So let me point out something else that might not be so obvious to the casual observer.
See those pictures that mapguy posted? Pretty hard core, right?
A lot of us in this corner of RV.NET have met each other. (Sadly, I haven't met mapguy.) Many of us have met, and camped together, and ridden together. And some of us have been through some pretty tight scrapes. In some cases, we've been through some really horrible experiences together. The result is a bond that can't really be spelled out in dumb forum posts.
We used to have a yearly rally here in southern California. Every year it got a little bigger and bigger until it finally grew into something none of us could really manage. We had to get a permit from the BLM. There was no way to count the heads; by some counts, there were over 300 people there. Even if you factor out BS and exaggeration, that's still hundreds of people and one hell of a party.
Things have kind of splintered since then, but the bond is still pretty much there. I posted on Facebook a few months ago that I was in a bind with a DIY project at home, and then my cell started ringing with suggestions from friends who I hadn't seen in ages.
A couple of weeks ago I was whining about a transportation problem I have at home (too many licensed drivers and not enough wheels). Before one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi, three-Mississippi... My phone rang and the buddy who I happened to camp next to at the very first Rally in '04 called me up and told me he had a dual-sport bike that I could borrow until my little household crisis blows over. Damn. That's pretty, uh, words fail me. Pretty incredible.
One of the gents who posted earlier in this thread loaned me a battery at one of our trips. It was the first trip after I installed my first inverter, and my young (at the time) daughter decided to fire up the toaster and make some waffles. (Who brought a toaster on this trip? Are you kidding me???) The toaster fried some wiring and killed one of my Trojans. I thought we were going to have to pack up and split. But he stepped up like he was loaning me a cup of sugar. I'm guessing he doesn't even remember it.
A lot of members here have pulled a lot of thorns out of a lot of lion's paws. And it happens so naturally.
So am I protective of my little corner of the internetz? Hell yes.
Do I stand there like Iron Eyes Cody with a tear in my eye when fools take it over? Hell yes.
And why not?!?! Why should I let fools litter up my corner of the highway?
So yes, perhaps I appear to overreact at times. Oh well. Hopefully the long time members remember why. There are newcomers signing on every day. Unless one of them steps up and organizes a new Rally, they'll never know the fun that we've known. But I still hold out a chance for them.
And yeah, I realize that we don't all live here in So Cal. I even created a map so we can all get a better picture of where our members live. I look at it all the time to put things in perspective. (But the rest of y'all need to know that you're totally missing out, because as screwed up as CA is, we have the opportunity, motive, and location to pull off the perfect party.)
So yes, I'd rather infuriate some Tire Nerds and some Blue Hairs than see good people be driven off from this forum. Chase me in your Rascals; I bet I can lose you.
I imagine I'll get called on the carpet...again. It won't be the first time. So be it. Put it on my tab. It's totally worth it.
Happy Trails, Toy Hauler family. And for the rest, you're welcome to visit. But if you're not good guests, you might be asked to leave. Seems fair to me.
dedmiston wrote: So let me point out something else that might not be so obvious to the casual observer.
See those pictures that mapguy posted? Pretty hard core, right?
A lot of us in this corner of RV.NET have met each other. (Sadly, I haven't met mapguy.) Many of us have met, and camped together, and ridden together. And some of us have been through some pretty tight scrapes. In some cases, we've been through some really horrible experiences together. The result is a bond that can't really be spelled out in dumb forum posts.
We used to have a yearly rally here in southern California. Every year it got a little bigger and bigger until it finally grew into something none of us could really manage. We had to get a permit from the BLM. There was no way to count the heads; by some counts, there were over 300 people there. Even if you factor out BS and exaggeration, that's still hundreds of people and one hell of a party.
Things have kind of splintered since then, but the bond is still pretty much there. I posted on Facebook a few months ago that I was in a bind with a DIY project at home, and then my cell started ringing with suggestions from friends who I hadn't seen in ages.
A couple of weeks ago I was whining about a transportation problem I have at home (too many licensed drivers and not enough wheels). Before one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi, three-Mississippi... My phone rang and the buddy who I happened to camp next to at the very first Rally in '04 called me up and told me he had a dual-sport bike that I could borrow until my little household crisis blows over. Damn. That's pretty, uh, words fail me. Pretty incredible.
One of the gents who posted earlier in this thread loaned me a battery at one of our trips. It was the first trip after I installed my first inverter, and my young (at the time) daughter decided to fire up the toaster and make some waffles. (Who brought a toaster on this trip? Are you kidding me???) The toaster fried some wiring and killed one of my Trojans. I thought we were going to have to pack up and split. But he stepped up like he was loaning me a cup of sugar. I'm guessing he doesn't even remember it.
A lot of members here have pulled a lot of thorns out of a lot of lion's paws. And it happens so naturally.
So am I protective of my little corner of the internetz? Hell yes.
Do I stand there like Iron Eyes Cody with a tear in my eye when fools take it over? Hell yes.
And why not?!?! Why should I let fools litter up my corner of the highway?
So yes, perhaps I appear to overreact at times. Oh well. Hopefully the long time members remember why. There are newcomers signing on every day. Unless one of them steps up and organizes a new Rally, they'll never know the fun that we've known. But I still hold out a chance for them.
And yeah, I realize that we don't all live here in So Cal. I even created a map so we can all get a better picture of where our members live. I look at it all the time to put things in perspective. (But the rest of y'all need to know that you're totally missing out, because as screwed up as CA is, we have the opportunity, motive, and location to pull off the perfect party.)
So yes, I'd rather infuriate some Tire Nerds and some Blue Hairs than see good people be driven off from this forum. Chase me in your Rascals; I bet I can lose you.
I imagine I'll get called on the carpet...again. It won't be the first time. So be it. Put it on my tab. It's totally worth it.
Happy Trails, Toy Hauler family. And for the rest, you're welcome to visit. But if you're not good guests, you might be asked to leave. Seems fair to me.
I understand the 'bonding'......that's natural, almost a given.
BUT you do realize this is a free, open to all forum and not your personal little fiefdom.
You might be the big fish in a little pond but others get to swim also.
So hopefully you can curb that personal bias and conduct/moderate according to the established rules (except for #1...that one is bogus/lacks credibility) without alienating those that don't belong to the 'club'.......too tough then maybe it's time to just participate. Sometimes passion over rides objective viewing.
Just my personal observation......
2007 RAM 3500 QC LB SRW 5.9L CTD 48re 4:10 4K in bed 'quiet genny'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
Hit the Road Free & Clear April '07
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
beemerphile1 wrote: WOW, I always thought my TH was more closely related to a TT than a C or A.
The TT toy hauler is NOT the only toy hauler RV.
...I'm starting think the MOD doesn't even know there are other types of toy hauler forum members other than the TT type that would, could or don't anymore read the 'toy hauler' forum because of comments like that.(
I never said my TH was the only kind. You are the one that felt the need to educate us as to what a TH is. Did you get your meds mixed up again?
snicker, snicker.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
You DO NOT have to have a Toy Hauler to be part of this big happy family.
If I read it right, Y GUY has a motor home and is very welcome here as well as being a MOD.
I went to 2 or 3 RV Net "rally's", I defiantly remember Travel Trailers(My Sons) and Truck mounted campers as well as MoHo's, so thats NOT an issue !!
What I get tired of reading is the bickering back and forth and I am guilty some times.
If you state your thoughts, thats fine, if someone differs with them, thats fine as well, but to go back and forth, over and over, does NOT accomplish anything. There are better things to do in life that exercise your fingers when you know very well it isn't going to change anything.
It seems to me its generally the same people who insist on pushing their opinion on everyone else, if you can help the O P with some advice, by all means do it, but don't insist that the everyone else agree with you.
Can't we all just get along ??
2008 GMC 2500HD 4X4 DMax CC LB
2004 Thor Wanderer Wagon 247WTB
2006 TE450 Husky
2007 Rhino Sport Edition
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