Teardroppers of Oregon and Washington
Serving those who are or wannabe teardroppers

TOW Line
FREE #16 July 2006
Published whenever
Marty Boehme, Editor
20232 S. Jasan Dr.
Oregon City, OR  97045
503-632-6563
teardrops@bctonline.com
www.teardroptrailers.org

NEXT UP - A GREAT GATHERING AT ANTIQUE POWERLAND
	This is a new rally for Oregon that’s being held from July 21st to the 23rd.  It’s located on the grounds of Antique Powerland located eight (8) miles north of Salem at exit 263 off I-5 and a quarter mile west.  The announcement went out at the Spring Fling from Larry and Teri Snedden, our hosts.
	Powerland is made up of 15 separate museums that range from a small blacksmithing display to a huge truck collection.  The Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum is part of the mix.  It has invited teardroppers (and tiny travel trailers) to camp out on their new 1.5-acre campus lawn.
	The date is one weekend before the popular “Steam-up”.  So lots will be happening with many of the museums getting ready for Powerland’s yearly event.
	There is lots to do in the area.  In nearby Silverton, there are the Oregon Gardens plus Silver Falls State Park, Oregon’s most popular and largest park that features many waterfalls that are seen via a hiking trail loop.  Factory Outlet stores are just a few miles north in Woodburn.  Then there is the Aurora Colony with its many antique shops.
	This is a fun-filled weekend with (as Larry describes it) “our nostalgic” teardrop and trailer friends.  Arrive beginning at noon Friday.  This is a day for setting up and getting caught up with everyone.  Friday evening we have the option to join museum members for their annual BBQ.  Breakfast will be served Saturday and Sunday by our hosts.  There’ll be our traditional potluck supper on Saturday with an old-fashioned Dutch oven cook-off.
	Saturday is the day that the museum will be holding its annual Swap Meet with lots of old car parts and related stuff for sale.  Sunday is for visiting and loading up.
	The campsite has a nice restroom building with showers a short walk from the site.  A Porta Potty will be available in the immediate area for quick trips.  Water is just steps away.
	The registration fee is $10.  For the weekend, camping costs only $15 (that’s $7.50 a night) if you are not a member of the museum.  However, if anyone in your personal camp joins for an annual fee of $35, the camping fee is only $5.  The BBQ starts at 6:00 PM and has to be reserved at $15 per person by July 14th..  Pets are welcome but leashes are required.  To register and for more information, contact our host couple at 360-423-5326 or e-mail ldsnedden@hotmail.com. 

LOST WHEEL BEARING IN BAKERSFIELD
	We just got a note from Norm Brown, a teardropper who lives in Northern California.  While on a trip to the Southwest, he lost a wheel bearing on the way home.
	The damage was extensive to the hub assembly.  In order to order parts, he took the other wheel hub apart to find part numbers.  It was practically dry!  It looks like the factory assembly is sold to customers with minimal grease in the bearings.
	So, Norm suggests that all new Dexter axles be checked for properly greased bearings.

NEWS FROM THE TRAILORBOAT TEARDROP REGISTRY
	Rob Butler has added some photos of another Trailorboat to his Trailorboat Trailers Group site.  The latest has some really cool features, including an awesome interior and galley.  Of all the entries to his site, this is one of the greatest.  You can check it out at http://groups.msn.com/TrailorboatTrailers/donaldhughestrailorboat.msnw?Page=1.
	The Trailorboat was a teardrop with a boat on the roof.  The Trailorboat Mfg Co built it between 1961 and 1963 in San Rafael, California.
The sleek and innovative Trailorboat offered travelers snug overnight accommodations inside its small cabin and a convenient way to transport a matching boat to seaside or lakeside destinations.  Fiberglass construction made lifting the boat into the water a simple task.  The tongue was adapted to hold a small outboard motor that could easily be attached in a few minutes.  The large rear door dropped down to reveal storage space for suitcases, picnic baskets, fishing gear and other equipment.
Rob has a Trailorboat.  In fact, it was displayed at the 2003 Northwest Car Collectors Car Show.  It’s a bit rough now, but plans are to completely restore it.
Approximately 400 of these were built during the three-year run.  Not many are left.  If you have one or are just interested in them feel free to join the registry and share.

SPRING FLING NUMBER EIGHT WAS NOT VERY DRY
By Rod and Trudy Glassett	
How wet was it?  Wet enough to float rubber duckies in mini-lakes!  How wet was it?  Wet enough to come to the top of little kids’ rubber boots!  How wet was it?  Wet enough to wash away a rubber tote from its owners’ teardrop!  How wet was it?  Wet enough for several families to move to a drier spot!  How wet was it?  VERY WET!
Okay, everyone has heard about the rain…Those who attended Spring Fling #8 had a great time oooing and ahhhing over each other’s trailers and making many new friends.  Rain didn’t interrupt us, as we were prepared.  Each trailer had some sort of canopy to protect the trailer and its occupants.  The gazebo provided additional shelter and, despite various reports, it did NOT rain the entire weekend!
Some statistics that have now been collected:
•	We had our first “international” teardrop this year.  Ingvar and Pat 
Svard joined us with their Adventure Teardrop, which they manufacture, from the Okanogan Valley, BC, Canada.
•	Grant Whipp won the distance award by driving from Redding, CA, for our event.
•	There were 30 assorted brands and homebuilt teardrops camping, with the oldest being a 1942 homebuilt and the newest a just-licensed homebuilt.
•	Other trailers included: DeWitt, Aljo, Car-Twin Trailer, Airstream Bambi, Comet, Kompak, U-Haul, A-frame, and a fiberglass-type.  We also had an eight-foot cab-over camper, and several tents.
•	Four more teardrops and their owners came to visit on Sunday.
•	There were 96 campers.
•	We had 17 dogs (one was a service dog for a hearing-impaired camper) and 1 cat!  That didn’t count the two dogs that visited us on Sunday.
Despite the rain, campers seemed to enjoy themselves.  Treasures were found at both the Packwood and Randal swap meets.  (Did anyone find a brown bag with glass bullet-shaped lights?  If so, contact Mike Rodriguez.)  Bingo was wild and crazy Friday night, using new REAL Bingo cards!  Saturday night a small, but lively group played team Family Feud.  Sunday we tried two new activities following the Dutch oven potluck (YUM):  We had a sing-along of patriotic songs for a Memorial Day tribute and later a “tech-talk” was held.  The main topic for that group of guys was “how to market your teardrop.”
This was our largest event ever and we’d like to thank all who helped make it work. Thank you to those who were able to participate in Spring Fling #8.  Without campers, there would be no Spring Fling.  Thanks to those who helped set up and stayed Monday to clean up.  (If you’re missing something, please let us know because we have a bag of “lost and found” items.)  To those who prepared the pancake and French toast breakfasts, thank you too.
Last of all, Cascade Peaks is a great campground, but we are looking for another site for Spring Fling #9.  Our group has grown (YIPPEE) too large and Cascade Peaks continues to sell individual campsites, so we no longer “fit” in the group camp area.  We are considering several campgrounds in the same area that are large enough and provide a “gathering building” for our group.  Check the TOW Line for the new location.
And yes, as a PS: “A special THANK YOU to Ed Colvin, master nametag creator, for once 
again making nametags for Spring Fling."

MT. BAKER TCT RALLY
The annual TCT (Tin Can Tourists) Majestic Mt. Baker Rally will be held on the weekend of August 17th to the 20th.  The focus is on all vintage trailers & motor homes 25 years and older.  Because teardrop trailers are icons of the past, all teardroppers are welcome too.  The rally site is on the Deming Log Show Grounds just east of Bellingham, Washington.
California photographer, Doug Keister, the author of “Silver Palaces” (one of his three books on trailers) will be at the rally.  At a past rally, he showed a wonderful slide show of his trailer photos and told of his adventures in putting his books together.  It was very entertaining and the slides by this professional photographer were a joy to see.  In addition to his show, we found that he took pictures of a lot of our teardrop trailers.
At this rally, he will be doing a presentation on his new book, “Mobile Mansions” and also doing a presentation on a new DVD about the history of RVing.  Both will be available for sale at the rally.  He will personally sign copies as well.
The camping fee is $10.00 per night for dry camping and $15.00 per night for water/power hookups. This is $5.00 more per night than in the past.  The rally fee is $25.00 including TCT members.
One meal will be a potluck dinner.  TCT sponsors a pizza feed on another night.  For reservations, more information and directions please contact Pat or Joanne Ewing at 360-966-4253 or pre47airstream@aol.com.

TOW AND SHOW YOUR TRAILER
	This is the second year teardroppers and those with vintage travel trailers have been invited to take part in the two-day classic car show at Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium.  It’s being held on Labor Day weekend, September 2nd and 3rd.
	For our crowd, the cost is $5 for the weekend.  There is a ticket for the aquarium included.  Also, there are awards each day for the most interesting trailer.
	Again, this is the annual Car, Truck and Trailer Show hosted by the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  From 9 AM to 3 PM each day.  Camping permitted, but you must contact Dick Miller at the Aquarium.  Call 541-867-3474 ext 5640 or e-mail dick.miller@aquarium.org.

A HORSE (AND STORY) OF A DIFFERENT COLOR
Phil Shore wrote the interesting story for the TOW Line describing what it was like to drive from Reno to New York City in the mid 1930’s.  An update of his long ago travels is in order.
It was revealed to this editor at a 92nd birthday celebration dinner for Phil that as a very young man he had trouble crossing the border into California from Nevada.  It seems that Phil had taken on the task of delivering a couple of horses to a relative’s California farm.
	Problems started from the outset.  He located a very dirty and manure-loaded horse trailer with no problems.  But when he tried to load the horses by himself he had problems.  The horses were contrary and Phil really worked up a sweat getting them into the trailer.
	Then, when he got to the Agriculture Inspection Station at the California border, the guards stopped him.  It seems that horse manure in the horse was all right, but the stuff lying on the trailer floor had to be removed.  So with a borrowed broom and shovel, Phil spent considerable time cleaning out the trailer.  It was a trip not to be forgotten.
	Editor comment - Sad to report that Phil, father of Katie Boehme, passed away in his sleep on June 21st.  He led a very interesting life and will be missed by his family and friends.

GREAT BEAVER STATE TEARDROP CAMPOUT
	As reported in the universal teardroppers web site (www.teardrops.net) Northwest Teardroppers are holding their ninth gathering the weekend of August 18th to 20th.  This is for teardrop trailers only as there is no room for other vintage-type trailers.  The location is Camp Lane that’s 42 miles west of Eugene and 24 miles east of Florence on the Oregon coast.
	Come join a family-style gathering in a pristine woodland park location.  There is covered and lighted parking in case of rain with special permission for teardrops to camp on the lawn.  There is no available parking for larger trailers, but tents are welcome.  Those without trailers will find some interesting accommodations in the form of tree houses!  Pets are welcome as long as they are on a leash.
	Pre-registration is requested.  Call up http://norrislane.org/9thregform.html for the registration form.  More event information is available at this site also.  For any questions, please e-mail Sheryl Aaron at aaroncruiser@aol.com or Pam Hernandez at pamelajh@gmail.com. 

VINTAGE TRAILERS FOR WOMEN ONLY	
By Hiram Stumpjumper
	At Spring Fling this year, I ran into one of the campers who joined us with one of those TTT (Tiny Travel Trailers).  The trailer was named Miss Montana and was decorated in a cowgirl theme.  The whole thing was the handy work of Tammy Fuller from Spokane.  She told me of a gathering of these TTT’s would happen at Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon that was hosted by an organization called “Sisters-on-the-Fly”.  I had to see this collection of trailers in a group setting.  It also gave me a chance to scope out a potential site for a teardrop gathering.
	Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was that there was not a single man walking around the 18 camping units.  Not one.  These girls, most of whom represent our seasoned population, go on outings like this one all over North America.
Actually, I found out that this organization was started by a couple of sisters who were fly fisherwomen.  The original sisters began by taking fishing trips together.  Then they purchased trailers to take with them.  “It grew from there”, Tammy tells me.  Now, it’s an organization of over 500 sisters devoted to traveling in these trailers.  Most trailers were pulled out of the weeds, abandoned farms and barns from wherever and were in bad shape.  My observation was that all took pride in their creations with the way they were painted and decorated.
Tammy wrote me that, “For this weekend we had folks from Idaho, Oregon, Washington and California.  We spent the last morning planning our next get-together.  We plan to continue the Northwest Sisterhood!”
There were 14 vintage trailers.  Shastas predominated.  I even saw one that was a Winnebago.  A fiberglass Scamp was there too.  (In talking with the owner, I found out that this type of trailer is affectionately nicknamed an “egg” with an international registry that holds rallies all over the USA and Canada.)

TEARDROP TRAILER DISPLAY AT THE LeMAY OPEN HOUSE
.	On August 26th, the last Saturday in August, teardroppers have been invited to participate in the LeMay Open House by displaying their trailers.  Although it is only a one-day event, by volunteering to help with the Open House (a two-hour shift), we are allowed to camp on the Marymount Campus.  You must move in on Friday to get ready very, very, very early the next day.
This gives teardroppers the chance to view the world’s largest private car and vintage vehicle collection.  It’s really something to see.  Shuttle bus service between the Home Grounds and the Marymount Campus is provided for the public in order to see the entire collection..
Teardrop trailers start arriving on Friday the 25th and get to camp in a park-like setting with restroom facilities close by.  There are some restaurants and a grocery store in the area if you need food.  Saturday morning is busy with organizing the trailers for display so a continental breakfast is provided.  Vintage tow vehicles stay with their trailers while modern cars are parked out of the area.
The public that comes to the Open House enjoys discovering, looking at and reminiscing about teardrop trailers.  After the Open House closes and the complementary dinner that’s provided for all volunteers is over it is our turn to relax and talk about our favorite car seen during the day.  Sunday, what was left over from the morning before is eaten it’s time to pack up, clean the site and head for home.  However, there is a new option of caravanning to Port Orchard for Cruizin' Sunday.  See the next story for more information about that event.
E-mail Jack Jacobson at Castiron43@aol,com or call 253-927-6568 for more information.t 

TEARDROPS INVITED THE DAY AFTER OUR LeMAY DISPLAY
On Sunday, the day after everyone wakes up at LeMay’s Marymount Campus, we’ve been invited to caravan the 38 miles to Port Orchard, Washington for a wonderful cruise-in.  It’s sponsored by Christian Life Center, which is the home church for teardroppers Larry and Irma Reed.  This year, Cruizin' Sunday will celebrate its tenth anniversary.
Irma tells us that this cruise-in is a favorite for many.  It’s free to the public with donations accepted for their church’s community food bank.
Many local sponsors and the church pay for everything.  For those that enter, there are lots of free stuff such as food, entertainment, door prizes, T-shirts, hats, Polo Shirts, dash plaques, goodie bags, Krispy Cream donuts, lattes, snow cones, root-beer floats, kettle corn, and kid inflatables.  In addition, there are award plaques, cash winner prizes and a grand winner’s parade.
Last year there were 236 entries with lots of different vintage and special interest cars to view.  Five teardrops were there, with teardroppers Terry and Gordie Engelstad winning “Best of Show” for their truck/teardrop combo.
	So, consider attending this cruise-in on Sunday, August 27th and join the display of our teardrop trailers.  Contact Irma Reed at 360-876-9041 or at irma4god@msn.com 

SECOND ANNUAL CANADIAN TEARDROP GATHERING
By Ron Cain	
As a Canadian, I am inviting all teardroppers to Langley, BC for the Langley Cruise-In Car Show.  Langley is just north of the US border in the lower mainland, only 2 1/2 hours from Seattle.  Last year was the first meet and we had 10 teardrops show up and everyone had a great time.  The Langley Cruise-In, a three-day event, will attract over 1400 vintage vehicles from all over the Pacific Northwest.  This car show is one of the finest shows in North America.  Hot rods, custom show cars, racecars and even airplanes are featured.
There are local attractions and car show events all weekend.  The old-town area with its shops and restaurants are within walking distance of our camp.  After we’ve broken camp on Sunday, we’re invited to show our trailers at the car show.  All teardrops and vintage camp trailers are invited.  
To get into Canada, all you need is a photo ID.  Your driver’s license will do.  However, all pets need vaccination proof.  No firearms allowed!  To get back into the USA, you need a photo ID as well as a BIRTH CERTIFICATE or a PASSPORT.
Plans are for a potluck for Saturday supper and a group breakfast on Sunday.  I need to make a count if you’ll be joining us.  My number is 250-477-3755 in Victoria, BC.
So, reserve September 9th, 10th and 11th for this event.  Most of us will camp Friday, the 8th and Saturday, the 9th.  Come camp as a group at the Fort Langley RV Resort & Campground.  People MUST reserve their site in section C.  The sooner the better as that increases the chance that we can all be in one area.  The cost for two nights is $55 Canadian.  Call toll free 1-866-267-3678 ASAP. To register for the car show (advance registration makes things easier) see www.langleycruise-in.com  -  this is one spectacular car show and last year the teardrops where a big hit!   For travel information and maps please visit our website at www.teardroptrailers.org

THE CARNATION FOURTH GATHERING FOR 2006
A Steve Birley report
Steve reports that the Carnation Gathering this year was great fun.  Another camper reported that the Saturday night potluck was one of the best.  The vintage car rides (many with rumble seats); wagon rides with draft horses and the Dutch oven cooking were greatly enjoyed by all campers.
There were teardrop trailers in abundance with a few TTT’s (Tiny Travel Trailers) thrown in for good measure.  Several trailers came and went because of the way the Fourth fell this year.  Two new campers spent their first night in their trailer.  All enjoyed the festivities at the Masden 36Fun five acres..
	Ken organized three car tours, including one to Snoqualmie Falls, topped off with ice cream like last year; another to the last remaining XXX Drive-In restaurant for burgers and root beer floats and the pancake breakfast, parade and strawberry shortcake on the Fourth in downtown Carnation.
	A big “THANK YOU” to Ken and Marty Masden for their gracious hospitality appreciated by all who attended.

FIVE WIDE TEARDROP CLUB
	We’ve received word that there exists a teardrop trailer club where everyone owns a five-foot wide trailer.  Furthermore, these five trailers exactly alike.  All were made from the same plans and are owned by separate couples that go on vacation trips together.  Many were seen at the International Teardrop Gathering in Minden, Nebraska last summer.
	It must be quite a sight to see this caravan as it goes from one place to another.  For example, on a recent trip to the US Southwest, they all traveled across Hover Dam that was crowded with lots of vacationers.  The view suddenly turned to look at the cute trailers.
	A description of their adventures on this trip will appear in a future issue of the TOW Line.

NO TIME FOR SNIPPETS FOR THIS ISSUE OF THE TOW LINE

CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY 21ST – 23RD – Antique Powerland – Brooks, OR
The Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum has invited teardroppers to a campout on their new 1.5-acre campus.  Powerland is located at I-5 exit 263 north of Salem.  Info: Larry Snedden 360-423-5326 or ldsnedden@hotmail.com.  See the headline article in this issue of the TOW Line.

AUGUST 18TH – 20TH – Great Oregon Campout – Lane County, OR 
At Camp Lane, 42 miles west of Eugene.  Because of space restraint this is for      teardrops only.  This is the 9th gathering of the Northwest Teardroppers.  For more information, please e-mail Sheryl Aaron at aaroncruiser@aol.com .

AUGUST 17TH – 20TH – TCT Vintage Trailer Rally – Deming, WA
Contact Pat or Joanne Ewing at 360-966-4253 or pre52@verizon.net for more.  Find the story in this issue of the TOW Line.

AUGUST 25th - 27th - LeMay Open House Campout – Tacoma, WA
More later.  Contact Jack Jacobson at 253-927-6568 or castiron43@aol.com   A more complete description of the Open House is found in this TOW Line.

SEPTEMBER 3RD & 4TH – Oregon Coast Aquarium Car/Trailer Show
The location is Newport.  The show includes teardrop and vintage camping trailers.  Contact Dick Miller at 541-867-3474 ext 5640 or dickmil@aquarium.org.  This is a unique venue to display your Tiny Travel Trailer (TTT) and teardrop.

SEPTEMBER 8th – 10th– 2nd Canadian Teardrop Meet – Langley, BC
This event is in conjunction with the Langley Car show - the largest in Canada.  For more info contact Ron Cain at 250-743-4995 or classicsincanada@shaw.ca.  Make reservations pronto to insure everyone is located in the same area.  See the story in this issue of the TOW Line.

OCTOBER 13th – 15th   NWCCA Car Show TD Display – Portland, OR
Contact Marty Boehme at 503-632-6563 or teardrops@bctonline.com.  The theme is “Through the Looking Glass”.  Teardroppers will decorate the display with an old, vintage, falling-apart teardrop on one side of the looking glass and on the other side, there will be a completely restored shiny tear.  Both are vintage Kits.