We convoyed into town, with minimal traffic, and wound our way to the RFK Memorial Stadium, about 2 miles from the United States Capitol Building. It was Thursday April 6th,2000, and the weather was perfect. 18 Airstreams and 45 Airstreamers rallied around the RFK parking lot for the beginning of a wonderful weekend filled with action and merriment. Many of those in attendance set out to view the sites, Monuments, Memorials, Museums and all the other activities taking place during this last weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus was just across the street, and so was the Metro Station for easy and fast access to anywhere in the District.
There were many tourists from near and far, but Washington DC is laid out for tourists and very accommodating for tourists and taxpayers, especially in April.
We had a wonderful breakfast buffet, set out by John McHugh and Ruth Baldwin, then later a nice sandwich buffet also by John and Ruth. The next two mornings, Clayton and Christi Rogers, and their two beautiful daughters, set out the breakfast buffet.
Many of us had a chance to see the Vietnam Memorial, then the Lincoln Memorial, then the Jefferson Memorial. We also went to see the National Aerospace Museum, where we got a close up of the Spirit of St Louis, and the craftsmanship of William Hawley Bowlus. The original spinner of the propeller, was signed by the workers and by Charles Lindberg, then given to Hawley. Hawley's wife, Ruth, kept the spinner for many years, then in 1996 gave it to the Museum.
Saturday morning , many of us went down to Constitution Ave to watch the Festival Parade. According to Doug Rowbottom from Canada, every band in America was there. Hundreds,.......No, thousands of bands marched by. It seems like hundreds of bands from all over the world are invited to march in this parade. After the parade, we walked down 12th street where there were many booths selling Japanese food, and drinks. The food preparers were dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and slashing and shouting as they went through their motions. As Clayton Rogers said,"What's not to like?"
After the parade, the weather forecast was grim, with a very cold front and cold rain expected by late afternoon. Harley Muse, who deserves most of the credit along with Tom Howarth, for the idea and implementation of this rally, had actually reserved one entire side of 3rd Street, along the Mall , just west of the Capitol Building. We were to convoy down to 3rd St, early Sunday morning for a historic photo shoot with the Capitol in the background and then with the Washington monument in the background. Harley grabbed me and said, "lets go bag those parking meters". He didn't tell me, to bring a jacket. While we were driving down there, it started raining, and the temperature fell 30 degrees. As we were bagging the parking meters and placing no parking signs on them, Ice began to pelt me, and literally freeze my hands. Harley said, " This is nothing, lets keep going." All this time, John and Ruth, were preparing a fantastic Italian dinner, back at the Stadium.
We returned to the Stadium, and a cold . wet windswept parking area. John and Ruth deserve the "Captains Courageous" award for going on with the show. In spite of the wet , cold and miserable conditions, that dinner was still hot and delicious. I am still amazed, at how they did it.
After dinner, we drank a little toast to Garrnet and Pam Horner, in their "Work in Progress", 1960 Caravanner. Amid the construction, was a perfectly installed Dickinson "Newport" Yacht heater, with a little glass window, so you could see the flames. I want one.
Lin Moore took digital pictures and they will be posted soon on our web site and the VAC home page. Anne Groer from the Washington Post did a great story and it was on the front page of the Home section on Thursday, April, 13, 2000.
Sunday morning, we awoke to a little snow and ice on the ground, but undaunted, we scrambled to break camp and convoy down to the Capitol Building. At O830 hours, it was lift off, and a slow procession of the first, of the first, of the first. Great fun to convoy thru Washington DC at 0830 hrs on a Sunday morning, with 18 Silver Bullets in tow, and 36 degrees. The chatter on the CB was a hoot. We double parked on 3rd Street, as if we owned the place. (which we do) Then our own pro photographer, Kara Rice, took some great pictures, in less than favorable weather and lighting conditions. Thanks, Kara. A big cheer went up and we said good byes. That part is sad, but the nice part is knowing, we will rally together again soon, and continue the "Grand Adventure, and Grand Experiment.
Bill Scott
1stVP and Membership Chairman
Washington DC Unit, WBCCI