Aliner Owners Club International Rally 2010

Amana: Land of appliances, atmospheric anomalies, astronomy, theatre and musical arts, accessory acquisition, axle advise, adaptation, and.. oh yes.. Aliners.

What a trip! Not as far or as scenic compared to driving to the California rally, but those severe thunderstorms we experienced on the way livened up the travels to where we thought we might become a V-Liner. Just to be safe during the storms, we moved to an interior room on the lowest level of our Aliner. Unfortunately, that meant we were all inside Smoky Bear’s litter box.

After picking our way through the cornfields of Iowa, we checked in at the Amana Colonies RV Park. Wagon masters Dick and Gwen Picard and their smiling crew of blue-shirted volunteers made us feel right at home. We received all the information we could ever need or use, including Marlys’ Aliner word puzzle.

The seminars and presentations made us more educated and better all-around campers. Ned Collins provided good insight into the camper industry in general, and Columbia Northwest in particular. Then we drooled over four spiffy 2011 Aliners he brought to the rally. Chris Mendola had some good travel pointers, plus a new high-wind roof hold down device. Too bad it didn’t get windy so we could test it. John Pfeil made it ‘clear’ that we really can see through our foggy bubble windows, if we just use the proper procedure. And Dave Michaels, the DIY guy, showed us how to fix everything else. Lynn Thye put on her gloves, and got in the ring for Letter Boxing. She knocked out most of the alphabet, but succumbed somewhere around the W. Then we enjoyed Gerry Pearson and his unique musical instruments. Later on Saturday night, Ken Davy showed us amazing views of the moon through his telescope. I could see what looked like an Aliner parked beside one of the craters.

There were unconfirmed reports that we experienced a few severe thunderstorms with hail during the weekend. This may be the reason that Roxy was curled up the size of a dime under a chair.

We enjoyed our lunches in the three restaurants of downtown Amana, and catered suppers were even better. Those folks really know how to feed the visitors. The Iowa Theatre Arts Company did a fantastic interpretation of life in old Amana, receiving a standing ovation for their performance. How can four actors convincingly be so many people?

Another amazing annual Aliner adventure attributed to the accomplishments of the Wagon Masters and their able associates, assuring the approval and amusement of all appreciative attendees.

We have a slide show with lots of pictures of the rally.

Click here to see the rally pictures

 

© - Aliner Owners Club 2010