RE: 02 EasternRally members: WAS IT WORTH IT? MEMORIES TO SHARE?

[NightOwl]

 
Even though many of us were at PUT last year as Eastern  rally plans developed, there are some wonderful new members who were not here then and who may be wondering what  all the excitement is about.  And they may be pondering whetehr or not they should try to take precious vacation time and money and drive for hours to attend the rally.  I thought it might help them if some of the attendees shared some of their thoughts about our get-together.
 
 For my own part, even though a dead AC system caused Toni and me to arrive late, I felt like I was seeing beloved family members after " too many years apart"  and know that my reaction was not at all unusual.  
 
 So, Old timers, how about a sweet trip down Memory Lane while we wait for winter to loosen its grip on the north and eastern parts of our great coundtry....

[ForestCreature]

 NightOwl
Was it worth it?
  Look at all [link=http://forestcreature.tripod.com/rally_001.htm]these smiling faces[/link] and tell me what you think!
 We loved the Rally, and the experience was better than I imagined it would be. Meeting everyone was well woth the travel and having to stay in a private CG.

[GeneF]

 NightOwl
Was it worth it,  I think the pictures on Marcy s link says a lot.
 
 It was great to meet the people that I had been chatting with or had read the posts that they had made.
 
 It was a truly amazing experience to see so many strangers come together as one family.  The friendliness and homey feeling of the board was also evident at the rally.
 
 Some of us had wondered if all of the time at the rally would be structured but that was not the case.  Most of the activities were planned in the evening so we had the entire day to explore the surrounding area and do things on our own or with PUTer s that we had met.
 
 There was also plenty of time to sit around a campfire at night with new found friends.  It was nice of the Little River people not to enforce the quiet hour but I think we tried to respect our neighbors even if we were up a little late.
 
 I would say go and enjoy the experience.
 
 
 
 

[CamperJones]

 NightOwl
Wouldn t trade the experience for the world!  We caravaned up with 3 families and met up with 2 more families and drove into Townsend/Little River with 5 FPUC Families tired but ready to camp!  We met some of the best folks from this board and managed to meet someone like Paula (Shebantam) with the patience of Job as many folks (like Tim5055 and Dave) visited my campsite until the wee hours of the morning and the sites were VERY small so she certainly had to hear us!  I loved seeing everyone as they setup camp and their way of setting up their stuff. From the modern conveniences to the rustic each camper there had their own unique way of camping yet we all were like peas in a pod.  We " knew"  each other even though we had never met and it was amazing to my hubby that we all had so much history for so long via the internet.  He still talks about it and tells everyone that it was a fantastic trip and he was glad we went.  Dave was a complete delight and Shirley (his wonderful wife) and Shebantam introduced us to the wonderful yummy delight of Pie Irons.  We laughed, we ate, we laughed, we ate (get the picture?) and visited until our faces hurt so bad that to laugh one more time would have required immediate medical intervention!  All of the children were so well mannered and their excitement was almost overshadowed by us grown-ups! We even video taped the news broadcast of the news crew interviewing and taping the campground about the Popup Campers invading Townsend and it was very cool!  
 The people, music, food, surroundings, campground, the Smokies - everything was the best and something I would have regreted if I would have missed out.  It was a LONG haul but the excitement kept us going and going and when Townsend came into view we all but cheered as we kept in touch with each other via our CB s!  If you EVER get the opportunity to do something like this I can tell you that you won t be sorry and will be forever glad that you went.  And I am sure that knowing this group that it will only get better and better!  Thanks for the wonderful memories!
 
 PS - We drove straight through from Tampa, Fl to Townsend, TN in approximately 14 hours and 800+ miles stopping for quick food, gas and potty breaks. Would we do it again - HECK YES!

[NightOwl]

 NightOwl
I  KNEW I could count on YOU THREE  to come in with something delightful and worth reading!  Now I need you to come back with information about HOW FAR YOU DROVE and HOW MANY HOURS IT TOOK YOU!!
 
    Please note everyone: Marcy drove  from MICHIGAN, Gene from NEW HAMPSHIRE, and Linda from TAMPA!  They REALLY had long trips! And then FF-EMT and family, and Austin and his gang came from Massachusett.  Toni flew from Michigan and drove up from Ga with me.  Jeffrey and his family came from MINNESOTA!   These are just a few of the  long-distance attendees whose names  popped into my head on short notice but there were lots of others from far away.    
 
 It can be done if you start planning early on.

[CampNfan]

 NightOwl
I can say it was a BLAST! We drove 9 hours to get there and yes I would do it again! I met some really cool people that I believe will be friends for life. We even started a " CULT"  didn t we Dave? The town had such a rush from us all merging on Townsand that they pulled in the local news station to cover all of us " CULT PEOPLE" . If you can attend a rally DO IT! Good food, Good People. Lot s of Laughs, and Garenteed lasting friends! My kids loved it too! So if the kids are happy, Wife is happy, well that makes Me HAPPY!

[campingcop]

 NightOwl
Was it worth the drive?   YES!!!!
 
 It was a long drive from Michigan but well worth the trip.  This was the first big rally for us and we had a great time and are looking foward to the next rally.  Putting a face on a screen name was fun and a real experance.
 
 There is a link to more pictures from the rally and Tenn. on my web page.

[tag]

 NightOwl
It was our first ralley.
 We had a great time.
 I would recommend it to everyone.  It was really neat meeting everyone and seeing what they looked like.  The campground had lots of things to do.  This made it special for the kids.  Mine still talk about the trip.[]

[AustinBoston]

 NightOwl
The drive down was over 18 hours.  The drive back was close to the same.  We took two days each way.
 
 One day at the rally, we went down the Little River on inner tubes.  It was a blast.  I made sure to use cheap flip-flops so that if I lost them I wouldn t be upset.  After about an hour(?) of floating, yelling, splashing, falling in, getting stuck, and general carrying on in a river that varied from slow to class I rapids, with a bottom filled with rounded, slippery, uneven, and unstable rocks and boulders, we all floated down to the campground and pulled ourselves out.  Not a sprained or twisted ankle among us.
 
 No, it was the next day, on a smooth, even trail of fine packed gravel that I twisted my ankle!  The pain was among the worst I have ever experienced.  I was sure (at first) that it was broken and that our vacation was ruined.  I became nausious and began to sweat.  I thought I was going to pass out.  I became suddenly thirsty, and unsure of how I would be extracted from the situation.  Eventually, I walked out under my own power.  It was not broken, but it still hurts from time to time.
 
 Would I do it again?  Given the resources (time and money), you bet.
 
 Austin

[brainpause]

 NightOwl
Oh, me...where to start.....
 
 I enjoyed getting to know so many people face to face, and to be able to connect with them a little bit more in their posts. Some of us also exchanged " gifts"  from our part of the world, from Greg s BBQ sauce, to Gene and Terry s Maple Syrup.
 
 Holly doesn t get on the computer much, but she SO enjoys occasionally just sitting in my lap while we peruse some posts on PUT, because she also met these same people. I knew folks a little better beforehand, just because of the numerous posts and time I had spent here. But Holly enjoyed getting to know people from here, whether she knew their screennames or not.
 
 I believe the campfire chats were the most rewarding of the trip. They were priceless. Our posts and our emails have become much more personal and meaningful as a result of last year s rally.
 
 Depending on the rally s location, even if it is out of state, we are considering coming again this year. As many of you may recall, we have popup title problems, which we are currently trying to solve (again).
 
 For newbies,  PLAN TO GO. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! (I know...I m shouting).
 
 Larry

[cyclone]

 NightOwl
I only had to drive 3 1/2 hours or so to get there....an easy drive.  I will say that it was great to meet in real life.  We were friends from the instant we said " hello" .  I was also the only one who came in a tent---but it s a pop-up tent! []  I still felt welcome, and would do it again in a heartbeat!  It was a relaxed atmosphere; lots of fun, laughter, conversation, etc.  So, if you are wondering whether to spend your vacation at a rally:  GO!!!

[Firefyter-Emt]

 NightOwl
Heck.. You forgot our very own Charlie (Chas60) drove from Maine!
 
 Well worth the trip anyday!!

[DiW]

 NightOwl
We came from northern NJ. Took 2 days each way so the trip wasn t too bad (about 750-800 miles NJ-TN I think). Really enjoyed meeting everyone and having so much time to spend together. Weekend trips can be so rushed.
 
 Wondered ahead of time if it would be too structured but it wasn t at all. Activities were scheduled daily but were strictly optional (but usually packed). Daytime people went off on their own, but usually invited others along (like our impromtu river trips or others  shopping trips). It was very casual. Small groups formed as friendships grew but it wasn t like HS cliques. Everyone was welcome. If you wanted time alone, that wasn t a problem either. You could avoid the group get togethers if you wanted (not many took this option).
 
 Didn t spend the week doing what we planned. Found we weren t interested in the touristy spots (Pigeon Forge, etc) after all but did enjoy Cades Cove. Mostly enjoyed visiting and relaxing. Actually wish we had more time because we didn t get to know everyone.  My DH & son spent 4 days doing nothing but river tubing (something we don t do at home). I spent a couple days at Cades Cove and wished I had done more hiking. Thanks Chasd for taking my daughter with you one day. She loved it and the company. Kids had a chance to make friends. My 15yo DD finally had other girls her age to hang out with so she didn t complain about being bored. It was nice to see so many teens camping.
 
 All in all, everyone enjoyed the week and the ride was no big deal to us. 2 weeks after the TN-NJ ride, we drove straight through from NJ to FL (via Skyline Drive thanks to advice of PUTimers).
 Di

[SactoCampers]

 NightOwl
Great pictures Marcy!
 
 It s invaluable to us on the West Coast (at least me, anyway!) to put faces to screen names as well. Kinda makes me feel like I was there (wish I was!).
 
 

[SheBantam]

 NightOwl
We drove from Northen Delaware, about the same distance and time as Camperjones.  I followed the directions one of the locals posted. Well the most memorable was taking the Bantam around those curves between pigion Forge and Townsend wondering if with the oncoming traffic I was going to take off my awning agains the rocks that I had to hug around someof the curves.
 
 I also got no help from Raymond Driving, and little setting up. needless to say, I was exhausted and stayed that way for most if the week. Hence I was so tired at night that I did not hear the noise.
 
 The other really memorable thing is when I went tubing with Jeffrey. I took a spill. lost my glasses and was brusied and bloodied. I must have looked a site when a youngster found my shoes floating down the river and retrieved them, then led me to the rock " steps"  to get up to the street. I was not going to finish the tubing.  Then the 2 gentlemen that I asked to steady me up the last huge step. All the time holding onto the tube for dear life. I may have lost my glasses and was bleeding, but I was NOT going to loose that tube.  I walked almost a mile back to the campground waiting for traffic to pass so I could get out on the road because there were cars parked all along the roadside.  Then the next day, I had to tell Raymond what lanes to be in, without my glasses as we searched for the Lanscrafters in the Mall the CamperT s husband gave me directions to.  I am almost blind without my glasses.  Oh yes, beaten down, tired and bloddied, I still beat Jeffrey back, he was stuck in a pool at the entrance to the SMokey MOuntains NP.
 
 All that good food at the covered dish...need I say more...
 
 Food, exhaustion, trips to pigeon forge for Jeffrey to go go-carting. All in all we had a good time. In fact, we were close enough that I could spend time with my aunt and uncle in Franklin NC and brought home some antiques and other things that belonged to my grandmother.
 
 I really do not know if I could do that long trip again, especially in the summer. But we had a great time, met wonderful people. Am hoping for one closer to home or on a beach somewhere.