Family RVing Magazine
  • FMCA.COM
  • CONTACT US
familyRVing
  • in this issue
  • tech
    • Tech talk e-newsletter archives
    • more tech talk
  • Digital editions
  • towable guides
  • Classifieds
  • contact
    • contact us
    • advertise with us
    • media room
  • FMCA

Family RVing Magazine

Family and Friends: A Trip Of A Lifetime

May 1, 2014

By Ellis and Gwen Brown, F386872
May 2014

In the fall of 2012, a group of Penn Coachmen chapter members started talking about taking a trip to the 2014 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. A number of people were interested, and we began to make plans and exchange ideas. The trip started to take shape. One thing was missing: a leader. Up stepped Bob Moss, F237197, as he had done many, many times before for the Penn Coachmen chapter members and for FMCA.

Bob was a natural-born leader who knew just what to do to get us all involved. He took many ideas from all members of Penn Coachmen, some of whom had already taken the trip several years before. He then formulated a plan that would work for everybody. We would take our time and not drive too much in any one day, seeing the country as we drove through it. In other words, “smell the roses” on our way to the Rose Bowl.

We were set to depart from Pennsylvania on December 9, 2013. But on December 4, Bob very suddenly — and peacefully — passed away. What were we to do? It was decided that the trip would go on, minus Bob and his wife, Norma, as this is what Bob would have wanted. We had the plan in place, since Bob had done all the work, and it was all set up for us to carry out. So, that is what we did, with heavy hearts, but with Bob and Norma always on our minds. And as we advanced across the country, we kept in touch with Norma regularly.

Our first major get-together was in New Orleans, Louisiana. Some chapter members traveled together from Pennsylvania and others started from other places and ended up in New Orleans. On December 13 we were joined by Earl and Nancy Christman, Jake and Ruth Hershey, Ron and Andria Lee, Ron and Sally Lerch, and Stan and Carol Seyfried. We camped in the French Quarter RV Resort (highly recommended), which was a short walk to downtown and the French Quarter. We took a four-hour bus tour of the city and thoroughly enjoyed it. New Orleans is a very interesting city.

After three nights and two days in New Orleans, we moved on (along Interstate 10 west all the way) to our next stop in Beaumont, Texas, at the Gulf Coast RV Resort (again highly recommended). For breakfast, the resort serves waffles shaped like the state of Texas.

Our next stop was in San Antonio, with three nights in the Travelers World RV Resort, again highly recommended. We could board the bus for downtown right outside the resort. We took a night boat ride along the River Walk, where the Christmas lighting was awesome.

Moving on, we stayed at the Circle Bar Truck Corral, Ozona, Texas; the Van Horn KOA, Van Horn, Texas; and the Little Vineyard RV Park, Deming, New Mexico. All of these were one-night stopovers. They all were very nice and served our purpose. All featured easy access off of I-10.

In Tucson, Arizona, we stayed three nights at the Tucson/Lazydays KOA campground, which we highly recommend. We picked up Fred and Barb Thum, two fellow chapter members who were already in Tucson. While there, we celebrated Christmas with a gift exchange and dinner out.

Our next stop was at Saddle Mountain RV Park in Tonopah, Arizona, for one night, and then on to Banning, California, and the Banning Stagecoach KOA. Both of these were very nice parks.

It was then time to go to our final destination, the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. We stayed at the Santa Anita Racetrack and were part of the SOI (Sportscoach Owners International) chapter and Fantasy RV Tours rally. I cannot say enough about how great these two organizations treated us. SOI’s Ed Waldheim and Fantasy Tours’ Paul Mitchell and his entire staff made our experience great. While in Pasadena we picked up chapter members Jay and Sharon Zeigler and their son, Robbie, as they winter in Indio, California, each year. Their friends Bill and Pat Kirchner also joined us. So our group’s final total was nine coaches and 19 people.

During the Rose Bowl rally we worked on floats; toured a float barn; visited the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens; had a great luncheon and day at the races; took in a winery tour and dinner; joined in a New Year’s Eve dinner and celebration, as well as a crazy hat contest; and, of course, attended the Rose Bowl Parade. We had the best seats at the parade, and we then enjoyed a post-parade of the floats, plus a root beer float party.

All good things must come to an end, and the Rose Bowl Rally ended on January 2. Our chapter tour group began to split up, as was expected. Some of us went on eventually to the Western Area Rally, which took place January 8-12. Five chapter member coaches attended together. After that, the five families traveled over to Quartzsite, Arizona, for several days. We planned to get together again in Perry, Georgia, at the FMCA Family Reunion in March before heading home to Pennsylvania.

Bob (May 10, 1935-December 4, 2013) was a retired U.S. Army colonel who earned Silver and Bronze stars in 27 years of service, and he was an instructor at Carlisle War College. He was a graduate of Lafayette College and a member of several other FMCA chapters, in addition to the Penn Coachmen.

We say good-bye to Bob and thank him very much for our “trip of a lifetime.” He will be missed in all our future trips, and our thoughts will always be with him.

previous post
Get Set For Spring Travel
next post
President’s Message: Travel Plans, Past And Future

You may also like

Family and Friends: Tri-State Traveliers Prepare To Turn...

May 1, 2014

RV News: April 2014

April 1, 2014

House Calls: September 2014

October 1, 2014

Gone With The Wind Tour

February 1, 2014

Full-Timer’s Primer: You Can Go Home Again

December 1, 2014

Family and Friends: Gateway Getaways Chapter Donates to...

October 1, 2014

President’s Message: Thinking Big

January 1, 2014

Open Mike: RVing Self-Improvement List

March 1, 2014

Family and Friends: Treasure Coasters Celebrate 30th Anniversary

August 1, 2014

Outdoor Winter Fun

January 1, 2014




Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube

FMCA on Social Media

  • Do you have a favorite campsite? The one spot that you find yourself returning to year after year? Checking online reservation systems months in advance to make sure nobody else books it before you get the chance? What makes it so special?⁠ ⁠ Let us know in the comments! You don
  • What Does an RV Warranty Cover? What Isn’t Covered? What are the eligibility requirements? Do I Really Need an RV Warranty? Once I’ve purchased my extended warranty and I need to file a claim, what is the process?⁠ ⁠ Understanding what warranties do and how they help you cover repair costs is worth diving into! In our latest FMCAdventure blog, we
  • Did you get your paws on the latest issue of Family RVing Magazine yet? FMCA members receive a FREE digital and print copy each month with their membership! ⁠ ⁠ Tap the link in our bio to check out the latest digital issue. If you
  • Things are starting to happen in Perry, GA! FMCA
  • "A common misconception is that all campground power outlets are the same. Many people think there is nothing to worry about and you can just plug your power cord in and begin enjoying the new neighborhood. This is just not true. In fact, power pedestals at RV parks can be a beautiful thing or they can be your worst nightmare. Poor quality power, incorrect wiring, and surges can all do major damage to your RV’s electrical system.⁠ ⁠ Fortunately, there is a way to ensure that the power supply you are using falls into the "beautiful thing" category and doesn’t
  • SPECIAL OFFER ALERT! Join or renew today and save 30%! Yes, you read that right! For a limited time you can become a member or renew your membership to the greatest RV club in the world! You
  • The people at an FMCA convention are truly what make it an amazing experience. Travelers come from all over the place with one thing in common - their mutual love for the RV lifestyle. We cant
  • It
  • Over the past week, there has been more snow than some areas of the U.S. have seen in decades! We hope that you and your family have been able to stay safe and warm, wherever you are. ⁠ ⁠ - @travelswithbirdy⁠ - Jayco Jay-Flight⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit

Categories

Recent Posts

  • New Beginnings

  • Livin’ The Life: March 2021

  • Tech Talk: A Propane Primer

banner
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

@2017 - FamilyRvingMag. All Right Reserved.


Back To Top

FMCA members have access to exclusive articles and RV tips, plus a digital library of RVing know-how. For full access to website content, plus must-have travel benefits, join FMCA today and get instant access to Family RVing magazine.

If you already have a membership with us, sign in now to get full access!

Join Now Sign In