Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993 TAG: 9308100004
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Michael Stowe
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
One of the toughest aspects of a reporter's job is walking into an unfamiliar situation and having to strike up a conversation with complete strangers.
It's an especially difficult task for a shy guy like me, so the idea of spending a week covering the FMCA convention wasn't that appealing.
My apprehensions were unwarranted though.
I've never, in such a short period of time, met so many friendly folks. A lot of them were rich, but they weren't rude.
I met coachers from all points on the map including Florida, Texas, Vermont, Iowa, Illinois and a host of others states.
Everybody loved to chat, and most were eager to give me a tour of their home-on-wheels.
I visited inside coaches ranging from 35 to 45 feet and from $75,000 to $830,000.
I found out that many $90,000 motor coaches have as many - if not more - gadgets than a $700,000 coach.
Most of the coaches had a couple of televisions, a VCR, a microwave oven, stove and refrigerator, reclining chair and couch.
Plushness - that's the difference in the two price ranges: "It's like deciding whether you want to stay at Econo Lodge or the Marriott," one dealer told me.
The more expensive coaches have sculptured carpet, mirror ceilings, marble floors and leather couches. Some high-priced coaches are the stuff dreams are made of, others are just down right gaudy.
So who are these big spenders who plunk down 500 grand for a mobile mansion?
Kyle McCrary, sales manager for Blue Bird Wanderlodge coach company, said a lot of the 45-foot coach owners were CEOs and presidents of small companies across the country.
"Go over and ask that guy where he's from and he will he'll say, `About three hills over,' " McCrary said pointing at a silver-haired man. "What he won't tell you is that he owns the whole hill."
One thing I found amusing about the convention were the countless times I heard motor coachers talk about all things they do when "camping."
OK, maybe motor coaching technically can be called "camping," but I don't buy it.
Not when everyone sleeps in a motor coach - many nicer than my apartment - that is completely isolated from the rain, wind and other weather elements.
Camping is tents, sleeping bags, mosquito bites and a rock jamming in your back all night while you sleep.
That's why I don't do it very often.
The official count is in: There were 4,888 motor coaches in Blacksburg last week for the convention. Seemed like twice that to me.
The convention on Tech's campus was the third-largest convention in FMCA history and the largest summer convention ever.
Michael Stowe is a Roanoke Times & World-News New River Valley bureau staff writer.
by CNB