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nvestysly · 07-04-2016, 04:20 PM

The 2017 WBCCI International Rally will be held in Escanaba, MI, July 22 - 29. Here's a link to the web site:

http://wbcci.org/international-rally...-escanaba-mi-2

I think this is the first International Rally that will not be held on/around July 4th (Wally Byam's birthday). We've registered and plan to do some sightseeing before or after the rally.

Anyone else planning to attend?

crispyboy · 07-04-2016, 05:24 PM

We decided that we are going to go to our first international. A fellow air streamer was at Lewisburg and told me the registration opened up and 300 plus already signed up for 2017. I bought our admission and were going to give it a go. We have always wanted to go to the UP of Michigan and this gives us a great excuse.
My daughter will be 8 years old next year, hopefully there will be a few other kids there.

nvestysly · 07-04-2016, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispyboy

...My daughter will be 8 years old next year, hopefully there will be a few other kids there.

We look forward to seeing you there. We've been to two internationals - 2007 and 2016 and in both cases there were dozens of kids there. There are several activities oriented to younger people... face painting, art, music for example.

TCwheels · 07-05-2016, 07:42 AM

We're in! Just registered. It's only 4-5 hours from home in our state, how could we not go? DW has some trepidation, we're not really into rules and rituals, but we'll go with open minds and in the spirit of learning.

If you haven't been to the UP, it's awesome! Lots of outdoor activities and real wilderness. Looking forward to making lots of new friends. If you want to hike, or bike, or kayak while you're there, look us up! WBBCI #7246

DanB · 07-05-2016, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCwheels

....... DW has some trepidation, we're not really into rules and rituals, but we'll go with open minds and in the spirit of learning........

We just returned from Lewisburg. I shared the same concern with you about rules and such.

I got to tell you, the rumors just were not true. No one said one word to us the entire time about any "rules". Badges should be worn, but that is for security reasons, not because of any "rule". The gates to all activities are open, and basically, somebody could just walk off the street. That in fact did happen once early on in the rally.

Berets were basically non-existent except for the flag ceremony. I enjoyed and respected the tradition of this. I didn't stay for the installation, but suspect berets were also worn then by some.

Believe it or not, everyone there was just campers! We had a great, fun, time with friendly people. Yes, we would have preferred more nighttime activity, but we made our own fun.

I suspect we are UP bound next year.

Hittenstiehl · 07-05-2016, 09:24 AM

Dan B thanks for replying to TC's comment. It's helpful to those of us considering future trips.

DanB · 07-05-2016, 12:14 PM

Look out Night Streamers, we are registered!

We look forward to Airstreaming, UP style.

Can't wait to see Scout again!

JCWDCW · 07-05-2016, 03:44 PM

I'm in! Going to Solar power the entire Rally. UP is a superb experience. Be sure to plan some time before or after the rally. Just too close to SW Ontario to ignore. Don't worry about rituals..We attended the Madison International. If you don't like the Pomp, you don't have to attend. The rest of the rally was quite informal; A great time for me; not so much for my mate as she didn't like parking lot camping. Too bad she is not here for this one on Grass.
JCW

AWCHIEF · 07-05-2016, 03:52 PM

Fees paid and course laid in and set in my GPS. Going to be a long year.

Hittenstiehl · 07-05-2016, 03:56 PM

Chief, nice new photo.

bugsbunny · 07-05-2016, 05:15 PM

We signed up also. Oshkosh airshow is on the agenda also!

Katy Tex and Wags

Silver.Sanctuary · 07-05-2016, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvestysly

The 2017 WBCCI International Rally will be held in Escanaba, MI, July 22 - 29. Here's a link to the web site:

http://wbcci.org/international-rally...-escanaba-mi-2

I think this is the first International Rally that will not be held on/around July 4th (Wally Byam's birthday). We've registered and plan to do some sightseeing before or after the rally.

Anyone else planning to attend?

I lived in Houghton, Michigan for 3 years (on the upper thumb). I can't think of a more unlikely place than Escanaba.

What were they thinking?

AWCHIEF · 07-05-2016, 07:22 PM

Negative nelly (sp). There is always one in every discussion.

AWCHIEF · 07-05-2016, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Chief, nice new photo.

Thanks, beautiful sunset in Lewisburg.

munimula · 07-05-2016, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver.Sanctuary

What were they thinking?

I think the general idea behind the International gathering each year is to get club members out on the road - using their Airstreams as intended with a destination that is different every year and sometimes off the beaten path.

I would never plan to visit Missouri in July - but we through a pool party in Sedalia that was still be talked about this past week in West Virginia. Two years ago we spent a few days in Gillette WY - which has us travel to the Badlands, Black Hills, Devils Tower, and more. Awesome trip that I would not have taken otherwise.

Last year we high-tailed it to Farmington NM. We did a couple of side trips that were spectacular with an impromptu Airstream gathering on the sidewalks of Durango - memories for a lifetime.

This year brought us to WV where we collectively were able to help local folks who were hurting real bad from the rains. Was proud to be part of that effort.

We have amassed sooo many good friends over the years that tend to gather in one place for a week in the Summer and celebrate the shared love of aluminum. The challenge is to connect with all of them in that short period of time which is impossible. Which is why we have to travel to Escanaba next year.

I have never been north of Detroit in MI. I look forward to the ride up I-75 through the middle of MI wilderness. then across the peninsula to the International gathering.

Glad so say I am now 2nd veep of the VAC. Now which rig to bring to Escanaba?? the '62 with no AC or the '93 which will be considered vintage next year which will also be the 25th anniversary of the VAC. There is more than a year to mull that over. Do I sound like I drank the WBCCI cool-aid? that happened years ago.

Shout out to Sandlapper - great camping again with you this year - waaay to long of a gap on that.

==Dave

sandlapper · 07-05-2016, 08:37 PM

We're in, and looking forward to it. We were in the UP for the second time last summer and passed through Escanaba, and it is a beautiful city.

For those concerned about too many rules/regulations/berets/parades/badges/traditions....do not be concerned. They will not prevent you from having a great time.

You will like it.

John

sandlapper · 07-05-2016, 08:43 PM

Well said Dave, you nailed it, 100%.

And it was very good to see you and Jane again, after too many years. How did we get so lucky to land 3 doors down!!!!

xrvr · 07-06-2016, 06:11 AM

There's plenty to do at a rally even without leaving the grounds. Planned activities are great but just visiting with other campers is the real plus. One really never has to leave the grounds to enjoy the rally. So where the rally is held has a lot to do with how close the membership is. How many can and will attend. Others will travel cross country to get there.

Protagonist · 07-06-2016, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avionstream

There's plenty to do at a rally even without leaving the grounds. Planned activities are great but just visiting with other campers is the real plus. One really never has to leave the grounds to enjoy the rally. So where the rally is held has a lot to do with how close the membership is. How many can and will attend. Others will travel cross country to get there.

I have to agree. I enjoyed Lewisburg even though convalescing from a recent bout of bacterial pneumonia would have put a damper on the tours and other off-site excursions even if the natural disaster hadn't. I didn't leave the rally grounds except for an occasional restaurant meal or a grocery run, and still had fun— except for the flag ceremony and delegates' meeting, both of which I was stuck with for the second year in a row and don't care to participate in again anytime soon.

I still haven't made up my mind about Escanaba. Part of the decision-making process will be determining my intermediate stops to and from. For me, it's not just the destination, it's the journey. If I'm going to make a 2600-mile round-trip (minimum, without detours), I want to enjoy every mile as well as every day.