EVENT: Heartland Chapter Rally: CA, Oroville - 3/19/2010 to 03/21/2010

[boatdoc]

Deb & Kristy, We'd really love to be at this rally but each year we've just got back to the house in Oregon from our stay down here on the Colorado river. Just a little too much to turn around and go back down. Hopefully next year we'll be able to stay a couple weeks longer and attend this rally on the way home. We'd really like to meet Mike from Heartland and more of the Calif. group that can't make our rally up in Oregon.
See you both in June, G&D

 

[slmayor]

We'd love to have you too! I know its tough for many, as one of our local resident members is always in AZ this time of the year and can't make it either. The Spring timing is to not bump up against either of the other two CA rallies and Kristy's OR one, as we pull from the same group of members. That and it's flat too hot to camp here during the summer. LOL If Ray retires this year, I'll be right behind him and that will give me a little more flexability as well.
Kristy and I are kicking around a "State of Jefferson" rally for next year tho, so stay tuned. If you have any ideas on a location in the "State of Jefferson", we'd love to hear them. See you guys soon, June will be here before you know it!

 

[mikeandconnie]

Hello
Connie and I will be driving up from Yuba City. We purchased our first RV( 38' Lanmark Pinehurst ) last month and will love to meet every one and as newbees we could use all the info we can get.

Mike

 

[Larryheadhunter]

Deb & Kristy, We'd really love to be at this rally but each year we've just got back to the house in Oregon from our stay down here on the Colorado river. Just a little too much to turn around and go back down. Hopefully next year we'll be able to stay a couple weeks longer and attend this rally on the way home. We'd really like to meet Mike from Heartland and more of the Calif. group that can't make our rally up in Oregon.
See you both in June, G&D

You will be missed Gary. See you in Winchester Bay in June or sooner. Hope you had fun snow birding.

 

[slmayor]

Mike and Connie! Welcome to the Heartland Owners!
Have you already made reservations at the KOA? I know that the Thursday arrival only had a couple back-ins available, but Friday arrivals had several pull-throughs still available as of last week.
Let me know if you have made reservations and what site you will be in. There will be a lot of us to feed you well and fill you full of information. Look forward to meeting you!

 

[mikeandconnie]

Thanks Ray and Deb,

Since you are so close I think we will drive up from Yuba and drive back or stay in a hotel. I would like to get some towing advise before I pull the 38 footer for the first time. We are from Georgia but been traveling a couple years staying in Hotels. My wife is a Travel Nurse, so every 3 or 6 month we move, the Pinhurst will makes it easy. Well, for me any way , the way my wife shops I have a big storage hole to put it all in and still have room to walk now. I look forward in meeting you and taking you up on the feeding.
Best regards Mike

 

[slmayor]

Mike and Connie,
there is a nice new hotel right on the property at Feather Falls casino, so that would be convenient for you. If you do decide to come up in the trailer, there are pull-thrus available on Friday. There will also be a lot of folks available to give you advice and towing tips and get you set up. If it were me, I'd just hook up and hit highway 70 and come on up. You don't have to go thru town to get to the KOA and there has to be a first time for everybody. At least you'd be among your Heartland family, and Ray carries a lot of tools.
I recently learned to tow, and surprisingly, was only nervous for about the first 10 miles.
There are a couple more Landmarks coming and one of the folks attending lives at the KOA while as she works as an administrator for a medical clinic I believe. Their home state is MI.
Deb

 

[ziggy]

Don't worry about towing, If Deb and I can tow, anyone can! LOL A short trip is the best thing to do the first time and we'll all help you figure out how to park and get set up. You have to learn sometime, it may as well be with us to help you out.
Kristy

PS Larry,
Any advice for the new rookies? LOL

 

[Larryheadhunter]

Hi Connie and Mike,
As an x-rookie I can promise you that the first time you go to a campground, it's really important to go where experienced RVers can assist you in not only parking your rig, but explaining what everything else is in your Landmark and how to use it. You will find it useful, and everyone does love a show when rookies park. They have their chairs outside and their cocktails and watch you sweat it out. NOT! Just get a pull thru and you will be fine, and don't let anyone stick their arm in your window and try to help you park. When you back up, put your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel and when backing up the rig will turn whichever way you turn your hands. That's the secret. And small movements when turning the wheel. Look forward to meeting both of you and it will be just fine and don't forget to take those turns wide is my advice. LOL

Seriously, many of the rally goers taught me to do everything you will learn, and there is no time but the present to go for it. That is what insurance is for! I know that for a fact. Adios!

 

[GregS4882]

Nicole and I will arrive 3-18 and depart 3-21. Looking forward to meeting everyone. I will confirm reservations on 2-27 with Stephanie.

 

[slmayor]

Awesome!! This is going to be a great rally! Welcome to our HL family. There are several new owners and new members we all look forward to meeting. We are still at 20 rigs as John and Lori (our official sob's) had to cancel. Lori had back surgery and is recuperating.

I will have details posted tomorrow about the Potluck and wine tasting. Still waiting on a call back for time.

 

[BillyJoeJimBob]

Mike and Connie,

As a suggestion you might want to get in touch with Marybeth (Flamingknitter). She told us that when she bought her Landmark she hired someone to train her on not only pulling the 5th wheel and how to operate everything on the Landmark. I was a one day training that gave her enough confidence, including backing up, to get out and mix it up with everyone. If I remember correctly this class cost her about $400.00

Jim Reed (billyjoejimbob)

 

[slmayor]

Final Details for Rally -
I will be sending you all an email as well, for those I have an address for.
Friday - Appetizer & Finger Food Potluck Site 43 if weather is good or in the community hall as announced. Bring an appetizer to share and BYOB if you want something other than beer, soft drinks or water.

Saturday Wine Tasting. Sign up by Friday at the Rally. We're only doing one vineyard nearby, so those that want to play horseshoes and go , should be able.

Horseshoe Tournament (weather permitting) Start time will depend on how many sign up to play.

Saturday PotLuck - Thanks to some great Help with the funding, we will be asking participants to bring side dishes, breads, salads or desserts. The Meats will be provided. Bring flatware for each. Napkins, plates, cups will be provided.

Raffle after Dinner - We are asking each attendee to bring a raffle gift between $10 to 15 value. Money we raise during the raffle will go to offeset supplies for this rally and the next.
I think those are the important points If there are any questions, please send me a note or post here.

Note to Attendees from KOA Management: I know some of you have done this, and some have not. If you are interested in gambling, please call the KOA before you arrive to "split" your reservation. They will NOT be able to do this on check-in. They have a promotional package going for $69 for two nights and you get $20 per person in Magic Money. The promotion was started after we reserved, but some have already changed. They will re-do your reservation for a single night plus a promo package. If you are not interested in gambling, the the regular KOA card discount is $4 cheaper.
*** NEW INFO - Friday night Concert - Pablo Cruise 8:30 - Free Concert[/COLOR]
Most importantly, come prepared to have a great time!!

 

[mikeandconnie]

Hello,
We are looking forward to our very first RV Rally. Mike and I are first time RV travelers.
My question is.. For the raffle, do we need to bring a $15 dollar gift per person or per RV.
I am also a little worried about pulling our RV for the first time. When you see a cloud of dust
coming at you like a dozer, you can be sure it is Mike and Connie. haha.
We hope to learn a lot from you guys.

Connie

 

[slmayor]

Connie,
per RV is fine for the raffle gifts.
Don't worry about the pulling so much, just watch the swing on the turns. Keep remembering, the other cars are smaller, they'll get out of your way...
The first 10-15 miles are pretty tense, then you'll settle right in. Highway 70 is pretty open once you get away from YC and MV. It's a good road to test pull. My first pull was through Redding and down I-5. I still don't like traffic much, but highway is fine. Other than the wide swings on right-hand turns, it's easier than driving the big class A we had. Our truck is so long, that wide turns are how we have to turn anyway. LOL I usually find a nice big semi-truck that's going the speed I want to travel and just stick behind him. You'll get a little air buffeting, but think of the truck as your safety margin. It will take him longer to stop than you, and longer to go than you. Just take it easy, travel at the speed you're comfortable towing.
There will be plenty of folks to help park and get you set up, just worry about getting there. I'll send my phone number in a PM , just call if you have any issues, and we'll send somebody out to rescue you.

 

[flamingknitter]

Mike and Connie - As BillyJoeJimBob said earlier - TAKE A LESSON!!! I travel alone and never pulled anything bigger than a 2 horse trailer and then only when I could pull through and never back up. I called Gold Country Driving and RV school. They are based in Jackson and Stockton and come to you for the lesson. They send 2 experienced RV'ers and spend the day with you. First thing we did was do a walk through and review all the systems and how they work. We went over all the stuff that I did in the PDI but had forgotten in the six weeks that had passed. We completely reviewed the "hitch-up" procedure and they provide a check list. Then we went driving. The morning was spent on city streets, country roads and the freeway. After lunch, we found a vacant lot and started backing up. That is why they send two instructors - each teaches a different method for backing. It was money well worth spending. I felt very confident taking my first trip out alone. Towed from Sacramento to Susanville. The second trip was to Dillon Beach and that windy road. I pull a 40ft Landmark.

I look forward to meeting you in Oroville. Travel safe!!

 

[mikeandconnie]

Thanks for the advice. I made a dry run today.hahaha.. I wanted to know what the roads were like. I figured out that I am in space 19. It is a pull through. I don't have to back up at all!!! I also made a route that is a straight shot. I only have one sharp turn to the right.
Also I plan on taking the RV training school. I am lucky, my husband moves 747 aircrafts all the time.
I believe we will be OK. He wants me to drive, because he will not always be around. With this being my first driving trip Mike may have to bring a change of drawers!!! It will not be hard to find my husband. He will be the one kissing the ground as soon as I park. He may think twice before making me drive again.
Oh by the way, the Casino and KOA camp ground was great. The people are very friendly. They gave me
some good tips, and they encouraged me.

 

[slmayor]

Connie, Thanks for the chuckle! I usually don't drive with Ray as he gets car sick. I'm sure he would have the same reaction after a couple hours with me. If he could last that long! I've been towing on short "girl" trips with friends. I try not to have to back up either. As a team, the girls are getting pretty good at setting up quickly, as the faster we get done, the faster we get margaritas. LOL
See you soon!

 

[slmayor]

Just a few more details... A big thank you to Ralph Graves and RV's of Sacramento. They are hosting the BBQ meats for Saturdays potluck as well as bringing a new full-body paint Landmark Grand Canyon for an "Open Coach" showing. Ralph and Mike Moreland of HL and wives will be attending the dinner on Saturday and holding a roundtable discussion with the owners. Mike will bring us up to speed with HL corporate and you can ask your questions.
Also, if you're not Official Owners Club members yet, if you sign up and pay at the rally, you can get a $10 rebate from the chapter on your dues!!! There are some great perks to being a member and Jim B is working all the time to secure more for us.
Finally... Great weather in the 70's is the forecast for next weekend!!!!
Ray and I look forward to seeing our old friends and meeting new ones next week. Can't wait to get there!

 

[Gaffer]

How does the raffle work? Is it like a white elephant exchange? Bid on stuff? Draw names for stuff? Wrap them or not? Looking forward to meeting everyone Thursday. We will be at 7 feathers Wednesday. This is our first rally. Looks like great weather.
PJ