FINALLY...

we have come to the end of those extra six weeks of winter that Punxsutawney Phil predicted.　 Those six weeks have been very different for each of us.  Some of you got to drive your POWER WAGONS on the ice of one of the Great Lakes.  Some of you had serious flooding.  Is there anything in California left to burn?  Prayers for Oso, Washington. 

The bad weather kept some of you from making any great progress working on your trucks.  Sometimes even nice weather detracts us from working on our trucks because we needed to take advantage of good weather for some other projects.  Now that the weather has been a bit more predictable we are all getting back to working on our trucks.　 Some of us have actually been able to haul a new project home.　 Still, we all are a bit behind.　It's that time again when we look forward to seeing old friends who are not all that old, seeing friends we haven't met yet, and celebrating our fascination with those magnificent trucks known as "POWER WAGONS". 

It is a time to share everything we have learned about our POWER WAGONS.  There are some of you that have bought your very first truck and just hauled it home from a farmer's field.  Others are sharing their latest truck and letting the rest of us see what they have learned about restoration and repair techniques.  Some have learned this at "Bloody Knuckle" University.  Others learned this at "the old school" from the "old timers".  These regional POWER WAGON events are great for both the new guys and the old guys.  The new guys can get a lot of help seeing where the "dooflumble" mounts on the "whatzit".  And the old guys can enjoy their memories of how it was when they were the new guys.  There is a lot of information available from the old guys.  Even if your truck is not running, it might be worth the effort to haul it to the Reunion.  It's like having a team of experts to point you in the right direction.  And maybe you can connect with someone who is coming to the Reunion and find that scarce part you need for your truck. 

It's not all about trucks, either.  You will also meet some of the finest folks.  Typically there will be food, conversation, trail rides, conversation, food, truck technical time, conversation, trail rides, and food.

One true sign of spring is that I am getting many calls with lots of questions.　 Almost every call includes, "What about Pat and Wanda's?"

A new dimension has been added to Pat's life.  I'm not the only one who has gotten involved with an aspect of history.　 Pat has purchased Kruger Hill, the site of the Headquarters, Camp Bowie, Texas.  Camp Bowie, was a major post during World War II and was comparable in size to Fort Hood.  Pat has collected many artifacts that depict the history of Camp Bowie and proudly displays them in a very impressive private museum. 

Getting there is very straightforward.  If you are coming from the west or the east (north of Waco), drive into the center of Brownwood.  

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From downtown Brownwood, drive south out of Brownwood on US 377 that goes to Brady.  As you leave town, you will pass Texas Highway 45 on your left.  Texas 45 is a "T" intersection that only goes east. 

Watch for the entrance gate to Krueger Hill on the right (west) as soon as you pass Texas 45.

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If you are coming from the south (Lampasas, Waco, and Goldthwaite) on US84/183, watch for FM2126 between Zephyr and Early.  FM 2126 is a “T” intersection on that goes west.  Turn left and follow FM 2126 and watch for when it becomes Texas 45 west.  Follow Texas 45 to US 377.  This is a loop that goes around Brownwood on the south.

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US 377 is a “T” intersection.  Turn left on US 377 and watch for the entrance to Kruger Hill on your right.   

Click here for information about  Camp Bowie, Brownwood, Texas 

(There was another Camp Bowie in Texas near Fort Worth.  It was sold into civilian real estate in August 15, 1919.) 

Google "General Krueger" and "Krueger Hill" for many articles about the history of this place.

For more info, call Paul Cook @ 512-932-2377 txpwrwgn@centurylink.net

or

Lloyd @ 361-877-7992

I am in the middle of converting to Windows 8.  I will update this as I learn how.