Visitors to Camp Mi Casa on the Route RV Park, west of Carthage on Route 66, stepped back into the 60’s this past weekend.
Tricked out vintage campers, known as “glampers,” filled the campsites for the third annual Rally on the Route vintage camper rally.
This rally was started by park owners, Dale and Stephanie Garber, after a visitor who stayed with them on the way home from a similar rally suggested they host their own.
The Garbers own a 1969 Kit Companion RV themselves, and they liked the idea of hosting other vintage campers and Rally on the Route was born. This rally welcomed glampers from everywhere and the Garbers just wanted everyone to have a good time, but most of this year’s attendees belonged to two groups, the Midwest Glampers Group or Four State Glampers.
The rally kicked off with an open house on Saturday, Oct. 6. Owners opened their campers and were available for tours and answered questions.
Everyone was more than happy to share their experiences in restoring these vintage campers with photo albums on display to show just how much work had been done.
Rusty and Cathy Sidenstricker, from Webb City, MO, brought their turquoise and white 1966 Alijo to the rally.
Rusty called his ground-up restoration “a labor of love.” He explained that it is still a work in progress. The plumbing still needs tested, but they have had fun scouring local flea markets for turquoise vintage accessories such as an ice cream maker, clock radio, water cooler, and ice chest to match the color scheme.
Glamping is a family event for Bill and Joan Martin of Marionville, Mo. They brought their 1966 Terry and their daughter brought her 1961 Metzerdorf.
When they found the Metzerdorf, it was being used as a doghouse, but with a little TLC it is now fully restored with a Downton Abbey theme on the inside, including a chandelier.
When talking about glamping, Joan explained with a laugh, “You get one, you get another usually. Then you wonder which one to take.”
For her, glamping started as a hobby to camp with other owners of vintage campers that had so much in common. She says this community is very supportive of each other and they are excited when someone brings home a new restoration project.
Arkie and Carla Beaver brought their 1964 Land Yacht Airstream, “Silver Belle,” from Sullivan, Mo. The interior was done in an “It’s A Wonderful Life” theme to honor Carla’s favorite movie.
Photos from the movie hung in vintage frames in the bedroom and a silver bell was on a shelf above the bed. The Beavers also own a 1962 Forrester and will soon travel to Branson for the next vintage camper rally.
