Arriving In Branson - (Branson, MO)

We avoided the overnight storms and the rain had quit so we could prepare to head to Branson.

We got moving early and were on the road by 9:00 am.  It was only a 140 mile trip and was unenventful for us.

As we approached Springfield, I was getting 10.2 mpg.  I didn't know about all the steep up and down grades between Springfield and Branson.  After having to stop at the bottom of a hill to get through an accident, we ended up at 9.6 mpg by the time we got to the campground.

We pulled into ABC Campground a little before noon.  We met the Rally Coordinator, Michelle, and got checked in.

We are in Site 94.  Just look for the big red tower in our yard.  :)

On Monday, a big tent is going in the grassy spot next to our rig for registration and for our group to gather.

There are already a few people here for the Rally.

Bob & Lynda were the first to greet us as they returned from town.  Then it wasn't long before Ed & Marilyn walked over.

Ed helped me pick up all the boxes of stuff we had shipped to the campground.  I can't show you the "stuff" until the Rally starts.  :)

Jim & Ellie pulled in just after we got set up.  Well, we were almost set up.  Then I mentioned to Linda that Jim had cold beverages and that caused a slight delay.  :)

Soon, Bob & Molly pulled in.  They were the first couple that we hadn't yet met.  But we had talked to them in the Chat Room.  :)

Once we were completely set up, Linda went to the office to make sure we were all squared away with the campground.  We've had four last minute cancellations.

But we had an email today from a couple that just found out about the Rally from Ginger & Jesse and want to attend.  So we got them in.

And we had another email from Ann & Larry who can't attend, but found someone to take their place.  The new folks also just heard about RV-Dreams.

So we'll have to give a big welcome to the brand new RV-Dreams Family members when they arrive.  :)

I made some phone calls.  Stacey & Gail Frank from Weight-It Portable RV Scales are going to do a seminar on RV Weight Safety for us on Friday morning since Mike & Pat McFall (see entry below) won't be able to attend.

Mike & Pat were also going to do a seminar at the Heartland International RV Rally while they were here.  So I called Chris & Jim Guld (Geeks On Tour) to see if they would be interested in doing a seminar over there to fill a spot.

We've been working with Jim Beletti who is running the Heartland Rally and who has been following us for quite awhile.  It's turning out to be a great relationship, and we are looking forward to meeting him when he arrives in Branson.

Stacey & Gail were checking out the KOA when I called them.  So they popped on over to ABC to meet us and discuss the possibilities of getting our folks weighed.

They found a level spot at the KOA which is five miles from ABC Campground.  So, if any of our Rally attendees would like to get their rigs weighed BEFORE coming to our campground and getting set up, contact Stacey at 586-246-3048 or weighit@gmail.com to set up an appointment.

We are working on having them come to ABC on Saturday afternoon, June 14, to do some weighing, but we still have a couple of hurdles to get over before we that's scheduled.

We also met Mike & Cheri who are our Camping World Ambassadors staying here at ABC.  They have already done a couple of nice things for us, and we are going to get together with them to see what else they might have up their sleeves.  :)

Since it was late afternoon by this time and we hadn't eaten, Ellie brought over some barbecue.  Thanks Ellie!  :)

We spent some time with Bob & Lynda and Jim & Ellie and Bob & Molly.  While that was going on, folks started showing up with their dogs on the lawn outside our rig.

It turns out there is an Old Fella Rally here this weekend and they were doing some agility training this evening.  I'll let you check out the RV.Net thread for information on how all that got started.  Pretty neat story.  :)

Later on we walked around the campground looking for the other Rally attendees already here.  We found Carl & Linda, friends of Ed & Marilyn, at Ed & Marilyn's site with Bob & Lynda.  We introduced ourselves and welcomed them to the "Family".  :)

Finally, we found Scott (Serenity Adventure) and chatted with him for a little bit.  Hopefully, we'll still have some serenity and sanity when this is all over.  :)

We moved on and took pictures of the camper cabins that will be occupied by Rally attendees.

Jenny & Donna will be in the one on the right and Dee & Jim will be in the one on the left.  :)

There are lots of trees in this RV park which gives it a little more character.  It's still not really our kind of place, but it is away from town and "the strip" and we think it is going to work out wonderfully.  

Sure wish ALL of you could be here!  :)

Comments

[Kathy]

Yea! Have a great time! All will go as planned! Congratulations on your 1st (of many?) Rallies!

Kathy and Bruce

[Stan and Joanne]

So sorry to hear about Mike and Pat's son. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children. I hope they are doing well and we will say some prayers for them.

Stan is healing well and we sure feel bad about missing the Rally. The Old Coot messed up a few trips this year with his broken hip.

[Jo Wishnie]

Good luck on the first RV Dreams Rally. Please say hello to everyone there for us. We are so sorry we had to miss the first one. Wish we were there. Well, almost. It's spectacular up here in the Canadian Rockies. I can't imagine what it will be like when we finally get to Alaska.

We'll be reading all about the rally as internet connections permit.

Best to all,
Jo & Fred

[Cindy T]

I hope you all have a wonderful Rally, sure wish I could be there. Looking forward to hearing about it in your postings!