Thor Diesel Club 2013 International Rally

   We took off after a flurry of weekend events in Kansas City, already a day late for the Thor Diesel Club 2013 International Rally scheduled in Goshen, Indiana October 6-11.  Since it's a trip we have made more than once, (although moving the opposite direction), we set our Rand McNally RV GPS and headed westbound on I-70.  This was a familiar drive -- St. Louis to Indianapolis to Goshen.  We were engrossed in our audiobook when GPS indicated we should turn north on Highway 54, so we listened and obeyed, rationalizing that it probably knew a short cut around St. Louis.  Wrong!  We had broken one of our own cardinal rules of pre-planning and found ourselves at the outskirts of Chicago on a Sunday evening.  The decision was clear, we would need to break yet another rule to avoid Monday morning rush and drive through Chicago in the dark when we were tired.

The bridge on our unplanned route across the Mississippi on Hwy 54 left little margin for error.

   Thankfully, Lady Luck was on our side, and we survived the dreaded Windy City with only $1.70 in toll fees and took refuge at Walmart in Michigan City, Indiana, reminded again of why we should practice what we preach!  We arrived a day late for the rally at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds so that we could attend our granddaughter's first birthday party in Kansas City.  

RIP our beloved Ellie, 1999 to 2007

   So many vivid memories were aroused by re-visiting this county park.  We attended our first RV rally when we were "newbies" in 2007 here, where we finally had the pleasure of meeting long time internet friends, Von and Christina Starkey.  Memories swelled at the smell of horse manure left behind the Amish buggies, nearby train whistles, the familiar faces of years gone by, thoughts of learning a tornado had touched down near our motor home while we were at dinner with former club members, the 2:30 a.m. frantic knocks at our door when several nearby buildings were burning to the ground around us, and the painful decision to end our beloved Sheltie, Ellie's, suffering rather than stand by and watch as she methodically starved herself to death.

While we were sleeping in 2007, the Elkhart County Fairgrounds buildings blazed all around us.

Ken and Gisela Koplin

   The theme of this year's rally was "Oktoberfest in Thor Country".  Attendees were very creative in their costumes.  George presented two seminars, "Driving your RV Safely" and "Women, Should you Drive your RV, " which were both very well attended.  

   It just so happened that George's nephew, Jim, and his wife, Terry, were taking delivery of their new fifth wheel trailer in nearby Elkhart.  Jim and Terry recently upgraded from their Class A to a large custom-made trailer.  They were able to park in the fairgrounds where we were attending the rally, and George was able to give Jim some pointers on pulling it.  We enjoyed family time over a delicious dinner at an Amish buffet, Das Dutchman Essenhaus, in nearby Middlebury. 

Thor Diesel Club Members at the International Rally 2013

   Rallies present a whirlwind of activities -- seminars, door prizes, meals, tours, contests, charity drives, etc.  We regularly attend so many that I no longer feel compelled to participate in everything.  George is busy preparing his seminars and organizing his equipment.  We now have two Shelties that need brushing, walking, feeding, etc.  And someone needed to be available when the technicians came to fix our ailing slide-out.  We are generally happy with our Thor diesel coach and the newly formed club, which used to be simply Mandalay.  The rallies are well done, thanks to the good folks who work hard behind the scenes.  We extend our deepest gratitude for the organizers and volunteers who made this rally a tremendous success and a memorable experience for all involved!  We look forward to attending many more.  
   
   Friday morning it was time for auf wiedersehens, and the big rigs began to roll away -- one by one.

No Oktoberfest is complete without some beer and polkas!