Rally Tour - Monday Through Wednesday

Wow! How quickly the days go by! It is early Thursday morning and the last day of this rally. We have been so busy that this blog has not been attended. Whatever memories folks will have of this week, the tremendous weather will have to be one of them. It has been dry, sunny, daytime warm, night time cool, and very comfortable. Who could ask for more?

Most of the coaches were here on Sunday with some arriving Monday. The parking crew did its usual good job of getting rigs in. This camp is pretty easy: each site is a pull through and the coaches were parked with an empty site on each side and behind. Folks were settling in on Monday, and we decided to travel to Jamestown for the day.

We learned that Miss Garmin is a stickler for detail. Janice put in 'Jamestown' as our destination. Oddly, we were routed into downtown Williamsburg to 'Jamestown Road'. When we realized our error we put in 'Jamestown Settlement' and found our way to our destination. We did not tour the settlement ( minimum three-hours), but we did see a film and saw some of the area.

When we arrived back at Bethpage, the display coaches were open and we began 'due diligence'. The coach that caught our attention was a 2006 Monaco Windsor. Initially we understood it was a used coach. It was used for shows (5400 miles), but was 'new' (left over from 2006). We went back to this coach Tuesday and Wednesday with increasing interest. By Wednesday afternoon we were getting close to making an offer. On our way to dinner Wednesday night we saw a 'sold' sign on the coach door. C'est la vie! Thursday morning Janice returned to the show area to look at another coach. She was surprised to learn that 'her' coach had not been sold. The sales team had repositioned the coaches putting sold coaches in the rear. We are still considering.

Seminars were underway on Tuesday and the Ladies' Tea was Tuesday afternoon. The Monaco technicians began their repair rounds on Monday. One had been to our coach while we were at Jamestown, but he needed to return on Tuesday (we had the ignition key). He repaired a brake light, the air horn, and is still working on the rear air conditioner. This service is Monaco's edge: "salesmen sell the first coach; service sells the next coach". Many folks swear by Monaco products because of this service, and Monaco knows it. Janice won a door prize at the tea and had a good time.

Each evening we have a "Social Hour" from 5:00-6:00 PM. The crowd gathers at the Rally Center during that time. Between 6:00-6:15 PM we have announcements and door prize drawings, and dinner is served between 6:15-7:15 PM. Entertainment on Tuesday was by The Boogie Sharks Band. The music was good, the dance floor crowded, and folks seemed to enjoy themselves. By 9:00 PM most had returned to their coach to see Dancing with the Stars (Monday and Tuesday).

The potluck dinner Monday evening has been followed by excellent meals (breakfast and dinner) provided by the Bethpage staff. The food is served quickly, it is hot and well prepared, and there is more than enough for most people. The problem is getting up in the morning: breakfast is 7:45-8:45 AM.

Because we are looking at diesel coaches, Ralph has attended seminars on diesel coaches, engines and generators. He comes away wondering if the advantages are worth the learning curve. Most owners are satisfied with their Monaco coaches; they probably wouldn't be here otherwise. We share a lot of the 'first year' grief stories and the satisfaction of getting most things repaired under warranty, and most of the stories have happy endings. Tuesday night we met Ms. Scott who has a 2007 Knight. She has a horrendous tale of one problem after another. She appears to be single and she found that whenever she took her coach for repair the first response was, "You don't know how to ...." Single female motor home owners are rare and the service sector does not treat them well. Her persistence is enduring and in most cases she has prevailed; however, she has paid for many repairs after the warranty period. Ralph has seen her at most of the engine and coach seminars asking questions and telling her stories. She is living every new buyer's nightmare.

Janice is attending a cooking seminar and Ralph is putting outdoor things away this afternoon. The rally became official this afternoon with the arrival of RAIN. Sprinkles turned to showers which turned to a brief downpour. Monaco America rallies invariably have rain.

Tonight is the grand finale! The entertainment is usually very good and everyone will be in good spirits. Tomorrow the exodus will begin to Greensboro and elsewhere. Many attendees are from distant places and have been traveling for many months. They will pass on Greensboro, but many have signed up for Amana, IA next June when we do it all again. There will be a drawing tonight of those who have registered for Amana; the winner will have the rally fee paid by the rest of us.