AUG 12-18 2018 - Goshen, Indiana - FROG International

[W5CI]

And how do you arrive at all of these friendships that everyone talks about, The only person I remember out of the 1800 or so is dblr who is a really nice guy but that is because I worked with him on the parking team every day. I already knew most of the Cedar Creek folks as last year was our second year there. the first year due to the rain and mud and bad food we rarely got out of our camper. I hope for Bob and Cindy's sake it sells out and everyone has a great time.

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by W5CI

And how do you arrive at all of these friendships that everyone talks about, The only person I remember out of the 1800 or so is dblr who is a really nice guy but that is because I worked with him on the parking team every day. I already knew most of the Cedar Creek folks as last year was our second year there. the first year due to the rain and mud and bad food we rarely got out of our camper. I hope for Bob and Cindy's sake it sells out and everyone has a great time.

Well, for me, I walk around and when I see someone or something interesting, I go up and say "I'm Tim and I'm a nosy SOB..." and let it go from there.

Tim

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by ManlyMan

Since I seemed to have stepped on some toes with my thoughts about the rally this will be my last post on this thread.

You went there with your responses to someone else’s post in opposition to it, so when you are responded back to, try not take offense. My tribe may sing different songs and dance different dances than yours. I do not think it is worth the time or effort to war about it. There is some logic to having your say and then move on...

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by ManlyMan

Since I seemed to have stepped on some toes with my thoughts about the rally this will be my last post on this thread.

You went there with your response to someone else’s post in opposition to it, so when you are responded back to, try not take offense. My tribe may sing different songs and dance different dances than yours. I do not think it is worth the time or effort to war about it. There is some logic to having your say and then move on...

[DDC]

I travel to quite a few rallies, a few I attend on an annual basis but each one I go to is because I enjoy both the company and the place, if I found I had attended something I didn't like I wouldn't go back but I have not had that happen yet.
I'm not into complaining just because I didn't like it, mainly because I realize that my likes and dislikes don't always match those of others.

[RVChick]

ManlyMan, I invite you to the Phat Phrog Beer and Wine tasting!!! I promise you will walk back to your camper, having made new phriends!!

[judy3972]

Originally Posted by ManlyMan

Since I seemed to have stepped on some toes with my thoughts about the rally this will be my last post on this thread.

Don't go away and most importantly Don't go away mad. It takes many people and opinions to make a village. Be.part of ours.
Look us up at the rally

[Desertsquid]

Maybe some of those folks who have attended the rally in the past can give those of us who have never been to Indiana some suggestions about must sees. I have heard about the great restaurant and the bakery. Since we live in the desert we're really looking forward to seeing GREEN. Walking on grass sounds great, and I'm still pondering the suggestion about bringing a rake to remove the rodeo left overs.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Desertsquid

Maybe some of those folks who have attended the rally in the past can give those of us who have never been to Indiana some suggestions about must sees. I have heard about the great restaurant and the bakery. Since we live in the desert we're really looking forward to seeing GREEN. Walking on grass sounds great, and I'm still pondering the suggestion about bringing a rake to remove the rodeo left overs.

Those are called nuggets. I am sure they are rare. Just don't try to cash'em in.

[BandJCarm]

A lot of folks will tell you a lot of what to do.

But if you are from areas far flung from there, I have a strong suggestion. Leave the park, turn right (away from town) and drive every backroad you can find. Just drive around. Take turns that you have no idea where they go.

You will see folks farming in the fields in ways you never saw before. You will see the cleanest, greenest, white farm houses and shops. You will see buggies and horses and friendly nice folks. And soybeans as tall as your waist. For miles. Picket fences and designs on the side of barns.

If you got a trailer, I'd hope it is to see America. If so, this is one beautiful spot in America (at least in August! LOL).......... Hard to imagine anything this pretty that close to Chicago, but it is.

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by Desertsquid

Maybe some of those folks who have attended the rally in the past can give those of us who have never been to Indiana some suggestions about must sees. I have heard about the great restaurant and the bakery. Since we live in the desert we're really looking forward to seeing GREEN. Walking on grass sounds great, and I'm still pondering the suggestion about bringing a rake to remove the rodeo left overs.

The last time I looked, there were still some seats left on the quilt garden tour. That would be one way to see a great deal of the Amish countryside, and some of the most beautiful and intricate gardens you'll ever see anywhere.

Go to the RV Hall of Fame. If you like history combined with unique vehicles, it is time well spent.

Take an afternoon and walk through the flea market at Shipshewana, just to see the variety of "stuff" for sale there.

Drive through the Amish countryside. Beautifully-kept farms, and if you want to see "green", even in August, most of those farms will still be green.

Get on one of the plant tours if you can...preferably your own RV brand. See how they are made and who made yours.

Spend a little time riding around the fairgrounds on one of the "limo" shuttle carts. It is a beautiful fairgrounds, and you'll get an appreciation for how big and complex the rally really is.

Those are just a few of the interesting things to see and do. And no, you really don't need a rake

[PineRock]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Now wait a minute... You don't get to post an opinion and leave when someone disagrees with you.

What it comes down to is one thing and one thing only...

Do you feel you get a value for your $600?

I get a week of using Elkhart as my base-camp while I take in all of what Upper Indiana has to offer (and let me tell you, there's quite a lot to see and do). I get a week of fantastic times with my 3-times-a-year friends from all over the country that I wouldn't even know if I never attended the rally. I get food, that if not something Wolfgang would put on the table at Spago, at least was reasonably decent and I didn't have to make it. I get information and insight to the proper way to do things RV wise. I get to see new products. Not just see, but get my hands on them. I get a beautiful campground that was just made for walking thru on a pleasant evening. I get people who try there very level best to make sure I have a good time. I get all that a so much more. To me its more than worth the cost.

Now, for you... You may only view it in terms of did you get as much you would have gotten had you dropped $600 on something else? Maybe a couple NFL game tickets? A weekend in NY with a hotel and a show? A 1992 Ford Escort? Only you can answer that. It's clear that you do not feel its worth the cost. That's fine. I don't think baseball tickets are worth the cost (unless they are free, and then it's still close).

There are many who feel they don't get their money's worth unless they get their free service at the rally. We have all seen the people pulling out on Wednesday after they get their rigs worked on. I could care less, and would GLADLY drop my $600 on the rally even if service was not offered. In fact, I actually think I would prefer just doing away with the free service thing all together. That way we wouldn't have all the people complaining about it anymore.

And to correct your most glaring error, interest most definitely is NOT slowing down in the rally (because of service restrictions or otherwise). I spoke with FrogBob at the tadpole rally, and he said that if it hadn't been for the credit card glitch, the Rally would have sold out in about 4 hours. In fact, the glitch happened due to the huge demand in people trying to get in. Like I said before, if people are now avoiding the rally because they cant get their free service, it simply opens it up to more people who want to be at the Rally for the Rally.

tim

[emoji106][emoji106][emoji847][emoji196][emoji482]

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by Desertsquid

Maybe some of those folks who have attended the rally in the past can give those of us who have never been to Indiana some suggestions about must sees. I have heard about the great restaurant and the bakery. Since we live in the desert we're really looking forward to seeing GREEN. Walking on grass sounds great, and I'm still pondering the suggestion about bringing a rake to remove the rodeo left overs.

This is from the perspective of us going there with our kids but stuff we do most years:

• We’ll go to the Deutsch Kase Hase in Middlebury to pick up some fresh cheese, then stop by Forks Country Store for some other supplies then sit and have a picnic in the park right across the street from Forks, afterwards giving the kids playtime.
• There’s a really nice park called Shanklin Park nearby that’s also a great place.
• We’ll hit the movie theatre in town for a matinee or two. Old school place that reminds me of watching movies as a kid.
• Kids ride their bikes around the fairgrounds while we walk the dogs
• One year we went to the Super Hero Museum, which is housed in a replica Halls of Justice complete with a Bat Cave.

And that doesn’t include all the Rally stuff to do like:

• Checking out new rigs
• Daily check in’s at the Vendor building for door prizes
• Ice Cream!

And probably the most important one:

Tracking down Frogs we’ve met at past rallies and making friends with new ones we haven’t met yet.

[B and B]

Don't Forget Rainbow Variety Store and RV Surplus. Turn right out of the fairgrounds. Lots of stuff you were looking for. I buy bags of screws and sealant just so i have it. Bought more LED Lights for my storage bay for example.

[MasterBlaster]

Originally Posted by B and B

Don't Forget Rainbow Variety Store and RV Surplus. Turn right out of the fairgrounds. Lots of stuff you were looking for. I buy bags of screws and sealant just so i have it. Bought more LED Lights for my storage bay for example.

Where is the RV Surplus locates at.

[BandJCarm]

Just once, drive up to Bontragers RV Surplus in White Pigeon, MI. You will be blown away. I spent 4 hours walking around, found nothing I wanted, and was amazed at what I saw and glad I went.

[B and B]

Map to Rainbow Surplus. They have no electric but run a generator to power POS accept credit cards and charge there phones on the generator. Be careful with the horse exhaust by the hitching post.



https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Rain...5!2d41.5795934

[SYE]

Stop by the Tiki Hut, we're friendly there too

[packrat48]

I definitely am going to check out Tiki Hut this year. Last two years haven't found time, making time this year.

[Tucson Joe]

Going to make it to the Tiki Hut and the beer tasting this time. See you all there.