OzTent USA Vermont Overland Rally Experience

Up to this point taking the back roads had made a wonderful difference in our travels to the Vermont Overland Rally, but on Day #5 we had some added adventure. While traveling through New York to Rockingham Vermont about dusk, I pulled up campgrounds on our GPS, this would leave us about 3 1/2 hours to drive in the morning. First I called to confirm they were open and the guy on the phone seemed nice enough so we set our course and headed for the campground. As we got off the Hwy all seemed well, but the GPS started leading us really deep into the forest. Then my first red flag, a dirt road leading even deeper. After a little more than 3 miles on this road and several turns a 2nd red flag, we approached a gate and the GPS was telling us the campground address was inside. The entrance didn't reflect a campground, with "No Hunting", and "No Trespassing" signs. There were NO campground signs anywhere, and with no turn around areas visible from the gate we felt very uncomfortable so we backed up our trailer and got out of there! (The place looked like a scene from a bad movie LOL). After that our adrenaline was in high gear so we filled up the gas tank, grabbed a cup of coffee and set out for Rockingham, Vermont which was only 3 1/2 hrs away. We pressed on only to find out that the small town of Rockingham rolls up their sidewalks and everyone goes to bed around 9 p.m., and we drove in closer to 11 p.m which lead to another adventure. We could not find a place to sleep for the night! Northern Vermont is known for their snow skiing, so all of the places around were Motels, Chalet's and Ski Resorts which were not in season and closed. We searched the GPS for any recognizable Hotel and by now it was after midnight. There was only "1" hotel within 70 miles of us, a (Holiday Inn Express) which was 25 miles away. We finally pulled in close to 1:00 A.M. and since they were the only hotel around, they took full advantage of the situation $$$! Then the desk clerk gave us a key to the wrong room by accident and we walked in on a man sleeping in his underwear with the t.v. on. WHAT A NIGHT! I am sure some of you have similar stories that you could share..... After a few hours of sleep we woke up to a good Holiday Inn Express breakfast and we were finally off to Lillie Farms for the Rally! This was Day #6 of our trip and we were very excited to be arriving at Rally. When we arrived there were only a hand full of people set up in a huge cow pasture. They were quick to welcome us and give us the run down on what to expect for the weekend. By that evening the field was filled with Overlanders from all over the East coast, Canada & even New Zealand. Kim and I really got to enjoy this event thanks to Tim Bleau from "Iron Pig" who saved his front seat for us to go on the trails with him. Kim got to go on Friday while I manned the OzTent post and I went out on Saturday. During the Vermont Rally, people were able to check out the quality of the OzTent products,and accessories including the OzTent chairs and cots in person. We also raffled off an OzTent RV-3 Tent and a portion of the proceeds went to "Stella's Voice" which is an Anti-Sex trafficking organization. The winner of the OzTent RV-3 Tent was Bob F., a local Vermont resident. The whole weekend was a huge success and we really enjoyed the East coast hospitality. Enjoy these few pictures of the event and join us in a few days for an update on our travels to the Murphy, North Carolina Rally.