July 2019 Rally
Dates: July 18-20, 2019
Location:Mineral, VA
Hosts: Gene and Judy Matthews
Campground: Christopher Run Campground
The Cardinal Virginians July rally was at Hungry Mother State Park, Camp Burson. Camp Burson is located off Rt 16 known as the Back of the Dragon. The beautiful RV sites were full hook up, level, larger and located under mature shade trees. Even thought it was hot, most Rally attendees beat the extreme weekend heat by 10 degrees back home. Those of us who arrived and set up Thursday by 2:30pm, beat the predicted moderate rain shower which dropped the temperature by another 10 degrees and washed the bugs off our windshields.
Our gracious hosts were Barbara and Dennis Sarmento and Sherree and Baynard Barton. Saturdays Entertainment special guests were Sara (Barton’s Daughter) and Jeremy Bishop and Brian Dunford.
Cardinal Virginians in attendance: Bill and Cheryl Brown, John and Robbie Davis, Gary and Jane Lambert, Feliza Jones, David and Joyce Martin, John and Patty Nichols, Neil Strong and Debbie Robbins, John and Rhoda Schoepf. Family and Friends: Gary and Polly Bailey (Sherree’s sister from Bluffton, SC). Missing were club members Paul and Carol Melton (brother was very ill) and Timm and Sharon Seaman (lung cancer surgery). We all held the Melton’s and Seaman’s in our thoughts and prayers.
Early arrivals Thursday enjoyed Happy Hour at site #43 under the big white tent and a wonderful variety of heavy appetizers and light intelligent conversations.
Friday 10:00am was the opening of the Annual Hungry Mother Arts and Crafts Festival. Over 143 vendor tents were set up in the park to the background of live music. The Festival was all weekend from 10:00-6:00 with free parking for Camp Burson. Several of the Virginia Cardinals walked the park lined with talented artisans: Jewelry and pens, Leather goods, Textile wear socks, bags, hair pieces, Iron works, Rope hammocks and glass planters. The Festival food was available from fried green tomatoes, kettle corn, fried pork rinds and strudel.
If attending the Festival was not your thing the Park provided plenty of opportunities to hike, fish, sun bade and thanks to Bayard kayak and SUP (standup paddle board). If you fell off the SUP it was way to cool off. Local attractions wineries, zip line and historic downtown Marion.
Since breakfast and lunch were on our own Friday, there was plenty of free time
before Happy Hour. The time before dinner was spent sharing our days events and
planning for Saturday.
The group of 23 attending the wonderful buffet dinner at The Restaurant in The Park.
The 20-year chef Linda Mullins prepared Chicken Parmesan, Sliced
Roast Beef with mushroom gravy, sliced cheese potato’s, green beans, carrots,
and warm rolls. Brewed ice tea and coffee and water to hydrate. For dessert we enjoyed
carrot cake with cream cheese icing and grated carrots. TOO GOOD not to take home
left overs. David made sure the carrot cake came back to Camp Burson.
Saturday coffee at 8:00am and breakfast at 8:30am at the big white tent. There was mist on
the mountain to start the day and hot egg casserole to warm the belly.
Gary Lambert and David Martin planned their day at Hungry Mother Adventures to zip line.
There was another opportunity to go back to the Arts and Crafts Festival. Rumor was that someone disappeared
with his brother in law to boat on the lake. The Festival was well organized and a Lynx shuttle
was available in the park to travel into Marion. Main Street Marion was blocked off at 1:00pm
for an antique car show and more vendors. Had to love the 1968 Shelby Mustang.
Lunch was on our own and Historic Marion has nice restaurants on Main Street.
Debbie cannot believe she eat the whole Brisket Sandwich thus missing the group dinner
of homemade lasagnas back at Camp Burson. Feliza once again out did herself with homemade
desserts: Blueberry cheese and a frozen Chocolate muffin cups.
Entertainment before and after dinner songs and guitar music by Sara, Jeremy and Brian.
Sunday Coffee at 8:00am Breakfast at 8:30am. Woke up to another wonder day at Hungry Mother State Park. Bill Brown gave the morning prayer and we enjoyed a continental breakfast of yogurt, blueberry, chocolate and cinnamon muffins, bagels and fruit. Following breakfast, we had an unofficial meeting and discussion. Then Bill Brown gave the morning devotional with special prayers for the Meltons, Seaman Pittmans. Praying for safe travels to all.
Rally Writeup by Patty Nichols