new time

    I was born in 1945, about the time that the "aluminum Teardrop" became extremely popular due to the abundance of surplus aircraft "skin" and metal for the frames after the war.

As I grew into the 50's, camping became very popular during the re-awakening of America after WW II and Korea.    Many young families spent their limited leisure income on camping since it was very affordable and so very enjoyable. My parents became the typical campers; starting out in a small tent and eventually into a tent camper. I didn’t know (first hand) about teardrops but I vaguely remember them in the 50’s. In the east (New York, and New England) there were campers everywhere. The eastern New York mountains and lakes are truly beautiful areas. As we ventured out into the "wilderness", my brother and I explored life and mentally recorded the adventures that made up our early years.

    Looking back, the memories are still vivid. Hearing the train whistle, boat horns, and fog horns in the distance on a damp summer morning , The unexplainable feeling of waking up in "hot" tent in the late morning. Smelling the clean fresh air near the woods and lakes. Fishing with my Dad. Savoring the taste of grilled and batter fried blue gill.   Remembering the sweet fragrance of girl's perfume and hairspray at the camp pavilion dance. Nights by the campfire cooking hotdogs and "smores", then staring into the fire and slowly dozing off. These are etched in my memory forever.

   Aside from the memories, the social education was valuable all by itself. We learned to meet "new" friends at each new camp ground.
   Of course my Mom took lots of pictures (mostly black & white), and she was able to fill (4) big photo albums of our family during our childhood and young adult lives. I guess that I must have picked it up from her, but I recorded our kids "lives" on video tape (from birth) and edited them down to a tape album for each year. Between movies and photos, it's hard to forget some of the great experiences of life. After all, that's what it's all about. I still can't imaging that people don't take more pictures as their families are growing up.

   Each new year brings the potential for new adventures and undertakings. Who would have imagined in 2000 that a Teardrop Trailer would be part of my future in 2001.. I'm sure glad that I built my tear and I'm glad I took all the videos and photos because the memories fade too fast by themselves without a little "jogging".

     My web site is dedicated to my favorite movie ("Back to the Future") . I have a technical (cad design) day job, however in my leisure time ,I like to live in the memories of the past and try to re-create the feeling I got when the smell of breakfast bacon and brewing coffee floated through the morning the air, ending the day by the campfire ,not to mention the sweet sound of my '65 Mustang pulling the trailer down the road. It doesn't get much better!.

     By the way, when I tell new people that I built a teardrop trailer, they seem to feel sad or something about the teardrops and that I need a trailer to cry in.. They just don't get! Heck , some of the happiest times I can remember have been on trips with my camper.   Don't forget to turn the "time circuits" on and visit the "old" trailer pages when you view my web site. It should take you back to a lost time, and help you appreciate the present when you come back as well.

   I just wish I had built the Teardrop in time for my Mom and Dad to see it; I know they would have loved it too. They would have had one if they only knew. I think it's genetic!

Feel free to email me anytime and we can talk over "old times".