Washington, DC Rally
April 28 - May 2, 2024
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Dates: | April 28 - May 2, 2024 |
| Location: | Cherry Hill Park 9800 Cherry Hill Rd College Park, Maryland 20740 |
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| Hosts: | Marilyn and Robert Gray Mary and Jerry Breu |
Twenty-three Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club members from 9 states came in 12 coaches where they were warmly greeted by hosts Mary and Jerry Breu, Heather LeCroy, and Marilyn and Bob Gray at the excellent Cherry Hill Park located outside Washington, DC. This same campground was the site of the Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club's Biennial Meeting in 2015, which was also hosted by Mary and Jerry Breu. The sites were grassy, clean, and spacious, all full hookups. The family-owned campground staff was most accommodating, helping with all needs of those in attendance. Gatherings were held in a gazebo as well as an outdoor tent, both located near our group's sites. Picnic tables were provided by Cherry Hill. The tent had optional sides for use in case of inclement weather, but they were never needed.
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Old friends and new gathered at Sunday afternoon's Meet and Greet in the tent. Subs, chips, fruit, and special treats brought by members were provided.
Optional guided tours into DC, a 35-40-minute drive, were available, and the campground furnished its own very comfortable and large buses, as well as excellent and knowledgeable tour guides and drivers. Drinks and snacks were allowed, and an extra bonus was an on-board restroom.
Monday's Monuments by Day Tour, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and narrated by tour guide, John, made stops at the Martin Luther King Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, and the Korean Memorial Garden. A delicious lunch was served at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center, followed by afternoon stops at the World War II Memorial and the Capitol Building. Back at the campground, dinner was on our own.
Tuesday was a free day to just relax or see DC on our own. At 5:30 pm, the bus departed for the Monuments by Night Tour. The purpose was to observe familiar monuments enhanced by lights at night. Again narrated by John, the stops included the White House, FDR Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial Garden, Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Pentagon. A sing-along was enjoyed by everyone on the late-night bus ride back to Cherry Hill.
Wednesday's Fallen Heroes Day Tour departed the campground at 9:00 am. A 3-hour stop at Arlington allowed rally members tours of the cemetery, the Kennedy gravesites, USCG Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Arlington House. Other stops included the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, US Air Force Memorial, and the Iwo Jima Memorial.
A delicious pizza supper was served at the campground tent, and, traditionally, people mixed, mingled, and enjoyed spending time with each other.
Thursday morning, it was time to reluctantly say goodbye and head to our next destinations, taking with us a lot of happy memories. It was a wonderful rally.
By Mary Breu