Saturday (April 11th) - The 2009 Chapter 400 Spring rally commenced today at the 4 o'clock in the Exchange Park Fairground in Ladson, SC.  Judy welcomed everyone and introduced our rally hosts Doug & Judy Trumbull and Jim & Marge Eckles.  There are 21 rigs in attendance.  Rally attendees:  Pete & Nancy Armitage, Buddy & Shirley Barbe, Bob & Shirley Bishop, Bob & Dot Bragg, Mitch & Renae Butler, Richard & Fran Chasse, Carol Clyde, Art & Kathy Conway, Jim & Marge Eckles, Carl & Val Farley, Ernie & Judy Finch, Bill & Peg Jones, Don & Irene Lewis, Glen & Flower MacMillen, Dean & Winnie Murphy, Ed & Sylvia Nickles, George & Osa Ramberg, Paul & Sharon Surhoff, Bob & Marie Smith, Paul & Angie Thrash, and Doug & Judy Trumbull.

Judy Finch opened the rally with some announcements and then turned the floor over to Doug Trumbull.  Doug briefly went over the rally schedule stating that he will give a more detailed explanation at the 4 o'clock each day to cover the events for the following day.  At approximately 6:00 PM, we were treated to a delicious "Dump Soup" - each couple provided 2 cans of soup and the cooks added meat and pasta.  The meal also included French bread and a fresh fruit salad.  Following dinner, Doug handed out a "Travel Quiz" - lots of fun - best score was 17 out of 20!

The rally is being held at the Exchange park fairgrounds and we were provided an extremely large building with excellent kitchen facilities.  There is more than enough room for our 4 o'clocks, meals, and games.  TOP

Sunday (April 12th) - Today was scheduled as a free day, and being that it was Easter Sunday, many of our members attended various religious services in the area.  Later in the day time was put to good use with Bob handling some computer related issues and Art handling some RV related issues - never a shortage of items to be "fixed"!  We gathered at 4 o'clock as normal and then returned at 6 o'clock for an Easter dinner.  Ham and turkey were provided by our hosts and our ladies made side dishes to share.  Needless to say the food was abundant and delicious.  Not to be outdone by the Easter Parade on 5th Avenue in New York City, the Chapter 400 ladies (plus a few others) donned their Easter Bonnets and had their own prade.  The prize for best bonnet went to our president, Judy Finch.  TOP

Monday (April 13th) - Although the day was cool and overcast, it didn't stop us from our scheduled bus tour of the beautiful city of Charleston - and we got to ride in a Prevost!  Our tour guide was excellent both in her knowledge of the area and also in her presentation.  We tour around Charleston with a few stops.  Our first stop was to the well known Citadel with a visit to the chapel and then a ride around the campus.  Then a stop down by the waterfront with all of the beautiful houses and a view of Ft Sumter.  We were dropped off by the market for lunch with plenty of time to visit the market and view all the crafts and baskets that were for sale.  Dinner was on our own - but not to worry - there were Root Beer Floats at 7:00 PM.  Desert was followed by games.  TOP

Tuesday (April 14th) - The activities scheduled for today were moved to Thursday due to projected inclement weather.  Most members just relaxed while existing projects continued and Marie worked with a couple of our members on their computer picture programs.  In the afternoon, we were able to meet and greet out newest Chapter 400 members: Larry & Peggy DuMond - welcome!  Larry & Peggy have been full timing for approximately 6 years but have never heard of Chapter 400.  Art wasn't able to gloat because they never heard of Chapter 419 either - he was off to find an application.  After the 4 o'clock, we all travelled to Sticky Fingers for a delicious chicken and rib buffet - some fantastic barbeque sauces too.  After dinner, there were games in the main building.  TOP

Wednesday (April 15th) - Today we took a tour of the Mepkin Abbey and gardens in Moncks Corner, SC.  The property was once owned by Henry Laurens in the late 1700's, and later purchased by Henry & Clare Boothe Luce.  In 1949, the Luce's donated the property - some 3,000 acres - to the Trappist Monks.  The tour was led by a volunteer who was both interesting and informative.  The church is very simple in design - definitely not what we are used to seeing in other Catholic churches.  In the church, the monks "chant " seven prayer services each day, and we were able to observe the 12:00 Noon service.  Note the distinct lack of pictures inside the church as none are allowed.  Following the service, we left for lunch at Gilligan's - a local seafood restaurant.  Some of the group met for games later in the afternoon.  TOP

Thursday (April 16th) - The tour for today was to the Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC.  This plantation has been the ancestral home of the Drayton family since 1676.  Once a thriving rice plantation, it is now a public garden welcoming visitors from around the world.  On the leisurely walk, one can spot a variety of wildlife.  Posing for pictures were alligators, a box turtle, and a friendly looking raccoon.  Later in the day, we enjoyed a dinner - bringing our own meats to grill and a dish to share.  Marie & I had a special treat in that John & Barbara Marciano visited us at the rally for a couple of days and joined in on the tours.  These are very special friends who date back to our Goldwing motorcycle days in New York.  Following dinner many enjoyed the games with our "band" practicing in the background.  TOP

Friday (April 17th) - We started the day with a trip to Sullivans Island, SC and a tour of the historic Fort Moultrie.  This fort had been protecting Charleston harbor from June of 1776 through World War II, when modern technology made the fort obsolete.  In December of 1860, South Carolina seceded from the union and the Federal garrison abandoned Fort Moultrie for the stronger Fort Sumter.  In April of 1861, the Confederate troops on Fort Moultrie opened fire on Fort Sumter, causing the start of the Civil War.  After the tour of the fort, and on the way to lunch, we drove around the area to locate some interesting homes Marie & I had discovered on one of our motorcycle trips long ago.  They are WWII ammunition bunkers that people had converted into rather elaborate homes - nice if a home made out of concrete and stuck in the side of a hill is your thing!  In the afternoon, we travelled to the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where we viewed the final dress parade before graduation.  In the evening we had ice cream sundaes and were entertained with stories, skits and music.  In the helpful information category, Irene Lewis shared with the group the medical data she carries with her.  One is a small book with dates of appointments and tests, the other a folder with the results of tests and exams.  She states the doctors are very appreciative of the information she is able to provide - fantastic idea!  TOP

Saturday (April 18th) - The first event of the day was a trip to the old Charleston Naval Base to tour the CSS H. L. Hunley - a Confederate submarine.  The Hunley is credited as being the first successful submarine attack in that it sunk the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor on February 17th, 1864.  The word successful is relative - depending on whether you were wearing blue or gray on that fateful night.  In essence both vehicles sunk.  The submarine was recovered after 136 years and now rests in a 90,000 gallon fresh water tank while conservation processes take place.  A total of 21 men died on the Hunley - 13 in test dives and 8 on the final mission.  At 2:00 PM, the ladies gathered for a "Spoon Craft" projected conducted by Nancy Armitage.  Our meal for the evening consisted of pizza and salad - plus ice cream sundaes and root beer floats that were left over from previous nights.  Afterwards, folks gathered for cards and other games.  TOP

Sunday (April 19th) - Sunday, the final day of the rally, was scheduled as a free day.  Where did the week go!  Some members attended local church services, other took their own private tour, and some did absolutely nothing.  Those who took the tour reported at the 4 o'clock that they had a great time.  Buddy Barbe has a lot of patience to handle three women all day!  We met at the recreation building for closing ceremonies and dinner.  Judy handed out certificates of appreciation to Doug & Judy Trumbull and Jim & Marge Eckles for their fine efforts in coordinating this superb rally.  In his closing remarks, Doug said he hoped that they were able to give each of us a small taste of this area to wet our appetites enough to return.  Bob Smith went over the upcoming rallies and encouraged members to volunteer as rally hosts.  Our closing dinner was catered by Richard, the Exchange Park manager.  On the menu was Frogmore Stew.  We were assured that the name denoted the locale where the dish originated - not the ingredients!  Since it was a stew, some members were thinking they should bring bowls and spoons, but Richard stated he would provide plates and silverware.  It turned out Frogmore Stew not only did not contain frogs, but it was not a soupy stew that we expected.  It was a combination of corn on the cob, potatoes, shrimp, and sausage all boiled in one pot.  The trick was knowing when to add each of the items so they were all finished cooking at the same time.  Richard was more than willing to share the timing of ingredients - but not his "secret" recipe of spices.  It was delicious and more than enough for seconds and thirds.  Tomorrow most of us will depart in various directions, while some elected to stay another day.  Our next Chapter 400 Rally is the Pre-Rally in Platte City, MO - hope to see many of you there.   TOP