"An investment in knowledge
pays the best interest"
Ben Franklin
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| FMCA photo |
The Good
We recently attended FMCA's Rally in the Valley in Chandler Arizona. FMCA rally's are lots of fun, educational and a great way to meet up with friends and make new friendships
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| Our camping clubs entry in the horse race (FMCA photo) |
We did enjoy many informative and well presented seminars. The Geeks on Tour presentations are always my favorite. I started this blog seven years ago and it was their "show me how" videos which taught me how to create it.
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| Chris and Jim with Geeks on Tour |
I've used Picasa to organize, crop, and enhance my photos. This is a Google product and unfortunately it's not longer supported by them. Google Photos is their new product and the Geeks on Tour seminar was very helpful in showing me how to use ti. What I really like about Google Photos is it puts all your photos together (computer, phone, camera) and allow you to access them anywhere. For example, I can access all my photos on my phone by the the Google Photo App and regardless of where they are stored I can see them all. Sweet!
I purchased a thumb drive from the Geeks on Tour with all their "show me how videos" and a year subscription to their website. I like the thumb drive because I can watch them off line. They really keep on top of the ever changing technology whether it be your smart phone, photos, Facebook, blogging, and more. If you don't belong I'd highly recommend checking them out by clicking this link
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| FMCA photo |
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| Free donuts and coffee each morning (FMCA photo( |
John attended the always outstanding Spartan Chassis seminar present by Mike. He has gone to many of them and always learns something helpful This time he got a great tip on how to keep your engine in shape while being in one location for an extended period do time. We volunteer often and these commitments usually last 3-4 months. We have been told to take the motorhome out on the road monthly to keep it "exercised" and to distribute the oil, seal lubricants, and fluids. It's a great suggestion but not always very easy to do. Mike told the group when this is not possible to air it up, let the engine warm up, and then pull forward 25 feet and go back. Great tip!
Our Roadmaster hitch was inspected without us requesting the service by a roving technician. He said it really needed a tune up. John dropped it off at their shop on wheels and the next day it looked almost brand new. Because of all the new parts there was a nominal charge but we were so impressed by this great service.
We also had our headlights polished. They were very dim and the technician quickly improved them for only $20.
Some of the other classes we attended include the following:
Complete Motorhome Remodeling
Detailing your Coach in One Hour
Technology by Travelers
Staying Connected on the Road with Wy-Fi and Cellular
Simplifying your Entertainment System
Preparing a Motorhome for Non Use in Any Climate
Technology to Tell Your Stories
What Makes A Good Story
Photo Memories with Google Photos
Got Moonshine? Prohibition in Arizona
Did I mention vendors??
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| Vendors |
There was a huge building with vendors selling things you needed and didn't even know you might need. It took us several visits to see everything and we found some really cool stuff. Here are a few of the items we found.
Almost Heaven Microfiber
The best microfiber cloths for cleaning the inside and the outside of your motorhome. They last forever and are well made
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| Almost Heaven Microfiber |
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| A special one to quick mop. Snaps onto your Swiffer |
My Pillow
We decided to give them a try and purchased to queen size pillows. Love them!
Gripstic
Cool, easy to use sticks which replace clips to keep cereal, chips, and crackers fresh
Renovation Ideas
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| TV comes up and down on a lift from inside cabinet |
There are several vendors who presented programs on how to renovate your rig. We have always disliked where our TV is located above the cockpit But at the time when our motorhome was manufactured this was how they came. New motorhomes today oftentimes have the TV in a cabinet across from the sofa where you can watch it at eye level. Buying a new coach just for this feature is not an option for us. Ours is paid off and we do not want to have a mortgage.
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| FMCA photo |
John attended a program presented by Smoky Mountain Coach Works. He was really impressed by the owners knowledge of TV's and computers and how to make them work in a RV. We had him come out to look at our motorhome and he gave us some great options to consider. A cabinet which would have a TV come up and down on a lift and a place to accommodate a computer and printer would be ideal. This renovation would be expensive but a much smarter option then buying a new motorhome.
The Bad and The Ugly
We volunteered to be a part of the parking and will call crew. Big mistake!
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| These motorhomes had waited over 4 hours to enter the holding area |
This is our third time attending an international rally but our first time volunteering. In fact, this was FMCA's 95th international rally. You would think they would know how to organize such an event. However, this was not the case. In their defense this location was a new one for them.
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| Will Call Crew |
It was chaos and no one in charge seemed to know how to handle the arriving coaches. Folks coming into the event waited hours to be parked. They were furious and certainly vented their frustration to us. We were so embarrassed to be a part of this team. The dust kicked up by the motorhomes was awful. The roads had not been watered to reduce this and we came home each day just filthy. After about four days FMCA started to get the event operating more smoothly but it really sucked the happiness out of us.
So, will be attend another FMCA international rally? We both said we would. Fortunately we have attended others and it was only this one which seemed to be so poorly organized. For us the seminars are top notch and we really learn so much by attending them. The fire and weight safety classes we have attended in the past are worth the price of attendance all by themselves. Will we volunteer to be a part of the parking crew? Thanks but no thanks!
Sounds like a wonderful and informative rally.
ReplyDeleteYou would think that FMCA would have thought about the parking issue since it is such a huge part of the rally. Bet that mistake won't be made again.
Our last FMCA Rally was Perry. Clearly organizational skills is not one they have. It was bad enough, that we will not be back again.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the bad experience with the parking. You would think a little planning would have gone a long way!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great rally!!
Thanks for this really informative look at the rally. What is it that makes it "international "? Wonder if they will have a hard time getting volunteers for parking in the future? Sounds like some justifiably unhappy campers. Wow, waiting hours.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have been busy. We would have enjoyed going to the FMCA Rally but were spending the ski season in Utah this winter. Glad to see you both had fun minus the lack of organization. I hope Jimmy is doing okay. We head out soon towards New Orleans and then travel along the gulf coast to FL, GA and SC for our Spring trip. We will be on the road for 10 weeks. We are thinking of going to the WA Newmar Rally in Sept. Any chance we may see you? Safe travels....
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