Statesville, NC

We had an 8 A.M. appointment this morning to have roof and brake maintenance work done at the Tom Johnson's service center..  While that was going on, we took the opportunity to look at more fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes on site.  After leaving Marion about 2:30 P.M., we headed east and decided to visit another dealer on our route.  We ended up staying there until 6 P.M., and wound up at the Statesville KOA for the night.  We didn't unhitch and only hooked up to electric, so leaving in the morning will be quicker than usual. However we'll probably stop at another one or two dealers that are on our route home, and probably won't get home until late afternoon tomorrow.

Marion, NC; Fourteenth Night

Today was a "do-nothing" day, at least from a rally perspective.  The event officially ended this morning after the church service, and there was a steady stream of RV's departing the rally park.  We spent some time walking around saying  "see you down the road" to new and old friends. The rest of the day has been spent with our computers, before we visited Fatz Cafe one more time.  Dad has done some of the "hitch-up" chores as we'll be heading over to the service department across the street early tomorrow morning for some maintenance work on the RV.

Tonight we're one of the 5 RV's, out of the 243 that were at the rally, still in the rally park. This is the longest time we've spent in one place since we started out with our Little House on the Road..

Marion, NC: Thirteenth Night

Today was the last full day of rally activities.  We started the day at the pavilion, dropping in tickets for the Chinese Auction. Of course that was followed by some more socializing, then a visit to a vendor (campground) to arrange a club campout in August.  Lunch was actually cereal, since we hadn't eaten breakfast, then we went back to the pavilion for the Ice Cream Social (Klondike Bar).  The Chinese Auction drawings for over 200 prizes were held, but we didn't win any.  Pretty soon it was time for Bingo, and I won the last coverall for $52. Bingo has been very good to me this week.  After a short time at the trailer, we went to the pavilion once again to pick up our dinner consisting of chopped barbecue, sauce, slaw, hush puppies,  baked beans and peach cobbler, which we chose to eat in the comfort of our trailer (it was a pretty chilly day).  Tonight was a theme parade (Mad Hatters), followed by entertainment by the Keith Longbotham Band, consisting of Keith (lead singer guitar, banjo), 2 other guitar players/singers and a female fiddler. The music was a mix of country, oldies and a little gospel (sound familiar?), and mixed again with humorous stories....another enjoyable evening.  Many more prizes were handed out, but not to us.  However, my bingo winnings for the week made up for that!!

Tomorrow, final hugs and handshakes will be given and the rally park will empty rather quickly, but we'll stay put in our Little House on the Road for the time being.

Marion, NC; Twelfth Night

Today dawned sunny and stayed that way for most of the day.  Most important fact - no rain today.

Our day started early, and we headed outside for a leisurely stroll to the pavilion to get another cup of coffee, then to the RV dealership where hundreds of donuts were waiting for the Good Sam gang to enjoy.  Fueled with the ample sugar supply in the donuts, we strolled back to the rally park, spent some time visiting, headed back to the pavilion to pick up our 'goody bag' and buy some more raffle tickets.

Lunchtime found us strolling again, this time to a nearby site where one chapter was selling barbecue sandwiches. After lunch, we met up with our fellow chapter members -now totaling 10 counting us - for a discussion about the State Committee Meeting we attended last night.  Dad returned to the trailer and I played two games of beanbag baseball (finished second among 4 teams), then played bingo (won $15 today), then I returned to the trailer for dinner.

Tonight was the official opening ceremony for the rally, followed by entertainment by Sunday Drive. The three pictured on the website were joined by a steel guitar player and en electric guitar player.  This group was actually a replacement act but they were accomplished musicians and the girl singer was fantastic. They did a mix of country, oldies, and gospel with a lot of comedy dialogue thrown in, and deserved their standing ovation.

There were lots of prizes drawn at intermission and after the program, and we won a large discount coupon from a hose company - not exciting to most, but good hoses are important to RVers.

Another enjoyable day has passed and we look forward to another activity-filled day tomorrow.

Marion, NC; Eleventh Night

Today dawned sunny, but clouds and storms quickly moved in, the first of several rounds, although nothing severe.

Today's activities included more bingo for me, where I won $18. More rigs rolled in all day, including another couple from our local chapter who arrived tonight.  Evening festivities included a group of Good Sam members who perform at various functions and do a little gospel, rock & roll, and country, complete with funny costumes and impersonators.  After the entertainment, we attended the Good Sam State Committee meeting as representatives of our chapter.  This group is responsible for all Good Sam activities in the state including Samborees.

Tomorrow is the official start of the Samboree.

Marion, NC; Tenth Night

Today started early again for us, and wet outside, but quickly dried out as the day wore on and by afternoon we were under sunny skies and much warmer temperatures.

The Samboree's first event for those interested was to go to Fatz Cafe for lunch, so we willingly complied and made our 4th visit in 10 days, along with 2 other couples from our chapter, and probably another 40 or so from the rally.  After a grocery stop, we went back to the RV for computer time, then a stroll to the pavilion to get officially registered for the event. We sat outside for awhile with a couple who may be interested in joining our chapter.  Supper was crockpot chicken and stuffing I cooked yesterday, then I went back to the pavilion for Bingo, where I won $16.50.  There was some more rain tonight, and may be some more overnight, but we're nice and dry in our Little House on the Road.

Marion, NC; Ninth Night

Today was one of those nice, relaxing days with nothing pressing, except the winds that were pressing against the RV, making us rock and roll from time to time.  However, we started off the day with the sad news that one of our friends in ham radio and camping, who is also the President of the local camping club, had passed away last night.  Dad is Vice-President so there were emails and phone calls to be made to pass the news to the club members.

We took some time to walk over to the dealership office to take care of some business, had lots of computer time, and watch some more rigs come into the rally park in preparation for fun later in the week. One of our fellow club members arrived late this afternoon.  Dad and I went to Fatz Cafe tonight for their "older people's" specials and had a great dinner.

Some of the Rally's activities actually start tomorrow, but more on that tomorrow.