Hello from Maryland

[Oldragbaggers]

Hello all.

My name is Becky Williams, my husband is Lance, we live in Essex MD and we are getting ready to start our first teardrop build.

Our base trailer will be the 5x8 from Northern Tool and the profile we have chosen is based on the Kit. It has taken us researching since March to figure out these 2 things, so God only knows how long the actual build will take. But we are raring to go. My idea is to keep it simple, and plan for additions over time so we can get camping sooner and add the finishing touches later. I have downloaded the Benroy plans, and notes from other sites online, and am ordering the plans and profile from Vintage Trailers. The rest we will figure out as we go. (We will probably ask a million questions here and on Grant Whipp's site, and thank you all in advance for your patience and help.)

We just stumbled upon teardrops several months ago. We had been contemplating a travel trailer for a long time, but for lots of reasons that all of you can probably relate to we had begun researching smaller, simpler, cheaper alternatives. We just wanted to travel and see things, not necessarily go to a campground and live like we were at home. The minute I saw my first teardrop on the internet, I was smitten. Since teardrops are so perfect for our needs, it didn't take much talking to convince Lance that we need to build one.

We have been rebuilding old boats and sailing them together for 30 years. We have done a lot of building inside a curved surface, so we figured a basic teardrop should be within our capabilities, although it will not be the functional work of art that I see some of you producing.

In our sailing days we adhered to the "Thoreau approach" toward simplicity. We lived aboard for years without pressure (or hot) water, no air conditioning or refrigeration, used kerosene lights and heat....you get the idea. We had big boats and small. Couldn't get rid of the big boats and their complications fast enough. We love small spaces. I guess we're both den animals, always felt coziest rocking gently in the berth of a small boat.

But now we've mostly moved on from boating with the exception of the little fishing boat in the yard. We're looking toward discovering new sights on terra firma, making new friends and visiting all the old friends and family we have scattered all over the U.S. whenever we have an opportunity. When we saw the teardrops it immediately hit us that this was the land travel version of the kind of sailing we'd always done, small, pure and simple. With the emphasis on the experience and not the accommodations. This is a concept we're really in touch with.

Forgive me for rambling. Sorry if I sound fanatical, but we're just so excited. I feel like a great discoverer right now, taking the first step in an exciting new adventure. The trailer is being ordered the minute I finish this post. Space is being cleared in the garage this weekend. Hopefully, within the next few weeks I can post a picture of some kind of progress, even if it's just unboxing the trailer parts.

Looking forward to the experience, and making new friendships with other teardroppers!!

Fair Winds!!
Becky

[TwilightLane]

Hey Becky,
Welcome. I'm excited for your build! You are going to have so much fun. Take pics and start a build thread. I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

-Rob O

[bobhenry]

There are some of us free thinkers who are trying to combine the joy of teardrop camping with the hypnotic rolling of the waves.




We fellow crazies welcome you aboard !

Bob

[Alleged User]

Hi, Becky,

Better get crackin' if you're going to camp with us and the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Tearjerkers at Pocomoke River State Park in late October. It's Oyster Fest, don't you know.

Bring a tent if your TD isn't done...there are about 15 trailers on the attendance list so far. You can get some ideas as you tour all the TD's.

[Oldragbaggers]

There are some of us free thinkers who are trying to combine the joy of teardrop camping with the hypnotic rolling of the waves.




We fellow crazies welcome you aboard !


Bob

I like it. I would be "on board" for a Worton Creek teardrop gathering in this rig.

[Ratkity]

Welcome Becky! Do try to come to any gathering you can get to to check out the TDs and gather ideas for your own.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[Oldragbaggers]

Thanks all for the warm welcome.
I would love to attend a gathering to meet you fine folks and your tears. Are they all on the calender here on this website, or are there other calenders I need to check as well?
Becky

[starleen2]

[Ratkity]

Thanks all for the warm welcome.
I would love to attend a gathering to meet you fine folks and your tears. Are they all on the calender here on this website, or are there other calenders I need to check as well?
Becky

The Chesapeake Bay TearJerkers has some great gatherings in Sept and Oct (http://www.tearjerkers.net/new_forum/viewforum.php?f=13). You'll have to create an id and password to access the site, but well worth it.

See ya on the road!
Hugs,
Ratkity

[mvperini]

here is a calender of events for some teardrop gatherings

http://www.teardrops.net/destinations01.html


Mike

[stevem50]

glad you made the leap- good luck with your build, and see you at elk neck and pokomoke!

[kzhorse]

Welcom,Glad to see others from Baltimore County.

Scott

[BillZ]

Welcome from College Park!

[Oldragbaggers]

So glad to see there is so much teardrop activity here in this area. I was reading Grant Whipp's site for awhile before finding this one and I had begun to think I was going to have to go out west to find other teardroppers.

Can't wait to start meeting you all!!

Becky

[stevem50]

oh yeah we are around! i even saw a few tiny travelers this weekend up at elk. we met the coolest couple this weekend towing with a motorcycle heading to maine