'Springstream' Rally N. Ga 2009

[Luckyducks]

Linda and I had a lot of fun the past few days. We got home safely late this afternoon after a 9 hour drive (with about 2 hours of rain off and on). Thanks Alan and Shannon for taking the initiative to organize these fun rallies. This past weekend was another great one. Here are a few pictures that I hope won't duplicate what others have posted. The first picture here is one of Phil and Sue's dogs keeping watch over their trailer. The second (clockwise) is a picture of the frequently seen Canadian flamingos (I mean geese) and babies. The last is nilesrob's (Brad) (Mr. Slowsky) and Mrs. Slowsky's (Karen) new firepit (aka the Cauldron of Death). What can I say - the guy likes fire (and he plays a mean set of conga drums).

[nilesrob]

Alan and Shannon,

You guys rock - thanks for putting the weekend together. And thanks to all for making this a great weekend! It was also nice to see so many kids there some pictures below, although my apologies for posting Luckyduck sticking his tongue out...

[slvrlng]

What an absolutely cool day! It was so good to meet everyone and the hospitality and fellowship was wonderful! Now I have got to get mine on the road so I too can be a part of the tour in the fall. All of you have truly inspired me to get off my duff and get it done. Just to let you know my son wants to have our "theme" as limedrops thanks to the lemondrop! Thanks to everyone for making us feel so at home and part of the crew and like I told him already THANK YOU ALAN for starting this thread and we will be looking for the beginning of the Fallalluminum thread soon!

[Luckyducks]

Here are a few more. Clockwise, Alan/Shannon's efforts over the past year are showing, Sugarfoot's vintage trailer, PCC's "Lemon Drop", and Camp Luckyduck.

[nilesrob]

Did I mention there were some trailers there? And a few more kids...

[razorback]

Alan and Shannon,

Thanks for putting on a great rally! We enjoyed meeting everyone and making new AS friends. The get-togethers were fun and the food was delicious! (A lot of good cooks in the group!) A special thanks to CB for the "The Long Long Trailer" presentation. We had so much fun that we had to take a day off and regroup. It looks like the sun will be out tomorrow and we'll be leaving for Cherokee,NC in great weather. Again, thanks to everyone who made this a fun trip. Georgia is Beautiful!

S&B

[nvestysly]

Hello everyone and thanks for the great weekend. Danielle and I certainly enjoyed meeting new folks and renewing past friendships.

The band really did a great job. Is that your longest set yet? Pretty soon you guys will be touring! Thanks for playing Livin' In Aluminum - that really ended the evening on a great note.

Lucius

[Minnie's Mate]

On the way home from the Springstream Rally yesterday I had to make one of those panic stops we all talk about when we discuss adequate tow vehicles. The fourth car in front of me lost control for some reason and hit the guard rail on the left side of the interstate. Both lanes of traffic STOPPED! to watch the car spin around and go down the embankment backward. There was no where for me to go since both lanes had stopped and there was a guard rail on the left side of the interstate so I hit the brakes and hit them hard. I had just had my Equal-i-zer hitch fine tuned for my current truck two weeks ago. I felt the front of the truck swerve just a little as the ASB's took affect. It really was more of a right-left-right dip when the brakes grabbed the pavement. I heard the trailer brakes squeal as they locked and then the squealing stop and start twice as the brakes were pulsed by the integrated brake controller on my '08 F-250. The rig stayed straight in the center of the lane and I came to a stop with plenty of room to spare between me and the car in front of me. 65 MPH -0 MPH in what seemed like 2 seconds. No hint of sway or not even a suggestion of possible jack knife. I was glad I practice the 3 second rule for safe distance between me and the vehicle in front of me. Still, I have never been more grateful for my Ford's integrated brake controller, anti-lock brakes, and God as my co-pilot!!!

It was one of those scenarios where one of the thoughts that shot through my mind was if I ease off the brakes, they wouldn't lock and I'd come to a more controlled stop. But the next thought that went through my mind was that doing so might increase my stopping distance. I actually analyzed the situation and just decided to keep the pressure constant on the pedal and let the computerized ABS do its thing. I was really impressed with the brakes and glad I had so much tow vehicle in front of my 7,400 LBS 30' Safari. I felt my confidence grow as I came to a stop, but then my real fear became...was the vehicle behind me going to be able to stop before it rear ended my beloved "Changes in Latitudes".

From the looks of things, I doubted that there was any serious injuries for the occupants of the car and two of the cars in front of me pulled off into the left hand emergency lane at the end of the guard rail to help so I continued on my way since pulling nearly 50' of truck and camper would have been too awkward given the narrow shoulder.

[StreaminGuy]

Camperski,

I'm very sorry to hear of your daughter's accident...we hadn't heard about it either. I'm glad she is ok.

About Josh Turner, wasn't someone going back for Josh Turner show on May 30th? If so, let me know who it was. We'll be there too and camping for the weekend. Hopefully we can get together.

Thanks to all for the great rally, great food and music. Enjoyed seeing the regulars and meeting new folks too.

Brad, your firewood kept us warm Sunday morning and afternoon!

Thanks, G

[StreaminGuy]

Originally Posted by StreaminGuy

Camperski,

I'm very sorry to hear of your daughter's accident...we hadn't heard about it either. I'm glad she is ok.

About Josh Turner, wasn't someone going back for Josh Turner show on May 30th? If so, let me know who it was. We'll be there too and camping for the weekend. Hopefully we can get together.

Thanks to all for the great rally, great food and music. Enjoyed seeing the regulars and meeting new folks too.

Brad, your firewood kept us warm Sunday morning and afternoon!

Thanks, G

Also, there is a Chili Cook Off in Hiawassee May 30th...come on!

[Silverhobby]

Sounds like everyone had a great time. I was sorry to have missed Springstream this year.
I saw forums member Kevin245 in Swannanoa as I was on the way home from the Smoky Mountains Vintage Rally. I stopped and talked to him a few minutes. Also, saw a neat "canned ham" along the way. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next rally.

[kposey]

It sounds like everyone had a great time.

Sugarfoot, what were you cooking in that great big pot of yours?

Minnie's Mate - Whey! That sounds like a close one! Great to hear that your truck held fast...er....is that slloooowwww. Anyway, glad everyone is safe!

Camperski, glad your daughter is ok. I've had a concussion and that is not fun. Especially not remembering the homemade donuts!

I vote for Oct 16 weekend. We actually have Fall Break then. Either way, I'll block both weekends so I won't miss it again.

Keep sending the pictures! Loving seeing them!

[Roy B]

Minnie's Mate
Glad that was just a close call, in the old 58 I wonder how well she would stop like that, I have a feeling not as well. Well good to meet you and glad you are ok.

StreaminGuy
wish I had known about Josh Turner earlier would have loved to have heard that voice live, think I could do with out the chili in almost June though ( just a personal thing)

SugarFoot
Great pictures ..... so good I used one for my profile picture ... thanks again.

[danalee]

Minnie's Mate, we are so glad things turned out ok. This trip helped me get over my fear of towing and all the good advice I have read here sure helped. I never went over 60 and I really tried to keep that distance thing in mind. Your story just illustrates how important that is.