Saturday, Final Day

 Our final seminars:

FMCA's Corporate Insurance and Event Planners

I attended the Insurance, learning about the liability, FMCA, Vendor and individual attending or visiting a Rally 

Grouper: Make RVing Part of Your Healthcare Plan

Susan, attended this one, learning how the FMCA Grouper can integrate into your health plan covering certain benefits. Specifically mental health care.

Wrap up on the FMCA 108 International Convention and RV Expo

LET's all Get Together for the FMCA Convention in Indio, Ca for 2025. Let's show them what a Alfa Caravan looks like. Watch for News of this in the Future.

We all regrouped around 12ish, and discuss the impending weather changes coming and heading eastward. Decision made finish packing and head eastward. 

First stop, dump station and take on some water. That done we headed eastward. Dave got ahead of us by 5 miles, but he called stating he was at an exit, due to a low coolant fault. 

We were able to catch up to his location, we slowed down enabling him to come onto the Interstate. We continued eastward, with a plan to stop in Willcox, Az., and proceed to the Elks lodge for the night. However, as our plans are ever fluid, we decided to head to Lordsburg, NM.  The additional distance was only 75 miles, so we are overnighting in the Veterans Park.

Arrival was pretty good, the only thing wind. Coming from the west and gusting to 15mph. We went to Ramona's cafe, for dinner. We actually stopped here, in 2019 heading to our AOC rally in Texas. Now that was a journey. Our truck was misplaced, we blew an inside dually tire. And yet, some people would think that was terrible, or horrible. 

Not us, why? No one was hurt. We located the truck, replaced the tire and continued on our journey. Seriously, think about it. 

We had our health, Rv was still in good shape, truck was running, did I mention our heath. If it is one thing we learned, is there is never a reason to get upset. I received a voice message at 7:57 MDST, from a friend. He was so upset, talking so fast, not letting me get a word in, and yet. He was so worried about this happening and that happening. 

Listen folks sometimes things happen, which are beyond our control. Sometimes there is nothing we can do, except to sit down, relax. 

Now some people will say it is their nature. Bull Hockey, you can change or do anything you want todo.   

Anyway, back to our travels. I awoke to wind, wind and more wind. Gusting up to 35mph if not a little more. Oh did I mention I have allergies and i hate wind like this, which just get's to me.  So, I am living on some meds. 

AND, we lost or was it gained an HOUR - TIME, that poses another question. What is tine? Oops sorry I am rambling again. Anyway from Arizona time, to New Mexico. 

Look what we found:

I met the man who built this unique truck, car, call it whatever you want.

This vehicle is made from 20 different and unique items. Cars dating from 1914 to 2000. The rear fenders are from a 1949 ford front fenders. The front grill is from a 1914 Rheem old house heater. Yes, it is licensed and is drivable. 

 

Anyway, one of the things we need to do as we travel, is to look for those items that are unique, places that make us want to stop and investigate. HEY, is that rain I am hearing ? Why yes it is. 

Tom, Sue, Sid, Barb, Gene & Judy if you are reading be careful, weather does not look favorable for traveling today. 

Ok, well this wraps this session up. Look for Edits from Susan when and after she reads it. If there are needed.

Safe Journeys and Travels

DaGirls Rv, Gus Da Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Hum any photos ? From the Pass? Let's see

2019 - Texas Rear Tire Inside Dually Blowout

What can you do or better yet What would you do?

Day 2 & 3 combined

Both days were filled with excellent seminars, we all were hustling to cover and attend as many as we could. So we decided to divide and conquer 

Thursday

FMCA Member Benefits

Before you call a Tech, what should you do.

Tire Failure analysis

Educate yourself on Roadside Assistance for Rv's

Canada's Eastern Atlantic Provinces FMCA Tours

Friday

Care and Feeding of your Rv tires, Michelin

Understanding & Testing RV Air Brakes

Cummins Engine Maintenance

Supplemental Car Braking Roundtable

Saturday

FMCA's Corporate Insurance and Event Planners

Grouper: Make RVing part of your Healthcare Plan

Now, for a brief review of the best seminars:

Care and Feeding of your Rv tires, Michelin.

Discussion from a field engineer on the care of your tires and to provide instructions on achieving a 10 year life on your tires. 

Excellent layout including construction and longevity of tires. The engineer presented a very good layout. Included steps needed we need to achieve that 10 year life of your tires. At 10 years, replace them.

Cummins Engine Maintenance

Engineering and technical design of the Cummins Engine. 

Did you know the serpentine belt is NOT the color of red, meaning it is NOT a Cummins part. It is the Chassis manufacture part .

Also that there is a lift pump that runs for 30second when you turn on the ignition key prior to turning to start position. This lift pump is use to prime the system.

The Cummins presentation given at the FMCA Rally

Download Link - Press Here 

As a added benefit I am giving you:

225 degrees F, Check Engine light comes on. If you continue to let it claim you will find out about the Red Engine Shut-Down light.

The engine governor RPM is 2600.

A few Photos Ops

Time is running out, with tomorrow being the last day. Our expectation, head-out on Sunday and head eastward toward Bandera, Tx. Stopping along our way to Las Cruces, NM. to dump, take on water and refuel. 

2 last snap shots:

Anyway, it's late and time t o sign-off and get some rest

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv, Gus da Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Day 1 Wednesday

 Day 1 started Bright and early. Sunny with mild weather. Definitely part of the day would be tee shirts and shorts.

Seminars are schedule starting at 9am running to 3pm. Everything from Cummins and Caterpillar engines to cooking with your microwave, convection oven and air pot. You can find information on Medicare, Medicare supplements - and how to select the right one. The Medicare one is the hardness to learn and wade through. The people leading these groups have all been vetted and are well educated in their fields.

Susan and I have selected many seminars to go and see during the week. 

The lineup of vendors is excellent, nothing like the Big Tent in Quartzsite. Many items for and about Rv's including the line up of new and used units on the market.

The schedule and description in the Handbook is excellent written and can be be read easily.

Excerpts from Handbook

Not only is there a hard copy, there is also an App, which contains the schedule of all the events which are going on. The App is easily to navigate and you can schedule all of the seminars for yourself.

I was surprise to see Gary Ross, in the vendor hall walking around with his lovely wife Marti. Many of you know me, I will recognize the face, but it will take me a few more minute to put a name to the face. Great seeing you Gary and Marti.

As you know Mike Kirk is a mayor player in the FMCA org. Not only is he here, but also is a working volunteer. Volunteering is a way to reduce the cost of coming. Mike is also a accomplish chief:

Pizza Night   

Mike carries with him a PIZZA OVEN, he invited the Alfa owners over to make our own pizza:

Sorry Folks, no photos shots of the Pizzas which were cooked and EATEN very quickly. Here's to you MIKE. Mike's comment to me? Dale this is the best crust that has been pressed out. Yep, take's a "On the Job Training" to create a good crust.

The only introduction was also held on Wed. night. The greeting was given by the president. Who also introduce the entertainment. Sad to say, I missed it due to allergies. Yes this is the time of year, and I was late in preparing for it. Now I am playing catchup. 

Well, it going to be another busy day, Oh heard there are over 900 units in play here on the field. 

 Hey, what say we get a group of Alfa Owners and set a FMCA caravan for the next Convention.?

Photo Courtesy from the AlfaSeeYas website

   Wouldn't it be Great to Recreate the days of long lines of Alfa's caravanning into the FMCA field.

Safe Travels and Journeys
DaGirls Rv, AkA Gus the bus
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Wednesday - Day 1

 Tuesday afternoon, and many more units have arrived. Including Brian and Carol Hood who arrived at 9am on Monday. 

This morning I managed to get a few area photos from the roof top.:

Let's not forget unique units  find in my walk-bout:

We attended the First Timers meeting today, even though we are not. Amazing the Pima Hall was filled with new FMCA attendees.

Entrance into Pima Hall

You know what? Wouldn't it be amazing, a gathering of many Alfa owners and caravanning to a FMCA. This would be in Remember of pass Alfa owners that did it. Think about it. Pass along your thoughts to your Alfa Chapter Presidents. 

Ok, so what is on store for tomorrow:

Maintenance on Cummins and Caterpillar engines. Troubleshooting engines, vendors inside the main building, checking out new technology and much more.

Stay tune for more:

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rf, Gus the bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me 

Saturday it is or would that be Was?

 Decided to leave on Sat., around 10ish. Parked the Rv's on the street and proceeded to spray the lots for weed control. Completed closing up, the kitchen along with putting everything in there place.

Once done, with that, off we went. Dave decided not to fill his propane tank, so need to hang around. Our first stop was the Elk's lodge on the east side of Gila Bend. There we took a small walking break and discuss our final destination for this leg. Options, Rover's Roost, SKP campground west of Casa Grande (CG), Pinal county fail grounds east of CG, or try the Elks lodge in CG. 

With our decision made, off we went, back on I-8 heading to, you guess it, the Elks lodge. Easy traveling, no wind and normal amount of traffic. Most of which would pass us by. You see, this is our home, and we plan on keeping it and us safe as we travel. Normal speed 60 to 65, we have too many friends, who think it is find, traveling 70, 75 or even faster. The worst part? Is some of them are in the high 70's or even 80's. They think nothing of it. Never realizing that their reaction time, visibility, and even their peripheral vision, just plain sucks. Sorry folks, we all get old, and this happens to all. 

Ok, as we continued eastward, we reached our exit Trekell Rd., in plenty of time. Within 15 minutes we were pulling in to the Elks lodge and what did we see ? Sorry for the lopsided image. Anyone recognize the red stripe?

Wait they are in Florida, Susan exclaimed.

Yes, Kathleen and Keith Freebern, were at the elks. And if you guess, Keith was working on there Rv, you would guess correctly. Although I did not get the best photo, it was still a keeper.

Keith at his finest

Anyway, so what do Roadrunners do when they get together?

Mini Rally 

Susan, Keith, Kathleen, Dave and of course me. Also Dakota and Tilly.

Sunday came and so did Lorraine and Mike, you see, Susan asked if they would meet us and take home some items to Florence, and keep them until we get back. Mike and Lorraine, what great friends they are. Mike also asked if I wanted to buy his Black-Stone Grill. They figured, it was just to big for there camping trailer. 

So, here's to you Mike and Lorraine:

Blackstone on a roller stand with our Portable Air/Oven.

Thank you Mike and Lorraine

But, I am getting ahead of what is going on.

Quick and Easy arriving and getting in early.

What time is it ? Wine time.

Dakota Resting and surveying

Monday, 1 day, what a difference it makes

Dan Sheppard Small world.

So, this is just a little of what is happening, before the first day of the FMCA Get-Together.

Oh picture this:

Anyway Safe travels to all of you:

To those of you who are Roadrunners, remember to send our editor some of your travel notes for the Newsletter.

Safe Travels and Journeys 

DaGirls Rv, Gus the Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me