The 2003 Rocky Mountain VAC Rally started in Denver with a caravan of
eight vintage Airstreams winding their way out of Denver to our destination in
La Veta, located in South Central, Colorado.
- click on images to enlarge -

Along for the ride was a NBC Nightly News crew joining us for the weekend,
documenting our experiences for later national viewing

Friday night's opener and introductions included a "Chili Dump", with VACers contributing their favorite to the pot. What was expected to cause a rush for antacids, instead proved to be a culinary delight.

 

The "Chili Dump" Cauldron

 

~ The NBC Crew ~
Mario from NYC and Andre' & Scott from Denver

Saturday afternoon was devoted to an Open House open to all. Many folks from the local area and surrounding communities came to tour the vintage treasures. The many differences, both exterior and interior reminded us of the uniqueness of the vintage Airstreams

Saturday night's BBQ was hosted by Kris and Jill Gosar, of Gosar Organic Sausage and Foods from nearby Monte Vista, CO and everybody else brought a potluck dish to share. Kris and Jill were celebrating their first wedding anniversary with all of us and their beautiful 1950 Flying Cloud. Thanks guys!

The weather patterns were bringing afternoon thunder showers, so the evening events were hosted at Circle The Wagons dance facilities across the street.

Then finally...the moment all true VAC'ers were looking forward to...VAC Historian and Archivist, Fred Coldwell, presented a fascinating photo collection of the different early aluminum Airstream structures, distinguishing the frame, panel, and window designs of the different eras of Wally Byam’s Airstream.

- Click on the image below to view Fred's Slide Presentation -

After the rain there was a beatiful rainbow and sunset...

Later, the night skies provided a clear view of Mars at its closest position to Earth.

Sunday, a number of participants packed up and headed back to their jobs and family responsibilities; likewise the NBC News crew finished their work. They had become members of the Rally family; we were sorry to see them leave.

Uptop is the tiny little ghost town atop La Veta Pass. It was the first rail route over the Rockies. This little town supported a depot, saloon, hotel, church, school and lumbermill in it's hey day...

A couple of degrees cooler, it was perfect for a picnic lunch

Left to Right: Fred Coldwell, Mark & Becky Wilson, Jim & Rhonda Cooper, Randy Hedges, Mario, Diane & Gene Aparisio, Herb & Sidra Spies, Rob Davis, Jere & Jane Potter, Kevin Allen, Donna Thomas & Luke Bernander, Steve & Priscilla Ingebrigtsen and Jill & Kris Gosar

Randy Unter ventured over the Pass in the San Luis Valley to Great Sand Dunes National Park with Roger & Leslie Hightower. Vintage Airstreams were spotted along the route, one serving as a sheep herder shack, another in the San Luis Valley with a large fixed solar panel for power.

Those who ventured into town were warmly welcomed by the locals!

Sunday night was on one’s own for meals, but all congregated around the TV for viewing the VAC DVD on early Airstream films and rallies, and tapes of early RVing.

Monday was time for more folks to go home. For those who stayed, it was in general a slower pace...more time for exploring and chatting with fellow Airstreamers.

Tuesday was break camp day, with the remaining participants moving on to other destinations.

A special thanks to Jodi Guerin for the terrific T-shirts again this year...sorry you weren't able to attend John & Jodi you were missed!

The planning committee, comprised of Shari and Rob Davis, Luke Bernander and Donna Thomas, Dan Huizinga and Pat Glick, Louie DeCarolis, Fred Coldwell and Randy Unter, will regroup to review pros and cons of this year’s rally and commence planning for the 2004 Vintage Airstream Club Rocky Mountain Rally.

Preliminary feedback supported having the VAC RM Rally in the Southern part of Colorado again....stay tuned!