The Blue Ridge Leisures Travelers Club recently held their Fall Mini-Rally at the beautiful Eastern Shore of Virginia, September 6-8, 2024.
Themed “We’re Baack! ” The club had been dormant until Leaders Karen Engstrom and Philip Garcia volunteered to revive it into a bonafide active LTV Travelers Club.
“We couldn’t have done it without the help of our committee volunteers,” said Karen. “The interest from our members and support from LTV HQ to get the club up and running again was loud and clear!” 22 LTVs – 14 Unity’s, 5 Wonders, 2 Serenity’s, and 1 Free Spirit with 42 participants converged at the SunOutdoors Chincoteague Bay Campsite for three days of fellowship, local excursions, yoga sessions, and workshops.
“We had 13 newbies joining our rally, and we wanted to make sure they received the attention and mentoring we craved for…we all were there once,” Karen said.
Participants were pleased to secure their LTVs on roomy, full hookup sites within steps of the water and fantastic sunset views. In just its second season since its opening, SunOutdoors Chincoteague Bay is a campers’ delight, offering a quiet, clean, open-spaced facility with onsite amenities and friendly, supportive staff. Blue Water Properties owns and manages the property and is one of 67 properties throughout the United States.
“Getting into the club lead roles was daunting because we didn’t want to let our members down with a lackluster rally experience,” Karen said. “For example, we learned that it takes a lot of research and flexibility to decide on a campsite…and not all campsite group reservations are handled directly by their front desk staff.”
Blue Water Properties requires all group or rally arrangements to be made through their corporate office. “We had a few hiccups with the reservation desk not following up calls from our members wanting to reserve spots, but the ‘saving grace’ was having their Senior Regional Sales Manager intervene and provide excellent customer service,” said Philip. “In the end, all participants got their spots and had a great time.”
A field excursion involving a Scenic Wildlife Boat Tour took 24 members on a pontoon boat ride around the shoreline and coves of Chincoteague Island. Some wild ponies were allegedly sighted. Chincoteague is the gateway to the Virginia portion of Assateague Island and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, home of the famous Chincoteague Wild Ponies.
Club members were treated to beautiful weather except late Saturday when a windy front suddenly came through at the onset of a “no frill” dinner cookout and potluck at the campsite’s pavilion.
Newbies Tim and Dianne Leighton from Hampton, Virginia, said, “The original plan was to cook and eat under the Pavilion close to the water, but a dry cold front packing really strong winds forced a fast change to the campground’s meeting room…nice job to the organizers! Everyone brought such great side dishes. This is an experienced potluck crew. Fun times!”
“A rally is never a rally without food, and our members happily moved everything from the outdoor Pavilion to the campsite’s meeting room,” Philip said. “Blue Ridge Chefs are the best!”
The Blue Ridge Leisures Club was briefly encouraged to regroup when the late Larry Moser volunteered to take the lead role last Fall.
“… been following the Winkler and Blue Ridge Rally photos (on Facebook)…we would have been definitely attending!” Jeanette Moser said of her late husband. “I think Lar was smiling from above!”
“I think we set the bar pretty high and intend to keep it that way,” said Karen.
Sub-note: The Blue Ridge Leisures Club would like to convey its appreciation and thanks to Victoria Bouldin, Carolina LTVers Lead, for her Club’s support and mentorship. Carolina LTVers’ hospitality with BRL members participating at their rallies inspired all. We hope to reciprocate with an open invitation for Carolina LTVers to join our rallies!
Photo credits: Stephen Jaffe, Bob Chapman, Philip Garcia
Written by: Philip Garcia
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