After registering, cheque sent and calendar marked, we’re ‘good to go’ to the ‘Fall Glass Egg Meet’, Sept. 14th to 16th, ’07. Our ‘Wagon Master’ Craig Breckenridge booked us into our old favorite, the Fort Langley RV park reserving 30 sites for our group. Since our last soiree here a year ago, the Provincial Gov’t. took over the park and surprisingly pumped a lot of money into it for a total renovation on a 3 phase program. We were all amazed at how much they had accomplished in such a short time considering the harsh winter this year.

They began by levelling the whole park, then installed a sewer system to every space, all new electrical service with 15 and 30 amps at each and some with 50 amps for the larger units. Each site was enlarged, fresh chipped granite gravel placed on all level pads and sturdy new picnic tables too. The entrance has been moved with a new building for the staff to operate check-ins and a 2 lane enlarged dump site for day users. Some landscaping, curbing and improved roads to the sites had been done with new directional signs and site numbering in place. For our creature comforts, the restrooms have been totally refurbished, additional facilities with all new fixtures, improved lighting and tile floors complete the buildings. The manager who had accommodated us so well in the past was retained as well as Dennis the chef who handles the small cafe.

Our Boler was all loaded, hooked to the ’46 Ford convert, the animals in their cages and Charlotte strapped in, I did my circle check and at 11am we’re on our way. Its a beautiful sunny, warm day, not a cloud in the sky and with the top down we hit the highway. Since re-doing the car (some body work, re-aligning, new paint, upgraded engine and interior, new wheels and tires) this is the 1st trip with the new equalizer set-up. Towing is much improved and the car handles the weight easily now. The shortest route with less traffic and most scenic, is along the north side of the Fraser River through Mission, Ruskin and Whonnock to Albion where a small ferry takes us across the river and right to the park a mile from the slip.

While waiting for the next sailing, we had several other travellers come over for a look at the car and matching trailer, ask a lot of questions, compliment us on the rig and of course, pet Char’s Pom, Amber who gets just as much attention!!!
At the park, we were able to drive right to our reserved space following the well marked route and wheeled into it like a pull through. Within a half hour, we were un-hooked from the car, hooked up to the services, had the awning out and began setting up all the Route 66 paraphernalia and Coca Cola accessories (Charlotte keeps buying more stuff so the set-up is taking longer each time we attend!!!). New items include a Coca Cola radio/tape player that resembles a small cooler, a round Coke keg that is a beer or soda cooler, a small Coke barrel shaped BarBQ and a new Coleman folding set of a table and bench seats. She’s also added some new Coke salt and peppers, miniature ceramic trailers and an ornament for the front of the hitch that is a also a small comical trailer whatnot!!!

We made a light lunch as more of the group arrived and visiting started early. The emphasis of this rally is concentrated on the trailers, (the tow vehicles are optional) and sharing of ideas, purchases, innovations and companionship is the order of the meet. By early evening, over 35 units were parked and happy hour was well underway. There are over 80 (couples mostly) who have attended through the last few years and it was great to have 8 new rigs at this gathering. We were busy showing off the new car as well as our trailer and after a supper of leftovers (easy to fix and so tasty) we sat with close friends, Doug and Sandy to yak and sip for a couple of hours in the balmy warm breeze. Some hit the sack early but we retired to our place and amused ourselves with a few games of crib before turning in. Nights here are so quiet you can even hear the wind rustling through the trees and the odd train going along the south side of the river kind of lulls you to sleep…I always sleep really sound when camping and tonight was no exception.

Saturday morning we roused about 8am, checked all the new restroom facilities and poured my 1st cup of ‘Joe’. At 9, Doug and I went down to see Dennis and have him whip up one of his special breakfasts…always too much but so good, we scoffed it all!!! Again the visiting, sharing and story-telling was happening and the day just seemed to whiz by. As usual, Craig gathered us all together in an open area just back of our site where we all ringed our camp chairs for an informal meeting and noshing on some finger food we all contribute. New members were introduced, plans for next year were discussed, a host was coerced into managing it and discussions regarding the acceptance of non-glass units (mixed reaction) kept us there for the next 2 hours as we downed the goodies the ladies had set out. Sandy took orders for pizza and pasta that is ordered from ‘Jim’s', a nearby Pizzeria that delivers to the park. His food is really tasty, large portions, come with all the trimmings and is brought piping hot in 45 minutes of order. Our family sized dinner is always too much and we end up taking half of it home to eat the next day or so!!!

A large gang of us stayed at Doug & Sandy’s space where we imbibe more, (but not to excess) chat about everything and anything, solve half the worlds problems right there and at 10pm, cause its cooling off tonight, retire to our glass abodes. Charlotte and I played the “Ft. Langley Crib Card Championships” and after totally trouncing her to take the top honors, we curled up for the night and listened to the radio and rain pitter-patter on our roof.
Sunday morning was very misty, a slight drizzle came and went as some of the campers packed up to get a head start for their trip home.

Doug/Sandy and I headed for the cook shack cause Dennis does a ‘Sunday Special’ breakfast…I think he cleans out his larder and gives you whatever he has left from the season!!! Todays meal consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, ham, cottage fries, pancakes and all the condiments, again its a way too much food but most of our group partake and its surprising how much you can ingest while gabbing and yakking and washing it down with his French Roast coffee!!! The rain has decided to pee on our event and gets heavier as the morning progresses. with our tummies bulging, we amble back to our sites and begin the task if undoing our displays.

Fortunately, it comes down a lot faster than it goes up and by 11am, we are packed and hooked up to head for home. We all say our “good-byes, see ya next year” and the park empties in no time. At the ferry, we are 1st in line and in the center lane overlooking the water as we cruised across the river, nice for picture taking for Char’s scrap-booking and the rain subsided too. It was a rainy trip back up the highway to Mission but little traffic and our wipers did a clean sweep plus the heater/defroster kept us cozy and fog-free. Due to the lousy weather, we decided we’d driven enough for the weekend and warmed up the Lasagna for supper. Once again, we had a super nice weekend, had a great campsite, enjoyed meeting old friends and making some new ones, saw some fresh rigs, got some more ideas ours while everything worked well and we arrived home without any problems and all in one piece. Even the animals seemed to enjoy the trip, maybe its ’cause they get so much attention, petting and doting.
Once again, we are looking forward to the next ‘Egg Fest’ meet in spring of ’08 at Ft.Langley, a fun agenda of activities and new places to visit.

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Bunny & Charlotte.