Highlights, continued
The Vintage Airstream Club parade into the International Rally is always one of the big highlights. Not only were there great trailers and tow vehicles but wonderful people as well.
I finally met Rob Baker and David Winick, talked with the seemingly always present, Dale Schwaumborn, and linked up with friends from Colorado, California, Nevada, Florida, New York and well… everywhere. It is the one time of the year when we are all in the same place at the same time. That’s how special it is.
I also met some really interesting people I didn’t know, and would never had known if we hadn’t made the trip to Madison. While exploring the downtown area, off-campus so to speak, we stumbled into the House of Wisconsin Cheese. We went in ostensibly to look for post cards (yes, we bought some awesome cheese too), but discovered that it was also a hotbed of Airstream devotion. The owner, Jeff Price, has a history. His parents were friends and fellow travelers with Wally Byam. He even has childhood memories of Wally and Stella coming over for dinner and cocktails.
When we went in, The Long, Long Trailer was playing, a model of an Airstream was on display, and an official looking street sign at the curb in front read, “Airstream Parking Only.†So, Rob Baker couldn’t resist. Even though the street is a really a dedicated pedestrian mall, he towed his Airstream there, honking no doubt at the college students to get out of the way, and parked under Jeff’s sign. Quick, someone fly a pirate flag! We’re breaking all the rules!
Alas, it is Wisconsin for pity’s sake, and it is all just for fun. It made our day, for sure, and put a big smile on our face. And that is the flavor of the month at a vintage rally. The happy face flag says it all.
