The 2nd Annual TCT Rally at Cooper’s Lake Campground and Event Center in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania is a wrap. We shared the venue with the annual “Band Jam” which brings a musical backdrop and much energy to the event. With 17 units, 9 of whom were new to the rally this year, much fun was had by all. We had units from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. Our rally began with a build your own burrito bar Thursday night. Afterwards we welcomed each other around a homemade cookie table and learned about how each of us got our start into vintage camping. We welcomed new TCT’ers, Eric and Jess Wilburn. They learned the TCT secret word, handshake and sign along with the TCT song. Breakfast Friday morning was a build your own omelette bar. The eggs came from the backyard chickens of our rally hosts, Gary and Sue Shepard. The campers brought potluck ingredients to add to the omelettes. Friday daytime was left open for campers to explore the Slippery Rock area. We then reconvened for a grilled chicken and baked potato dinner where each camper brought potluck salads and toppings for the baked potatoes. We welcomed another new TCT family, Jeffrey, Ashley and Ella Thomas so that they would also learn the fun TCT secrets. After dinner, we set up an outdoor screen and watched “The Long Long Trailer” under the stars complete with bags of popcorn and movie theater candy. Saturday morning was our annual pancake breakfast. Breakfast meats and danishes were added to the meal by our campers. All our campers participated in an open house from noon to 3:00 Saturday. Dinner was a catered meal consisting of stuffed pork chops, barbecued beef, cheesy potatoes, string beans, rolls and butter. Finally, we met one final time Sunday morning for a catered breakfast sandwich meal before we broke camp and begin heading home. Gary and Sue would like to extend a special thanks to Bruce and Tammy Patchett for all their help during the rally. Additionally, a special thanks to Phil and Jennifer Scott who were unable to attend at the last minute but who were a huge help with planning. The Cooper’s Lake Campground and Event Center is huge so we would welcome the addition of many more camping units for next year’s rally.
