2012 Rally Report

2^nd Annual Southeast Truck Camper Rally Report

The 2^nd Annual SE Truck Camper Rally in Cedar Key, Florida was as good as or maybe even better than the first rally from last year. The weather was definitely even better than last years with daytime temperatures in the 70's and night time was in the 50's to 60 degrees and perfect for being outdoors! We did get a little rain this year on Friday, but by early afternoon, it cleared and gave us absolutely wonderful temperatures! This year we had a total of 43 registrations (couples) for the rally which included: 35 truck campers attending this weekend, 7 other RV styles and one couple (who are considering a TC’er) attend the rally. Twelve couples registered for North American Truck Camper Owners Association (NATCOA) and received either a ball cap or a polo shirt from the organization.

We arrived to Cedar Key RV Resort on Wednesday to begin the initial set-up for the rally and for a planned crochet teaching session from Karen Moore. Jean Harmon and Lucy really enjoyed learning to use a Tunisian hook for the Afghan stitch and made several potholders and dishcloths. While the crochet lesson was in progress, the men were busy putting up tables, tents, banners etc. for the rally.

Our weekend started on Thursday evening with a fireside popcorn social with about half of all attendees checking in on Thursday. The popcorn social was a nice relaxed start to the weekend and anyone that wanted to try popping corn over an open fire could do so. The trick was to keep the popper moving fast as the fire was really hot and the corn scorched easily as Donny discovered. The batch was burned but the popper cleaned up just fine in order to continue making the popcorn. As with last year, every one in attendance received a gift bag, which was a shoulder sling back-pack designed with an I-POD accessibility port, filled with information of the local area, but no Peanut M&M’s this year!

Friday was a relaxed day with a hamburger and hotdog social, which was moved to the clubhouse due to scattered rain. We managed to turn the clubhouse in to a smoke house until we got the fans aimed the right direction to blow the smoke away from under the porch overhang. The cooks were fantastic and the food was just right.

Friday night we had use of the clubhouse for our pot-luck dinner and the food was great and there was so much to choose from! After the dinner, we started off with a surprise gift to rally attendees from Sandy and Jim Hunter of South Florida of a SE TC Rally embroidered ball cap. These caps were custom designed by Sandy and matched the polo shirts that were available to attendees for purchase prior to the rally. Once the caps were passed out, we played a game called “Who is This?”, where each team/couple had to guess who was in the posted pictures. The winner was Sandy and Jim Hunter whom had correctly identified 17 of the 30+ pictures! The 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th place winners were all tie with 13 correct names. This activity proved to be so popular, that I am sure we will just have to do it again next year!

Saturday some campers went in to Cedar Key to attend the annual seafood festival and were happy that William, of Lance Campers, played chauffeur to and from the rally. He even drove to the local airstrip to pick up some friends that came to the rally just for the day and to look at the different truck campers on display. When there was a flat tire on their airplane, William even took time to help these flyers out by taking them to a local airman’s house to fix the tire. Now that is what we call great customer service and I know it was appreciated by Karen and Bill! Thank you William!

Many campers enjoyed showing off their many different types of modifications made to their rigs and even just showing off their new campers. The Moge’s were tickled pink to show off their Chalet Triple Slide and the Botti’s were there with their new Artic Fox. The new step system that is on the AF is really an interesting design… a cross between steps and a small deck. The Shrimplin’s made a great modification to their TC by changing the dinette in to a 6ft. couch! I thought it was great.

Saturday afternoon brought out the cookers for the Low Country Boil and as it got closer to eating time, campers began to congregate nearby.  Tickets for the raffle items were going fast and a decision was made to begin the drawings before serving up the food. After going through about one half the raffle give away, we paused for a tongue wagging feast of a Low Country Boil. If you have not had this before it consists of potatoes, corn, onions, kielbasa sausage, shrimp and spices all cooked together in a huge pot and served up hot! Wow, it was a big hit and I know that Andy appreciated not having to get up at 3 in the morning to get the cookers started. Big thanks to Andy & Jean for a great meal! I think this is something that we will do again for a future event!

Once again, the West Coast Bluegrass Boys played for our entertainment until everyone had their fill musically. This year those watching the entertainment bundled up in blankets to stay warm. After the band finished, some gathered back at the fire pit for some warmth and conversation…

Sunday morning breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, oatmeal, pastries, orange juice and more great conversation. After breakfast the truck camper rigs started pulling out and the campground emptied. It was sad to see the rally come to a close as the time at the rally went past in a flash!

Thank you to all our sponsors for this years rally: Torklift International, NATCOA, Ring Power, Nature Coast Rv, Dream RV, American Choice RV, Lazydays and Lance, Office Environment Center, Canteen Vending and Moretrench.

This year, we followed the suggestions made from last years rally by having sign-up sheets for those that wanted to volunteer their help with the many tasks that needed to be done. I have to say that having done this made the rally much more fun and enjoyable for us. We were really able to relax knowing that there were others there helping to make sure that things got done… things like washing dishes, emptying out the trash as it accumulated, putting up tables, food, drinks, plates, etc. A special thanks for the many volunteers that helped!

This year we felt a much stronger connection to the rally attendees and I think it was due to how much all joined together to help make this year’s rally a success. By the last day of the rally, many began talking of having additional get together during the year and there are plans under way for January and February… and of course, the 3^rd Annual South East Truck Camper Rally next October!

Humbly submitted, Don & Lucy Seijas