Teardrop Trail Log: June 17, 2016

There is a reason we named our teardrop the Ambassador. On our first trip, folks stopped by to meet the Ambassador in droves. It was a great way to connect with the neighbors and others in the campground. Some walked, others arrived by Cub Cadet, while others came by other more unique methods of transportation like red tractors. Many were curious about the interior and the fine points of traveling in a small trailer. We learned at our first Red Power Round Up in 2014, that we would be giving tours on a regular basis.

Tractor Mac and a fan

One evening, Billy Steers and his wife Julie stopped by to meet the Ambassador. After the tour,  they mentioned that they had an Airstream Bambi, a favorite among Airstreamers and a truly unique trailer. They invited us to stop by their booth the next day for the Tractor Mac presentation. Billy, a.k.a. Tractor Mac is an author, illustrator and commercial airline pilot for American Airlines. He introduced his first children’s book in 1999, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm featuring a red tractor with big headlamp eyes, a broad smile and a huge personality. Tractor Mac has continued introducing not only more books, but new characters. Last year, at Christmas, we got a Tractor Mac book and toy for Jim’s nephew who is a huge tractor fan.

As we walked through the campground at the Racine County Fairgrounds, I spotted the Bambi. I knew that Tractor Mac would be giving several presentations at Red Power Round Up. We checked out the schedule and found the Tractor Mac presentation was in the Picnic Shelter. It was great to catch up with Billy and Julie again. It was amazing to see how the young fans worshiped the character, who appears “in person,” a bright red IH tractor with those friendly eyes.

The Steers’ Bambi at the Red Power Roundup in June of 2015