Ex-Spokanites create game for RVers
Three years ago, somewhere along the Trans-Canada Highway on the road to Banff, the seeds of a new trivia game were germinating in the brains of two avid RVers.
Dave and Jeanie McKay, formerly of Spokane, had just picked up an information guide from the Kootenay National Park ranger station in British Columbia.
“There was a little quiz in there about grizzly bears and life in the forest,” recalled Jeanie McKay during a telephone call from their home in Bend, Ore.
“After we finished their questions we started making up our own,” she said. “All of the sudden hours had gone by and we thought it would be fun if there was a game that had to do with traveling and other things related to RVing.”
After searching for RV-themed games and finding none, the McKays saw an opportunity.
“Gaming is such a big part of RVers’ social life,” said Dave McKay.
“We have two dogs and as we walk them around a campground we notice that every other RV site has people playing a game around the picnic table,” he said.
It seemed natural for the McKays to develop a board game for RVers – they have been RVing for decades, Jeanie has a background in designing corporate training products and Dave has more than 30 years in publishing and marketing.
Three years after that initial trip through the Canadian Rockies, the McKays have recently launched “Rally Ho! The Travel Trivia Game for RVers.” It will be available at Camping World stores nationwide on May. 18.
“The premise of the game is to make people laugh,” said Dave McKay. “It challenges them to think a little while having a good time.”
Basically, the game involves taking an RV road trip across America.
As with many board games, it can be played with 2, 3 or 4 individual players or teams.
Players move their mini-RVs toward a national rally destination when they correctly answer questions.
Trivia questions are grouped into four categories:
“Rearview Mirror – Nostalgic reflections through life’s rearview mirror.
“RV Life – The RV lifestyle and everything it entails.
“Off the Beaten Path – Nature’s wonders that lie outside the RV door.
“There might be questions about campfires, animals, deserts, rivers or stars. You name it,” says Jeanie McKay. “If RVers pay attention to it, there is probably a question in there somewhere that will cause them to think, learn or laugh.”
“Rollin’ Down the Road – Travel destinations and America’s endless attractions.
“The challenge was to come up with more than 1,000 questions that were fun and, at the same time, appropriate to RVing,” said Jeanie McKay.
The game’s cross-country journey, as with real life trips, has possible road hazards. There may be an unexpected snow storm or extremely hilly terrain. Strategy involves avoiding or mitigating delays.
The McKays road-tested their game with members of RV clubs including Escapees and Good Sam.
“We would sit back, take notes and then debrief them,” said Jeanie McKay.
“Our goal is to be walking through a campground this summer and see someone playing our game,” said Dave McKay.
Sample questions
“Rearview Mirror – What was the name of Jughead’s little sister in Archie comics?
“RV Life – What device transforms DC power into shore power in an RV?
“Off the Beaten Path – What phenomenon has occurred as Yellowstone’s Old Faithful geyser has aged?
“Rollin’ Down the Road – Which of the following state capitals is not located on a U.S. Interstate? (a) Jefferson City, Missouri (b) Sacramento, California (c) Austin, Texas.
Answers: Jelly Bean; inverter; its eruptions have slowed down briefly; (a) Jefferson City, Missouri.
Information
“”Rally-Ho!” is available at www.rallyho-rvgame.com. Cost is $29.95 plus shipping. If you aren’t Internet connected, contact MindZone Publishing, 61535 S. Highway 97, #9-442; Bend, OR 97702; telephone (541) 382-8785.
“The nearest Camping World retail store is in Tacoma, but the game will be available online May 18 at www.campingworld.com.