LAKE PERRIS, CA - The 12th S.C.T.T. Gathering was a great event. The weather was beautiful. Lake Perris State Park is a very nice location and the company of 127 teardrop and owner was fantastic!

Again, Lake Perris State Recreational Areas proved to be a great location for the 12th S.C.T.T. Gathering. Lake Perris is surrounded by rugged flower covered hills. The camp sites are asphalt which back up to a concrete slab with a table and fire ring. This year with 15 more teardrops than in 2007, two teardrops and tow vehicles per site was almost the rule rather than the exception. What a great way to meet new Teardroppers!

FROM FAR AND WIDE - We arrived at the Park expecting 121 teardrops but as in past years some Teardroppers canceled and others arrive to register on site. When all the bits of paper were compared, we had 127 teardrops and enjoy the company of 300 or so very good friends. I think

SPECIAL THANKS - To our great delight we welcomed about 100 first-time Teardroppers (47 trailers) to this years Gathering. We enjoyed meeting these folks and they assured us that they will be at all future Gatherings. Teardroppers came from Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado to spend the weekend.

Saturday was a busy day for everyone with 64 teardrops arriving in one day. The day started with a great breakfast cooked by Lynn & Larri Follstad of Yucca Valley, CA with helper Brad & Jackie Romaine, Carolyn Carman, Roger & Sandy to name just a few. With the grill fired up they served up -- at no charge -- bacon, has browns, scrambled eggs, and raisin toast. Thank you!

The late afternoon we gathered under the trees with 40 table to accommodate the pot luck. WOW! Teardroppers are wonderful cook and those who don't cook, know were to find great food! A great gang appeared in the afternoon to help set up the tables and drape them with festive red & white paper cloths. A few minutes before the official meal time, pots, pans, bowls & boxes of food began to arrive. A special thank to Jane Montgomery for the beautiful blessing for our bounty and special friends.

We firmly believe that everyone should leave an event with something in hand. Because of the generous donations of several business and fellow Teardroppers, every couple went home with a gift. A very heart felt thank you to: Rudy & Barbara Arellano, Leon & Sharon Beisiadecki,Tom & Carolyn Carman, Mike Clark, Ty & Denice Copeland, Fred Group, Don & Matthew Haley, Kevin & Marty Hauser, Stan & Lora McCall, Larry & Jerry McKinney, John & Donna Mulrean, Steve & Deb Noiseux, Ralph Lopez, Damain & Sandra Rutherford, Jerry & Patty Sorrel,  Charles & Rebecca Tello, Pat Weston, Tim Wick, Steve & Carolyn Zetterlund, Camping World, Sports Chalet, WalMart AND Batter Blasters!! If we have overlooked anyone, my sincere apologizes.

2009 GATHERING CHANGE - The 13th Gathering will again be at Lake Perris, but S.C.T.T. has reserved the Deer/Owl Loops which is adjacent to the Coyote Loop. The Deer/Owl Loops offer 160 sites! We would love to fill every site - no doubling up, unless you wanta! Tell everyone who has a teardrop to mark their calendars for March 26 > 29, 2009. This will be a truly huge teardrop Gathering! Click for 13th Gathering Info

David called the marketing contact, Nick, and told him about the 12th Gathering and asked if he could donate some Batter Blasters. Nick wanted to know how many people would be attending. He then determined that we would need 30 cases! David told him that 15 cases would be just fine. We made arrangements to have the cases drop shipped to the Costco in Moreno Valley, CA. There was a small problem. The Batter Blaster distribution center only delivered pallets to Costco -- 144 cases per pallet!

The next plan was to pick-up the cases at the distribution center located near Oxnard, CA. We just happen to have Teardroppers, Charles & Rebecca who live near Oxnard and they were coming to the Gathering. After a few phone calls, Charles & Rebecca went to take delivery on 20 cases, twelve cans per case, of pancake batter. At the distribution center, 30 cases were donated. Loading their truck to the max - more than max - Charles & Rebecca decided to bring the cases to Lake Perris on Wednesday night. The cans needed to be kept cold. We had brought 5 ice chest which we figured would hold the 240 cans. Charles & Rebecca brought a couple of ice chests. With all the ice chest full, the remaining cases were opened, filled with ice and stacked between the mountain of ice chests.

Everyone who came near the registration tables were given BATTER BLASTERS! The last case was donated to the Park for their fishing derby to benefits disabled children.

Batter Blasters are available at Costco in 3 can packs. If you dread Sunday pancake mess, Batter Blasters are a must.

OTHER ACTIVITIES - As for other activities for the weekend, the Teardroppers did what the like to do best! Teardroppers and the many visitors that come for the day just to check out teardrops.

Several folks brought canoes and took a "row"? around the lake. Some brought fishing gear to try their luck at fishing.

The Park offered an evening campfire program. The museum for the local native Indian tribe was open for our benefit. Hiking and bicycle trails were well mark for those with high energy.

.MANY THANKS - The success of any event is only as good as those who pitch in to help. S.C.T.T. is very fortunate to have so many folks willing to help. This Gathering would not have been possible without the help of so many Teardroppers. A special thanks to the following Teardroppers: Matt and Don Haley - thank you for making new paper towel holder to keep the towels dry in the rest rooms and for keeping the rest rooms stocked with paper towels, tissues and soap. The breakfast prep crew! Excellent! To the Rangers and Volunteer staff at Lake Perris SRA, thank you for fulfilling our every need. If we have missed anyone, we apologize. The success of the 13th S.C.T.T. Gathering was a group effort and we deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone.

Click here: 13th SCTT Registration form

PHOTOS - Click here to view the 12th S.C.T.T.^® Gathering pictures - pictures are worth a 1000 words.