Undoubtedly one of the long-term Fantasy Ambassador couples, Jim and Darlene Weir are certainly not ready to retire yet. They plan to keep right on going.
“The Fantasy family is a great bunch of people,” says Jim. “Over the years, people do come and go, but we still stay in contact with many of them. We’ve made some really good friends because of Fantasy.” Adds Darlene, “Fantasy is a family – it’s not like a company. Everybody works to help you out, doing whatever they can do to assist.”
The Weirs’ estimate they’ve worked at 54 Fantasy functions, including tours, rallies, field operations and RV shows. Although they started their RV adventures back in 1965, seventeen years ago they rented out their house in Ocean Park, Washington to their son, and hit the road full time. The son is still living there. And the Weirs’ are still full timing in what is now their 5th motorhome – a 40-foot Monaco Diplomat diesel pusher.
“It’s not a job,” says Jim. “We do it because we enjoy it and want to be with people. Most of the ambassadors are retired and like us are doing this for the enjoyment. I don’t consider this a job – I consider it something I want to do.”
While on the road, the couple started working part time at RV Shows representing Thousand Trails. There they met Nel Filliger, Fantasy’s founder and CEO. When Nel returned to Fantasy Tours 12 years ago, Jim and Darlene went with her. And it’s been an adventure ever since.
This year, Fantasy is keeping the Weirs’ busy. They’ve just completed the 2017 Rose Parade Rally, and immediately followed it working the Fantasy booth at the FMCA Rally in Indio, California and then Quartzsite, Arizona. Now they are heading for Baja. This summer, they’ll be leading the 60-day Premier Alaska tour -- their 8th Fantasy Alaska trip. Needless to say, they both agree Alaska is their favorite destination. “In fact, I’d probably move there if it wasn’t so dark for so long,” says Darlene. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.”
The Weirs’ have seen some transformations in the years they’ve worked for Fantasy. “Our clientele has changed,” says Jim. “There are younger people and families. And the rigs are so much bigger – half the RVs on our tours are 40+ footers.”
The Weirs’ agree that by far the favorite part of their job is meeting new people and getting together with people they’ve traveled with previously. Says Jim, “We’ve made so many new friends on these tours. I really enjoy the traveling, but it’s really about getting to meet all the people.”