Big Bill's Injury - October 2012

As many know, Big Bill was seriously injured at the Woodstock Vintage Trailer Rally.

This picture was taken a mere second or two before the accident.

We were participating in the Progressive Cocktail and Appetizer Party. This was the hippie themed pod and was second to the last. Meaning that Big Bill, me and Norm all had been consuming "a few" tasty beverages.

Considering that Big Bill is more vertically challenged than even I am, we normally have to climb to get up on things for pictures. Occasionally Norm helps us up if there isn't an easy way for us to climb up.  That was the case for this picture, Norm helped. Big mistake!

After the picture was taken Norm was helping us down. I'm not exactly sure how it happened. Norm picked up Big Bill, then me. As he picked me up I heard Big Bill yell, "Hey!"

Norm yelled, "Aw, shucks!" (Or something to that effect.) Then there was this blood curdling scream like I have never heard in my life. I assure you, I never want to hear it again! Then the most disturbing part, total silence. Everyone was standing there staring at me and Norm with their mouths open.

Then I saw Big Bill. He had fallen. It was extremely gross to see. Why do people take pictures at moments like that? We immediately jumped into action. Picking up the pieces of Big Bill's shattered life and gathering him up. Big Bill had obviously broken both of his legs!

A minute or two later when Big Bill regained consciousness he was in a lot of pain. We took him back to the camper and gave him a bottle of Vodka and put on a lot of bandages. After he had consumed about a third of the bottle we went back to the party. It was late and there wasn't anything else we could do for him at the time. Besides, he wasn't sharing, even though we still had our glasses.

We took Big Bill to the hospital the next morning. The doctors instantly admitted him and had Norm and me escorted off the property for being a danger to Big Bill. The doctors told us we were a threat to Big Bill's safety and that he should have been brought in immediately after he fell. They said we were lucky that he didn't die from his injury. I didn't want to tell the doctors that nobody was in any condition to drive when Big Bill fell.

I found out later that Big Bill underwent surgery within an hour of his arrival. I talked my way back into the hospital two days later, after the rally ended. I'm sure you already knew that nurses really like chocolate...

Big Bill wouldn't let me take any pictures at the hospital. He said he didn't feel right dressed in the hospital gown. Believe me, you would not have wanted to see what I saw. Those gowns tend to flap open without warning.

That is what we have been doing for the last four weeks. After multiple surgeries, traction, pins, screws, staples and a bottle or two of super glue, Big Bill is on the road to recovery!

We picked Big Bill up at the hospital today and brought him home! The doctors assured us that he will be able to walk again, but he might have a bit of a limp.

Until he recovers fully it will be riding in style for him in his new wheelchair.

We all got to sign his casts too. He has been real cool about letting us sign them.

Sometimes when Big Bill is sitting on the couch I read to him. It also makes it easier if Big Bill wants a drink of water or a snack. Instead of having to get back in his chair he just sends me.

Big Bill isn't a big fan of chicken soup. Turkey soup however is his favorite!

I am beginning to worry about Big Bill though. Whatever he says he wants, Norm runs right out and gets it for him. Soup, candy, pop, anything.

When Big Bill said he wanted a tasty beverage I thought Norm just went to get a couple bottles of beer. Nope, he came back with a bartender for Big Bill.

I think Norm harbors a little guilt.


Friends stop by too.

This is Fred, he's a fisher-gnome. Fred heard about Big Bill's accident and of course came right over. Fred will tell you stories like there is no tomorrow. Getting Fred to leave is usually a bit of a challenge.

Having your own bartender does help though when friends drop in.

Especially when they drink weird drinks. Fanci likes Shirley Temples.





That about covers what happened to Big Bill and what has been going on since. We are still hoping that Big Bill won't need any more procedures and will be up and about in the next few weeks.

Keeping our fingers crossed!
Travis

Woodstock Illinois Camping Rally - October 2012

It is with a sad, but hopeful heart that I write this post. Two things cause the sadness. First and foremost, my little buddy, Big Bill, suffered a near life ending, but certainly life altering injury during the rally. I won't show pictures, they are simply too graphic. We are hoping that Big Bill will be back on his feet in time. Although his first surgery was successful, which was great news, the surgeons have yet to give us a definitive long term prognosis.
The second matter is that camping season in northern Illinois has basically come to an end for the year. A few hearty souls will venture out into the abyss of cold night temperatures, but not en masse like the summer rallies. The Woodstock Rally was the final organized hurrah in the Midwest for 2012.

I must admit that those of us in attendance absolutely sent 2012 off with one heck of a final ride, even with Big Bill hurting while we continued to party. It wasn't like there was anything else we could do for Big Bill at the time anyhow...

This year's rally had "pods" like in the past. The pods this year were themed. This one is BJ's pod, the hostess with the mostess. A Chicago Bears themed pod. Had the Bears actually showed up that night and beat the Packers instead of caving in and losing, the night would have been perfect!

For the Packer's fans in attendance Thursday was a great night, especially the rubbing it in part. I still think I should have bit Rick and Gunther, but I am getting side tracked.

 Early morning in Woodstock. Clearly this picture was taken before Big Bill's encounter with... I get choked up thinking about it. I must remain strong, sorry.

Early morning, BEFORE COFFEE, meant running out to the cooler for the closest thing to caffeine that one could find. All because we had to wait until Norm got his lazy can out of bed and made the coffee! Gunther found that he liked the Yoohoo better than Dew. Big Bill just wanted beer.

This was part of the "neighborhood" at WillOaks. Norm should get a better camera with a wide angle lens.

I think this year had the biggest turn out for one of BJ's Woodstock rallies. There were a lot of new faces in attendance. There were also a lot of missing faces. Folks that we get to see but once a year and they missed the rally this year for whatever reason. We hope all is well and that we will meet up at a rally in 2013.

Our pod had a Gingerbread Hippie on Route 66 theme.

No, really! It was.

Three trailers, one Gingerbread, one Hippie, and one Route 66, it was a no brainer. The mascot? That took some doing.

This was part of our pod. Ginger on the left, Walter on the right, Norm & Jules' grandson Brock in the center and unfortunately our pod mate John & Ann's trailer hiding behind Walter. I don't know if their trailer was shy or if the chucklehead with the camera was just not thinking... (Norm of course)

These pictures are of John & Ann's trailer but they are from a different event.  



I like their thinking!



  

Alrighty then, back to our show. Big Bill and I met this guy at BJ's pod during the progressive meet and greet. I didn't catch his name but as you can see, he is a big Chicago Bears fan. I know, he is a blue hat and I'm red but that feud ended a long time ago. Haven't you seen Gnomeo & Juliette? Besides, the Bears would look funny with red hats.

If it wasn't for Jules I would put the move on BJ's mom. This is her, Barb, on the right, with her friend Joni. Barb is a hoot. I could tell you stories that would curl your toes.

Then again she might whomp me so I'll stay quiet.

You should attend a rally and make it a point to meet this wonderful lady!

Jules and Norm's daughter is also named Joni. But to find a Joni that spells their name the same way is rare. You know like Joanie but without the A and E. The A and E got used for a TV station.
That and they are both Bears fans!

Naturally that makes for a photo op!

The eats in this pod were different. A Halloween themed pod had some of the food looking questionable. Drinks that looked like blood.
Made me nervous. Big Bill kept asking for seconds. He is a weird duck!

I'm just kidding. Their food was great! Big Bill is weird though.

Along with Mike these were our hostesses at the Halloween pod, Katerina & Cheryl.

They were some of the "newbies" to the Woodstock rally. I hope they had fun. Big Bill and I certainly did meeting them.

This was one of the tow vehicles they had. I want one!

Our pod specialized in deserts. We had tasty beverages and regular food too. But the deserts were "off the hook" right down to the trailer & gingerbread cookies!

Mike was with the Halloween pod. Clearly he is a scary guy!













The other pods were the Flab 5. They used to be the Fab 5 but time had taken its toll.

What a great sense of humor! They also won an award for best food during the progressive meet & greet.

There was the 60's / hippie pod. 

"Special" brownies.





The brownies were certainly "special" and tasty too.
The picture on the left is difficult. The picture was taken a mere second or two before Big Bill's tragic accident.

There are a number of contributing factors that lead to the accident. However, it is counter-productive to point the finger at Norm and blame him for Big Bill's suffering, even if it would be extremely accurate!

Big Bill made me promise to let it slide.

Big Bill was taken back to the camper to rest. On the way back to the party, since there wasn't anything we could do for Bill at the time, we ran into George. George was concerned about Big Bill. He even offered his tasty beverage in the hopes that it would help Big Bill feel better and to make sure I was ok emotionally.

Hey George, Big Bill said thanks. So do I!

Norm said George was heading for the bathroom and just happened to be passing by. Norm is making it REAL HARD for me to keep my promise to Big Bill...

This is Beth. She was a "newbie" to the Woodstock Rally. Beth belongs to a group that call themselves Glampers. Glampers are "Glamorous Campers" or some such thing. I think a lot of Glampers are also involved with Sisters On The Fly but the Glampers allow the guys to participate.


I liked Beth. I did get a bit of an earful from Norm about my smoking. He was just mad because he became a quitter and can't handle the fact that I'm not.

Snackages in Zoe's trailer (a Frolic). This is where we first learned that there is a group called The Loyal Order Of The Glamper. The Loyal Order Of Glampers actually has a facebook page! Jules and I have since joined.

I'm not 100% sure what the theme of Beth & Zoe's pod was other than Sisters On The Fly and Glampers. It might have been something else but they were the last pod on the walk. I was a bit tipsy then and not taking notes anymore.



One of the major highlights of the Woodstock Rally is the grabus baggus on Saturday night. Also known as the Trailer Trash Speed Get-A-Gift program. The grabus baggus is a collection of items that our hostess BJ gathers all year long. Each trailer is entered and with everything layed out BJ starts calling the trailers.

When your trailer is called you pick something off the tables to take home with you. A key component of the event is speed. BJ calls a trailer and seconds later will call out another. If you see something you like you better be moving quick to get it. You may get beat to the grabus by a fellow camper.

This is BJ. BJ will be the first to tell you that there is only one rule to this event: EVERYTHING must go! No leftovers on the tables.
After a few rounds the tables are reorganized and the remaining items gathered closer together.

I had my eyes on these really cool wooden slat lawn chairs. Unfortunately with Jules, Norm and I sharing a trailer MY picking an item fell to the third in the pecking order. By the time the third round came about and I got my chance to pick, these babies were long gone. They were really cushy on the tushy.

We did get awesome stuff, even if I didn't get the chairs.

Sunday morning was coffee and danish at BJ's camper. Oh yeah, there was juice too.

Sven was a bit chilly so he had his blanket. I thought about teasing him and calling it his blankey, but it was toasty warm.

Sunday morning coffee is the final gathering before we all broke camp and hit the road. I think this was the saddest one for me. Not only was Big Bill layed up, but this was the last gathering, of the last rally of the season for us. I'm going to miss everyone.

I guess it will be solo camping until spring.

Our pod actually won a trophy during the rally. We got runner up for Trailer Ambiance.

I should have figured out who the judges were and slipped someone an extra five bucks.

It would have made my acceptance speech that much better.




I always thought runner up was better than last place. Norm said each category only had two spots, First & Runner Up.

Did I mention I don't like him much?

I'll let everyone know how Big Bill is doing in my next entry.

Until then,

Travis

By the way, here is the blog link for the Woodstock Rally http://woodstockrally.blogspot.com/