ALLEGRO CAMPGROUND 2009

If you've been following RV THERE YET since last year, you might remember how we make our annual pilgrimage to Red Bay, AL, home of Tiffin Motorhomes, the manufacturer of our coach. We make an appointment a year in advance and when we arrive we present them with several pages of service and warranty issues, adjustments and items we'd like added for our comfort....since this is our home. While the facilities provide water, sewer and everything you need, it is dusty and close quarters, so what you do is meet other people from all over the country - many of them full-timers like us, and you trade ideas and see what they've done to their coaches to make them more comfortable. On a daily basis, we are offered delicious fresh homemade country sausage, country thick sliced bacon, huge fresh farm eggs, and there's even a local restaurant owner that drives up and down the rows selling his famous bar-b-que. And I almost forgot the lady that sells fresh baked bread and the 90 year old farmer that sells fresh produce out of the back of his truck. All of these things add to the flavor of our annual Red Bay trip.

When your apppointment time arrives, you leave your parking area about 6:30 a.m. every morning and return to your parking space at 3:00 p.m., the end of the shift for the technicians. Each day you report to a specific bay (there are about 60 bays) and whatever needs to be done will be accomplished before you leave. A huge lounge is on site where coffee and comfortable seating is provided. Animals are allowed on leashes (since many RVer's have animals), and it gets lively sometimes. You sometimes spend hours in the lounge so you meet people from all over. Many people decide to get new coaches, refurbish old coaches, etc., and you can make arrangements to go through the factory where the 2010 models are in production. A bright spot for us is that you meet the people in the community and enjoy all there is to love about this small but special community. The cost of living doesn't compare to most places we travel - a delicious lunch is usually at the Piggly Wiggly, or Swamp John's for catfish dinners, and you meet people who can take care of just about anything you need on your coach, from beautiful finished carpentry, expert diesel service, to state of the art electronics. You might even meet someone who knew Tammy Wynette, from the Red Bay area, and certainly knew someone who wrote songs for her.

Since we were going to be in Red Bay on Labor Day, I had looked forward to the festivities which would be held in the Coon Dog Cemetery (liar's contest, buck dancing, bar-b-que); however, we had an opportunity to leave on Saturday, 9/5, after our coach was completly detailed - inside and out - (and all our service items had been compleeted), so we headed northwest to Tunica, MS, a town less than 20 miles from Memphis, TN. and we will recuperate and take life a little easier before we head toward the Branson, MO area.

GOODBYE CAMP RED BAY 2008

Day 17 at Red Bay, AL.... Time is getting close to the date we have agreed to return to Green Cove Springs, FL, so RV and I are going to have to go in different directions for a few days. We just can't leave now - we are so at the end of our service issues as well as the improvements we have made to the coach. We thought it would be finished by now, but things like getting to the paint shop on Monday, completing the install of our SeeLevel gauges, completing installation of a new cabinet in the bedroom, etc. We finally got the convection/microwave vent to the outside of the coach and about 4 slide out cabinets in the galley (kitchen), and new custom matching cherry louvered ceiling fan covers on the inside. Sweet, as Kenneth, our grandson, would say! Anyway, I am leaving early Sunday morning to drive over to Atlanta (Marietta) and spend the afternoon and evening with Chris and Lauren (her 27th birthday) - Monday morning I will continue on to North FL to be with Kristen and Harold for his impending surgery, and look foward to being with our 4 beautiful grandchildren. Unfortunately, RV will be on his own in Red Bay, but we made sure he had plenty from Piggly Wiggly.

We have met many new friends and we just can't put a dollar value on all we've learned. We even met a couple who have been "fulltiming" for over 29 years. They have a 43' '09 Allegro Bus, and spend their winters in Palm Springs, CA. There are stories after stories, of fulltimers, wannabees (what we were in 07 and before, and many part-timers). RVer's are usually a friendly bunch and will share their expertise if only you take the time to introduce yourself and talk to them. No one seems to care how much your rig costs, or what you did in your past life. We met Ronny and Marianne DiGiglia's, who had just purchased a beautiful Phaeton on Ebay, had picked it up on the Indiana/Michigan border and drove through Chicago, and were taking the long way back home through Branson, Red Bay, etc., to their home in Punta Gorda, FL. We just love these stories and their wonderful positive attitudes. Marianne DeGiglia was my geocaching partner for several treasure finds this week. Mike and Sue Rees owned a large 1000- head Hereford cattle ranch in CA. After they sold and started fulltiming, are accompanied by their last of 5 cattle dogs, C.C. (cow catcher). Mike did not part with the hats and cowboy boots.

Red Bay produces some unbelievable craftsmen you may contract with to do work on your coach. We all share our coach experiences, costs for add-ons, and then you decide what you can't live without until next year. It not only updates your coach, but usually makes things more efficient for traveling. When we return for our appointment next year, we'll know who to talk to and what we want them to do. Their expertise involves everything from electronics to custom woodwork.

CAMP RED BAY!

Some of our pictures of the Allegro (Tiffin) campground are below. We arrived mid-day Wednesday, in Red Bay, AL. The first time we came to Red Bay was to tour the plant where all Tiffin products are made. It impressed us enough that we decided we could easily live in a 40' diesel pusher with 4 slides. I think you'll see, in the next few days we're here, there is a lot to see and do. Some of it is a little unusual, but some of it is sensational, to say the least. Just put it all in perspective! Tiffin is really Red Bay; Tiffin Motorhome Industries, Tiffin Supply, Allegro Campground (on an old municipal airport runway in Red Bay); and many industries related to the construction of Class A motorhomes. We are settled in site 42 with a 50 amp connection and sewer (fhu) full hookups - what more could you ask for? About 100 similar coaches are surrounding us. Each morning about 7:00 a.m,. the ones who are to be in the service bays pull out and report to their service techs with their warranty or service items. There are about 50 service bays. There is a building you can go to where rver's have taken furniture out of their units and bought other furniture - and you can buy it at cost if you belong to the Allegro Club. Maybe they didn't like the sofa - and wanted European Stressless chairs. Or they want a different oven or need a different carpet. Also, lots of interesting people here from ALL over the country. I mean, everywhere! The day after we arrived, Norris from Tiffin drove up and took all our requests - about 50 of them - and informed us they will be able to get to us in about a week - week and a half. So, we are going to be loving this area for the next couple of weeks. We already have some interesting side trips planned. Red Bay is a trip in itself. The factory is open for tours 2 times a day - you can visit the completed '09 models as they are being manufactured, and see the latest and greatest in new floor plans and options. The campground is exquisite - just kidding, but it isn't bad. There is even a store to buy RV supplies. And eating places! We ate lunch at Swamp John's - best catfish in the area we've been told. Talk about local flavor. Ezzell's Bar-B-Q. You have to be careful. These are professional eaters and if you ate everything on your plate, you'd explode in front of everyone. The local Piggly Wiggly, another popular eating spot, is one of the favorites around here. You can buy your groceries as well as get hot foods from their plentiful selection on the buffet. Wednesday is chicken and dumplins, I heard. No one has made the top 10 list. Remember, this is like a "camp" experience.
Did I tell you we are on an old airfield? I better start jogging....NOW!