THE DESTINATION WAS THE 23rd INTERNATIONA DODGE BROTHERS MEET HELD AT THE RENASSIANCE INN KEIZER, OREGON. THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DODGE BROTHERS AND SISTERS GROUP TRAILERED THE FOLLOWING CARS CONVERGING ON KEIZER: a 1925 SCREENSIDE (Roger and Lyne Gong), a 1935 COUPE (Tom and Elaine Gong), a 1933 SEDAN (Herman and Barbara Boone), a 1927 ROOF HEAD ROADSTER (Amil and Sharon Gehrke), a 1923 SCREENSIDE (Donn Marinovich and Sherrin Grout) and our adopted NCDBS (Northern Canadian Dodge Brothers and Sisters Group) a 1929 VICTORY SIX (Bill Gess).

The Gong Brothers arrived in Keizer at about 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18 after a drive up from Medford, Oregon. They were greeted by Gerry and Donna Egland. In the parking lot were the cars of Dave Johnson's a 1934 sedan and Don Cose's 1937 Coupe.

Roger and Lynne Gong's 1925 Screenside Commercial Car.

Tom and Elaine Gong's 1935 DB Coupe,

These two cars were along side of Gerry Egland's1929 DA Roadster. It was fairly warm but not hot and the temperature was in the low 80's. We unloaded the cars and parked the trailers before heading to the front desk to check in at the Renaissance Inn - the Meet Headquarters. Next came the unloading of the tow cars to ensure that the computers and printer were set up properly. The electronic hardware was in place to make Name Badges, print quick photo's and other media tasks required during the meet. After settling up things in the rooms, we wandered downstairs to the Hospitality Suite. Joe Cozza (Club President) was manning the fort along with Dick and Sandy Perry of Moline, Illinois (site of the 2011 DB International Meet) - which qualifies as a "western" site since it is below the Mississippi River - therefore West of it. There was also information regarding the 2010 meet headed to Gettysburg, PA.

On this Saturday, Bill and Debbie Fastenow were preparing for an early Sunday arrival so that the "meet and greet" folks would all be in place for the onslaught of attendees anticipated to begin registration Sunday. All in all, there were over 130 people attending and about 36 cars on site when the registration was completed. This could not have been accomplished without the 23rd International Dodge Brothers Club Meet in Keizer, Oregon committee: Gerry and Donna Eglund, Andy and Jean Anderson, Bill and Debbie Fastenow, Dave and Penny Johnson, Tom and Elaine Gong, Roger and Lynne Gong and Don Brougher. Behind the scenes were some critical volunteers that everyone should acknowledge: Don Cose who made those great free standing NAME PLATES that a lot of people kept running over (and took a ton of digipix's), Sherrin Marinovich for the Book Club hosting, Paul Tyderman for printing, Kerry Marshall for the Trouble Truck (which was needed) and David Wollam for the Friday Events. Now back to the parking lot. While "kicking tires" we were regaled by Gerry Egland regarding how his bows were broken by a gust of wind as he was moving the car to Keizer. In addition to the cosmetic damage, the car was running poorly and would need some help to operate properly. It was looking like the beautiful cream and blue fendered roadster would become a parking lot casualty for the week of proceedings. There was only a trickle of attendee's with cars on this date, but we were anticipating a very busy Sunday.

The line up of cars on Sunday morning

Woke up early on Sunday morning, and headed for the complimentary breakfast provided by the Renaissance Inn. The first into the dining room was Joe Cozza (every morning of the meet) who wanted to be the first out of breakfast to hit the ground running to greet as many of the members as possible (or it was that old motto of "he who eats fastest, eats the mostest" But after breakfast we were all out in the parking lot to see what other cars arrived on site. Amil and Sharon Gehrke of Petaluma were early arrivals on Sunday, soon to be followed by Bill Gess from Calgary, Alberta Canada. Coming down from Canada as Bill was entering the U.S. the X-Ray system detected a very suspicious looking lump in the overhead compartment of his trailer. After a delay of some 3.5 hours and having a hole drilled into the trailer top and a thorough examination by a light pipe, it was discovered that the object was an excess piece of 2x4 left in the roof compartment during manufacture of the closed trailer.

Bill Gess (with Joe Cozza as passenger) in Bill's immaculate 1929 Victory Six roadster prepare for the first tour of the event.

These were the kinds of stories which kept us all enthralled for the rest of the day. However, most of the other folks discussed only minor problems after hearing Bill's tale of woe.

By the end of the day, there were about 20 cars lined up in echelon formation in the parking lot.

Bill and Debbie Fastenow's 1930 Straight Eight sedan - a beauty!

Andy and Jean Anderson's 1929 Victory Six sedan shown with a line up of meet vehicles.

Don and Darlene Cose's 1937 DB Coupe show the way with more of the cars arriving on Sunday.

Of course, there were many people who had flown in without their cars and were arriving at the hotel on an hourly basis. Wandering the halls and into the Hospitality room and out in the parking lot, all were exchanging greetings to old friends and making new friends as one does at this type of gathering. Once Debbie and Bill Fastenow arrived, the "Early Bird" registration (ably assisted by Jean and Andy Anderson) was "ON"! While in the Fastenow's and the Anderson's were in the Hospitality Room they actually kept the chaos to a minimum. A little bonus with each registration package handed out, the Anderson's were passing out ZIPLOC bags of fresh cold cherries. A great treat during the hot weather.

Amil Gehrke, Roger Gong, Arnie Gehrke and Donn Marinovich talking a little Dodge.

1. The OPTIONAL Pacific Ocean Beach Tour occurred Monday, July 20. The tour was about 130 miles round trip by motor coach - although the driver decided to take a few incorrect turns on the return drive making the return a bit longer than anticipated. The tour went by Lincoln City and 30 miles of Oregon coast line, stopping at Depoe Bay. At Depoe Bay, the group was greeted with a thick chilling blanket of fog that sat 1,500 feet off shore and covered the little tourist town. The inlet and bridge that was the entrance to the cove were impressive to see. After a 30 minute break we were once more on our way. The Yaquina Head natural area featured a light house and accessed tide pools. We parked in the visitors area and had a chance to wander around the center to get a feel for the area and it's sights. This station was used by the military as an outpost for submarine spotting during WWII. The light house itself was a bit difficult to observe through the dense fog and at the parking area the wind was estimated to be between 30 and 40 mph.This was not a friendly environment for the lightly dressed (many were lightly dressed since we had just come from a comfortable 85 degree inland site). The lighthouse itself was open for visitors and anyone to climb to the top. However, there were a multitude of visitors besides those of the DBC and the wait was about 45 minutes. We did not stop for that length of time. We were off to Newport for a stop and lunch on our own. After a 45 minute lunch break we boarded the bus once more and proceeded to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The aquarium was quite a treat. Following this destination stop, the motor coach will then head back the Keizer. We finally arrived back at the hotel and were greeted with a bit of warm weather and many more DB cars in the parking lot. The day was completed with a magnificent spread of hors d'oeuvres (catered by the hotel) and those in attendance mingled and re-newed old acquaintances and met new ones. Gerry Egland emceeded the welcoming affair with his usual aplomb and dignity. Then it was out to "kick some more tires and talk Dodge" into the waning hours of the night. Day one of the meet was completed on another "up note"!

Jean Anderson with Harry and Debbie Reding at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Ladies of the tour awaiting the motor coach after a few hours at the Aquarium.

2. On Tuesday, July 21 we began with our first DB driven tour. This Tour of 72.2 miles round trip included Silver Falls, the Gallon Covered Bridge and the Oregon Gardens. The route was fairly flat, but on a hot day like today marginal cars had a tendency overheat. None of the cars overheated although Jim and Delores Hebb's '26 Business Sedan did have a hick-up. Almost everyone had a complaint about the oxygenated gasoline in Oregon (10% alcohol) causing momentary vapor lock. Once the fuel lines were cooled down every car then ran well. Extra water and a smooth running engine proved to be beneficial for the 30 cars on tour. The stop at lunch was wonderful, with a great catered box lunch from the hotel under the shade of many trees. Once leaving Silver Falls State Park the tour headed for Silverton. This part of the tour was almost a continual downgrade that tested the old mechanical brakes of the 4 cylinder DB's. A detour was made to drive every car through the Gallon House covered bridge which was constructed in 1916. Every car on tour was photographed emerging from the bridge for posterity. These photographs were printed and put on folders so that everyone could have a momento of that experience. Everyone was on their own for dinner this second day of the meet. The restaurant in the hotel received a landslide business from a very boisterous DBC attendees!

3. On Wednesday, July 22 we motored through the downtown streets of Keizer and crossed into the city of Salem to the Mission Mill Museum. This museum is one of the oldest mills for turning shorn sheep wool into basic cloth. When the original Mill owner passed away his eldest son was given the reins of the Mill. His sister knowing that she would not profit from the Mill after that point in time departed and began her own Mill - a place she called Pendleton Mills. She was extremely successful and through the years the Mission Mill begun to send all of their finished goods to Pendleton for completion into retail goods. There was a tour of the mill works (water power run) a machine shop, blacksmith shop and out buildings. A tour of the out building revealed period homes, manses and a church of the times. Specifically there was the Jason Lee House (the leader of the Methodist Mission to Oregon), John D. Boone house (the oldest standing single family dwelling in Salem), the Methodist Parsonage (the living quarters of the Methodist missionaries) and the Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church. After leaving the Mill we headed down to visit the City Park and it's well renowned carousel. We consumed another great catered lunch at the pavilion before going off to see the city park sites. There were hand carved wooden horses on the carousel where enough horses are hand carved for the carousel and then one more is carved to be placed in the next carousel, so that there is a pattern and so that the tradition can be carried on beyond one carousel. Finally we boarded a paddle wheeler where a number of the club members were presented Jr. Captains certificates. This tour was less than 10 miles on the streets of Salem.

This great coursel was at the Town Center.

The Willamette Queen paddle wheeler was used to cruise the DB members upon the river.

To complete the day there was a members meeting and dinner after the tour day. There was a report on the Board of Directors Meeting chaired by President Joe Cozza to the general membership. Once more the day ended with many of the attendees wandering out to the parking lot where the DB cars were parked to talk and enjoy the cars and each other.

4. On Thursday, July 23, the Evergreen Air and Space Museum Tour was about 48 miles round trip. The tour included crossing the Willamette River on the Wheatland 9 car ferry. Getting to the Ferry was an adventure for Roger Gong's 1925 Screenside. At the first slight hill the car began to cough and sputter, the car was diverted into the local County Club and was followed closely by Kerry Marshall in the trouble truck. However, a few minutes of rest and the car was running fine. We caught up with the rest of the group at the Ferry. Finally, everyone was across and we proceeded to the Museum. The Evergreen Space and Flight museum was a delight to see with the star display being the original Spruce Goose. The building was built specifically to house the Spruce Goose. This airplane was brought in with fuselage only and put into place. The wings were brought in by barge and assembled onto the fuselage. Then the tail section and tail wings were the last items of the airplane brought in and assembled. The interior of the airplane is somewhat limited with access being a walk through room in the center of the aircraft with plexiglas walls.

The Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Museum.

After touring the flight museum one could journey by foot to another building which housed the space museum. Another great exhibit. At lunch there was another barbeque lunch of chicken or ribs. All members were offered the opportunity to drive their cars into the museum floor and park adacent to a Ford Trimortor airplane for a photograph. Many of the members took advantage of this rare opporunity. On the way back the Screenside once more developed a problem and it was discovered that the carburetor was out of gasoline. There was a filter on the input side of the carburetor and we deduced that there was a vapor lock in this filter (due to the 10% alcohol in the gasoline in Oregon) and after removing the filter and plumbing the gas line directly into the carb, there was no further trouble. To finish the day. many of the participants were once more out in the parking lot with the DB cars, kicking tires and talking Dodge until it became very late into the night.

5. On Friday, July 24, was a non-tour day. However, there will be the usual "Show and Shine" static car display, Technical Sessions and Swap meet. DURING THE TECH SESSION, AMIL GEHRKE WILL PRESENT A FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE SEMINAR - BASED ON AN ACTUAL ENGINE ON A TEST STAND. ALAN SHARP OF NEW ZEALAND PRESENTED A SEMINAR ON BASIC TECHNIQUES TO TROUBLE SHOOT PROBLEMS AND WORKING WITH METAL TO REMOVE METAL TO METAL ADHERENCE (FROZEN BEARINGS ON AN AXLE). TORCH CUTTING, COOLING AND EVEN BASIC GRINDING TECHNIQUES WERE SHOWN IN A VIDEO OF ALAN WORKING IN HIS OWN SHOP IN NEW ZEALAND.

Alan Sharp of New Zealand. A fine chap and a gentleman to boot!

Rhonda and Barry Browning of New Zealand caught on film at the Mission Mill Museum..

ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A TECH SESSION BREAK OUT BASED ON QUESTIONS RECEIVED WHERE ATTENDEES HAD A CHANCE FOR SMALL GROUP INTERACTION WITH OUR OWN DB TECH REPRESENTATIVES. One of the breakout sessions had Rodger Hartley demonstating his tools used to check out Starter/Generators. There was plenty of interaction and all participants had a great time in the informal exchange after the Tech Session was completed. And we cannot emphasize enough the advise and hands-on repairs performed by Alan and Barry. These two guys were great!!!

Amil Gehrke demonstrating "timing" of a 4 cyl. engine.

During the entire week Alan Sharp and Barry Browning (the "Kiwi's") and Amil Gehrke (the DB wizard of Petaluma) gave generously of their time and were working on various cars or discussing common problems. And there were things like crossed ignition wires providing the incorrect firing order or simple things like advancing or retarding the spark. Almost all of the cars which were attend to needed to be "tickled up" a bit after which the owners could go out a hooning!

6. On Saturday July 25, the Brooks Steam-up an old fashioned and very large display of operating machinery from yesterday, plus acres of displays of neat stuff will be held. The Steam-up is only held twice a year and we were luck enough to be present when this occurred. In conjunction, without the DBC members knowing of it, a very large swap meet was being held. A lot of rural farm equipment, some useable items and a plethora of useless materiel was on display for very inexpensive prices. The swap meet itself was enough to attract the DBC.

The steam engines attached mostly to tractors were also worth the price of admission. The behemoths have tanks up to 12 feet long and 4 feet in diameter - and generate all of 80 psi. The are loud, rusty, ugly but working pieces of history. SATURDAY IS OUR WRAP UP DAY FOR THE MEET AND IT WAS AN ENJOYABLE CLOSE TO THE EVENT.

7. Sunday, July 26, was the normal "get-away-day" for those attending the Meet and heading for home. A number of the attendee's had loaded up their trailers on Saturday and were ready to go by early Sunday. And it was no different for the Northern California Dodge Brothers and Sisters group who were departing early Sunday morning. It was a short 700 miles to drive back home and we reminisce about how much we enjoyed ourselves during this Meet! So goodbye to Keizer and hello to Gettysburg - the clock is ticking.

Dave and Penny Johnson's 1934 Sedan.

Alan Sharp, Barry and Rhonda Browning from New Zeland in a 1928 Victory Six.

1928 Victory Six of Andy and Jean Anderson.

1933 Sedan owned by Herman and Barbara Boone.

Jim and Delores Hebb in their 1926 Business Sedan.

Bill and Bev Devine in their 1930 DB Roadster.

Frank and Ginny Marini in their 1936 DB Coupe.

Gil and Odetta Linden and their 1926 Sport Roadster.

Dave Johnson's 1923 Screenside.

Jim and Karen Oster in their 1928 Victory Six.

Bill and Bev Devine in their 1930 DB Roadster.

Ron and Jan Anderson's 1932 DL6.

Amil and Sharon Gehrke's "Roof Head" 1927 Roadster.

Dave Wollam's 1922 Screenside.

Bob and Roxie Carrere's 1925 Touring car.

Tom and Cindy Myers in their 1928 DB Coupe.

1920 Touring.

Joe and Joe Ambrose in their 1929 DA Phaeton.

A line up of the Screensides attending the 2009 Keizer Meet.