Because Carol
has made excellent progress on recovery from her knee operation we were able to
make our way to the June rally at the Peculiar Park Place RV Park in Peculiar,
Missouri. Since we had missed the previous rally we decided to arrive a day
early on Wednesday. For the drive north we had the pleasure to travel in convoy
with Nick and Joann Backer. Several other members of the chapter made the same
decision to arrive early and by mid-afternoon there were seven chapter coaches
at the park; Genrich, Couch, Severe, Backer, Ballard, Sidebottom and Stremming.
We were pleasantly surprised that TJ Ballard had acquired a motor home after
having been without one for some time. It is a 33-ft 1982 Holiday Rambler
Imperial. I also saw three new (well sort of new) tow cars; Stremmings have a
Lincoln SUV, Nashs a Buick Lacross and Severes have a CR-V. That evening
everyone found a place in the local area for supper.
Early Thursday the Nashs and Cooks arrived to
bring our total to nine. Naturally, with plenty of players available the ladies
started one of their card games. The evening reception was hosted by the Couchs
and the refreshments were provided by the members. They included several
desserts, pasta salad, dips and chips and fruit and meat appetizers. Later that
evening as I looked across to where the Severes were parked I saw a crowd
gathering in front of the coach. When I joined the group I found out that when
the Severes returned to their coach they were faced with the coach being locked
and all of the keys being located inside of that coach. After several hours of
failed attempts to gain entrance, including the services of a locksmith who had
to admit failure, John resorted to his
last option and broke a window, thereby gaining entrance. This was blessed by
the Peculiar policeman that had contacted the locksmith. They are still trying
to determine how the door got locked. I think either Kilroy or Murphy did it.
Lucille has a different opinion.
Friday breakfast was hosted by TJ and
Sandy with biscuits and gravy, hash browns, fruit cups and OJ. As usual there
were conversation before, during and after breakfast. It takes a while to solve
all of the world's problems. Interrupting those solutions was a short non-business
meeting to determine the amount of money the chapter would contribute to this
year's Six State Rally door prizes, information about the July rally and Elaine
Sidebottom's chapter financial report. During the afternoon Mike and Donna
Bennett joined us to bring our total to ten. The evening meal was a catered
affair from Cosentinos in Lees Summit. They supplied lasagna, baked chicken,
potatoes, salad and dessert. Great food for a great price. The whole affair was
arranged by Nick and Joann Baker. Not only can Nick repair your coach, he and
Joann can feed you.
Saturday morning we had a brunch at
Ryan's Grill, Buffet and Bakery in Raymore arranged by the Couchs. Everyone had
their choice from the buffet. By the time we finished it was after noon. The
ladies quickly restarted their games while the rest of us had better things to
do. Early in the afternoon Jim and Martha McVay arrived and joined us for
supper. Jim has had some recent medical issues but was in fine spirits and
looking good. For the evening meal we had a barbeque meal arranged by the
Sidebottoms and catered by Jack Stack Barbeque. They brought sliced brisket and
baked beans and Gary and Elaine Sidebottom supplied the potato salad, cole slaw,
buns and the dessert in the form of two pineapple upside down cakes. Many
members stayed well after the meals engaged in conversation.
The Sunday get-away breakfast was pastries
supplied by the park owner plus leftovers from earlier meals. Last seen,
everyone was scattering to the four winds.
One minus
point concerning the rally was the electrical capability of the RV park. On
Friday the afternoon temperature was in the low 90s and the humidity was rather
high. Virtually all of the coaches showed low voltage, some down to 106 volts.
In one case the coach's generator had to be used. The same thing occurred on
Saturday but not to the same extent since it was less humid and cooler. It
would probably be best that, if we return to this park, we not do so during the
summer months. The popular opinion is that even though the park was originally
robustly wired they have since added a number of sites and have probably not
upgraded the electrical system. For the most part it is a good park. The roads
are in good shape and the club house is large with good air conditioning and a
full set of kitchen appliances.
July Rally. The rally is at the Stage
Coach RV Park in Branson on State Highway 165 south of Table Rock Dam and next
to the Table Rock State Park. This is a Tuesday through Friday rally. This is the chapter's 45th year and we will
be celebrating our 45th anniversary Wednesday evening and the South Central Area
Vice President, Jim McCabe, is scheduled to celebrate with us. This is a full
service RV park. They have a restaurant on site plus a shuttle bus and they can
get you show tickets. You must make your
own reservations with the park (800-446-7110) no later than July 1.
Carol has
asked that members participate in donating food and/or cash to the Clever
Food Pantry. More info will be in her email.
