When is an LTV rally more than a rally? It’s when 46 LTVs and 87 attendees converge on the idyllic mountain communities of western North Carolina. The Carolina LTV’ers Travelers Club came to Pride RV Resort near the picture-perfect town of Waynesville, North Carolina.
Pride RV is 30 miles west of Asheville, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene just a little more than a year ago. While Pride RV did not escape flooding and damage, this beautiful campground resort showed few signs of the events of last year. Where flood waters rose during Helene, LTVers enjoyed level sites nestled under stately trees. They joined others in college football watching parties, campfires along the banks of Jonathan Creek, and numerous visits with neighbors to discuss all facets of life on the road in their LTVs. We even had a few timely repairs thanks to the expertise and willingness of others to help fellow club members.
When not in camp, many ventured out to the incredible array of attractions in the area. Waynesville, a quintessential mountain town known as the “Gateway to the Smokies,” offered an authentic array of dining, shopping, and arts and crafts galleries. Other towns and attractions included Lake Swannanoa, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Maggie Valley, and Asheville; truly something for everyone. All of this brought much-appreciated tourism dollars to the area, which was largely missing only a year ago. The mountains greeted us with crisp fall air, blue skies, and a preview of fall color; the perfect way to say thank you for visiting!
Of course, it wouldn’t be an LTV rally without several planned opportunities to gather with fellow LTVers for an ice cream social, potluck breakfast, and several presentations. We appreciate the generous sponsorship and informational sessions from CTM Customs and SkyMed. These sessions were especially welcome to the 34 club members attending a rally for the first time.
The day’s formal events were capped off with delicious dinners provided by our caterer, Daphne’s, and desserts from Kandi’s Cakes and Bake Shop. Once again, the Pride RV Resort stood out, offering a very spacious and state-of-the-art meeting center with more than enough room for our club events. Their beautiful fall decorations throughout the campground got us all in the fall spirit.
This rally demonstrated that with a little thoughtful planning, our adventures in our LTVs can have a meaningful impact on the communities we visit until we meet again on the road or at our next rally. Happy trails!
Written by: Rich Hagopian
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