THE Rally 4/17/09 - 4/21/09

THE Rally is held every year. Two years ago, we went to the one in Redmond, Oregon, and had a great time. So, we made arrangements to meet up with the Manwarings (who have never been to a rally) and go to the one in Albuquerque, New Mexico. THE Rally is put on by Good Sam, Coast to Coast, and Camping World. There were about 3,800 RVs there. They have lots of RVs on display for sale, booths for anything and everything you need if you RV, and seminars on all topics of RVing, from tire pressure, to keeping hooked up with the Internet, to cooking and cleaning in an RV.

Because Albuquerque is the home of the famous Balloon Festival, they gave balloon rides, for a charge. Each morning as we headed for the Rally, balloons were going up.

The parking area was about 12 miles from the main Rally activities, so these trolleys would pick everyone up and take them to the bus stop. We were close enough to where the buses left that we didn't ever need to ride on the trolley.

After the first morning when we had to wait in line for an hour to get on the bus, we tried to be at the bus stop before 8:00 o'clock. It was cool enough the first two days to wear long pants and jackets. The big tent in the background is where the entertainment was held each night. It was great and was way close enough to us that we were able to just walk. We saw Neil Sedaka, Rita Coolidge, the Osmond Brothers, and Daddy Do Run Run (they sang lots of Beach Boy songs.) They were all really good.

Terry, Louise, and Russ are getting on the bus to go to the Rally.

This little Shasta trailer was on display with some other "antique" RVs. We had to get a picture of this one because our very first camp trailer was a little blue and white Shasta just this size. We got it just a couple of years after we got married.

We took a break most of the days and ate our lunch in the Main Event Building.

On the Coast-to-Coast Day I tried our key in the treasure chest, but it didn't open it!

We had a great time at THE Rally and learned tons of stuff in our classes. We even spent a little money at the vendor sites. Terry really wanted a Port-a-Boat and I wanted the portable spa, but we held out on those two items. Maybe next time!

We are now headed to Las Vegas to spend six days before going to St. George so Terry and the boys can have a Father/Son golfing weekend. See you there.