Vintage Airstream Club 2002 Vintage Rally, Santa Maria

These rallies just get better and better. Tuesday's arrival found a well-organized wheel configuration materializing before our very eyes. The parking crew did a masterly job. Trailers streamed in day and night, while music and announcements came over speakers placed throughout the campground.
Before long, there were not two, but three rows of rigs. In the center was another wheel configuration of picnic tables under a massive green parachute, its 35-foot pole sporting an American flag.

Encampment entrance
(click on the photo for a larger version)

Balloon's-eye view
(click on the photo for a larger version) The large helium-filled balloons floating above were pressed into service in a covert operation. The ingenious Don Alexander rigged up a tiny timer so his camera would take pictures every 10 seconds while suspended from these balloons flying high over the campground.
It was a sight to behold in itself.

The kitchen in 'Wally's Shack' was complete with sink, cook tops and work tables. The first night was potluck. (And we were lucky!) Other evening meals included barbecue beef, chicken, beans, salad, coleslaw, and fruit salad. If anyone went hungry, it was their own fault.
On the nights it was 'dinner on your own,' a large barbecue was put into service cooking hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers and steaks. Breakfasts were equally tempting: biscuits and sausage gravy one morning, breakfast burritos another...
Happy hour found everyone gathered around three washtubs-turned-fireplaces, drinking sangria in Rally T-shirts designed by Ellie Whitlock.

Waiting for dinner
(click on the photo for a larger version)

Collaborating in the kitchen
(click on the photo for a larger version)

Happy Hour
(click on the photo for a larger version)

Making the Sangria
(click on the photo for a larger version)

'Round the fire at sunset
(click on the photo for a larger version)
Tending the steaks
(click on the photo for a larger version)

Ford Panel Truck
(click on the photo for a larger version)

1938 Ford
(click on the photo for a larger version)
Activities included touring the wine country, visiting the Dunes, shopping and eating in historic Solvang, and playing marathon games of Mexican Train. Other groups toured on their own, taking in the area sights, driving ON the beach, antiquing, etc.
It was a wonderful mix of people, from regular Unit rally attendees to newcomers. There were original owners of vintage trailers, as well as vintage trailers with new owners.
Some of the tow vehicles were attractions by themselves. There was a Stepvan, a vintage Reo, a bright orange hotrod and a 1938 Ford crew cab to name a few.

Of course there were the things that make each rally memorable:

chairs lined up outside of Tom Reed's trailer watching the World Series on TV until he took pity on us and brought it outside;
the water pipe that blew out in the early morning hours;
electrical connections that didn't quite connect and water heaters that wouldn't light;
rain that held off until after dinner and then let loose and sent everyone under the parachute or inside.

What fun! This is what the WBCCI life is all about.

Lost Door
(click on the photo for a larger version)

Watching the World Series
(click on the photo for a larger version)

Ready for the Open House
(click on the photo for a larger version) Saturday's Open House was quite a success. A local TV station took some video and announced the event, bringing out lots of visitors. Meanwhile, our own group got some great ideas for decorating and repairing. I believe we even have a few potential new members avidly scouring the area for qualifying rigs!
Click here for the Open House and other trailer photos!

Kudos to those who put this rally together. Joyce Alexander was the spearhead while Don made her wishes come true. Ellie and Mark Whitlock worked side by side to help prepare and cart the supplies and set up the campsite. Herb and Pat Richter came early to help set up. Jim Foster and Don Alexander masterminded the parking while Lynn Foster aided in the organizing and kitchen. And of course there were others who helped prepare, serve and clean up. Thank you from all of the 100+ happy campers!
Joyce and Don Alexander's
(click on the photo for a larger version)

The Morning After

These rallies just get better and better. Tuesday's arrival found a well-organized wheel configuration materializing before our very eyes. The parking crew did a masterly job. Trailers streamed in day and night, while music and announcements came over speakers placed throughout the campground. Before long, there were not two, but three rows of rigs. In the center was another wheel configuration of picnic tables under a massive green parachute, its 35-foot pole sporting an American flag.	Encampment entrance (click on the photo for a larger version)
Balloon's-eye view (click on the photo for a larger version)	The large helium-filled balloons floating above were pressed into service in a covert operation. The ingenious Don Alexander rigged up a tiny timer so his camera would take pictures every 10 seconds while suspended from these balloons flying high over the campground. It was a sight to behold in itself.
The kitchen in 'Wally's Shack' was complete with sink, cook tops and work tables. The first night was potluck. (And we were lucky!) Other evening meals included barbecue beef, chicken, beans, salad, coleslaw, and fruit salad. If anyone went hungry, it was their own fault. On the nights it was 'dinner on your own,' a large barbecue was put into service cooking hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers and steaks. Breakfasts were equally tempting: biscuits and sausage gravy one morning, breakfast burritos another... Happy hour found everyone gathered around three washtubs-turned-fireplaces, drinking sangria in Rally T-shirts designed by Ellie Whitlock.	Waiting for dinner (click on the photo for a larger version) Collaborating in the kitchen (click on the photo for a larger version)
Happy Hour (click on the photo for a larger version)	Making the Sangria (click on the photo for a larger version)
'Round the fire at sunset (click on the photo for a larger version)	Tending the steaks (click on the photo for a larger version)
Ford Panel Truck (click on the photo for a larger version) 1938 Ford (click on the photo for a larger version)	Activities included touring the wine country, visiting the Dunes, shopping and eating in historic Solvang, and playing marathon games of Mexican Train. Other groups toured on their own, taking in the area sights, driving ON the beach, antiquing, etc. It was a wonderful mix of people, from regular Unit rally attendees to newcomers. There were original owners of vintage trailers, as well as vintage trailers with new owners. Some of the tow vehicles were attractions by themselves. There was a Stepvan, a vintage Reo, a bright orange hotrod and a 1938 Ford crew cab to name a few.
Of course there were the things that make each rally memorable: chairs lined up outside of Tom Reed's trailer watching the World Series on TV until he took pity on us and brought it outside; the water pipe that blew out in the early morning hours; electrical connections that didn't quite connect and water heaters that wouldn't light; rain that held off until after dinner and then let loose and sent everyone under the parachute or inside. What fun! This is what the WBCCI life is all about.	Lost Door (click on the photo for a larger version) Watching the World Series (click on the photo for a larger version)
Ready for the Open House (click on the photo for a larger version)	Saturday's Open House was quite a success. A local TV station took some video and announced the event, bringing out lots of visitors. Meanwhile, our own group got some great ideas for decorating and repairing. I believe we even have a few potential new members avidly scouring the area for qualifying rigs! Click here for the Open House and other trailer photos!
Kudos to those who put this rally together. Joyce Alexander was the spearhead while Don made her wishes come true. Ellie and Mark Whitlock worked side by side to help prepare and cart the supplies and set up the campsite. Herb and Pat Richter came early to help set up. Jim Foster and Don Alexander masterminded the parking while Lynn Foster aided in the organizing and kitchen. And of course there were others who helped prepare, serve and clean up. Thank you from all of the 100+ happy campers!	Joyce and Don Alexander's (click on the photo for a larger version)
The Morning After