Steve & Phyllis Thornburg (22044)
Indiana State Directors
As we prepare this article, we are at our home in Northern Indiana enjoying temperatures in the low teens with wind chills in the single digits. We have around 12 to 15 inches of snow on the ground and a well-exercised snow blower in the garage.
We did attend the Tampa Super Show and the Newmar Kountry Klub Rally at the show. Once again, we had a terrific time and got to see a lot of friends and acquaintances and to make a lot of new friends. Thanks to all of the rally hosts and volunteers for their hard work and making the rally a fun time for everyone. (Wish they could have gotten the Florida weather bureau tuned in a little better – but it was January.)
Our trip to Florida was somewhat eventful in that we forgot to pack our travel bag that contained our Tampa Show and rally registration and parking information as well as our campground reservation information for stops prior to Tampa, and some other personal business goodies that we thought we needed for the trip. Thanks to Linda Feece and Michelle Steenwyk, our Tampa information was replaced and waiting for us when we arrived at the rally.
On day one our NEWMAR stone guard came loose on the driver side and was dragged down the road for enough miles to wear off a chunk of the support frame and the rubber flap and the corner of the stainless nameplate. Got it pushed back in place and a pair of vice grips held it there till we could get some repair hardware to properly attach it. First night our house batteries died so we lived with the “genny” running all night to keep the furnace on. No need for a water pump as our tanks were dry due to the cold weather. Next day we spent forever at Camping World trying to get new house batteries installed – 5 hours later we were back on the road. And, along with all this, there is an interesting leaking toilet story. You’ll need to ask Phyllis about that one… By the time we reached Northern Florida, both the coach and the towd were so covered with road deicers that the car, which is Chili Pepper Red, was virtually snow white. We disconnected and took the car through a car wash in Madison, Florida so we could recognize it again.
Thankfully, the trip back to Northern Indiana was smooth with clean dry roads all the way and mostly sunny days. We did have a 3-hour road construction delay north of Nashville on I-65, but not a serious problem. We tried to get some information about the delay by turning on the CB, but the trucker talk language was so bad we shut it off and just speculated about how long we would be tied up.
As we said in our last article, our 2022 Indiana State Rally will be held at the Hogback Lake KOA at Angola, Indiana, June 22-26. We are having a Cowboy theme, so bring your boots and your 10-gallon hats. Also, we will have a chili making contest and subsequent chili supper. Dig out your favorite recipe and fixin’s. Corn Bread will be provided.
The Hoosier Kountry Klub will have a joint rally with the Lake Erie Drifters September 12-16 at the Sauder Village Campground in Archbold, Ohio. Sauder’s is also having Apple Fest activities on September 14-17. The rally fee is $60 per person which covers Monday Meet & Greet, Tuesday evening meal, Thursday buffet dinner at “The Barn Restaurant” and Friday morning social. The Sauder Village Living History Museum is available with a one-day pass for $20 or a two-day pass for $30 per person.
Camping reservations are to be made with the campground. You must call Sauder Village at 419-445-6408 for reservations and refer to Booking Code 10222 – Hoosier Kountry Klub. FHU Back-In sites are: (Sun – Thur) $38, (Fri – Sat) $42 per night. Pull Thru sites are electric only – (Sun – Thur) $29, (Fri – Sat) $34 per night. Sites are currently being held for September 12-18, but actual rally dates are September 12-16. Sites MUST be booked by August 1.
For additional information about the rally, contact rally host Linda Murphy at 260-413-8134 or murphyLpilot@localnet.com or co-hosts Shirley & Lynn Blair at 317-409-8523 or hkkpres1@aol.com or co-hosts Joe & Gale Swartz at 440-476-5306 or gswartz29@gmail.com.
So, for today’s tidbit of humor…The TV weather person said “The forecast for the weekend is clear and warmer with a 70% chance that we’re wrong.”
When I was in school, my teachers told me I wouldn’t amount to anything because I procrastinate. I told them, “Just you wait!”
We look forward to seeing you all soon and frequently. Travel safely and stay safe…
We can be contacted by email: sthornbg@aol.com or pdthornbg@aol.com or telephone 574-329-9188.
