Bags are packed and ready to go!

Aug 13, 2003 5 Replies

I'm flying out to the USA on Monday morning, at some ungodly hour, for a week at the Portland Rally. Portland Indiana that is, not Portland Oregon Its run by the Tri-State Gas engine Association, and they expect about



2500 engines to turn up, so I have stocked up with plenty of slide film, and memory cards for the digital camera! Lots of tractors there as well so I am told. I'm really looking forward to seeing how rallies are done on the other side of the pond, and also as I've never been to America before, the whole thing should be an fascinating experience.

I hope you are all going to behave yourselves while I am away :-))



Regards



Philip T-E



Back in time for Honiton Hill, jet lag permitting, and Dorset!



You lucky person. You're only trying (and succeeding) to make us jealous. Why should we behave while you're away, it's much more fun when we don't. USA is great but I wish they would learn to drive on the correct side of the road. I went to an auction while I was there and bought a soldering iron. The problem was that the Americans call it a soddering iron. How's the expression go? Two nations separated by a common language. May see you at Honiton then. Regards

John

Philip --

Enjoy. It's a blast. Take a wad of dollars, as much to buy. Main downside is that site is dry -- ie you cannot buy (or drink) beer! That's a shock to us, especially as it was very hot the times I went. Brown bagging took on a new meaning.

Limited on refreshments generally, but good local restaurants & eateries -- good Chinese very close. Usual supermarkets are close, but not an easy walk. Cabs in short supply -- take a tri-band mobile if you have one. Portland is not close to anywhere .... about 6 hrs drive from Chicago. Splendid area, very rural, & a strong redneck fraternity -- great folk, with clear opinions. Don't argue politics too long unless you like the blunt end of a shotgun up your chuff.... that's why I'm keeping away until the mad Texan vanishes.

I took over 2000 pix each time I went. Learnt to photograph manufacturers plates when photographing engines -- memory gets blitzed by so much that is new to us.

Particularly liked the big engines in the oil engine area.

Do meet up with the ATIS gang -- they show engines together, & party together. Immensely friendly & helpful. Worth checking their digest right now, as there is always Portland feedback & planning on it.

There's at least as much to see in the sales area as on the rally lines. Haggle hard -- prices tend to be very flexible, especially if you buy multiple items. Good on engines, some books & magazines, plenty of magnetos etc.

Colin

Philip, I'm consumed with jealousy. Enjoy your trip and throw away your camera on the way back so that you can bring me a clutched pulley system for my New Way CH.

Joking aside, it would be a great help if you could find space on your camera memory card for detailed photos of the magneto, nameplate, muffler and nameplate on one of these engines.

Regards, Arthur G

Fortunately, though I enjoy a beer, I can live quite happily without it. Mind you, I don't think Miller Lite and Budweiser really qualify as beer do they :-))

Oh No, I hope this trip isn't going to end up being even more expensive than I thought!!!!

Regards

Philip T-E

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