We are Leaving ...Time to Dump...

Feb.20, Sunday, Well it's over..What a week..Fun, Sun, & New Friends, we have moved off our spot and moved to the other side for an extra night. We still have elec/water, what a day to relax, the Airstream & Van are very dusty. Time for a bath for both, wow they still shine and are clean for a while. Now a time for a recap.. We arrived last sat and camped in the bull pen..no elec/water but free!!!!!!
Sunday, Feb 13, we moved to our pernament space and set up. Then reported back to the gate to sign in new arrivals from 2-4 pm. We met the rest of the committee and had a short training meeting...Let's Go!
On Monday(Feb 14..Happy Valentines Day), we reported at 8 am till 10 am at the gate..only 2 airstreams arrived but after 10am they started coming(we were off duty) JoAnn/Felix & Mom & I went to a local resturant (Dutch Heritage) for a buffet lunch. This was a Mennonite Cooking Style Food at it's finest! Just like eating back home in Lancaster County, the waitress said she was from Sugarcreek, Ohio. Home Cookin' umm umm good!! Back to the fairground to register, get our rally ribbons and programs for the week.
Tuesday(Feb 15), we had the day free till 2 pm then back to the gate to register airstreamers...Do you know how much fun it is to meet new people from all over the USA ?? We saw new rigs and well used rigs come thru the gate all week. It was interesting to see the travel stickers from caravan's they had traveled on..on their back windows of the airstream. I met a few full timers and also women towing by themselves..Go Girl!! These people are so full of "Adventure" and have traveled everywhere in North America. The field is filling up, over 300 have arrived..time for FUN!! Off to the vendors to buy "Gadgets" to make airstreaming easy & fun. Tonight is opening ceremonies & announcements for the coming week. There are many seminars to do this week, mark your booklets so you don't miss any!
Wednesday(Feb 16), We had a new "Fantastic Fan" installed today in the living area, while he was here he checked over the fan in the rear bedroom and found circuit board burned out, he replace it and also put an updated knob on the fan...no charge for any of this update/service. If you need a fan for your rig,"Fantastic Fan" is the Best and stand behind their product 100%..Thanks Jim Wood.
Then off we go for a drive along the west coast to South Venice Beach, what a beautiful drive past all the beach houses<>. we stop at the Venice Park Pier at Sharky's Den on the pier for a look. The food looked great so we waited 20 minutes for a table, looking to see the sunset later. We ate a delicious sandwich special and waited for the sunset. We walked the pier, talking to the fishermen & women too! The birds were very tame, looking for food. I started taking pictures and saw a beautiful sunset from the beach & pier. Back to the Rally for nightly entertainment.
Thursday(Feb 17), Today I hung out at the vendors and chatted then walked the rally field looking for that special photo shot. Camping World installed a new antenna on the rig this afternoon, poor guys..the hottest day to be on an aluminum roof. Only took an hour and they did a great job too. Tonight the entertainment was a lady that sang and acted (she changed wigs often) like many singing stars..Cher..Dolly..Tammy..Liza.. Petula..and many more....a standing ovation is well deserved!!! Free Ice Cream each night after the entertainment.
Friday(Feb 18) Since wednesday, we had free coffee and donuts for breakfast..no room service to the rig, you had to pick it up in person. Today we had a meeting with President Norm Beu on the club business, many new ideas were brought up and discussed. The Larry Huttle from Airstream Inc. talked about new Airstream Products and how the company is performing. Did you know 70% of new airstreams are bought thru the internet quotes? There was a new Airstream Display on the grounds for all to see.
Mom and I went downtown to see the waterfront and find the Kissing Sailor/Nurse Statue. Many were also taking pictures of them, over 40 feet tall and something to see. Downtown Sarasota has a great area to see while there, many Art Studios and open air resturants along the streets, very crowded. There was a craft show in town for the weekend.
Saturday(Feb 19) Time for a flea market for all airstream stuff (Hobbies & leftover parts) the room had over 40 tables set up..opens at 9 am..Bargains Galore!! At 1pm The Vintage Airstreams had an open house...Great to see all those old revitalized airstreams come alive with love and care in remodeling features. It took mom and I over 2 hours too see and tour all them. One even had a barber shop set up and taking donations for the food bank. Haircuts in the open air! Tonight we had a roast beef dinner for all.. over 700 people served in a 1/2 hour..4 serving lines..Great job volunteers!! Then Entertainment tonight, an Irish singer enjoyed by all. Door Prizes were a hit too.
Sunday(Feb 20). Church service at 9 am for all. The Offering collected was over $500.00 and given to a local charity. Some had already left early as this was the last day. They had 4 lines for sewer dumping..quick and easy for all. We then moved over to new site.... Well that's a recap, We had a Great Time at the 38th Florida State Rally. See you at the next Rally!!! All this for $185.00/week....Buy an Airstream and Come Along, you won't be dissapointed!!!
God Bless.. AirstreamHobo & Carol