Motor coach owners trek to Yuma for national rally

The American Coach Association is holding its Fall National Rally for the first time in Yuma this week.

The Southern California Chapter is hosting the “big party” for owners of the luxury motor coach at The Palms RV Resort, 3400 S. Avenue 7E, now through Oct. 6.

“We're a bit excited since we've never had a national rally in Yuma. It will be a new experience for everyone with new places to see and new and unique events,” Beverly Petty, publicity chair, said.

More than 100 motor coaches are parked side to side at the RV park. Participants have wheeled into Yuma from across the country, from Oregon to Florida.

“There aren't that many places in California that can have such a big group. We needed space for over 100 motor coaches and a ballroom where we could feed them,” Petty said in explaining why they chose The Palms for this rally.

“And it's right over the border (from California). It's a really nice park and they've been very accommodating.”

Several “unique adventures” have been planned for participants, including a poker run through town, a car show and a Red Solo Cup Social.

“Hot rods, hot dogs and cold beer – now there are three things that really go together,” Petty quipped.

Rally organizers even thought of the four-legged fur family members. The Mutt Mingle on Wednesday allowed them to bob for hot dogs, participate in the bark contest and have their human parents guess the number of treats in the jar.

On Thursday participants will put on their boogie shoes, first for a practice with a line dancing class, and then the real deal – music and dancing – following a cocktail party and a Mexican dinner.

Other activities include a ladies' lunch, chapter socials, lots of food, entertainment, dancing, beautiful show coaches, shuffle board, billiards, an ice cream social, bingo, vendors, fitness (a daily walk) and raffles.

Proceeds go toward a scholarship fund that benefits the families of Decatur, Ind., where American Coach motor homes are made.

“We want to give back to the people in Decatur and help their kids,” Petty said.

One of the most popular features of the rally is that the factory sends out a crew who work on the motor homes.

Seminars are also being held, including the “very timely” topic on motor home safety and exit strategies. Petty pointed out that the chapter recently lost a member due to a fire.

“(Safety is) something we all should know how to do,” she noted.

Those wanting to venture beyond the resort are invited to participate in shopping and sightseeing tours, such as a birding and photography tour, a jet boat ride on the lower Colorado River, and a narrated day trip of the Lower Colorado through the Imperial Wildlife Refuge with stops at a mining cabin built in the 1800s and Indian petroglyphs.

Participants were also invited to bring their passports and travel south to Los Algodones, Son.

If an American Coach owner is interested in participating in the last few days of the rally, call Debbie Darby at 805-469-2903. For more information on the rally, call Petty at 949-433-1850.

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or (928) 539-6856. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSMaraKnaub or on Twitter at @YSMaraKnaub.