Off to GNR

The Winnebago Grand National Rally (GNR) in Forest City IA was again a great success.  The schedule of events was a bit too cramped to get everything done that we would have liked to do but all in all still a lot of fun and we continue to meet super people in the Winnebago Itasca Travelers (WIT) club.  We did manage to attend a few seminars to learn about cooking and cleaning our RV.  As a member of the NetWIT group, I was recruited to give a seminar on Windows 8 basics.  It went OK and at least no one walked out on me.

GNR offered some “opportunities” to invest in the motor home.  To improve the ride quality we had new shocks installed and because I had become more frustrated with trying to line up the manual DirecTV dish I also invested in a new automatic dish from Winegard.  We now have HD TV and it lines up with just a push of the button (as long as you find a spot with no trees in the way).  We are becoming more acquainted with one of the basic laws of RVing.  If you have a problem it can most likely be solved by throwing some money at it.   

Of course no GNR would be complete without a few side trips to eat at some of the local establishments.  Right next to the grounds is a Lodge with a new restaurant.  We decided to give it a try.  Well it was under new management and the night we stopped was a “soft” opening.  It did not go well.  Only one waitress and apparently only one cook.  We don’t think either has had any prior restaurant experience.  Food was served cold, the table was served a few plates at a time over about an hour, and we didn’t get any salads or bread.  It was Ted’s idea to give it a try and we didn’t let him forget it.  We did have some good food.  Pizza Ranch, Mitchel’s Bar & Grill ($1.50 burgers), and even the food on site was pretty good.