SOUTHEAST COUNTRY COACHERS SPRING RALLY

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

The Southeasters were ready for some fun. Even before the rally started the men gathered together, as usual, to work on various coach tasks. 

L to R : Max Hegler, Pete Hays, Buddy Bordes, Scott Loftfield seated, Marty Ott in back, George Sanders working on the Hydro Hot.

Our campground was the newly opened Hawkins Pointe RV Park just across the Tennessee state line in Rossville Georgia, convenient to Interstate 75 and the many things to do in Chattanooga. Owners John and Karen Hawkins are past members of SECC so we were excited to see their new venture. Our rally meeting “room” was their large RV storage barn and attached patio which worked very well for cool mornings and evenings when we enjoyed cocktail hour and catered meals.

 

Chattanooga was once known as one of the dirtiest, most polluted cities in the country. It is now a beautiful, healthy tourist destination with dozens of places to explore. Our first morning included an open-air van tour so everyone could get a good overview of the many sites they would want to return to see on their own. 

Many of our group now have Ebikes and enjoyed having a free day to ride part of the beautiful 16 mile Riverwalk along the Tennessee river.

 

L to R: guest Susan Johnsey, George Sanders, Myron Whitley, Kent McCoin, Marty & LouLou Ott in back, Dale McCoin, Dorcas Whitley. The ultra- modern Tennessee Aquarium is in the background, the highlight of the active waterfront that began its transformation of the city in the early 90’s.                                                                                                          

We enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Southern Belle, an old paddlewheel. It was a warm spring evening to be outside watching the city go by.

 

Right: Our group, posing at  the Southern Belle

Left, Myron Whitley, George Sanders & Buddy Bordes on the bow.

Our campground host John Hawkins is VP of Manufacturing of nearby Miller Industries. Miller Industries is the international manufacturer of those gigantic tow trucks that haul 18 wheelers, and the only ones that can safely and properly tow our Country Coaches. John and an associate took us on a very special private tour of the plant. Many of the vehicles we saw were customized to order. It was an amazing tour for everyone. 

   

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We are looking forward to our next rally in October at Traveler’s World RV Park, San Antonio, directly after the CCI Rally at Kerrville.