Brothers Converge on Lake Guntersville, Alabama

The first stop on the trip and our rendezvous point is the Oliver Rally being held in Lake Guntersville, Alabama. This is the second year in attendance for us but the first year for Don, Deb, and Ron.

We (Kathy and I) volunteered for some of the rally work (created slide show, ran golf tournament and helped with registration) so we needed to be there a bit early and arrived on Tuesday, May 14th while Don and Deb arrived with their new Oliver Travel Trailer on Wednesday and Ron on Thursday.

Ron is awaiting the delivery of his camper (July) but still met us for the rally and stayed in the lodge.

The slide show that we put together was intended as an introduction - your trailer, who you are and where you live - below are the photos of us:

That Wednesday night (before Don, Deb, & Ron arrived) the local Lions Club set up in the campground and offered "free" hot dogs, chips and homemade ice cream for all campers which was a very nice gesture and welcome event. We got to talk with several of the local residents and enjoy their offerings. The ice cream making operation was really cool - it was powered by an old (John Deer) hit and miss engine - quite entertaining.

John Deer driven ice cream machine

It was great for us brothers to be together for a few days and the rally was both fun and educational - we met and made friends with several other Oliver owners and we even plan to visit a couple on this west coast trip - California and Nevada residents.

Ron, Don, Debbie, Kathy & Darrell on the deck of the Lake Guntersville Lodge

(with drinks in hand)

Lake Guntersville State park is a beautiful setting for the rally and a wonderful park - I'd recommend a visit even if you don't camp as they have a beautiful lodge/restaurant and bar overlooking the lake. As we walked (or drove) around the park either early morning or late evening there were deer by the road everywhere that didn't seem to be alarmed by our presence. The camping sites are all located near the lake although the closer to the lake you get, the less shade available. We were near the lake and loved it - each evening offered beautiful sunsets.

Campground Sunset

Lake Guntersville Lodge View

The rally had several events scheduled and each night we were totally exhausted from trying to do them all. Kathy and I ran a golf tournament that included 18 golfers who participated - it was great fun and Don led his team (or they carried him) to the overall victory. Everyone had a great time and vowed to help make it bigger and better next year.

Oliver Rally Golf Tournament

Golf Tournament Winning Team

Denny, Jim, DeAnna, Don, & Bruce

We visited a winery in the area one evening for some sampling and some really good brick oven pizza. The pizza was better than the wine in my opinion - they served too many sweet wines that I don't really care for but we all enjoyed one called "White Trash" - go figure :-)

Closing ceremonies included a nice prime rib dinner, oldies music and so many door prizes that it actually took too long to get through them - the evening concluded with a grand prize - a portable Zamp Solar panel.

Saying good by to all of our friends (new and old) and sending Ron off for his drive home we (Kathy & I and Don & Debbie) headed west for our next stop scheduled for Memphis, Tennessee. We plan to arrive in Pebble Beach California in time for the US Open golf tournament but have many stops planned along the way there....stay tuned!

Sunset

Don & Deb

Roadside spectator