Streets lined with vintage cars and trailers. People dressed to fit the scene. Some riding around on their darling vintage bicycles. It really was a sight to see. Especially during open house time when many people moved their modern cars from their spots and dressed up for the 'best vintage costume' contest. There was also a best dressed trailer contest, a potluck and vintage surf movies. My only regret is that I did not go to the open houses or meet anyone. I wish I could say I took lots of pictures and really captured the feel of the rally, but my 'stress response' kicked in and I took shelter in the Pearls cabin and slept while most of the action was going on.
First we had to check in with the Organizers. Their setup was amazing!
The Organizers (sorry don't know their names, never met them)
Sign in
The Pearl looked so happy to be there! (do you see how close those fences are)
Look another Oasis!!
and she's for sale!
I took all these pics walking around in the evening with the crew and Sobe. Was wishing I could see the inside of this black and red one. The open house was from 10 - 2 pm. Almost all the trailers (except the Pearl) were open so everyone could walk around and check them out. I however slept through this portion of the events so did not take advantage of this opportunity. They all had signs in their windows with the make and year of the trailers.
Many towed their trailers there with their vintage cars
There were Airstreams as far as the eye could see...
Loved all the vintage trucks
the diner (didn't meet anyone actually so I don't know any names)
The Baas' Westerner next to a red Westerner. ( I already knew them from Prado).
The cute couple in the red and tan westerner were interviewed by the travel channel for some special they're going to run. The couple were dressed in cowfolk attire and their baby in a cow outfit. So cute!
Oh wait! I did talk to this lovely couple, but don't think I got their names...
This set up was amazing! See the old fan and radio back there? And the couch, coffee table, etc. They looked so comfortable! Behind the two people sitting on the left there was also an old cabinet style black and white tv with rabbit ears that actually worked. It was on the whole time. The evening before as I walked by I spied them watching said tv. So cute! Oh, and this is one of the very few I ventured into. The whole inside was done up in pink! So pretty!!
this one behind the cute truck was the shiniest trailer ever
more airstreams
This was a trailer and truck designed by one of the Matchbox designers. He and his lovely wife were kind enough to let me in at this late hour. There is even a full sized bathroom and shower in there! He said he had designed a matchbook truck first then thought 'wouldn't it be neat to actually build one?"
Loved these. They may have been the most aged. They were completely authentic inside very rustic. The trailer was from before the electricity days.
The crew taking a much needed break. I wish I had taken more pics. I didn't even get a pic of my friend Gretchen and her family, or their lovely trailer. And one day I shall have to show you Nigel. I really only took a few of The Pearl and her crew. I was slightly overwhelmed. Did I mention the Travel Channel was there filming a special on top of everything else? Now that I know what to expect maybe next time I will be better prepared for all the action. Either that or I'll stick to mini rallys. :)
So, I'm about to seriously date myself here but I cannot help walking around singing this song:
and here's why. We have a guest. Her name is Lily and she is beautiful.
A beautiful young button quail who is being quail sat while our friends are on vacation.
I have always wanted a quail. It's been nice getting to care for one this past week.
Here she is walking around in one of my planter beds. She loves this spot my gardeners have been neglecting. A nice little weed patch to pick through and duck in and under the weeds and tall grass.
My gardeners
She's a very sweet, curious little button. I love to just sit there and watch her walk back and forth, take her dust baths and find tasty bugs to eat. I also have to keep watch for the hawk whose smorgasbord my backyard is.
The chickens and ducks don't seem to know what to make of her. The ducks seem suspicious, and I think she moves too quickly for their liking. They keep a watchful eye on her. The chickens, well who knows what they think, but they avoid her too.
Another guest til the end of the week when she'll go home. She also has quite the set of lungs on her. Here's a short video I took of her calling out. It's really quite loud, and she does this all night long, and most of the day too.
Hopefully I wont drive my husband crazy with my Lily song. I just can't help it. And it makes me laugh. Here I''ll leave you with a pic of my latest painting for sale on Etsy. It is my wish for all of you...
Ok it's now 6:33 pm. And I have to add a note. File this one under more excitement than I needed in a day!... Lily just flew the coop! Those wings really work! So we're sitting outside in the planter box dust bathing, eating bugs, etc when she decides to hop out. Frightened by a Chicken (most likely Morpheus) who was looking at her rather ominously with one eye and being flanked by the twins and I she flew off! Over the wall, over the neighbors whole house! Every neighbor around me for at least a few houses in each direction have dogs. PaNiC sets in!
Off we went knocking on neighbors doors with our very strange request (as if they didn't think we were strange enough) "Could you please go look in your backyard for a small brown quial?" It's a good thing neighhbors are neighborly. "How am I going to explain this one?" I ask the twins who accompanied me......
Two doors down-- in the backyard of a neighbor with not one but two big not so friendly acting german shepherds was Lily! We went in back, scooped her up and returned her to her cage indoors. Phew! Dodged that bullet, right?! Thank goodness my friend doesn't read my blog. She and her girls would be heartbroken if Lily was gone... Only one more day to go too.
It's been an especially busy summer here, and the studio has not seen much action lately. I have had some good feedback on the items in my Etsy shop and some possible interesting things for the future happening.
I wrote a little
This past weekend was the first ever mobile Geenies Lamp Studio. Well, kinda. I took some much needed time and camped overnight by myself for the first time. I did have this intention when I first decided to get a Vintage Trailer, that I could use her for my personal art studio at the beach, or wherever. However we've had so much fun family camping that I have not had the time or the guts I guess to get her out on my own. I finally did.
It was the first time I've ever willingly spent any time alone. I took some books, some art supplies (a lot of art supplies) and my meals and found some peace and quiet. Peace and quiet are generally unattainable at home, there are just too many little people and pets.
It was good to get out in the fresh air and just sit. I love to just sit and stare at trees and all the animals that come out when one is still. I did not move to get any pictures of them, though I wanted to. I was enjoying them so much I didn't want to frighten them off.
These shots were taken from the dinette in the Pearl. The view from my front window.
The campground was virtually empty, so it felt like I was truly alone. Of course anyone who walked by complimented the Pearl, but other than that I really didn't see anyone. And I preferred it that way. Just to sit in stillness, and quiet and enjoy the breeze. The scents and sounds of the woods. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. I am convinced that living here in a big city I am severely nature deprived.
Here is a short pictorial recap of all I did...
I burned candles
Drank coffee
Did a little walking around
In the morning I was able to cook my breakfast. A fresh egg, bacon and some coffee and sit and enjoy my lovely meal in peace in The Pearl with that gorgeous view out my front window.
I did get a bit of drawing and painting in, but didn't take any pics. It was a lovely time just being with myself and thinking about life.
Wow, It's hard to believe it's been a couple of months since I last caught you up on the Pink Pearl and her adventures.
In June we attended our first Vintage Trailer Rally at Del Prado regional park. It was really great to meet the faces behind the names I have seen online for months.
A gorgeous owl that landed in a tree near us
I neglected to mention the wildlife we have seen on our adventures. One of the perks of getting out into nature. This is the second owl we've had fly over us and land in a tree. It's really an amazing thing to experience. Their noiseless flight catching you off guard as they swoop down and land beautifully.
eek a skunk (many many skunks)
I realize this photo looks like nothing, but the shining dots were eyes.
As all the skunks came out after dark it was interesting making our way around the campground. They were everywhere! Especially between us and the facilities.
We gladly learned so much from our fellow Vintage Trailer owners. We were able to get many of our pressing questions answered, and some advice. It was really a joy meeting fellow likeminded travelers.
And the touring begins.
On Saturday we walked around visiting each others trailers and getting a tour. It's amazing to see what others have done with theirs. And how nice they are when fixed up. Some are restored flawlessly to original condition. Each has a personality of its own. And a name to go with it.
Sadly I did not photograph every trailer that was present. Including the beauty owned by a lovely young girl and her dogs who were next to us. But here are a few shots of the lovely trailers I did manage to remember to photograph. I also at this point cannot remember the years or makes of them which is a bummer, it's really cool to know the age of these beauties!
The interior of this one was gorgeous. Redone by the lovely Gretchen whom I enjoyed meeting immensely!
And her gnome who lights up at night.
they just kept coming in
The lovely Chris and Cheryl Baas' Westerner They organized this whole thing.
One of the few I took an interior shot of. The westerner.
The crew at the grub gathering
We ate with all the other Vintage Trailerites
Saturday evening we joined the others for a delicious and varied potluck. Everything was wonderful and the company was great. It was a good time to chat and get to know some of the others.
Larry even showed from cannedhamtrailers.com. It was fun getting to check out his camping trailer.
Here's one of his Youtubes on restoring a Vintage Trailer
He has an amazing and very informative website with many videos on how to restore these babies step by step.
Later that evening one of the Canned ham dads hosted a movie projected on the side of his trailer for all the kids. They really were a fun, and welcoming bunch!
and the sweet little toad I caught outside of the ladies room
Just another example of the beauty in nature that it's easy to forget is there. Right at our fingertips.
Hope you enjoyed this photo memoir of The Pearls first (Mini) Rally. We can't wait to take in more in the future!
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