The Texoma Travelers Chapter of LTV held its fall rally at Oakwood RV Resort in Fredricksburg, Texas, from November 6 – 10, 2024. The rally was well attended by 102 LTV enthusiasts in 53 LTVs, including several new LTV owners!
Opening the rally was a meet-and-greet, but it looked more like a family reunion to outsiders. RVing certainly allows for developing bonds beyond that of a simple colleague or neighbor, so getting the Texoma Travelers together always results in an instant party. Even our newcomers were partnered up with club ambassadors to ensure a seamless and comfortable introduction to the group.
The rally agenda provided opportunities to enhance knowledge, cultivate the arts (which in the South often centers around food), explore the Fredericksburg area, and generally make fond memories! While not an official agenda item, the dog walkers gathered each morning for exercise and fellowship.
As for enhancing our knowledge, a program on LTV upgrades, maintenance, and general Q&A was well attended. There were two such programs–one for all LTV owners and another for new owners. As with most rallies, the topic of one’s LTV spills into the RV park, where we check out new models and upgrades, such as the new LTV pantry shelving. The conversations often turned to cool gadgets to make RVing at any age possible, and soon, you could hear the pinging of Amazon shopping carts filling up with quick connects, hose grips, rubber seal lubricants, and more.
E-bikes and biking in general have become very popular with RV owners, including Peter and Tracy Kaestner, who presented an informative program on bike trails, bike maintenance, and bike racks. For those who enjoy creative arts, club member Steve Suchy led a stained-glass class where members created beautiful butterflies.
On Friday, the Texoma Travelers Club provided round-trip, continuously running transportation to and from Fredericksburg, a city of German heritage located in central Texas and known for its wineries. Marktplatz’s town square is quaint and historic, with many shops selling local art and wares. Also, a popular site was the National Museum of the Pacific War, featuring WWII exhibits. For lunch, many Texoma Travelers opted for a taste of German food. Others explored the many wineries surrounding Fredericksburg. Wine production has become a huge economic and tourism boon to Fredericksburg. The wine tasting came to us on Friday evening at the RV park. It was well attended, and many of us discovered that Texas wines are very drinkable.
As is often the case in the South, conversations turn to food, and there was no shortage of food at this rally, starting in the morning with coffee and a little something for breakfast. In the evenings, we gathered to dine and socialize, and as fate would have it, our chapter is blessed with our very own “genius in the kitchen,” Phyllis Suchy, who provided us with delicious and beautiful hor d’oeuvres and more for a perfect social hour!
As a preview of the location of our 2025 spring rally, a few of our native Louisiana chapter members made Cajun chicken and sausage gumbo for 100+ people, including a gluten-free and vegetarian version. C’est si bon!
Change is inevitable in any organization, and this rally had a bittersweet ending: saying goodbye to our long-serving Club Leader, David Clinkenbeard, and his wife, Sandy. David and Sandy were the heart of Texoma Travelers for the last seven years and have driven incredible growth within the Chapter. With the passing of leadership came many accolades bestowed upon us, and speeches were made commending Clinkenbeard’s dedication to LTV. Then, we welcomed our new Club Leader, Peter Kaestner!
Written by: Tim Hunt
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