Mike and Jennifer’s top 10 tips for making the most of the FMCA Family Reunion experience this month in Wyoming.
By Mike Wendland, F426141
June 2013
Usually, we like to say the journey is the destination “” that the real adventure of RVing is the getting there. But this month as we make our way west from our Michigan home to Gillette, Wyoming, and FMCA’s 88th Family Reunion, we’re pretty excited about the destination, too.
We remember last year’s event in Indianapolis. It was our very first such gathering, and as we pulled into the Indiana State Fairgrounds, we weren’t sure what to expect. But minutes after we settled into our parking spot and set out our chairs, we started meeting people and making friends. Some recognized us from this magazine and our blog postings. But most just saw us as fellow motorhome owners. When they found out we were first-timers, they shared pointers on what to do and see, and what not to do.
“Let me give you one tip that you’ll thank me for,” offered one of the first people we saw. “Don’t try to do everything or see everything in one day. Pace yourself.”
That was the best advice we received. With so many seminars and special meetings, the motorhomes on display, vendors selling RV accessories, and the many entertainment offerings, we could have stayed busy from first light to late at night and still missed things.
We’re not yet experts on RV rallies and special motorhome events, though we’ve since attended more. But this year, we have a plan for Gillette. If this is your first time, or if you’re looking for ways to better pace yourself, maybe our little list will come in handy.
Here are our top 10 things to do to make your visit to the FMCA Family Reunion in Gillette less exhausting, more fun, and full of pleasant memories.
1. Arrive early, as soon as your assigned time permits. Then, set up your chairs, grab the event program and map, and thoroughly familiarize yourself with the 1,100-acre CAM-PLEX exhibition center. It is huge, the largest such facility in the West. Before you start moving around, get the lay of the land and familiarize yourself with directions and names of buildings.
2. Wear comfortable shoes. This should go without saying, because even though shuttles will be available to help you get around, you’ll still do a lot of walking. I like to wear sandals in the summer. But I got blisters while wearing them last year in Indianapolis, even though the pair I was wearing was well broken in. This year, I’ll wear running shoes.
3. Stock your refrigerator and pantry well. Even though food will be available all over the complex, sometimes it’s less expensive and more convenient and relaxing to have your own food and refreshments at your motorhome.
4. Plan each day the night before. Jennifer and I had a long list of seminars we were interested in last year. We attended a couple together, but for maximum efficiency, we divided them up and took good notes. Jennifer attended one seminar; I attended another. Then we shared highlights with each other. You’ll also want to arrive early for them “” I’d say at least 10 minutes early. You’ll be surprised at how many fill right up.
5. Schedule breaks. One in the morning, one in the afternoon. Get off your feet. Take a nap under the awning or in the coach. Believe it or not, these events can be stressful. Stress comes from good things, too. There’s so much stimulation and fun that you can tire very easily. And since this is a multiday event, you’ll want to spread your activities out over manageable blocks of time.
6. But don’t over-schedule. Seriously. Take your time. Enjoy the sights and sounds and entertainment. Right from the time you arrive, you’ll meet new friends. My favorite time at last year’s event was sitting in a big circle with a dozen of my neighbors, talking about our collective travels, sharing ideas, and visiting each other’s coaches and seeing all the little mods folks do to personalize their space. Socializing is absolutely the best part of the Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase.
7. Comparison shop. When you visit the vendor displays, don’t buy the first thing you think you’ll need. You may find that another vendor offers a similar product with a style or color you prefer, or with a better price. Look around before purchasing.
8. Look for freebies and contests. RVers are bargain hunters by nature, it seems to me. But beyond the pens and candies and normal giveaways, many vendors hold drawings for RV accessories or free stays in RV resorts. Somebody’s going to win these things. Why not you?
9. Carry a camera with you or use your smartphone to take lots of photos. You’ll see things you wish you had in your coach in some of the new motorhome display models, or you’ll see mods that your neighbors have done that you’d like to do. Take a photo of the things that interest you so that you have a visual record to follow or to show to a handyman who can customize your setup. If you are shopping for a new motorhome, photos can help you to remember the models and to review your options. Take photos of the new friends you meet, too. Back home and in the months to come, the photos will be a good visual aid as you recall the great times you’ve had.
10. Finally, don’t just travel to and from Gillette. Plan your going and returning to take advantage of the many attractions you’ll pass. Once in Gillette, you’re not that far from two of our most amazing national parks “”Yellowstone and Glacier. Jennifer and I are going to visit both after the event. You, too, may want to do some extra route prep and add a couple of travel days to make this great FMCA Family Reunion even more memorable.
I also invite you to look me up. I’ll be leading two seminars in Gillette, one on “Getting the Most Out of Your Motorhome Adventures,” which offers tips on how to plan a route and find fun things to do as you travel, and the other on “Sharing Your RV Adventure Via the Internet,” which discusses blogs and photo and video services.
Jennifer and I look forward to meeting many of you. We can’t wait for Gillette.