Each year there is a calling of aged and weathered aluminum. A loud squeaking of springs that have felt the years and a groan of wheels who have seen their share of turns and adventures. The aluminum is polished, the springs oiled and the wheels anxious to tell the tales; the call has gone out for the annual Region 7 Vintage Airstream Rally. A gathering of the finest RV's ever manufactured all carefully maintained and lovingly cared for by the greatest group of Airstream enthusiasts ever assembled. A four day gathering where Airstreams 25 years old or older are on display. But these are not just for show each night the owner's bed down in them and enjoy these beauties as their special campers. This is the vintage rally, my favorite rally of the year. This year a husband and wife new to these rallies showed up in a 1956 something or other no one
was really sure exactly what it was exepct that it was made in California and had a "whale tale." They had purchased it 23 years ago and used it as their camper for all these years never knowing it was "vintage" or anything special. A couple in their late 70's brought their 60's Bambi which is their "downsized" Airstream. It sparkled inside and out as they did while they told how it was just big enough for their needs. At the other end of the age spectrum were a proud young couple who had their 1958 Globetrotter out for the very first time after a complete off frame restoration. Others in attendance were: Tradewinds, Excellas, Bubbles, Caravelles, A Wide Body, and Chummy a 280 Turbo Diesel Classic Motor Home all looking their best.
The rally was held in Duquette, MN. That is pronounced "Dew'ket." Heavy accent on the first syllable. Remember that if you happen along on this town you will sound like a local and not appear to be an outsider and pronounce it "Dukway." Although; I could not imagine anyone in this lovely little community correcting your pronunciation. Commerce here consists of a bar and a general store. The general store has just about everything and what it does not have they would most likely order for you. I did not go into the bar but I guess it is a bar. The rally was at House in the Pines a Bed and Breakfast ownedby Curt and Julie Gunderson who also owned the general store at one time. Curt is now retired and his son bought out his interest in the store. The setting for the rally was an expansive yard with a well tended country hedge and gardens. A wonderful
white house built in the early 1800's and a large gazebo type area in the rear. The Airstreams circled the house and the gazebo. There was plenty of room for the many dogs to run and get to know each other and the people were close enough to visit. Our meals were all cooked and eaten in the middle gazebo area.
Speaking of meals this is always an important part of any rally for me and this rally out did all previous rallies which I have attended. I always think that when we are camping we should eat camping type food and wonder when we are served the mystery brown meats floating in the coagulated gravies co-joined with the nameless vegetables and the unbecomming dressing, dinner roll, and foil wrapped butter what does this have to do with camping? Plus what does this have to do with food? Well at this rally we feasted. First night was grill your own meat with potato salad,
beans, fruit, and bread. Breakfast was pancakes. Dinner was steak on the grill, breakfast was omelettes in a bag and dinner the last night was BBQ Chicken. Plenty of potato salad, baked beans and fresh bread were at every meal. We ate like royalty, real camping food we could all identify plus it was healthy stuff.
Saturday we went with Ralph and Marge to Duluth for a tour of their lovely city. They are life long residents, except for the years Ralph served in the armed services. We had a lovely time and thoroughly enjoyed the city and their company. Among the highlights were the Aerial Bridge, Grandma's Restaurant, and the Skyline Drive and lookout. Duluth is on our list of comebacks when we can spend more time exploring and discovering this fine city.
Sunday held a special treat with a church service at the local Duquette church. I always find these services to be a treat and this one lived up to every expectation. The pastor had been our "chef" the night before at our cookout so I had a chance to meet him and talk a little about his church and congregation. Typical in these rural areas his is a blend of many denominations. His umbrella denomination is ELCA Lutheran and he is a lay pastor serving this congregation. He gave a wonderfully warm a folksy service and message speaking of the tradgedy of the hurricane and how it , just will affect the people in their community and what their response needs to I be. His approach was so simple, real, and refreshing, without the academics and theologic quotes but yet filled with basic message of what Jesus taught us. I left the church spiritually filled and renewed for the week. This church has a cemetery in back which revealed rows of graves belonging to
Anderson, Nelson, Gunderson, and various other "Sons." I imagine it would be easy to be a
stone cutter up here just spell out "Son" and fill in the rest after the person orders the stone.
Later that Sunday was the open house. Each of us cleaned and put out fresh flowers and hung the company towels. We then split up a spouse stayed behind to show off our Airstream while the other went touring. The newspaper reporter came from the next town over to take pictures and some of the locals from the town showed up. Two exciting and excited visitors were a young couple who just inherited a vintage Airstream and wanted tips on restoring their own treasure. They certainly came to the right place. The two hours went much to quickly and soon we were winding down the open house.
Monday morning came much to quickly along with the packing up and the good byes. We were
all taking off to scattered points. South Dakota to Florida by way of Ohio with a few more rallies in between. By mid- morning the sea of silver had many empty spaces. Dick Parins the rally organizer did a wonderful job in putting this rally together and I cannot say enough for the hospitality of Curt and Julie in opening their home to us for this weekend. This is my favorite rally and I look forward to next years Region 7 Vintage rally.
