Sometimes
it’s more fun to leave the details to someone
else.
Going
on an RV tour has its advantages. It’s like participating
in a bus tour, but instead of staying in hotels and
eating in restaurants, you get a chance to enjoy the
comforts of your own rig – especially home-cooked
meals.
Our Big Apple Rally in New York City involved working
on an agenda for about 18 months leading up to the event.
Because the excursion began on a Sunday and wrapped
up on the following Saturday, participants had a full
weekend to travel to their destination, and the following
weekend to return home.
We discovered a nearby campground where we could park
our RVs requiring full hookups including electricity,
water and sewer. Newburgh KOA Kampground met all of
these needs – and supplied the most important
necessity, cable TV. We arranged for a bus to transport
people from the campground to the city. Our final planning
task involved settling on tours, shows and meals.
Sunday
The rally was launched with an orientation and catered
welcome dinner. Everyone met and discussed the agenda
before opening goodie bags containing ‘I Love
New York’ coffee mugs, foam Statue of Liberty
head gear, plus the latest scoop on the city that never
sleeps.
Monday
With the help of motorcoaches and tour guides, we were
off to spend the day downtown, starting with Ellis Island.
Pre-purchased ferry tickets were distributed on the
bus, and a box lunch at South Street Seaport gave way
to shopping at numerous stores and taking a boardwalk
stroll. We finished our day with a tour through Chinatown
and Greenwich Village, then concluded with a drive-by
of Ground Zero.
Tuesday
First was an all-morning NBC Studio walk-through in
mid-town Manhattan. Following lunch next door at the
Rockefeller Center, we shopped hotspots such as Saks
Fifth Avenue, and some of us experienced the glory of
St. Patrick’s Cathedral. At Radio City Music Hall,
we took the backstage route so we could rub elbows with
a Rockette.
Wednesday
The observation floor of the Empire State Building revealed
a Class A view. At Times Square, guides pointed out
the Imperial Theater where we would later see Dirty
Rotten Scoundrels. After the show, and only a block
away, a pork tenderloin dinner welcomed us at famous
Sardi’s Restaurant. We ended the day with the
spectacular lights of Broadway.
Thursday
Following a KOA breakfast, we took in the West Point
Military Academy before being bussed to the Hotel Thayer
for a buffet lunch. Next on our agenda was a leisurely
cruise on the Hudson River.
Friday
It was our last day and we ended up at Central Park
for walks and carriage rides.
Dinner at Tavern on the Green featured prime rib with
all the trimmings, and of course, a New York cheesecake
dessert. Then off to St. James Theater to witness The
Producers before taking a final glimpse of city lights.
Saturday
We exchanged goodbyes and addresses, and then made arrangements
to meet at other rallies.
Although not everything goes as planned when you tour
with a group, in most cases, you do more, see more and
enjoy more. Organized rallies give you an opportunity
to meet a great bunch of people who enjoy the RV lifestyle.
We’ve met folks from other parts of North America,
and formed life-long friendships along the way.
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