Sunday April 19 in Tupelo, Mississippi

Well, the first part of our service/Red Bay adventure is over. We left Red Bay late friday afternoon to visit Elvis' birthplace. Although neither of us have much real interest in that. But since we have to go back to Red bay, we throught we'd go somewhere else for the weekend. Had a nice day shopping and looking around. We found a very nice RV park very near the main shopping area. See the pics.

We went on another tour of the Tiffin plant when they were working. Much more interesting to see things happening and hear all the nises of productivity. A few more pics are included. Also below are the links to our web picture storage. Lots there and maybe some duplicates, but you can decided what is of interest.

Here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/river.ratg/MPicsAtTiffinAndTupelo#

and here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/river.ratg/RossRedBayApril16#

Sunday we are off back to Red Bay to finish up a few of the minor things, get the workstation installed and then finally head home.

Allegro Campground

Here is a small number of the total coaches waiting for service, here for plant tours and just visiting.

Phaeton awaiting shipment

Allegro Open Road awaiting shipment

Final detailing before paint and interior finishing

Rear cap installed

Galley slide awaiting installation.

roof installed with AC etc.

Awaiting front cap

Ready to install side walls

Various internal assemblies being added

Ford gas chassis with floor installed

Freightliner rear diesel rear end

Freightliner/Cummins rear diesel chassis

Ford gas chassis

Allegro ready for paint

Tiffin Motor Home factory tour

Update - April 13 at Red Bay

Well; a uneventful drive from Beverly beach to Columbus GA. Spend a few night there in Lake Pines RV park. Very quite park, friendly staff, but we felt like we were not really wanted there. No people talking or visiting about or anythging. Didn't even bother with a picture. Nothing remarkable and I doubt we'd stop there again. Saturdy we drom Columbus GA to Red bay al. We stayed in Columbes becaisue the allegro camp was full the week before Easter. We arrived late afternoon on saturday and got a site no problem. Amazing number of Tiffin coaches here for various reasons including just a visit. I went on the tour of the Tiffin factory today. Not very busy when I went, but it was the end of the shift. Advice: go to the morning tour to see things moving. Not exacly a high tech operation as far as the assembly process. It is interesting to see the raw chassis awaiting start of assembly. I think a fairly standard process of piling stuff on top of the frame. Huge amount of wiring, plumbing etc. Amazing it all works with as few problems as there is. Chris Berry is going to craft a desk for Mary for work. We may end up staying here this entire week. Put in a work order to have our rust looked at, wipers fixed and a number of other more minor things. Photos from tour are here:http://picasaweb.google.com/river.ratg/RedBayTiffinPlantTourApril132009

Most should be obvious. Cannot tour the paint shop or area where they complete the frame welding etc. Right now Tiffin production is 3 coaches every day. They expect to get up to 5 a day next week. Good sign.

Interesting town. More industry than I expected (iother than Tiffin), but fair small overall.

April 4th update after the rally

We made our way from Topsail to the Tiffin RV Network at Beverly Beach Camptown. it's located on the Atlantic coast about 60 miles south of Jacksonville. Terrible drive to get there, hard rain about half the way (200 miles). First issue with the coach also showed up on the trip. Wiper problems. Made the drive interesting to say the least. But we made it. Arrived a bit late for the welcome meeting at the rally, but joined anyway and had fun. met a great group of folks, saw lots of things people had done to improve their coaches etc. Great pot luck dinner Saturday and a fire on the beach afterwards.
Thanks to all the people that brought food and shared their stories, coaches and knowledge.

We made a trip into St. Augustine (north) and down to Daytona Beach, Titisville, Coco Beach, Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. Daytona Beach was a hoot. There were car, trucks etc all over the beach. Which seemed to go on forever. Very fun to see. Lots of hotels etc. on the beach drive that looked like they were from the era when Sinatra was a young man. Very dated. Lots of them appear to have been updated and renamed as well. To say it was a touristy would be a understatement. Still fun to see. Tons of people out on the beach. You can drive all over it, but it is controlled and patrolled.

Stopped at the Space Center, but didn't go in. It was late in the day and more than a little expensive. So, I'll go back when I have a whole day to devote to it and the bus tour of the launch area etc.. Did get a few pics through. Interesting to see the general area. Drive A1A beach hughway to Daytona and saw many beautiful homes on the ocean. Not dated until you get right in town.

Staying on the beach until wedesday then starting the slow drive back home. Boo-hoooo

Pics coming later. Connection is to slow right now.

See Ya!!