Today was "Elkhart Day", where we visit the factory and design center, as well as the RV/MH hall of fame, eat lunch, and get to do a Q&A with the brand managers.
We had to be in the bus by 8:30, but somehow I got mixed up and thought it was for 8:15. We got there about 8:05, so we waited a while on the bus. At least we were not last, like two years ago!
We opted to go on the design center tour, since we had not done that previously. The tour was not as descriptive as we hoped, but we had donuts and fruit, and filled out a survey of choices based on various display items they had for us, (bedding, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, window treatments, etc.)
Then they gave us a few door prizes and everyone could select a square accent pillow or small tote bag. I won a nice fleece throw, and took a tote bag. (We don't need more pillows!)
We then headed over to the RVMH Hall of Fame. They drove by the new Heartland Service Center, so we could see it. (The other factory tours stopped and got to see inside.)
We walked around the RVMH for a while:
1958 Airstream 'der Kleiner Prinz”
1935 BOWLUS ROAD CHIEF TRAILER
1969 HOLIDAY RAMBLER 11' TRUCK CAMPER
To see more, CLICK HERE to see the museum inventory.
We then went into the meeting hall for the meal and presentation. For lunch we had brats and burgers, then listened to Coley Brady, Heartland VP of Sales, talk about the growth of HL over the last 10 years, and a few things they have done recently (specifically, the new 15 bay service center.)
They also presented Jim Beletti, the club president, with a plaque for 10 years of service at Heartland. They used the logo on it that I designed for the 10 year anniversary of the rally!
Coley Brady presenting Jim Beletti with 10 years of service award.
10th Anniversary Logo, incorporating the Heartland Owners Club emblem.
After Coley's presentation, they took questions and comments from the audience. Most were not blaming, many were positive comments. Much different from 2 years ago when it seemed most people were unhappy and complaining during the Q&A.
After it was over, we hussled back to the busses since I needed to get back to do some work.
Mid afternoon, I visited a little with our neighbors, while Tony ran to get fuel and a replacement outside recepticle cover. (We actually could not find one in the RV parts places!). While visiting, I decided to get a decal made like many of our other Texas HOC members. It's a Texas state with the HOC logo. They even installed it on the slideout for us.
Dinner this evening was a wonderful smoked pork chop, and 5 side items.
We sat with our friends Dan & Ann and had a good time visiting with some others we did not know. After dinner, the entertainment was a Beatles tribute band, called Cavern Beat. They dressed the part, spoke in a British accent, and had the moves down as well, not to mention a good sound and they sang pretty well, too.
Part of the crowd watching Cavern Beat
We stayed for a bit, but then decided to get home so we could start tear-down for tomorrow's departure. I did the last poster duty, then we headed back to the rig. I stopped and took a few pics to use in the Heartland Highlights newsletter.
Tony dumped tanks, loaded bikes, and rearranged the basement while I worked on inside stuff. We also said some goodbyes to folks that stopped by as we were outside.
All-in-all, a very fun time! Most of the Rally went very smoothly. It was over too quick though!
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