campingshadow
Waskom, Texas
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Joined: 11/24/2002
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I was an extremely active member in Good Sam and RV.net 20 years ago. Lots of rallies to go to and a couple I started myself. Then life got in the way and I ended up living in my 5th wheel RV and running an RV park and that puta crimp on my RVing. Got talked into buying a house and not being able to tow the 5vr really messed up my rally days.
Fast forward to today. Much older and wanting to travel and play before I am too old to do so. Bought a 2001 Damon Intruder class A and ready to find a Good Sam Chapter and a few rallies to attend….. and they are gone. National Good Sam chapters….gone. Most of state level around here gone. And nothing in the forum about rallies anywhere.
So sad. What happened in the last 20 years? I feel like Rip Van Winkle…..took a nap and woke up to this? Yikes.
Shadow and LD
Angel. 15 lb Toy Fox Terrier
2001 Damon Intruder. 349. Class A
Semi-retired and loving it!!!!
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tahiti16
Camarillo, CA
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Joined: 06/23/2008
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Covid happened for Good Sam, they were quite active until then.
RV net died before that almost no activity.
Ray, Cheryl & of course Miss Molly the four-legged child
2006 Dolphin 36' F53 V10 5 speed auto 2 slides 7.5 KW genset
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bob213
Fresno, CA
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Joined: 12/09/2007
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Good Sam pulled their support from their chapters so they could give more to their associates. Uh-huh. Most chapters still exist but without the GoodSam name. Here in Central/Northern California there were at least 15 chapters. Some decided to stay with an umbrella group and others voted to go on their own without any affiliation to any larger group. Check FaceBook and other social media for group listings. We are members of two groups. One stayed with the big group and the other is a loner group. Good luck finding a group.
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality – Ayn Rand
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campingshadow
Waskom, Texas
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Joined: 11/24/2002
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So sad to see RV net and Good Sam lose so much of its support. Years ago it was a wonderful place to be and the rallies were so much fun. Started a couple of great ones in CA. Really was hoping to revive the fun.
I will do as you say and check on Facebook for anything local..
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Scottiemom
Florida
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Joined: 09/09/2003
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FMCA is still around and having rallies. They have two (I think) national rallies every year. Hundreds of chapters you can join and they all have rallies and/or get togethers. Escapees RV Club is also still active with national rallies every year and regional and special interest clubs with activities.
If you are old as dirt as I am you surely remember NCHA, National Campers and Hikers Association. They put on the biggest ever rallies, one with over 7,000 attendees at Camp Attebury in Indiana. It is still around, a shadow of its former self and now called Family Campers and RVers.
Since my DH died, I still want to camp. I now live in Florida so I searched for something with chapters here. I found RVing women, which is for all women regardless of race, ethnicity, etc. I have camped with them and they are a lot of fun for such a diverse group. I like having campouts in my new state, because I don't know it very well and the campouts are always in different areas of the state every month.
So let your fingers do the walking and look up some of these. You might find something that will work for you.
Dale
Dale Pace
Widow of Terry (Teacher's Pet)
Traveling with Brendon, my Scottish Terrier
2022 Honda Odyssey
2011 Mazda Miata MX-5
2021 Coach House Platinum III 250DT
Fulltimed for 15 years, now living in Florida
http://www.skoolzoutforever.blogspot.com/
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bgum
South Louisiana
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Joined: 02/22/2006
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"The times they are a changing"
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campingshadow
Waskom, Texas
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Dale, thanks for the info on possible rallies or get together. I did get a message from the Jolly Good Sams in Dallas that the National Good Sams are gone and few regional ones are left. Some are still functioning, just under the Good Sam banner. I guess COVID was a rally killer.
Now I have to deal with another killer. Dementia. My other half is dealing with it. I had hoped getting back into RVing would give him some good times but now that is not working as well as I hoped. I will have to see how much I will be able to hold everything together by myself. I am older, but not down yet. Lol
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Scottiemom
Florida
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Joined: 09/09/2003
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campingshadow wrote:Dale, thanks for the info on possible rallies or get together. I did get a message from the Jolly Good Sams in Dallas that the National Good Sams are gone and few regional ones are left. Some are still functioning, just under the Good Sam banner. I guess COVID was a rally killer.
Now I have to deal with another killer. Dementia. My other half is dealing with it. I had hoped getting back into RVing would give him some good times but now that is not working as well as I hoped. I will have to see how much I will be able to hold everything together by myself. I am older, but not down yet. Lol
Really sorry you're dealing with these problems. Dementia is a real thrill killer. I hate being out here on my own, but I hate sitting at home worse. So on I go.
Take care and good luck.
Dale
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NamMedevac 70
Reno
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Joined: 11/09/2020
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The escapees RV forum frequently list rally information.
At 76 I stay very active fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking and sightseeing/traveling often plus frequent long walks and stair climbing. This helps me mentally and physically. I feel pretty good even with IHD/CAD, OSA and GERD. Enjoy the 4 Rs if you can.
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* This post was
edited 06/05/23 11:21pm by NamMedevac 70 *
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