Our First Trip - The Essex Junction Region 1 Rally

On Thursday May 29, 2014 we headed north to Essex Junction, Vt for the Region 1 Rally. This was our first trip with the trailer so we were filled with wonder, confusion, awe, and a whole bunch of questions.  The trip began at about 10:00 am and our first stop was a rest area on I 91 where we met our son Michael, who wanted to see the rig, and wish us a safe trip. Note: We are the proud parents of a Vt State Trooper.

After chitchatting for a bit, we continued on to Essex Junction, getting off at the RT 2 & 117 exit and continuing on River Rd until we came to Sand Hill Rd. And Memories. Our very first house some 43 years ago was on Sand Hill Rd, so we took a ride down memory lane and sure enough, we found it - looking nothing like what we remembered it. With that out of the way, it was on to the Rally. We got there right on time ( about 1:45 pm) and were directed to our "spot".  What an initial experience pulling in and camping with a bunch of air streamers- I believe the final count was somewhere around 55 units- a far cry from the 1200+ that were here for the National Rally in I believe 2003.  Here are some pics of what we were part of:

a view from afar

A View from our spot

Our Red Truck

Airstreams everywhere.......























The best part of the Rally were our neighbors - and soon to be - friends.

Lori(with Delilah and Wrin), Dick, and Durwood

Is that really Patrick Janes Airstream?

The Peirce's Trailer- parked right behind ours

And then there were the Happy Hours:

Even though we were new at it, we did manage to get the Happy Hours down pat. No hitches. And a great time was had by all. We really enjoyed our group. What a great bunch of people.

On Friday we took a trip to the Champlain Islands and visited with Joanne at Holiday Harbor Lodge - where I will be staying next week when I participate in the annual LCI Fathers Day Fishing Tournament with my brother in law Carl. The real reason we stopped was to show off Mary. Every time I go there, Joanne is always asking why I didn't bring Mary. Well, this time I did. She was impressed.

Their New Sign

New Updates to rooms 1-6

After we left there, we took a trip to Isle LaMotte and did a tour of the island. I've been up there a bunch but have never ventured on to the Isle. It was an interesting trip. Next up was a trip to Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge and Louie's Landing on the Missisquoi River, where we took Molly for a walk. Interesting thing that Mary pointed out - there was a car with New Mexico plates and a guy, who appeared to be Native American fishing at the boat launch area. Small world we live in.

On our return trip we stopped at Hero's Welcome in North Hero for some lunch and some shopping. I hope I get to see the place again next week- it's the place that you come to to weigh fish for the LCI Tournament. If I see it, then it means I or Carl caught something worth weighing. That is a good thing.

View of Lake Champlain from Hero's Welcome

When we got back to the Essex Fairgrounds, the word was to be watching out for a storm, which was blowing in. And blow in did it ever. Fortunately most were smart enough to take down awnings....most were. Some were not, and struggled. But when it was all over, we had a photo opportunity:

Rainbow over our Rally

Sunday came too fast for us. Overall it was a great experience, even the sleeping in new beds part. Even the part of Molly and her new home, bed, food dish, water dish, new dogs, dog acquaintances, etc.  Oh, and we finally got to meet the Waltz's from St Albans. Back to the experience, we learned a bunch about our Airstream, which will be helpful down the road. The only negative about the 4 days was a problem we had with the refrigerator. It would not cool sufficiently to protect food. I've since made an appointment with Nomad Airstream in Plattsburgh to have a look at it.  So, next week Mary, Molly and I will be on our next trip together. Hopefully they can get it repaired OK, so that we can enjoy our next big trip - Acadia National Park in the last week of this month. We averaged just over 11.5 mpg for the trip.

Interesting site when we got back home- our azalea and rhododendron shrubs in full bloom: