EaglesNest

ctcamper Thank you for that much information. It's more than we had before. I don't think I have ever seen a Motorhome Rodeo. Should be interesting. Does anyone have a rig count yet? I sent in $ to include electric and was wondering if we would get it since it is limited to just so many rigs.

Mike Good for you. I contacted a friend who has gone to the GEAR rally in Richmond and he said that there are many vendors and Techs that can help with any units problems. He told me to just go because it is a good rally. We will arrive on Tuesday as we will be in Lancaster for the previous weekend and it will be a short trip to rally. Now I just have to get someone to cover me at work. I got three days covered just need to get 2 more. I also sent an email to the guy suggested above. I told him to check out this thread and maybe he could answer some of the questions we had so I keep checking but as of yet still no response. Hope to see you there. Joy

Mike I just read the 2010 Gear Rally post and it sounds like none of the information that we are looking for will be in the mailed packed but that you get that in your Welcome packet upon arrival. I guess that leaves us out for any pre-rally information that would help with what we want to know. I know more about who is going to be at the Hershey Show next week than I do about the rally that I have paid 10 times more for. It is sad that this forum is not being used to it's full potential for this information.

Mike If I get any information in the packet and no one else replies to this, I will try to post whatever info that I receive. If you decide to come, you will have to look us up. Sounds like we might have a lot in common with wanting to be in the know.... I have been told that this is a GOOD RALLY, I just hope I am not disappointed. We have been wanting to attend an FMCA rally for some time now. Our Holiday Rambler Admiral will have the Virginia license plate EGL NE5T on it if you happen to run across us. Until the next post....... Joy

I just signed up yesterday for our first FMCA rally (gear). We are not new to rallies but are new to FMCA rallies. The thing that drives me crazy about these rallies is that you have a minimal amount of information before you arrive. A veteran knows the ropes but someone new knows very little. With Good Sam State rallies we have noticed that if you aren't there for the food when it starts you had better not be there for the last half hour or you won't get any. They start cleaning up in the last 1/2 hour that the food is supposed to be served and aren't very nice to you if you arrive at your destination and are rushing to get parked so you can get there to eat. The times are not posted anywhere before the rally and you only find this out when you receive your packet upon arrival. This doesn't make a good first impression on a first timer. I realize that this is not your organization but it is an example of how nice it would be to have advanced information. I am a planner and I like to know what I might like to participate in so I won't miss out on something that would have been on the top of my list. Things listed for the gear rally that we have no idea about are: Parade Who is in this parade and do we need to bring anything for this? Seminars A list would be nice so you could plan in advance what you might like to participate in Vendors Again a list that could be updated periodically would be nice. Nice to know where I might like to spend our money Motorhome Rodeo What is this and do we need to do anything for this? Coach Displays What brands will be there? Chapter Fair Will this be things for sale, food for sale or raffles, etc? Craft Classes What crafts will be available and at what cost? I am not sure what will be in our confirmation packet when it arrives but this could certainly be posted on this forum and updated weekly or every couple of weeks with no problem. I have yet to figure out why the reluctance to give out this information early. The forum would certainly be at no cost and not really that much maintenance. If new people were informed it might entice more to join in on things that they might be really interested in. I know that you can't put all this info on the registration form but you could add an info line on there to tell people where to go to get the info that they want. People are wondering why the younger generation isn't joining in on the organizations. The "IMAGE" that is portrayed is that these organizations are a bunch of 80 year olds that walk with canes and don't do anything fun that they would be interested in and that they are so set in their ways that they won't relate to the younger crowd. This is not necessarily true but they need to see that there are fun things that they can do and that there are other younger families that they can relate to. Play up these things and show them what you have to offer. Don't be so general in your descriptions. Sometimes detail is what will win them over. Most younger folks still work too and can't necessarily attend these rallies that are mid week. This is not how they want to spend their precious limited vacation time unless you give them something to make it worth it. That makes it harder for them. Older folks are so much more free to do what they want when they want. Just some ideas. Thanks for listening and maybe you can consider implementing some of this.

Yes, I think I know the item you are looking for. Janet Sadlack, who does microwave/convection cooking classes, has a website that she sells these products at. Go to www.microwaveconnect.com and go to buy products. Scroll down and look for the item splatter screen. I think this is the item you are looking for and you might even find others that you like as well. I hope this helps! Enjoy J. Eagle

There is Aquia Pines (540-659-3447) north of Fredericksburg in Stafford off Rt #1 and there is a KOA just south of Fredericksburg at the Massaponax Exit. Go south on Rt #1 for a few miles and it is down a road on the left. I am sure the Fredericksburg KOA (800-562-1889) can handle your rig. I am not sure about Aquia Pines. If I had to choose I would take the KOA. If you go further south closer to Richmond there is Americamps (800-628-2802) off I-95 to the east. I hope this helps and if you need any further information just ask.

My husband has made a folding coffee table for our MH and he has made several for friends. He has the plans that he drew up from a table that a friend had. The top lifts off and the ends fold in to make 2 flat pieces. We slide the top beside the drivers seat and lay the other piece on the bed. If you have room the folded piece can also slide under the couch. There is also a table out there called "The Magic Table" It can be a coffee table or raise for a dining table. It is a neat little table but it needs to have a lock for the top. It can move a little too easily. The top rotates after you lift the drop leaves up. Do a search for this table and you will find it. They have them for less $$ at the salvage stores in Indianna. We picked one up for $75 when we were there. I will try to remember to have my husband get his plans and send them to you if you will send me address info or email through a private message.

Buggs 53 Where did you find the fabric? I have thought of doing this myself too but I didn't know where to get the fabric. I also have other things in mind for that fabric. Any info will be helpful.

You can serve it with a salad and a french or garlic bread. It is good. I make this for our boys when we are going to be gone on a trip and I have taken one with us when we travel for a quick lunch or dinner. I have also made it and put it in a bowl. Just dipped out the amount I wanted to eat and heated in the microwave. Just use your imagination. I think mushrooms and black olives would be a good addition as well. Just think Pizza and add your favorite toppings.

Wayne another place to get good prices on the surge protectors is TWEETY's. A year ago they had the best prices that we found. Another good place to find other products is RVToyOutlet.com. We have ordered from all three of these places and have not been disappointed.

Derrick so sorry to hear about your friends sudden passing. It seems that when someone is ill for a while we have time to prepare for the inevitable but when someone passes suddenly it takes a while to put it in perspective. Just remember that NO ONE is promised tomorrow, that is why we have to trust God today. Keep the rest of your friends and family close, for God sends those to help us through the hard times. I understand what you are feeling because I lost a cousin about 3 weeks ago suddenly at the age of 41. I still don't know what actually took his life. He leaves behind a wife who lost her job and 4 small children. Take care and we are here for you if you need us. Joy

PIZZA IN A POT 1-1/2 lbs ground beef 1 medium green pepper, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1-15oz can tomato sauce 1 jar (14 oz) pizza sauce 2 Tbsp tomato paste 3 cups spiral pasta, cooked and drained 2 pkgs (3-1/2 oz each) sliced pepperoni 2 cups (8 oz) shredded part skim mozzarella cheese In a large skillet, cook the beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste and pizza sauce. In a 5 qt slow cooker, layer the pasta, beef mixture, pepperoni and cheese. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through. Yields 8 servings **** you can substitute 1/2 lb. Italian sausage for the pepperoni. Just cook it along with the ground beef, pepper and onion.

CORN CASSEROLE 1 can Mexicorn with the juice 1 can creamed corn 1 stick butter or margarine, melted 1 cup sour cream 2 eggs 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix Stir the first 5 ingredients together and then add the Jiffy mix. Pour into a greased 11x7 or 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes. I not browned on top increase the temperature to 375* and bake an additional 5 minutes. ***The smaller pan will make the casserole thicker so it may need additional baking as well.

CHEESY POTATOES 2 pounds frozen cubed hash brown potatoes O'brien, thawed Melt together: 1 stick butter or margarine 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 16 oz. sour cream 12 oz Velveeta cheese Stir together the thawed potatoes and the melted creamed mixture. Pour into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Top with corn flakes and drizzle with a little more melted butter. Bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. ****I have also put these potatoes in a crockpot on low for 4 hours and they turned out great. That is a nice way to fix them camping so you don't have to stay with the oven. Good for a potluck!

When I did a Google search for cardboard bar coasters......Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville came up. 50 coasters for $6.95. There were more interesting ones on there too. You might just want to google it and order them online and save the gas money trying to find them.

We have tried more than one bbq. Our last one was a Thermos 2 Go grill. It was nice in some respects as it is easier to clean up but doesn't heat very well. We now have a Weber Baby Q and we really like it. It is fairly easy to clean and it seems to heat evenly. We purchased the cart for it so it takes up a little room in the bay but we haven't been disappointed with the grill at all. It is also lighter in weight than our previous T 2 Go. When one of you invents that self cleaning grill PLEASE let me know....I will be your first customer!! I love to cook but I really hate cleaning those grills. It's a messy job and ruins the nails!!

May I make one suggestion that I don't believe has been made. Buy yourself some good books on the subject that has been written by people out there doing the very thing you are about to do. They will offer you some real good advice on most aspects of traveling full time. Some books that I suggest are: #1 Movin' ON by Ron and Barb Hofmeister they also have a website www.movinon.net #2 Take Back Your Life! by Stephanie Bernhagen #3 An Alternative LIFESTYLE Living & Traveling in a Recreational Vehicle by Ron &Barb Hofmeister #4 First We QUIT Our Jobs How One Work-Driven Couple Got on the Road to a New Life by Marilyn J. Abraham I have all 4 books and all have good information. The Hofmeisters were on the road for more than 10 years. Their website still has archival information that is still relevant. They got off the road a couple of years ago and have a house in Arizona. Barb still keeps the website up and you can order their book from them. Go buy a book and you will get a lot more information than anyone has the time to type on the forums. Our best wishes for a wonderful lifestyle go with you.

Hi I am Joy and my husband is Rick(37 years). We started camping in a tent and moved up to a pop-up in 1983, followed by two travel trailers and now our HR Admiral SE. We have two dogs, a schnauzer (Heidi) and a Chihuahua (Paco), 3 grown sons and 3 grandchildren by the oldest son who is USAF and stationed in Omaha. My husband is still a working man (at least for now, with the economy it doesn't look good for the job). We belong to a local Hrrvc club and I am the State Secretary/Treasurer in VA. I am afraid that our camping will be considerably less this year as pay cuts are sure taking there toll. We sure love to RV and look forward to seeing our friends at the gatherings. Two of our boys are still at home but seldom join us in the MH anymore. They all three grew up camping and I am sure that one of these days they will have families and return to the lifestyle. It is nice to meet you folks and I look forward to reading the posts that are on these forums. By the way, when we bought our pop-up in 1983 we lived in HOUSTON, TEXAS. We spent 9 years there and love the great state of TEXAS. I would love to go back but can't seem to convince the DH. Family ties are closer here so I guess for now it's here we stay. I would love to see our dear friends there though. Several of whom camped with us. Maybe one day........

We stayed at Wytheville, Virginia summer before last and stayed at the Cracker Barrel. It was a pleasant stay and we got to eat breakfast there before leaving. They just ask that you park out back or to the side. We did stay at a Wal-Mart in Morgantown, WV last summer and had a truck pull in beside us and run his rig all night long and had a nice gasp of air escaping every little bit. It was an ok stay but the next time we will go to the extreme outer part of the parking lot so it will be less likely to have a truck pull up right along side. We didn't get much sleep. I am sure that some Wal-Marts are better than others. The Morgantown one is right off a major interstate and I am sure that it attracts more trucks than others might. I would stay at a Wal-Mart again but make a few changes. This was our first time so I am sure that there are newbe mistakes just like anything else. I would think that you would have the same problem with running trucks at the Flying J's. There are 2 of those in the Wytheville area. There is a little campground at Ft. Chiswell that is supposed to be nice for an overnight stay. Not a destination CG but nice and clean for overnight. Ft Chiswell RV Park (276) 637-6868, www.fcrvpark.com. They have free wifi too. There is a large Wal-Mart/Sams club and shopping center off the west side of Columbus, OH (one exit west of the beltway) that might be a nice area to stop at. There are places to eat there as well. It is a busy area during the day but I haven't been there at night. The flying J on the east side is away from town and might not be as congested but the truck activity might be noisy, so take note. I hope this helps.