Excursion Diversion / Ford Truck Rally July 17-19 2009

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Bryan, That is awesome! When you book your site...send me a PM with the dates you will be staying this way I can get your info on the master list. Also anyone else that has booked...please be sure to PM me so I have your info on the list as well... As we get close I will need to make sure I have everyones names with proper spelling for the name tags, etc. Also insure that we have sufficient goodie bags and the like. Hopefully everyone is seriously thinking about attending the rally that can...we had a great time last year and looking forward to meeting more Excursion owners! Happy New Year everyone! Joe.

[URBAN ASSAULTVEHICLE]

Is there a range near by?
If so I could bring out the 50cal.

[GeorgiaX]

Joe...

We will be there starting on July 16 so count us in. Any help you need please call on me.

BTW, talk about going to Cades Cove. We do need to go early. We went last year and it took four or five hours to make the loop mainly because someone THOUGHT they saw a bear and the whole lane just stopped. Turned out to be a bush but the tourists thought it was "sleeping". Ugh.

Looking forward to seeing all the “old timers” and all the “newbie’s” to the group!

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Mike,

I haven't started thinking about the agenda yet...but I believe Cades Cove is a MUST DO this year...and you are right...leaving early is key...plus you can actually see REAL wildlife versus BUSHY wildlife!

I remember when we were in Yellowstone a couple of years ago...the rangers were telling us that they can ALWAYS tell what type of animal is 'spotted' by the traffic jam. Cars orderly pulled over on the side of the road means buffalo. Cars pulled over but maybe double parked on both sides of the road...a moose or elk. Cars blocking every spot of the pavement with people on the roofs of their cars with cameras, etc...BEAR!!!

I really want to do a longer group drive this summer...it was really fun when we were coming back from Go-Karts last summer...looking back seeing that string of trucks following was way cool!...I only wished I had taken a picture of the reflection in my mirror!...but I was too busy following Scott on his 'back roads!'...hehe...in fairness to Scott...we asked him...okay BEGGED him to take us around to avoid that horrible Pigeon Forge traffic!!!...it was a very nice drive.

I am in LA as I type this so once I get home I will put you down for the 16th which is when we will pull in as will a bunch of others too...

I've already gotten some rally give away goodies...and expect more in the next few months from various places...so we are on a good track for give aways.

I'll gin up an agenda of ideas like I did last year and throw it out to the group for thoughts (email list FIRST to get those that have registered's inputs)...so if you have booked at Twin Creek and have NOT sent me your contact information...you can't participate in the voting of activities...so send me your info!

Okay...Those on the FENCE...BOOK YOUR TRIP...we're going to have an awesome time again!

Plus this year I can actually DRINK with you guys!!!


Beth,

BOOK A SITE NOW...if you have to cancel...you are only out $10...cheap insurance IMO...

Joe.

[SIZMDRS]

Well we are starting the hunt for a camper soon. Hope we can still get a space at the site!!!


Hi Everybody, Happy New Year!!!

[MarkMoore]

Originally Posted by SIZMDRS

Well we are starting the hunt for a camper soon. Hope we can still get a space at the site!!!


Hi Everybody, Happy New Year!!!

Reserve it now - it'll only cost you $10 of you cancel. When they ask about the length and slides, tell them the largest size that you're loking at that way you don't get too small of a site. That is only if you're really expected to get a camper - I'm not suggesting bogus reservations.

[Stewey]

How many kids were in attendance last year and what was the age range? Our daughter will be starting her Sophomore year in H.S., our son begins his Freshman year in college, another son and daughter beginning their Sophomore year in college and our oldest daughter beginning her Junior year in college. It's getting way too difficult trying to convince them that they can have a good time with their parents. On the other hand, it's always fun trying.

[URBAN ASSAULTVEHICLE]

I am planning on being there. Not suggesting anything just stating fact.

[MarkMoore]

Stewey - my kids are litt'uns (2 & 8) and they had a great time. I don't know the exact age grouping of all of the kids, but most were pre-teen but everyone had a great time. There were also other kids not attending the rally that played with our kids... so just like any other camping trip - everyone has a great time. And if they get bored at the CG, there is a lot to do in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area.

IMHO - I think they would all have fun. Besides, we need some older kids to be babysitters when we've had too much I'm kidding, kind of

[BigRy]

This looks like this could be fun. I am on vacation those two weeks before and including that weekend. Joe, I would love to shake the hand of the guy that helped me make a decision on my X. Which I am so glad, i went with. Thank you again. I am going up to Louisville the week prior, and can easily make the stop, maybe get a cabin. I think I am in, and the wife and kids always wanted to go camping. Hmmm.

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Sorry guys (and gal) for not responding sooner...I'm in the middle of a combined business/pleasure trip to Phoenix area with horrible internet coverage. Verizon phone service down here is even very spotty.

Stewey,

While the 'group' of folks at the rally will either have younger kids or no kids (based on last years rally of course)...Gatlinburg itself has so much to offer a family with kids your age. The area has hiking, horseback riding, scenic drives and the obligatory tourist trap down town Gatlinburg with all the stuff down there (museums, aquariums, fudge shops, you name it!). So while the group has smaller kids...I could easily see your older kids having a blast...especially around the campfire helping the youngun's make smores and pudgie pies!

BigRy,

Man I hope you can make it...I'd love to finally meet you too! As far as cabins right on Twin Creek property...unless you plan on staying 6 nights...you can't rent for anything less than that...however there are so many hotels/motels/chalets/cabins right in the area...you can easily get a place close by Twin Creek and not be locked into a 6 night stay...of course there are more than a few of us that will be at the campground for 6 nights...just wanted you to know about the cabin policy...although that could have changed since I spoke with Mary so give them a call to verify. Camping is an amazing family experience...one that has certainly brought my family so much closer together...All the folks/families that we have ever met camping will tell you the same. If you have never watched the Robin Williams movie RV...rent it...it is a good story about how a family that is caught up in daily life stuff and never spent time together traveling so closely before (like traveling on an RV trip FORCES you to do)...ends up...sometimes corny...sometimes gross (dump station scene)...most times funny...but in the end a great family story...my family loves that movie.

I truly hope both you guys can make it as well as ANYONE else that is still contemplating this trip/rally.

Also please remember to PM me when you book so I can get you on the master rally list.

Sorry again for the delay in responding...but Mark and others have certainly been passing along excellent information!

Joe.

[1 Excursion camper]

Hope you guys have a good time! we`ll be through there 3 weeks later on the way back from Myrtle Beach. I would`ve tried and changed my resv., but we are staying at Ocean Lakes in MB. I booked a year in advance and even then there were only a few sites left!!! so changing is out of the question. one of these years I`ll make it. did you guys do any type of offroading last year? I`m just looking for something easy to take the kids through.

Have fun.

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Kevin,

Yes one of these years you will make it!

No offroading last year...

That area doesn't have much in the way of that...at least not that I know of...

Perhaps a future Ex rally will be centered around some offroading...perhaps those in attendace this year will vote to move the rally next year to accommodate just that...you never know!

Sorry you can't make it.

Joe.

[Monsta]

It is really looking like I'm going to be there. I'll be in Ohio from May to July on business and plan on shipping my Excursion to CA and driving to Ohio with it. Cheaper than renting...believe it or not.

I just want to make sure of a couple of things, though.

Will I be able to smoke lots of pot & sit around naked? If not, I may have to attend a different rally...

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Monsta,

EXCELLENT NEWS...(well the part about you attending and not the part about you wanting to be naked!)...

The naked part will have to be at a different party that George (Guiri) will likely be hosting (see video I put together about the second or third photo of George trying to flash the camera)...

Hope it works out this year..would love to meet the infamous MONSTA in person!...

See now anyone that is NOT in Hawaii has absolutely NO FREAKING EXCUSE TO NOT BE HERE...NO distance in the contintental US is too far! hehe.

Joe.