Leaving Georgia, entering South Carolina, visiting family

We left the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, GA on Sunday morning, made our way around Atlanta and then ...

... entered South Carolina as we continued on our way north.

We got to visit cousins Carol and Buddy on their place...

... what beautiful mountain views!

Their home is perfectly positioned and designed to enjoy the views!

Carol and I on their porch (I think Carol and I are the two shortest of the Talley cousins!).

So pretty!

We got to visit and catch up (Carol is now a grandma!). So good to see family!

FMCA Convention - Last Day

Each morning during the convention, we've been given a copy of "The Lucky Tribune", a "newspaper" about things going on at the convention, notices about changes on session topics and/or times, encouragement to participate in different activities, and sometimes news associated with FMCA or the convention.

Top of title page on Thursday's copy of "The Lucky Tribune"

I had previously mentioned that this was the 13th convention here at Perry, and that the one in 1996 was huge. Information in Saturday's The Lucky Tribune shared information about the RV counts about the attendance in each of the conventions which have been held here.

On the first evening, they introduced folks who had attended all 13 of these conventions -- there were 3 couples and 1 single who have come to all 13 conventions held in Perry!

There were still a few sessions being held on Saturday - I attended one on RV Insurance, and Carl attended one on Towing...

... and one on RV Sealants.

We both feel that we've learned a lot; some of the sessions addressed content which we may have heard before, but it is always good to review; in many cases, questions asked by other participants helped us understand something that we had not thought about previously!

On Saturday evening, we went out for dinner with a group of folks in Coaches for Christ - we got to sit with another couple with whom we had not had a chance to talk, and it was good to get to know them better! It is always fun to make new friends!

Happy St Patrick's Day - FMCA Day 3

Day 3 of the convention fell on St Patrick's Day.

Carl attended a Cummins engine presentation...

I attended a session on a new RV travel planning tool. (More about trip planning in a later post.)

We stopped by the photobooth to get our picture taken.

On Monday while on our way from Florida to the convention, we had seen this Tiffin motorhome, distinctive due to the decoration on the back. We happened to see it as we were walking through a parking area so I stopped to see it more closely....

There is a grate with straight round tubing over the engine compartment; the owner has put colored wire loom over the bars of the grate to make the flag.

A sign on the fairgrounds that we noticed...

This convention is the 13th ("Lucky 13") FMCA convention to be held here at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. 1945 RVs are here for this convention. 

In 1996, there were 6,632 motor coaches here for the convention -- greater than 3 times the number this convention! At that time, there would not have been readily accessible information on the internet for people to learn about their rigs and how to maintain them. 

Carl and I were wondering how the topics would have differed from the sessions we are attending -- still there would have been sessions on RV safety, engine maintenance -- but there would be nothing on internet tools or lithium batteries. KOA and Good Sam probably would have been here, probably other campgrounds or localities would be in the expo area to encourage people to come visit them.

We got green flower leis when we were in the information center which we donated to Miss Kitty when we got home!

This is a view of the fairgrounds and *some* of the 1900+ RVs here (not all -- our parking area is not included!).

Some additional numbers presented on Friday night

Friday evening's entertainment was billed as country music...

Kenny Ray Horton and the Vagabonds

Kenny Ray did part of the show by himself (we honestly liked him by himself a bit better than with the band)...

... though there was one young lady (20 years old) in the band who was pretty amazing -- Addie Levy.  She played the mandolin and fiddle and sang. Kenny Ray said that she was in Dolly Parton's Christmas show on TV this past year. She and one of the other band members played "Devil Went Down to Georgia" (the other band member played "the devil's" fiddle part). She is from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia (https://www.addielevy.com/).

Friday was very rainy -- we're hoping the grounds dry enough or are solid enough that everyone can get out on Sunday morning!

FMCA Convention Day 2

Thursday was day 2 of the FMCA convention.

I attended sessions on FMCA Benefits and Discounts (yes, I know I could read it online, but it helps me to have dedicated time to hear a presentation, and I will only get a presentation on FMCA stuff at an FMCA rally!), on MASA (a medical evacuation plan), and on RV Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Carl attended sessions on Detailing the Outside of your RV in 30 Minutes and 1 Hour with an RV Tech. We both attended Coffee and Donuts, a Magic Show, Devotions, a presentation on RV retirement options, walked around the Expo for a little while, and attended a "block party" with Coaches For Christ. The block parties are a relatively new concept - with gatherings in the parking areas for chapters to get together and meet and greet potential new members -- they did a good job of getting people out and about and visiting!

Detailing the Outside of your RV

Devotions - singing with Dane Bailey - aka The Singing Auctioneer! Gorgeous voice!

Mike Fuller, magician

Beautiful sunset in front of Gracie on Thursday evening.

We're enjoying time spent with old friends and making new friends this week!

FMCA Convention Day 1

Wednesday was the start of seminars and the Expo at the FMCA Convention.

We got started attending seminars...

Carl attended one on "The Simple Internet Solution"...

... while I attended an FMCA Update presented by the FMCA President, Rett Porter.

I stayed on the FMCA theme attending a session on FMCAssist...

... while Carl got a prize for asking a question during the internet session (he asked if the solution would work in Canada and Mexico, the answer was "not right now").

After lunch, we both attended a session on Multimeters...

... really on all things ending in "meter" or "gauge"!

We then went into the Expo and saw a few things that we want to follow up on when it isn't so crowded (the Expo opened afternoon and LOTS of people were in there).

We wrapped up our sessions by going to a couple of Area gatherings - for the "International Area" (which is the area that is not in a particular region) and the South Central Area (which includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas). We got to hear about some of the chapters in each of those areas and met a few folks who belong to chapters in those areas.

Evening entertainment was provided by The Andrews Brothers with Dueling Pianos...

... they got all the participants involved with requests, sing-a-longs, dancing, and lighting up the auditorium with cell phone flashlights!

We're already tired! How are we going to fully take part in the next 3 days?

pre-day FMCA Perry Convention

FMCA's 106th International Convention and RV Expo at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia officially starts on Wednesday, but we appreciated having Tuesday here at the fairgrounds to get accustomed to where things are.

We met under the clock tower to join a walk-about with a mentor to show us the various locations where activities will be taking place.

We attended the chapter fair in the afternoon where a number of chapters were sharing information. Carl got information from the Amateur Radio chapter. FMCA is made up of members belonging to chapters (special interest or geographical groups).

In the evening, we were entertained by Kasual (Casual) Mania.

Seminars start on Wednesday morning, and the expo opens Wednesday afternoon. We're anticipating a busy few days!

Out of Florida, into Georgia

On Monday, we finally left Florida. We've been in the state for 3 months! That's a long time for us!

"Thank you for visiting Florida" ... closely followed by...

... "Welcome to Georgia"!

We had a relatively long drive for us (325 miles) and longer time -- we left our campsite in Orlando at about 9am and arrived at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agriculture Center just before 5pm. We were anticipating 6-7 hours, but it was more like 8 hours with various traffic delays (rain, construction, and one accident). But, we've arrived safely, and were able to get parked in our spot for the FMCA Convention here this week.