DESERT ROADRUNNERS NEWSLETTER VOLUME: 35 ISSUE: 10 APRIL 2018 From our President Page 1 April Silver City Schedule Page 3 From our 1 st Vice President Page 1 April Silver City Registration Page 5 From our Club Treasurer Page 2 May Distant Drums Schedule Page 6 From our National Director Page 2 May Distant Drums Registration Page 10 Maintenance Tip Page 2 Chapter Defining Ballot Page 11 April B-Day & Anniv. Page 2 Recipe Request Page 12 From our President Sharon Wilson Our March Rally at Roper Lake State Park was a huge success with 24 coaches attending. Nancy and Neil Robson and Darlene Duiz and Jerry Baranick provided us with activities that kept us busy from morning donuts to afternoon happy hours. A big Thank You to the four of them! We welcomed Lori and Patty Crouch to the Desert Roadrunners, even though they had joined several months ago, this was the first rally they were able to attend. The March birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated with cake (and frosting), of course. The slate of officers for June 2018 to May 31, 2020 was accepted. Congratulations to Terry Whaley, President; Roger Fisher, Vice President; Kay Hanson, 2 nd Vice President; Kay McCleary, Secretary, Ed White, Treasurer; Rita Moore, National Director; and Connie Mayberry, Alternate National Director. We have a great team to head up our Desert Roadrunner Chapter. Our final discussion on how we want to define our chapter continued to voice many and varied opinions. Now it is time to vote. Please checkout the ballot found elsewhere in the newsletter and cast your vote. They will be counted at the April Rally in Silver City, NM. We are looking forward to celebrating our Chapter 35 th Anniversary on April 7, at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Then, we will see you in Silver City. Travel Safely. From our 1 st Vice President (Rally Master) Terry Whaley I want to remind everyone that we need more folks to sign up for Early Security at the FMCA Rally in Gillette, WY. I have eight couples and would like about 12 more. Please email me that you will attend. I would like all folks to send me a message that you can attend, even though you have already responded, so I can make sure my list is up to date. 1
From our Club Treasurer Ed White Always send a registration form to Treasurer whether there is money involved or not. I prepare a spreadsheet which goes to the Wagonmasters for planning meals, coffee, etc. One also goes to our archives. Thank you! From our National Director Rita Moore The National Rally in Gillette, WY will be July 18-21 and the Desert Roadrunners have agreed to provide early security, which means we will be arriving probably July 14 or 15. Please let Terry Whaley and I know if you will be attending. You can register now and mark on your registration Early Security for one or both of you. Maintenance Tip-Rich Wilson All of us have, at one time or another, been sitting in our coach when the wind is blowing. The sound of the wind crossing the strap that holds your window awnings is rhythmic but is mono. A tip from one of our fellow Roadrunner members is to twist the strap before placing it over the hook and the noise will stop. Another tip I learned at Roper Lake State Park is to be aware of how to recognize when your leveling jack system needs to have the electronics reset, and how to reset it. This happened to us and after reading the procedure I found that the instruction manual we received when we bought the coach was not for the system that was installed. BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES-April Birthdays Anniversaries 10 Stan Whicker 5 Bennett 11 Kay Hanson 8 Schroeder 11 Connie Jones 24 Headley 14 Margaret Whicker 29 Jones 15 Ann Silva 16 Tonia Swarner 21 Fred Mansmith 22 Tom Tucker 24 Paul Mitchell 2
April Rally Agenda Rose Valley RV Park 2040 Memory Lane Silver City, New Mexico 88061 Dates: 25 April - 30 April 2018 Wagon Masters: Dave/Tonia Swarner daventonia2@msn.com Roger/Pat Fisher rf4e@gmail.com Wednesday 25 April: 4:30-5:30 PM: Happy hour at the Barn. 5:30 PM: Welcome dinner in the Barn (Chicken wings, Ranch Beans, macaroni salad) Thursday 26 th : 8:00 AM: Coffee and good things 11:00 AM: Lunch at La Famillia restaurant (order off the menu & you pay) 12:30 PM: Caravan to Fort Bayard 1:00 PM: Guided tour of Fort Bayard 4:30 PM: Happy hour at the Barn. 5:30 PM: Heavy Hors oeuvres (Horse s Doovers) 7:30 PM: Bon fire at the Barn Friday 27 th : 8:00 AM: Coffee 9:30 AM: Depart on road trip 10:00-10:45 Visit Pinos Altos 11:30-12:30 Picnic lunch (bring your own) at Roberts State Park. 1:30PM: Visit Mimbres Culture Center 4:30 PM: Happy hour at the Barn. 5:30 PM: Catered dinner at the Barn (bring your own utensils & plates) 7:30 PM: Bon fire at the Barn Saturday 28 th : 8:00 AM: Coffee 9:00 AM: Club meeting 10:00 AM: Tour downtown on your own 4:30 PM: Happy hour at the Barn. 5:30 PM: Pot luck dinner at the Barn 7:30 PM: Bon fire at the Barn 3
Sunday 29 th : 8:00 AM: Coffee 12:00-1:30: Club picnic at Barn, (club provides Chili dogs), bring your own sides to share. 1:30-4:30: Games at the Barn 4:30 PM: Happy hour at the Barn. Monday 30 th : 8:00 AM: Coffee at the Barn 9:00 AM: Say your good byes, hit the road home SAFE TRAVELS 4
Dates: Arrive 25 April Leave 30 April 2018 April Rally Registration Rose Valley RV Park (575-534-4277) 2040 Memory Lane Silver City, New Mexico 88061 Wagon Masters: Dave/Tonia Swarner & Roger/Pat Fisher Name (s) FMCA # Address: _ City: State: _ Zip RV Make Model License # Monday 23 April (early arrival) Tuesday 24 April (early arrival) Wednesday 25 April Thursday 26 April Friday 27 April Saturday 28 April Sunday 29 April Rate: of nights $25.00 deposit made to Rose Valley when you make your reservation - Pay remainder when you arrive at Rose Valley Number of persons attending: Catered dinner $13.00/person: Pulled pork: or Roasted Chicken Leg Quarter: Total: $ Please submit registration and payment for dinner by 9 April to: Club Treasurer, Ed White, 4223 S. Crepe Myrtle Court, Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635 5
May 2018 Roadrunner Rally Schedule Wagon Masters George & Claire Williams (520-247-3769); Dan & Kathie McClellan (520-762-9742) 5/23 Wed Early arrivals to Distant Drums Wagon Masters and anyone else. 5/24 Thu Rally officially begins 4:30 PM Happy Hour with BYO Snacks - no meal planned 5/25 Fri 8:30 AM coffee and pastries Off road safari to Sedona Red Rocks Country Departure TBD Lunch on own 1:00 PM Verde Canyon Railroad 4 hour trip (Make own reservation) 4:30 PM Happy Hour and dinner on own 5/26 Sat 8:30 AM coffee and pastries Off-road safari to Sedona Red Rocks Country Departure TBD Lunch on own 4:45 PM Depart Distant Drums for Blazing M Ranch dinner theater ranch opens at 5:00 PM, dinner bell at 6:30 PM, show at 7:30 PM 5/27 Sun 8:30 AM coffee and pastries Lunch on own 4:30 PM Happy Hour w/snacks people bring Dinner - shredded chicken sliders & potato salad dinner 5/28 Mon 8:30 AM coffee and pastries 9:30 AM Chapter meeting Luncheon sandwich bar leftovers offered for to-go on Tues Happy Hour w/snacks people bring Dinner on own 5/29 Tue 8:30 Goodbye coffee w/any leftover pastries in Rally Notes: We need a fairly accurate head count for planning purposes so please register for this rally ASAP. Payment can be made separately no later than May 1 st. Make checks payable to Desert Roadrunners and send to Ed White. Additional rally registration info is at the request of Distant Drums in order to facilitate check-in. At check-in Distant Drums will provide a local area attraction info package and Casino Bucks. Early check-in before 1 PM $10, late check-out after 11 AM $10. For the Verde Canyon Railroad excursion, we have 35 reserved seats on the First-Class car and 35 seats on the Coach car. We will return at approximately 4:45 PM. 6
Things to do during the Rally! Verde Canyon Railroad Daily departure 1 PM From the moment you step foot on one of our meticulously refurbished train cars you and your family will feel like you ve been transported to a simpler, more leisurely time before all the distractions and annoyances of our modern world. Breathe deep, order a drink and relax as you glide along on a 4-hour, 20 mile journey through 100 years of history while still enjoying modern creature comforts like climate control, comfortable seating and thoughtful decor. For the Verde Canyon Railroad excursion, we have reserved both a First Class and Coach Class car (35 seats each). The First-Class car will have access to the open Coach Class car. We return at approximately 4:45 PM. Visit this Web site for more info on the train ride and other local area attractions: https://verdecanyonrr.com/sedona-area/ Tuzigoot National Monument Eight hundred years ago, this Sinagua pueblo was home to the Indian population which once inhabited this area. The site is comprised of 42 acres, including hiking trails (one wheelchair accessible). Visitors are escorted through the various rooms of the pueblo to view this ancient civilization. Images, etched in stone, help tell the tale of their daily life. Self-guided Off-road Adventure in Sedona for those with a 4-wheel drive SUV We ll coordinate a group departure time, note that an early tour beats the tourists and makes for great dawn photography of the Red Rocks, sunrise Memorial Day is 5:16 AM. We ll provide more details at the rally. Schnebly Hill Road Location: East of Sedona between Hwy 89A and I-17. Difficulty: Easy Description: Towering red rock buttes set against a backdrop of deep-green forest and clear blue sky make this road one of Arizona s most photogenic. The road climbs over 2,200 feet from Sedona to the top of massive Mogollon Rim. Memorable hiking trails depart from several places along the road, and dispersed camping is allowed above Vista Point. The drive is impressive in either direction. Elk may be seen before sunset. Mountain bikers looking for an easy day will enjoy the ride down. If you park, hike, or stop along the route, you ll need a Red Rocks Pass. Signs recommend only trucks or off-highway vehicles, but cars (not low-slung) can make it in good weather. Although the road is wide and well-maintained, expect a bumpy ride. Much of the lower portion is a shelf road. This road is closed during the winter. Time & Distance: About 12 miles one way. The road can be driven in an hour but allow much more time, you ll want to stop many times. 7
Note: There are several off-road trails in the area; however, there is only one other off- road trail rated easy and it is North of Flagstaff, Elden Mountain (6.6 miles), Shultz Pass (13.7 miles). Details will be available at the rally for additional off-road trails. Several 2-hour Jeep tour options are available in Sedona. Good deals can be found with an internet web search of Sedona AZ Jeep Tours. Blazin M Ranch Dinner Theater RANCH GATES OPEN: 5:00 PM (Courtyard / Shops / Activities / Attractions/ Saloon) Recommended Check-in: 5:00-5:30PM One guest from each reservation MUST check in at the ticket booth upon arrival to pick-up dinner tickets and receive table assignments. Before dining, guests are encouraged to meander through an Old West courtyard laden with events that also entertained early settlers. Visitors may indulge themselves in a lively game of horseshoes, try their skill in the shootin' gallery with a real Colt.45 with wax bullets ($5 for 6 shots or 18 shots for $12) and compete for the coveted Sharp-Shooter prize awarded each 8
evening, learn to rope with a mechanical horse and steer with one of our resident wranglers, or grin at family or friends from behind the bars of the local jailhouse. Belly up to the bar in the Copper Spur Saloon and quench your thirst as cowboys once did after their long ride on Arizona's dusty trails. A clatter of footsteps can be heard on the wooden boardwalk that connects our four rustic Western shops that line the courtyard. Suited in a fancy saloon ensemble, deadeye gunslinger garb or lacy Victorian regalia, one may immortalize his or her frontier experience at the Red Garter Olde Tyme photo studio. Your ticket includes free admission into the only-one-of-its-kind-in-the-world "Wood-n-West" Gallery and is a must-see during the Blazin' M Ranch visit. The miniature, movable Old West scenes, created by a master woodcarver, are sure to add another smile. Hop aboard our vintage Tractor Pull to view the charmin' farm critters and learn a bit about the ranch history along the way. VITTLES SERVED: 6:30PM When the dinner bell rings, guests enter the climate-controlled dinner barn and will feast in rustic splendor. Dinner is served on a tin plate and cup; our cowpokes will fill your plates with the best chicken and ribs in Arizona and all the fixin's (beware of flying biscuits). COWBOY SHOW: 7:30PM After dinner, sit back, relax and enjoy the smooth harmonies and rip-roarin' comedy of the Blazin' M Cowboys. Authentic, award-winning cowboy music, tall tales, tomfoolery and other side-splitting surprises will keep you wanting more! EXIT STAGE LEFT: 8:45PM The Western Courtyard re-opens for photo opportunities, shopping and creating one last memory of your visit to the Blazin' M Ranch. 9
May 2018 Distant Drums RV Resort Rally Registration 583 W. Middle Verde Rd., Camp Verde, AZ 86322, 1-877-577-5507 Wednesday, May 23 (Early Arrival) Tuesday, May 30 (Late Departure) Wagon Masters George & Claire Williams (520-247-3769) Dan & Kathie McClellan (520-762-9742) Name (s) FMCA# _ Address: City: _ State: Zip: RV Make Model License# State Length:_ # Slides _ Wednesday, 23 May, (Early Arrival) 1 night 35.30 Thursday, 24 May, 2 nights 70.60 Friday, 25 May, 3 nights 105.90 Saturday, 26 May, 4 nights 141.20 Sunday, 27 May, 5 nights 176.50 Monday, 28 May, (Memorial Day) 6 nights 211.80 Tuesday, 29 May, (Late Departure) Group Rate of $35.30 X # nights = Verde Canyon RR - Select Coach or First-Class Coach Coach Single $ 57.69 Friday, May 25 Couple $115.38 Coach First Class Single $ 86.56 First Class Couple $173.12 Blazin M Ranch Dinner Theater Saturday, May 26 Single $39 (tax & gratuity inc.) Couple $78(tax & gratuity inc.) Total Menu includes BBQ Chicken & Ribs, Cowboy Beans, Baked Potato, Prickly Pear Cole Slaw, Biscuits w/butter & honey, Caramel-Apple Crisp a la mode for dessert and Lemonade, Iced Tea & Coffee as beverage choices (vegetarian meal available with a 24-hr. prior request). Gates open at 5:00PM for activities, attractions, shopping, saloon, etc. Dinner bell rings at 6:30PM and the hour-long show begins at 7:30PM. Please send this completed reservation form to Ed White ASAP. Final payment to Desert Roadrunners is due no later than May 1. Send reservation and checks to: Ed White, 4223 S. Crape Myrtle Court, Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635. 10
DESERT ROADRUNNERS CHAPTER DEFINING BALLOT (one ballot per coach) Print Name FMCA # Signature Check one box below to cast your vote for the type of recreational vehicles allowed in our chapter. _ Leave it like it is. (Class A, Class B, and Class C recreational vehicles) _ Allow self-contained towables (recreational trailers and recreational 5 th wheels) ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Check one box below to cast your vote for the age qualifications for Desert Roadrunners members. 55 plus age level of members No restriction on age of member ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Please return this ballot to: -or- e-mail ballot to: Sharon Wilson 64532 E. Sugar Lane Tucson, AZ 85739 rwshwilson@aol.com Ballots will be counted at the April Rally in Silver City. You will be notified when your ballot is received if your name is on the corner of the envelope or if emailed you will get a reply electronically. Remember, if mailed, Tucson does not have a post office. Mail early. 11
The following information is from Connie Jarvis. She provided this at our Desert Roadrunner Pot Luck at Roper Lake. It was a huge hit and she has graciously agreed to share her secret with all of us. Here is a pic of the front and back of the bag. The back has the crockpot recipe I use. Then I serve it with shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped tomatoes. I buy it at Safeway. Yummy! 12