Busy Days, Fun Evenings

The rally is underway and already into the third day.  Time is flying, and we are not still for long! 

Before I get into activities and pictures, I want to answer a question from a reader about the “lime cure” for Jasmine’s barking.  When she barks, I just squirt a few drops of lime juice from the plastic lime directly into her mouth.  Most of her barking, especially when we’re out walking, has stopped.  She still reacts when someone knocks on the door, but now she’s responding to “stop” when I pick up the lime.  Progress!

Monday was the opening day of the rally.  Most of the vendors were all set up and ready for business.  We picked up our name badges, got signed up with our door prize ticket, and went to the opening ceremony in the afternoon.

This is the big tent, where we all gather for the evening announcements, door prize give-aways, entertainment, etc.  Some of the seminars are held here during the day:

Visiting and getting acquainted:

 

We won the last door prize of the evening – a new patio mat!  WooHoo!

Nick, just about to read our name:

Yesterday was a busy day!  Jim and I both attended several seminars and picked up some great information.  Oh, yes, and also picked up some items we needed, but didn’t know we needed!  The most significant is an Electrical Management System.  We’ve been dragging one of those big, bulky surge protectors around with us since we bought the Castle.  It protects against electrical surges, but not much else.  Today we’ll have the new system installed that will protect us from low voltage, reverse polarity, open neutral, open ground, as well as surges.  If you are interested in more detail, it is the EMS-HW50C from Progressive Industries.

Last night was a special entertainment opportunity, with the “beauty contest” to select the best Hoosier Honey!  Many of you have probably seen either a Facebook video provided by Chris Guld (Geeks on Tour), or other blog pictures.  I have an inside look, since Jim was a participant! 

Check out some of these beauties:

 

One by one, these “gals” were escorted to the stage:

And finally, the 2010 Eastern Gypsy Jornal Rally’s Hoosier Honey (AKA Jim Guld of Geeks on Tour) was crowned.

It was all for a good cause, though, as $450 was raised for the Escapee’s CARE organization.  CARE stands for Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees, which is basically a type of assisted living for full-time RVer’s and is located at the Livingston, TX Rainbow’s End park.

The Hoosier Honey, collecting some money:

But these weren’t the only honeys having a great time:

Dennis Hill , RV Driving School owner, and Stu (2 Taking a 5th) ham it up before the beauty contest:

Someone put on some dancin’ music after the show, and my our line dancing classmates and I just couldn’t resist!

What a great time we’re having!