Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
After breakfast this morning, Cindy and I rode our bikes up the street to the Sunset Isle Campground to see the Vintage Campers gathered there.
Now I love classic cars, drool over retro bikes and have a liking for anything old for that matter. But since we've lived the Glamping Lifestyle for so long, I have a true fondness for the Vintage RV's.
They are just so cool to look at and imagine all the miles they've seen in their time on the road. In a day in age where everything is either white fiberglass or white aluminum siding when it comes to the RV Industry, (Can you say Cookie Cutter?) its so refreshing to see the older RV's with their polished aluminum, their painted shells that just oozed character and my favorite parts of them all is the interior and the way the people have them decorated.
You can see a random Tin Can that might not look like much from the outside, but step into this time machine and it's like you've just stepped back in time 50 years.
Some were decorated with themes, some were decorated with the original styles that would have came with them during which ever period they were manufactured, and some were just over the top with fancy decorations.
The Classic RV's were cool, but the people who own them are what makes them shine. You have to be a laidback person to fix up a camper, haul it around the country and allow complete strangers to rummage through your home on wheels asking millions of questions I'm sure you've answered a million times.
The Fredrick's Pose in front of their 1960 Yellowstone Coach
This was just a small gathering and the real reason they were here today is so tomorrow the entire group can caravan to Dade Battlefield to celebrate Florida State Park's 75th Year Anniversary.
If you dont know about the Tin Can Tourists, here is a little bit of information from their website.
____________________________________________
The Tin Can Tourists were organized at Desoto Park, Tampa, Florida, in 1919. They received the official state charter a year later. The groups stated objective was “to unite fraternally all autocampers”. Their guiding principles were clean camps, friendliness among campers, decent behavior and to secure plenty of clean, wholesome entertainment for those in camp.
Because locals grew tired of their park being over run with northerners, the park was closed a month early in March. The canners took the hint and moved the Winter Convention to Arcadia, where the community had built a municipal park especially for the Tin Can Tourists.
By 1932, with membership estimates ranging from 30,000 to 100,000, city Chambers of Commerce were actively pursuing TCT to choose their community for either Homecoming, Winter Convention or Going Home meets. The Winter Convention was the best attended and was an economic boon to the host community. Sarasota had its eye on the prize and lured the Convention away from Arcadia in 1932.
The vote on the Winter Convention site was hotly contested. Many Canners were loyal to Arcadia, the town that wanted them after their ejection from Tampa. A 250 strong car caravan let by Sarasota's mayor and other public officials, helped swing the vote selecting Sarasota as the Winter Convention site for 1932. As a concession to those that favored Arcadia, it was designated as the official site for Homecoming festivities.
In 1938, the mayor of Sarasota indicated that the national perception that Sarasota was a tin can tourist's town was hurting the community and that he would not renew the Winter Convention contract. Tampa offered the canners a five-year deal to return to Tampa. It was accepted and the Winter Convention returned to specially built Municipal Park.
The group faced membership declines due to combination of factors, (1) a schism with in the ranks and the formation of ATA, the Automobile Tourists Association, (2) an economic recession in 1939 that greatly diminished the number of trailer manufactures, and (3) the onset of World War II.
The original groups “Swan Song” convention was held in Eustis, Florida in 1968. By the mid-70's the club was no longer in existence in any form.
In 1998, Forrest and Jeri Bone renewed the club as an all make and model vintage trailer and motor coach club. The renewal gathering was held at Camp Dearborn in Milford, Michigan, for those that know us, Camp Dearborn is right across the street from where I grew up and my parents property borders the parks fence.
Twenty-one rigs attended the May Renewal Gathering. By the end of the year, fifty members were accepted as charter members of the renewed version of the Tin Can Tourists.
The group has grown steadily, currently holding Annual Gatherings in Michigan, Florida, and regional rallies at various locations in the US. Recently Regional Representatives have been added to represent England, Japan and France.
The new version of Tin Can Tourists is open to all. Its goal is to abide by the original group's objectives and guiding principles as well as the promotion and preservation of vintage trailers and motor coaches through Gatherings and information exchange.
____________________________________________
This was copied from their websites History Page which has a ton of interesting info. I basically grabbed a brief outline to give those who might not know of this group a quick background on them.
If you're into History or Vintage automobiles, check out that page as its loaded with photographs and stories about the group.
I actually got to meet Forrest and Jeri Bone and their Coach is the little Trotwood Cub I have pictures of in the Tin Can Tourists Gallery I put together. It was in immaculate condition and they were both a very nice couple to sit and talk with.
I also got to meet some interesting guys who are really into restoring old cars and campers. I mean this is what the whole club is about.
One guy, Lawrence Perry has a homemade teardrop trailer that he tows around with an Original King Midget. I had never even heard of these vehicles before today.
Lawrence took the time to give me the history of the company, he showed me the details of the little car and opened up his handmade trailer to explain all the custom mod's he's done to it. He joked with me saying "The trailer took 4 months of spare time to build and cost a total of $2000 in parts."
But its a real head turner and he had a crowd of people asking questions about it. Most thought the King Midget was some sort of novelty until he'd show them that it was an actual vehicle that was licensed and street legal.
Lawrence Perry and His Homemade Teardrop Camper
We met another couple who lives one town over from my parents up in Michigan and who were familiar with the Red Dog Saloon. We both laughed saying the more we travel, the smaller the world becomes.
I met a young guy who has been living out of his 22' 1954 Airstream Cruiser for the past year while he's been traveling the open road. Dan's Airstream was probably one of the nicest coaches in the campground and he had it decorated in Tiki statues.
It even had a vintage tube style radio and you felt like you were transported back into the 50's when you climbed in.
Ron and Jim are a couple of Florida boys who live a few towns over from Cedar Key. We exchanged numbers because Jim was telling me so much about the collection of unique vehicles he has at his house.
I'm sure there will be a much more in-depth story about that meeting because the photos they showed me got me all excited about going over for a visit and a photo shoot at a later date.
All in all, it was a great morning spent meeting new people, seeing some amazing vehicles that have been giving people wonderful memories year after year and keeping that American Dream of the Open Road alive and well.
It was a good day and one I hope to remember for a long time.
Forrest also told me about the 90th Annual Winter Convention that will be coming up February 25th thru the 28th at Lake Manatee State Park in Bradenton Florida. He told me there will be 50 Trailers at that Rally and its usually a great gathering of vintage coaches if any one lives near or in Florida and is interested in seeing them up close and meeting some of the interesting people who own them.
Hopefully I'll be able to get away from the Low-Key Hideaway for a few days and go see the RV's at that Rally.
Now I love classic cars, drool over retro bikes and have a liking for anything old for that matter. But since we've lived the Glamping Lifestyle for so long, I have a true fondness for the Vintage RV's.
They are just so cool to look at and imagine all the miles they've seen in their time on the road. In a day in age where everything is either white fiberglass or white aluminum siding when it comes to the RV Industry, (Can you say Cookie Cutter?) its so refreshing to see the older RV's with their polished aluminum, their painted shells that just oozed character and my favorite parts of them all is the interior and the way the people have them decorated.
You can see a random Tin Can that might not look like much from the outside, but step into this time machine and it's like you've just stepped back in time 50 years.
Some were decorated with themes, some were decorated with the original styles that would have came with them during which ever period they were manufactured, and some were just over the top with fancy decorations.
The Classic RV's were cool, but the people who own them are what makes them shine. You have to be a laidback person to fix up a camper, haul it around the country and allow complete strangers to rummage through your home on wheels asking millions of questions I'm sure you've answered a million times.
The Fredrick's Pose in front of their 1960 Yellowstone Coach
This was just a small gathering and the real reason they were here today is so tomorrow the entire group can caravan to Dade Battlefield to celebrate Florida State Park's 75th Year Anniversary.
If you dont know about the Tin Can Tourists, here is a little bit of information from their website.
____________________________________________
The Tin Can Tourists were organized at Desoto Park, Tampa, Florida, in 1919. They received the official state charter a year later. The groups stated objective was “to unite fraternally all autocampers”. Their guiding principles were clean camps, friendliness among campers, decent behavior and to secure plenty of clean, wholesome entertainment for those in camp.
Because locals grew tired of their park being over run with northerners, the park was closed a month early in March. The canners took the hint and moved the Winter Convention to Arcadia, where the community had built a municipal park especially for the Tin Can Tourists.
By 1932, with membership estimates ranging from 30,000 to 100,000, city Chambers of Commerce were actively pursuing TCT to choose their community for either Homecoming, Winter Convention or Going Home meets. The Winter Convention was the best attended and was an economic boon to the host community. Sarasota had its eye on the prize and lured the Convention away from Arcadia in 1932.
The vote on the Winter Convention site was hotly contested. Many Canners were loyal to Arcadia, the town that wanted them after their ejection from Tampa. A 250 strong car caravan let by Sarasota's mayor and other public officials, helped swing the vote selecting Sarasota as the Winter Convention site for 1932. As a concession to those that favored Arcadia, it was designated as the official site for Homecoming festivities.
In 1938, the mayor of Sarasota indicated that the national perception that Sarasota was a tin can tourist's town was hurting the community and that he would not renew the Winter Convention contract. Tampa offered the canners a five-year deal to return to Tampa. It was accepted and the Winter Convention returned to specially built Municipal Park.
The group faced membership declines due to combination of factors, (1) a schism with in the ranks and the formation of ATA, the Automobile Tourists Association, (2) an economic recession in 1939 that greatly diminished the number of trailer manufactures, and (3) the onset of World War II.
The original groups “Swan Song” convention was held in Eustis, Florida in 1968. By the mid-70's the club was no longer in existence in any form.
In 1998, Forrest and Jeri Bone renewed the club as an all make and model vintage trailer and motor coach club. The renewal gathering was held at Camp Dearborn in Milford, Michigan, for those that know us, Camp Dearborn is right across the street from where I grew up and my parents property borders the parks fence.
Twenty-one rigs attended the May Renewal Gathering. By the end of the year, fifty members were accepted as charter members of the renewed version of the Tin Can Tourists.
The group has grown steadily, currently holding Annual Gatherings in Michigan, Florida, and regional rallies at various locations in the US. Recently Regional Representatives have been added to represent England, Japan and France.
The new version of Tin Can Tourists is open to all. Its goal is to abide by the original group's objectives and guiding principles as well as the promotion and preservation of vintage trailers and motor coaches through Gatherings and information exchange.
____________________________________________
This was copied from their websites History Page which has a ton of interesting info. I basically grabbed a brief outline to give those who might not know of this group a quick background on them.
If you're into History or Vintage automobiles, check out that page as its loaded with photographs and stories about the group.
I actually got to meet Forrest and Jeri Bone and their Coach is the little Trotwood Cub I have pictures of in the Tin Can Tourists Gallery I put together. It was in immaculate condition and they were both a very nice couple to sit and talk with.
I also got to meet some interesting guys who are really into restoring old cars and campers. I mean this is what the whole club is about.
One guy, Lawrence Perry has a homemade teardrop trailer that he tows around with an Original King Midget. I had never even heard of these vehicles before today.
Lawrence took the time to give me the history of the company, he showed me the details of the little car and opened up his handmade trailer to explain all the custom mod's he's done to it. He joked with me saying "The trailer took 4 months of spare time to build and cost a total of $2000 in parts."
But its a real head turner and he had a crowd of people asking questions about it. Most thought the King Midget was some sort of novelty until he'd show them that it was an actual vehicle that was licensed and street legal.
Lawrence Perry and His Homemade Teardrop Camper
We met another couple who lives one town over from my parents up in Michigan and who were familiar with the Red Dog Saloon. We both laughed saying the more we travel, the smaller the world becomes.
I met a young guy who has been living out of his 22' 1954 Airstream Cruiser for the past year while he's been traveling the open road. Dan's Airstream was probably one of the nicest coaches in the campground and he had it decorated in Tiki statues.
It even had a vintage tube style radio and you felt like you were transported back into the 50's when you climbed in.
Ron and Jim are a couple of Florida boys who live a few towns over from Cedar Key. We exchanged numbers because Jim was telling me so much about the collection of unique vehicles he has at his house.
I'm sure there will be a much more in-depth story about that meeting because the photos they showed me got me all excited about going over for a visit and a photo shoot at a later date.
All in all, it was a great morning spent meeting new people, seeing some amazing vehicles that have been giving people wonderful memories year after year and keeping that American Dream of the Open Road alive and well.
It was a good day and one I hope to remember for a long time.
Forrest also told me about the 90th Annual Winter Convention that will be coming up February 25th thru the 28th at Lake Manatee State Park in Bradenton Florida. He told me there will be 50 Trailers at that Rally and its usually a great gathering of vintage coaches if any one lives near or in Florida and is interested in seeing them up close and meeting some of the interesting people who own them.
Hopefully I'll be able to get away from the Low-Key Hideaway for a few days and go see the RV's at that Rally.
