Music...Music...Music

Now that the rally has officially begun, the bands arrive. Last night, a group called Carolina Mashers played for a couple of hours. I enjoyed their playing but their bluegrass style of singing didn't impress me very much. Hubby and I decided to ride our bikes around the park instead of sitting still and listening. A bonfire was build at 8:00 and, with the cool air, the heat felt welcoming.

Yesterday afternoon, we drove up Highway 80 to Little Switzerland. The road is extremely curvy and the motorcycles have begun to monopolize it. They really love to lean as far over as possible when hitting those curves, almost scary! For part of the trip, we rode the Blue Ridge Parkway, my first time to ride it in several years. it is beautiful as always.

Tonight, there was another band which played more popular style music. A bonfire was also built and it was even more appreciated tonight due to the damp coolness of the evening. We had a little rain also.

Tomorrow is the big day of the Rally. Will blog again later.

Here They Come!

Today was the beginning of the Rally crowd arrival. My guess was that there were at least 300 campers came in today. Tomorrow, there will be as many to arrive and by Thursday, there will be no more sites available. Yard sales will be aplenty tomorrow, people walking around chatting with friends and strangers, and salespersons hoping to find attendants who are ready to trade their RVs for newer, bigger or better ones. We have looked them all over, yet found none that we like better than our 2003 RV. Now, they are making all of them even longer than ours! We are almost ready to downsize not upgrade. I don't think I'm ready to give up my washer/dryer though and most of the shorter ones don't have a space for that luxury.

Today, we had friends who live about an hour away drive over and spend the day with us. We had a marvelous time with them; we had spent a couple days with them when we were returning from Michigan and they wanted to come by and see what the rally was like. They bought an RV two years ago from this same place and are invited to attend here; however, Pres has an retina detachment and is unable to drive right now. We hope that he will be well and able to join us again in Florida.

I'm on my way to bed so that I can get up and see the new RVers arrive early in the morning.

Rally Time

Yes, Frannie, we are gone again, this time to the mountains of NC. Every year, the place we bought our RV holds a huge rally for all its customers. On Saturday morning, a wonderful breakfast is provided for all Tom's customers. Games, hayrides, and inflatables are provided for the children to enjoy all day. A BBQ with all the trimmings in also provided on Saturday evening; then entertainment with several different bands followed by a tremendous giveaway of very nice prizes (we never have the lucky numbers though). A very large bonfire is built and enjoyed by about 6000 people!! The day then concludes with the most beautiful fireworks display I have ever seen! Tom is so appreciative of his success and for the people of Marion that he invites the entire community to attend this BBQ (thus, 6,000 people in attendance!). On Sunday morning, the Baptist Campers on Missions provide church service for everyone before they pack up for home.

Beginning Wednesday, yard sales are aplenty. On Thursday, the entertainment begins. "Barney Fife" and his old Ford police car is here aggravating all the visitors, especially the young children and old ladies! Various bands and vocal groups will be entertaining each night in the open pavilion. All this is free, beginning on Thursday morning. Before that, we have to pay for our sites; however, if you want to secure a good site where you can see the action, you need to arrive by the Saturday before. That's why we come early.

For all these reasons, we always enjoy spending this relaxing time here at this rally. It's great just meeting new campers and forgetting any worries. Wish you all could be here with us.