Transporters By The Tunnel 97 was probably the Best and most memorable campout yet. Its started out similar to past events but the best was yet to start. But I'm jumping ahead, lets start from the beginning.

    My family and I actually started setting up camp Thursday night. We set up our small tent camper and westy side tent and left a few 'event essentials' at the campsite. Then returned home, I had to work in the AM and we had to finish packing ourselves. We ran into a rain shower Thursday night but the weekend weather turned out dry.

   Friday we arrived around noon to finish getting everything ready to go. Larry Johnson and his wife 5 came down from Wilberforce Ontario, Canada and was, I think, the first to arrive. Actually Larry was on Vacation and decided to make our event one of his stops. He turned out to be our longest distance award winner. Ken Needham arrived with a giant tent and That made the campsite set up complete. Many thanks to Ken, for without his generosity we would have a nice tent to work and eat from. By 4 PM the campground was starting to hum with people and Buses. We have folks from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.

   By 6 PM we had and campfire going and the gas grill fired up for anyone who wanted to cook a quick meal while they were setting up. By 8 PM there was quite a crowd of Volks at old site 57. People renewing friendships and making new ones. It was great. The surprise of the evening, at least to me, was the arrival of LiMBO President, Dale Ward. Dale usually doesn't arrive until Saturday afternoon. It was nice to see him there.

   We did have a couple of mechanical problems over the weekend. George Shabot has a minor charging problem (disconnected wire) and needed a push to get him started. "George, stop talking and take the brake off." There was about 8 of us pushing George's bus. We pushed it with the brake on. Another camper, Mike Cohen, had a more serious problem. He drove out from eastern Mass in his 74 bus and about 15 miles from the campground he lost a valve seat. He and his friend Dave Kelly ended up spending Saturday finding a replacement head and installing it at their campsite.

   Saturday morning arrived as it always does, way to early, and the familiar and distinctive sound and VW buses sliding doors was heard throughout the campground. As with years past donuts and coffee were available at my site. Donuts were supplied by 'Nevilles Donuts' , you won't find better anywhere. If this event keeps growing, I'm going to need a bigger coffee urn.

   Around 11 AM we split into 2 groups. Group one, headed by Stan Wolhfarth, took off for Zoar Outdoor and a canoe ride down the Deerfield river. Thanks Stan for handling the last minute details of that outing. I was told that the canoe trip is very relaxing and nice ride.

   Group 2 started out on a caravan through Southern VT and the Mohawk trail, but almost ended up in the 'Big House'. Here's the story; After getting gas and snacks we headed for our first stop, the 'Natural Bridge State Park' . The Natural bridge is part of a property that was used by a limestone company about a hundred years ago. Probably one of the many companies that supplied goods for the Hoosac tunnel. There is the remnants of a quarry there that I thought would make a great backdrop for a group photo. When we arrived I found rocks were blocking the quarry area and I wanted that group photo. Plus there wasn't suitable parking for 25 or so buses. So I moved the rock and motioned everyone to park in a semi-circle near the back side of the quarry. Everyone thought I knew what I was doing and parked inside.

   I got my photos and everyone was enjoying the park and its sites. Just about the time we were getting ready to leave, the Park Rangers came down from their hiding place and had a cow that we had parked there. Now years ago the quarry area was a parking area so I didn't think much about parking there. Well Ranger Rick thought otherwise, he informed me that there are rare wildflowers out there and our buses were destroying them. The only flowers I saw were Daisies and Black-eyed Susans and clover. I especially saw lots of Daisies attached to buses and caught in doors as I hurried everyone out of the quarry. Funny thing, if the flowers were so rare, how come they mowed parts of that area?

    Ranger Rick wasn't happy and his young and jumpy partner, Wyatt Erp, decided that a higher authority needed to be called in. After about 20 minutes Mass State Troops 'Davis' and Kennedy' (actual names not known) arrived to find 3 VW buses and some harmless would be hippies. (Several minutes earlier my wife had instructed everyone to leave and save themselves) LiMBO clerk Mike Guilfoil, member Don Rider and myself were all that was left of about 25 buses.

   When the troopers arrived, I noticed one was putting on black leather gloves and he seemed quite tense. I didn't think much about it until I got back to the campsite and heard a great story.

   The police conversed with the park rangers and soon the environmental officer that arrived. By now I've been waiting about 30 minutes, but I was still not too worried. Finally, the officers approached me and asked my side of the situation. I explained about the photos and the lack of real parking available for 25 buses and apologized ALOT. I mentioned that we aren't Harley riders 'Hells Angels" types and officer 'Black Gloves' replied, "I ride a Harley" OOPS, cough, Waiter:' Would you like some wine with your Nike's". The officer gave me a father-son type talking to and sent us on our way.

   By this time everyone has taken off like dandelion seeds in the wind. So I headed back to camp to see if anyone was still there and if they wanted to continue the caravan.

   To my surprise and delight everyone stayed and we continued off on our Caravan. I made it an abridged version only stopping at the eastern portal of the Hoosac Tunnel. The rest of the weekend went off with incident. Although I did have to take the jokes and kidding. "Public enemy number one' ' Bugsy Digennaro'. " were among the names that I heard. It was all in good fun and I can take it. I think my name was 'Bugsy' for the rest of the weekend.

   Here's the best part of the story. The manager of the campground had heard on the scanner a call for the State Police. The report was that 25 Volkswagen buses were in a drunken brawl at the park. It seems mister 'Young and Jumpy Wyatt Erp' didn't think that 25 VW's running down wild flowers would get the Mass State Police on the scene in a hurry. That would explain Officer 'Black Gloves'.

   The moral of the story is; Leave those damn rocks alone!

   Saturday night potluck was a success. Lots of variety, only a couple of duplicates. This year we're going to try a catered meal instead. I think it will make the weekend easier for everyone.

   About 9 PM Saturday night we got together around the campfire for a sing-a-long. There wasn't much singing but a few good guitar players. I had originally ask Jeff, who works for the campground, to stop by and bring his guitar. Within minutes we had 4 guitarist and a couple of stick players. (I fall into the stick player category) Rolland Schnippering, Jim Philips and Scot Castle brought their guitars out and jamb til about 1 am. We made popcorn in the official LiMBO-Jimbo 'over the fire' popcorn popper. Thanks to Wendy Silva for donating that. And what campfire would complete with out roasted marshmallows and 'Smores'.

   Sunday morning I awoke to find Ron Lepel of 'Boston Seafood Caterer's' already hard at work preparing our yummy breakfast. He had a full "all you can eat' menu of Pancakes, eggs, home fries, french toast, quiche, english muffins,fresh cinnamon buns, OJ and coffee. Ron and his crew were quite professional and we plan on having them back again for 98.

   After breakfast we worked off that great meal with a hike to the Hoosac Tunnel. It took us about an hour and unforunatly we didn't see a train. One of these days maybe we'll see one.

   We returned to the campground and said our good-bye's. I was quite surprised to here that everyone had a good time, cops and all, and are looking forward to next year. After almost being busted I was worried that no one would return. I'm already planning for TBT #5 and maybe I'll have t-shirts made with stripes and inmate numbers on them.

   All totaled we had 55 buses, a Cougar and a Ford truck pulling a new Prowler camper. I had a good time and I hope everyone did. Hopefully we'll see them in 98 and I promise not to move any rocks. Or else Transporters By The Tunnel will be changed to "Buses Behind Bars". Till then, Keep on Busin.