Official Fairfield Website - Local history, news, weather, shopping, dining & more.

Fairfield Business Directory - Basic directory listing for most everything in Fairfield.

Fairfield Ledger - Local newspaper, on-line.

Local Radio 96 FM, 1570 AM - Nice website with lots of info about Southeast Iowa.

History of Fairfield - Excellent site to learn history of Gov't, churches, school & more.

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce - Info about local businesses.

Jefferson County Hospital - As a parent, you never know when you'll need a doctor.

Maharishi University of Management - Since 1971, this accredited university offers undergrad, M.B.A. & Ph.D. programs while embracing Transcendental Meditation.

 
  Trying to recall details after two years...I arrived sometime Thursday & enjoyed the Iowa Chop dinner served by Van Buren County Jaycees.  Alan Barrow (Townie email list father) & I, along with Eric B. & Mike Y. all stayed down at the historic Hotel Manning in Keosauqua, on the Des Moines River, a 30 minute drive from Fairfield.  Here are some of the PW's at dinner...

The tasty pork chop dinner was served with all the fixin's.

George Farrier & his fine POWER WAGONS in wood...

 
  George is a good fella whose association with POWER WAGONS dates back to 1950 and the first of four treks with the American Foundation Arabian Expedition.  These trips to southwest Saudi Arabia were to explore "the ancient kingdoms on the biblical spice routes of Arabia".  Dodge donated fifteen (15 !!!) POWER WAGONS to the effort & George was there to take care of them.  By the fourth & final expedition, George was Field Director.  "Qataban & Sheeba", a 1955 book by expedition leader Wendell Phillips, details these four trips & includes several references & photos of POWER WAGONS in action !!!    Fascinating story & a chat with George is a real pleasure !!!

Click here for George's website of handcrafted PW's & other wooden models...

Email George Farrier: DPW50@aol.com

 
  Boy, what a yard.   For those who have not been, I guess it's about 5+ acres of everything Dodge truck - some two-wheel drives, but mostly 4 x 4's from all years.  Dave has amassed all sorts of military & civilian POWER WAGON trucks & parts.  There are rows of doors here, stacks of transfer cases there & various parts everywhere.  Three or four good-sized corrugated metal buildings provide shelter for countless crates of military surplus parts still in original wrapping & cosmoline.  Another building houses a basic office - say hello to Dave, Steve & Trudy.   Space is shared with often asked for small parts & a shop to fix whatever an old Dodge truck needs - introduce yourself to Bubba & Fife.  Bring your tools & pick away !!!

Click here to visit the VPW website...

Saturday, June 12 - Parade to Square, Teeter Board & Weenies !!!

  Last day of the rally.  After much organizing, a convoy starts at the Fairgrounds & proceeds up Hwy 34, Fairfield's main drag, to the "Town Square".  I guess about 75+ Dodge 4 x 4 trucks rumbled the two miles & parked around the Square.
  Then Dave & team let anyone who wants, try their balancing ability on the GIANT see-saw "Teeter Board" for trucks.  This large, homemade balance is surprisingly sensitive, making it very difficult to achieve equilibrium.  Dave starts the stopwatch & each contestant is given two minutes to defy gravity.   Approaching the ramps, you are helpfully directed to the center, where you begin driving skyward.  Just as you begin to wonder when you will reach the point-of-no-return, the teeter board rapidly descends & your front-end falls until the ramps smack the pavement.  Finding reverse, you ease off the clutch to begin moving backwards to hopefully catch the middle as the teeter board begins to see-saw & then your tail-end falls back to earth.  Now forward again, then backward, repeat, repeat, repeat - until you balance or time is called.  The shortest time to balance is the winner.   As I recall, only two or three drivers could put it all together for a perfect balancing act !!!
  The rest of the day is spent hemming & hawing with fine folks.   Everyone takes a few more pictures, writes down a few more phone numbers & gets leads on those last few parts needed to complete a project.
  That evening we all made our way to the Charlie Adams' residence for a FREE weenie roast.  Talk is about trucks, heading home, attending another rally elsewhere & returning for next year's rally in Fairfield.  After many hot dogs, a final moonlight trail ride is organized & enjoyed by many.
  Sunday brings a reality that the rally is over, as all begin the homeward journey with memories of another gathering of POWER WAGONS & the folks who appreciate these fine machines.

Downloadable MPEG's...

Taking over Fairfield Square.

Teeter Board fun !!!

Direct link to Joe's POWER WAGON Forum...