Jersey Rounup, Oct 10-12, 2008, Carthage, MO

[Christyhicks]

Well, the Jersey Roundup plans are finalized once again, and it was suggested that I remind everyone about the annual rally!  The roundup, open to all busses, and to bus "wanna-bes" or "were's", will be held in Carthage, MO, on October 10th through the 12th, 2008, at the Big Red Barn RV Park. 

The New Jersey Roundup wass simply organized by a member of the New Jersey Transit yahoo forum, (hence the name) but is open to busses of all types, at any stage of conversion, from "tin can tenting" to "luxury conversion".  We've even left it open to other RV's who are bus "wanna be's" or "maybe wanna be's" or maybe just friends with or related to other attendees.  We've had all ages at previous rallies, from young to old, and all have had a good time.  We get MCI's, GMC's, Eagles, Flexes, Elvises, you name it, we've had it!

The Big Red Barn Rv Park is located in Carthage, MO, and the Website is http://www.bigredbarnrvpark.com. Carthage is about 15 miles east of Joplin, and 60 miles west of Springfield, MO. We had the rally at the Big Red Barn the last couple of  years and found it to  be nice and clean, with easy access for big rigs (very important to us busnuts), with many pull-throughs,  and the owners are just as great as could be.  They do allow pets and request, of course, that you "pick up" after your pet.  The park also has free wifi, so that's a plus.  Please contact them directly and reserve your spot, as your campsite fee is the only fee you pay for this rally.

The Jersey Roundup is a smaller rally, with a relaxed atmosphere, and we don't do a lot of "scheduling" at the roundup.  Several people will probably arrive as early as Wednesday or Thursday, but most will roll in on Friday, or as late as Saturday morning.  Evenings are usually spent swapping lies around the campfire, and we've been blessed with cool, but not cold weather, which makes the gathering very comfortable.  During the day, some will just stay close and hang out, but many will head to one of the various destinations in the area, such as:

the Apple Butter Festival in nearby Mount Vernon, http://www.mtvernonchamber.com/mt_vernon_applebuttermakindays.php  which has the parade Saturday morning, and then of course,  vendors, booths, activities, and yes, you guessed it, Apple Butter and other good eats.

Colaw RV Salvage,  http://www.colawrvsalvage.com,  (everyone needs to go there at least once, if not to browse through the amazing variety of new and used components, then to at least visit some of the many burn-out or totaled RV's they have on the lot. . .that'll get your attention! 

Precious Moments park and chapel: http://www.preciousmoments.com/content.cfm/park_chapel, No trip to Precious Moments Park is complete without a visit to the world's largest Precious Moments store. It is home to the most complete selection of Precious Moments gifts and accessories, ranging from watches, jewelry, pens and puzzles to the world famous figurines and dolls.

Joplin Flea Market:  a small indoor and outdoor flea market featuring local sellers.

Numerous Antique stores:  Joplin has some GREAT antique stores, with excellent prices! 

I-44 Bus Sales, Sarcoxie, MO. . .sells shells and conversions

Saturday evening will be yet another night of hanging around shooting the breeze (lying), telling stories (lying), comparing mpg and horsepower (and lying), well, you know what I mean.   We've done  a potluck or community chili pot on Saturday evening the last couple of years, so it's likely we'll do so again.  Last year we sampled. . .err, I mean, we PREPARED several great desserts to go along with that meal! 

I would ask that any who are planning to attend or are thinking they likely will attend to contact me at chicks@ionet.net and let me know, so that I can keep the campground updated on how many sites we will need.  If you aren't sure at this time, but think you would like to come, let me know and I'll put you on the "potential" list, (meaning of course that you are not a total loser!), and then you can confirm one way or the other at least two weeks before the event, so we can give them a final total.  It is VERY IMPORTANT, that if you know you are coming, please contact the campground asap and reserve your spot.  They will hold a certain number of spots for us for those who aren't sure whether they will make it or not, depending on my updates on the tentative number of attendees, but two weeks before the rally, any spots not reserved will be opened to general campers.  This is why it's really important that you reserve your spot directly with the campground asap, in addition to having me add you to our list. 

The last few years, we asked everyone in attendance to bring photos or an album of their bus conversion, and we had lots of fun looking through those and see the conversions in progress.  I'd like to ask everyone to bring those with them again, as there may be new people who haven't seen them yet.  We also marched around and went through everyone's rigs, (everyone who wanted us, that is) which was loads of fun. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or any suggestions, and I apologize for this long post  ;-(.  Christy Hicks

[JackConrad]

   Gee Christy,  since the rally is October 10-12, that means ya'll can come to Palmetto Cove the week before, right?  LOL   
   OK everybody, many have asked about rallies closer to home. So for ya'll that live in this area, here's your chance to attend a great rally and meet some great BusNuts.  Jack

[Dreamscape]

Christy,

Too bad you don't own an Eagle then you could make three rallys in a month. TBR 2008, Branson Eagle Rally and yours. Wow wouldn't that be fun!

One of these days we will make it to your rally I promise!

Be safe and Have Fun,

Paul

[Christyhicks]

Well, hate to break it to everyone, but we won't be able to do any smoked meat at the rally this year.

The good news is, we'll be leaving Carthage and headed to St. Augustine, FL for my neice's wedding.

I just don't think I want to haul those big smokers all the way to FL and back, although as the smoke smell permeated the interior of the coach, we may be the most popular people at the wedding. . . with the pets anyway!  Christy

[Christyhicks]

Wanted to give an update on the rally plans.

We've had several people contact us and let us know they are coming, but we need to remind everyone planning or at least tentatively planning on attending of two things they need to do:

please register with the campground, www.bigredbarnrvpark.com, 1-888-big-barn, and drop me a line to confirm your attendence.  We need everyone to register with the park soon, so that they can release any extra spots shortly before the rally.  Several people have indicated to us that they are planning on attending, but the park hasn't heard from everyone yet, so if you haven't done so, please register with them and help us get a count of who will be able to make it again this year.

Thanks everyone, Christy Hicks

[Busted Knuckle]

Darn it I wish I could come. But that will be one of our busiest weekends, and I don't have one set up to camp in yet anyway! But soon, really I mean it soon!   BK 



















Hi Christy! can you say.....................................

BUMP! LOL!
  BK 

[rv_safetyman]

I had written Christy to tell her that we would try to make the rally.   We just made our reservations at the campground.  We will have to leave a day early, but at least we will get to see a few new folks.

When I called the campground they said that they had been a bit underwhelmed with reservations.  I suspect that they will release the sites they are holding in the next coulple of days. 

If you plan on going, get your reservations in!!

Jim

[Christyhicks]

Hi Christy! can you say.....................................

awwwww, BK, you're so swwweeeeettttt
Sure wish you were able to join us, but we understand that sometimes, duty does call!

When I called the campground they said that they had been a bit underwhelmed with reservations.  I suspect that they will release the sites they are holding in the next coulple of days.

Thanks for the push, Jim. . . it IS really important that those planning on attending call the campground and make reservations, so that they can be parked near us.  We have a total of five spots next to the campfire/activity building, and then there are spots right across the road too.  I do think we will have a lower turnout, as a couple of regulars are too far away to make it back this time, especially with fuel prices.

Now, for the good news, as it turns out, we are not taking the bus to Florida afterall , due to a bit of a time crunch, so Larry will ikely be smoking some meat for this albiet "smaller" rally.  Yay.   (We didn't want to haul the smoker all the way down to Florida with us, but since it's going to be a "flying trip" there instead, we'll be coming back here to Oklahoma with the bus so we can unload the smokers when we get home again.)

We'll be up there probably on Thursday, so look for us when you get in.  Looking forward to seeing everyone, Christy Hicks

[rdbishop]

luvrbus,

Are you still doing jury duty ? Do you think you're going to make this rally and if so when are you leaving.

Richard

[luvrbus]

Richard, it is not over with yet maybe FRI or MON at the lastest I never want to go through this again.How far are you from Belton that will be my 1st stop to pickup my grand daughter, will keep you posted about plans       good luck

[rdbishop]

Is it Cliff or Clifford. Which do you prefer.  I'm about 108 miles or 2 hrs. away from belton.  Where is the trial location.  Do you plan to make it to carthage in one day.

Richard