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2005 Year Highlights
By Wanda Ray
January 2005- Things don’t
always work out as planned. Our plan was to meet at the Holmes Family
Restaurant in Mayfield, KY for our 1st get-together of the year……but due
to a fire it closed a day or so before the date. Thanks to our Dealer,
Roger Youngblood, 16 families met at the “Youngblood Family Garage”.
Roger just happens to have a motor home bay disguised as a basketball
court. (smart move, Roger) Many of our “snowbirds” were still down
South, but we were also just as “warm & dry”.
Our new secretary was so afraid that she would make a mistake and all of
the former secretaries were afraid that she wouldn’t and show us up! All
are anxious to get back out and on the road. March seems so far away.
February 2005- Several families went to Jackson, TN to the big RV
show and some of our extra smart members won gifts for correct answers
to a quiz given by the entertainment band at the restaurant. Rice’s have
a new 29 ft. Jay Feather that is “ready to fly”.
March 2005- With several tarps and the help of our brave “home
fire builders”, we made it just fine at Natchez Trace State Park for our
first campout of the year. Some could not get there before dark and
‘enjoyed’ an extended tour of the campground. Others learned how quick
we forget items like heaters, tarps, and extra cold drinks. Maybe a
closer look at the ‘check list’ will be remembered on the first trip out
next year. There is always a friend to loan you what you need.
April 2005- At Ferne Clyffe State Park, in IL, the weather was
more like March – cold, windy & rainy. But thanks to Randy & Vicki
Knight and their nice church, the pot luck supper was salvaged (everyone
knows how we love to eat). On Saturday, some just sat out in the rain
with the help of hooded jackets and umbrellas. Two couples slipped out
to a little ice cream shop for a “turtle parfait”…..up drove several
more couples. At times we even think alike.
May 2005- Wonderful weather was appreciated this month at The
Canal, in the Land-Between-the-Lakes. We had 17 families (plus lots of
mosquitoes) in attendance. A Big Thanks to Faye Burden for being our Web
Master for the past 5 years. Liale Sellers has agreed to accept the
responsibility for now.
This was one of the months that the men cook a full breakfast for
everyone consisting of pancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy.
There was not enough crumbs left to feed our ‘camp puppy’ “Bucky”.
Memorial Day fell on this weekend and so it was busy with lots of food
and visitors.
June 2005- Five families attended the Jayco International Rally
in Sedalia, MO. Several exciting things happened. Dale Wright had to buy
a SET of new tires and repair the refrigerator door handle (using high
tech tools of duct tape & Super glue). Denny Hinkle had a REAL
emergency…..his TV quit and that required a quick trip to Wal-Mart to
replace it. Dale must have hearing problems sometimes. During one tour
in the Ozarks, he thought he was to turn left, Durwood said turn right
and he did—across four lanes of traffic. Sounds like NASCAR training to
me. On Friday, they left for Carlock, IL for the Illinois State Rally to
meet up with a few more from Flight #9. They were greeted with 90 degree
+ temperature and no electricity! Later things really changed with a
catered supper and good entertainment. On the way home Sunday, the
‘curse’ hit Dale again- one more flat tire (you think that damaged his
love for camping…No).
July 2005- The 4-Rivers Jayco Flight #9 hosted a Rally in St.
Louis, Mo. This was one rally that was stuffed full of things to see and
do. Some went to the Casino Queen boat and others went to the Zoo. It
was so hot that the animals thought “ What are you humans doing out in
this heat?” Flight #5 & #9 put on a really “fashionable show”. There
were lots of door prizes also. We were camped just across the river from
the big Arch.
Our group is not a bunch of faint-hearted campers. Frank Sherman had 3
flats on his way home, but with friends along, he made it home safely.
One of the greatest benefits with being in a camping club is always
having friends with you in good times and tough times. Presently we have
25 families in our membership.
August 2005- We went to Cole’s Creek Campground on Lake Carlyle
in IL. Members and guests totaled over 60. This was the Great Balloon
Festival in Centralia, IL. Most spent every possible moment at the
Balloon Fest. Activities were all day and into the early nighttime. Lots
of film was used capturing the beauty of the balloons. Over 40 different
balloons were involved and we couldn’t get enough of the beautiful
balloons in flight.
September 2005- After such a busy time last month, Piney
Campground in TN was a time for “resting by the fan” instead of by the
fire. Several went to Paris Landing State Park to the Arts & Craft
Festival. Seems like people keep buying new units. Congratulations to
the Heisels .
Also in September, since we love to camp and eat so much, we had a
“non-scheduled” campout at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, IL. 15
familes showed up. Maybe Katrina and Rita made us appreciate our
friends, family and freedom more. A Visitor, Jim Young, cooked delicious
Bar-b-Que. (Can’t get better than that).
October 2005- Fort Massac State Park was the new site for our
yearly Invitational Rally and it was a great success. 85 people attended
with bike riding; costume, pumpkin carving, rig decorating contests kept
everyone busy. The Charles Rice’s let a “small thing” keep them
away-----No, it was “4 little babies (quadruplet grandchildren) that had
their attention. WOW! Can’t wait until they visit!!!!
November 2005- November is our “shopping” campout in Nashville,
TN. The men sent shopping at Campers World, others just went shopping
lots of places. Some just relaxed watching the NASCAR races.
December 2005- Bethany Baptist Church in IL, again opened their doors
for our Christmas meeting. It is amazing how close the friendship
becomes. Traveling from 75 to over 100 miles each way, just to be
together. What a Christmas gift that is. Camping season can’t come soon
enough.
End of 2005. What will 2006 bring?
2006
year.... to be continued
