2012 National Orphan Rally

[sgtjoe]

Rook, Sierra Vista gets cold in the Winter. Unless you drain your sewer and water hose at nite they may freeze. If you're retired Militay the Base has a real nice RV park, if you can get in. Bisbee has some great sights to see including a RV Park that has a bunch of old time trailers that they actually rent out. They have an old MH that I fell in love with. Too bad they don't have enough room to park overnite, at least they didn't the last time we were there.
There is a RV park on the east end of town, it is in a gated community and was reasonable a few years. Also, there was a RV park in Tombstone, so you could walk around the old town without having to drive.
Have you ever been to Quartzsite in Jan?? It is a hoot.

[Theberrys]

Originally Posted by MartySQ

So, is this Nationals that were orphaned or any orphaned MH or campers?

Hey were not at all exclusive. We started out with a few Nationals from this board, but I'm sure anyone would be welcome Orphan or not. In the past two we have exchanged ideas and in general have snooped around everyone’s coach just to learn more about the whole RV deal, folks having the others over for dinner on a rotating basis and outings to local attractions.
The “T” Shirts have been on a National theme, but that is really not necessary since there designed every year for the Rally.
I'm hoping this doesn't die and we can learn how to attract more coaches through this years less than sterling attendance.
Dick

[Frantz]

We'd be interested in Quartszite. Would prefer FHU but we can survive.

Some of you might want to join us at http://www.irv2.com/forums/f70/north...et-124089.html. We had 5 Nationals at the Spring NW M&G.

[ka7suz]

Originally Posted by Frantz

Some of you might want to join us at www.irv2.com/forums/f70/northwest-fall-2012-meet-and-greet-124089.html. We had 5 Nationals at the Spring NW M&G.

Six if you count the lady with the Sea Breeze that only spent one night.

JoAnn
1999 Tradewinds 7371
Spokane Valley WA

[Vegasdan]

I appreciate all of the good suggestions, including the one about Yellowstone, but the really popular places would probably be full and a little hard to plan a "rally". Trying to organize this was like trying to herd cats.

[two2go]

Originally Posted by Vegasdan

I appreciate all of the good suggestions, including the one about Yellowstone, but the really popular places would probably be full and a little hard to plan a "rally". Trying to organize this was like trying to herd cats.

I understand fully. As much as our desires and good intentions are, we retired folks are not as footloose and fancy free as we would think. Like I said before, we really enjoyed the Chalk Creek gathering last year and would have done it again this year if we had not already planned something else. As far as the winter months, again a good idea but maybe not so easy to accomplish. We are increasing our "stay put" time and decreasing our "move about" time, so we have signed up to spend about 4 months in Yuma this winter. Once we are set up there, it would be hard to take off for a gathering somewhere else.
We appreciate what Dan and the Berrys have done since the initial idea--was it Dan's Tradewinds remodeling blog that started it all? All I can offer is, keep communicating and throw out a plan here or there and see what comes together. We will stay tuned. Bob and Sharon M. aka two2go.

[sgtjoe]

was it Dan's Tradewinds remodeling blog that started it all?

Yes it was, along with Dicks remodel projects. We talked back and forth awhile and then decided to pull off the first Orphan Rally at Navajo Lake, NM. It was a great few days looking and learning from each other. For those of you who are tired of your plain old carpet ceiling and wonder what you can do to make it better you really need to see Dicks MH. From Dan I was impressed with the one continous coach length of eternabond tape on the top roof/sidewall seams. That had to be a difficult task. And I still need to do mine. The paint and decals on their Tradewinds are beautiful and still have me drooling. The pictures that both Dan and Dick posted on the Forum are great, but to see them in person was a lot better. After that I tackled my carpet and replaced it with carpet tiles and laminate, to include the entry stairs and the stair cover with laminate. I also installed a 26" led TV in bedroom and a 32" LED TV in the front on a double swinging mount. All of this because I met up with these guys.
For the past 4-5 years we've stayed in Yuma in the Winter, but want to move around this Winter. We will head to Ouartzsite in Jan for the Big Top just for the heck of it and also to eat some great PIZZA at Silly Als. There is dry camping for 7 bucks a night right across from The Gambler, who has the best prices on RV stuff to include National parts. This is right in the middle of a lot of the Vendors. There was a National Rally group there this last year. Perhaps we could have an Orphan Rally there this Jan. What do you all think?

[sgtjoe]

Hey out there, this thread has been quiet for awhile. Nobody has any interest in getting an "Orphan Rally" together to look over modifications and trade tips on how to do this or that?? And to meet and greet. I'd be happy to lead a discussion about the pitfalls of leaving the water pump on with no water in the holding tank. I'm interested in a lesson on changing the engine belts on a rear mounted radiator without being born with 8 foot arms.

[2Labs]

I'd be interested in an Orphan Rally if we could get it in the Northeast ... We've got a large yard - about 4 acres of former cow grazing fields in CT - no hookups for a group, so it would be all boondocking. We're right on the CT Antiques Trail, about 2 hours from Boston and just over an hour from NYC.

[Benicia Tom]

We would really be interested, just picked our Sea breeze Lx about 3 weeks ago and would love to learn some trade secrets. This is our 1st rv although in-laws had a fire ball when my wife and I first got married, forty years ago, and my parents had a trailer so when are not real new this lifestyle.

[cannon man]

quartzsite in jan gets our vote

[pjgolpher]

So any plans for a 2013 Rally? We live in La Quinta, CA...Were going to the Tucson rally in March...Not doing anything til we leave the desert July - Sept...
Need someplace to go in between...
Inquiring minds want to know....

[Tumble Weed]

Is there going to be another rally like this?

[sgtjoe]

Originally Posted by Tumble Weed

Is there going to be another rally like this?

Are you talking about one for National RV owners??