Chinook Memories: Celebrating the History of Classic Camping Trailers in WA, OR and CA

It is officially summer that has kicked off, and people are traveling to destinations known and unknown. It reminds me of growing up in the Lower Valley during the summer and waiting for my dad to announce that we were going camping.

Dad would borrow Grandpa's Chevrolet pickup with a Chinook camper mounted on the truck bed. Mom would have gotten all the food and clothing ready to be packed in the stowage holds for the trip. We would be all set to travel to one of many favorite campgrounds. The thing that is still laughed at and talked about during family gatherings today is how we would be ready to go, and sure enough, something would happen to delay the trip.

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It was mainly having a flat tire on the truck. Sometimes, it would happen in the driveway at home. Sometimes, it would happen on the road, usually on a two-lane highway with traffic. We would unpack some of the supplies to lighten the load the truck was hauling ( mainly us five small kids ). Dad would have to deal with jacking up the Pickup truck to get the flat tire off the wheel that was a split rim and inner tube kind (What a pain in the *** those things are!). Aww, Those are fond memories. (Okay, maybe not for Dad). The Chinook Camper is gone. But, The now vintage Chevrolet pickup still once in awhile makes a appearance on the road.

We still enjoy going out camping. I have noticed that there is a big following for the vintage and classic campers and camper trailers that are out there. I have friends who have restored different campers from Caveman Campers, which began business in 1958 on Vancouver Island, Canada, and moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, one of the oldest names in the camper/trailer/RV industry. The Chinook that started in Orange County. California in 1938, and later moved to manufacture to Union Gap, Washington, and decades later merged with Yakima-based Trail Wagons RV.

Those companies are no longer in Yakima. But the memories of those now vintage camper/trailers still live within the passionate hobby of collecting and restoring them.

The Nile Valley Rally is on August 17th at Jim Sprick Park, Chinook Pass, Washington. From 9 am-12 pm. It is a free public event. Tour 50 vintage trailers in the Jim Sprick Park in Naches, Washington. Who knows, those memories of camping in days gone by might return to you to share. And maybe you will find yourself thinking about finding a Caveman, hooking a Chinook, or even navigating one of those gleaming silver Airstream land yachts, restoring it, hitting the open road, and finding America again.