Roadtrek Chapter Rally, Foxborough, MA

Monday, 9 September

Sprinty is spending the next few days glamping with the cousins at a Roadtrek rally being held at Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort in Foxborough, MA.

Sprinty’s navigator was getting confused on the two different spellings:  Foxboro or Foxborough.  So he looked it up.  "Foxborough" is the official spelling of the town name, although the alternative spelling "Foxboro" is also frequently used.  This alternative spelling is used by the United States Postal Service as the correct form by which to address mail to recipients in the town although both can be processed by their system.

We arrived mid-afternoon and got Sprinty all settled in.  Took us all of about five minutes.  

We then walked back up to the main office to pick up the two packages we had mailed here (and forgot to ask for when we checked in), then went by the recreation lodge to check-in with the rally organizers.  While at the check-in, we ran into other Roadtrekkers we knew from previous rallies.

Fifty Roadtreks is the most we have seen in one gathering.  We have been at some rallies with as many as forty.  While the campsites were nicely spaced, the campground was open enough to be able to see most of the rigs.

At 4pm, they had a wine and cheese social, and it was great opportunity to talk with friends made at previous rallies.

Jim and Chris Guld (www.GeeksonTour.com) were up from South Florida.  We met them at the FMCA International Rally in Indianapolis in July 2017.  Carol from Kentucky was here - she is the lady whose water pump was not working properly during the Roadtrek caravan Sprinty did in August 2018 in Illinois.  Lyle and Robin from Raburn, GA also traveled up.  Dave and Jan from Florida came up.  Obey and Chris, whom we met in Indio, CA last January, came all the way from Colorado.  And several others we have met.  Of the 50 Roadtreks, we probably know over a dozen from previous rallies.

Tuesday, 10 September

A slow morning with no golf planned.  Spent some time with Lyle and Robin comparing notes on improvements we have made to our Roadtreks.  We also walked the glampground which has a broad suite of amenities.  Four swimming pools - three outdoor (one heated) and one inside.  Bocce ball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe area, soccer fields, basketball courts, disc golf course, and the list goes on and on.  More and nicer amenities than we have at home in Soleil.  Of course, Soleil is an over-55 community and Normandy Farms is focused on families.

One of the reasons this rally is being held is that it is the annual Roadtrek Chapter meeting where Roadtrek International Chapter business is conducted.  All the Roadtrek International Chapter officers and most of the region Vice Presidents are here to do the business side of the Roadtrek Chapter.  Today, they had an executive board meeting, followed by regional meetings, and then a general meeting.

 At  11am, we attended a Region meeting to get the latest info from headquarters - not much other than the dues are going up primarily because the Chapter is not getting the support from Roadtrek (the company) since it went bankrupt in January.

At the general meeting in the afternoon, we got briefed on the financial situation and some of the changes being implemented due to the financial situation.  The officers for the Chapter were nominated and approved.

At 4pm, they had a BYOB and snack to share social, followed by a catered dinner.  During the social and dinner, we got to know some more of our rally mates and learn some of their travels.  One couple had done one of the caravan trips we are thinking about, so it was noice to get their perspective and to ask questions.  

Wednesday, 11 September

Another laid back day at the rally.  At 10am, we attended the Smartphone Photography seminar led by Jim and Chris Guld of www.GeeksonTour.com.  We first met them at the FMCA rally in Indianapolis in July 2017, and got a subscription to their learning series.  Kris has been learning a lot about how to do various things on her smartphone and tablet, and sometimes even teaches Darrell a new trick.

Today was one of those.  A lot of good tips and tricks, many we already knew.  We still learned some new tricks, and felt the seminar was time well spent.

After lunch, Dave from Florida hosted a Question and Answer seminar which was a good information sharing opportunity.  Some people have had their Roadtreks for years, some for only a few weeks.  Many question about how to do x, y or z.  While most of the Q&A was specific to the Dodge and Chevy-based Roadtreks, there were a few ideas we benefited from.

After the Q&A seminar, Darrell visited Lyle and Robin to talk Sprinter-specific things, which then lead to talking about going to Alaska.

We enjoyed another catered dinner at the lodge.

Thursday, 12 September 

At 9am, we attended another GeeksOnTour seminar on smartphones where they went over 16 tips for smartphones.  Well attended, and a good opportunity to learn some new tricks.

It rained most of the morning, and the temperature started to drop into the 60s.  While the weather forecast indicated the rain chances as only 20%, we decided not to venture out on a damp, cool day.  Our golf adventure will have to wait for tomorrow.

The rally included an ice cream social with a long table of toppings.  Having enjoyed eating more than we usually eat for the last month, we both passed on the ice cream and saved room for dinner.  Dinner was also catered - Kris enjoyed the chicken, while Darrell had the salmon.

Friday, 13 September 

The final event of the rally was the farewell continental breakfast.  We arrived at the start time of 7:30 and spent over an hour with breakfast and goodbyes.

Once again, Sprinty liked the sleep-over with the cousins for a few days, while Darrell and Kris took a break from golf and adventuring to renew old acquaintances and make new ones.  We learned several things from talking with others about their adventures.  One couple had done the Lewis and Clark Trail caravan with Fantasy RV Tours, and we enjoyed hearing about their experience doing it with an organized caravan.  Another lady mentioned another caravan company that we weren’t aware of.  All in all, a nice rally.