Saturday was a day for us to relax after co-hosting the rally and attending all of the rally activities. We went to lunch at Porky's in Galax with two other couples and enjoyed their large buffet.
We returned to Dickin's RV Park in Moncure, NC on Sunday. The park has more residents than when we left - a large group of utility workers are here as well as holiday weekend campers.
We may be here for at least a month as we continue working at the house in Fuquay-Varina.
Our life on the highways and byways of America.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
GALAX, VA: RV Radio Network Rally
It's been a busy week with lots of rally activities and plenty of conversation with old and new friends. The rally attendance totaled 13 couples and 3 singles in 14 rigs and one couple staying in a nearby cabin.
Each morning started with a radio net with attendees checking in, followed by announcements about the day's activities. Each morning also featured plenty of coffee and juice and breakfast. There were some periods of rain Tuesday thru Thursday, with cooler temps and lots of wind on Friday..
Tuesday featured a doughnut breakfast. There was a first-timers meeting, followed by registration for all. The opening ceremony was held in the afternoon followed by Happy Hour. Dinner was served by the host couples ( Sloppy Joes, pickles, potato chips, cake and ice cream). The evening brought games and time for fellowship.
Wednesday's breakfast was biscuits and gravy followed by a board meeting, then a general meeting. The ladies went to Applebee's for lunch and the men gathered for a Sardine lunch or whatever sandwich they prepared. The afternoon featured a book swap and flea market, followed by a seminar given by a local RV dealer rep. There was another Happy Hour, then a catered dinner which included roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, rolls, salad and strawberry shortcake. More games followed in the evening.
Thursday's breakfast featured bagels with toppings, followed by a "free day" to explore the area. Many members traveled down the mountain to Mt. Airy where there are many references to Mayberry and Andy Griffith who was from this area. Hank and Selene enjoyed a quiet morning, then went exploring with Art and Betty Strong, fellow F-V residents and members of the same local Good Sam Club. We had lunch at the Saddle Mountain Cafe in nearby Ennis, NC then we took a nice ride through the beautiful mountain backroads before returning to the campground in time for Happy Hour. The evening featured the attendance prize drawings ( no wins for us.).
Friday dawned much cooler and very windy, but sunny. Breakfast was doughnuts and bagels. Hank gave a presentation about the club's website and answered related questions. Today will wind up the rally's activities with a final Happy Hour, followed by another catered dinner, closing ceremony and the drawing for the 50-50 prizes.
Each morning started with a radio net with attendees checking in, followed by announcements about the day's activities. Each morning also featured plenty of coffee and juice and breakfast. There were some periods of rain Tuesday thru Thursday, with cooler temps and lots of wind on Friday..
Tuesday featured a doughnut breakfast. There was a first-timers meeting, followed by registration for all. The opening ceremony was held in the afternoon followed by Happy Hour. Dinner was served by the host couples ( Sloppy Joes, pickles, potato chips, cake and ice cream). The evening brought games and time for fellowship.
Wednesday's breakfast was biscuits and gravy followed by a board meeting, then a general meeting. The ladies went to Applebee's for lunch and the men gathered for a Sardine lunch or whatever sandwich they prepared. The afternoon featured a book swap and flea market, followed by a seminar given by a local RV dealer rep. There was another Happy Hour, then a catered dinner which included roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, rolls, salad and strawberry shortcake. More games followed in the evening.
Thursday's breakfast featured bagels with toppings, followed by a "free day" to explore the area. Many members traveled down the mountain to Mt. Airy where there are many references to Mayberry and Andy Griffith who was from this area. Hank and Selene enjoyed a quiet morning, then went exploring with Art and Betty Strong, fellow F-V residents and members of the same local Good Sam Club. We had lunch at the Saddle Mountain Cafe in nearby Ennis, NC then we took a nice ride through the beautiful mountain backroads before returning to the campground in time for Happy Hour. The evening featured the attendance prize drawings ( no wins for us.).
Friday dawned much cooler and very windy, but sunny. Breakfast was doughnuts and bagels. Hank gave a presentation about the club's website and answered related questions. Today will wind up the rally's activities with a final Happy Hour, followed by another catered dinner, closing ceremony and the drawing for the 50-50 prizes.
Monday, May 20, 2013
BROOKVILLE, OH: More Hamfest, etc.
Saturday morning brought occasional showers to start the day, so we were in no hurry to go to the hamfest. After arriving about 10:30 A.M., the rain stopped so we made one purchase inside and walked around a small part of the flea market before deciding we were ready to head back to the RV for lunch and some restful relaxation. Selene had a short nap, then we prepared for another happy hour with about 18 people showing up. At 5:45 P.M. we all headed to Rob's Restaurant in Brookville where we met about 20 other people to enjoy Rob's bountiful buffet.
Sunday was the last day of the hamfest and we wanted to be there for the prize drawings held in the Hara Arena. This hamfest gave away over $80,000 in prizes. You didn't have to be present to win one of the 9 top prizes All of the hourly prizes that weren't claimed were given away to those who stayed around for the drawings, probably about 3000 people out of the over-25000 that attended during the 3 days of the hamfest. We weren't lucky enough to win, but one of our Raleigh friends won one of the top 9. Back at the campground, another happy hour had 8 people attending and we all went to Buffalo Wild Wings for supper.
We got an early start this morning (Monday) and left the Tall Timbers Campground about 9 A.M. for the long drive through the Ohio farmland, and the West Virginia and Virginia mountains to the Cool Breeze RV Park near Galax, VA. We've been here several times with our local camping club, but this time we're co-hosting a rally for 29 members of the RV Radio Network. The event officially starts tomorrow and we'll have several activities each day. Tonight there was an early bird dinner at the Galax Smokehouse.
Sunday was the last day of the hamfest and we wanted to be there for the prize drawings held in the Hara Arena. This hamfest gave away over $80,000 in prizes. You didn't have to be present to win one of the 9 top prizes All of the hourly prizes that weren't claimed were given away to those who stayed around for the drawings, probably about 3000 people out of the over-25000 that attended during the 3 days of the hamfest. We weren't lucky enough to win, but one of our Raleigh friends won one of the top 9. Back at the campground, another happy hour had 8 people attending and we all went to Buffalo Wild Wings for supper.
We got an early start this morning (Monday) and left the Tall Timbers Campground about 9 A.M. for the long drive through the Ohio farmland, and the West Virginia and Virginia mountains to the Cool Breeze RV Park near Galax, VA. We've been here several times with our local camping club, but this time we're co-hosting a rally for 29 members of the RV Radio Network. The event officially starts tomorrow and we'll have several activities each day. Tonight there was an early bird dinner at the Galax Smokehouse.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Brookville, OH: Hamfest and More
Yesterday (Thursday) started off very leisurely. The campground offers breakfast (all you can eat) each day thru Sunday. Today was a pancake breakfast which also included sausage patties, juice and coffee for $5. Selene enjoyed cereal (which she likes better than pancakes) at the RV then we walked over to the pavilion so Hank could eat a late breakfast. This was followed by computer time, a trip to Walmart for provisions, getting a meat loaf into the crockpot, and preparation for the happy hour gathering at our trailer. Twelve of us shared enough goodies that we weren't hungry for dinner.
This morning (Friday) was the start of the 2013 Hamvention. We headed to the nearby Salem Mall to catch a shuttle bus to the Hara Arena.
The various connected buildings are filled with mostly commercial dealers selling, providing information, or demonstrating almost anything that is available for amateur radio as well as many seminars on ham related topics.. Most of the surrounding parking lots are filled with some commercial operations, food vendors, and everyday people selling their wares. We're not really expecting to buy much, but we enjoy seeing many people we know. We did buy some new shirts with gift certificates we had, and a few small items. We walked through all of the inside area today before taking the bus shuttle back to the mall parking lot and our car. After enjoying our lunch of meat loaf sandwiches, we relaxed a little before getting ready for another happy hour gathering. This was an abbreviated gathering as most of us were going to the American Legion Post in nearby New Lebanon for their "wings" night - 10 large wings for $6.50, side items and drinks available at very reasonable prices.
This evening has brought occasional rain and we'll rest up for another day at the hamfest tomorrow.
This morning (Friday) was the start of the 2013 Hamvention. We headed to the nearby Salem Mall to catch a shuttle bus to the Hara Arena.
The various connected buildings are filled with mostly commercial dealers selling, providing information, or demonstrating almost anything that is available for amateur radio as well as many seminars on ham related topics.. Most of the surrounding parking lots are filled with some commercial operations, food vendors, and everyday people selling their wares. We're not really expecting to buy much, but we enjoy seeing many people we know. We did buy some new shirts with gift certificates we had, and a few small items. We walked through all of the inside area today before taking the bus shuttle back to the mall parking lot and our car. After enjoying our lunch of meat loaf sandwiches, we relaxed a little before getting ready for another happy hour gathering. This was an abbreviated gathering as most of us were going to the American Legion Post in nearby New Lebanon for their "wings" night - 10 large wings for $6.50, side items and drinks available at very reasonable prices.
This evening has brought occasional rain and we'll rest up for another day at the hamfest tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Brookville Ohio: After Two Days of Traveling
Yesterday (Tuesday) we left Marion, NC at 11:10 after getting diesel for $3.73 per gallon - one of the lowest prices we've paid - and headed Little House toward the mountains of NC, TN and KY. Traffic was relatively light and it was another beautiful spring day as we enjoyed the mountain scenery. We arrived at the Renfro Valley RV Park in Mount Vernon, KY about 4 P.M. It was a treat to have expanded cable tv service after watching only public television stations for 4 nights.
Today, Wednesday, we hit the road at 9:20 A.M. and arrived at the Dayton Tall Timbers RV Resort KOA
about 2 P.M. We're here to attend the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, and several of our friends and fellow ham radio/rv club members stay here as well. We'll have happy hour every day at 4 P.M. and a dinner together on Saturday night.
Temperatures rose to the high eighties here today, and it was very windy. After our happy hour this afternoon, the campground prepared a free hot dog/hamburger dinner for all of the campground guests which also included slaw, baked beans, sandwich toppings, punch and cake. Now we're ready to relax for the rest of the evening as we look forward to several enjoyable days ahead.
Today, Wednesday, we hit the road at 9:20 A.M. and arrived at the Dayton Tall Timbers RV Resort KOA
about 2 P.M. We're here to attend the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, and several of our friends and fellow ham radio/rv club members stay here as well. We'll have happy hour every day at 4 P.M. and a dinner together on Saturday night.
Temperatures rose to the high eighties here today, and it was very windy. After our happy hour this afternoon, the campground prepared a free hot dog/hamburger dinner for all of the campground guests which also included slaw, baked beans, sandwich toppings, punch and cake. Now we're ready to relax for the rest of the evening as we look forward to several enjoyable days ahead.
Monday, May 13, 2013
MARION, NC: Preparing to Leave
Today dawned quite chilly in this area - high 30's - but it was another beautiful spring day.
We reported our continuing small kitchen leak to the service writer after breakfast. A technician came to Little House this afternoon and found the problem to be a bushing inside a fitting. That repair completed our "to-do" list for now, our part of the bill was paid, and we're ready to head out tomorrow over the mountains toward Dayton, Ohio.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
MARION, NC: More Repairs
On Thursday night, we received word that the ordered parts for 3 repairs had arrived at Tom Johnson's in Marion, NC. Yesterday (Friday), we left Moncure and arrived in Marion around 4:15 P.M. Last night we took a walk through the Relay for Life event at the Rally Park (lots of energetic young people preparing to party all night) and enjoyed another dinner at Fatz Cafe.
Today, the new Sleep Number bed was installed, one of the slide locks was replaced and the kitchen faucet was worked on. We're looking forward to a comfortable night's sleep in the new bed,, the big slide is now coming in all the way, but the kitchen faucet is still dripping from some problem............so Monday will find someone working on that again. We plan to leave here on Tuesday for the two-day journey to Dayton, Ohio and the Dayton Hamvention.
This afternoon brought several heavy downpours but tonight the weather is quiet as is this campground in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)