We have been home almost a week, I just got busy with things that went undone while we were away, and maybe a little bit of procrastination as well. So back at the rally, we got to know even more folks and made more acquaintances with great people that also have these wonderful machines. We had a gathering around the fire for a meet and greet where we introduced ourselves and shared a few stories. It is amazing both the similarities and the differences we all share.
The Doodle in Vermont
Paul the president, and his wife Marilyn are very gracious hosts and have become good friends since we joined the group. A special thanks to them for organizing this group and making the events fun and memorable. Carol and I had several good hikes around the area and even found some ice cream... Friday evening we had a pizza evening round the campfire along with a lot of sharing stories. Saturday we went into Burlington and did a bit of a bike ride along the bike path on the edge of Lake Champlain. After our bike ride we walked over to the Farmers Market and were pleasantly surprised by the size and quality of the market.
Farmers market in Burlington
It was very interesting to visit all the booths. There were artists, bakers, jellies and jams and dairy and meats and of course lots of vegetables and flowers. We escaped with only a few bags full of stuff. Of course I couldn't resist breads from the local bakers. We also stoped in at the local artist supply store where I practiced restraint, but Carol weakened a bit. Harper had a great time. On the bike ride she rode in a front mounted pack keeping an eye on everyone as we passed by. On the walk to the market she met everybody with a lick and a smile. She is a traffic stopper at times...we met so many nice people who just wanted to pet her. This happens all the time and she is so well behaved - I think she just loves the attention and hopes everyone carries ‘cookies’..
Harper makes friends everywhere we go
There was an organized bike ride that day as well. Several of the group rode from the campground to Burlington via a bicycle causeway that crosses from the island to downtown Burlington. We had opted to take the Doodle into town and ride the bike path there, maybe I am just a bit less ambitious, or maybe just a bit lazy, you can choose. That evening the rally was crowned with a chicken dinner at the campgrounds' community center.
Carol helps serve dinner Saturday evening
And as it turns out, I was the scheduled entertainment that evening. Since we arrived Paul has been introducing me as 'Our own Ed Huff who will be giving us a great presentation Saturday night' - no pressure here. Paul had asked that I tell the story of our summer travels. I agreed but then the more I thought about it, everyone here has a rig like ours and they all travel, what the heck can I add that would be of any value? Paul brought a projector and I had prepared a lot of slides on my laptop from out trip out west.
Not the best arrangement but it works…kind of
Paul and I met around 4:30 at the community center to get it all set up and make sure that it all worked. He had brought a screen as well. All the tech fell apart here. The screen was way too small, and wrinkled and we had no way to properly attach it to the wall. The projector was also one like I had never seen before. We assembled a tower of a table with an upturned trash can and with a box on top, then the projector on top of the box. This projected on the wall with a ventilation grate, emergency lights, a fire alarm and a long board running through the image. Perfect.
Perfect presentation. . .
After dinner, Paul gave out awards, and then it was my turn. Filled with nerves (and nothing really planned) I jumped in and began the story of our travels. I just put myself on autopilot and talked until there were no more slides, I still don't remember just what I talked about. It must have worked out, as I got a loud round of applause and a very humbling amount of folks coming up to me with compliments. I was just glad it was over.
Talking way too much I bet. . .
The following morning we all gathered for a breakfast meeting, one last time before most folks left for home or more travels. The rally officially ended. We had planned to stay an extra night and made plans with Paul and Marilyn and Bob and Dorothy to do a potluck Sunday evening. A few others had also elected to extend the stay for another day. Carol and Harper and I drove into Essex Junction to attend a doggie event at the fairgrounds there. The 'Wag It Forward' dog rescue event. Harper had a lot of fun. She got a lot of free doggie treats and sniffed a lot of butts.
They even had a photo booth for doggies. . .
There were booths from all over. We sought out the Vermont English Bulldog Rescue, the place we got Harper from and chatted with them for a while. It is always good to keep those connections. We also watched 'flying dogs'. a competition of dogs leaping as far as they can into a pool of water.. a very cool competition. And of course there were several food vendors, we had sausages, and on the way back to the campground, we found an ice cream stand once again.
Pot luck with friends
We had our potluck dinner and some great conversation - these events can be so very rewarding in so many ways. It is always the people who make the event memorable, and we always learn so many little things about life in an RV that hopefully will make life a bit easier or more comfortable. Monday morning we left early, stopped at the little store at the campground and got coffee and breakfast sandwiches and headed down the road toward home.
Heading through the rolling hills of Vermont
We stopped at King Arthur Flower near White River Junction off of Route 89 - you just can't pass this place up. I love baking bread and they have all the right stuff. The ride from there was fairly uneventful and we arrived home late afternoon. Before we wrapped up the evening almost all the RV chores were done and the laundry was being washed. Another successful journey.
Below is a gallery of images, click on any image for a larger view
