NKK Fulltimers Rally Fountain CO

 Our first destination in Colorado was the NKK 2024 Fulltimers Chapter Annual Rally & Business Meeting, scheduled for July 21-26. We were so much ahead of schedule that we called to make arrangements to arrive at our campground at the KOA Colorado Springs (which is technically in the town of Fountain, about 10 miles south of Colorado Springs) a day ahead on July 20.  Thankfully we were able to get in early and could be parked on the same site we were assigned for the rally.  This meant we wouldn't have to move again before the rally.  

This is not the first time we have stayed at this campground.  In July 2018 we were here for a rally with Country Coach International when we still had our Country Coach Allure.  During that previous stay we had a severe thunder and hail storm, which caused some damage to both the car and the coach.  To read about that adventure click HERE and HERE.  As fate would have it, we had another storm here shortly after making camp.  This storm was not as severe as that one in 2018, and afterwards we were rewarded with a spectacular double rainbow.  

We had Elves!!!

People often ask what we do at a rally.  Well to eat, drink and be merry are always favorite activities.

One day we toured the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour at Cripple Creek

It would take a big head to fill that hat

The miners use a sequence of bell rings to communicate with the hoist operator.

Downtown Cripple Creek

Another day we toured the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.  They were interesting, but having been to the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, they were a little disappointing.  They were not particularly original and a lot of restoration had been done.

Dorcas gawks at an elk with a deformed antler

An ancient petroglyph????

Happy hour!!!

A smorgasbord of "weird beers"

On another day we did an off-road ORV tour in Pike National Forest 

She's so COOL!

It was a smoky day due to nearby wildfires

We all enjoyed a box lunch midway on the ride

Click HERE to see a video of our ORV adventure

One evening we had a "progressive coach stroll", whereby each coach family shared snacks, as other members made the rounds. Preferably folks prepared something unique or special to their home region.

Our offering (see below) was quite a hit.  We had real Lexington style barbecue, authentic red slaw, and honest to god, home made, illegal, non-tax-paid, white lightening, all imported from North Carolina. Served in authentic red and white paper trays with real Lexington "dip" and Texas Pete, which is made in our home town: Winston Salem.

Bad picture of our fare

Then there were door prizes and a "bucket raffle"

Our booty:

An Oasis 5-year service kit. Retail value: $345

Helinox Sunset chair.  Retail value: $170

Another Helinox Sunset Chair.  Retail value: $170

Another excursion was to the summit of Pike's Peak.

When we were here in 2018 the cog railway was not operating.  They told us it would likely never operate again due to the cost of repairing the track and building new engines and cars, which need to come from Europe.  Yet, here it is.  Go figure.

I didn't feel like fighting the mob to take a selfie at the summit marker.

Mama finally found Bigfoot!

We had expected to see marmots and pikas, but we didn't.  We did, however, find some big game.

Click HERE to view a cute video clip of the sheep.

Finally we had a farewell dinner at MacKenzie's Chop House, a fine steak house in downtown Colorado Springs.

At many of our rallies we identify a local charity and raise funds through raffle ticket sales, 50-50 ticket sale and donations.  On this evening we donated $5476.00 to the Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center.  The Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit organization committed to delivering the highest quality therapeutic riding and specialized therapy to individuals with special needs. They provide equine-assisted activities to those facing physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities.

It was a busy, fun-filled week at the Fulltimers rally.  Tomorrow we travel about 35 miles south to Pueblo CO to attend the 2024 NKK International Rally.  Whew!  Can we handle so much fun?

I Like Ike: Abilene KS

We have been making good time on this trip, and we find ourselves only 429 miles from our destination at Fountain CO, with 2-3 full driving days left.  We decide to spend the morning in Abilene KS and visit the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home.  We made arrangements with the campground management for a late checkout so Ginger would be cool in the coach, and drove the 3 blocks to the site. 

Dwight David Eisenhower was born in Denison TX, but his family moved to Abilene KS when he was one year old.  Ike always considered Abilene his home and lived here until he moved to attend West Point.

Eisenhower was recruited by both the Democratic and Republican parties to run for president in 1951, but ultimately ran as a Republican.

From Wikipedia:

"Eisenhower championed and signed the bill that authorized the Interstate Highway System in 1956. He justified the project through the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 as essential to American security during the Cold War.

Eisenhower's goal to create improved highways was influenced by his involvement in the Army's 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy. He was assigned as an observer for the mission, which involved sending a convoy of Army vehicles coast to coast. His subsequent experience with the German autobahn convinced him of the benefits of an Interstate Highway System. The system could also be used as a runway for airplanes, which would be beneficial to war efforts. Franklin D. Roosevelt put this system into place with the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944. He thought that an interstate highway system would be beneficial for military operations and would support continued economic growth. The legislation initially stalled in Congress over the issuance of bonds to finance the project, but the legislative effort was renewed and Eisenhower signed the law in June 1956."

From Wikipedia:

"Throughout his presidency, Eisenhower adhered to a political philosophy of dynamic conservatism. He described himself as a "progressive conservative" and used terms such as "progressive moderate" and "dynamic conservatism" to describe his approach. He continued all the major New Deal programs still in operation, especially Social Security. He expanded its programs and rolled them into the new Cabinet-level agency of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, while extending benefits to an additional ten million workers. He implemented racial integration in the Armed Services in two years, which had not been completed under Truman."

“Some men are considered great because they lead great armies or they lead powerful nations. For eight years now, Dwight Eisenhower has neither commanded an army nor led a nation; and yet he remained through his final days the world’s most admired and respected man, truly the first citizen of the world.”

President Richard Nixon at Eisenhower's funeral in 1969

The final resting place of Ike and Mamie

"NUTS!!!!!"  No wait, I think that was actually Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe!

By 1:00 we were on the road again, westbound on I-70.  We topped off with about 60 gallons of diesel at Oakley KS and observed a huge thunderstorm on the western horizon.  At this point we had the choice of staying on I-70 or bearing south on US 40, which was a little more direct route to Colorado Springs, our next destination. Our GPS suggested the southerly route, and the storms seemed to look worse to the north, so we struck off on US 40.  I don't know if this choice actually minimized our impact from the storm.  I just know we drove through the most wind and rain that I can ever remember. I guess its was good that we were driving on a relatively remote highway with little traffic vs. a major interstate.  We elected not to stop, mainly because there was nowhere to safely pull over, and proceeded slowly with flashers going, until the storm subsided.  

By the time the storm subsided it was late afternoon and Dorcas began scouting for a home for the night. She discovered Fort Wallace RV Sites, a small city park in Wallace KS, that had positive on-line reviews and was inexpensive.  Before proceeding to the camp we stopped at the Fort Wallace Museum, which also served as the town visitor center.  We arrived just before closing and inquired about the RV park in town. The lady managing the museum said that after the recent storm, the sites might be muddy.  We asked if it would be OK to park in the museum parking lot overnight instead, and she said "Sure!"  So, free camping on dry pavement.  Life is good!  The site seemed very safe and secure.  I don't think more than 3 cars drove by us on the highway all night, and not a single one pulled into the museum parking lot.

Note that the buffalo sculpture above is formed with barbed wire

During the evening there was a forecast for strong winds, as the front came through following the storm.  Expecting 70 mph winds, we elected to not extend our slide outs.  I had put an orange safety cone out when we parked.  The next morning it was gone.  After a short search I found it in the ditch beside the highway.

Our home at Fort Wallace Museum

We knew there was construction ahead on US 40 involving a short detour, however as we approached, we learned that the highway was now closed entirely.  This necessitated a 30 mile zig dead north back to I-70.  I guess we should have gone that way to begin with.

We finally crossed the border into Colorado, with blue skies and sunny weather.

Westward Ho! The Adventure Continues: across TN, KY, IL, MO and KS

 Day 4 was a rather long and dull driving day.  We traversed the remainder of Tennessee, from Nashville we cut northwest across a corner of Kentucky, entered Illinois and crossed the Mississippi River at St. Louis.  We landed at Hickory Ridge Campground in Montgomery City MO after driving 452 miles, a rather long driving day.

Site #73 at Hickory Ridge Campground

The next morning we continued the long trek across I-70 through Missouri and Kansas.  

Passing Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals

After 4 days and about 1200 miles I finally coerced Dorcas into taking a turn behind the wheel.

Don't she look good piloting the big rig?

Our route so far

After a modest driving day of 318 miles, we stopped for the night at Covered Wagon Campground in Abilene KS.  Abilene is famous for being the boyhood home and final resting place of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Site #53 at Covered Wagon Campground

This evening we explored Abilene.  Besides the Eisenhower connection, Abilene is known for its murals. 

And it is also known for its colorfully painted cowboy boots scattered about town.

Dorcas modeling the world's largest belt buckle

We learned of a jazz band concert happening at a local park this evening.  These concerts only occur here once per month, so we were fortunate to be present on this night.  The musicians were very talented and consisted primarily of local high school and college music teachers from the area.  Before the concert I was able to talk to the drummer and reminisced about when I played in the stage band in high school.  They actually played several tunes we played way back then.

Lick HERE to view a short video montage of the concert.

We find some awfully nice things when we are actually able to get off the interstate and stop for a while!  We should try to do it more often!

We are running a little ahead of schedule, so we plan to learn some more about Ike tomorrow morning.

The Westward Ho Adventure Day 1 .... or Is It Day 3?

Dorcas and Ginger left our home in Winston Salem after her cataract surgery post-op exam around 10:00 am on Tuesday. Thankfully all is well after her surgery. I left the Freightliner Factory Service Center in Gaffney SC about the same time, after spending 2 nights there, having motor home maintenance and repairs done all day yesterday.  Around noon we met at the I-40 Westbound Rest Area at MP 82 near Marion NC, where we attached the Pilot to the Dutch Star and began our journey in earnest.  The temperature is oppressive, topping 90 degrees.  Thankfully it was overcast and we endured some very light sprinkles, which made the heat more tolerable. 

Our drive was uneventful except for the harrowing episode when an 18-wheeler ran us off the road.  We were negotiating a very narrow and twisting portion of I-40 just east of the Tennessee state line.  This part of the interstate prohibits trucks in the left lane, but this asshole paid that no never mind.  I was in the right lane on the outside of a sharp left-hand curve, and nearly lost it as he swerved about 4 feet into our lane.  I dove well onto the shoulder and nearly went off the road.  Dorcas was so surprised she forgot to scream.  I think this was the most frightening event I have experienced in our 25 years of RVing.  Thankfully we recovered, and there was no harm except for some frayed nerves and some elevated blood pressure.  Ugly words were uttered, which I will not repeat here. We operate a dash cam, and we saved the video with the intentions of submitting the clip to the NCHP and the owner of the truck.  Unfortunately the clip was not actually saved.  My old Garmin DC-35 dash cam would save a 3 minute clip, but, unbeknownst to me, my new Garmin DC-57 only saves a 30 second clip. Consequently all we saw on the clip was the butt end of the offending semi as he hightailed it into the mountain mist.  So it goes.

In the late afternoon Dorcas began looking for a camp for the evening.   We discovered a US Army Corps of Engineers site very close to our route.  We quickly made an online reservation at Long Branch Campground, just below the Center Hill Dam on the Caney Fork River, near Lancaster TN.  It was an exceptionally nice site, with 50A electric and only cost $15 with our Federal "gezzer" pass.  So, after a 321 mile drive we made camp and enjoyed a cool adult beverage.

Site #38 at Long Branch CG, USACOE

Center Hill Dam

I-40 in east-central Tennessee crosses the Caney Fork about a half dozen times.  I have always thought it was an exceptionally scenic river and have always wanted to paddle on it.  Maybe sometime.

Caney Fork River