We left I-75 around Knoxville and headed east on I-40. It was almost one year from when we had travelled this same highway after taking delivery of our new coach. This bright sunny morning we marvelled once again at the beauty of the “Smokies” as wisps of clouds provided cover for some of the steep mountain slopes and tree lined hills. The undivided windshield provided many ‘pictures’ as we drove. As we proceeded east toward Marion, we saw how effortlessly our coach cruised up and safely down the increasingly longer slopes of the interstate. For the first time in our RVing travels we have a coach with a chassis and powertrain combination that can truly handle all that it faces effortlessly and most importantly – safely! We are looking forward to many more journeys throughout North America. I am also surprised at the fuel economy, both on more mountainous terrain and at interstate speeds and off the interstate at slower highway speeds. For the first time, we can travel back-country, secondary highways at 55mph (90 kmh) and achieve the same fuel economy as at 62-65 mph (100-105 kmh). The wide torque band and power range combined with efficient transmission control greatly enhances the overall fuel economy of our coach.
The trip to Marion, NC was back to our selling dealer, Tom Johnson Camping Centre, for a customer appreciation BBQ, a four day event focused on thanking their customers for their business over the years. This year marked the 31st consecutive year, probably a record for any RV dealer. With about 500 sites available, I would guess that over 400 were filled with RV’s ranging from small pop-up trailers to all classes and sizes of motorhomes and trailers. The event is so well regarded that many come in early to enjoy the area, scenery, walk the RV lot, and have service performed on their RV or pick up some parts in the well-stocked large parts department. We had the opportunity to lead a few seminars over the course of the event. During the day there were various seminars, casual craft sales and of course fine breakfast and lunch food offered at TJ’s, the onsite café. Each evening featured excellent entertainment for both young and old. Saturday was the biggest day of activities which begun with a scrumptious breakfast free to all. We dutifully lined up and waited the better part of an hour, not because the service was slow but because so many people were present. Everyone was greeted and thanked for coming by the sales staff, and owners. The menu was varied and plates were full as people left the serving lines.
There were great numbers of children with their parents and grandparents. The day carried on with more seminars, some about RVing, and other topics from food to birds. The children had a packed day of crawling over and sliding down a multitude of large multi-story fan powered activity centers, craft areas with face painting, clowns playing tricks, and lots of entertainment.
For the older crowd, Barney, the Mayberry deputy cop of the 60’s raced around giving out tickets in his flashing light and siren equipped golf cart. Many of us received a “ticket” at breakfast. A large classic car show was held at the service center complete with music of the 60’s and 70’s playing all day during the show. There were even Race Cars since Tom Johnson Camping center sponsors cars that race locally at Lowes international Speedway at the Concord location. For the adventurous there were agility races for those towing a trailer through a coned course among other events. The pavilion featured various presentations and music while the activities were taking place.
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