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| FMCA Rally Brooksville Florida - 2012 |
It is quite a sight to see about 1,300 motorhomes arranged on and around a local county airport. Such was the case at the South East Area, Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) Rally held each year at the Hernando County Airport just outside of Brooksville, FL. Many of the RVs were parked on the tarmac in rows side by side for almost a mile. Others were on the aprons and others were along the sides of the tarmac on the grassed areas. Events were held in large tents fully enclosed with fixed entry doors and lighting which were setup in various locations on the runways. For the true air enthusiast there still was a runway open which added to the adventure as a low flying plane came in for a landing or gained speed to take off. Many of the RVers were “dry camped” which means they were self-sufficient using water they carried and kept all waste in their own holding tanks for the duration of the rally. Electricity was supplied by their battery systems and onboard generators. Others were in sections of the Rally which had “miles” of wire run with outlet boxes at regular intervals connected to large “portable” generators which provided the power needs of the coaches connected to them. All other facilities are onboard. Similar generators provided power for the entertainment, vendor and seminar facilities.
Events ranged from early morning, prayer and worship sessions, to partaking of free donuts and coffee or listening to music provided by the Frustrated Maestros, to seminars on travel and RV interests. Some seminars featured new products, others taught about RV maintenance and care to general interest topics and others featured camp resort options. The vendor tent had displays for those attending the rally to walk through allowing them to stop and talk, ask questions and gain information on topics of interest to them. There were vendors with outdoor booths set up around the outside of the tent with larger products and the ever present installers are onsite to install products offered for sale.
Each evening there was a live entertainment offered in the special events tent and there was always a variety of activities spread around the Rally facility throughout the day. Some RVers took in attractions found in the area around the Rally location, taking advantage of specials offered by many of the local merchants to Rally goers. Of course the various restaurants in the area were blessed by the RVer’s presence. Conversations often centered around which restaurant to attend tonight based on the recommendations of those that went the previous evening. For those that stayed at the Rally for evening meals there are local chapter events and impromptu gatherings of friends new and old who setup their chairs and a few tables and had a pot luck dinner. The variety and amount of food found at these gatherings often rivalled some buffet selections at restaurants. All in all the sharing of ideas, travel experiences and growing friendships endure and some choose to travel together, when there is common interests and many develop long lasting friendships after meeting at these Rallies.
I recommend joining FMCA and then taking in one of the local area Rallies. Meeting others that share the lifestyle is a great way to expand your horizons and add to the enjoyment that is RVing.
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