Phoenix Rally

I kept thinking that I should write a post each day of the rally, but just lacked the energy at the end of the day. This is really good news, however, because several days later, you just get the highlights instead of that blow-by-blow description that gets much too detailed!

The basics:

• We managed to dry camp for 5 nights without water refill, having tanks emptied and electric provided only by our generator. We were completely self contained. Many folks do this for weeks at a time, but this was a first for us.
• We attended our first rally and really enjoyed it. The seminars, interaction with other campers, and exhibits added to our knowledge of RVing.
• We met many new folks and hope to stay in touch with them. We have new friends in Washington state, Massachusetts, New Mexico and British Columbia.
• Russell installed a new solar panel to help give our new house batteries a boost. A rally is a great place to do this because the vendors either have what you need right there, or manage to get it for you in a timely manner. There is also a wealth of tech help to draw from.
• The entertainment was truly entertaining, and geezer rated. Shows started at 7 and were over just after 8, just the right time to drag our old, tired bodies back to the rigs.
• We left without buying a new rig, not that many salesmen didn't try to change that!

A few details:

• Over 3,800 rigs were camped at the show, which was held at the Phoenix International Raceway.
• Assuming 2 people per rig, and guessing at the number of people who got day passes, there must have been about 10,000 people in attendance.
• All of the campers got a 4-digit number. A total of 4 people each had the same number. The game was to find at least 1 other person with your number. I found 2! We each got a t-shirt and a chance to win one of the many big prizes. No wins here!
• The best seminar we attended was led by a personal trainer who taught about a low impact approach to walking. She was great and I walked with her each morning. The class grew each day!

The layout:

• Picture a Nascar track. There is a large oval infield with a fenced perimeter. Next is a track, also fenced, then the grandstands are on 2 sides of the track. Of course there is lots of parking for all the folks who come to fill the grandstands. All of that fencing is designed to keep people safe and out of designated areas. There is 1 tunnel to allow people into the infield.
• The rally was set up in the infield. That meant that all traffic (trams, golf carts, vendors, RVs, workers, campers, day-trippers) was routed through this 1 2-lane tunnel! You can see the problem! Campers were arranged throughout the parking lots. Trams ran all day and into the evening to transport folks to and from, but we found it was just as efficient to walk. There was a single fenced-off lane for pedestrians.
• Phoenix! Saturday's temps were in the 90's! The other days weren't as hot, but OMG, Saturday was not good!  The huge tents that housed exhibits and seminars could only open the flaps and pray for a breeze. The mornings and evenings were very pleasant fortunately.
• The grandstands were only open in the evening for the entertainment. Handicapped seating was on the track, the rest of us were in the stands, behind the fence. The first night, getting out was a nightmare because of the way they were funneling everyone to specific tram pickup points. The remaining nights split the traffic flow in two directions; tram riders and walkers. That eased congestion and frustration immensely!