ROCKWOOD WEST

NEWSLETTER

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014

President's Message:

We started our 2014 rally outings with a successful "rolling rally" beginning at Quartzsite, AZ then onto Alamo Lake, AZ, next stop Wickenburg, AZ and finally ending up at Lake Havasu City for the great fireworks show.

Big thanks to Greg and Debbie Murrell for all their work on setting up the "Dome Rock" campsite and their donation of the old deck.  We had some of the best campfires ever at both Quartzsite and Alamo Lake.  The impromptu pot luck hosted by Carol and Bernie Juliar was a lot of fun, we sure have good cooks in our group.

Mary Lee and I are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Indian Wells RV Resort on March 14, 2014.

Steve Smith, President

ROLLING RALLY

January 20 to February 17,2014

We arrived in Quartzsite on Monday, Januaruy 20, hoping that the big weekend for the RV Show wouldn't be so busy the rest of the week.  Members arrived and left through the week.  We had as many as 9 rigs there at one time, including Steve and Mary Lee Smith, Russ and Rusty Himmer, Russ's granddaughter Melina and her family, Hal and Cookie Ringhand, Henry and Lucille Yanoff, Jeff and Patty Kuchenski, Gerry and Linda Chetelat, Bernie and Carol Juliar and the Murrells.  Everyone went into town several times shopping at the vendor tents and the RV Show.  We hosted a happy hour with appetizers one evening but otherwise we socialized well all through the days and into the nights.  The campfires every night were fun.  Steve brought "Chinese lanterns" that he lit each night.  We had fun watching their path and how far they went.  We were entertained well. 

 By January 28th three rigs were left in Quartzsite, the Smiths, Juliars and Murrells.  We traveled about 70 miles northeast to Alamo Lake State Park.  Again we had campfires every night (brought a lot of firewood this time,) drove over to "the Ranch" one day, ate a couple of meals at the very small community (if you could even be called a community) of Wayside.  Bernie tried to fish one day but he and several of the returning fishermen were not catching anything.  The lake was very low.  On Super Bowl Sunday the Smiths went home with the Juliars to Surprise, AZ to watch the game.  Their team lost. Steve grew up in the Denver area and the Juliars were CO residents until recently.  We drove over to spend a few days with my mom in Mesa.

Sunset at Alamo Lake

 The next week was Wickenburg where we stayed at the Community Center in the middle of downtown.  It was convenient to walk anywhere around the small town.  Bill Proett and his friend Beverly had planned on driving over from Cottonwood but were unable to make it.  Bernie and Carol Juliar drove 20 miles from Surprise to spend a day with us.  We took the 2 hour guided tour of the Vulture Mine and went to lunch.  The community center was having the Silver and Leather Tool Show during our stay.  It was very interesting to see how the craftsmen used a variety of supplies and tools to make such beautiful items.

Chollas at Wickenburg

 The last stop on this Rolling Rally was at Lake Havasu City.  We had registered for the Winter Blast where several fireworks companies displayed their wares over 5 nights with the intent to show customers from towns that would want fireworks shows.  The town marketed the occasion well to tourists also.  We were among about 300 motorhomes dry camping at the Rodeo grounds 1/2 mile from the fireworks.  Each night there was a one hour show with sporadic fireworks before and after the main event.  Friday and Saturday shows were done with a musical accompaniment from a local radio station.  Members attending with us were the Yanoffs, Juliars and Nick and Ramona Escamilla.  We were invited over to Lloyd and Wendy's house for a barbecue one evening.  Their friends, Steve and Beverly joined us.  It was a fun and delicious evening.  Most of the fireworks could be seen from their house.

Dinner at Lloyd and Wendy's house

It was a fun month with a variety of good friends, locations and activities.  The weather was good all 4 weeks.  Would you believe we had our big awning out for 8 consecutive days in Quartzsite without a windy day?

Debbie and Greg

Wagonmasters

RALLY SCHEDULE

MARCH 14-16     Indian Wells RV Resort, Indio, CA hosted by Bill and Sandy Vargo

APRIL     Open

MAY 2-5            Sierra Meadow RV Park, Ahwahnee, CA hosted by Jim and June Cheshire

JUNE date and location to be announced hosted by Mac and Nita McAfee

JULY-AUGUST No rallies

SEPTEMBER 19-21  Chula Vista RV Resort, Chula Vista, CA hosted by Gerry and Linda Chetelat

OCTOBER date to be announced Nevada Treasure RV Resort, Pahrump, NV (wine stomp weekend) hosted by Rich and Linda Strobel

NOVEMBER date to be determined Santee Lakes Regional Park, Santee, CA hosted by Dennis and Paulette Kotan

DECEMBER date to be determined Fourth Annual Christmas Party hosted by Dennis and Paulette Kotan