Thursday, March 8 through Monday, March 12, 2018, ACC Pre-Rally

The American Coach Chapter (ACC) of the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) pre-rally was not due to start yet, but Twin Oaks was hosting a large group and needed our site. We headed to Fair Harbor RV Park in Perry, GA. where we would meet with our group in a few days. I certainly do love the leisurely driving days - 8.5 miles (85,431.2 total).

Fair Harbor was a pretty nice park and we were the first of the ACC attendees to arrive. We had one of the best possible sites - just look at our view below!

I'm not quite sure who was responsible for the herd of 20 goats in the park, but they were certainly tame. As I walked Sam by the fence one day they came racing in our direction. At the last minute, I realized they had spotted friends who fed them regularly and they raced right by me for their treats.

I was not sure if the woman was putting me on or not but she called each one of them by name as she fed them a 20-pound bag of raw peanuts.

I believe this big boy was named Zeus.

In typical rally fashion, we gathered daily for happy hour and evening dinners. Lots of great fellowship and fun! Our chapter was celebrating its 25th year and was awarded honors by FMCA dignitaries one evening. Below, from left to right, were Pauline Shea, our chapter VP, David Kessler, FMCA National Area VP, Jim Graham, our chapter president, John Walker, FMCA President, and Charlie Adcock, FMCA Immediate Past President (and American Coach owner).

A toast to 25 years as a chapter and wishes for many more to come. We all received commemorative champagne flutes and the bubbly was flowing until everyone had their fill.

Nearly everyone in attendance at the pre-rally made it into this group shot. I'd like to say I remember everyone's name, but alas, there are a few I will have to meet again before I fully commit them all to memory. Certainly a great group of folks all around!

Sunday, March 5, 2017, FMCA Rally in Chandler, AZ

Our morning "moving day" routine was threatened by a tire that reported low. I figured it was the valve extension, so after a little tightening I aired it up. A few minutes later the tire monitor system said it was low again. This time it was operator error in not properly seating the sensor. We got squared away (tires were all good) and joined a three coach convoy with Loren/Sharon and Jim/Carmen on our way to the FMCA Rally at the Rawhide Western Town and Event Center in Chandler, AZ. Our drive was a modest 148.6 miles (81,706.2 total) and went without incident. We all stayed together despite pretty heavy traffic around Phoenix.  

I think of Kate and Mike anytime I see a Safari Trek with a feline mural.

When we arrived at the rally, things did not go quite so smoothly. It was the first-day parking rush and the crew had to deal with more than 600 coaches. Our trip from Quartzsite took less time than our wait to be parked. In the end, the confusion lead to our 25 coaches being parked in several places, but we were with the main group of about a dozen American Coaches. I am not complaining - those guys were all volunteers and I would not want that job!

A parking goof resulted in a large gap next to our coach that worked well for "Happy Hour" get-togethers each afternoon.

Everybody's parked!  Must be time for happy hour!!  This is why we love rallies - good times with good friends.

Coffee and donuts are a must in the mornings while we enjoy the "Frustrated Maestros" (a staple at FMCA rallies).

Myself, Loren, Virginia, Tony, Sharon, Carmen and Jim are relaxing next to Jim and Carmen's beautiful new American Dream.  American Coach decided to reintroduce the Dream in 2016.  It's gorgeous!

Thursday, March 2, 2017, ACC Pre-Rally in Quartzsite, AZ

Sam was spoiled with long walks at our last location, so he demanded ever further sojourns along Main Street in Quartzsite. After a couple of early morning walks, I finally remembered to take a camera to capture a little of the town's history. I think the adobe house below was falling apart faster than the preservation society could prop it up. 

The Camel Stop Service Station, next to the original Post Office, gave a little hint at the town's past.

Joani researched the town history and adds: Hi Jolly was born Philip Tedro in 1828 in Smyrna, Greece (which is Izmir, Turkey today) to a Greek mother and a Syrian father. He was an Ottoman Turkish citizen of Greater Syria (a bit confusing). As an adult, he converted to Islam and called himself Hadji Ali which sounded like Hi Jolly to the American ear. He was hired by the US Army to bring camels across the American desert to be used as beasts of burden. The army acquired 33 camels (and later 41 - 44 more) and Hi Jolly was the lead camel driver (after all, the camels didn't speak English) hired to help conduct an experiment in using camels for military use

The experiment failed due to politics and the inability of the horses and mules to forgive their intrusion (camels freaked them out). The camels were auctioned off and/or set free and Hi Jolly bought a few. Hi Jolly lived a long and colorful life, but died in 1902 and was buried in Quartzsite. A few old-timers believe camels still roam the Arizona desert. Two movies, Southwest Passage in 1954 and Hawmps! in 1976 were loosely based on the army's camel experiment.

His remains were interred in the camel topped pyramid in the Quartzite cemetery, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The ACC pre-rally was very nice, but it does seem like we did a lot of eating. The caterer cooked at an outdoor kitchen and worked magic with our meals. There was always too much and I managed to take home leftovers that we warmed up for days (Sam got to sample a little of the breakfast bacon).

The dining hall served as the ACC meeting room, usually right after breakfast before everyone disappeared for a nap.

It was so nice to see Loren and Sharon, Jim and Carmen and Terry and hear their RVing tales.

Before dinner one evening, the "Naked Bookseller" (the evening's entertainment) spent a few minutes checking out the piano that was just carried into the hall. We had that to think about all through our meal - what were we going to see on full stomachs?

As it turned out, Paul Winer's act (aka/Sweet Pie) was very entertaining. He has had more than twenty years to tailor his show to RV audiences and he was never naked (as we have heard he is in his bookstore).

What a hoot!!  Much of his routine revolved around the clothes he was wearing and the interesting life he has led.  His music was boogie-woogie at its best with hilarious lyrics.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013, Spartan Chassis Post-Rally, Gillette, WY

We decided to join the American Coach contingent of the Spartan Chassis FMCA Chapter for a post-rally after the FMCA Gillette, WY, Rally. Our last night, we went to dinner at Old Chicago Pizza and Tap Room. I'm not sure why we always lined up with guys on one side and ladies on the other, but it seemed to work - especially for the waitress keeping track of bills. From the front, there is Joani and me, Lacy and Terry, Pauline and Ray, Carmen (nearly hidden behind Pauline) and Jim and Linda and Steve. An excellent group - hope we get to see each other again soon!

Sunday, June 23, 2013, Flooding at the Gillette FMCA Rally, WY

The Gillette, WY, FMCA Rally is over; time to move. Probably a hundred coaches had to be pulled out of the muck. This is where's Ray's coach was. Thanks to Steve's expertise and a little luck, he was able to get out.

Jim was not so lucky. As soon as the front wheels got up on the road, the weight shifted to the back wheels and he was stuck. He got out with some help from a tow truck but had to pay a lot for about fifteen minutes of work. I suspect the tow truck drivers did pretty well with the amount of cash business they had today.

We moved to the Spartan Chassis International Club Rally at the other end of the same CAM-PLEX facility. It was less than a half mile making it the shortest of all of our moves from one site to another. The new site does have full hook-ups making it a bit more convenient than the previous rally.

Of course, all rallies have a happy hour - that makes for "Happy Campers!" Many different coaches are built on a Spartan chassis, so we were able to meet some new people. This rally, however, only included 18 coaches and was billed as a "Do nothing rally." At a do nothing rally there is nothing scheduled so you can use your time to catch up on maintenance, or relax, or play with the new toys you just got at the last rally.

The sunset looks pretty nice from this side of the park!

Saturday, June 22, 2013, Hail Storm at Cam-Plex, Day Four of the FMCA Rally, Gillette, WY

Day four of the FMCA Rally in Gillette, WY. We heard hail on the roof early in the morning, so we expected it to be a bit wet outside. It was a bit wet and then it cleared up and was a beautiful sunny day. While we were at Home Depot, I went to the car to check on something and I can't remember when I have seen such ominous looking clouds roll in. I got back inside the store just as the bottom fell out. We could hear the hail hitting the roof. Folks said they were expecting tornado sirens any minute. The rain was horizontal as employees tried to hold the doors in place. Sam was a nervous wreck. When we got back to the CAM-PLEX we started noticing white stuff on the ground. This is the building where the vendors were set up.  

That says it all!

Our street was a little soggy!

Back at the coach, I noticed something a bit different about the slide awning right away.

We were lucky that this happened at a rally and with 30 minutes before the vendors closed up and left! They are coming to our site in the morning to install a new one. Out in the middle of nowhere, this would have been a true hassle (and would have cost a lot more.)

Ray and Pauline, just four sites down, did not deserve this!

They are the nicest people you would ever want to meet!

 This is a bit more than "soggy".

The evening's entertainment was moved indoors. I know that had to be quite an effort for the volunteers. Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives put on quite a show. I'm going to have to add some of their music to my collection.

Friday, June 21, 2013, Day three of the Gillette FMCA Rally, WY

We are enjoying the FMCA Gillette Rally in Wyoming. These are the "Frustrated Maestros." They get together at all FMCA rallies, practice a little and play for everyone in the mornings and during other gatherings. They do a very good job.

This soloist was so good, I (Joani) had goosebumps from beginning to end.

He received a standing ovation.

A bit of New Orleans Jazz.

We attended seminars on Picasa, Blogger and the Android Smartphone, which all happened to be given by the same couple, Chris and Jim. We always learn something, even when we feel we already know the subject.

We love the Geeks On Tour seminars. We always learn something new.

Pauline and Ray and several others set up a special Happy Hour with burgers and all of the fixins'. We had a nice turn-out considering almost everyone had to fight the mud and the cold to be there. Even though it was the first day of summer, I think summer is a lot different here than it is in the south.

 What great people!

Good food, too! Thanks, again!

Monday, June 17, 2013, ACC Friends at FMCA Gillette Rally, WY

Drove to Gillette, WY, this morning (165 miles, 2,233 trip/61,714 total). We were unable to make it to the ACC pre-rally, so we didn't know quite how to find all of our American Coach friends. After we were parked, I took Sam out for a walk and found Pauline and Ray were only three coaches away. I don't think it could have worked out much better. Ray and Leslie put together a happy hour and everyone enjoyed some drinks, snacks and great conversation.

Saturday, Feb 9, 2013, FMCA rally in Brooksville, FL - Last day

Too late for donuts this morning at the FMCA rally in Brooksville, FL. Maybe that was subconsciously by design. Took in Ron Jones' seminar on Newfoundland/Labrador. The $1,800+ for the ferry ride (20 hours round trip) may squelch that trip. Looked over the vendors and coaches one last time without spending any money.  

Went to dinner with Millie and Jerry at the Golden Corral. Ate way too much but it was great! Tonight's entertainment was definitely not "A" list. We sat next to folks who were from Cumming, Jack and Gerry. Turned out they were from our neighborhood and had lived there for more than 20 years. Their house is just around the corner. Jack was involved with the neighborhood association and was a county commissioner and apparently the subject of many scathing attacks in the papers (such is politics) so he seemed more than a little surprised that we had never heard of him. Very nice people - hope to see them again sometime.

Friday, Feb 8, 2013, FMCA rally in Brooksville, FL - Day six

FMCA rally in Brooksville, FL, started with donuts again, might actually be getting tired of donuts. We picked up our entry mat with "Living in a Dream" on it that we won as a door prize.  

(We live in a 2000 American Dream made by American Coach)

Seminar on great travel destinations has me thinking I should consider Baja, Mexico - we'll see. Sugar-free DQ Dilly bars at the ice cream social to offset the donuts. Millie said we didn't miss much as far as last night's entertainment so we don't feel so bad.

Listened to a sales pitch on Fantasy Tours. If money were no object I would be signed up. As it is, we will have to try and follow some of their itineraries on our own. Went to another seminar on the convection/microwave oven - really wish we had shore power to try out our new skills.

Watched Kenny Evans in concert - very good show! Met Kent and Juanita from just down the road in Murrayville, GA.

Kenny and his back boys (picked from the audience).

Thursday, Feb 7, 2013, FMCA rally in Brooksville, FL - Day five

The FMCA rally in Brooksville, FL, started with more coffee, OJ and donuts - life at the rally is brutal. Took in a couple of interesting seminars.  One for full-timers by Ron Jones - he is really pretty entertaining. The other was on using the convection microwave oven. Will have to give it a try as soon as we have shore power again. Met a woman named Becky who knew all about working at Disney - she gave us a card that might help get us in when we are ready to settle in for a winter. Tried cleaning the contacts on the two big 300 amp fuses and then started the generator. 

It seemed like it charged longer before finally kicking out with an error code E04. Skipped the entertainment tonight and went to Panera Bread again for their AC power.  We are drycamping at the rally (one week with no power, unless we run the generator.)  

Wednesday, Feb 6, 2013, FMCA Rally in Brooksville, FL - Day four

FMCA rally in Brooksville, FL, was in full swing. Started with coffee, OJ and donuts. Found out we won a door prize - a nice monogrammed entry mat (what should it say?)

Went to a seminar on coach weight and another on FMCA benefits. Donated a pint of blood. Coaches keep on rolling in. Heard there will be about 800 total. Our location seems pretty close now compared to the late arrivals who are another 1/2 mile down the runway.

Met full-timers Ken and Dottie who once had inverter problems similar to ours. Their problem was easily fixed - hopefully, the same thing will fix ours.  

We were treated to a beautiful sunset before the show

In keeping with the rallies theme of a salute to the troops, we watched a trio of ladies sing WWII tunes.

Sunday, Feb 3, 2013, Move to FMCA Rally, Brooksville, FL

Said goodbye to Lithia Springs, FL, and moved north to the FMCA Rally at the Hernando County Airport south of Brooksville, FL, (about 70 miles). General parking means we will hear generators start at 6:00 sharp in the morning and until almost 11:00 at night but we won't mind since it is part of the rally experience. Parked on the west runway which is pretty well located for seminars and entertainment.