I'm sure I could out-write Mike Martino if I don't put a governor on myself for this post, so I'll try to keep it as condensed as possible.
2008 made my third consecutive year attending the WHCC show, and MAN, was it a BLAST!
In 2006, we made the trip without tractors and I found out quickly that was a mistake. I recognized a few people from my area, but because of time constraints, was unable to make any new acquaintances. I vowed to return the next year with something of my own and to participate as much as possible.
2007 found my friend, his son, my son (Hobie) and myself cruising South to Arendtsville in a motorhome towing a trailer loaded with 5 of my Horses. It was much better to be able to participate, and I did recognize a few more people, but we still had what seemed to be a "quarantined" status, and only had brief conversations (no - NOT about underbritches ) with the majority of passing folks.
Over this past winter, RedSquare became a regular hang-out for me, and the plans of meeting some members at the WHCC show thrilled me considerably.
I owe Eldon a few special THANK YOUs for the logistics assistance, and for all of the help with the Black Tractor. The credit for the "set-up and operation" of the RedSquare tent also goes mainly to Eldon. Thanks for giving me a place to sit on my butt and yell "MULE DRIVE, ICE CREAM, and BOOBS" for 3 days in a row, and a place to sleep it off too!
Gator, (Kevin) I wish you best of luck with the 701 and know you will have a beautiful tractor together in no time. Too bad there's 550 miles between us, or I'd be there to work on it with you! I still haven't came up with the reason for the resistor on your Bronco "kill" wire, but when I do - you'll be the second to know!
My old B-80 was handed over to its new owner at the show, and it carried him proudly through the parade on Friday - even though the new belt was making that annoying slapping noise. (buy OEM belts only, guys!)
The C-161 "puller" now has a permanent (?) home with Eldon - who will undoubtedly enjoy annoying the neighbors with the straight stack , and will smooth out some of the sub-standard bodywork and paint job that I did in the rush to build it in five weeks. Don't forget to move that seat up though.... I'd hate to see you smash in to one of your nice tractors 'cause you couldn't reach the brake pedal.
Thank you to "baerpath" Duane for the deal on the Raider 10. I haven't decided its fate yet, but I still have a few months to make up my mind before it comes home. We'll get something figured out on that 3 speed too - even if it's not until next June.
Ken.... thank you for the glasses! They are on display in the cupboard with the other fancy trinkets now.
Doc..... it was a pleasure to lend a hand with your B-80, and nothing pleases me more than knowing that you are happy with it.
Ray & Mrs. Ray..... thanks for the camp site invite, and I'm glad you didn't kick us out when I "pooted" in Hobie's face. I wish I would have brought my guitar along when we stopped by, but you're probably better off that I didn't.
To the rest of you who I got to see again or meet at the show - Duke & MJ, Frank (MO), Frank (NY), Buzz, Fred, Tom, Rod, Mike, Dustin, Wayne, Dale, Mark, John, Billy, Jerry, Wild Bill...... and all the others, THANK YOU for coming, and being part of the family! I hope some more of you can join in next year!
And to the WHCC "honchos" - thank you all for your efforts and dedication in making the 10th annual show the best damn tractor show in the world! I look forward to many more!
Thank you to all for the compliments on the Black Tractor and the Trike. I'm honored to know that my work was appreciated - which is something you don't get much of at my local show.
See you all next year. (I hope! )
(not responsible for typographical errors, or excessive boredom.)

TT I am speechless I could not have worded it better myself "GREAT JOB" I don't believe anybody else could say it better. Burly

I have to agree with John. Well said!

I've been trying to come up with something to describe the experience, which was awesome, and combine my gratitude for the warm reception from everyone, and all the help with my tractor(s) while I was there. Been scratching my noggin for two days now!

Simply put, I couldn't have said it better than you have here!

And by the way, all I figured out about that resistor was it is a 2200 Ohm with a 10% tolerance.... Any help?

Kevin

I didn't get a chance to go to the show, but thanks to all the pictures, posts like this, and from other conversations I got wind of, I sure wish I was there. It sounds like it was a blast. Hopefully I can attend one in the future and get a chance to meet everyone and to have a chance to participate in what TT is describing here. Fantastic post.

i'll toast to that it was an honor meeting all of you at the show and i will be hopeing to meet more next year. and hopefully will have the good ol gt shiny for the show.

TT...you said it all...I think ole wild BP said this show would set the standards for all shows of the future.....and you pretty much confirmed that....got my pics developed today and your arm tatto is getting lots of comments from the WH guys in Missouri.....
Must say I felt good to be in the same company as Mr Pond and Mike M and every WH fan at the show.....try to measure that on a scale from 1 to 10......!!!!!

That was nice Terry, and I sure hope to be there with you all next year, I'll have to so I know what he heck you're talking about....

Well said TT. It was a pleasure having you, Hobie, and Eldon at our campsite. Still trying to clean all the sap off everything. Hope to see all of you next year but please leave the guitar at home.LOL Neighbors had a hard time sleeping the way it was. Tell Hobie I am holding the tractor for him if he' still interested. Ray

TT Yes that was all very well put! However, you left out a couple details on the setting up of the REDSQUARE tent that is worth mentioning, As ME and MJ were there helping and seen the whole thing. As the story goes there was a missed Velcro loop on one of the top roof rails of the tent. I looked at Eldon and said we need something to get up there! To me and MJ's amazement Eldon jumped up and squirmed up that spindly 1" pole and fastened the Velcro! and came twirling down. She then said to Eldon, are you sure your not a pole dancer? Let me tell you that was a KODAK moment and I missed it!

Allot of good experience's and Friendships were forged during this event and I look forward to our return next year. Thanks for the memories!!

Duke & MJ

Yepper, Duke and MJ were a big help in setting it all up. Thanks again!
Just for the record, they are 1 1/4 " poles.....

I only wrote "mainly" because they were Eldon's "tents".
But..... The rumor is that next year Barnum & Bailey are going to be one tent short that weekend.
You all did a wonderful job, and I apologize for not issuing appropriate credit to those I've missed.
I got to help tear them down though.

That is not a problem bro we look for no credit, I mearly wanted to let everyone know we have great talent amoung us! I would have put up a 1,000 tents up to see that kinda "Pole Dancin" Eldon should give lessons to the gals at the clubs! MJ and I are still laughin even as I read all this to her!

Duke

Eldon, Pole Dancing..... got to get that image our of my mind.....

At least you guys didn't have to listen to him SNORE!
(I guess I really didn't have to either - but his 28 foot enclosed trailer was a much better tent than mine! )

I'm sticking by my story that the snoring wasn't that bad, it's just that a 28' trailer is like an echo chamber !