Something unusual happened at a swap meet in rural southern Oregon this fall.

About half of the two dozen people who showed up had never before attended an insulator swap meet or show of any kind. Some were brand new collectors; others had been collecting for decades but just hadn't ever attended any insulator events. In several cases, the collectors just happened to be vacationing in the area, read about the swap meet in Crown Jewels magazine, and decided to drop by. We're glad they did.

Host Mid Norris cooks up a feast!

Chiloquin, at the foot of the Cascade Mountains and just minutes from Crater Lake National Park, is a beautiful place to visit anytime.

But Mid Norris' "insulator ranch" is a perfect place for one of the Jefferson State Insulator Club's several annual swap meets at Oregon locations. Why, you might ask? Well, Mid has rounded up herds of insulators which he displays on poles and fences around his ranch. We publish a few inspiring pictures of his outdoor exhibits on pages 32-35 of this issue.

Thinking you might want to create your own outdoor exhibit? Well, no time like the present to get started. As they say out west, "Cowboy Up."

Crowd of eager collectors gathers at a tailgate to 
await whatever treasures might soon be unveiled.

SOLAR FLARE

Perhaps the best way to display suspension insulators
is to suspend them. 
Displaying them in the manner they were used 
against the backdrop of beautiful 
rural Chiloquin, Oregon 
adds to the appeal of Mid Norris' insulator ranch.

MID'S MUD

Porcelain suspension insulators 
are also found in a wide variety of sizes and shapes 
as can be seen in this exhibit by Mid.

CROSSARM CHARACTER

Insulators, hardware and
the rustic character of the overburdened crossarm 
affix your attention to another of 
Mid's outdoor displays.

GARAGE SALE FIND

Ben Britton brought some insulators to Mid's
swap meet that he acquired at a garage sale. 
Included was this CD 723.3 Wade 
complete with threadless side peg and 
wooden cover, both in pristine condition.

COLORFUL GLASS

Mid's swap meet also featured some outstanding insulators for sale.

Shown above are a 
CD 178 California, 
CD 200 California, 
CD 134 in depression green, 
CD 145 in orange amber. 

Below, more great Californias 
including two-piece and 
single piece tramps, and various helmets.