At McCormick’s Creek State Park in Spencer, Indiana, the Crossroads of America (CRA) Gathering brings together one of the largest gatherings of tiny trailers east of the Rockies. Hosted by the Tearjerkers — a vibrant, close-knit group of teardrop and tiny trailer enthusiasts from across the globe — the CRA is a celebration of community, creativity, and camping culture.
Nearly 150 trailers and close to 300 campers filled the park, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Enthusiasts met friends they had previously only known online through the Tearjerkers forum and the Teardrops and Tiny Travel Trailers community. New friendships were made easily, sometimes so easily that folks forgot to take pictures of the amazing trailers they were admiring!
While the state park offers many activities, the trailers themselves are the main attraction for many attendees. Even with the heat and humidity, visitors eagerly wandered the grounds, exchanging stories and gathering inspiration from the variety of builds on display.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the tiny trailer community is its shared “can-do” spirit. Whether customizing a finished trailer, restoring a vintage beauty, or building a new one from scratch using classic profiles, there’s room for every style and story. Every trailer reflects its owner’s creativity and passion for the lifestyle.
Adding to the fun, a vintage Danish cast iron Aebelskiver pan — found at an estate sale — made its camping debut. After some cleaning and seasoning, the pan proved perfect for keeping homemade apple-pear Aebelskivers warm during breakfast. With dry ingredients pre-measured before the trip and a spiced filling ready to go, making this classic treat was as easy as it was delicious.
Cast iron also took center stage during the Dutch oven cooking seminar, a highlight of the event. Bob Henry, an experienced Dutch oven chef, hosted an engaging demonstration, turning the basics of coal placement and baking without an oven into an entertaining and educational session. His “Cooler Clean-out Casserole” — a hearty dish made from weekend leftovers, cheese, and eggs — was a crowd favorite, earning rave reviews from taste testers.
Beyond the trailers and cooking seminars, the gathering offered a full schedule of activities: potlucks, karaoke, hula hoop contests, builders’ seminars, silent auctions, backing-up seminars, outdoor movies, and more. There was something for everyone — from the highly social to those just wanting to relax and take it all in.
Suggestions for future gatherings are always welcome, and one small idea was to include forum avatars and user names on name tags to help online friends recognize each other more easily.
Thanks and appreciation go out to Kurt, the Chapter Directors, and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to create an event that felt seamless, welcoming, and full of community spirit. Their dedication shines through at every turn, making the CRA Gathering an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/vintage-camper-trailers-magazineOriginally published in issue 21 of the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine.
