Why Rally? (Part 1)

Why? To learn about new stuff. To connect with friends. To see different RVs. To know more about our RV. To have fun. To learn a new craft. The entertainment. To meet new friends.

A year ago, as (sort of) new RVers, having just purchased a motorhome, we wanted to attend a rally. We'd had a 5th wheel trailer many years earlier and lived in it full-time for about 7 years, but living in a motorhome was going to be a little different and technology had changed quite a bit. We were looking for information on all the new gadgets, devices, and systems to make RVing easier. In January 2008 we attended the FMCA Western Regional Rally in Indio, the same rally we are currently attending. Yep, we've come full circle and are where we were a year ago. Only a little older and wiser.

Last year was fun! It was the thrill of a new motorhome and being on the road once again. It was the hope of meeting new friends. It was anticipation of all the new high tech thingies that we "needed". It was definitely the experience of being at a rally with 1500 other motorhomes, each RVer hoping to also find what we were seeking. Having also attended an FMCA International Convention and a Monaco Coach Pre-Rally in 2008, I'd say the Monaco Rally was the best. The Monaco Rally cost more, but they catered to Monaco coach owners. There were Monaco technicians available to resolve most issues with your coach. They provided lots of good food and entertainment, as well as drinks all day long for those who like to start happy hour at 10 AM. It was also specific to our motorhome and the major vendors were there to offer assistance with all our systems and appliances.

It was a good FMCA rally here in Indio in 2008, but we thought it was only a so-so rally this year. Because we have done the same rally twice in 12 months, much of it was familiar. It did not have the awe and excitement that it did the first time. I heard a couple attendees say the number of vendors was less than last year which may be true. In 2009 there were approximately 1400 RVs attending, 1700 day passes in 3 days, 14 coaches sold and 8 more coaches ordered.

Since the seminars covered pretty much the same information, we skipped many that we attended last year. Sitting through some of these a second time didn't sound like fun - "GPS Systems", "Let's Clean the RV", "Dinghy Towing", "Low Voltage", "Water Filtration", "Insurance Can Be Easy" - especially since most were put on by vendors hoping to sell their product.

I'll finish with the rally posting tomorrow in Part 2 and let you know more about the activities and entertainment. What was hot and what was not.