TC Rally, Wild Flowers, the kindness of strangers

[67avion]

So, my truck camping friend John Patterson (Exhaustipated) wrote to say that Jane and I should travel to the South East Truck Camper Rally this year. We had intended to head for Kenner, Texas, but John convinced me this would be different.

John was right.

Before I get this report jerked out of here, Reddog, I am not going to write about the rally as such. Going My Way (Phyliss) the co-host of the rally along with Eric (Kohldad) will be writing the details in the Rally thread. I am trying to stay within the Forum rules. Trust me. Besides, it involves a Suzuki Samurai.

So, as I was saying, we were driving along I 24 on the way to the rally and I said to Jane, "seems like the truck is pulling a bit to the left". Jane said to me, "maybe there is wind". We're always worrying about the truck pulling this way and that. It's probably the wind. We forgot about it.

Then a fellow pulled in front of me and I hit the brakes. I heard a crash in the back. We pulled over. My flat towed Suzuki had lost a pin in the right-side attachment to the tow bar....and as long as I went straight down the highway there was no problem. But, when I hit the brakes the whole towbar collapsed smashing the Sammy into the back of my 1967 Avion.

My first problem was physically separating the towbar, the tow ball, and the truck. Everything was bent together. I took out a hammer, a big screwdriver and channel locks and went to work. I had semis passing within a few feet as I laid under the wreckage beating and plying. Finally, like a miracle, it all came apart. I checked the Sammy and it started fine. I saw the dents in the hood and grill and I couldn't open the hood. My Avion didn't suffer any damage that I could see. But, then, it has lots of "character' from all the years on the road.

We were faced with a challenge: (1) drive on to the rally for 4 hours separately in the truck and Sammy. (2)Turn around and go home. (3) Try to get it fixed.

We were passing near Ft Campbell and Clarksville, Tn. I said to Jane, lets take a look and see if I can get a welding shop to fix the tow bar...if its fixable. I drove into a Goodyear shop for truckers. I told these two big guys the story. They nodded and said, "we have a real big hammer".



This is the honest to God truth. Those guys beat that towbar, stretched that towbar and straightened that towbar. They used the hammer, their legs and feet, and whipped that thing into total submission. It was in better shape after they finished than it had been before the accident.

So, I tried to pay them. "No, indeed, we're paid plenty here. We're glad to help." Of course, I later learned, they were vets of the 101st Airbourne at Ft.Campbell.

But there is more to this. We got back in our truck and headed on to the Smoky Bear Campground near Gatlinburg where the South East Truck Camper rally was happening. We disconnected the Sammy at the campground and discovered that the headlights wouldn't go off because of a short. The hood wouldn't open or fasten correctly. It was a mess. Several of the campers came over to look at my Sammy including Eric Kohl (Kohldad).

We met everyone and went to bed. It had been a very hard day.



The next morning Eric stopped by. He leaned over and studied the hood and grill. He went away and brought back two small come-a-longs. Hooked them up between my Ford truck and the grill of the Sammy, and very carefully began to apply pressure. The Sammy's grill moved slightly. He shifted the pressure to here, then to there. Folks it was like watching an artist. When he finished the hood shut perfectly and the damage was totally minimized.

Nope, Eric didn't want anything for his work either.



The next day we went to The Smoky Mountain National Park and Cade's Cove in our Suzuki. It was a beautiful warm day. The trees, grass and foliage proved that there were more shades of green than words to describe them.



We went along Little Creek and marveled at the mosses and wildflowers that were watered by springs tumbling down the mountains.



Cross Vine



Photographers were dotted all along the creek



But, to be honest, there were too many cars passing on this beautiful day. So, we took the Suzuki up and over the mountain on an unimproved road. That's why we pull that car - and because of the guys in Tennesse and Kohldad - we found this quiet trail. Flowers were everywhere.

Trillium



Dwarf Iris



Stonecrop



Celedon poppies and bluebells



We got so wrapped up in the wildflowers that I almost called Brian Appleby for a consult.

OK, Reddog, this is the rally part.

We got back and they were having the pot luck dinner. Phyliss had thought to get custom M&Ms made. Who knew that you could do that?



And we posed for the rally photo. Actually, I shot the picture, so I'm not in it. But Jane is up there near the top of the slide.



If it were not for John Patterson (Exhaustipated), our truck camping friend, we wouldn't have known about the rally. If it weren't for Phyliss and Eric we wouldn't have had a rally. If it weren't for the fellows from the 101st Airbourne we wouldn't have made it. And if it weren't for Eric (Kohldad) we wouldn't have seen the wildflowers.

Our truck camping community is full of skilled, friendly people who help each other. In fact America is truly blessed to have such a culture of giving and helping. Thanks to you all.

Happy trails,

D.

[exhaustipated]

We finally made it back home from this rally yesterday after spending last week at Lake Red Rock's North Overlook Campground near Pella, IA to enjoy the Tulip Time Festival that was going on there. This is the first chance that I had to see the magnificent photos you took of the gorgeous wildflowers in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I'm glad you and Jane were able to make it to this rally despite the troubles you had. I think everybody had a wonderful time at this event getting to know all the interesting couples who attended. Thanks again D for your gracious hospitality and Jane's wonderful cooking when you invited the wife and I to spend the night at your place on our way to Pella, IA.

[Stars101]

Waaaaaaaa!!!! I wanted to attend and we couldn't 😞

I love the photos. From the posts it sounds like we missed an amazing event.

[GoinThisAway]

Thanks for the info on the photo. I can grasp a little of the kelvin concept with the help of wikepedia 😉 Now I've got just 9,999.9 hours to go! In any case, the photo has an eerie look, like you can't tell what's up and what's down. Really cool!

[sharkman]

Great pics, thanks for sharing, DW said we should have went.

[67avion]

The rocks at Little Creek were covered with a thin film of water. They were in shade, but they were open to the northern sky which was a rich blue. The effect of the film of water on the nearly black rock was to create a mirror.

My memory is not what it used to be. I attribute that to the fact that my brain was totally packed with information about film/developer/exposure. They say it takes 10,000 hours to master a craft - I probably put in 50,000 hours.

So here is some information from the photographic past.

An incandescent bulb "burns" at 3200 degrees kelvin temperature (Red-Yellow). Sun light on an object is about 8,000 degrees kelvin. The degrees are based on a carbon body heated to that temperature. So, the color goes from infrared low (cherry red) to very high (steel blue) to pure white (ultra violet). The north side of an object, in shadow, will average around 20,000 degrees kelvin. Very blue.

Ultraviolet and infrared are invisible to our eyes and must be captured by special cameras (filters). But they're all there. We deal with the visible spectrum.

The rocks were in a 20,000 degree kelvin exposure from the open sky while in shadow from the direct sun. The reflection in the mirror surface of the water was probably around 12,000 degrees. Add all of that up, along with the reflectivity of the water and you get a Cerulean blue. Azure. Sky Blue.

Now, that is the film photographic explanation. But we live in a world of algorithms so I really don't know what went on with the camera. When I processed the image I increased the Gamma to balance the colors, but otherwise it is what it is.

[GoinThisAway]

I'm trying to figure out one of your photos, D. On the one of moss on rocks at Little Creek, how did you get the fantastic blue sky to show up on the wet areas? At least that's what it looks like I'm seeing.

[67avion]

Well, Kohldad, I probably misspoke. I should have said, "poetry in motion".

[kohldad]

I've been called a lot of things a lot of times, but I think you are the first to call me an "artist".

Just glad we were able to get you back on the road so you could have so much fun.

[Photomike]

Was enjoying it to the M&M's now I want M&M's. Glad it worked out for you.

[WVbassmistress]

Incredible pictures!!! Thanks for sharing. I am not so old I can't appreciate the sight of some well muscled men working 😉 - YOU TOO ERIC!!!!

It was a great weekend. I have to say, I am not much of a "joiner" or "groupie". As a matter of fact, my sister was shocked when I told her about attending this rally. But I am so glad I did. I had the pleasure of meeting some of this group 2 years ago at the last Gatlinburg rally and adding to that circle of friends this year. The "Westies" were a great addition to the group.

Thank you Phyllis for everything and thank you all for coming. Let's do it again!!!

[Gulf_Coast_Gyps]

You have a gift for writing and a beautiful eye for photography D. It was fun reuniting with old friends and meeting new friends like you and Jane. The group picture turned out great. A very clever idea for staging us on the playground slide so you can actually see everyone. We tow a CRV so are acutely aware of "towing terrors". Your story of kindness along the way is inspiring that there are still wonderful, generous people that we meet along the path of life. I would encourage any of our fellow truck campers to get out and attend some rallies. You will learn so much and meet friends for life. Phyllis (Gointhisway) you did an awesome job! Safe travels everyone until we meet again!

[Sango]

Hey D, was great seeing you again. Thanks for sharing the pics and article. Look forward to Phyliss's pictures on rally as well.

[whazoo]

Ah that wouldn't be fair D, I've smoked tires up that Dugway more than anybody I know for 24 years. Even helped a few people gone sideways because of ice. FYI if you go past the first "point" and make a right turn on a dirt road before the very end of the road, there is some very nice primitive camping on that road. It actually continues around the eastern rim of Johns Canyon. Congrats on your very fine trip and good luck with your Avion Rendevous. Hello to Sweet Jane from the Whazoos!
Thanks also for the invitation, that would have been perfect, but we moved to Idaho this winter and I may not make it back to that part of town anytime soon, there's so much to see!

[67avion]

Thanks Phyliss for letting me know it was WVBassmistress who engineered those M&Ms. And it was a pleasure to meet everyone at the rally. Whazoo, the perfect thing would be for you and Mrs. Whazoo to have joined us. We'll be headed out West at some point for the first annual Avion camper rally at Muley Point. You're invited there. I plan to have timed quarter mile truck camper drag races and the fastest climb up the Moki Dugway.