HitchHiker International Rally - 2011
Updated: 10/13/11
The James E. Ward Agricultural Center provides a lot of sites with electricity and water. However, the arrangement of the sites are somewhat scattered. Many of us could park in a row along the fence, others were parked in small clumps. There were 68 units at the rally. They traveled from 21 states.
Ours was one of those parked along the fence.
For us, this was "Lebanon, Tennessee revisited".
This was
the location of our first rally with HitchHikers of America International.
The link to that one is
Nashville, TN 2002 .
Friday . . . Early Bird parking
Saturday . . . Early Bird parking and Optional Grand Ole Opry Tour
(We did not attend this tour in 2011.)
Sunday . . . Early Bird parking and Optional General Jackson Showboat Tour
The General Jackson . . .
Underway . . .
The Victorian Theatre . . .
We have posted more photographs of our time on the General Jackson Showboat - 2011 on our PRIOR DESTINATIONS page.
Monday . . .
Monday started with a golf tournament at 7:30am. Registration, sign-up for games and a visit to the wearables store was all that was on the schedule until the First Timers meeting at 4:00pm.
Two traditions were on display in the building . . .
Memory Bear Hilda HitchHiker
Our Memory Bear wears the names of the our members who have died since the prior rally. Hilda HitchHiker is the kangaroo who travels with a different couple each year.
Here
Hilda Kangaroo is showing Marilyn where she had been using the 2009 scrapbook.
Kevin handled the MCing at the 7:00pm opening ceremonies and introductions.
And, the HitchHikers listened . . .
Dessert was served during the official "Meet and Greet" that followed.
Tuesday . . .
Sky-Med Continental Breakfast at 7:00am - Seminar at 8:00am..
We
gambled that there would be a donut leftover so did not get up for the 7:00am
breakfast. It was a good gamble - we still got our donut.
After the seminar, several people bought policies. Their policy covers transport of you, your grandchildren, your RV and pets in the event of a medical emergency. Like all insurance, something you hope you never use but is a comfort to have.
Gateway Tire and Service sent a representative to conduct a seminar on tires, air pressure and other related subjects.
Red Hat Luncheon . . .
The
Red Hatters have been holding a luncheon for several years. They had chicken
salad on a croissant for lunch.
After lunch, they gathered for the program.
The program was about plant propagation.
Greasy Hat Lunch . . .
A few years ago, HHAI started a lunch for the guys. It is appropriately called the Greasy Hat lunch. Various subjects that men like are part of the program that follows lunch. Sometimes local dealers bring in new trucks. This year was a blacksmith demonstration.
The sub-type sandwiches did not go over as well with some of the guys as the
kielbasas/brats we had other years.
Bill
does not look to happy. Maybe the results of the blue hair dye he used was a
disappointment.
(Bill, it was supposed to be a greasy hat, not a hairy hat.)
Following the Greasy Hat Lunch, we walked to the blacksmith demonstration.
The blacksmith was making a bracket for hanging a plant from a wall.
The fire was going fine until he added new coal. The smoke is caused by the burn off of the sulfur in the coal. Soon the fire was roaring again.
The finished project . . .
The
blacksmith has been blacksmithing since he retired three years ago. After the
demonstration, he told us the story of how he found and purchased his unusual
hammer. He saw it for sale at a show for $125. He put it down and revisited it a
couple time before the seller lowered the price to $100.
After the blacksmith demonstration, the guys inspected the
nearby equipment. For
many, it was a return to earlier days.
Keith Longbotham provided the entertainment for the evening. He was also the entertainment at the first rally we attended in 2002. We were looking forward to hearing him again.
At times, Keith enjoyed his jokes as much or more than we did.
If you can't afford your own guitar, you have to share.
Wednesday . . .
The catered breakfast started at 7:30am. They served until 8:30am so some of us could sleep in a little. The food was good but carefully measured senior portions . . . did they think we were old?
Gary
from MOR/Ryde presented a seminar on suspension systems and related MOR/Ryde
products. He showed us a new product - a platform/ladder combination to make
exiting through the escape hatch in the bedroom safer.
Pegs
and Jokers tournament . . .
The
Wii bowling game was available for people to use during the entire rally. The
goal, if you beat it, cross out the highest score. If someone beat your score
try again.
Everyone
had a good time.
At the Chapter Officers Meeting at 10:00am, Bill received answers to a
couple questions that several of us had. He reported to our chapter members at
the Annual Meeting.
The ice cream social at 1:30pm offered a selection of flavors.
Following
the ice cream social, Mike (CEO of NuWa) had the opportunity to talk with us.
You will note, we said talk with us. It is a conversation. We have always been
pleased that Mike appears at our rallies. He seems genuinely interested in what
we have to say. He also participates on the owners forum at
www.NuWaOwners.org .
Fred did not make photographs of the Bean Bag Baseball. We heard that there was strong competition. The last time we played Bean Bag Baseball we were in the final round and were late to our Chapter Potluck.
Potluck and Annual Meeting
After
dinner Paul L. made a group photograph of the Haulin' HitchHikers.
Bill (President) conducted the meeting. It included reports from Greg
(Secretary/Treasurer).
Bingo was the entertainment for the evening. We didn't win anything.
Thursday . . .
Only four animals showed up for the 11:00am Pet Parade. Perhaps the rest had other commitments.
Table games were available to be played throughout the rally.
Judy
looked lonesome at the craft sale. She was the only seller and had very few
customers. HHAI may have to be reconsider including crafts on the schedule.
The
catered dinner was on the schedule for 5:30pm. The staff was ready and waiting.
The line was formed . . .
Dessert . . .
Okay,
7:00pm, time for the presentation of awards for the various competitions.
Jokers . . .
We forget why Suzanne received this certificate.
Golf . . .
Beanbag Baseball . . .
We need help on this one also . . .
Wii bowling . . .
Paul, one of our chapter members won two categories in the Photo Contest - scenery and animals.
We missed the winner of the 'people' catagory.
Drawings for door prizes resulted in chapter members Judy and Dennis winning one of the prizes.
Hilda the HitchHiker (a stuffed kangaroo) was 'won' by a couple whose names were drawn. That means they have to take Hilda the HitchHiker with them wherever they travel. They must pay for all the food she eats and all other expenses. And, they must photograph her at the sights of interest she goes to. She is returned to the next International Rally where she reports where she has been and how she was treated.
The entertainment for the evening was Johnny Counterfit. He played the guitar
and impersonated various performers - Elvis, Jack Benny, George Burns, Frank
Sinatra, John Wayne and others.
Hilda
HitchHiker's first photo-op for her album was with Johnny.
At the end of the entertainment, good-byes were shared as many would be leaving early in the morning. Some of the HitchHikers will not see each other again until the next International Rally.
With
the arrival of the darkness as Mary Lou walked slowly back to our unit, the 2011
International Rally was almost over.
Friday . . .
Nothing was on the schedule for Friday except for the saying more "goodbyes" in the morning.
We thank all of those who volunteered to work
in
many ways at the International Rally.
You made it the success that it was.
