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Good job Jon, I don't think we are going to have the 50+ buses in either Branson or the Smokies, but I might be pleasantly surprised. We need a headcount ASAP for either place, as you indicated, the clock is ticking.
Lobster Boy (AKA Skiffer) how about sticking up a place for a headcount for either Branson and/or the Smokies? The left Coast guys may have the same problem..
I don't think we should have a democracy here.
I think that as long as we are going to continue to have rallies as a group we will eventually get our stuff together. But for the October rally I think someone just needs to pick the site and from that rally forward as long as we have good lead times and someone has vouched for the accptability we can visit places that are on the "go to" list.
If nothing else this proves to me that if we intend to vote on future sites we should be voting now for the April 08 site and at the October rally vote for the October 08 site.
Gary,
Sorry about me mixing my plavix with Gin.
The real thing that pissed me off was that I am possibly the most visible person in the park and all over the place. You knew I resided there and you left without saying hello.
I will remain out of the rally holding area choices forever. I probably have attended more FMCA rallys than any one here, not to mention nearly a hundred other pre-rallies and regular type rallies throughout my 30 years of motorhoming.
I still haven't learned to keep my damn mouth shut and keep my opinions to myself.
Sincerely, really,
Lew
Oh, BTW, I have absolutely no wish to hold a rally here at my home park in Florida. Let there be no mistake about that!
Lew, none of us including me want you to keep your mouth shut or your opinions to yourself. That is what makes Lew, Lew; and what these posts are for, and what make this site truly worth watching and responding too. I just wanted to make sure you understood we enjoyed your park tremendously, and that was before we had a chance to meet you.Quote:
Originally Posted by lewpopp
And honestly as far as not saying good bye to you, we did not know any POG members lived there. If you will look at the limited number of my posts ([SIZE="2"]when we were in ORA, Florida[/SIZE]) you will note that I had just gotten started talking with all of you guys and had not figured out yet, that by letting everyone know where you are on the road, there is always a friendly face and cocktail waiting for you at the end of the day, No matter where or Who you are !
If ever you are in my neck of the woods, Houston, TX. just come over, and we'll have dinner, and I promise we will look you up the next time in St. Lucie.
OK I am done now. Now back on to POG IV, The Beginning. Jim Skiff, have you decided anything yet about the Rally Site?
Gary S
I'm in for anything west of the Rockies. I doubt I can make it to Branson in October. The West Coast contingent can get busy for next year.
Many thanks to Gary Stevens for his hard work scouting locations for POG IV and beyond. We have booked the KOA in Branson, http://bransonkoa.com for the dates of October 1-6 as time and locations are running out. The sites are pull throughs on asphalt. We have 56 sites.
This will be our last mid-country rally before we start the east coast, west coast cycle.
More to follow as we progress.
[We have booked the KOA in Branson, http://bransonkoa.com for the dates of October 1-6 as time and locations are running out. The sites are pull throughs on asphalt. We have 56 sites.
This will be our last mid-country rally before we start the east coast, west coast cycle. More to follow as we progress]
Great Jim, count us in! As it happens, our Morgan World Championship Horse Show starts on the 6th and is held in OKC which is only 4 hours from Branson...Bob can just shuttle me over there, won't he be thrilled? LOL :rolleyes:
If the growth of POG dictates booking rally spots further in advance, the further in advance we plan these rallies the easier it will be for us to make some.
We would be up for the Smokies for next fall and have always wanted to see the fall colors in New England too. We have never been North of New York City.
Charleston also sounded very nice. A spring rally there would avoid the risk of hurricane.
Branson is only 8 hrs out for us, we can make that.
Jim,
I'm in, our last race in 07 is the weekend of September 15-16 at Laguna Seca, Northern California. I don't see any reason not to be there.
I can't wait, I might have to fly the better half in for the last few days with the kids.
Kevin
Kevin , your going to make it hard for me not to be there. Good idea about the flying as the kids get bored very quickly at dad's Rallys.
man! what a thread! what a ton of work you all have put in. i have been researching places myself - obviously way too late!!! many thanks for all the hard work and hours spent trying to put this together. kudos to you all.
count us in - we WILL be there. and let it be known: if bill doesn't think we can make it, will someone pick me up at the airport?
my cousins fulltimed for about 8 years and now live part year in branson. maybe i can borrow their rig:D
thanks, again for everyone who worked so hard on POGIII and already for IV.
see you in oct.
jody
I have been notified by my wife that we will not be attending any rallies until I finish pollishing the stainless on the bus.
We got it with a brushed finish. I got the front and back buffed. The remainder is gonna be no small task. Ya think she has contracted MPD or what:eek:
[QUOTE=bill&jody;: if bill doesn't think we can make it, will someone pick me up at the airport?
jody]
Jody, no problem, I will pick you up at the airport if your pony tail guy wants to stay put:D No need to borrow your cousins coach you can stay with us! BTW, maybe you would be interested in doing a craft segment showing us the beautiful things that can be made when you become addicted to the wonderful world of stamping/scrapbooking ??
Joe that sounds a little demanding from her! Tell her that she has to lower the bar a bit. Polishing the exterior of a bus is no small task, we might never meet you guys!
Jody, no problem, I will pick you up at the airport if your pony tail guy wants to stay put:D No need to borrow your cousins coach you can stay with us! BTW, maybe you would be interested in doing a craft segment showing us the beautiful things that can be made when you become addicted to the wonderful world of stamping/scrapbooking ??[/QUOTE]
hey, deb, you're on! for the airport pick-up and maybe even the couch! i'm a really good guest . . . sorry bob, i don't wash the coach:eek:
as for stamping - i'm always up for a class. i was out of commission for a while with my wrist but i'm ready for POGIV. i'll have to get jim to put something on the schedule.
thanks!!!!!!
i think we are headed out to el morro national monument today. whoo hooo.
jody
Hey Joe, I think it takes Marathon one week to polish the SS:eek: :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Cannarozzi
Marathon jobs out the polishing on new coaches to a company a few miles away. They have a large crew of hard working fellows from south of the border who do all the dirty work.
Thought I would put a couple of ideas out here to see what others think.
I thought it might be a good learning experience to have a portable scale at the rally one afternoon, so owners could weigh each tire or tires on the drive to see where they should be running their air pressure based on the size and to see if their is a weight problem in any area.
On finance, thought if we had a CPA to run through the business side of owning a bus, e.g. deductions, licensing, insurance. All of us have different uses for our coach; just find out how to maximize ownership.
Good idea Dale:
Friggin' Shookie, The Man, BROUGHT his CPA with him when he picked up his new coach.
What a guy!
Shookie: How 'bout it?
I think the weighing idea is excellent. I tried to get that for the POG III, but the man with the scales was out of town on those dates. Also, I am presently just 30 minutes out of the Branson area. I know someone who works as a tour guide (with transportation etc) in the area. If the group is interested we could set up tours etc.
Let me know.
Kim,
That sounds like a great idea. Let us know and we'll put in on the agenda.
Rally Registration forms have been mailed out to members who have attended previous rallies or provided us with a mailing address.
If you are not sure if you are on the list drop me an email and if I haven't sent one I will. (If you got Gary's POG III DVD, you're on the list.)
Space is limited so before we open up registration on P-stuff, POG members will have the first opportunity to attend.
In addition to the swimsuit competition we are developing the agenda.
(October 1-6, 2007 Branson, MO)
Jim
You know it's enough work to get the bus ready for these excursions...Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Skiff
but to also go on a diet. Man, this POG stuff is getting hard.
mm
Hello Jim,
I will get all of the info reference the excursion into Branson. Do we want her to include a show?
Also please count me in for POG IV. I am on the road and may not get the mail for a while.
Talked to Tim (a future POGer) he is at the KOA in Branson and said that he didn't see how all the bus's are going to fit. He is in a 70 pull thru and he is hanging over into the street on the front and back. He said about 8 feet over in the front and 6 feet in the back. He bent his trailer jack getting into the park. He said they have two 18 inch wide pads that you drive on. He said I should give a heads up as to the rally being held there. He said don't bring a trailer because there just isn't room.
I post back in a few days
Dale your cracking me up here trying to do the math.
70 ft.- if he is in a 45 and has 20 foot of toad that should leave 5, right? So if you take the 8 plus the 6 plus the 5, that would make a 19ft discrepency:confused:
Im thinking of an Elmer Fud quote. Thewr is somsing squewy going on awound hewer:eek:
Thanks for the heads up.
70 plus 8 plus 6= 84. Is this correct Dale. Was Tim saying he was trailering a total of 84 feet. Also, what is the width of each site and are there trees, rocks, etc. blocking the angle of the entrance or exit to the sites.
Hi Kim. Are you still on vacation or are you heading toward another horse show. What was the outcome on the slide sticking problem? Any more problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by nrhareiner
Hello gary,
We have not yet returned to Florida. We have been to horse shows and some vacation. I just fly back to NJ to work either every or every other week for a few days.
Here is the outcome from the slide problems (probably should also post under the Prevost Shell area).
1. they had to dismantle the entire slide, both salon and bedroom.
2. They updated the pins from 5 degree to 7 degree.
3. Since this was early double slide they changed the support of the slides
4. New seals front and back.
5. Took apart and replaced the interior of the coach.
the best part was the price. Prevost goodwilled the entire job. The company was excellent and the work was great.
Kim and I are going to check out the KOA within a couple of days. I can post on the condition.
Tim has a 40 coach plus a 26 foot total lenth trailer 76 feet. They said his spot was 70 foot pull thru.....it was not! He hung over on the front and back 13 feet total. Their spots are not as big as they say. I will post tomorrow.
Dale, take pictures if you can and post them, for a Complete Visual of the sites.Quote:
Originally Posted by dalej
Gary S
I think this should be a wake up call to all who are interested in continuing with rallies.
As a group we are not going to fit in or find good accomodations in a large percentage of campgrounds. So we have to be selective. When sites for rallies are chosen (cities) we have to insure the campground can handle the number of coaches plus we have to insure the campground has suitable sites with 50 amp power.
For Branson we got what was available. Six months is not enough notice so we ended up with the KOA. It is my understanding the April 2008 rally site has been chosen and the campground reserved. That is good. We shouldn't be waiting for next spring to come up with the October 2008 rally because by then it will be too late. We need to be doing that now.
I'll start this by suggesting Las Vegas.
Maybe a new thread should be started because this topic needs to be resolved. Branson will not be an indication of whether we are large enough to have east and west rallies because space is limited, and if we wait until April to figure it out it will be too late to reserve for October.
They have a bus rally in Arcadia Fla. every Jan. and rent a large piece of property for all the same reasons.
Mabye we should concider going the same route and find ourselves a nice spot we can call our own for ocasional rallies.
It would really open up many possibilities.
Lets see.................. 60 busses or so at 300 or so each that's 18000. With the inexpensive price of land in central Tenn. (still at 1500 an acre in many places) that would be enough to cover a mortgage on 40 acre or better for the whole year.
It could be avalible to club members year round. We could rent to other clubs for rallies when not in use. It's nice to see new places but also just as good to find a good spot we can get familure and comfortable with too.
We could spend the years buying land and developing camgrounds of our own for our rallies and then sell for profit instead of handing places like the Branson KOA 10 large for 5 days.
I know..........I know, can't help it.
:(Joe, in my opinion, putting your 45' Prevosts out in a pasture, would not be the same as holding the rally in a campground that is already set up to be a RALLY PARK. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Cannarozzi
A true Rally Park is a campground that has all the amenities to accomadate comfortably and completely, an entire group, whether it is 10 or 300, 20' or 75' and at the level of convience and excellence that everyone paying to come to that rally would expect!
I don't know because I have not been there, but I was told by an authority that the Branson KOA was not a Rally Park, and we would likely encounter several problems, that we would not encounter at other qualified Rally Park campgrounds.
Sorry, but I just don't feel like the KOA in Branson or a Field is the place we should be holding the type of Rally everyone enjoyed when they were at Buckhorn.....:(
I better quit while I am behind..... SORRY EVERYBODY.
Gary S
Tiger Run RV resort in Breckenridge, CO is a nice rally park. I have attended a rally there, and it is very nice. There are about 400 sites so they should be able to accomodate us with advance notice. Also, they have a 12,000 sq ft clubhouse and indoor swimming pool for the Bikini Contests!:D
Possible other locations:
ORA Indio, CA - 424 sites
Hacienda RV Resort, Las Cruses, NM - 113 sites
ORA Lake Toxaway, NC - 111 sites
ORA St. Lucie, FL (Lew might make that one)
How about a rally/tour of the Prevost Car Co. factory in Quebec City?
Just my .02
Gary what are you apoligizing for? I think I can speak for everyone when I say that all of your efforts are greatly appreciated.
I'll agree with most of your thoughts.
I often do not hesitate to voice my frequent ideas:)
I should a listened to grandma and paid attention in school:rolleyes:
Ya know nessessity is the mother of invention.
We would never have a problem with primitive campgrounds, done it many times, lots of great memories, never saw any cows at the doorstep!
I think it would be a mistake to judge one rally off another. Its about the people and the memories.
I wouldn't freak out about Branson. It's only one park and one rally. We're all used to making do with whatever comes our way. Comparisons are unfair and just a waste of time. Lets move forward from here with future site suggestions. How's about Montana, or maybe Canada?
I hope we do not get hung up on whether the KOA is up to our standards.
It is a campground / RV park and as such it will accomodate us. Will it match Kerrville? No, but who cares. As long as we have 50 amps and a place to have our various activities it is good enough.
If we as POG want Buckhorn quality venues we need to be identifying them and then reserving spaces a very long time in advance. We got the KOA in Branson because we did not decide far enough in advance to have much choice in campground selection.
Lets focus on the schedule and activities for Branson, and to avoid future concerns start planning locations for future POG rallies so campgrounds can be reserved sufficiently far in advance so we have the ability to choose the best.
Good day everyone,
Dale and I visited the KOA in Branson. Sorry but no pictures available from me since I did not take a camera. Dale may have in his visit, but is having problems getting on internet.
Here is the situation:
1. If you are towing a trailer be very careful on entry since will drag hitch. We would recommend going in the exit.
2. There are 40-45 spots that will handle 40 foot rigs. The 45' ones are going to be tight, I counted 16 sites that I think would work. that number was included in the 40-45 sites.
3. Slides, awnings are going to be very difficult.
4. Seems to be good power from what people who were staying at the campground stated.
5. Significant traffic around the area since the directions into campground take you through Branson.
Some possible suggestions for the problems:
1. There is a flat empty lot next door. Maybe we need to use it not only for trailer parking, but also for coaches. Electric might be available. If not certainly dry camping would be possible.
2. There are other campgrounds near by that might handle overflow.
3. there is an Outdoor resorts around 30 minutes away that some of us own lots in. Maybe we set-up shuttle from there is enough people stay there.
These are only some suggestions that Dale and I discussed. The people running the KOA seem very nice. The area should be beautiful in early October.
In speaking with Jim Skiff yesterday, there is going to be a 40-coach limit at the KOA and overflow will be elsewhere. There were more slots at the ORA, however many members did not want back-in sites, so the pendulum went to KOA.
So, the park is booked for POG IV. If you want to be at the KOA, it's a good idea to get your booking in soon to insure you are onsite. There will be an accomodation for those who wish to stay off-site. Jim's working that up now.
There are also cabins for non-owners at the KOA, in order to accomodate all.
Any comments or questions, you can drop a note to Jim Skiff at webmaster@prevost-stuff.com and he will do whatever he can to accomodate your specific needs.
Thanks much.