Hurricane - No Problem

The areas surrounding Raleigh Oaks RV had problems with road access and flooding - but the RV park, and it's main access route,  saw little damage.

The majority of our group, fourteen members, and seven guests, arrived on Thursday, 10/13/2016. Members and guests received two welcome bags upon arrival, one from the Johnston County visitors bureau in nearby Smithfield, NC, and the other one was put together by the rally hosts. Don and Kathy  Holmes, assisted by Jim and Minnie Hale, hosted this rally. They setup the resorts rally room in a Fall theme, and hosted everyone to a welcome meal made up of light snacks and desserts. There were several small gift giveaways that followed dinner.

Friday found most of us relaxing around the campground. Some went into town to shop at the outlet mall, while others just toured around the surrounding areas. Several of the guys went into town for a hotdog lunch followed by a mini tour of the Smithfield Ham Shop. That night we went out to a local restaurant, Holt Lake BBQ and Seafood.  We had a private room, great service, and lots of good food. Upon returning to the campground several of us sat outside and enjoyed the cooler weather.

On Saturday most of us stayed close to home at the campground. There was potluck food to prepare for dinner, and lots of catching up with old and new friends to do.  We found our way back to the resorts rally room, again setup with Fall decorations by our hosts. Last minute cooking/warming and food setup were in full swing. The meal was themed as a Fall comfort food menu; consisting of soups, chilis, and a stew. There were also several salads, breads, and of course, desserts. Everyone ate too much, and there were still lots of leftovers. After dinner we had a short business meeting, followed by a game of Taboo, and several more gift giveaways. Our major sponsor, Campers Inn of Mocksville, donated a free RV detailing certificate, and a large outdoor mat, which were the major prizes during the giveaway.

Also, as part of our rally we collected a donation for our charity, Toys for Tots, and we decided to make a donation to the local food bank to assist Hurricane Matthew victims.

Minnie lookup at the camera!

Javan & Milton & David snacking

Ron going back for thirds?

Vickie, is that all your eating?

Dinner out at Holt Lake

The rest of us out at Holt Lake

Fort Chiswell RV Park - Max Meadows, VA 8/11-14/2016

Surrounded by cows on one side and sheep on the other, eight couples met for a long weekend of fun in the sun. It was a little hot but that is what A/C is for; right? If it got to much the pool was only steps away.

Some of us got in a day or two early. One couple came in a week early. We gathered on Thursday night for a dinner out on the town. A short drive to nearby Wytheville found us at the 1776 Log House restaurant.  The food was good, the comradeship was great. After dinner we headed back to the campground and sat up late catching up with old friends, and getting to know new ones. Some even went for a late night dip in the heated pool.

On Friday some of us spent the day lounging around the campground, while others explored the nearby shopping and sight seeing opportunities. That night we gathered at the campground shelter and enjoyed a delicious meal provided to us by our hosts, Alan and Cathy Norris, and David and Rebecca Vaughn. After dinner we had a short club business meeting followed by some games and more socializing, where we identified and solved most of the worlds current problems.

Saturday was another day of relaxing and/or exploring. Some drove up into the mountains and stumbled onto some gorgeous views and a little live music coming from the porch (see below picture). That night we had a potluck meal that everyone enjoyed way too much. After dinner we played a few games of bingo with our hosts, David Vaughn, calling, and his wife, Rebecca Vaughn, handing out the beautiful prize baskets she made. Thanks to them both for a great evening.

Sunday morning found us all trickling out of the park one by one, all packed up for our journeys home, or onward to life's next great adventure.

Smile for the camera Ed.	I didn't get the joke!	What you looking at?
Is that all for me?	I gotta share this!	Showing pic's of the babies.
Can we start already?	Whose ready for seconds?	Please don't take my picture!
Ooh I ate way too much!	Rain on Big Walker mountain.	Big Walker Country Store.

Tanglewood Park - Great weather - Great time

We had our largest turnout yet at Tanglewood Park over the weekend of June 9th - June 12th. Eleven member couples, including one new couple, and three guest couples attended this rally. A few arrived early, but most came in on Thursday afternoon, just in time for a night out on the town.

Thursday night we all caravan-ed over to La Carreta Mexican restaurant in nearby Advance, NC. There was some mix up with our reservation so we had to split a few couples off from the main group as they were very crowded with two other large groups. Seems like the locals also like to go on this night for the food and drink specials, so the restaurant was full. Most everyone seemed pleased with the food and the service despite the crowd.

After dinner we meet back up at the campground for desserts and socializing. Our hosts, Jack and Dona Branson, ensured that this evening was just the start of a fun filled weekend. After a couple hours we all retreated to our rigs. The night air was cool enough for open windows and fans. The park is very quite and everyone got a good nights sleep.

Friday was a shopping day for eight of the ladies. They piled into two cars and went into nearby Winston-Salem for a scouting trip of the newly opened Publix grocery store. While in town they also went to a nearby craft store, and the ever popular Mast General store. They all reported having a great time. The guys mostly hung around the campground solving the problems of the world.

Friday night, Kirk Wells, from Campers Inn, and his long time friend, Randy, hosted another dinner for us. Steaks and chicken were cooked on the grill they brought, along with sides and deserts that they spread out on a long table. We are very lucky that Kirk, and Campers Inn, have again sponsored another delicious meal for us. After dinner we enjoyed a game and socializing. We called it an early night.

Saturday found most of us socializing around the Hales rig, which was centrally located, when we were not in our own RV's, or out shopping, prepping for tonight's potluck dinner.

Saturday night found us all back in the campgrounds shelter, getting ready for a potluck feast. We had two tables full of assorted main dishes, salads, and sides, and another full table full of yummy desserts. No one complained about the lack, or variety, of food. After dinner we cleaned up and took leftovers back to our rigs. We returned to the shelter for a short business meeting and more games and socializing.

Sunday most of us were leaving. We found each other along the drive and at various campsites, to say goodbye. Another great weekend rally over - we all are looking forward to the next one.

Sorry I forgot to take any pictures at this rally - I will hopefully do better next time.

A blustery weekend in Roanoke Rapids

Even though it got colder and windier as the weekend progressed we all decided we had a great time.

Seven couples got together at the Carolina Crossroads RV Resort beginning Thursday 4/7/16. The campground was fantastic. We all had level paved full hookup sites with concrete pads. We had an outdoor gazebo to use, as well as a large, well equipped, rally room. The staff catered to our every need. There was even a heated jacuzzi for those daring few who chose to use it.

Thursday night we all got together and enjoyed a light meal provided by our hosts, the Hales's, and our club friends, the Pendergrass's. We sat around socializing for a couple hours after that.

Friday, the girls went out to lunch, and to a nearby antique and discount mall. The guys sat around the gazebo and traded war stories. We all went out for an early dinner at a nearby southern cooking buffet restaurant. Martha Calkins, our club President, stole the evening by her reaction to trying chitterlings for the first time. Don't think she quite knew what they were. If you don't know either, here is a link that gives the details: Chitterlings

Saturday got cold and windy, so most of us hibernated in the rally room, or our coaches. There was a very large screen TV for sports, and nice large tables for games and crafts. We snacked and socialized the day away. Our dinner was a potluck with the club providing the entree. Fried chicken, several veggies and salads, and of course, at least a half dozen great desserts were laid out on long tables and the kitchen counter. No diets were maintained. After dinner, we played marble bowling (see the pics). It was the guys versus the girls. The girls took the first round by a landslide. Not to be beaten, the boys demanded we play two out of three matches. The boys won the second round easily, but had to claw their way through the third and final round, winning by a very small margin.

Sunday morning found us all milling around each others RVs saying final goodbyes and making plans for future rallyies and events.