Caravan question

[Cedar41]

Have either of the Alpine Associations ever put together a Caravan. We live in Texas and have not joined either Association so I'm not sure what has happened over the years.

[Cedar41]

Have either of the Alpine Associations ever put together a Caravan. We live in Texas and have not joined either Association so I'm not sure what has happened over the years.

[Mike & Nancy]

John......

I don't know about a Caravan, but our first time out with MH was with Alpine SoCal in Palm Desert. We had a great time and met some great people. We are going to Solvang rally (September) and then to "Homecoming" in October. I know Tom and Patty and Chris Cross are going to homecoming. If Dave Fernandez is reading this he will be able to answer the "Caravaning" questions. It does sound like fun.

Mike

[Danny Gayhart]

The Alpine Coach Association has 2 caravans per year which coincide with the FMCA International Conventions. We just had a pre-rally in Garrison, North Dakota with a caravan of 30 coaches to the Minot, ND FMCA Convention. We will have another pre-rally in March from Outdoor Resorts in Aguanga, CA to Pomona, CA for the 75th Annual FMCA Convention. We invite you to join our organization (the ACA) and share the fun and friendships during our rallies.
Thanks for asking,
Claudia Gayhart
President - Alpine Coach Association

[Tom and Patty]

Mike just sent you an e-mail. Danny can tell us if we can caravan to Toppenish. Something this spring came up about it. I paid very little attention to what it was about.

I see no reason we can't meet up on the road and drive in together . Our first homecoming and Patty and I can't wait. Kind of like Christmas when I was little I didn't think I could enjoy something so much as this lifestyle, hobby, ect. and be with my wife too

[Cedar41]

Has either Association considered a Caravan to Canada? Will try to make one of the Apline Rallies next year. Would love to meet everone that has been so helpful. We pass Alpines on the Road and always wonder who it could be.

Lana

[Danny Gayhart]

Lana

Maybe we can get Gale to respond to this one, but for me leading a caravan has to be the most stressful job I have ever tried. We only had six coachs too!

Danny

[Cedar41]

I bet it is a big job. The people we met did not put together any formal one I guess. They just winged it with 11 coaches. Never been on one so don't know what is envolved.

[Tom and Patty]

Maybe caravan is the wrong word for what Mike, Nancy, Patty and I are going to do. Just try to meet up on the road somewhere and follow each other to Toppenish. Mike's coming from Vegas and Pat and I from beautiful downtown Fresno.

[Dave Fernandez]

Hello Cedar41:

Caravanning?

From what I have read and under stand on the paid Caravans you travel to the next destination on your own or with a couple of members of the caravan. I have traveled with one other MH, two and three other MH's and as many as about 20 coaches at one time. From my personal experience what I have found is the more coaches the shorter the distance you should travel.

If you want to contact others who are traveling to the same destination you meet them and caravan/travel together it is a lot of fun and enjoyable when your are traveling with friends but it does have its downside.

When traveling with four coaches from Las Vegas to Cheyenne over a lot of two lane roads we had difficulties in finding spots to stop and let the dogs relieve themselves or to relieve ourselves, we had to find some large areas to pull over when 4 coaches with toads which are at least 240 feet total in length and you must be able find a place to stop and start before you run out of space.

We remained in contact with the GMRS/FRS radios so we did not have to bother with others on the same frequency like CB radios. The radios were great even after we pulled into a campground to assist in parking each other and if we were not parked next to each other we could remain in contact. If we separated we could also contact each other by Cell Phone if they worked.

I hope this answers some you're your questions.

Dave

[Mike & Nancy]

Hi Dave

Good info on "Caravaning".....we are looking to meet up with Tom and Patty enroute to Homecoming. What GMRS/FRS radio's do you recommend????

See ya Solvang.....

Mike

[Dave Fernandez]

Hello Mike & Nancy:

Enjoy Homecoming you will have a lot of fun and meet a lot of great people/friends. Enjoy the drag races. Have a safe trip.

As for Radio's they are all great, I would get the one with the highest wattage and that have 22 Channels and 38 privacy codes. Get the ones which are rechargeable and you also get NOAA Weather channels on some of them.

If you look around many stores have them Costco, Camping World, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc.

See you in Solvang.

Dave