Saturday, July 14 through Sunday, July 25, FMCA Rally in Gillette, WY

Fulltime living on the road is great, but getting together with a group makes it even better. If everyone in the group has similar coaches it can also be a great learning experience. During our American Coach Chapter (of the FMCA) pre-rally we gathered each day around 4:00 in the afternoon for Happy Hour. Everyone brought snacks and their favorite libation as we caught up with old acquaintances and made new friends. Five years ago when the FMCA last held a rally in Gillette it was cold (it was a few weeks earlier - the end of June), but this year we were all happy to have full hook-ups including 50 amp electrical service to keep our homes cool.

One evening, we had a Pot Luck dinner. There was so much good food. We were all stuffed just trying a little of everything. There was such a variety - I don't believe there were any two dishes the same - and it was all delicious. I was kind and didn't snap any pictures of people with their mouths full. 

It was good we had an indoor room because outside it was storming like crazy. Wyoming has some wild weather. We were all just hoping not to see any of the hail or flooding we experienced here in 2013.

Our isolated location quickly changed as they parked more than 700 coaches on Tuesday and several hundred more on Wednesday. The rally attracted more than 1,700 RVs. 

Our little group of 10 coaches had the place to ourselves for the first few days.

I tried to take a picture showing us surrounded by all of the coaches, but when I took a panoramic shot we were just lost in an endless sea of campers. I even have a difficult time finding us and I was there.

Our happy hours continued as the crowds filled in around us. Of course, they had their own happy hours, but we were always happy to chat with passers-by, especially if they were American Coach owners.

In the official FMCA photo of the event below we were in the upper left area - not that you would have a chance of picking us out among the nearly 2,000 RVs in the CAMPLEX.

We were able to meet several new folks at this rally. Bruce and Jasmine with a 2000 Eagle from Colorado, had been full-timing for about a year so far. They were able to join our group for Happy Hour once before leaving. Parked next to them, purely by coincidence, were Bob and Tracy in a 1999 Eagle also from Colorado looking forward to retirement in a few months. I didn't meet them until they were leaving, so we didn't get to talk much. Hopefully, Bruce and Jasmine and Bob and Tracy will join our chapter of the FMCA or the ACA (American Coach Association) and we will see them at future rallies.

We also met Ron and Tawnee in a 2005 Eagle just getting started with full-timing. After joined us for Happy Hour and pizza one evening, they decided to join our group and we look forward to seeing them at many more rallies in the future.

Our gatherings were just outside Ray and Pauline's coach, so their babies were aware of the activity and were always anxiously awaiting whenever the door opened. I believe their names are Duchess, Kate, Lucy and Abby. 

Of course, FMCA arranged for entertainment each night of the rally. Personally, I think I enjoyed the Thursday show 3 Guys and 30 Instruments the most. We had seen 3 Guys perform once before and they did another great show. Sadly, they announced they were breaking up the band after 40 years (quitters!) so we won't see them again.

There was a Ricky Nelson tribute on Friday night performed by his two sons, Gunnar and Matthew Nelson. Mixed with the music of Ricky Nelson were videos of home movies and personal anecdotes. Their show probably had the largest turnout of the rally.

We had a couple of coaches head out early on Saturday morning, Willie and Marilyn and Don and Pat, so they missed The Flashback Boyz. They played a lot of "oldies"- perfect for this crowd. Their music selections even moved a lot of folks to get up and dance.

Sunday morning the mass exodus started and by the end of the day our group was down to three coaches. Bob and Kathy, Ray and Pauline and us. Bob and Kathy left the next day and Ray and Pauline left the day after that leaving us by ourselves waiting for our service appointment at the Cummins shop.

I brazenly pulled out the pressure washer and cleaned the roof of our coach. It was in dire need of a thorough cleaning. I still need to add some kind of protectant to the fiberglass, but that will have to wait. I can see why folks are willing to pay big bucks to have their coach washed - just the roof was a lot of work.

Along with wild weather Wyoming certainly presented us with a lot of cloud drama and beautiful sunsets. The clouds below are now my laptop screensaver background.

I think the sunset below makes a nice closing for our Wyoming FMCA Rally - until next time!

Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14, 2018, Move to Gillette, WY

To avoid another marathon travel day, Joani planned a stop at a convenient campground with level, pull-through sites with 50 amp electric service located in Wasta, SD. That meant we only traveled 171.6 miles (88,656.0 total) before relaxing for the evening. We parked next to some nice folks from Virginia named Donna and Lowell. They sold it all and had been full-timing for 8 months. I always love to compare notes on places visited and things to see.

Wall Drug was only 13 miles before our destination. We stopped in 2013 and didn't feel the need to do it again. (Everyone should do it at least once!)

24 Express had 8 pull-thrus with 50 amp service (and a dump station) behind the Mobile Gas Station just off I-90 (exit 98). Drop $10 in the box and you are good to go.  No reservations, but sometimes we like to live on the edge!

Early Saturday morning we hit the road (around 9:00) and covered another 179.6 miles (88,835.6 total) to reach the Cam-Plex in Gillette, WY where we were scheduled to attend the 98th Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) National Rally. We were arriving early to join friends at the American Coach Chapter (ACC) of the FMCA. There are so many chapters in FMCA where RV'ers with common interests get together there is something for everyone!

I know we gained some altitude on the drive to Gillette, but I did not expect the engine would overheat. It was also the first time I ever noticed the transmission temperature much higher than normal. Fortunately, there was a very wide shoulder where we could stop and let everything cool down a bit. I checked the radiator - still full, and the fan - still turning. After 20 minutes or so we continued, keeping our fingers crossed, and made it to the Gillette Cam-Plex with no further issues.

After a wait in the will-call area for everyone in our ACC group to arrive, and of course, some confusion over just where they were going to park us we headed over to Lot B.

The American Coach Chapter only had 10 coaches attend our pre-rally, but what a fun group. We were located in a tight little knot which made it a short walk for gatherings. Almost as soon as we were settled in we gathered for our first "happy hour." I completely forgot to record our site so the pictures below were actually from the next day, after some overnight rain.

Tuesday, March 13 through Sunday, March 18, 2018, FMCA National Rally

Today our American Coach Chapter caravaned 3.9 miles (85,435.1 total) to the Georgia National Fairgrounds for the FMCA Rally. I thought we had our act together and we arrived in numerical order, 16 coaches all in a row. We were immediately jumbled into three random lanes and sat for twenty minutes before they decided we should all be "staged" off to one side. We sat for nearly two more hours before they finally parked us in our spot. We only moved a couple hundred yards from the staging area to our site, so the big question was "why did it take so long?" I can only assume we were being punished because two of our group had the wrong placards in their window. I will always remember the response one of the parking crew gave me when I asked about the delay - he said: "I don't know, but I can promise you it will get worse".

That's us, third on the right!

We actually ended up in a very convenient location clustered together with the perfect location for afternoon get-togethers.

I believe the cutie below was with Jean and Bruno. She just quietly watched all of us crazy campers socializing during happy hour.

On one of the days before the rally activities started Loren and I made a quick trip to the Museum of Aviation at Robbins Air Force Base.

We met a guy who told us about some history and peculiarities of a few of the aircraft on display outdoors. We thought he was a docent working for the museum, but he was actually just a visitor who had retired from the Air Force after many years of flying. One of the C-130 aircraft he crewed on was now in the museum and he stopped in to see it.

There was some rain during the rally, but the really severe showers you see below passed by to the south of us.  

We opted out of most of the entertainment. Truthfully it was because we were too lazy to walk over in the evenings after walking around the vendors all afternoon. On the final night, Jeanne Robertson was there to regale us with commentary on life and I am so happy we did not miss her. She had us laughing sometimes to the point of tears. Check her out on YouTube.

Jeanne Robertson was recovering from a broken leg, thus the rocking chair.  If you have an Amazon Prime account, you can watch her DVDs for free.

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!

Saturday, January 11, 2014, Dog Show, FMCA Rally, Riverside County Fairgrounds, Indio, CA,

Following the second "Ice Cream Social" of the FMCA Rally at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, CA, they had their first ever dog fashion show. It included five categories: Best theme costume, Best trick, Best look alike, "Waggiest" tail and one other I cannot seem to remember.

Clear winner, in my eyes!  She really is a biker dog, with many Harley miles under her collar. (She belongs to a doggy biker club!)  The chaps were a hoot!

Looking good in his Doggles!

In keeping with the Dogpatch theme - Daisy Duke Doggie.

Now, that is a great costume! (a 25-pound kitty)

One mug, three exposures - Thanks, Ron and Beth!

Mom taught me "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  That said, the last night's entertainment tried really, really hard.  She also taught me "it's rude to walk out in the middle of a performance", so we stuck it out until the end!  Oops, I've said too much!  Sorry, Mom.