2005 International Rally - Springfield, Mo

[Derbycity]

June 28-July 4, 2005 are the dates for the WBCCI International Rally to be held in Springfield, Missouri. The Club will celebrate its 50th "Golden" Anniversary as the oldest RV Club in North America.

All Airstreamers are invited to attend this special event as all stops will be pulled to make your visit an enjoyable one. The nearness to Branson (35 miles South) makes the area a great vacation destination. Branson entertainers will be used at the evening programs so if you like family style entertainment you will enjoy the songs & music.

For Airstreamers with air conditioners you will be pleased to know that 30 amp electricity will be made available for an additional fee of $125.00 (regardless of the number of days parking). So far, 82% of those preregistering have signed up for the 30 amp.

Check out the WBCCI web site www.wbcci.org for more details and a downloadable reservation form.

[Airstream Life]

We'll be there!

If you're thinking about making the trip, you'll find that there are a surprising number of diverse things to do in Missouri. I'm thinking about going diving ...

[Edie]

Don't forget that the early registration discount is only good for registrations received before 1/1/05.

Here is a link to the registration form.

[tin can luv]

With the Midwest rally just before that, it will be tough, but I can't imagine missing it, when it's so darn close...

DON't FORGET... IT'S RATHER CLOSE TO COLAW'S RV SALVAGE!!!!!!!!!!

Better than a trip to Branson...LOL..

Hope to see you all there, hope to be there ourselves!!

Ron and TOny

[eljay]

It is our plan to be there at least one weekend. Now to see if we can get Icky in travelling order by that time...

[maxandgeorgia]

I'm thinking we may go for a day, drive in, but not stay--just to see what an international rally is like. Many may say that visiting won't give the full flavor, which is probably true, but I cannot imagine camping for a week at the 4th of July in south Missouri. I love MO, but we head north or west about that time to escape the heat and humidity. If we do visit for a day, we hope we meet some more of the forum members. Wouldn't it be great if we had our logo decals by then. We'd all stand out in the crowd, which is hard to do when we all have Silver dreams!

[overlander64]

Greetings mazandgeorgia!

Originally Posted by maxandgeorgia

I'm thinking we may go for a day, drive in, but not stay--just to see what an international rally is like. Many may say that visiting won't give the full flavor, which is probably true, but I cannot imagine camping for a week at the 4th of July in south Missouri. I love MO, but we head north or west about that time to escape the heat and humidity. If we do visit for a day, we hope we meet some more of the forum members. Wouldn't it be great if we had our logo decals by then. We'd all stand out in the crowd, which is hard to do when we all have Silver dreams!

You will have the option of 30-AMP electric service for the additional charge as mentioned in the first post above - - I signed up for the 30-AMP section before leaving Lansing last summer. I agree with you in regard to the mid-South late-June/early-July weather, and would have been much less likely to attend had the 30-AMP option not been made available (I would have sought off-site parking with full-hookups had the 30-AMP option not been offered) - - I promised myself that I would NEVER attend another International where there was a high probability of sweltering like we did in Dayton, Ohio in 1999. The 30-AMP option was piolted at the International in Lansing, and those I spoke with who were parked in that section seemed pleased with the arrangement.

I am really looking forward to an International that will only be about 275 miles from my home. My Cadillac has been put on notice that if it isn't in line for this rally that it will find itself as an ornament in someone else's garage in 2006. I am determined to be in attendance with the '75 Cadillac Edlorado and '78 Minuet.

Kevin

[wingfoot321]

What is the best route coming in from the east on I64 through St. Louis? (1) shortest distance to Springfield and (2) Best road quality. I want nothing to do with I70 west!

[eljay]

The most direct route is I44 from St. Louis to Springfield. I can't speak to road quality, but it is heavily travelled.

[tin can luv]

I44 is one of the better highways in the St. Louis area.

If I dont make it, I'll have to stand at the Highway (live next to Vandeventer/Kingshighway exit, one of the first three or four on I44) and wave at you all.

I live accross the street from the MO Botanical Garden. If anyone has time, it's a must see! Incredible Japanese Garden as well as many other wonderful features!!!, --- Not even 1/4 mile off of I44 - Sorry off the subject line, just introducing you to MO.

Hope to see you all there.

ROn

Our application is filled out and ready to send in as soon as I receive our WBCCI numbers ( just recently joined). We signed up for the 30 amp service and are thinking of taking our Border Collie. Any advice on taking dogs? This is our first Airstream event, so we're really looking forward to it.

[overlander64]

Greetings wingfoot1!

Originally Posted by wingfoot1

What is the best route coming in from the east on I64 through St. Louis? (1) shortest distance to Springfield and (2) Best road quality. I want nothing to do with I70 west!

I too like to avoid the I-70/I-55 Corridor when towing either of my coaches. My suggestion would include a slightly different approach. You will probably surmise from my reply that I am only about 60 miles North of Sikeston, Missouri, but this is the same route that I utilized when I lived near Davenport, Iowa:

In Illinois, take I-57 to Exit 203 (Arcola/Arthur) - - <<I always enjoy a good meal at the Dutch Kitchen, a great family-style restaurant that serves Pennsylvania Dutch style meals located on Main Street>> - - then proceed West on Main Street two blocks to US-45.

Then, follow US-45 South to its junction with IL-37 South near Watson, IL (about 13 miles South of Effingham). Continue on IL-37 to Marion, IL where you can rejoin I-57 South (Interchange 54) <<from the IL-37 South/IL-13 West junction, follow IL-13 West about 2 miles to the I-57 South on-ramp>>.

From Marion, follow I-57 South to US-60 West/I-55 South junction. From this junction proceed West on US-60 to Springfield.

The above route has been one of my favorites for my regular trips to Kansas. The route is excellent, quite scenic, and is generally very lightly traveled. There are ample opportunities for antiquing along the way, and many of the gas stations along the route accommodate vehicles towing trailers without any unusual maneuvering. While most of US-45 and IL-37 are improved 2-lane secondary, much of US-60 is improved 4-lane.

Good luck and enjoy your venture to International!

Kevin

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by wingfoot1

What is the best route coming in from the east on I64 through St. Louis? (1) shortest distance to Springfield and (2) Best road quality. I want nothing to do with I70 west!

Best route is to take the I255 south as it intersects I64 in Illinois. Stay on that as it will change numbers to I270. At the I44 interchange go south to Springfield. That's the best route through St. Louis. Your heaviest traffic will be on the Missouri side of I255/I270.

I44 carries a lot of truck traffic with the speed limit at 70mph once you clear the St. Louis metropolitan area. Note that the 18 wheelers seem to like to do 80 so stay to your right and let those big rigs fly by. They travel faster on this Interstate than any other in Missouri.

Road quality is great to fair. Your worst roads are going to be in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The problems range from bad alignment of road grades to overpasses causing some pitching as you go on and come off of the overpasses on I255 in Illinois, to various degrees of pavement deterioration in St. Louis. The good side is the potholes should be filled by that time.

Jack

[overlander64]

Greetings Craftsman!

Originally Posted by Craftsman

Our application is filled out and ready to send in as soon as I receive our WBCCI numbers ( just recently joined). We signed up for the 30 amp service and are thinking of taking our Border Collie. Any advice on taking dogs? This is our first Airstream event, so we're really looking forward to it.

I am usually accompanied to International Rallys by at least one if not two Chihuahuas. Before the days of the 30-AMP section, pet owners (primarily those with dogs) were segregated in an area called "Doggie Row", and I presume that this is still the case with those parking in the non-30-AMP section. One of the items mentioned on the materials that I have seen for the 30-AMP section indicated that pet owners would not be segregated from the general population in the 30-AMP section - - this was the way that pets were handled in the VAC section until the most recent International Rally(s?). You will find that a large number of the Vintage owners either travel with cat(s) and/or dog(s) - - the dogs are all sizes from the petite tiny toys (my Chihuahua, Precious, weighs in at 2.5 pounds) to the large breeds <I attended one Rally where a member was traveling with a Great Dane>.

Basically, there really aren't any particular considerations when parking at International Rallys with pets than there would be at commercial campgrounds. We generally walk our animals in an area well away from the camping area (in the past there has been an "unofficial pet walk area"), clean up after them, and take the usual precautions to make sure that our animal traveling companions are good neighbors. It is usually ill-advised to attend functions (other than the pet show) accompanied by our animals.

Be on the lookout for "First Timer" activities and orientation workshop. These are generally valuable in helping to become familiar with the available activities. If you plan on parking with the VAC (it remains to be seen just how this will play out as some of the VAC members have expressed the desire to be parked in the non-30-AMP area) - - you will want to watch the VAC website for details about the "assembly area" (usually at a shopping mall/center near the parking area) from which we will "Parade into the Rally Grounds" - - in most cases with a police escort. If your coach doesn't already have one you may want to consider a flag holder and flag(s) - - part of the fun of the parade is to display our flags just prior to the parade on the Rally Grounds. Three other items that you will likely want to be sure to have on-hand include a free-flowing (no shut-off valves) water "Y" and at least two 50' lengths of white potable water hose (5/8" or 3/4" is usually best), as well as a blue tote tank for wash water (even if you have an on-board wash water tank the blue tote tank may come in handy if your on-board tank fills before the scheduled pump-outs (the usual practice has been two pump-outs in the Vintage section, but one is often the norm in the general population where the wash water tanks on the newer coaches are larger).

Good luck with your plans and prepartions!

Kevin

[TomW]

Originally Posted by overlander64

...as well as a blue tote tank for wash water (even if you have an on-board wash water tank the blue tote tank may come in handy if your on-board tank fills before the scheduled pump-outs (the usual practice has been two pump-outs in the Vintage section, but one is often the norm in the general population where the wash water tanks on the newer coaches are larger)...

Several years ago, a huge WBCCI event was held here in Huntsville, AL at the old airport. Perhaps some of you attended it.

Although I did not have my Overlander at that time, I did have my Suburban which allowed my wife & I to prowl around the event unnoticed. I remember feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the sight of so many Airstreams & 3/4 ton Suburbans. Up to that point, I had never seen a Pull-rite or Hensley hitch either.

Anyway, being a tent camper at the time, I did not take notice of how sanitation was handled at big events such as these. By "pump-out", do you mean that some sort of tank truck comes around to each site & is set up to pump out your holding tanks? Just curious.

Tom

[Airstream Life]

Originally Posted by tcwilliams

By "pump-out", do you mean that some sort of tank truck comes around to each site & is set up to pump out your holding tanks?

Yes, and it's a happy day when they arrive! And here's one of those things they don't tell you: put a little twist-tie or colored string on the black tank dump valve, so they know which is which...

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by overlander64

...<I attended one Rally where a member was traveling with a Great Dane>.

you mean, like THIS?

[overlander64]

Greetings Tom!

Originally Posted by tcwilliams

Several years ago, a huge WBCCI event was held here in Huntsville, AL at the old airport. Perhaps some of you attended it.

Although I did not have my Overlander at that time, I did have my Suburban which allowed my wife & I to prowl around the event unnoticed. I remember feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the sight of so many Airstreams & 3/4 ton Suburbans. Up to that point, I had never seen a Pull-rite or Hensley hitch either.

Anyway, being a tent camper at the time, I did not take notice of how sanitation was handled at big events such as these. By "pump-out", do you mean that some sort of tank truck comes around to each site & is set up to pump out your holding tanks? Just curious.

Tom

If my memory is correct, the Huntsville International Rally was in 1997. It was the first year that my Overlander was such that I felt comfortable with long-distance towing - - I didn't attend that International after I learned that there would not be enough power to run my Air Conditioner (I knew that with the heat and humidity I would never make it more than one night without my air conditioner). It was disappointing as it was so close to my home in far Southern Illinois.

You have the idea about "pump out". We are parked in vacant fields often near an airport or fair grounds so there are typically no exisiting RV ready utility connections. Prior to the last few years, wash water could be placed on the ground via a dark drain hose connected to the hose drain on the evacuation valve. My first experience with mandatory wash water collection was the Dayton, Ohio International Rally (1999) where PVC piping was run for the disposal of wash water - - in theory it sounded great - - in reality it wasn't so nice if you happened to be parked at the bottom of a hill that was lower than the drain point for a line - - in that situation, you likely returned home at least once to find your shower/bathtub filled with wash water from your row (guess who found a near overflowing bathtub when he returned from the Nutter Center and registration). The last two years, we have been required to provide for collection of our own wash water via tote-tanks if our coaches don't have wash water tanks or if the tank is of insufficient size. Part of the Rally fee for the International includes one pump-out by a "honey wagon", typically a commercial septic tank pumping service. You will arrive home to your coach one evening to find a yellow card attached your "note-clip" advising that your row is due for a pump-out the next day - - you will be asked to place your sewer hose near your dump valve to indicate desire to have your coach pumped - - the pumping crew will then pump your coach (this always seems to happen well before 9:00 a.m.). With our Vintage coaches (especially mid-1960s and before) it is generally a good idea to be with the coach for this process - - I know that with my '64 Overlander it is desirable to open the toilet flush valve to reduce the tank pressure during the pumping to avoid potential issues with tank collapse - - this trick was taught to me by a fellow '64 owner who had experienced a tank collapse when her coach was pumped when she wasn't present. There is typically something of a steep learning curve with the first attendance at an International Rally - - especially in the days before the Internet and the existence of Forums such as the one that we now enjoy.

Kevin

[overlander64]

Greetings Chuck!

Originally Posted by chuck

you mean, like THIS?

That face looks familiar. It was an intersting situation when my Chihuahua and the Great Dane first saw one another it was lmost as if my Chihuahua was trying to figure out what kind of bovine she was seeing (we spend our summers on a beef farm), and the Great Dane seemed to be trying to decide what kind of large rat he was observing.

Kevin

[Stefrobrts]

I wish I could make it to international, and see all our forum friends from the other side of the country! We are planning a trip to visit friends in Alton, IL this summer, but not during the hot season. No AC, ya know! Our friends in Alton, knowing we are whimpy cool-weather northwesterners have advised us to stay far away from MO in July

Maybe we'll see some of you in Oregon in 06!