There is always more to tell. After we all parked and set up house on
Tuesday, we attended a volunteer’s meeting.
Our Alpine group was part of the volunteer team that drove golf carts,
running folks to venues or back to their coaches. As I mentioned previously, the parking lot
area where we were all parked is huge and it was a ¾ mile walk to the
Conference Center from our Alpine.
However, there were coaches parked in lots even further away .
Each one of us had at least a couple of shifts driving. It was a fun experience, and we met interesting
people. Coincidentally, we picked up two
couples from Canada, who had traveled even further than us to come here. Another couple were towing the same model VW
bug that was my very first car when we were first married. I had noticed the yellow bug on one of my walks
and it just so happened that we gave the couple a ride back to their coach during
golf cart duty. Michael and the gentleman
exchanged VW stories about the various models we each owned. Gee, perhaps we should have kept my yellow
bug.
The following day was a free day, so we explored the grounds
a little. The Fairplex complex is huge
and includes lovely gardens, two museums, a model train village, a stadium,
racetrack, a play area, and even a hotel.
The rose gardens were gorgeous and the roses in full
bloom.
Over the weekend, the trains were running and while
returning from my last seminar, I remembered to take a few pics.
This is a wood carving which was commissioned for the
fairgrounds in 1953. The artist, John
Edward Svenson, began carving his Ranchero the day the Fair opened in 1953,
drawing crowds of folks who watched him at work. It took him a year to complete the statue, in
time for the opening of the Fair in 1954.
A cross-section of the 2,000 year-old Sequoia that had
toppled in a storm became the canvas for the sculpture, and now resides in one
of the gardens.
Though we did not have time to investigate the NHRA
Motorsports Museum, we did see this gem parked at the back –
To me, it’s always about the people we meet along the way,
and we certainly have met some interesting and wonderful folks while at the
rally. The Alpine group is, hands down,
a terrific and varied group of folks.
Our Alpines are the common factor, and we are proud of our homes on
wheels. We enjoyed the camaraderie and
exchange of information and personal stories.
I anticipate that many will become lasting friendships as we continue to
share Alpine adventures over time.
Another group of RV-ers we met and spent time with are from
the Diesel Club, to which Michael was given a year’s membership after attending
a seminar. The members of this club own different brands of diesel coaches. At the pizza and wine
dinner we were invited to, we sat at a table with three other couples (older than us) and
exchanged stories about our respective RV adventures. One couple has been full-timing for 12 years,
love it and never want to own a house again.
Another couple travels most of the time, though she can’t quite yet let
go of her house to become full-timers. The third couple was the most intriguing. They were in the process of selling up house
and contents to become full-timers and the incredible part is that they are
turning 80 in a couple of months. So
while I imagined that by the time one reaches one’s 80’s, it’s likely most
folks settle down and give up their gypsy ways, this couple was only now
starting out! What fantastic role
models. And it’s obvious that they both
are vibrant folks, each looking and acting a lot younger than they are. If this is a result of the RV life, then
count me in.
One of our Alpine buddies, while on golf cart duty, picked
up another amazing couple. The man was 89,
his wife not far behind him in age, and they had just “downsized” their current
motorhome by purchasing a brand new smaller one at the show. Another inspiring role model for us!
One of the seminars we attended together was about
full-timing. Most of the folks there
have been without a permanent house for at least a decade, and do not miss or
want to ever own one again. One couple
at the seminar have been full-timing for 25 years! Oh, the stories they can tell and the
adventures they must have had…..
It's a dream and goal that just maybe one day will be ours to enjoy as well.