[VAC] Fire Rain’n in the Sky

["randy unter" <runter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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, (Kris Gozar: Fred Coldwell concluded 
after reviewing my digital photos that your mystery trailer is a 1950 Flying Cloud; 
he'll be down to visit you at the Gozar Ranch to compare his to yours), Globe 
Trotters, Safari, Sovereigns, Overlander, Argosy,  Louie DeCarolis' pristine 1995 
35' Classic MH diesel pusher (one of 12 made), and Don Horn’s beautiful vintage 
Avion. Tuna, we missed you!

The Rally began on Wednesday in full monsoon, with the early arrivers 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 Berander's (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 Guerin's, Roger 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. Roger Hightower and I 
did some ‘trailer tech’ digital photo transfers, so I'll be sending photos to RJ 
Dial for posting to the Web site. If any others have digital photos, please send 
them to me. (Fred, I saw you slip out of your Jeep for a shot of the caravan in 
Estes Park; send me a digital copy).
Randy Unter
'66 Overlander
Wagon Master
2001 RM rally.