October 7, 2004

We arrived at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, DE for the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) Great Eastern Rally.  This is the association in which the CHAI group is part of as a chapter.  

We have 8 coaches here in DE as members of CHAI.  There are between 700 and 750 coaches.  The fairgrounds are just a sea of RVs!  There are people from all over the country and I would bet there are some people from other countries.  Flags are flying, windsocks so colorful - the other day I saw a man playing the bagpipes.   I seems to me that most coaches have at least 1 dog!! 

There are vendors galore, seminars on so many subjects.  I went to a seminar yesterday to learn how to use the convection/microwave oven.  The lady cooked enough food for 3 full dinners in an hour and a half.

The red hat tea was fun, although we had an issue with the opening prayer.  The ladies all got up and paraded in front of judges for the honor of the "best red hat outfit."  One lady even decorated her dog!!

Shelley at her finest!!

We have  spent most of our late afternoons in front of our coaches having an impromptu Happy Hour.  The picture below is a typical scene.

Joe Elowsky standing up.  From the left to right, Les House, Marsha Elowsky, Muriel Alexander, me, Laura Singer, Shelly Singer and Bernie Alexander.  You can see Brook Lynn by Shelly Singer's legs, Rags is sleeping behind me!!

This afternoon was an ice cream social and tonight's entertainment was "Hello Dolly".  The CHAI group got together and lit the Friday night candles, prayers over the Challah and wine. 

Marsha & Laura     Marsha & Shelly    Marsha & Bernie    Marsha           

We all went out to dinner and had a great time. 

Laura & Shelly,        Marsha & Joe     Sylvia & Bill        Lee & Myrna         Bill
Shelley, Bob & Lita    Les & Willi        Lee & Myrna       Joe & Marsha        Marlene & Manny
Sis & Ted              Manny & Marlene   
Lee & Myrna, Bill      Marcy & Don
                                      

On Saturday night, we had a pot luck dinner for 20 people!  The rally organizers set us up with a terrific room, complete with a full kitchen and tables and chairs.  After the dinner was over, most of us went to the evening's entertainment, which was the Alexandria Harmonizers.  They were mesmerizing.