Rancho Jurupa Rally

Eighteen rigs gathered at Rancho Jurupa Park in Riverside County. What a nice park ! A great time was had by all (despite humidity, gnats, ants, and rain). Thank you to Jim and Sharan Harrison for hosting their first rally and to Ed and Abby Decouteau for assisting. There were several highlights of our time together but the first one was the presentation of the chapter's new banner and sign.

A great big THANKS to Debbie Lupton for leading the charge from the design phase to near final completion. (the CARE patches will be added to streamers to the side and/or bottom of the banner). 

On Wednesday morning several, energetic Shakers walked to the top of a nearby hill. At the top is a cross and a fantastic view. It was a good way to burn off  the previous evenings heavy hor'dourves.

The rest of us prepared for a spontaneous swap meet/auction. We searched through cupboards and basement compartments for those things we thought we needed, but didn't...and hoped someone else wanted it. A few items generated a bidding war and leftover items had to be given away. Don't be surprised if we see some of these "prizes" on the SS raffle table at the monthly meeting. However, the bottom line is that $94.50 was donated to the chapter. 

In the afternoon, 22 members toured the Jensen Alvarado Ranch, a 30-acre site housing the historic ranch built by retired sea captain Cornelius Jensen and his wife Mercedes Alvarado. This historic site affords visitors a peek into the past, depicting Southern California life as it was lived in the 1880’s. Lead by interpreters in period-appropriate attire, demonstrations of tortilla and butter making, adobe brick making, ice cream cranking, scrub board and wringer laundry, weaving, and various farming techniques from the 19th century can be observed.

The group spread out for dinner either in their rigs or at various restaurants in town such as ProAbition, Thai food, or Tio Tacos. Tio's  serves Mexican fare in a funky, unusually decorated space. In the heart of downtown Riverside,  a gentleman called Martin Sanchez has built a shrine out of trash. Recycling is taken to great creative heights. From refuse, he created pyramids, whimsical fountains, and a series of giant wire figures, filled with shells, shoes, toys and other cast offs.  A "must see" place when cruising Riverside.

The rally drew to a end on Thursday evening when we shared a pot of Hobo Soup. For those who have never experienced this before, you missed out. Every one brought a can of soup to the big pot and along with a few other ingredients, added by "soup chef", Janice Huskey, the mixture then simmered together. It was served with sides of salads, crackers, cornbread and freshly baked rye bread then followed by delicious pumpkin pie and ice cream. Yummy !!

 

THANKS AGAIN TO JIM AND SHARAN, ABBY AND ED FOR A FUN RALLY !!!

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Now, for special recognition to a very special man who celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this month....the one and only Clark Paxton !!

Clark, his older sister, and beautiful wife, Betty !