Orlando Florida GPAA - Bob, Steve and Tommy

Other Gold Show Outings: 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2003

Gold Show Info.

Bob, Steve and Tommy - Gold Show Adventure, 2010.

The GPAA Gold Show has become a favorite of our chapter over the last few years so it was not much of a surprise to see Bob, Steve and Tommy looking to go as were several other members at the clubs meeting the week before. What made this a bit different was the opportunity Steve offered; using his RV for the trip.

The Plan was to leave Thursday evening, drive for a while, get a bit of sleep, and arrive at the show Friday morning.

Steve at his RV.

Bob Tommy and Steve ready for adventure.

No problems with the trip to Georgia. Getting 5+ hrs of sleep at a T&A truck stop and arriving by 10am went smooth. We checked in at the show, secured our spot, then it was off for some sightseeing in Dahlonega

Dahlonega Gold Museum.

The guys at the Georgia Gold Map.

A bit of gold.

One of the many local Georgia Samples.

Was nice to see a full set of all the Gold Coins minted at the Dahlonega mint from the 1800's and the movie about the first US gold rush. So much to see and do in this Historical town, but we choose to get a bite to eat, and head over to Crisson Gold Mine.

Then a glimpse of what was to come occurred, as the RV would not start. Local Pizza in town as we waited for Triple A. A quick jump, and all was well...

Or So It Seemed...

The rest of the day went fine although it was a bit late in the day to get a load of dirt through the trommel at Crisson Gold Mine . So it was off to LDMA - Loud Mine, for a rest. While getting settled, Steve wanted to reposition the RV a bit, and you guessed it, the engine wouldn't turn over. On No... Not Again...

Could it be the battery again... Steve thought so, and this time the hood was opened, and he took a look. There he discovered a loose secondary battery cable. Could this be the cause...

Steve and Tommy looking it over.

Tightening up that cable.

A quick job, but the RV still wouldn't start. So another call into Triple A. With the sun now gone for the day, there wasn't much time to check out the LDMA Camp, and our minds were more concerned with the current RV problem.

About 8:20 another local towing rep shows up, but this time, he takes a bit of time to check out the situation. At 8:45 calls are being made, parts are being held, stores are staying open late as the RV is in need of a new starter. The old one is simply shot, drawing off way too much current in order to turnover.

Now for some Friday night Entertainment... If you've never taken a ride in a flatbed tow truck carrying a loaded 20+ foot RV through the Georgia foothills at night by a local that knows the ins and outs of all the back roads, you need to . Talk about a bit of excitement. Afterwards we all agreed it was an 'E' ticket ride...

The RV up on the flatbed tow truck.

Tommy and Steve showing off their super human strength.

A great group of guys worked Friday night and saw to it that RV was up and running smooth again. After all, to get everything set to do the job of replacing the starter that late in the evening was simply wonderful. Sometimes it can take a day or two at a local shop for this kind of service. With the RV fixed by 11pm, it was off to Mickey D's for a late night dinner, then off to a Motel for a well needed rest.

The next couple of days were great at the Gold Show, as we enjoyed seeing several old friends, seminars, and Bob ended up winning the grand prize, a Trip to the GPAA camp at Cripple Creek in Nome Alaska. Another Great Gold Show for the Orlando Chapter, as this made it 3 years running members won some nice raffle prizes.

With the Gold Show over, and Bob's head swelling up bigger and bigger, it was back to the LDMA Camp at Loud Mine Sunday night.