First stop was the U-Haul Center at 31 South Beckel Street. Although the factory is no more, the store is still there. We talked with an employee named Jim West, who actually worked in the Dayton facility that manufactured the campers. He also worked under Bill Keller, president of the U-Haul Camper production facilities. Bill Keller passed away last year according to Jim West. Some of the other notes that Jim pointed out was what I have reinforced in what I have said before. Talking about the U-Haul Camper among management is taboo. At corporate headquarters, there is a photo of the camper with signage that states, "BIG MISTAKE". From what Jim said, it was referred to as the 17 million dollar mistake. It was how much money U-Haul lost in the venture of trying to rent travel trailers. Jim West previously had the "original" blueprints. They are now lost forever in the trash as he held onto them long enough, and threw them away in the past year after Bill Keller died. Too bad, I didn't know about the blueprints sooner! What even sadder is that when U-Haul stopped making the campers, and the upper management wanted to get rid of everything in the production facility. U-Haul hauled off everything: from camper shells, frames, cushions, etc. that went into the camper and took it to where they were building the piers on Lake Eire, and dumped all of the campers into the bottom of Lake Erie. But what made the trip "Special" for me, was that I got to see how the emergency brake setup works on the surge brakes on the 16 foot Vacationer Trailer, and I got the tool I needed to bleed the brakes. Jim also said, there is a former U-Haul employee in the Caesar's Creek area that was making U-Haul campers. Didn't have time to investigate the matter....but it is a lead if you are looking for a fiberglass camper.

We arrived at John Bryon State Park in Yellow Springs, Ohio around noon. We enjoyed a day of peace and solitude as we practically had the park to ourselves. Later in the evening, Deb and I went into Beavercreek, and Fairborn for supplies for the weekend.

Friday morning Deb and I ventured down along the Little Miami River into the gorge. I had to make for a last minute supply run into town, and Deb played "Hostess" with the mostess until I returned. Friday night dinner was hot dogs, brats, and Bush's baked Beans, and Big John Baked Beans with all the fixins.

A message from Deb:

"Hi everyone, I guess its time for me to tell you a little about this venture too. I thought that I would never be able to get a word in edgewise. So let me tell you all about our first evening with all of our new found friends. The first evening that we were all together was Friday night, Ray and I thought that it would be nice if we planned dinner for everyone, That way every body could unpack there trailers and not have to worry about making dinner for themselves. Since I work for a convenience store (Speedway). I have access to a variety of meat items. I brought some 1/4 pounder hot dogs, and some brats to cook on the grill. We had Bush beans, Big John beans, chips and pretzels to snack on also. I haven't cooked for that many people in a long time. I had everything planned in my mind ahead of time. The only thing that I could not count on was when everyone would arrive, so I cooked a bunch up and wrapped the meat in foil to keep them warm. Ray bought apple cider. and we warmed that in the coffee pot. That was great, it warmed us up when we needed it. Basically, we all ate at the same time, a few stragglers came later, and they were able to eat too.

Saturday night we had a pot luck carry in. Everyone brought a dish to pass. Ray and I made chili, Carolyn and George made Veg. beef soup, Elaine and Bill brought us in KFC Chicken. That was an experience to try and get that stuff warm. You see Elaine was not feeling well and went to a Motel for the evening to get warm and feel better. She was going to warm up the chicken in her microwave. We don't have one, so I had to come up with something else. So, I put all the chicken in a Cast Iron Dutch oven and set in the coals, better then a microwave. It heated up the chicken great. Lois and Michael made a toss salad and dressing, Mindy and Michael brought a cheese plate, and Kathryn and Glen made hot chocolate for everyone. Later that evening we had cake, we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the U-haul Camper, as well as Rays birthday. During the course of dinner, Carolyn and Georges friends Carolyn and Warren showed up to join us. All in all I had a wonderful time. I am ready to do this again with everyone next year. Ray and I made some wonderful new friends on this camping trip. Hope all can join us next year, as well and any new friends that would like to come too." - Deb

On Sunday, everyone was busy packing up....we took a few group shot photos. And it was sad to see it all end. We lined up for a few last photos, and then we were off on our own. Glen and his wife joined Deb and I for a short hike into the gorge. And then we split up. I had forgotten my disks for my camera, and was able to say a last "Goodbye" as I watched them drive off, and then I headed back into the gorge to catch up with Deb where I left her enjoying the park. We had a 6-7 hour journey. After we left John Bryon State Park. We stopped at Lake Laromie. And even found a 16' Amerigo which Deb spotted. We stopped at Grand Lake at St. Mary's and enjoyed some chili warmed up on the stove in the trailer at the picnic area. And then watched the sun set as we drove home on US 33.

Sincerely, Ray Horner