The FMCA's 95th International Convention and RV Expo was held in Chandler, Arizona, from March 7th -10th.
Our Alpine chapter volunteered to drive golf carts during the convention to transport folks, and in particular the handicapped attendees, to and from venues and seminars. We arrived on Sunday in caravan and unhooked our toads (tow cars) before being escorted to our assigned spots in Lot C. As volunteers we would have electric hookups for the week, unlike most others who were dry camping.
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| ACA grouped together to unhook our toads |
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| waiting for further instructions and an escort |
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| and we're off again to our assigned spaces in Lot C |
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| choosing seminars |
Once we were set up and hooked up to power, we scanned the thick and very detailed 112-page publication with information about the layout of the grounds, the various seminar topics, vendors, and the evening entertainment. They were expecting 2,300 RV's at the rally and it was quite a sight to see all the RV's in the various lots.
The week was busy, with seminars beginning at 8:00 AM. In addition, a few of us had early morning golf cart duty starting at 6:00 AM. The last carts ended their driving at 9:00 PM which made for long days. The last three evenings we were entertained by a comedian (Dick Hardwick), a country star (Keith Anderson), and a musical group called Sapphire Sky.
Here is how we spent the week -
We attended seminars on many topics like Solar Energy for Motorhomes; Cummins engine Maintenance; Photo Memories with Google Photos; RV Weight and Tire Safety; Full time RV-ing; Technology for Travelers; What does this button do on Your Smartphone; Creating Google Maps; Staying connected on the Road with with Wi-Fi and Cellular.
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| one of the seminar tents |
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| attentive attendees |
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| learning features in Google maps |
We supported our ACA chapter bucking bronco at the horse race for the many FMCA chapters. The chapters all came up with creative "horses." The ACA horse was a Barbie with with big boobs.
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| our "Barbie" bronco and her cowboy, Dave |
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| all the cowboys with their broncos |
We walked daily to seminars held in Rawhide, a western town and part of the event center, often dodging dueling cowboys in the street.
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| entrance to Rawhide which is where most of the seminars were held |
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| Main Street |
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| panoramic sweep of Rawhide |
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| dodging gun duels |
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| the grounds of the event center with various vendors and food booths |
We enjoyed the evening entertainment.
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| an evening panoramic scan |
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| watching the evening entertainment from the stands |
I attended the Quilts for Kids meeting. Thirty six quilts made by the FMCA's On-Road Quilters were donated to Arizona Blankets 4 Kids, an organization that collects and distributes quilts and blankets for sick and needy children in Arizona.
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| quilts and blankets donated to AZ Blankets 4 Kids on display. My scrappy I-Spy is on the left. |
Afterward, there was a show and tell for ladies who wanted to share their completed quilts. Not only is it remarkable to see how many ladies take their sewing projects on the road, but it was wonderful to see the many different ideas and the amazing talent.
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| a stunning quilt |
The staff at Rawhide was attentive and worked hard to keep us all safe as we crossed the road to go home. Often we would walk back and forth from the lot to the event center several times a day and also at night.
It was good exercise, but occasionally if an empty golf cart offered a ride, we were happy to take it.
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| at our home in Lot C, Street 9 - everyone had a locator card with your exact location |
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| the Alpine neighborhood |
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| setting off to morning seminars |
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| Arizona brilliant sunsets |
The morning we left, we watched the parade of RV's rolling off to their next destinations. We were one of the last to leave because we had an 11 o'clock appointment to have the coach weighed - exactly what every woman dreams of, being weighed!
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| and then there were two - us and the Hobdens on the right |
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| for 4 days several of these large lots were jam packed with RV's |
This is what coach weighing looks like - the coach ahead of us was directed onto 4 flat scales with each of the tires on a scale. The different weights are then read off and the next step is to pull around the corner where you are given a print-out of the weight distribution for each wheel.
The good news is that our weight is evenly distributed although we are at maximum capacity. I am relieved that I do not need to toss any flotsam overboard, and that I can keep my machines!
And so ends the tale about the FMCA Convention in Chandler. Our next stop was not a very far drive, to Las Colinas RV Resort in Casa Grande, just a little further east along I-10.
