The Four States Fairgrounds is a place known for its rodeos. This week, wranglers of a whole different sort have parked over 300 recreational vehicles, or motor coaches onto the grounds for the Family Motor Coach RV Rally.
The Family Motor Coach Association, which counts its membership mainly by the 73,000 vehicles total in the nationwide organization (average two members per motor coach), has a few periodic and annual gatherings for members to socialize, gain information and to network.
"We have over 400 chapters and smaller sub groups, gathered around various social groups and interests," said Jon Walker (70), national president and member since 1999. "We have bikers. We have religious groups, we have many other groups and many other interests, people embracing the RV lifestyle."
The element that unites these disparate people is a love for travel.
"Some of our members don't even have permanent houses, electing to live out of their motor coaches year round," said Joe Wright (75), national vice president for the south central area of the organization and a member since 1982.
Established in 1963, back then, recreational vehicles weren't even commercially available. The original group of families that founded the organization custom built their recreational vehicle out of an old school bus. Recreational trailers were available, but motor coaches and recreational vehicles wouldn't come along until later, appearing en masse in the 1970s in the form of the boxy Winnabego.
Now, thousands of travellers take to the highways in these vehicles. Currently, membership in the Family Motor Coach Association is limited to motor coaches. But one of the issues the organization's members is deciding is whether they want to open membership to trailer travelers.
"The officers of this organization only carry out the wishes of the membership, usually expressed by voting," said Walker. "Members own this organization and make policy for it."
Dan Stansel (73) and his wife Shirley traveled from Ballard, Texas for the rally. Retired from the restaurant business that he owned for 30 years, he, his wife and a dog named Snickers have been traveling with the organization since 2008.
"I had a chance to travel a bit in the Navy, seeing Charleston, NC and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. But after retirement, we've gotten to see areas of the US we've never been. Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore and the like," said Stansel.
"We've travelled to the Jack Daniels Distillery, camped out at Loretta Lynn's placewhen you motor home, you do it at your own pace. Some places, you need reservations. Most you can just go," he said.
Bob and Donna Waller (both 74) have been doing the motor coach lifestyle for 14 years. Bob, a retired restaurateur and Donna, retired housewife, joined the group based on the recommendation of friends.
"As a professional burger flipper, not much time for travel", said Bob. "But now, wherever we go, we have our own bed, kitchen, bathroom, and a Wal Mart wherever we go to pick up things we need."
The couple also mentioned Mt. Rushmore as one of the go-to features they have seen in their travels. Also, one of the most exciting was the motorcycle rally in Sturgis.
"Thousands of motorcycles," said Donna. "And lots of topless ladies washing them, too."
The two have seen much, having been motor coaching since 1976.
"The KOA in Durant, Okla., is a favorite motor home park, we've noticed," said Donna.
The Family Motor Coach RV Rally goes on through the weekend at the Four States Fairgrounds. Each day features an event for the motor coach travellers. Saturday will be a patriotic celebration of military members, police, firefighters and those who give their lives to service.