Re: International

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxx>]

I have attended each of the International Rallys since 1999, except
the International Rally in Burlington, Vermont a few years ago. In
fact, my first Rally experience was the 1998 International Rally in
Boise, Idaho. These Rallys have always provided a memorable
experience for me. Since you have a Vintage coach, I would
encourage you to meet the Vintage group at the pre-Rally site so
that you can parade in with the group. Often this is one of the
most memorable experiences for a First-Timer in the Vintage crowd - -
the sight is something to see (and be part of) - - with all of the
Vintage coaches (many with flags flying) parading into the parking
area.

If you haven't received your Winter issue of the Vintage Advantage,
there is some general information regarding the International. To
accommodate the desires of members, there will be a Vintage parking
section in both the "limited-electric" and "30-AMP" sections of the
parking area (just how this will impact the parade onto the Rally
grounds remains to be seen). There will be full details regarding
the Pre-Rally meeting site as well as additional information about
Vintage events posted at http://www.airstream.net as the
International Rally dates near.

The "facilities" at an Inernational Rally are not your typical
campground. We are typically parked in a large vacant field - -
many times at an airport, municipal park, university, or business
park. In the standard section, both water and electric is "shared" -
- 3 AMP electric with ample water. Waste water must be collected
which typically means blue tote tanks are necessary for our Vintage
coaches. This year, for the second time, 30-AMP electric service
will be available in an area that is supposed to be about 500 yards
from the standard section. In the past, our holding tanks have been
pumped at least once during the Rally, but be prepared as your blue
tote-tank will probably require more frequent trips to the local
wash water dump port.

As a First-Timer, it is important to visit the registration table as
soon after arrival as is practical as you will want to have your
program to plan your activities (if earlier custom continues the
registration table closes at 4 p.m. and isn't open on Sundays). At
the registration table, you will also receive your ribbons to attach
to your WBCCI nametags - - these ribbons along with your nametag
provide admission to the Rally events - - they are typically checked
at each of the evening programs as well as a few of the daily
activities. Also, be prepared for the "First-Timers Fanfare" bells
are rung to welcome first-timers and photos taken of each First-
Timer. Near the registration table, you will also find tables
hosted by Caravan leaders, Intra-Clubs, and regions; you will also
find a locator board for attendees as well as Unit Bulletin Board
where you will also often find sing-in sheets for attendees. The
Vintage group has many members in attendance who have been to
multiple International Rallys so you shouldn't have too much
difficulty linking-up with someone who will help to answer your
questions. There will also be a "First-Timers Seminar" that will
help to explain some of the intricacies of the International - - I
know that I thoroughly enjoyed the seminar when I was a First-timer
in Boise, Idaho.

In regard to preparing for your attendance at the Rally, you will
need to make one more decision this year than in most prior years.
This year, you will have the option of choosing to park in the 30-
AMP section (at an additional charge of $125) where it will be
possible to run an air conditioner. I live only about 200 miles
East of Springfield so I know that heat and humidity are likely to
be very uncomfortabel in late June/early July so I have signed up
for the 30-AMP section.

Some other things that you will need to be prepared for when getting
ready for your first International Rally include:

1.) You will need an electrical adapter for your power cord that
allows you to plug into a standard 15-AMP outlet if you choose to
park in the "limited-electric" area. I can't confirm this, but I
also suspect that having a heavy-duty RV Extension cord may be a
good idea if you plan to park in the 30-AMP section (I know that I
am carrying mine as it has come in handy when participating in some
Caravans where the 30-AMP service was just beyond the reach of my
coach's power cord).

2.) For water service, you will want to be carrying a "free-
flowing" "Y" connector (one that does not have flow control valves)
and at least one 50' length of 5/8" or 3/4" potable water hose (I
usually carry at least two 50' lengths of 3/4" hose as it seems like
I often end up at the very beginning of a row or the very end where
additional hose if often necessary). You may also want to carry a
short length of hose to use between the "Y" and your coach to which
you can connect a shut-off valve that will allow you to shut of the
water to your coach without affecting anyone else in your row (water
is "daisy-chained" at the International).

3.) You will want to prepare your coach for arrival at the Rally
site. (A) Your fresh water tank needs to be full as it may take a
bit of time for the water to be connected after arrival, (B)Your
waste water tanks need to be empty as it will be several days before
the "honey wagon" makes its rounds to pump-out our coaches, (C) You
will want to have your battery fully charged (especially if you are
parking in "limited electric") as it has taken as much as a day to
run electric at some Internationals (D.) You will want to arrive
with at least one full LP tank to support your refrigerator and
water heater as LP refills are on a schedule at the Rally site so
the vendor may not be readily available, (E) You will need a blue
tote-tank for your wash water as we will likely be required to
collect and dispose of wash water - - the wash water dump facility
was quite near the Vintage parking area last year, (F) You will
want to be sure that you have some method of displaying your WBCCI
numbers on your coach as these are an important factor in locating
you in the event of an emergency, and also become part of
your "address" during the Rally that will help people to find you.

4.) You can count on a number of activities at the parking site
regardless of whether you are parked with the Vintage, your local
Unit, or just randomly parked. For many of these events, you will
need a comfortable folding chair to carry along for each member of
your party. Also, if you are parked with the VAC, we have regular
evening "4-O'Clocks" where it is traditional to bring "pass-
arounds" - - it is at these social hours where you can lear a great
deal about the fun activities, places to see, and things to do in
and around the Rally site. The VAC group also typically has a
potluck during the International and often has either a brunch or
breakfast at one of the host hotels or the convention center. You
will also likely find that your Unit and Regions may have catered
meals available during the Rally (tickets are generally offered for
sale in the area near the registration boot at the convention
center).

5.) During the day, there will be a number of seminars, and
programs from which to choose. For most of these programs there is
no additional charge nor is special registration generally needed.
Among those that are generally found at most Internationals are:
Interior Cleaning and Detailing by Fowler Interiors; Care and
Feeding of your Zip Dee Awnings by Zip Dee; Full Timers Seminar;
Hitch-Up Seminar by the Free Wheelers; Free Wheelers Seminar;
Caravan Leadership Training by WBCCI (this takes three mornings if
my memory serves); Computer Club Seminar; and many more. In the
evening there will be a program with some form of entertainment each
evening - - while I am somewhat younger than the typical WBCCI
member, I have enjoyed these programs even the pomp and circumstance!

6.) You may want to be prepared for the two color days. On July
1st, Canada Day is celebrated by wearing red and white (with a
special evening program), and on July 4th Independence Day is
celebrated by wearing red and white as well (typically with an
afternoon picnic). Many (but not all) attendees also fly flags on
their coaches - - often including their country flag, state flag,
and/or Unit or WBCCI flag.

7.) Another optional activity in the Vintage area is the community
service project. Each year for the past several, the VAC group has
had a volunteer leader who schedules a workday at a Habitat for
Humanity house and all intersted members carpool to the home and
spend a day working on the house - - this has run the gamut from
working on a basement in one house under construction to final
cleaning and painting in another house that was just a short way
from being ready for its new owners.

8.) There is also a club-wide community service activity that is
open to everyone. There will be a central location where we can
drop off aluminum can tabs that will be recycled with the proceeds
being donated to charity - - I believe that the usual charity is
Ronald McDonald House.

9.) If you aren't able to parade in with the Vintage group (or
enter with another group), you will need to be prepared to utilize
the bullpen (parking is usually from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. daily). The bullpen is typically an open gravel lot, may not
be terribly level, and does not have any utility service.

10.) It helps to facilitate communications if you carry at least
one citizens band radio when attending the International Rally.
Daily announcements are typically broadcast at 7:30 a.m. each day
with periodic bulletins throughout the day. The CB is also used to
a lesser degree for coach-to-coach communications. I believe that
Channel 14 is the band that is typically utilized for primary
communications during the International.

So far as planned excursions are concerned, it has been my
experience that these fill early - - even before our VAC scheduled
parking time so I have never been successful in obtaining one of
the "limited" spaces on these tours/excursions. When the
International has been in a recognized tourist area, I have
generally contacted the local Gray Line tour agent to reserve my
spots on their tours of interest.

Since you have a Vintage coach, I would encourage you to consider
parking with the Vintage group. We have the Vintage Open House (you
do not have to participate as this is an optional activity) during
the International where for a period of about three hours we host
our fellow WBCCI members as well as the general public in tours of
our coaches. This has always been one of the International Rally
highlights for me. Many of the Vintage members maintain guest books
from year to year to track how many people tour their coaches, and
many also will make other special preparations such as literature
displays, restoration notebook displays, period camping accessory
displays, or wear period clothing to match their coach's vintage.
My coach is usually fairly easy to identify as I have the Long, Long
Trailer playing on the VCR throughout the Open House and a display
of Argosy and Airstream literature on the Credenza table. I am
considering trying to locate my burnt orange leisure suit to wear
for the Open House - - that may just be too much of the 1970s period
as my towcar will be a baby blue Cadillac Eldorado Convertible.

I really believe that you will enjoy the International. My
observation has been that most who approach the International with
the idea that they will have a good time do indeed have a good
time. If your First International experience is anything like mine
was, your task will be selecting from so many interesting activities
that there won't be enough time for all of the desired activities.

Good luck with your plans!

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers/Computer Club #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400
VORTEC/4.10 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)