Newbie; Pacific Northwest (Washington State)

[Pinecone]

I received an intro to this site by username Vedette! I have been cruising the site and knew I had to get on board. Thanks Vedette!

I am the proud owner of a 2012 Three Feathers Mfg Pinecone Teardrop: http://3feathersmfg.com/the-pinecone

I live in Longview, Washington on the west side of the state where the summers are perfect but between September and May...RAIN RAIN RAIN. Having a teardrop to camp in will make my summer weeks longer by not having to worry about the gray drizzle haze so much! Here's what I've found in the 2 months that I've had a teardrop trailer:

1) Tear Jerkers are the friendliest people in the world! I can't wait to get to my first "gathering".
2) As soon as I pull in just about anywhere with my trailer, strangers come and talk to me and want to get a look all around and inside!
3) When camping or at an RV park, I must prepare extra food for the inevitable guests that stop by to take a look at the trailer.
4) I love being able to hitch up and get away at a moment's notice! My own personal retreat.
5) The Pacific NW is BEAUTIFUL and I could spend a lifetime right here, seeing amazing sights. So far I've towed the trailer to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah.

While I have a manufactured teardrop, I am going to be working on customizing the electrical system (looking at solar), installing a sound system, wiring up a 12V cooler/refrigerator, and figuring out how to carry my Mtn bike and extra cargo when I have my 2 awesome kids with me. As I look across the site, I'm grateful for everyone who so freely gives time and advice. The custom builds are truly mind boggling. I really had no idea when I got the trailer that there was this HUGE family waiting on the other side! You all are awesome.

Greg

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome to the forum, and thanks to Brian (Vedette) you have come to join in the fun. Teardroppers are surely a special breed, as you will soon find out. You have a beautiful trailer and now you are ready to attend the local gatherings, both near and far......hopefully. I'm sure you are aware that Brian plans a gathering at his place sometime in the future. Stay tuned for further info.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif woody TD guy.

[Pinecone]

Thanks Woody! I checked out the pics of your trailer and all I can say is WOW. When I think about how much pride people like you and Brian put into your trailers, I'm truly amazed. If Brian plans a gathering at his place, I will definitely try to get there! He and Sandi are good folks!

Greg

[halfdome, Danny]

Greg, Welcome to the forum.
Since you're from Washington, check out Teardroppers Of Oregon & Washington
There's still a few gathering left this year.
Danny

[bc toys]

welcome to this great site from las vegas nv hope you enjoy it as much as I do

[Pinecone]

Hi Danny from Puyallup! Thanks I've signed onto the TOW newsletter and will check it out! Maybe I can make one of TOWs September gatherings! Hope to meet you at a TOW event one day.

I'll be towing my Pinecone through Puyallup this weekend. There is somewhat of a family reunion at my mom's house in Renton (Dad died in Nov 2012), and there's not enough room at her house for everyone so she asked me to bring the trailer! So many uses!

I used to work at Good Sam Hospital there in Puyallup before moving from Kent to Longview. I miss all my friends at Good Sam - a great group of people!

Greg

[halfdome, Danny]

Hi Danny from Puyallup! Thanks I've signed onto the TOW newsletter and will check it out! Maybe I can make one of TOWs September gatherings! Hope to meet you at a TOW event one day.

I'll be towing my Pinecone through Puyallup this weekend. There is somewhat of a family reunion at my mom's house in Renton (Dad died in Nov 2012), and there's not enough room at her house for everyone so she asked me to bring the trailer! So many uses!

I used to work at Good Sam Hospital there in Puyallup before moving from Kent to Longview. I miss all my friends at Good Sam - a great group of people!

Greg

Greg, hope to see you and your Pinecone at a gathering.
My wife has worked for GSH for years, who knows, you may know each other.
Danny

[dreadcptflint]

Howdy, solar really extends what a person can do while camping. Read up and go for it.

[Mary C]

Howdieeeeeeee from The peach state GA. welcome to the forum. we also have a loose nit group of people who are driveway campers and hosts. That is, call, put the request out and be willing to go a few extra miles to See someone from the Group. which means when I come to Washington I may get to see and meet with you and you can always come by here!!! so there is another advantage of teardroppers!!!!

Mary C.

[Fyddler]

Welcome from Port Orchard WA! Maybe we will bump into each other someday!

[Jack J]

Hello Greg,

Welcome, You have already found out the good things about having a teardrop by the list you made. I grew up in Longview and still have relatives there so I get down there at times. Nice town with a variety of camping within a couple hours drive. As Danny said, there are a few teardrop events in the coming months so join us if you can. This weekend is one in North Bend Wa.

Jack

[Pinecone]

Hi Jack - thanks for the message! I am hoping I can make the Mollala, OR event Sept 27-28. Looks like it's called "Fall Brigade". I've emailed Marty and Katie Boehme to inquire. This weekend I will be camping with family in Astoria. I'm anxious to try out the new sound/audio system I installed in the galley.

I just took my trailer in to get a quick welding job done for the rear hitch/bike mount, and the technicians there wanted the full tour. They thought Pinecone was awesome, and would be perfect for hunting. I have to give tours everywhere I stop, I tell 'ya.

Greg

[Vedette]

Well Hi Greg
Guess I won the bet, when I told you that if you posted on the "Newbies Introduce yourselves" that Roly would be the first to respond and welcome you.
He is our "Unofficial" Goodwill Ambassador!
Sandi and I got home last night.
What a great month on the road.......got to meet lots of new friends, including yourself.
Actually saw another Pinecone at the Vintiques Rod Run in Yakima over the weekend. Unfortunately I did not connect with the owner.
Hope to see you down the road maybe sooner than later.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Pinecone]

Brian and Sandi - so glad to meet you and connect with you both. Thanks for posting on my Newbie message string! I have shared the photos of Miss Piggy to so many friends and family and the same comment over and over..."NO WAY!!" I say, "YES WAY"!

Glad you had safe travels and hopefully a great Studebaker event. When are you taking Miss Piggy out next? My Pinecone is ready for tomorrow's trip to Astoria, OR. Then the following weekend is a church camping trip at Clatskanie, OR. The previous owner of the Pinecone said she used it 3 times and that was it. I have already used it over 10 times, and many more planned.

Hey Brian I got the rear hitch fixed with a mighty fine welding job to stabilize it so I can put on a rear cargo carrier or bike rack!

Greg

[Vedette]

Hi Greg
Good to hear!
Hope you have a Great Time!
Also hope that we can hook up in Washington sometime this fall.
We have slept in Miss Piggy 39 nights so far this year.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi