Louise Worst Moore recalls decades of family RVing, which included traveling to countless FMCA international conventions and other rallies.
September-October 2024
In July 1973, Louise Worst, F10962, and her family attended their first FMCA convention, which took place at Hayes Fair Acres in DuQuoin, Illinois. The official coach count was 1,667. Among the many highlights was an appearance by professional drivers Mario Andretti and Parnelli Jones, both Indianapolis 500 winners and owners of FMC2900R motorhomes. “They brought their race cars and showed the children,” she recalled.
“Family” had extra meaning, as their motorhome was always filled with additional passengers. Along with the Worsts’ three biological children, Louise and her husband, Carl, cared for 55 foster kids over the years. They adopted two. “Each year, we had five to 10 extra children with us,” Louise said. For instance, in 1973, when their oldest child graduated from high school and performed with the Up With People singing group, they were fostering five children.
“It was such a pleasure to take the children cross-country to the rallies,” she said.
Carl passed away in 1977 at the age of 48. In 1980, Louise married Merlyn “Buck” Moore. After his passing, she continued traveling with a friend.
Louise has collected memorabilia from the two dozen or so FMCA conventions she attended in various locations throughout the United States. One she particularly remembers is FMCA’s March 1998 gathering on the grounds of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, which set a new attendance record at the time with 7,258 coaches. RVs filled the campus, and the overflow had to be parked in additional lots, including at a nearby mall. “We were (security volunteers) and had a lot to do,” she said.
Louise has been active in camping groups over the years, including FMCA’s Hoosier Cruisers and Foretravel International chapters.
“I have continued to belong to FMCA — 50 years,” she said.
Share Your News
Do you own an unusual RV, participate in an interesting hobby, travel with pets, or have an RV adventure to tell about? Has your chapter observed a major anniversary, held a rally with a fun theme, honored a dedicated member, or helped out a charity? We want to hear about it. Share your story in 500 words or less, or contact us to tell us about an RV owner you think others should know about. A high-resolution photo and caption instead of an article are also welcome. Email editor@fmca.com; mail Family Matters, c/o Family RVing, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244.