Trip Update 2010 Part 1 FL

Born Free RVs at FMCA Rally in FL

Sam Houston at 77 feet tall

We started off the month attending a Family Motor Coach Association Rally in Brooksville FL. We met up with 25 other Born Free RVs and formed a convoy to enter the rally. Having all of our rigs lined up was quite a sight, especially since we rarely ever see another Born Free RV in our travels. There were over 1800 RVs there, and at 24’ long, we were one of the smallest RVs there. While there we attended a 6 hour class on RV safe driving, along with classes on batteries, insurance, and computer topics. Of course, vendors were there to sell you the latest and greatest gizmos to make your RVing lifestyle even more wonderful.
After a few days touring FL, we attended a Rialta Rally in Panama City Beach. There were 40 Rialta RVs in attendance. We used to be a member of the Rialta Club, but since we sold our Rialta and bought a Born Free, we are now SOB members. It’s not that they don’t like us anymore - it’s just that we have Some Other Brand than a Rialta. Here our rig stood out, since the Rialta RVs are 21 feet long and have a lower profile. This was strictly a social get together with lots of food. It was good to see many of our friends.

Trip Update Feb 2010 part 2 Mardi Gras

We had a plane to catch in Houston, so we left FL and headed across LA. As luck would have it, my birthday, Fat Tuesday and being in Louisiana all converged on the same day. Not to miss such good fortune, we attended two Mardi Gras parades. Some good old Louisianan seafood finished the day. (In binary code this was my 111100 birthday!)

Trip Update Feb 2010 part 3 Bonaire

Snorkeling Beach
Captain Don's Habitat
Pink Falmingos
Treatment Plant at Habitat


We took a red-eye flight to Bonaire and spent a week with our friends Lois and Eldon. In between snorkeling trips, touring the island and checking out several restaurants, we relaxed. I did work with Eldon and the staff on troubleshooting problems with the onsite wastewater treatment system. Eldon, Yanjin and I are still working on optimizing the treatment plant at Captain Don’s Habitat. The plan to build a central wastewater treatment plant on the island has been postponed due to budget problems. So our plant is still the only treatment plant on the island removing nitrogen and helping to protect their reef. After a quick week, we flew back to Texas and resumed our westward tour.