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!

Kansas City, Here We Come!

   We left Moscow, Iowa in late August for what should have been an uneventful trip down the interstate highways to our destination in Kansas City.  As we neared the home stretch we were diverted off of I-35 just south of Cameron, Missouri onto a narrow state highway.  I'm so glad George was at the wheel, since there was lots of semi traffic coming at us and a substantial wind with broken pavement at the edge of the road and little to no shoulder.

   The first time the rig fell off the pavement, George was able to quickly remount without much effort and without making a large correction.  The second time the drop was more significant and George slowed until he found a good area to remount the pavement, again without swerving into oncoming traffic.  A few choice words were spoken, and we were fortunate that the ground next to the road was not soft, otherwise things may not have gone so well for the Mandalay.

Lake Jacomo Campground in Lee's Summit, Missouri 

   We arrived at Lake Jacomo Campground in Lee's Summit on the east side of Kansas City, where we can camp within just a few minutes of my son, Rob, and his family.  Rob owns and operates a business, http://www.longwirekc.com.  Lee's Summit has seen much growth since I lived and raised my kids there 1987 until 1999.  As many times as I drove through Lake Jacomo, within only a mile or two of my past residence, I was unaware of this county campground until George and I began RVing.  

My son's family (clockwise) Annalynn, Mel, Rob and Grady

   Arriving in late August, the heat and humidity we encountered were pretty much to be expected.  The drive in is beautiful and the campground is fairly quiet until the weekends, but it is common to see wild turkeys and deer grazing about.  The lake views are scenic, especially when the sail boats are out and about.  I'm still working on George for kayaks, although I'm not sure where we'd put them.  Rates are $27/night, with senior discounts available.  The maximum stay is 14 days after 30 days out.  

   When we were unable to stay at Lake Jacomo, we checked out the Elks Lodge #2509 in Blue Springs.  It's a beautiful facility adjacent to a golf course and ball fields!  Members were so friendly and hospitable and they served up lots of good food on Wednesday and Friday evenings and breakfast on Sundays mornings.

Blue Springs Elks Lodge #2509

   Instructor Sharon Del Rosario and her husband, Don were attending the nearby SMART Rally in Sedalia.  Sharon and Don are such great ambassadors for the school!  We didn't want to miss the opportunity to enjoy their company so we met them at the Little Big Horn Restaurant for dinner.  The sunset on the return trip was incredible. 

RV Driving School instructor, Sharon Del Rosario, and husband Don in Sedalia, MO

   We enjoyed lots of local fare, including some of our favorites (Kansas City is known for its barbecue) -- Pork N Pit Barbecue (extremely close to Lake Jacomo Campground), Bates City Barbecue, and were also introduced to Moocho Barbecue in Oak Grove by my sister and her husband.  We also ate at Jumpin' Cat Fish, El Camino Real, Ginger Sue's, and I took in a matinee at the New Dinner Theatre in Overland Park.  

   As it turned out the Carson and Barnes Circus, which we represented as advanced team members for several years, was playing in nearby Harrisonville and we bought tickets online and went to check out the 4:30 performance.  If you haven't seen the circus under the Big Top, you are missing an incredible experience!  The show was great and our seats were excellent!  

Outside the Big Top before Carson & Barnes Circus 4:30 performance in Harrisonville, MO

So many great acts, but the elephants have a special place in my heart!

   I squeaked in some necessary medical appointments and enjoyed time with my sister, Leanna, who lives in nearby Odessa, and my sister, Amy, who had been in Florida but returned to her home at the Lake of the Ozarks in time so that we could meet for lunch in Sedalia.  

Ready for football!

   The grandkids kept me fairly busy.  Three-year-olds are amazing creatures!  It seems like suddenly one day they've crossed the threshold from toddler to child.  I was able to share lots of special moments -- tumbling class graduation, flag football practice, and a fun-filled afternoon when he was permitted to skip nap and enjoy the rides at Octoberfest complete with funnel cake.  I lost lots of Wii competitions to an incredible three-year-old Grady, and was amazed by his brilliance.

Birthdays are fun!

   
   
   One-year-olds are pretty incredible, too.  Granddaughter, Annalynn, is very busy exploring the world with her newly-found mobility.  She is exceptionally good-natured, great at entertaining herself and her smile is always ready if you catch her eye. I wouldn't have missed celebrating birthday #1 with this beautiful child!

   My daughter, Lindsay, flew in for the party from Boulder, where she is recently opened a second practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine http://www.modernpointacupuncture.com.  I made a late night drive in pouring rain to pick her up at the airport.  It was a fun adventure and we were able to catch up during the drive home.  

Aunt Lindsay and the birthday girl!

   Good-byes were tearful, but we had a busy schedule ahead and left the morning of October 6 for Goshen, Indiana, where we were already a day behind schedule for the Thor Diesel Club rally.