WA Rally Debrief and Photos

SJH

Past Washington Chapter Leaders
PHOTOS

The very first WA State Heartland Owners Club Rally provided a very enjoyable weekend for all in attendance. Held in Anacortes, the outlying area provided everything from trips to the San Juan Islands to bike riding along shoreline trials, breath-taking views from the Deception Pass bridge, or simply enjoying the great facilities at Pioneer Trails RV Park.

Weather was perfect. We often make a big deal out of a sunny weekend in the fourth-corner of WA as it is a rarity but this weekend was awesome with temperatures in the 80’s.

Several rigs including “shovelguy” arrived earlier in the week but by early afternoon on Friday row B was full of Heartland rigs and everyone was ready for the 4:00 PM “Meet n Greet” at Steve and AnaLyn’s site. Light snacks were provided and HOC members brought some of their own specialties including things like smoked salmon from members Bruce and Carol. One unique aspect of this event was not only was it a first-time event for many attendees, none of those present had ever met prior to the rally. This made the “Meet n Greet” especially effective as everyone had new stories and camping experiences to share while getting acquainted. The afternoon quickly became evening and it wasn’t until 7:30 PM or so that everyone began to return to their sites for dinner, camp fires, or just quiet time with a book.

Unlike Friday mornings foggy beginning, Saturday started off with a beautiful northwest sunrise setting the stage for a sunny and warm day. Campers had a “do your own thing” day. Some went to nearby towns like LaConner to shop and see a hot-rod show, some like “olyfire” I believe, took a ferry ride to Guemus Island, and still others visited the nearby Swinomish Casino. At 6:00 PM everyone gathered at the cabana for what proved to be the potluck of potlucks! The food was plentiful and excellent with a palatable variety from smoked chicken casserole, crab puffs, and pulled pork to several great salads including a broccoli salad that was awesome. Dessert was simply coffee and cookies. Joining our group at the potluck was a couple from Alabama (Jerry and Lily “gizzy”) who just happened to be in the area visiting friends in Anacortes.
Traveling the greatest distance for the WA Rally was Mr. Bill Knight (wdk450) who came all the way from Sacramento, CA. Mr. Knight also got to take his Bighorn on the Port Townsend ferry on his way to Anacortes.

Although some campers stayed longer the official rally ended on Sunday. Morning coffee and donuts at the Herrick’s site provided the opportunity to exchange addresses, emails etc and the familiar “see you on Facebook” goodbye.

It was a great “first rally” and our introduction to the group RV events. It seems like a contagious pastime and we are looking forward to many more such opportunities in our camping repertoire. AnaLyn and I would like to thank all the campers for their patience and cooperation which helped make this such and enjoyable time. We would also like to thank “ziggy” from the Oregon Chapter for her help getting us started.

Best Wishes to All
Steve and AnaLyn Herrick
 

Crumgater

Well-known member
Thank you SJH for a GREAT RALLY!!
We had a great time and loved meeting everyone. Looking foward to the next one!
... but, have to get back to work for now...
 

2psnapod1

Texas-South Chapter Leader-Retired
What an AWESOME report of your 1st rally - very informative! So glad everyone had a good time. Makes me even more excited for our first rally in October!

We may be joining you in future rally's as our son just got an Active Duty Army Reserve job and will be stationed in Vancouver, WA.
 

SJH

Past Washington Chapter Leaders
What an AWESOME report of your 1st rally - very informative! So glad everyone had a good time. Makes me even more excited for our first rally in October! We may be joining you in future rally's as our son just got an Active Duty Army Reserve job and will be stationed in Vancouver, WA.

We would love to have you join us! By chance, we had campers (JDR) that homebase in Vancouver, WA! It's a small world. For that matter...we had guests from Montgomery Alabama too! (gizzy)

Best Wishes and be sure to thank your son for us for his service.
 

loafer

Well-known member
Steve and Analyn
Congrats on a job well done. an awesome job for Washingtons first Rally.Love the pics as well and glad you had good weather.Sorry we could not make it but Maureens mom is in the hospital and not doing well .We will try next year .
Safe travels
Bill and Maureen
 

Manzan

Well-known member
Steve and Analyn, thanks again for the terrific job you two did! This was our first rally and all the people were great to get to know. You kept saying that you want someone else to take over your job but we want you to keep trying until you get it right! lol Looking forward to the next rally.
Bruce & Carol
 

SJH

Past Washington Chapter Leaders
Steve and Analyn, thanks again for the terrific job you two did! This was our first rally and all the people were great to get to know. You kept saying that you want someone else to take over your job but we want you to keep trying until you get it right! lol Looking forward to the next rally.
Bruce & Carol

Thank you for the kind words! It's not so much that I want someone to take the position I just wanted to provide the opportunity if someone was really interested in giving it a go! I was very happy to get things going and I think the Chapter will continue to grow. It has doubled since we first became Chapter leaders. We will work to get it right:) You and Carol would be naturals though:)

It's a long time until winter. We generally don't "winterize" the Big Country until around Thanksgiving time. Perhaps we can pursue a campout type of event before then!

Also...thanks for bringing the smoked salmon, I know I enjoyed it and I am sure everyone else did too!

Best Wishes!
 

ziggy

Retired Oregon HOC
Sounds like you did a great job and everyone had a good time. The first one is always the hardest, it's all downhill from here!

Kristy
 

ParkIt

Well-known member
Now that we've picked up the truck if you have a rally in Vancouver, we may stop by on our way to Nevada for the winter. I don't think I can take another cold, wet, dreary season here!
Need to find where the pictures are posted.... ;)
 

ziggy

Retired Oregon HOC
The link to the pictures is at the top of the first post. They picked a beautiful campground!

Kristy
 

Marge

All who wander are not lost.
Great pictures ! it looked like a good time and the RV parks looks really nice too!
 

wdk450

Well-known member
Steve and AnaLyn:
Thanks for all the time and work that goes on behind the scenes in making a Heartland Rally happen. It looks like the Washington Heartland Owner's Chapter has a future as bright as the shine you keep on your Big Country!!! That rig turned on the envy and "shouldn't we upgrade?" juices in a lot of us.
Hope to see a few of you at the Oregon campout at Casey's in Westfir next month. I'll save some of their self serve soft serve ice cream and Blackberries for you!!!
 

SJH

Past Washington Chapter Leaders
Hope to see a few of you at the Oregon campout at Casey's in Westfir next month. I'll save some of their self serve soft serve ice cream and Blackberries for you!!!

Thank you for the kind words Bill! We learned a lot and hopefully the next event will be even better! The ice cream and blackberries is almost enough for me to play "hookie" from school and beat it down to Oregon.

PS We all have our own ways to relax...mine just happens to be waxing the 5ver and my motorcycle:)

Best Wishes!
 

olyfire

Active Member
Steve & Analyn,

Thanks for doing such a wonderful job of organizing and putting on the first WA. state Rally.

It was so nice to meet other Heartland owners and of course what a great bunch of people.

It never ceases to amaze us how great RVer's are.

We arrived home Sunday and left Monday with grandchildren for another week of camping, what a tough life.

Thanks again and it was so nice to meet all of you, enjoyed getting to know everyone.
 

2010augusta

Well-known member
Wish we could have been there, it looks like a good time was had by all, but we are trailerless, truckless, and a few thousand miles away. I might try to make it to Gillette next for the National rally for a cameo appearance one day.
 

SJH

Past Washington Chapter Leaders
Wish we could have been there, it looks like a good time was had by all, but we are trailerless, truckless, and a few thousand miles away. I might try to make it to Gillette next for the National rally for a cameo appearance one day.

Hello Alan...nice to hear from you. I have been following your exploits on the forum and understand you are "stick and brick" bound for awhile. I hope school is going well...it will be over before you know it. When I think back on how fast my college years went I still am amazed. Often wish I could go back and do it again.

Best Wishes to you and your family. Perhaps we will see you in Gillette next summer!
 

shovelguy

Well-known member
Thanks to Steve and Analyn for a great raly. We love meeting all the new people and sharing stories and adventures. Looking forward to the Westfir Campout. d&j
 

JDR

Member
We would add our thaaks fro a great rally and a good time. It was a good group and we enjoyed all the conversations and meeting new people and making new friends. Thanks Steve and AnaLyn for hosting. Looking forward to another get togher.

Dale & Margi
 
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