Hitting the road and clocking some miles is a perfect way to see the country and enjoy summer time in the great outdoors.  Those road trippers who regularly take to the highway, find a sense of community among fellow travelers and folks they encounter along the journey. A caravan of VW campers known as the West River Westies (WRW), are living the dream from the beds of their pop-up micro buses and annually gather at the Bald Mountain Campground here in Townshend.

The gathering draws vehicles, drivers, families and visitors from around northern hemisphere. This year there were even campers from four Canadian Provinces; Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. The rest came from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachuetts & Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois.

The weekend is filled with games, swimming, tubing, biking, sharing stories, food and laughter. In addition, as they have done now for seven years, the ‘Westies’ hold a bucket raffle – donating the proceeds to Grace Cottage Hospital. This year through the generosity of all participants, they generated a record donation of $1,000 for the new Medical Imaging Facility. We were overwhelmed at the news and so thankful for their kindness and support.

This year’s contribution, added with their donations from past years, totals in nearly $4,000 that the West River Westies have raised for Grace Cottage Hospital. Upon completion, the new Medical Imaging Suite will proudly don a plaque in honor of their contributions that reads LIMBO – West River Westies.

It’s touching to see how a community that comes together just once a year, is connected to our small town community and little rural hospital. A very heartfelt thanks goes out to Nev and Sue Lescher, the WRW wagonmasters for organizing this event and to everyone who came out for the fun. We truly appreciate your support. Happy camping.