Enchanted Encampment, a TCT rally review
Albuquerque, NM
July 2 ’09, we checked in with the office, parked our Silver Streak, towed by our ‘67 F-,250, set up all the 1960’s décor and the lava lamp then checked on who else had arrived. There were two other trailers from Arizona set up and four more rolled in before the 6:30 meet and greet. Kenny went home to hook up and tow out 1957 shinny Mobile Scout and he had that set up for viewing, in no time.
Around 6 PM, I started to pull out the frozen margarita buckets, limes, chips and salsa. The club house was cool inside compared to the 90 degrees outside, so everyone enjoyed a refreshing adult beverages while introducing ourselves. Kenny and I found time afterwards to enjoy the pool and hot tub before calling it a night around 10.
July 3, the morning weather was dry, but humid after our midnight rain shower. I spruce up the trailers, getting them ready for open house while Kenny greeted our newly arrived guest. Trailer tour was organized with everyone sharing details and stories about their acquisition and fix up. We toured all the 14 trailers, and then socialized with campers and visitors. Pot luck time arrived and everyone brought into the club house, great dishes that we munched down. The weather looked a little threatening as we keep our fingers crossed that it would blow over and we could have our outdoor movie. While waiting for dusk, I gave away about 12 door prizes with the grand price an outdoor recliner going to our first timer campers from Pine, Arizona. As luck would have it, the storm blew away and we watched the old Elvis classic: Jail House Rock under the stars, on a 16‘ screen.
July 4-Independence day, the weather was good so many campers decided to go explore our area. Late in the afternoon, Dj Dennis from A+ Productions, and independent Film producer, showed up interviewed everyone for a possiable future production, they have in the works. After that we started our 5:30 dinner, and everyone loved the bar b q chicken, beans, rolls, slaw and two sheet cakes we ate for desert. Along with our TCT campers, dinner was attended by the monthly campers of the park, a Western gun fighter, craft people, Vickie the park owner and her staff. After dinner Beverly, showed us her trailer earrings and greeting cards she had for sale. We cleaned up the kitchen and headed over to Don and Kathy’s trailer for some guitar playing, story telling and sing along time. Quiet time came to quickly so we called it a night, thinking about the new friends and good times we have had.
July 5, we woke up early, so did, Roy, Tom and Barbara and we headed for the kitchen to cook sausage and flip pancakes for everyone. Think we made about 80 pancakes or more; feed everyone that showed up. After breakfast, I went around and said good by to new and old friends, that were packing up and heading home. We hooked up too, thanked the Vickie for having us, and headed home until next time we get out our long Silver Steak.
I think for my first Tin Can Tourist rally, it was a good start. The turn out was light, perhaps the 4th is not a good weekend, or bad advertising on my part, or we need a fresh location, but we had a low key no stress, went as planned rally. What did I learn ? Well, it is possible to have a rally with no Shasta trailers, and four Silver Streaks, and that it might not rain as predicted. I am thankful for the good friends and members of our local club that supported this event and my husband that is always ready to go camping. Thanks to everyone that attended and I hope next year we have a Shasta or two also attending the Enchanted Encampment II Rally.
Karen Campbell
TCT SW Rep
1975 Silver Streak & 1957 Mobile Scout