WHEN AN ALUMINUM CITY MAGICALLY RISES WITHIN A CITY, good things happen! The logistics can be challenging, but with this being the 66th Wally Byam Caravan Club International Rally (WBCCI), we’ve had a lot of practice. Rock Springs, Wyoming was the location for our meet up and what a rally it was! With almost 1,300 Airstreams coming from across the country and Canada, this year was the largest gathering of Airstreams in 20 years. The Sweetwater Event Complex was perfectly outfitted to host such a crowd providing places to gather and full hookups (50 amp/water/sewer) for all Airstreams.
White Mountain campground at Sweetwater Events Complex
Boars Tusk campground, Sweetwater Events Complex
Evening Glow at White Mountain campground
For Jim and me, gathering with our home club, the Greater Los Angeles Airstream Club, was truly a highlight. As full timers we have not seen most of our club friends in over two years so obviously many parties ensued along with dinners and impromptu gatherings. In my humble opinion, we are, of course, the BEST Airstream Club ever, filled with many amazing, big-hearted characters!
Over the week-long event there were informative seminars to attend; Opening Ceremonies to enjoy as 102 clubs presented their flags; reconnecting with Airstreamers we’ve met over the past 18 years; multiple jam sessions around the campground in addition to the always entertaining Airstream Band; art, pet, hobby and photo shows to participate in; daily yoga and bike rides; and tours to Utah’s nearby Flaming Gorge. The location in western Wyoming was the perfect jumping off point to explore the Flaming Gorge, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks following the rally.
Pleased as punch to take a red ribbon in the hobby photo show with my Airstream Inspiration cards. Happier yet to deliver a $500 check to the Rock Springs Humane Society!
Jim presenting, ‘Airstream Values, Trends & Insurance’ at the Rally
We found the City of Rock Springs extremely welcoming, just imagine having a couple thousand people drop into your hometown for 10 days! What I admire about our International Club is that it’s a win-win event. While we had a great event complex to gather and enjoy our friends and the rally, it was estimated this Airstream event would bring in $2.6 million to the community. This included our stay at the Complex, shopping done while in town including groceries, dining out, gas/diesel purchases, car wash, any repairs needed, laundromat, etc.
The United Way of Rock Springs was this year’s selected charity with thousands of dollars donated and a diaper drive which filled an 8-bed Airstream! In addition, the WBCCI Foundation provided grants of almost $30,000 to two local charities and the National Parks Foundation, National Forest Foundation and Tread Lightly! Our brand new intra-club for children, Future Streamers, collected over 150 pounds of can pop tops with proceeds donated to the Ronald McDonald House; Common Cents for Kids, which collects your spare change, provided grants to Cowboys Against Cancer and the JD Foundation of Sweetwater County for Juvenile Diabetes. Wow.
Diaper Drive filling up an 8-bunk Airstream
All this. THIS is why I Airstream! My heart is filled with gratitude and happiness as this Airstream-lifestyle is so much more than a weekend or occasional campout. It has given us the opportunity and flexibility to explore, discover, and dream…not to mention spending 24/7/365-non-stop-well-into-three-years-together-with-two-80-pound-mutties-in-220-square-feet. We are already looking ahead to Sedalia, Missouri’s International Rally in 2024!
Camp Dawg 