-submitted by Nate Goodwin
Pics coming!
Friday morning came early as my wife and I loaded up the final items in the camper and with the kids in tow hit the highway for our 6th annual trip to the Bond Auto Parts Jamboree Nationals. After a long ride across NH we neared the meeting place on the VT border. Upon arriving at the rest area I found Kathy Seavor and Emily patiently waiting as Mark caught up on some sleep. We let Mark sleep while we waited for Shane and Vickie who showed up just minutes later. Sorry Mark smile.gif. Introductions were done and we were off for the second leg of our trip across VT.
We arrived at the campground in record time and found Mike Rizzo and family there waiting. Mike, his wife, and daughter headed up earlier and were all set up for the weekend. More introductions were under way. As we picked our sites and began unpacking, John Rueter and family arrived. We all got set up and began relaxing just in time for Don Diamont and family. What a turn out we had this year! Dinners were eaten and then we grouped together around the communal fire for some R&R and story telling. Shortly there after Stephen showed up with the RTI ramp in tow. Some of us helped Stephen get his tent set up in the dark then it was back around the fire until one by one we headed for bed.
Morning came very early for those of us that sat around the fire most of the night. We all did our morning routines than grouped up for a parade to the show. Upon arrival at the show we got in pretty quickly since most of us had pre-registered. We took our usual spot in the very back behind the show rigs and set up home. We not only set up a display for our club but also represented the NEA4WDC. After a few discussions with local wheelers about our club, the association and wheeling in the northeast in general we headed out to see the show. For me the morning was spent checking out show rigs and the vendor’s tents.
We rejoined as a group for lunch and made plans to watch the monsters and tough trucks as a group. So after a bit more wondering around the show rigs we headed to our special seating area for the show. There was such anticipation for this show that the grand stands were filled to capacity in no time. This wasn’t a problem for us since we had a cover it set up just outside the fence from the monsters staging area like we have at the previous shows. Between the highflying acrobatics of the tough trucks and the sheer power of the monster trucks we were in for a fun show and they definately delivered.
After the show we headed back to our area to pack up and head back to the campground. Doug Stephenson was there and asked to use the RTI ramp. Doug is a great guy and an associate member so we let him have a go at it. Next thing we knew there was 30+ rigs in line to ramp! After letting 15 or more enjoy themselves we closed down and headed to camp were once again the ramp was used and a large line developed. With dinner on the table we had to once again close down the ramp scene. One thing was for sure the ramp draws a crowed. During this time Mark Campbell and Hollie showed up along with Tim and Karen Brown.
Once the ramp was put away and the crowd dispersed we had a group supper with all the 1/2 pound burgers, dogs and corn you could eat followed by some deserts including an apple cobbler made in the campfire coals. All was very tasty and led to more sitting around the fire with the stories rolling. One by one we headed off to bed. Don, Shane and I were last to go and we missed a huge down pour by just a few minutes. No need to put the fire out.
In the morning most everyone packed up and headed for home.
This year’s event was the best yet with more participants than we have ever brought up there. At the current growth rate we can expect to win the club attendance award within the next couple of years. We just need to find someone to stay Sunday to receive the award.
