I recently returned from the National Rally in Lebanon, Tennessee. In the past I have been Co-chairs and one Chair and do realize the complexity of this event. My hat is off to ALL rally chairs past, this year’s and in the future.

Having been to 19 of these events since 1996 in Morgantown, North Carolina, I have noticed the “corporate shift.” It was a little disappointing when I noticed this shift in the seminar schedule. I recognize this as a necessary move and am not here to criticize. It is easy to look back to “the good ole days” and call for a return, but I am not here to do that. As Jacob McCandles said to Sam Sharp Nose, “Times change.” Certainly, today there are more signs, more restrictions and we now pay for things once free, like the Overland area. I’m not complaining; it is what it is.

I would be remiss if I did not point out that type of site at a KOA is usually less. A laundry and swimming pool is included. (And no rally fee.) I realize it is a significant income.

That first rally, I recall an experienced rally-goer leading me to the beer tent, buying $20 worth of tickets and in a few hours having to buy more tickets. Upon leaving the beer garden that night, I recall not being able to find my tent! I also remember the guy on a Slash 5 pulling a torpedo trailer, and the guy on a GL1000 with the Bloody Mary bar in his right pannier. The happy couple up from Florida on a Slash 6 with tent and blankets piled higher than their heads. Then there was Fred, the chemist, I believe from Massachusetts who had an R 60 with over 500,000 miles on the clock. Kermit selling his chair, then later, as Dancin’ Dave noted this month, his bags.

In Trenton, where I got my Kermit chair stolen, I recall sitting around the camp and discussing how the K 75 was the perfect motorcycle and somewhere talking about how correct it was that the R 90/6 was named touring bike of the year in the mid-1970s and that how because of it we have the modern K bike.

Then, there was how camping next to, or at least within an extension cords length of, an outlet for first one or two, then more and more CPAP use. Can you tell I am already looking forward to next year’s rally?
I do have an observation/suggestion. As the heat rose and rally goers sought relief, the air-conditioned buildings were closed too early by at least an hour.

Lastly, I subscribe to the online version of ON. On my 10” iPad, I cannot reverse pinch enough to get the printing to be easily read. I am guessing since someone took the time to make page turning noise, this could be addressed. Or just tell me to buy stronger readers and I will.