Tour of Heartland "Homes"

Saturday, April 5th, 2014

Today, we got up fairly early because Jim Beletti was cooking breakfast for all in the Rally Hall. We headed over, and enjoyed pancakes, eggs, biscuits, fruit and bacon. It was great! We decided to sit with a new couple, Josh and Farrah. They have a new Road Warrior, and turns out, they were having their share of issues with their dealer -- the same dealer Diane and Jerry were frustrated with. Ultimately, we all visited and had a good time swapping stories about the dealer (which was ours as well!)

Pancakes cookin'

Breakfast is served!

After breakfast, we headed back to the trailer and I worked some more. We had a quick bite to eat, because we were so full from breakfast, we didn't need much. At 12:30, the Rally held "Trailer Tours", and we walked around looking at folks' coaches. Many told of the upgrades they've done, or features they liked.  Many had fairly new coaches, and enjoyed showing them off. We enjoyed getting to see other's units, especially since most were "higher-class" than ours. I had to fuss at Corbin & Flora, regular attendees of the NTX Chapter Rallies. They had a 2009 ElkRidge... until NOW! They upgraded this winter to a Big Country. Another couple from our group that had a North Trail, also upgraded to a small BigHorn. We seem to be one of the last that hasn't upgraded. LOL!

Cookies made by Peg and served at Peg & Mike's Bighorn

We showed off our latest mods, as the tour came to our rig. Everyone on the tour ended up getting kind-of strung out around the park, but the intentions were good, we had a good time seeing other's coaches. We enjoyed seeing the Josh and Farrah's Road Warrior, as well. It was NICE! And a unique floorplan with the kitchen on the upper level with the bedroom.

Josh & Farrah's Road Warrior

Rows of Heartlands

More Heartlands

After the trailer tours, we went back to our rig for a bit. Tony decided to walk around and take pics around the park, and get the propane bottles filled. I made my mother-in-law's marshmallow fruit salad, and worked until 5:45, when it was time for the Group Picture and Potluck. We had our group photo made, then TXBobcat took "couple photos" of everyone.

Group photo of the NTX Chapter Rally attendees

We had a great meal with BBQ supplied by Explore USA, and of course a huge amount of food supplied by all the attendees. After dinner, we had door prize drawings. The offerings were great, but many folks had what was offered, and they started substituting prizes. Some of the prizes turned out to be bottles of wine, so it became really funny when folks started saying, "I'll take the wine!" When they didn't need the original prize. We won a bottle of wine, but ended up trading with Dan & Ann, who won a travel game. After door prizes were handed out to every couple, the "grand" prizes were awarded. Dan & Ann won a wine chilling fridge, and someone else won a gift certificate for Camping World.

Gathering before the meal

Potluck Dinner

After the festivities were done, folks began playing dominoes and visiting. We decided to head back to our rig and chill for a little while. It had been a busy day. In the morning, there will be a continental breakfast, and we'll say goodbye to folks then.