1st Week of October 2006

Very sorry about the delay in updating the BLOG. The main reason is the complete lack of connectivity, not even WiFi hotspots that I could drive to. The Champlain Valley Exposition facility had VERY poor cellular reception, therefore, connection by my Cingular AirCard was virtually impossible.

Here is a rundown of the past week.

Saturday, Sept. 30th - I played in a Newmar-sponsored golf tournament at the Williston Golf Club. There were 90 participants. I played like a real dog BUT, 89 players played worse. So, I ended up winning the thing by default.
Along with all of our Louisiana friends, we went on a dinner cruise of Lake Champlain. In all, Newmar participants numbered 430. We took up the entire Admiral Deck. The food was very good considering the number of folks dining. The lake is beautiful but, it really was too dark to be able to appreciate the beauty.

Sunday - This was a VERY cold and rainy day. MA shopped for groceries and I watched football. WE attended the Opening Ceremony where 49 states and 9 Canadian provinces were recognized in a flag ceremony.

Monday - Attended seminars on generators, leveling systems, etc. but MA's class on One Stroke Painting was canceled at the last minute because the instructor had an auto accident and was being treated at the hospital for a broken leg.
There was a dinner for all the attendees (875 units) that was OK. After dinner, The Diamonds entertained us with DooWop sounds from the 50's and 60's.

Tuesday - More seminars on Caterpiller engines, Allison Transmissions and microfibre cleaning products.
This evening, the Texas and Louisiana folks hosted a Jambalaya dinner cooked by Raymond Daniels and Fred Walton, our Louisiana state director. We were expecting 60-80 folks...about 140 showed up! But we did had food for everyone. MA fixed her bacon & green beans in a crockpot.

Wednesday - more seminars and I got five problems taken care of on the coach by Newmar and Dometic (awning) technicians.
Dinner was sponsored by Coachlight RV in Carthage, MO.

Thursday - Today, MA and I volunteered at the vendor exhibits, acting like we knew where things were and directing people to the new models display and the vendor booths, etc.
Dinner was ham tonight followed by entertainment. Everybody was saying goodbye tonight because Friday morning would be taken up with the departure process. I got several very sincere "Thank You's" from the Texas and Louisiana folks that we "steered" thru New England. There were very appreciative.

Friday - Said our final goodbye's and drove 20 miles north to South Hero, VT where we are camped for a few days We are killing time until next Wednesday when we return to Danbury, CT to see Ashley and Camryn & Cecilia who are already there visiting high school friends and showing off their progenies. Javi will also join us there on Friday.