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Travel-Journal

July 2004

Today is the 16^thof July…and I’m sitting on the picnic table outside of our coach writing this journal entry. It is a beautiful day in Victoria, British Columbia. What - Victoria?? That’s right….we arrived yesterday evening at our place in the RV Park “Fort Victoria” and Dagmar is getting ready to move our stuff into our Suite on Head Street. Our first car-load is already packed - and Blackie has no idea what will come next, - HOME SWEET HOME. Since we left Victoria last December, she had to settle into our MCI first….then came another move into the “Liberty Lady”….now back into the Suite again. But she doesn’t mind this a bit ….she must be a born globetrotter - like her parents, lol. Blackie is such a darling… we love her to death.

…getting dressed up for Halloween, lol

Here are some panoramic views of HOME taken from our Corner Suite Living Room Balcony - with a 270º view of down-town Victoria…..

View from our 4^th floor (corner) balcony toward the ‘Inner Harbor’ - and a little more to the West, - the ‘Strait of Juan de Fuca’…

…and still a little further West - a close-up view of a "Princess" Liner….or straight ahead - a shot of down-town

(I should produce a kaleidoscope of views from our LR (as well as BR) balconies to give a better impression of what we’re missing - when we are not at home. No wonder we actually live on the balcony when we get here, lol)

So how did the 1^st Annual “Bus’N USA” Rally - which was scheduled for July 9^th to July 11^th 2004 - go? Well, - with one word - SUPER….. When we arrived at the Polk County Fairground in Rickreall, Oregon (just west of Salem, OR) - a day prior in the early afternoon of July 8^th, - we were greeted at the gate by our pal David, - one of the founders of the chapter and organizer of the event. After all, it was David Gregory - proprietor of “Southern Oregon Diesel” ( http://www.southernoregondiesel.com/ ) in Roseburg, OR - who convinced us months ago to become charter members of this new FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) International Chapter. He and directors Dick Wright and Bob Lewis – also founding officers of this new Pacific Northwest Chapter for people interested in 'Bus Conversion Motorhomes' - worked very hard to make this such a successful rally. I have been involved in setting up events like this in the past and know the time, money and dedication it takes to pull it off successfully. And you cannot do this without volunteers spending their ‘spare’ time to make it all come together. From the

‘Chef’ on – a famous one – to the food preparers, cleanup crews, servers, decorators, Rally Packet preparers, stamp makers and badge preparers, the seminar coordinator, program maker, grounds layout people,

parkers, security and all the other – hundred – odd jobs that have to be completed, -- it’s a gigantic undertaking. Commercial Exhibitors with their wares and expertise come from all over the United States and have to be set up and coordinated. But in this case their efforts of coming here were well rewarded ….since initially about 100 coaches were expected for this FIRST ever event, - but nearly twice that number actually showed up. This is a very good beginning …and bodes well for the clout of the organizers - like David…..

..David in the middle, - his brother Dennis third from right ( http://www.busnut.com/sodiesel.html )

The interesting part was that on the day prior to the Rally (Thursday July 8^th), when usually vendors and early arrivals start to trickle in, nearly all participants were already gathering inside the compound. In the evening there were rows and rows of buses of all makes, models and years ...and their owners strutting their stuff. There were also many coaches for sale that drove in, - some were just shells, - like the one parked next to us.

Prevost H3 conversion shell for sale parked next to us

Other units were completed ....or were in the process of completion. A good many 'entertainer' rigs as well as a new "Marathon" were on display. The nice thing about a rally is the chance to check out the different ideas and the many conversions with all the varied systems and styles. New and old, - professional and homemade, from the down and dirty to the disco palaces, and the warm and cozy, light and airy, dark and dank, nifty and thrifty.

Really nice set-up inside that ’54 GMC this a homemade Eagle conversion cockpit, - nicely done

But ours was the best looking… …of the whole lot, lol

During an event like this, there are old timers who are willing to share, - some who won’t, - newbie’s afraid to ask - and smarter ones who do. But the best thing is the people. We always try to meet as many new folks as we can, which isn’t that hard with bus nuts anyhow, lol. Our favorite coaches were the above mentioned ’54 GMC - aptly christened “Money Pit”, - which had also an intriguing freestanding table which could be adjusted for height -

That ’54 GMC “Money Pit” …..that interesting adjustable table

…and a 1948 Silversides,

a ’49 Flxible,

a Sceniccruiser and an Eagle coach called the “Space Shuttle”.

I love old cars, trucks, buses, planes and trains, - but you gotta see this thing! When I first saw it, I don’t think it was love at first sight…or even close. It was so unusual. You could tell it was an Eagle (sort of), but the nose piece was wild. It definitely drew your attention. In fact, we couldn’t take our eyes off it when we passed it. I was guessing it was for air flow or better fuel economy, but it turned out it’s primary function was to provide a crash zone for the driver and co-pilot. Looked like the space shuttle ‘Endeavor’……or the one below. All I know is …if I saw that coming behind me, I would get off the road and swear off drinking, lol……

OK - the first meal we had was Friday breakfast, served in the Main Hall kitchen. It was pancakes, sausages, coffee & juice. For all meals we had to bring our own ‘substantial’ service plates with cups and utensils. Right from the bat Dagmar offered to volunteer in the kitchen ….but we were able to sit together to have our breakie. At 9am the Commercial Exhibits opened and the many Seminars began. I did choose a 10:30am Seminar about “Polishing Stainless Steel” presented by International Bus Parts from Apopka, Florida…. as well as a 4:30pm Lecture entitled “Your Inverter & Electrical System – How they all work together” by Dick Wright of Wrico International. Dagmar went along too. After that we gathered in the Main Hall Dining Room for a Pre-Dinner Social Hour. People brought their own cocktails or favorite beverage to socialize with new and old friends. Now it was also time to draw door prices and to get ready for our first dinner. It was a 'Pork Roast Feast' with potatoes au gratin, applesauce, green salad and desert. Desert consisted of angle cake with a big scoop of fresh Oregon Blackberries poured over it with whipped cream on top. Since Dagmar’s sole job that evening was to deliver scoops of fresh berries onto the angle cake inside the dishes, at the end they nearly did run out of those precious fruits, lol. But nobody complained…. The table one chooses would be “your table” for Saturdays evening’s meal also - so we made sure we sat together with our friends and our new acquaintance, a fellow by the name of Bryce who flew in from Las Vegas to check things out. He is in the process of building his dream Coach (Prevost) and I know what people like him are looking for…..lots of ideas. Bryce is an interesting character ….in his forties, a self-educated individual doing good business on the side as a broker on E-Bay. This guy has the smarts - and I would love to see one day his creation….

That evening we invited David, his wife Debbie and their friends to be our guests for the evening. We had to present them of course first with a tour of the bus ….they were visibly impressed. There is no question about it; - this “Liberty Lady” carries the goods. She is one of a kind…..

Dagmar did not have to help out the next morning – breakfast was served by the Eagle’s International Chapter. However, she was scheduled to heap up another round of desert (lemon meringue this time) for dinner Saturday night. So we together enjoyed a nice breakfast of bacon, sausages, eggs, hash browns, toast, coffee & juice before joining our friend David at his 9am Seminar “Repair, Maintenance & Modifications – Ask Dave about anything mechanical”. This Seminar was so popular (well – everybody loves David anyhow) that because of the overflowing crowd the decision was made to move everybody from Room “A” in the Main Hall to an outside pick-nick area. That was a good idea, because those conference rooms were stuffy at best. Once outside, we had the most interesting discussions between David and the many knowledgeable people in the crowd talking about the most important aspects of operating and maintaining such complex machines. This was followed at noon by an Ice Cream Social of homemade Root Beer Floats and ….

(lol) ….in the Arts & Craft Hall, - compliments of RV Alliance America – the No 1 RV Insurance company in the United States.

At 2:30pm we went to a Seminar entitled: “Traveling to Mexico” by Carole Thacker of La Penita RV Park in Mexico. Again, - a very interesting subject for people like us traveling with their rigs into Mexico. A lot of timely information about security issues and other possible pitfalls one has to be aware of......

After that I got the tail end of a lecture by Hal St. Clair at his coach, which was parked outside the hall, who walked us around it and showed how it was raised, widened and lengthened. Lots of information there ….just like on the previous day when Bob Lewis & Sean Welch of “Infinity Coach” showed us how they are converting a “Neoplan Spaceliner” into a dream-machine , - which incidentally would be my real ‘dream’ coach ….if I only had the guts and the stamina to go through with it……

Now it was time for the main event….”Prime Rib Dinner” by the famous Joe Melroy, as interviewed by ESPN during the 2003 Las Vegas NASCAR Races. Well, - this guy knows how to create an eating extravaganza.

Oh my goodness…(in more ways than one!)

This extravaganza was followed by an after dinner delight of entertainment by the terrific band “Crossfire” in the ‘Amphitheater’ - just beyond the Arts & Crafts Building. We brought our own chairs along and enjoyed a wonderful evening of Western & Light Rock music with entertainment and laughter. The band-leader’s 12 year old daughter took also the microphone - and boy….could she sing too. Those guys didn’t want to quit that night because of all that applause and appreciation coming their way from those Bus Nuts. But we choose to retire close to midnight and still could hear them in the background cajoling while falling asleep.

Anyways, in between all those things going on each and every day we visited of course the Commercial Exhibits as well. There were twenty two (I counted) major companies present and it was very interesting to find out the latest in the development of their systems and components pertaining to our line of products …..and to find out what we can expect to come through the pipeline. We personally were mostly interested in an acquisition of the new types of Mobile Satellite Internet and TV Reception Systems coming on the market -- and can’t wait to have our own hopefully one day soon. Because Wi-Fi is not always available - and too slow when signals are weak …. or walking with your computer to a hook-up inside a Resort-Office ….those are not convenient ways to be on the Internet. So this is a must for us….. But right now the antennas are still too big and bulky for my liking. New face-array antenna systems are being produced by KVH Industries .....but I’ve heard they are having reception problems in inclement weather - like rainy days. So I have to be patient …as well as you - my friends - while we’re on the road trying to stay in contact, lol.

But we did purchase something….we bought a nice large outside mat, - matching in color with the coach - plus some convenient items. We also got a FREE supply of an elixir which is supposed to provide you with more brain power (Ageless – The first & only full-spectrum cell-renewal formula) ….exactly what I need, lol.

Talking about FREE….Heavens - on the first evening we won a door price ….two beautifully bronze colored FMCA Thermo-Mugs in satin pouches….the envy of everyone at our table. They are sure nice to have…..and kind of match the ones we got from 'Liberty Coach' in our gift package.

Sunday morning we woke up early because Dagmar had to volunteer for the last breakfast of the event. It was Egg McMuffin (as many as you wanted), juice & coffee. Dagmar had to fry the eggs that morning….but was able to leave the kitchen area and join us on our table for a few minutes for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. She wore a bright red apron ...and looked very appropriate indeed, lol.

The Commercial Exhibits and Seminars opened once more at 9am ...and in Hall “C” they set up a Swap Meet - where Rally participants could get rid of their surplus items. Always something you think you need..... The Commercial Vendor’s break-down was scheduled for 3pm. So we went to a final Seminar that morning by Sean Welch entitled: “Everything you ever wanted to know about electricity”, - which was surprisingly well attended. As a matter of fact, coaches begun to break off slowly - beginning early in the afternoon - and there was no expected rushed exit with the usual traffic jam/or and dust. Everything just petered out slowly…many even decided to stay over until Monday. We said our good-byes to everybody we knew and left also early that afternoon. We drove down that beautiful mountain highway to the coast and from there followed Highway 101 north to Long Beach, WA across the mighty mouth of the Columbia River - right at the border between Oregon and the Evergreen State Washington. In Long Beach we have that fantastic TTN (NACO) Resort located right on the beach, where one can even drive the car for miles along the white sandy beaches. Here we stayed for two nights and went on the first evening ‘on the town’. We had a ball in a dance-hall no less…..

Early next day we drove Hwy 101 to Aberdeen, - then swung East to the Washington State Capitol Olympia ….and on to Tacoma. In the town of Fife on I-5 we stopped at the local “Camping World” ( http://www.campingworld.com/ ) store and bought the last remaining items from our shopping list. Then we continued on I-5 North to another TTN Resort located in Mount Vernon, close to the Canadian border. This is a Resort which we totally ignored in the past ...because our favorite was the nearby TTN Resort in LaConner. However, on our way to Oregon, - while staying at LaConner, - someone told us that the nearby Mount Vernon camp had much bigger sites for rigs like ours. So we drove over there to have a look....and low and behold - their sites were not only larger - but everything else was much bigger, brighter and in better shape than LaConner. Now we have decided that during our future travels we get to know all the Resorts in our System - regardless were they might be located - just to find out what we have been missing. I mean - we belong to all of them (TTN & RPI) with payment of our annual dues - and therefore should get to know them all. After all - there may be some real surprises waiting for us ....

Anyhow, back to the I-5. As we continued north, we had to drive through the rush hour traffic in Seattle ….which was unpleasant - to say the least. Bumper to bumper from Seattle to Everett. All their efforts to widen that highway are totally fruitless, - they need a new corridor. The I-5 does not handle that traffic anymore. We have been driving I-5 since 1970 ....and year after year it is getting worse. Another L.A. in the making….. But we finally made it to that large-scale and beautifully laid-out Resort in the midst’s of rolling hills with an Olympic size swimming pool (Dagmar loves this one). And since my nerves on arrival were a bit rattled, I needed to find a leisurely Lounge somewhere to cool off ....

….but not the one in that fancy Casino located right next door – one of those now mighty Indian owned and Las Vegas rivaling Casino Super-Domes where the clang of gaming machines never stops – day or night. We went instead to a small “Burger & Brew” place with a nice Lounge right next to I-5, - which I had noticed on the way down. This was the perfect place for us at this moment and we made the most of it sitting outside on the patio watching the birds ….and the sun go down.

The following day we went for sun-bathing and a nice swim, followed by a long walk into the neighboring woods. And we found a fantastic outlook from which one could admire the majestic snow-covered Mount Baker in the distance. On return we washed our coach and got ready to cross the border the next morning.

…just having washed the coach and car at our lot in TTN Mount Vernon, WA

When we got to the border, the female border guard inside the Canadian booth recognized our coach from three weeks earlier, when we had to drive her back to the US for that missed export paperwork. She just smiled at me and let me go through without any questions…..just a glance at our passports. Nice touch…..

When we got to the ferry terminal at Tsawwassen, we didn’t have to wait long - and got on the 3pm crossing. It was the “Royal British Columbia”, the latest and newest vessel in the fleet. Wow, they sure are getting bigger and better all the time. Those are Super Ships by now …and so big; - one better remembers where you parked your vehicle, lol.

…two shots from the Ferry Terminal in Tsawwassen

So shortly after 5pm we arrived at Fort Victoria and at our reserved spot in lot # 618.. It was a

tight squeeze..... …..getting in there with a 45 footer ….but hey…I’m an ex-professional after all.

More later……

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