Westward Ho!

By Leslie C. Mcmanus
Published on August 26, 2009
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Participants in the trek across America (from left): George and Anne Bass, Ron and Kerry Bywaters, Jeff Fordham, Jeff Smith, Wendy Fordham, Hugh “Cumber” Campbell, Barbara and Dick Garnett, Allan and Carolyn Faulkner, Peter Barr and Neville Thompson. The caravan consists of five Chamberlain tractors (each pulling a camper) and two RVs.
Participants in the trek across America (from left): George and Anne Bass, Ron and Kerry Bywaters, Jeff Fordham, Jeff Smith, Wendy Fordham, Hugh “Cumber” Campbell, Barbara and Dick Garnett, Allan and Carolyn Faulkner, Peter Barr and Neville Thompson. The caravan consists of five Chamberlain tractors (each pulling a camper) and two RVs.
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The trekkers’ revised route.
The trekkers’ revised route.
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Proud of their heritage and their Australian-built tractors, the trekkers fly the Australian flag on their Chamberlains.
Proud of their heritage and their Australian-built tractors, the trekkers fly the Australian flag on their Chamberlains.
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A Chamberlain owned by trekkers Dick and Barbara Garnett on parade at the I&I show, Penfield, Ill. The drivers have been surprised by the fact that most American drivers actually use traffic signals (“unlike at home!” Ron says) and allow other drivers to cut into lanes when they need to.
A Chamberlain owned by trekkers Dick and Barbara Garnett on parade at the I&I show, Penfield, Ill. The drivers have been surprised by the fact that most American drivers actually use traffic signals (“unlike at home!” Ron says) and allow other drivers to cut into lanes when they need to.
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Aussie Too (owned by George and Anne Bass, Dongara, Western  Australia) on display at the I&I show. “We’ve been surprised by the passion of the clubs putting on shows,” Ron says. “It’s quite impressive.”
Aussie Too (owned by George and Anne Bass, Dongara, Western  Australia) on display at the I&I show. “We’ve been surprised by the passion of the clubs putting on shows,” Ron says. “It’s quite impressive.”
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Chamberlains on display at the “Dances With Wolves” film set, Rapid City, S.D.
Chamberlains on display at the “Dances With Wolves” film set, Rapid City, S.D.

Chat a bit with 14 Australians crossing America aboard vintage Australian-made Chamberlain tractors, and you might summarize their travelogue in simple terms: Stunning hospitality, bountiful crops and fried chicken.

In fact, the visitors’ impressions of the U.S. flow like a river. In late July, at the end of the fourth week of their 10-week trek, each had collected enough tales to last a lifetime.

“We’ve been blown away by the assistance and hospitality we’ve received,” says Ron Bywaters, who, with his wife, Kerry, acts as coordinator of the trek. “That was a surprise: We didn’t anticipate this much generosity and enthusiasm and keenness to help us.”

Nor did they entirely anticipate the lush rural vistas with crops at the height of their growing season. “We came from the end of a long, dry summer in Australia,” Ron notes, “and to arrive here, see green grass, ripe and growing crops, it was just amazing.”

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