Monaco International Pre-Rally Wrap-up

August 6, 2011
Manitowoc, WI

We spent the week at a rally of just under 200 Monaco-branded coaches, packed into the grounds of the Manitowoc Expo and Ice Center. It was a great week and we had a chance to catch up with quite a few people we've met before (in the real world, or online).

Monaco International is one of hundreds of chapters of the Family Motor Coach Association (aka FMCA), and rallies are held generally the week before FMCA's big confabs (now known as "Family Reunions"). This allows people to catch up and have what's called a pre-rally, and then travel together to FMCA's events. These pre-rallies are often sponsored by a manufacturer (like ours, Monaco RV LLC) and they bring parts and technicians to provide service and support (at least on those things that can be done in a big field being used for a parking lot).

Sunday, we made the easy drive from Sault Ste. Marie to the little burg of Two Rivers, WI, right on Lake Michigan. We stayed at a local RV Park because "early arrival" parking for the Pre-Rally opened at 8:00 AM on Monday. It was pretty warm (OK, hot), so we set up quickly. After figuring out the capacity of the electrical system in the park (2 of three air conditioners OK; three, not so much), we relaxed and might have even had a nap! After we got set up, we noticed that the next coach behind us was pulling in next door, and that it was our friends Jim and Peggy; we met them several years ago at Quartzsite. Nobody was interested in cooking, so we all headed to Luigi's Italian for some nice pasta dishes for dinner (very good, but not "Geri's Famous Pasta").

Monday, we headed for the Pre-Rally and were soon parked in post position number one, right near the entrance (helps to sign up for handicapped parking). Well, let's say we were parked after the grounds crew showed up to trim several limbs that attacked the coach. In spite of the trimming, it was nice to have at least a little shade, as it was warm (OK, hot) for much of the week.

We did well with repairs and upgrades. Monaco fixed a roof vent that was knocked loose in the struggle with the tree upon parking, and also the wind sensor for the patio awning that had lost part of the anemometer sometime last year. We also said goodbye to our 7-year-old Satellite Internet Dish and hello to a new DirecTV HD Antenna. The Internet dish served us well over the years but the technology has passed it by (barely able to get better than dial-up speeds) and parts were failing so connections were lost. I'll sell the modem and positioned on eBay in the fall; maybe someone will need spare parts. On the other hand, the new system works great with the new TVs that Al and I put in earlier in the summer, so that's a big plus.

Wayne and Eva joined us on Tuesday and we saw them throughout the Rally. Breakfast and dinner (plus evening entertainment) are included, and we ate and drank, courtesy of the open-bar cocktail hour before dinner plus a wine/cheese tasting and a couple of "keggers", well. We met a few new people (including one who looked like Dana Carvey - at least to me) and were able to "put a face to a name" with a lot of folks we know from Facebook or the online Monaco forums. One of the best parts of these rallies is the people you meet along the way. In addition, two of the three evening entertainment acts were pretty good (Rivoli Review and New Odyssey), so that was a definite plus.

OK, retirees and wine tastings means that someone needs to provide entertainment...

One afternoon, there was a "Pet Parade", with about 25 families participating. Everyone got a "1st Place" ribbon and a year's supply of doggie treats. Geri and Wayne "did the honors" with Merlin/Maya and Abby, and everyone had a good time. It was definitely "Yorkie territory, as there were at least 8 more in addition to Merlin and Abby. "Dakota", the Huskie that took "best in show" was fantastic and almost looked like there was some wolf involved.

 

 

"Best in Show"...

The weather's turned more reasonable and things look good for next week as well. Tonight, we'll do most of our travel preparation so we have an easy morning as we hit the dump station, get the coach weighed (to make sure we have the right tire pressure) and let the caravan to FMCA get on down the road before we head out.