Michael Vreeland (20733)
Virginia State Director

I have been pretty busy since the last Legacy issue. I had the pleasure of attending the Tri-State Rally in Elijay, Georgia hosted by Jim & Barb Watson and Wayne & Carol Keith and talking about a nostalgic experience, this was it. I was raised in the Ringgold, Georgia area which was not that far from Elijay. In fact, as teenagers on the prowl we use to go to one of the hollers (for those that do not speak southern it is the valley between two mountains) in Elijay to Bubba’s (all those guys were called Bubba) since he sold liquor by the pint to anyone who could pay the price regardless of age. We would go to the barn, and he would get us a pint, we would pay him and off we went. So, this rally stirred up welcomed memories from my teenage years which too is a big plus since all of us “seniors” know we sometimes forget stuff and some say the memory is the second thing to go, wish I could remember what the first thing was.

I have said this before, but it is worth mentioning again. When we were young, we would refer to our travels as “we saw this, we rode that, etc.” Now we refer to our rallies recalling the great foods we had. The caterer for the Tri-State Rally was absolutely the best at making country style food that I have had since I ate my Granny’s meals. Real peach and blackberry cobbler, real cornbread (for those that don’t know – cornbread DOES NOT HAVE SUGAR in it). Every meal we had to include breakfasts with biscuits, gravy, grits, etc was an “ole fat country boy” real southern food culinary delight. Of course, not all attendees were used to southern food, but they did enjoy it. One of my fellow Newmarians in front of me at breakfast got some grits and proceeded to ask for honey to put on it. I shook my head and asked him where he was from – wait for it – New Jersey, nuff said. I told him to enjoy his breakfast.

Anyway – what a great rally. It warrants special recognition to the hosts so here is a big hardy Hee Haw salute – SALUTE!!! If that did not stir up a memory of the TV show Hee Haw and the cast standing up in a corn field and hollaring (not to be confused with holler) Salute, then consider this an additional southern lesson – free of charge, You’re Welcome.

Part or all of our RVing lifestyle is modifying our RV to suit our needs. I had a couch that folded out into an air bed like so many of you, but it was basically the dog’s couch. I decided to de-install the couch, gave it to one of the kids, and designed a piece of furniture to go into that hole. So, I now have a handmade – not by me – cabinet that had a bunch of drawers, tons of countertop space, and a big opening under the countertop for the pups. I have seat belts there, a big comforter with some of their favorite bedding so they can lay there during the day and stay there belted in when I travel. Pretty cool all in all. So, if you see me and want to take a gander, (yet another southern word) just ask. I am more than willing to show you what was built.

As this is written, the next few months – July, August, September, and October – are going to be pretty busy. In July there will be a joint VA/NC/SC Rally at the Mayberry Campground in Mt Airy, North Carolina. I am really looking forward to that rally. In August I will be hosting the Virginia State Rally in Winchester, Virginia at the Candy Hill Campground. There are currently 18 RVs registered. Hope to see you there. In September there will be a bunch of my fellow Newmarians heading west to attend the 37th NKK International Rally at Sedalia, Missouri. As always this will be a great rally and I am looking forward to seeing all my fellow Newmarians there. Finally in October, I will be heading to Cape Hatteras for the Region Five Rally. After that I may or may not head south for the winter, just depends. I have already registered for a couple of Florida NKK rallies, and it will be good to see my fellow Turtles, Manatees, & Pelicans.

For all my fellow Newmarians enjoy the summer and please travel and be safe – I want to see your smiling faces in my travels and hope to be able to sit and swap some lies with you. Rally On!!!!!

Safe travels to all and Happy RVing. I can be reached at beagleRV@gmail.com or 540-809-9830.