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Old 03-30-2008, 12:04 PM   #261
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Hi from the western region!

We just had our second successful and really FUN Western Region Women's Rally so I send a little encouragement and good wishes to you all. We had some total newbies who did an outstanding job. I know you'll all have a great time too. Just remember that once you get there, you'll have a whole group of new and old Airstream friends cheering you on.

Believe me EVERYone is a little nervous when they first get behind the wheel of the TV with a trailer behind...even the guys. Keep in mind that no one automatically knows how to tow. Both men and women need to learn and with a little practice we can all do it. The jitters usually vanish after a short time on the road.

Just take it slow, if you are not comfortable pulling into a tight spot-don't, and if you need help just ask. Everyone is willing to help if you need it. Asking for help backing in or out is no different then getting a helping hand when wrestling with tent poles back in the tenting days.

Have loads of fun and I can't wait to see the photos and hear the stories.

Maybe next year we can all meet in the middle for a big rally.
We can tow it!

Cheers,
Laurel
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Old 03-30-2008, 05:32 PM   #262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamCamper
Hi from the western region!
(snip) Believe me EVERYone is a little nervous when they first get behind the wheel of the TV with a trailer behind...even the guys. (snip) We can tow it!
Cheers,
Laurel
Thanks Laurel!

It will be a blast!! And there's always someone to help you at the rally, just don't be afraid to ask like I was
I learned to ask for help!
Aint that right Sharon, Carol, Vickie, Danielle, Suz, Jamie, and Paula?? Danielle kept saying "help Stephie" my guardian angel!!
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Old 03-30-2008, 06:40 PM   #263
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamCamper
Hi from the western region!


Believe me EVERYone is a little nervous when they first get behind the wheel of the TV with a trailer behind...even the guys. Keep in mind that no one automatically knows how to tow. Both men and women need to learn and with a little practice we can all do it. The jitters usually vanish after a short time on the road.
Hi Lynda!

Laurel knows what she's sayin'! She got me so jazzed to tow for the first time last year, that I re-read those original posts just to get my courage back up for this year! And you're clearly going to be in very caring and capable company once you land at your campground.

Just remember to take it easy--especially going downhill--keep your distance from those in front of you, and (mostly) ignore those behind you.
I had a new TV too, and spent much time getting familiar with all the widgets and controls, so they would be second-nature while towing. Your brake controller and mirrors are very big deals.

And the help is very present but not overwhelming! Michelle (Cats&I) was actually polishing her nails (silver of course) at the picnic table while I was going through the un-hitching routine. Very nonchalantly she'd barely look up and just comment "you missed a step" letting me remember what it was on my own.
Of course Laurel was cracking up on the other side of the trailer.

Great gals, all!
Have a wonderful time.
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Old 03-31-2008, 04:15 PM   #264
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AS p/u set for Friday!!!

Hi again,

OK, we pick up the TV tomorrow night (Tuesday) and are set for Friday afternoon pickup of the AS!!! I am SO psyched!

Will be learning and practicing as much as possible over the next few weeks, to gain confidence to make the trip out to the Rally

Should I try to book a pull-through site for the trip out to OH? Looks like about 12 hours each way for me. I have a doctor at about the half way point who would probably let me boondock one night in her parking lot, especially if I combine with a visit (chiropractor, I could use it!), should I see if I can set this up?

Also, I have not joined any of the AS clubs yet, just this forum. Does that matter?

Thanks!
Lynda
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Old 03-31-2008, 05:09 PM   #265
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I wouldnt book anything, just ask when you get to the campground, ask for a pull threw site, they may not have any, I dont know where we are going to be, but Im going to get there on thursday sometime, and ask them to put us all around each other.

As far as joining any groups, you dont have to! If you wanted to join the WBCCI, we are going to be stoping at the Headquarters before the plant tour, so you can join then!!!
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Old 03-31-2008, 07:28 PM   #266
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Lynda if your doctor's lot is fine with you it would seem easy enough to get in and out of otherwise I think the KOAs are nice in that they escort you to your campsite. It never hurts to have several tentative places picked out along the way depending how far along you get. You might give a call in advance, reservations shouldn't be necessary that time of year but you would find that out and if they are open and pull throughs available with the call. Do you have a Woodall's or Trailer Life campground directory? We usually leave that in the truck for reference. You may take longer than the 6 hours estimated depending on traffic and gas and rest stops. It's good to stop frequently and take a break, I find.
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Old 04-01-2008, 02:45 AM   #267
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Rallies Cancelled






April Fools

Can't fool you gals one bit can I

Happy April Fools Day - and I am chiming in to be first in line for my Fools Badge....

Lynda that is great news I am so excited for you. You will do marvelous...

Laura we are going to be there a week ahead if you want we could scope it out and smooth talk the owner in no upfront fees to get us in a group without any question. Peter has such a way with People no one can ever say no to him - he is just so nice - it is I who is the of the family.

You do want to try and get some sort of 'solid down' - as it is hard to drive in not knowing what is up and the last thing you want is to be spread all over the park...especially with such a small group and with several new people. It was a big comfort for me coming in last year knowing everyone was in the same spot - I am sure they will accommodate our request. Without the extra fees.

Tell ya what - if they don't then I will foot the bill for the extra fee just to give the ladies peace of mind.
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Old 04-01-2008, 05:43 AM   #268
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774 mi – about 12 hours 40 mins

This is what Maps.Google says each direction of my trip from CT to OH for the Rally.

Beginning to think I am insane!!!

Seriously, you know my complete lack of knowledge and experience, what do you advise?

I don't have the time to take 3 days for each direction, really need to do it in two, and do not want to arrive after dark, anywhere!

Have the deadline of the 2pm tour of the Airstream place on Friday, when do I NEED to arrive in order to make this? Would LOVE to get in the day before, if I can leave here Wed. AM I could do it. Who else will be there on Thursday?

How late on Sunday do you plan to depart? Leaving much after noon means a very long day for me on Monday, or an extra night somewhere on the way home.

I really, really, REALLY want to come! Please tell me what you think. How far are the rest of you travelling? Is it just for the Rally?

Wish there was a nice woman out this way who wanted to go on an adventure with me!

Fortunately I love to drive, and am a veteran of numerous trips as the only driver. Unfortunately I have to tame my lead foot and deal with depth perception issues.

Lynda

ps think I will plan an east coast women's rally for early fall. RI in Sept anyone? Or MA, NH, VT, PA, or?!
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Old 04-01-2008, 06:31 AM   #269
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Brock is coming, she is in Pennsylvania.

Your best time is to drive all day, you can even leave Wednesday late afternoon (?) and get as far as you can before dark, sleep, then early start again on Thursday first light, you would definitely be there Thursday night, or nearly to arrive quite early on Friday. Don't think of it as staying for a night stay and drag out all your stuff, think of it as napping along the way and just get in and get out. It will all depend on weather and your energy level.

I'm thinking the factory is 30-40 minutes away. Ideally we should plan to arrive by 1:30.

I should be there by Thursday, Laura will, maybe Sharon will and some others. I may stay Sunday night but no early departures for me. But we can send you off with a hug and a doublecheck.

Hey Jamie is in Massachusetts! Let us know your fall ideas. I bet its beautiful with the autumn colors. Good rally rally talk actually.

If it isn't the mountains and I want to make time, I pay no mind to day or night and drive when I am awake and stop and sleep when I am tired for a few hours at a rest stop or truck stop then repeat as necessary. But I wouldn't recommend that for your first long trip.
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Old 04-01-2008, 06:38 AM   #270
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Sharon, why I oughtta... You got me this morning. I opened the thread and said "Oh blank!" then saw it was April Fool's joke. You're cruisin' for a bruisin' ya trickster.
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Old 04-01-2008, 09:14 AM   #271
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Tee hee giggle giggle.....sorry - if I got your heart pumping

I don't think it is possible for this Rally to be cancelled It is going to be GREAT!!!!

There is so many cool things on the dance ticket how will we ever have time to just sit and chew the fat Quick meet and greets all round then off we go as a fun group to the Factory Tour, Caves, a few great meals a quick social then another great meal - Maybe we can fit in a crocket game on Sunday morning Hit the wicket to in place of drawing straws to leave - no one wanted to go first last year cause that meant we had to say it was over and that we had to wait another year for another one

Okay Lynda -what can I offer you in the way of comfort.

If you look at your Map see where I live - Find Peterborough on the opposite side of Lake Ontario. Add another 45 minutes north east and that is where my little LadyBug resides in a forest.

My map said 774 Kilometers and 8 hours and 8 minutes. It took me 2 hours just to get to the highway - cause I had my first gas up and parked it in the wrong lane after I did so well - they lady came running out and said you can't park there I can not see any of the pumps so Like I had to pull right out of the station and come back at it for a second run but then had to wait cause I was only allowed to be in the end lane geesshhh.....

I was finally on the hi-way and I had all these people waving at me - I thought cool they like my trailer tee hee. but mean time my power cord door had opened and my cord was flapping under my trailer and was slowly making its way all the way out - could have whacked some pretty good. Up here there are not too many pull offs so I did the gravel hard shoulder thing.

Got her set made it onto the big 401 hi-way and had to pee - and if I still smoked I could have sure used a smoke break!!!

Moving to the next big high way - my brand new brakes were grabbing on me and I was burning rubber every time I stopped. But I forgot how to use the brake controller - so for the 10th time I think already I had to call my co-pilot who was given STRICT orders not to leave the phone at his work for not even one split second tee hee.

He helped me back off the tension - cause it was still set for the MoonBeam (our previous trailer) and Ladybug was a feather compared to MoonBeam.

I was finally settled into driving and saying hey I'm doing this I feel good - so good that I was starving so I grabbed a snack I had with me and thought this is a lot easier than I imagined it was going to be - the towing part is a breeze. So much so that you can get into daydreaming and I missed my exit to London and ended up heading toward Niagara Falls - so I had to double back....

I'm still making good time sort of....and thought it is going to be dusk soon and I should be out of Ontario by now and I was not. So I thought I would flip the running lights on and be sure everything was good - I had a gas stop and found out I had NO lights what so ever - not even on the yukon - it was very strange. So I undid the squirrels nest Peter and band aid for me - we had no more time to get ready so the new wiring was not done. I had no clue what I was doing and Peter stepped away from the phone ARRRGGG

so when I was about to panic I just said (*&^%^ it) I will give it a go and see - and they all came on - it was like someone upstairs was looking after me!!!

Then I had the border - delays and then I got lost in Detroit and did the circle three times before I found the 75 south exit...

Now all the time I had the cell phones of the Girls all waiting at Poor Farmers and what a huge reassurance that was. When it got dark - I thought I would be scared - but it was great the traffic was gone - like I mean totally gone - I shared the road with like a couple of transports. It was a balmy summer night - so I rolled the window down turned the tunes way way up and I was having the time of my life - and getting really excited to meet and see everyone.

I just got in really really late - around 1:00am I think instead of the planed 8:30 but I had a lot of extra stops.

If I did it again - I would travel at night and stop during the daylight - instead I think I would more scared stopping at night unless I was in a park or a friends driveway.

But that is just me..... leave yourself lots of extra time - and don't rush. If you like to drive then once you feel comfortable - you just might drive right through with the proper mini breaks or naps to keep yourself fresh.

We will be there on the phone every step if you need us....
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Old 04-01-2008, 09:46 AM   #272
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Sharon!!!!!!!!

You little trickster! You got me too! Happy April Fools Day!!!
I think Carol is right about Grand Lake being about 35-40 min. away. We did that trip, but I did not write it down. Darn! Lynda, you might want to look at the courtesy parking list and see if anyone is "on the way". Larry and I are just southwest of Cleveland and have had lots of visits by Airstreamers coming through. We love driveway rallies, and every single one of our visits has been GREAT!!!! We have met so many nice people.
We are getting psyched!!!
Lou
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Old 04-01-2008, 02:58 PM   #273
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Hello Rivette Sisters,

You all must think that I have fallen off the face of the earth. Fortunately, I am still here!

Boy, it's getting harder with every post to know that Danielle and I will be unable to join you at this rally. But you have to know that we will be there in spirit. So please raise a glass to all of your Rivette sisters that will be absent. It sounds as if you have a busy fun-filled rally! Laura, you have done a wonderful job in setting this rally up. Hopefully, I will get to meet you and the other new Rivettes in the not to distance future.

Roamin Cat, you will be in good company with these ladies. It is a great opportunity for you to learn through experience. There is something to be said about jumping in with both feet. Aluminum fever will do that to you. Congratulations on your new rig. Just remember Rome wasn't built in a day. There is no way you can learn everything before your first time out. Familiarize yourself with the basics (your new truck, mirrors, backing up to the AS, hooking and unhooking). Most of the other things will come with experience. The Rivettes are a great bunch of ladies that will be glad to help with as much or as little as you need. You CAN do this! As my daughter says, "Girl Power".

Have fun, ladies! Danielle and I will be thinking of all of you.

Mrs. Towdaddy (Vickie)
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Old 04-01-2008, 06:05 PM   #274
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picked up new truck!

Hey Ladies!

Picked up my new truck tonight, wow! What a great ride!!! I had test driven another one, but had not actually seen this puppy (and its color scheme - black on black) until pick up time I am thrilled and SO blessed!

Very psyched to come see you all at the Rally! Still think I am a bit insane to try this on my own the very first trip out, but will feel a bit more confident - I hope! - after the pick up, run through, shake down, etc. of this coming weekend with the AS at Colonial AS in NJ.

Thank you all so much for your generosity in sharing helpful info, your own early experiences, etc. Means a lot to me, and lots of very useful info! I pray I remember it when I need it!

Biggest thing - slow down, don't stress, rest as needed, have fun, remember what a great blessing this is, ask for help - from you as well as from my guardian angel!

Will we exchange cell phone #s before the trip, so we can coordinate as needed?

Thanks again,
Lynda
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Old 04-01-2008, 09:56 PM   #275
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WOW ladies, I missed a lot today. Sorry it took me so long, I was moving my sister all day!!

Lynda, Congrats on the new truck, Im glad you like it!! I will be getting to the campground on Thursday. Im traveling about 3.5 hours to the campground. I talked to the people at the campground and they said Jackson Center is about 45 mins away from them!

Vickie, why dont you join us? Come on out!!!! Or if you cant, give me a shout one day, and Ill come out for lunch or dinner some time to meet you guys!!

GUESS WHAT LADIES??? I got my sweatshirt from the store today in the mail, just an FYI, they run a little big!!
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Old 04-01-2008, 10:46 PM   #276
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Take a self portrait with the shirt on Laura!

VICKI, we've missed you! You make that Rivette muscle for Danielle and give her a big "Girl Power" right back from me. We'll just have to keep having rallies until we hit the right date and have all our Rivettes united again.

Lynda your nice new black truck will look gorgeous pulling the brand new Airstream. You have to be on top of the world with excitement. Take pictures at Colonial or when you get it home, we want to be certain we recognize you when you drive up. Oh, alright, I'm just anxious to see the new rig.
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Old 04-02-2008, 08:06 AM   #277
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We are considering attending , I may move vacation up a week or can rearrange a personal day. The big question , Is it mandatory that the wife tow to the rally. She is somewhat daunted by the prospect although I think she can handle it. She also worries I'll be a nervous wreck as I am somewhat possesive about My truck. If we come would tow to Airstream , Jackson Center and then after the tour head to the campground site. By the way if it counts Belle likes to stand on My lap with her paws on the wheel and help drive. We could say she towed it. And of course Charlie would be comming as well.
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Old 04-02-2008, 09:21 AM   #278
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costuming

I think everyone is welcome. If you can make it please come! You may want to read back through this post though and read about the she/male "appropriate" costuming that may or may not happen! LOL I am sure that Shenim can help you out there. Larry/AKA Larrita is still debating on that.
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Old 04-02-2008, 09:40 AM   #279
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Not at all!!!!! How cool. Glad you are coming. It's a celebration and self exploration and an opportunity to meet and share, inspire and conspire with more women in the Airstream community. Many are rising to the challenge to tow and the rest we will encourage and hopefully motivate. It's always a good thing to have the ability and confidence to take over should an emergency situation arise when traveling and the bonus is the experience can be exhillerating and satisfying and opens the door to the relm of independent travel. But towing is not a prerequisite. Come out and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Animals, who else is bringing animals? I was wondering. We have two dogs and a cat and I may be bringing one or some.

I believe costuming will be optional for all genders. LOL Larry was a hoot last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 04-02-2008, 09:49 AM   #280
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Come one call all!!!!
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