2025 Santiam Pre-Rally Report
Pre-rally to the 110th FRVA Convention
June 13-16 2025
The 2025 pre-rally was held at Waterloo County Park, located along the Santiam River about 5 miles east of Lebanon. Originally called Kees Mill, the name was changed due to a land dispute that got dragged into court. After the case was decided, the name was changed to Waterloo – a reference to the battle between Napolean and the Duke of Wellington. With lots of grass and trees, it was a delightful rally site.
Wagon masters Al and Elaine Zimmerman and Richard and Nancy Harris arrived on Thursday and set up a canopy to provide shade and shelter from the weather. Next was the camp kitchen with Al’s Coleman stoves.
Along with the usual rally rats, we had some new faces in the group. There were 17 RVs gathered at Waterloo. Stan and Carol Scott came from Walnut Creek and joined their friends Kerry Leyden and Meriel Enik. Also from California were Don and Lucy Reed from Nipomo – if you don’t know where Nipomo is, find Pismo Beach and enjoy some beach fun. Other rally attendees were John and Marie Turner, Wojo and Kathleen Walczak, Ed Pratt, Scott and Carolyn Carpenter, Brett and Laura Medbury, Jo Ruby, John Herold and Becky Edens, Mike and Lynn Ashbridge, Lee Buckley, Rick and Kris Hecks. It was fun to have the Flair “wanna be Trek” brought by Josh and Christine Letts – Bob Edwards daughter.
Friday started off with a potluck dinner with salads, casseroles, spaghetti, green beans followed by delicious desserts. Tales from recent travels made us all realize it is special to travel this beautiful country by motor home, even with unexpected trials along the way.
Saturday morning began with making your own omelet by tossing the ingredients in plastic bag along with a couple eggs, and placing the bag in a kettle of boiling water. After 10 – 12 minutes, breakfast is ready.
A secret safari led the group to Thompson’s Mills State Historic Park. It is one of the last water-powered mills in the state and its turbines can be seen in action, however on the day we visited work was being done on the raceway, so no water was going through the turbines. Docents explained the workings of the mill as we toured the old buildings. The mill operated from 1858 and produced flour, then animal feed, and last furnished electricity to the surrounding area.
Dinner on Saturday was Coney Island hot dogs followed by delicious strawberry short cake with wonderful local strawberries. Special thanks to Nancy Harris for this treat.
Mark Woody of Cascade Classic Outboards in Sweet Home brought a couple antique outboards and shared stories and answered questions. Some of the guys were so intrigued that they visited his shop on Sunday. There was more old “stuff” and parts motors that just might have what is needed to fix an old motor. While he was talking motor stuff, some of the ladies played bunko.
Sunday was a relaxing day with lots of free time. Some played golf at Mallard Creek.
Following a continental breakfast on Monday, the caravan was assembled for the short trip to the FRVA Northwest Rally in Albany.
