"Fire Rain'n in the Sky"

We wrapped up our first (annual) rally at Blue Arrow RV Park Aug 8-11 at Estes Park, CO yesterday, and I must admit it exceeded my expectations. We had 15 attendees, including vintage Caravels, Flying Clouds, Globe Trotters, Safari, Sovereigns, Overlander, Argosy, a pristine 1995 35' Classic MH diesel pusher (one of 12 made), and a beautiful vintage Avion.

The Rally began on Wednesday in full monsoon, with the early arrivals huddled under JP Polly's "memorial Bill Scott awning" with her make-shift Flamingo lamp; the more the wind and rain blew the closer we came together, but not our spirits. Twin brothers Roger and Bob Hightower from AZ, with matching Sovereigns and white Dodge pullers stood in the rain with me relishing the cool oasis absent elsewhere in the country. High energy Jodi and John Guerin of Laramie, coffee roasters exceptionale, and their two delightful boys, provided us with their secret blends each morning. Barbara Moran and Richard of St. George, UT added their enthusiasm. We were all 17 again. By Saturday, all arrivals were aboard including Phil Patterson who drove non-stop from Sturgis to attend the last night.

Our open house on Saturday afternoon gave us all and other RV-ers the pleasure of seeing the wonders and differences of the vintage treasurers. That evening, we all climbed aboard Luke Bernanders' (Cool Hand Luke) 1960 Ford - American Fire Truck with light and siren to the Rock Inn Steak House. Taking a spin around Blue Arrow was met with astonishment and grins, especially from the visiting Europeans in their rented RV America rigs. Following dinner and ice cream social provided by Blue Arrow, Luke's and the Guerin kids all piled into my Overlander for an evening of cartoons while the adults were treated to a John Denver evening. The same meteor shower event that was the genesis of "Rocky Mountain High", dazzled us to "fire rain'n in the sky" while we were serenaded to Michael Matheny and Don Horn's guitars until the Overlander was sleepy as were the adults.

Sunday, we broke camp with Cool Hand Luke, '65 Caravel in tow behind the fire truck, leading the Guerins, the Hightowers, the Pattersons, my Overlander, and Fred Coldwell's vintage Jeep through Estes Park, much to the astonishment and smiles of the pre-GW Bush visit tourist crowd. In Loveland, we headed our separate ways, a bit sad the magic was over, but relishing the experience as an event we will all remember.

Before finishing, we vowed to have a second RM Rally next year, with more vintage attendees and bigger rain cover. So all those who didn't attend plan on another RM rally next year. You won't want to miss this one.

Randy Unter - Wagon Master 2001 RM rally.

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