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.
*sigh*
It is if it doesn't look like the finances will be there like I planned for.
Stewart
__________________ The Brotherhood of FTE <~click the link 1999 F150 Lightning: WMS built block, 6lb lower, Monsterbox, Truetrac, CF driveshaft 2002 PSD F250 SC 4x2: 38R, AC codes, MBRP 4", AFE, JWVB, Riffraff HPX, CCV, and boots, ITP OBA, Live Tuned by Jody 2000 PSD Excursion 4x4: John Wood 4R100, F5, MBRP 4", AFE, BDP 1.0, ITP OBA and Pre-Pump mod, V & B code springs, Hellwig rear sway
It is if it doesn't look like the finances will be there like I planned for.
Stewart
Bummer dude.
For those that don't know (and I think that Joe is the only one that does), we are relocating from NC to TX. I accpeted a job in a little boarder town that is 150 W of San Antonio (Del Rio). We're moving on Feb 18th.
We (as it stands now) still plan on attending the rally. We'll leave our TT here in NC at my FIL house and travel back before the rally to visit family. Then we'll load up, hook up and attend the rally for a long weekend - not the week we orginally planned. When it's all over, we'll pull the TT back to TX.
So, I wonder, who will be the 'long distance winner this year'? It'll be 1400 mile (22 hours) for us - I think we may have a chance!
For those that don't know (and I think that Joe is the only one that does), we are relocating from NC to TX. I accpeted a job in a little boarder town that is 150 W of San Antonio (Del Rio). We're moving on Feb 18th.
We (as it stands now) still plan on attending the rally. We'll leave our TT here in NC at my FIL house and travel back before the rally to visit family. Then we'll load up, hook up and attend the rally for a long weekend - not the week we orginally planned. When it's all over, we'll pull the TT back to TX.
So, I wonder, who will be the 'long distance winner this year'? It'll be 1400 mile (22 hours) for us - I think we may have a chance!
Oh wow, you won't be to far from me. Thats going to be a huge change for you in many ways.
__________________
A. Ortiz
2000 Excursion 5.4 4X2
Ken, that is great news!!! Glad to have you here, are you pulling a trailer or staying in a cabin? I'll send you a pm later. It looks like we will be coming back your way in about two months. not for five weeks like last time but two for sure.
For those that don't know (and I think that Joe is the only one that does), we are relocating from NC to TX. I accpeted a job in a little boarder town that is 150 W of San Antonio (Del Rio). We're moving on Feb 18th.
Mark...
Congrats on your move. Joyce and I are looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the family in July...
__________________
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2001 Excursion 7.3 PSD Limited (the X)
2005 Jeep Liberty Limited CRD (the mule)
2002 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (the Ho)
2006 Starcraft 2800BHS Travel Trailer (the beast)
Covington, Ga.
It sounds like a really good time. I'm still trying to convince mom to let me go.
Tell her to go with you! She'll make new friends and have tons of fun, guaranteed!
Stewart
__________________ The Brotherhood of FTE <~click the link 1999 F150 Lightning: WMS built block, 6lb lower, Monsterbox, Truetrac, CF driveshaft 2002 PSD F250 SC 4x2: 38R, AC codes, MBRP 4", AFE, JWVB, Riffraff HPX, CCV, and boots, ITP OBA, Live Tuned by Jody 2000 PSD Excursion 4x4: John Wood 4R100, F5, MBRP 4", AFE, BDP 1.0, ITP OBA and Pre-Pump mod, V & B code springs, Hellwig rear sway
Tell her to go with you! She'll make new friends and have tons of fun, guaranteed!
Stewart
I tried that. I suggested the whole family could go. Shes coming up with all sorts of excuses. Mainly that she, dad, and my big bro, can't miss work. If we would go, we would go there, then drive up to chicago to visit family. We would be gone for at least 3 weeks. She also said that I couldn't go by myself. It's looking like I won't be able to go. I'm going to keep trying. Maybe if I push enough buttons...
YOU are either easily entertained, single, or seperated
Ken is just a good man that has a great family with a sense of humor. Maybe it should read "just a gold OLD man..." Isn't that right Ken!! Just kidding, we are looking forward to see you, Jen and the kids this summer.
Well the wait is over…this is the announcement that Excursion Diversion / Ford-Truck Rally 2009 has been set.
For those not familiar with what I am talking about…2008 was the inaugural truck rally held in Gatlinburg. We held an on-line vote to determine where we would hold our rally…and Gatlinburg won that voting. We held our rally and had over 60 people attend the rally. Here’s a photo of some of the trucks that showed up and there is another in my signature.
The chosen campground again this year is Twin Creek RV Resort. Here is their website:Twin Creek RV Resort and their phone number is 1-800-252-8077. The campground owners are Mary and Duffy and they treated us incredible last year and the majority of those in attendance voted to return to Gatlinburg and Twin Creek for 2009.
I have once again arranged a group name to reserve under when you call tell them you are with the FORD-TRUCKS group and they will give you a site near the group.
Please note that while everyone will be placed ‘near the group’…you cannot request specific sites. Those staying longer will be placed right next to each other and those staying a shorter time will be next and so forth…the theory is that as folks leave…those remaining are still next to each other. So the longer you stay the closer you will be. But be aware that this is not a huge campground…so you won’t be too far regardless.
The 'official' weekend will be Friday July 17 to Sunday July 19 BUT many are coming long distances like myself and will be booking longer stays. Personally my family has booked for Thursday July 16 thru Saturday July 25.
As you book and make your reservations. I would ask that you send me a PM with the dates and a personal contact email for you so I can keep a list of who has booked and we can communicate thru email with personal information rather than in open forum. This worked very nicely last year.
Some important information:
Being a Good Sam's park we get a 10% discount for Good Sam's members (I have coupons in my possession that I can send you that you can join Good Sam's for $12 for 1 year membership or $33 for 3 years...BUT with the 3 year you get a $25 coupon for camping...so it costs you only $8 for a 3 year membership!!! PM me if you need a coupon to join or have questions on the coupons).
Rates for the campground were $44 per night (last year as I do not know 2009 rates yet but you can ask Mary). The rate includes 2 people as this appears to be 'customary' in this area. Kids/people over 6 are $4 extra per day.
Cabins do NOT ALLOW PETS or smoking . The cabins also have a 6 night minimum and I am not sure of the rates for the cabins. But please be aware of the 6 night minimum.
Also anyone entering the park staying somewhere else would be charged $4/person but that entitles them to use of the pool and facilities...To be honest Mary didn’t impose that on us as the rally folks not staying in the campground didn’t use any of the facilities except for coming in to join the rally at our rally site.
Your deposit is based on length of stay 3-4 nights is $100, 5-7 nights $150. If cancellation is necessary as long as more than 10 days prior to arrival you would get all but $10 back. Within 10 days you would forfeit full deposit. Do not trust my information on this…please check for yourself when you book as to the cancellation policy.
Some of the bigger restrictions folks need to know about
No 'dangerous' dogs are allowed and that seems to be kind of universal today...Rottweilers, Dobermans, Pit Bulls are NOT allowed.
Only 2 dogs per site are allowed.
Also not sure if anyone has a popup or Hybrid but if you do NO PETS are allowed in canvas skinned trailers which does make sense to me I guess.
No tents are allowed.
There is a trolley stop right outside the park and for $0.25 per person you can ride into town and not have to fight the traffic. However some long waits were experienced by our folks last year as the trolley’s were pretty full. Personally I found it easier to drive to the beginning of the strip and park at a public lot for $5 for the day and then walk from there.
A word on parking…Some parking lots view our ‘LARGE’ vehicles and charge DOUBLE the rate. The lot I used did not charge any extra. I can elaborate more on that if needed.
Like last year we will publish the Official Rally Agenda. Last year we had a meet and greet, pot luck dinner, egg boil breakfast and the infamous grudge match between V10’s and PSD’s at the Go-Kart racetrack…and this year will be very similar as everyone seemed to have a wonderful time.
If you are interested and wondering what happened last year see post #126 in this thread http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/71...p-today-9.html That post is the closest I can give you to the ‘official’ rally report.
Just like last year we will be designing Rally T-Shirts. However this year we will be going with only ONE design to allow us to go with a silk screen shirt for higher quality.
This year at the rally we will also be passing the hat to cover rally expenses. Items like name tags, paper products, kids crafts, customized wine bottles for meet and greet, etc can add up so this year we will simply ask for a small donation (maybe $10) from each family to cover those community consumable items. It is not mandatory however it helps to share the costs for these items. Keep in mind though that this rally makes NO PROFITS...those in attendance foot all the bills. It is a big deal to plan one of these and it does cost a little $$$ to make it fun for all.
Also just like last year we will try and secure goodies from various sponsors. We received a lot of items (shirts, hats, pens, calendars, etc) from local dealerships and businesses and I hope we can repeat that but we need everyone’s assistance on this front.
Lastly I would like to ask those that are ‘thinking’ about joining and have any questions just let me know…those that were at the rally last year can certainly tell you what it was like if the rally report listed above doesn’t help let you know what it was about.
Thanks again and start booking!
Joe.
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Joe,
I am curious about something, Why did you pick the only campground in the area that does not allow tents and charges for kids?
Looks like you may have a really good thing going here. I am looking at getting a EX for towing the camper and Grandkids, so I dont have one yet, but I am looking. I do have my eye on 3 right now.
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Won't be able to make it this summer.
