Forty-nine Marathon coaches gathered April 5-11, 2024, at The Vineyards of Fredericksburg RV Park in Fredericksburg, Texas, for Marathon Coach Club’s “Solar Eclipse” rally. Staying here was a nice experience; the RV Park was clean and well cared for, with friendly and accommodating staff. This rally welcomed 22 “First-Timers” to their first Marathon Club event.
On Saturday evening, a hearty Texas buffet was served, compliments of Brick’s River Café out of nearby Bandera. Owner Brick Gibson’s beef tenderloin with burgundy mushroom sauce was tremendous, as were the shrimp skewers and loaded mashed potatoes. The evening’s band, the Lone Star Pickerz, was talented, fun and really knew how to get everyone involved in their wonderful music and the festivities.
Forty-nine Marathon coaches gathered April 5-11, 2024, at The Vineyards of Fredericksburg RV Park in Fredericksburg, Texas, for Marathon Coach Club’s “Solar Eclipse” rally. Staying here was a nice experience; the RV Park was clean and well cared for, with friendly and accommodating staff. This rally welcomed 22 “First-Timers” to their first Marathon Club event.
On Saturday evening, a hearty Texas buffet was served, compliments of Brick’s River Café out of nearby Bandera. Owner Brick Gibson’s beef tenderloin with burgundy mushroom sauce was tremendous, as were the shrimp skewers and loaded mashed potatoes. The evening’s band, the Lone Star Pickerz, was talented, fun and really knew how to get everyone involved in their wonderful music and the festivities.
Sunday began with guided tours of the National Museum of the Pacific War, a world-class museum that details events of the Pacific War from beginning to end. One could easily spend an entire day here, but because another activity directly followed this one, only a couple hours were scheduled here. Some attendees also toured the museum’s Nimitz Gallery, which honors Admiral Chester Nimitz. (A fleet admiral in the U.S. Navy, Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg.) About two dozen attendees also strolled through the property’s serene and thought-provoking Japanese Garden of Peace.
Sunday’s next stop was beautiful Augusta Vin Winery, where attendees took a winery tour, tasted the winery’s offerings and shared an afternoon dining experience of deluxe charcuterie boards, gourmet sandwiches, and housemade truffles and ice cream. In the evening, another tasty dinner was provided by Brick Gibson in the Park’s Rally Hall followed by The Outlaw Firm show in town at the Rockbox Theater. Mike Blakely, John Greenberg and Jake Martin treated attendees to an unforgettable night of music and storytelling, a performance filled with original songs and captivating stories.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived: Monday, April 8, the day of the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. The morning began with yummy French toast casserole followed by an “Astronomy 101” presentation by Gregg Bellman, Vladimir Varchuk and Gustavo Garza from StarPartyUSA. Then everyone grabbed their comfy chairs and converged by the Park’s Pavilion, where the StarPartyUSA astronomers had several telescopes set up and binoculars available for in-depth viewing of the eclipse.
But would attendees get a chance to use them? Because the sky was quite cloudy, everyone was nervous that there’d be nothing to see. Fortunately, the clouds parted just in time, which allowed the group to view the four-and-a-half minutes of totality. Later that afternoon, Texas Service Manager Chris Lewis did a “TechTalk” session in the Rally Hall about inverters and shore power, which was well-received. Thanks, Chris!
On Tuesday, after a tasty lunch in town at Mamacita’s Restaurant, attendees loaded the transportation buses and traveled to The Preserve, a local attraction devoted to elephants. And what a unique adventure it was! Upon arrival, an elephant educator addressed the group, telling them about Asian elephants and what they would experience with the female Asian elephants they would meet: Kitty, Rosie and Becky. These pachyderms were not just entertaining, they were also talented and smart. On the return bus ride to the RV Park, more than one attendee shared that this activity was their favorite! On Tuesday night, the group enjoyed a nice dinner in town at August E’s.
The transportation buses loaded early Wednesday morning for Garrison Brothers Distillery, where award-winning Texas bourbon is made. Upon arrival, some attendees sidled up to the counter and ordered bourbon slushies, while others loaded into Garrison’s flatbed trailer and were taken to the top of the hill for the distillery tour. At the conclusion of the tours, a savoury catered barbecue lunch was served.
On Wednesday evening, attendees shared their final meal in town at Western Edge Kitchen & Cocktails. Here the food was delicious and the service exceptional. Added to that, everyone was smiling and their moods upbeat. After dessert, a variety of Marathon Coach and rally-inspired gifts were raffled off. Then everyone said farewell to their tablemates and to the new friends they’d made, and the buses returned to the RV Park.
We look forward to seeing this group of attendees at a future rally, as well as other Marathon Club members!
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