2013 MVPA Portland Oregon 25-27 July
 

Derk Derin and I are on the road in the morning for our annual pilgrimage to the MVPA convention in Portland. Hope to see some of you Westerners out there.

Just in time too.....my paint stocks of Gillespie are reaching the critical levels. We always hit that table first. It does not pay to wait until the last day to visit Rapco.

Portland
 

About a dozen of us going. convoy leaves Wednesday Morning. A number of competitive entries. Couldn't get all the time necessary off work to go again with my CMP but driving down with My Wife. Be at the Red Lion on Thursday. we need to sort out meeting up.

We decided late that we were going and have ended up in the Days Inn. We had an uneventful drive here from Manitoba, although Derk is feeling a little under the weather.

Hopefully we somehow find the other canucks at some point.

The wallet is full, the card is empty, and there are hundreds of tables of mil veh parts awaiting us in the morning, just a short distance from where we are now. Poor little Derk is fast asleep, trying to shake his flu, but I am sure he is dreaming of fairies, sugarplums, and milsurp parts.

Look for people wearing western command T shirts.

Saw a number of those shirts, and had a conversation with Walde while we were purchasing Jeep tires from Wallace Wade.

Lots of nice vehicles to look at, but was a little disappointed at the venders section. Many many empty tables....entire sections with nobody in them. Lots of the bigger dealers did not come to this one. Did get my paint from Rapco and tires from Wallace, but a lot of things I wanted from the big names just are not here. On the other hand, there are lots of the smaller one and two table vendors, who often have surprises at give-away prices.

Just back home from Convention in Portland OR (skipped the last night dinner due to other commitments).

Picked up a number of bits and bobs for the GP and caught up with several of the faithful. Also dropped by the Evergreen Museum at McMinnville (home of 'Spruce Goose) and the Tillamook Museum (housed in a HUGE blimp shed) ....

A 1941 jerrycan and nicely 1941 dated US Army muessette (sp?) bag to put in the GP, too.

Great trip, lots to see and do. Thanks to the Oregon Chapter for the organization. Well done! My visitor from Australia picked up the 'longest distance' award at the Camp White BBQ on Thursday evening, so a 'winning' visit!

Mike C

Hey Mike, sorry I didn't run into you and your friend. Didn't get my tickets early enough for the BBQ.
I did meet up with Rob and Derk, Al Nicholson Dave Good and the Posse from Alberta, Brian Asbury. There were about 12 from Vancouver Island, Delisle, Ralph, Dave,Don And Katrinka roll off my poor memory for names. And About 18 of us from Western Command Mainlanders.
Awards dinner was Saturday night so I think we will hear from a few more today.

Hi Harry,

Next time I'll be more organized..... sorry to have missed meeting you and the others.

Best

Mike C

Have they announced the 2014 show location yet?

Yes, Kentucky I think!

Yes, Louisville: it's on the back of the 2013 show catalogue.

Mike C

Derk and I just got in from our 2200km drive home. The mountains of BC were spectacular....the prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba as usual were pretty much like watching a commercial again and again and again......

We will likely miss the Kentucky show (other comitments and it's a very long drive for us) but I am hoping to bring a vehicle to the Topeka Kansas show in 2015. That is reasonable drive from here.

Pictures of the MVPA convention
 

I sure enjoyed the convention,too bad I was sick the whole 2 weeks of my holidays with Bronchitis!My appoligies to anybody I tried to have a conversation with.Between my squeeky voice and coughing attacks it was hard for me to hold a conversation but did manage to get through it.Sorry to Rob who had to not only put up with me the whole time but also had to drive there & back without me sharing the driving.
I was able to pick up my jeep parts I wanted and am now busy putting the jeep together and hopefully finish it before the snow starts to fly around here!
Met alot of the Alberta & B.C. collectors there.Here are some pictures of the show.
Regards,Derk.

more pics.
 

Some nice vehicles on display.