HRRVC Chapter 309 Western International Rally Newsletter

Transcription

1 HRRVC Chapter 309 Western International Rally Newsletter Spring 2014 Brief highlights of the WIR Special points of interest: National Directors talk Mike Snell speaks to attendees More water in, more water out The Allison transmission Inside this issue: A Castle in the Desert 2 Chapter 309 members at WIR The Smith Center 3 Valley of Fire State Park News briefs 4 Quartzsite 2015 Registration Eastern International Rally Registration AZ/NM Region VII Registration & 7 8 A variety of programs; information shared by our National Directors, spiced with lots of food and music were all part of this first Western International Rally. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of HRRVC there needed to be two celebrations. The EIR is coming in late September. Mike Snell, President of Monaco & HR spoke to the attendees concerning not only the health of our company under new owners, but also of the production of products and issues surrounding that production. In the area of individual programs, there were two of major interest to this writer. One discussed the flushing of grey and black water from your coach. The speaker suggested that most of us to not use enough water on either job, or wait long enough prior to emptying the tanks. "More water in, more water out" was his mantra. The company also offered a service of flushing out New Assistant AZ State Managers Named Thom and Barb Feit were installed as the AZ Assistant State Mangers during the WIR event. The Feits have been members of HRRVC and Chapter 309 since Thom has served the past three years as Chapter 309 President and Barb has held the position of Membership both tanks, ridding it of all the sediment at the bottom and sides. Another was by a rep. from W. W. Williams concerning Allison transmissions. The two major points were to: change your filters at the recommended rate, and common maintenance. A question from the audience: "..in going up a grade may you continue use of cruise control, or must you change?" The response: "If the issue is will it hurt the transmission - the response is no. - Con't p.2 WIR. Chair for the past four. "I am humbled to be asked to fill this position. I shall work in both serving the current members and to make efforts in expanding our HRRVC club membership, " commented Feit.

2 HRRVC Chapter 309 Western International Rally Page 2 A Castle in the Desert ~ WIR attendees trek into the desert Interior of main room at Scotty's Castle Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley, the Death Valley Ranch, or Scotty's Castle as it is more commonly known, is a window into the life and times of the Roaring '20s and Depression '30s. It was and is an engineer's dream home, a wealthy matron's vacation home and a manof-mystery's hideout and getaway. Walter Scott, Death Valley Scotty, convinced everyone that he had built the castle We each are responsible Con't from page 1 WIR for membership. If every If it is a question of fuel economy, then look to who is the best driver, you or the computer, which one do you trust most. Most agreed it would be the driver to judge and save fuel. member brought just 3 members during the next year, it would be a banner year!. with money from his rich secret mines in the area. Albert Mussey Johnson actually built the house as a vacation getaway for himself and his wife Bessie. Scotty was the mystery, the cowboy, and the entertainer, but he was also a friend. Albert was the brains and the money. Two men as different as night and day, from different worlds and transmissions, and just how durable they have become. Four of the National Directors were in attendance, and spent a good amount of time sharing the challenges facing our It was a great session on club. Using the lens of an Chapter 309 Members at WIR A joy to see the number of Chapter 309 members who attended the Western International Rally. Mr. Johnson's Packard convertible at his Death Valley Ranch Those attending included; Neil & Kay Honn, Ray & Gidget Zeek, Maury & Virginia Phipps, Dan & Beverly Armstrong, Jere & Sharry Jarrell, Emery & Roberta Olson, Don & Mary Schweppe, John & Joanne Wyman, Larry & Barbara Laursen, Jerry & Maggie Loomis and Thom Feit. A great group who truly enjoyed not just the informational sessions, craft classes special tours and of course the social times. with different visions - who shared a dream. If you have visited the Hearst Castle one can see similarities with this home It is a wonder to see the "Castle" sitting here in a middesert location, and boasting some amazing technical advances that one would expect not to see until twenty plus years after its construction. If you ever travel into this area, then a trip across Death Valley is well worth the journey. optimist, the look is that our glass is half full, and with product becoming available to the public, it has slowed the leaking of members, and is hopefully on a positive move. Each one of us is responsible for membership - recruit today.

3 Western International Rally Summary Page 3 Enjoying the talents of an outstanding voice. Sitting in an audience and listing to a strong vocal as delivered by a former student is a joyous occasion. Prior to going on to the WIR, I stayed a few days in Las Vegas. The main draw was an opportunity to watch Anita Hall sing with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Love Vintage Las Vegas Style was the theme. A tribute to the old Sands casino and showrooms, which featured music of The Rat Pack. This night a couple of the former Sands Girls were in attendance. The show featured all those wonderful songs from that nightclub era. Wonderful big band arrangements. Anita shared a wonderful story just prior to singing "Moonlight in Vermont". She was in the car with her 78 year old father as that song starting playing on her CD. At the conclusion of the song she noted that her father was gently sobbing. "Was that you and mom's favorite song," she asked. "No, was the response, "it was the last song I heard while I was still single." The audience exploded with laughter. Anita Hall and friend. The Smith Center While there are numerous venues in Las Vegas for the performing arts, a suggestion that the next time you are in the city, see what is happening at The Smith Center. It is the theatre where I had the pleasure of hearing the concert mentioned above. The Smith Center itself was designed by worldrenowned architect David M. Schwarz and crafted out of pristine Indiana limestone. Each theater has been meticulously designed to provide unparalleled acoustics and sightlines. There is simply no other venue in Las Vegas that offers the same grandeur and breathtaking beauty as The Smith Center. One local joked, "there is no marble remaining in Italy after this construction." The exterior design is a nod to the art deco features of the nearby Hoover Dam. Valley of Fire State Park While in Las Vegas, just a mere 1 hour drive up I- 15, is a beautiful place called Valley of Fire State Park. Look for sign on I- 15. Turn right. A stunningly scenic drive and hiking is available. Get a park map at the ranger station and make sure you see it all. A couple of years ago we took Barb's aunt from Chicago on the drive. "Surprising, beautiful, with stunning views after every turn," were just a couple of the comments. From my view, think Sedona expanded. There are lots of rocks that are fun for kids and the young-at- heart to scramble around. If you continue on the main road and exit to the east, this road will get you to the north end of Lake Mead. Look for big horned sheep on the hillsides. Enjoy.

4 News briefs... Quartzsite: Currently we have 31 registered for our outing in January We have reserved additional spaces, so 40 spaces are now available. All with full hookups, (50/30 amp, water, sewer) Remembering this is a "buddy rally" so if you have friends who have units of other brands, they are welcome to join us. A registration form is included in this newsletter. Western International Rally 2015: At the closing ceremonies it was announced that there shall be a WIR 2015 at Hemet, CA during April, 20th - 25th. RV Resort location was not announced. Let us begin the planning. Visit our website Come join the fun Chapter 309 & HRRVC SCHEDULE April 23rd - 27th: Lake Powell Adventure. Page, AZ. Firleins and Roberts Wagonmasters. Sept Eastern International Rally, Fairlea, WV. West Virginia State Fairgrounds. Details attached October 20th - 24th: AZ/NM Region VII Rally - Tucson, AZ, LazyDays/KOA Details attached Nov - Campout TBA December 9th - 11th: Chapter 309 Christmas Gathering ~ Distant Drums RV Resort, Camp Verde, AZ Wagonmasters: Chapter officers January 21st - 25th, Quartzsite, AZ - Rice Ranch RV Park Wagonmasters: Feit & Honn Details attached February - Campout TBA March 12th - 15: Casa Grande RV Resort Wagonmaster: Burtis April 20-25, WIR - Hemet, CA HRRVC Chapter 309 Officers President Thom Feit thomfeit@gmail.com Directors Larry Laursen l ljlaursen@aol.com State Manager James Warner jlwarneraz@comcast.net Driving through Valley of the Fire State Park - NV Vice President Ray Zeek zeekstrophy@yahoo.com Secretary Kay Honn knhonn@yahoo.com Treasurer Mary Schweppe maryschweppe@cox.net Membership Barbara Feit barbfeit1@gmail.com Jack Foster jacknmarc@gmail.com Charity Marcia Foster jacknmarc@gmail.com Historian Sharry Jarrell sharryjereaz@yahoo.com Sunshine Gidget Zeek zeekstrophy@gmail.com Region VII Director Joe Richey jndrichey18084@aol.com HRRVC Christina Crist christina.crist@hrrvc.org PO Box 3028 Elkhart, IN Newsletter Editor: Thom Feit

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