the attendees.
 

Many contributed to the Rally’s success, including Jodi and John Guerin for the wonderful T shirts and morning coffee, Fred Coldwell for the Wally Byam Caravan DVD showings (you have to buy this DVD and watch the Capetown to Cairo Caravan; this has to be the toughest rally ever), New Belgium Brewing for the keg of Fat Tire Ale, Roger Hightower for photo assistance, the Gosars for the wonderful Saturday BBQ, and Luke Bernander for Fire truck rides. Speaking of Luke, Cool Hand Luke, he dazzled us with his parking prowess, by backing his Caravel and Teardrop trailers, both connected in tandem to the 1960 Ford American Fire Apparatus Truck.

I recently acquired a 73 Sovereign for $1, which served as the Rally HQ, because it has a big awning and tacky lights. I was curious about using Ammonia to strip the peeling clear coat so tried a patch. Sure enough, it bubbled up and wiped off. It also worked on Huizinga’s 73 Tradewind, but not on Davis’ 64 GT, nor the Hightowers’ 75 and 76 Sovereigns. Interestingly, the Jay Guerins’ ’99 Safari was peeling all by itself. Thor Industries should be ashamed of this and make the correction.

Saturday we opened our Vintage treasurers to the public and had many visitors. Besides the wonderful variety, the differences were stunning, even among same year models. Tom Reed also displayed his beautiful model Airstream. Not even Franklin Mint modelscome close to this. Note the photos.

Back to Saturday’s BBQ. Kris Gosar demonstrated his Wally Byam look alike from the neck up, and below the neck how to dress in the dark. Witness the photos.

Anyway the food was a feast. A high point was Bonnie Herman and harpsichord serenading us to special songs and showing she can still hit the high notes. Bob Herman taught us how to say “Y’all”. When the sun set, out came glow sticks from the Gosar wedding. Everyone sprouted glowing necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and whatever: glowing collars for Potters cat, Guerin’s dog, Rob Davis’ hat and pink flamingos, etc. It seemed fitting to be watching Vincent Price narrating a WB caravan in the dark with glowing VACers watching (see video). After it was all over, I walked alone through the BBQ site noting the war zone appearance from the feast, glowing rings among the trash and the sound of distant coyotes calling to each other up in RMNP. A final scene captured the spirit of the Rally: glowing rings hung around the tail lights of Guerin’s Caravel.

So, for next year, we plan to increase our attendance even further. I suspect there will be more wackiness. We are considering another location. Also, we will probably be officially organizing the Rocky Mountain/Great Plains/Deserts VAC Group, and sponsor additional Rally-ettes, so stay tuned.

Randy Unter
2002 Wagon Master
Region VAC 11 Representative