Fun Filled Week at the FMCA Perry Georgia Convention

(Perry, Georgia)  81 degrees, blue sky

We have had a great time at the FMCA (Family Motorcoach Association) Convention in Perry Georgia.  There were over 2900 rigs here in attendance scattered around the Georgia Fairgrounds.  It was very interesting watching all the motorcoaches arrive and seeing the dedicated parking crew get everyone nestled in together. 

There were motorcoaches of all types and price ranges.  This is our second convention and we liked this location very much.  All the vendors, class rooms and food vendors are in the same area. A bicycle certainly makes getting around a lot easier but there is also a tram and many people also had golf carts.

 

FMCA Perry Georgia Convention



 

Interesting "Toad" (tow vehicle)



We rode around on our bikes and checked out all the rigs. We got there early and it was fun to watch all the action.






 

 
Prior to the convention we made arrangements to have a satellite dish installed by  Internet Anywhere.  We had met this couple at another rally in Brookville Florida.  He gave an excellent seminar and it really helped us understand why our current satellite was not working properly   

It took about three hours to complete and it is so great to use our DVR again.  No more commercials!  It was rather complicated to figure out how to work around our old system but they did a great job and are very knowledgeable.  We also contacted Dish and signed a waiver so we can now receive local channels (additional cost of $12/month for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox).  We decided to have the East Coast feed turned on.  When we are out west our programs will be all taped before we watch them in the evening.  Pretty cool!

We met up with our friends Al, Joyce, and Judy from Indiana.  They were traveling to Florida and it was so great to see them.  Al and Joyce were camp hosts at the White River Campground and had helped us so much with some early maintenance when we first got our motorhome.  

Joyce, Al, and Judy

  

We attended lots of classes at the convention.  There were four sessions each day with a wide variety of topics to select.  One of my favorite presenters are  Chris and Jim with  Geeks on Tour .  They offer educational computer classes for RVers.  I have attended previous classes which helped me set up this blog and organize all my photos with Picassa.  The Droid tether that I use for the Internet (PdaNet) was also something I learned from them.  I highly recommend the educational videos available on their website. 

Geeks on Tour

Here are a few of the classes that we attended:

• Face- to- Face with Facebook
• Basic Principles of Generator Maintenance
• Kiln Fused Glass  Jewelry
• Cummins Engine
• Microwave/Convection Cooking
• RVing in Australia/New Zealand
• GPS Navigation with Microsoft Streets & Tips
• Ten Maintenance Tips Every RVer Should Know

Kiln Fused Jewelry

• RVing to Alaska
• Spartan Chassis Maintenance
• Strengh Training for Women

There was also great entertainment each night.  We saw Mac Frampton and Lorrie Morgan perform.  

All the new motorhomes were on display.  The price tag for many of them was a little shocking.  We are very happy with our motorhome and feel blessed not to have any payments or mortgage.  

Not to be missed at this convention are the vendor booths.  There were two buildings with everything  for the RVer.  We found a great area rug that does not kill the grass.  Plus lots of small items like a towel rack that will dry our towels quicker and longer tire stems to make checking tire pressures a breeze. We also stocked up on The Solution a great wax for your RV. 

Les and Kathy

We also saw our friends from Indiana Les and Kathy.  They called us after seeing on Facebook that we were in the area.  They were staying out at Warner Robins AFB Famcamp  and are attending the conference by using a day pass.   

 

One evening they invited us out to have dinner with some of their friends  at the chow hall on base.  Some of the airmen were also having dinner there.  They sure looked young!  The campground was very nice. 



Warner Robins AFB Famcamp

John and Al

Our last evening was spent with Al.  His wife writes the blog Dream Reacher. They have been full timing since 2008 and have helped build many churches during their time on the road. It was nice to hear about their experiences and how much they are enjoying full timing.  

We left the convention and headed back to Florida.  We had breakfast with two NOMADS couples (John & Eileen and Randy & Fran) who are now working another project in Ocala.  They are painting a UMC church in the area.  We were amazed by all that had been accomplished in just a week.  We made plans to get together this fall in New Mexico.

"camping" in the bay

Currently we are in Tampa at the Lazy Days having some work done on our motorcoach.  One of the airbags over our right front tire is deflating and our stove had not been working properly.  We also decided to have some routine maintenance done at the same time.  Some of the required work will need approval from our warranty so last night we stayed in a bay.  That was interesting!  We had 50 amp service and water.  The security lights, however, were bright and on all night.  We will have to get something to block the light better in our bedroom windows.

Our friends, Al, Joyce, and Judy met up with us again yesterday and we decided to drive to St. Petersburg and check out the beach.  They had not seen the ocean yet and it was a perfect day for a road trip.  Traffic was grid locked due to spring break but we eventually made it.  We had an awesome dinner at the Rock Salt Grill in Indian Shores (suburb of St. Pete).  It is by far the best dinner we have had since leaving Indiana.  If you are in the area be sure to check it out.  Ask for a dock side table.  The fresh fish is delivered by boat to the dock each day. 

That's all for now!  Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment or send an email.