Campfire

[Paulette]

Here's hoping you have a wonderful time at the rally. I just love their blog!

[mitch5252]

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Hey, Tina - don't go gettin' all burned out or somethin'...save enough energy for the TN GTG!!!
But have a great time. See ya in a little while!

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[BirdbyBird]

Oh, I think this Rally will have the opposite effect. I am looking forward to the inservice topics, especially the one about traveling to Alaska, MX and a bunch of other places. They also have fire safetly, electrical, etc.....but most of the attendees are couples and a lot of them know each other so it is kind of hit or miss whether I find kindred spirits or not. Not many campfires around here.... many folk drive off and eat in town! A lot of the folk are full-timers and their enjoying meeting/re-meeting friend.

One of the parking volunteers said that about 104 of the 124 total rigs have already arrived...and official Rally doesn't start till tomorrow....so we are all early birds! I did sign up to help with registration tomorrow morning at 8:00AM.....oh boy, will have to set the cell phone alarm for that! Figure there might be a nap in my future sometimes. The official welcome is set for 3:00 pm tomorrow. I took a few photos this evening but the vendor circle is empty so I will wait and take some more tomorrow. Remi and Izzy pup have made a couple of friends and Herschel has found a few ear scratches..... We left Stuart at home...his energy needs for long walks was more than I thought would fit into the Rally schedule.... Hay, it isn't like he has any swimming to do here! The wind is playing havic with the digital reception.....may be missing the Amazing Race tonight....life will go on....at least I have internet and e-mail

[JanetA]

Dear Tina (birdybird)

just reading your posts about the rally. Anxious to hear how that is going and see pics of it. I'm curious as to exactly what goes on there and how much one can learn from attending.

thanks, in advance for your replies,,,

Janet

[snowball]

wanted to say to Paulette so cute love your hair!!! you did go what ever you did
sheila

[Paulette]

Thanks Sheila...I quit coloring it about 2 years ago and it took FOREVER for the color to grow out. Now I'm well overdue for a hair cut. But, it is au natural.

[mitch5252]

Thanks Sheila...I quit coloring it about 2 years ago and it took FOREVER for the color to grow out. Now I'm well overdue for a hair cut. But, it is au natural.

It does take forever to grow out, doesn't it? I just finally got rid of all my color about 3 months ago. Have been gray since then up until about a week ago! I went back to red! Hair's so short now (all 10 of them), it won't take long to grow out once that decision is made again.

I love your new picture!

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[BirdbyBird]

Different Rally's have different focuses I would think. Some are around just the social aspect like a giant GTG. Others offer different seminars: for example: Traveling different areas of the country/other countries, traveling on a budget, Boondocking, all about electrical systems or about tires and tire safety, about fire safety, cleaning products, modifications, computer Blogs and picture posting (Geeks On Tour), Round table discussions of anything that might be brought up about the mechanics of RVing or the personal issues of traveling, most will have a Women's Only Round table or session. I have noticed that the groups sometimes focus on solo travel and other times focus on what to do with the DH, especially if you are living Full-time in your RV. The vendors are another source of information and "RV stuff." The RV Dreamers , offer a small Rally and I think that they deal with a lot of "How do I start all this," "What budget costs?", etc. I have only gone to one National Escapee Rally...it was good in introducing you to all the BOF chapters (Birds of a Feather)..... sO that if you have specific interests you might find like minded folk... You do get to see a wide range of traveling styles and vehicle sizes...most individuals are very welcoming and I have had an opportunity to see different rigs that have interested me. I haven't managed to attend any of the small regional rallies... b/c I have been thinking that most of them are oriented for couples.....that is why I really enjoyed the PA GTG.... everyone was welcomed.....

One thing that helps at the Rallies, is volunteering for something...registration, morning coffees......it does give you an opportunity to greet others that makes it easier to come up and talk to later. Others here have attending more rallies than the few I have, hope they pipe up!

[BirdbyBird]

Forgot to add that while I was sitting here enjoying this campfire and writing me entry, I was having the two chips in my front windshield repaired That is a good thing about rallies too! Now to get my electrical system looked at......

[JanetA]

thank you, TINA! that was most interesting and helpful... I will put one of those rallies into my yearly TO DO list! Bet one needs to take an empty CC (credit card) w/ one, ,for all the "needed" stuff that will be on sale there, right?

Best regards and happy trails to ya!

[BirdbyBird]

Just stopping by the campfire to rest a minute and eat my stuffed peppers before heading off to the evening drawing for door prizes and to listen to the evening music presentation by a very talented couple of full-timers that make their living presenting their music at Rallies and other event around the country. Lets see...so far I've purchased a new fire detector (with a hush button for when it goes off on toast and cooking fumes ), a Wilson cellular antenna recommended by the Sultan Ernie for extending the range I can send and receive on my air card...... Oh, it is starting to rain...after two days of nice sunshine....good thing this fire is imaginary! Also bought a second fire extinguisher to keep up front by the driver....so it can be grabbed quickly is needed driving down the road..... One of thosee things you hope you never use. The big issue is that I have no brake lights The RV fixit guy finally got by this afternoon to look at my situation. The tail light assemblies apparent;y have no barrier to protect them from the road slush and wet....He tried to McGyver then to work but the contacts are so so corroded and trashed that I have to call Gulfstream to have them overnite TWO tail light assemblies GULP $$$$....The owner of the shop said they would do their best to work me in tomorrow....we are both just hoping the right parts get sent..... If not I may be hanging around this fairground longer than I expected. The only way I got a hold of a PERSON at Gulfstream was by calling Coach-Net and getting a phone number for the closest Gulfstream dealer.....I called them. They only have towables but the lady gave me THEIR contact for towable parts. I called him and he transfered me to a real person who could actually send me a part. I kept calling the other service numbers and would end up with voice mail...I liked the Northern service individual's message...said he was out till Oct 6th.....it then said to leave a message or to dial 0 for an operator....I would dial 0, only to be told it was not a choice ????? Oh well, Coach-Net worked in the long run...I was able to find a real person.
As of now, instead of driving off tomorrow...I hang around the fairground until I get a call from Kevin that the parts have been delivered and they let me know when to bring the rig in. His wife has also been working their booth this week and said that they would send someone out to follow me in to their shop for safety if they aren't able to do the six here at the fairgrounds.....

Well, off to see if I've won anything...... keep the campfire going......and gosh I brought a bottle of wine and I am leaving with a whole bottle of wine....guess it will travel to TN just fine...unless this tail light thing pushes me over the edge

[Cedar518]

Ouch, that sounds like a real headache about the tail lights.

Let's throw another log on the fire and just sit and relax,... things won't seem so bad!

[mitch5252]

Ouch, that sounds like a real headache about the tail lights.

Let's throw another log on the fire and just sit and relax,... things won't seem so bad!

Yeah, big bummer on the tail lights! It won't keep you from the TN GTG, will it?

And things REALLY won't seem bad if you open that bottle of wine and finish it!

Good luck!!!!

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[snowball]

had to get down on my hands and knees and blow on the fire but there was a wee bit of a spark left...so wanted a fire tonight we are camped with our rear window looking over a stream but it's late enough can't see it and chilly enough the rv's closed up and can't hear it... so will do the virtual camp fire!!!
think a cup of hot choc sounds good and need to warm the tooties up against that flame..feels so good!!!
you all enjoy yourselfs and stop by
sheila

[Fernie]

I am slow posting. It has been a really busy summer. Bash, Tobey and I stopped in at the potluck at the gtg in Hermitage and I snapped a photo of the campfire with my cell phone. I didn't think to take my camera. Just wanted to let ya'll know the campfire is alive and well!!! Had a wonderful time meeting everyone at the gtg.