Chili Pepper rental
Currently, the Chili Pepper rental is out of commission for some maintenance. It should be ready around the end of February.
Rental Calendar
The rental calendar has been suspended for the time being. The reservation software has stopped syncing with the google map. Please call for availability.
Rental changes for 2015
Beginning 1/1/15, rentals will not longer include the cookware, kitchenware or the 2-burner stove. This items can be rented at additional charges. And a reminder, bedding is not included, so bring your sleeping bags or you can rent the bedding at an additional charge too.The rental rate and hitch requirement page has been updated to include a PDF copy of the terms and conditions. And, keep your fingers crossed the 5 wide rental will be done this year!
May 2013: 20th Dam Gathering Pictures
- At the registration table.
- Joe schmoozing.
- Nice home build teardrop in the background. Elvis is painted on the side of the car. Love the orange!
- Up close of the Elvis teardrop.
- Like this one a lot.
- Front view.
- Cabin at the feet – notice the curved drawers? Spectacular!
- Cabin – good use of a small space.
- Our neighbors for the week from Lake County
- Built in Canada. 10 different vehicles make up this teardrop – trunk opens for the galley and the sleeping area is queen size. Incredible.
- Studebaker
- It’s a teardrop made of 10 different vehicles – mostly a Studebaker. Truck opens to reveal a kitchen galley and the doors open into the cabin with a queen size bed. Love it.
- Hitched.
- Beautiful!
- One of the entries is a pineapple upside down cake.
- Built by VIAC
- Raffled off and won by this young man. Folds in and is towed behind a car attached by the hitch.
- They also print our T-shirts, our camp buddies, and own a VIAC custom built teardrop.
- Scott & Lindy’s dog, he is such a love.
- Wine and Cheese table.
- Built by Lydia as her high school shop project. OK ladies, no more excuses.
- Built by Danny of Washington.
- This young man has done a lot of work bringing this teardrop back to life. Notice the drop down wood storage underneath?
- Owner of Adventure Teardrops located in Canada.
- The upper drawers are plastic drawer units. Owner just added some wood fronts. Clever.
- Chili Pepper
May 2013: 20th Dam Gathering at Shasta Lake
20th Dam Gathering
Shasta Lake has a history of special meaning for me. In the 60’s and 70’s, my family would load the station wagon and the boat with camping and water skiing gear and join several other family and friends at Antler’s RV Campground at the north end of Lake Shasta for a week or two of sun, fun and water skiing. But that is not what this is about. It is about the first Teardrop gathering Joe and I attended. A bit intimidating for two “less than social” humans. But, for me, being held at Antler’s RV Campground, it was like going home, so I was game. The people at the gathering were so welcoming and friendly; it really did feel more like a home coming and not at all intimidating. This is our 6th year. We socialize with fellow teardrop friends, enjoy getting to know new friends, and never tire of stories from teardrop builders and travel adventures.
This year was the blowout year as the oldest teardrop gathering put on by Grant Whipp and Kay Cortapassi; it started 20 years ago, held at a Shasta Dam campground (thus the name, Dam Gathering) with eight teardrops. Evidentially, the gathering outgrew the space and found some dear folks at Antlers RV campground who welcomed the growing numbers of teardrops attending. I heard the unofficial count was around 170 teardrop trailers with 8 small trailers and a tent or two in the mix.
This year was the last “organized, pre-registered, activity filled” gathering. There was a get to know each other bingo game, pinewood teardrop gravity races, vote for your favorite various teardrop categories, T-shirts, plaques, buttons, games and activities for the kids, the wine, beer, and cheese social (I’m not a drinker, but now enjoy a glass of chocolate wine), the Next Cast Iron Chef cook-off and potluck, Saturday Night Campfire & Chili Cookout” and pot luck, raffle, live music, a roast to Grant, bon fires and if that wasn’t enough, a teardrop trailer built in 4 days by the 5-wide club of Cloverdale (and yes, they finished it) and a beautiful wedding of fellow tear droppers who host the IRG at the Pamplin Grove, Joanie and Dean.
The Dam Gathering continues, but going forward, tear droppers make their own reservations with Antlers campground and the only so-called planned activity will be the usual Saturday night potluck. So, if you are new at this and want to come join the fun and fellowship of the most friendly and amazing droppers, make your reservation for the first weekend in May (although many come for the week) at Antlers RV Campground at Lake Shasta. We will see you there. Teardrop Leslie