Reminder about the Roundup

[Christyhicks]

Just a quick reminder that we are having a bus rally in Carthage, MO, Oct 12-14th.  Although it's called "The New Jersey Roundup", it is open to all makes and models of buses.  It's being held at the Big Red Barn RV Park, 417-358-2432.  The Park is specifically asking that anyone planning on attending go ahead and reserve their spot, as the park is pretty much full, except for the spots they are holding for us. 

There are only four full hookup spots left in our area, and a possible water/electric if absolutely necessary.  If you have not registered with them, hurry up and do it, darn it, ha ha.

If you haven't decided to attend, well, hurry up and do it, darn it!  whoops, sorry about that . 

The Jersey Roundup is a very low key rally with an extremely relaxed schedule. . so relaxed it's pretty much nonexistent!   We keep a central campfire going, and people just come and go as they have time, visiting some of the area attractions, like Colaw RV Salvage, The Apple Butter Festival, Precious Moments factory, antique stores in Joplin, etc. 

Last year, we gathered in the evenings, and ended up throwing some potluck stuff together. . I think we did a big chili-pot Saturday evening each of the last couple of years.  I've heard rumours that Larry is going to smoke some ribs and chicken again this year, so you could be in for a real treat Friday night! 

Anyway, we look forward to seeing everyone and if you're anywhere close, come on by and spend some time with us.  The weather is always just great. . . cool enough for hanging around the fire and gooooooood sleeping!  See you soon, Christy Hicks

[Gary LaBombard]

Christy,

maybe next year we can try to come to your rally in MO.  This year we are at Kyle's that same weekend and that is a very good rally also.  We all hope you can make one of the two every year, (We hope) that Kyle will put together.  You and Larry's presence and all the busnuts attending Kyle's October rally as well as those that attended during this summers rally would sure put the icing on the cake for the SC Bus Rallys.  I know Paul had a great success because you guys drove all the way there to TX.  You might just have to do a lot more work on the road in the future if that is possible, I think I see that traveling will be in your stars in the future.

Good Luck at your rally, have a great time and a few photos would sure help us see who and what we missed.

Gary

[kyle4501]

So many rallys, so little time. 

Christy, we need to work out the dates next year so we aren't on the same weekend. I didn't mean to step on your date with this one, I was trying to work with the available weekends for the leaf color change in the mountains.

Great idea with the camp fire. . . . I might have to steal borrow that idea. 


I've noticed there aren't enough weekends anymore 

[Dreamscape]

Hi Christy,

I wish we could make your rally, just not enough time to be able to do so. I know it will be successful. You are a hoot and I'm sure Larry's ribs will be great. Thanks for making the effort to come to TBR 2007, it was great to meet you guys.

Have fun and relax, hope you feel better.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[Christyhicks]

Thanks Paul, actually, I turned the corner finally yesterday, and other than just an occasional cough and a little tiredness, I'm doing great.  It's a good thing I never get sick, cause when I do.  . well, I'm a real weinie!  We had a blast at the rally, thanks for having us, and we'll be back next year, you can count on it!

Oh, gosh, Kyle, you didn't step on our toes or anything.    I assumed, from the start, that as small as the Roundup is, you weren't aware of the dates, and that it didn't even occur to you that there was another rally that weekend.  I never felt that you were doing anything except working hard at putting together a gathering for anyone who could make it!   

Here's the deal. . . we're not in competition with each other, we're actually both working in the same direction. . .setting up the opportunity for busnuts to gather and have a good time discussing buses.     Whether people come here, or go there, well, it doesn't really matter, what matters is that they are all going to have a good weekend!

I never really felt that the rallys should be a badge we wear or a popularity contest or anything,  and I think it's great that people have choices of locations in different areas where they can connect with people in that area. 

The Jersey Roundup is a small, relaxed gathering, and we like the fact that we really connect with each other.  Large rallies are so interesting and exciting, but we find it hard to spend more than a few minutes visiting with people, and later, we can't hardly remember who was who.  The first time we attended the Roundup, there were only like five buses, so we made immediate friends with everyone.  Each year, there are some regulars, and then a couple of new faces, which is just such a nice mix!

Sounds like your plans are coming together well, and it's clear you are working a lot harder than we are, ha ha   We purposely keep the Roundup un-structured, and about the only thing we plan at all is Larry has hinted that he'll be smoking some ribs and chicken again this year, and we'll likely have a potluck chili pot Saturday evening, which is starting to become a yearly ritual.  Otherwise, pretty much, it's come and go as you wish. 

The central campfire is a nice touch, I do think, and I would strongly suggest you try it.  The nice thing about it is that when you roll out of bed in the morning, grab that cup of coffee, and stumble out of your coach, you know right away which way to ambulate.  With numerous chairs positioned strategically around the fire, you know that it's a good spot to start out at, and whoever is out there is usually poking at it a bit, tossing a log on here and there, just enough to keep it going.  By evening, well, we stoke it up a bit and it feels pretty darn good.  Of course, people wander up, they wander away, they go look at someone's bus, but there's always one place they know they'll find a busnut, ready to chat.  The best thing about it is that you don't have to worry about the smoke getting in YOUR eyes  , because the smoke ALWAYS finds me, no matter where I sit, it ALWAYS finds me, ha ha.


Christy Hicks

[FloridaCliff]

because the smoke ALWAYS finds me, no matter where I sit, it ALWAYS finds me, ha ha.

Christy,

I can't wait to come to one of the rallys and meet you guys.

Not just to meet you, but we will get you to sit on one side of the fire and Julie on the other and see if the smoke will go in two directions...

She swears it follows her too! 

Cliff

[kyle4501]

Christy,
You make an excellent point about the smaller rallys being more fun    I only got to speak with you briefly in Arcadia last year.

But my main point was we can't attend each others rally 

As for working hard, not me! I'm having too much fun to call it work    It's really easy once you have a non-schedule, then everyone knows what, when & where. At the July rally, help in the kitchen was oh so easy to get. 

[Christyhicks]

But my main point was we can't attend each others rally 

Good point there!  I guess it would be in bad form if we met 1/2 way in between instead. . . .  , ha ha ha, just kidding.

The dates of the Roundup co-incide with the Apple Butter festival in nearby Mount Vernon, and I did check into changing the dates early this year when we first started planning, but everyone seemed to want to stay with the same dates as in the past.  It's also easier to get enough spots in the campground and navigate the area this weekend, as the following one features a festival in Carthage itself, which means their spots are booked for about a year in advance for that weekend. 

Oh well, as far apart as we are, it probably isn't a big deal anyway.  You guys have a blast and enjoy every minute of it!  Christy Hicks

[NJT5047]

I've personally watched the smoke chase Christy.  Its a fact.  Pretty weird stuff. 
Wish we could see you and Larry  again, but that's a fer piece for old blinky  to be driving these days.  However, I'm pretty sure I can find the west side of South Carolina.  By golly if NCBob can find it, I can too!  'Course, all NCBob's gotta do is fall off the mountain and he's there.    I'll just drive until I Terri  sees some hills and stop. 
I'm gonna get me some of that cheapo South Carolina fuel... has diesel fuel spiked up around here?...above $3 bucks in some places.  Jumped up from $2.70 in just a couple days.  Gasoline went up .10 today.  I'm building an electric car.  Save my money for the bus! 
Christy, I hope your MO rally comes off with great weather and lots of buses busnuts!   If you can't do it, it cannot be done!! 
Best, JR

[kyle4501]

RE: "I guess it would be in bad form if we met 1/2 way"

Since when do you do anything 1/2 way?    LOL

[Christyhicks]

Ok, someone's been telling stories on my again! 

Hey, Kyle, did you hear about the brownies at the TBR 2007?  Christy Hicks

[Coops6]

Christy,

Chris here,  I am new to the bus conversion world and plan to be there.  I will call the campground in the morning.  We can't wait to get a look at some other busses.  We may have some friends meeting us there too.  Should we have them stay in the same area as the rally or another part of the campground?
Thanks, see you then.

Coop

[Hi yo silver]

Coop,
YES! A newbie posted his location! Thanks, I always look at profiles to see if, by chance, someone is close to my location.  "Misery loves company" syndrome.   
Dennis 

[Hi yo silver]

Oops, sorry.  My point in the previous posting is that if everyone would include at least their general area in their profile, we could take advantage of opportunities to meet nearby busnuts.
Dennis

[Christyhicks]

We're looking forward to meeting you Chris, and of course, your friends are welcome to camp with our group.  We also enjoy having a couple or two to tease for driving sticks and staples, ha ha.  Just kidding!   Well, maybe!

Seriously, the first year we attended a rally, we were there in our motorhome, as BigBus was nowhere near even tin-can tenting, and well, you might warn them of the potential to catch our disease.   We were exposed to busnuts so thorougly, that we ended up buying TempBus, to use until our BigBus is converted, ha ha.   

Go ahead and call today to get your spots, as we are down to just a couple left.  The owners did say that if we had any late attendees, they'd try to squeeze them in somewhere, with anywhere from electric and water, to possibly just having a place to park, but I'd sure hate to have that happen.

Yippee, we're down to three weeks and counting!  Christy Hicks