Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club AZ & NM HRRVC Newsletter December 2015 Volume 1 Issue 2 The Road Taken mode of travel. Barb we not take that P to P Scenic Byway in CA Traveling around this country in a 40 motorhome towing a car is an exciting and I have visited some wonderful locations during these past seven years of travel. But there are always those scenic paths we select, whether by paper map or are suggested by technology, that prove to be a challenge. Why did other route? Two of the most memorable choices, were one in Virginia and a more recent experience in Southern California near Palm Springs. Our first experience was while driving in Virginia trying to find a campground near Lynchburg, our Special points of interest: The trust one places upon technology When the path becomes a true journey Making the choice, scenic or Interstate See Road on p. 2 A Request for thoughts on future of HRRVC HRRVC Joe Richey repeated his request for the club membership to write letters offering ideas of how to address the dilemma of those who held membership in HRRVC, then needed to leave because REV Group no longer manufacturing towable, or they needed a new travel trailer. Does HRRVC allow those individuals to remain in the club, what arbitrary date is selected for regaining membership, since REV Group purchased HR, or perhaps do we allow back 5 or 10 years or if one every owned an HR and were HRRVC member? Serious questions in need of serious thought and response. Joe Richey, and the Board, have pledged to consider all viable options. I just can t turn my back on those who started this group and continued to support with their purchase of travel trailers, commented Richey Send comments: Subject line: HRRVC Email: jndrichey18084 @ aol.com Inside this issue: The Road Taken 2 USMCB Pendleton 3 Just for Fun 3 Chapter contacts 4 Chapter News 4 WIR Registration 5
AZ & NM HRRVC Newsletter Page 2 The Road Taken con t from p. 1 GPS unit said, Turn width of that road. Barb have driven in the moun- Coachella Vista of P to P Byway right at intersection. Now we had followed this unit s directions for the preceding four months and upon occasion the suggestion that our destination was on our left really appeared on our right. Small matter. So we turned and I looked at one another Oh, @#$%^. Walking across the road, a neighbor saw what had happen and then pointed us in the correct direction. We proceeded without further incident to the campground. If we had followed a print map, this would not have happened. tains, but this road made me wish I had my Miata MX-5 to drive, rather than this diesel pusher motorhome. While the road was two lane, with the inside lane coming close to some outcropping of rocks, the incline was 8 11% with lots of twists and turns. While the first third Along the high plateau A glimpse of the steep grade The beach beckons at sunset down a paved county road. While the road was two lane when we started, it soon became more akin to a generous one lane of pavement. About a 100 yards since the turn, I noted a church with a wide circular drive on my left. Here would be a good place to pause and check maps and ask comments from neighbors prior to further travel into the wooded area. We had just pulled in, set the brake, when coming out of the woods were two logging trucks taking up the full Then a week ago, a campout on the California beach at MCSB Camp Pendleton with friends was just the outing we wanted. After an overnight stay in Palm Springs, and a different RV friendly GPS unit, we were offered two possible routes to Oceanside, CA. One was to use the Interstate system, or a second would take on the Palms to Pine Scenic Byway. We chose the latter. What would be the problem? The unit knows our size, length and towing a car. Off we started. Now I of the journey left me little time to snap pictures, or take eyes off of the roadway, the middle third road was along the high plateau. If offered places to pause and enjoy the scenery. The last third was not quite as steep in the decline, but with plenty of curves. There were opportunities for me to pull off the road, allowing others to pass by. In sum it was a good, challenging drive, and I do believe much more enjoyable over the tedium of interstate driving.
Page 3 Volume 1 Issue 2 Historic USMCB Camp Pendleton Of all the Marine Corps bases throughout the world, Camp Pendleton has one of the most intriguing pasts, filled with historical charm and vibrancy. Spanish explorers, colorful politicians, herds of thundering cattle, skillful vaqueros and tough Marines have all contributed to the history of this land. In an effort to enjoy both the California beach and to satisfy a wish of the Marine to whom I am married, we joined with HRRVC Chapter 341 (see in the mid 1800s. below) for an outing. This was the home of Pio While at Camp Pendleton I Pico, last governor of became interested in the Mexican California, and history of that location. succeeding owners until finally, United States Marine Corps Commanding Generals. Historic artifacts at the complex document pre-history through Mission and Entrance to Historic Ranch House Rancho periods. Ex- The complex includes several of the historic building hibits include early ranch equipment, photographs of of old Ranch; the historical visits, antiques Ranch House Chapel, the donated by Anthony oldest structure on base, the Bunkhouse Museum, and the Ranch House, built Quinn during the filming of "Guadalcanal Diary" in 1943. Courtyard of the house Entrance to Ranch House Flower Garden at Ranch Life on the beach with new friends For the past couple of years, we have tried to arrange our life so that a week on the beach with Chapter 341 Just for Fun. This year we made the connection. Having dinner with Chapter 341 Nick Slaughter is a retired USMC veteran, as such he arranged for the use of the RV campground along the Pacific shore at Camp Pendleton. We were happy to join Nick and Donna, along with other members of 341 for five days on the beach. It is great to begin the day with breakfast, along with a Bloody Mary while watching both the sun playing off of the glistening ocean along with those young Marines running along the beach. One exercise was the flipping of a large tractor tire as they moved it down the driveway behind us. The sound of that tire hitting the pavement made a startling alarm clock one morning. In all, we hope to do this again.
Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club Page 4 Contact for AZ Chapter 309 Valley of the Sun Chapter 71 Grand Canyon Ramblers Chapter 407 Cactus Wrens Thom Feit (114992) State Manager AZ & NM HRRVC Thom & Barb Feit 911 W Laguna Azul Ave Mesa, AZ 85210-7109 Thom: 317.507.3557 - cell Email: thomfeit.az@aol.com Barb: 480.495.5947 - cell barbfeit1@gmail.com Contact for NM Dawn MacPherson (90258) Assistant State Manager NM Dawn & Les MacPherson 922 Lantana Ave Las Cruces, NM 88005 575.644.6435 Email: dawnmacp@comcast.net Nancy Joy (85873) grantjoy86@gmail.com Vice Ray Zeek (104190) zeekstrophy@gmail.com Secretary Kay Honn (88530) knhonn@yahoo.com Larry Laursen (19685) ljlaursen@aol.com Membership Barbara Laursen (19685) bjlaursen@aol.com Hilda Nichols (62633) chelanview@q.com Vice Neil Honn (88530) knhonn@yahoo.com Secretary Tom Simester (73188) tsimester@aol.com Richard Roberts (85832) rhjsroberts@gmail.com Reba Lucy (58971) rylucey@aol.com Vice Dave McPhaden (89581) D-L.McPhaden@att.net Secretary (105482) Ann Minick aminick42@gmail.com Lynn McPhaden (89581) D-L.McPhaden@att.net National HRRVC Office Christina Crist, CFO 547-295-9800 christina.crist@hrrvc.org HRRVC PO Box 3028 Elkhart, IN 46515 Wishing all a Joyous & Peaceful Holiday Season A Final Word by Thom Feit, editor Notes from different chapters: Chapter 71: Reby Lucey is battling some health issues which have put much of her holiday plans on hold. We wish her well, and know that a much improved day is ahead. We also wish well to Lynn McPhaden as she prepares Akers discovered they were not using their unit as much as they thought and have their unit for sale. Jim Miget, after 49 years of RVing will soon place his unit for sale. We certainly wish well for both of these fine people. New Mexico: Les & Dawn MacPherson returned from for some major dental a cruise during early November. work. Chapter 309: Two members have given up their RV life during this past Campouts: 309: Quartzsite in January and Lake Pleasant in February. A request: This newsletter is one method to share information between the HRRVC chapters in AZ and NM. It does not replace individual chapter s newsletters nor the national Ramblings. It is another venue, and it is my desire that you, as a reader, share what is happening in your area, or share an interesting experience with others who do enjoy the RV Lifestyle. Safe Travels. year. George & Lucy