Christmas Party 2018

Thank you to everyone for your support during our time as Co-Presidents. It was an honor to serve. And, thank you soooo much for the Appreciation gift. For those who didn't see the card here is what the inside was. (photo by MaryAnn Cathey)

Wishing all of you a Blessed Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year. 

Hugs and more hugs !

Lynn and Wayne Selden

Lake Skinner

November is a nice time of year to be outdoors.Wake up to sunny mornings but the air is still cool. It was a good idea whoever suggested building a campfire during morning coffee. The days warm up and the jackets come off. But, as the sun goes down, the coolness returns and out come the jackets again. AC during the day and heat at night. Nestled in the rolling hills, outside of Temecula, Lake Skinner Recreation Area is as relaxing or as busy as you want it to be.

Twelve rigs pulled in on Monday and of course gathered for Happy Hour to catch up with everyone. It was the second day of the time change so it seemed strange for it to be dark around 5pm.

Tuesday was a day of visiting the local wineries, shopping, hiking, biking or relaxing with a good book. The Pot Luck was early so we could see what we were eating, remember early darkness. The group welcomed Larry and Sandy to their very first rally and maiden voyage in their rig. We all have those stories about our trials and tribulations of learning how to manage our rigs. Larry and Sandy shared the fiasco of their first night, that started with arriving after dark to the locked entrance gate. Sit down with them at a meeting or rally to hear their adventure and offer your tips. 😃

New members: Larry & Sandy Rice

A trip near Temecula always brings Richie's Diner to mind so off to lunch went a hungry group.

On Thursday a small group cruised the serene lake on a pontoon boat.

Victor caught a few Zzzzzzzs    ↗↗↗

There were a few mornings that several ladies enjoyed playing cards in the morning sun 😎

The evening campfires started early due to the coolness of night. The group enjoyed laughs and camaraderie. One night, thanks to Nadine, we even has smores ! Brought back memories !

Many thanks to Nadine and Jack Curry for hosting their first rally. Talk to them and they will tell you how easy it was. The Chapter needs YOUR ideas for rallies in 2019 and of course, the members to host them. IS IT YOUR TURN ??

Rally in Prescott, AZ

Submitted by Sharan Harrison:

The Prescott Rally was a huge success even though we encountered some rain along with sunny, warm days. There were 15 rigs total with 3 couples participating that live in the Prescott area.
Orchard Ranch Resort and RV Park is a 55+ residential community with RV parking and a lovely setting for our RV's. All their facilities were open to us - big screen tv's, exercise room, pool table and library. The pool was closed for the season but the Pickleball Courts were very popular. They will be adding more home and RV sites early next year.Several of us stayed at the Elks Lodge a favorite for their lovely views and of course the activities and meals offered by the Lodge.

On Sunday early arrivals were treated with a Happy Hour at the Carle's lovely home. Monday was official arrival day so in the evening we all met for dinner at Gabby's Grill and the food was scrumptious.

Tuesday we carpooled (and the Carles drove several couples in their RV) to delightful Jerome for lunch and self-guided touring. The Mine Museum was a special treat.

Sliding jail
(Blast in the mine caused the whole town of Jerome to slide several hundred feet in 1930. Jail is all that survived)

Wednesday we all toured the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott. We saw a film about settling humans permanently on the Moon in the Planetarium; and looked in on classes and viewed items made by students like robots and rockets, rovers and satellites-fascinating stuff. Lunch in the cafeteria was a treat with ethnic foods and tables shaped like propellers.

Real propeller mounted at the height it would be on a plane

Our dinner was at the Elks Lodge for Tacos.

Thursday we toured Bronzesmith Foundry and Gallery and witnessed an actual "pour" of the molten bronze into molds. The Gallery was drop-dead impressive with a variety of one of a kind bronze sculptures. We were able to witness several steps in the process of creating these amazing works of art.

Adding the patina to the artist's work

Finished pieces in the Gallery

One of Sharan's favorites in the garden

Friday we all chose different things to do from napping to visiting Whiskey Row and Courthouse Square or a fine Western Art Museum, the Phippen Museum and others.

The Rally concluded with a nice dinner at the Carles at their lovely home . 

Many thanks to Garth & Judy Carle and Jim & Sharan Harrison for making this Rally so special and to all those who participated!

Time in Julian at Pinezanita Campground

 

 Julian is a getaway in the Cuyamaca Mountains that is close to San Diego but when you are there, seems so far away. Julian's beginning is rooted in the 1870s gold rush. The shops and restaurants are housed in historic buildings amid oaks and pines.

Ten Shanty Shaker rigs gathered at Pinezanita Trailer Ranch and Campground. (what is a Trailer Ranch?) The weather was perfect with warm, sunny days and cool nights. Mornings started with coffee and pastries and the days ended around the campfire. After arriving and set up on Monday, many headed into town for dinner and ended up at the Rongbranch Family Restaurant. Nadine and Jack have the right idea for dining out; split a dinner but each have their own dessert. 😃

Tuesday morning another six couples joined in for a visit to the California Wolf Center  Here is their mission statement: "California Wolf Center is dedicated to the return of wild wolves to their natural habitat and to the people who share the landscape with them. We foster communities coming together to ensure wolves, livestock, and people thrive in today’s world"

The visit started with a very educational talk about the benefit of grey wolves on the balance of nature, their physical and behavior traits, current and former geographic distribution, how they communicate, and the story of their near extinction to today's preservation efforts. After the lecture, we went to see the enclosures to meet some of the wolves.  If you have never visited the Center, it is highly recommended.  https://www.californiawolfcenter.org/

Watch this 2 minute news clip about the Wolf Center             Channel 8 report on growing Wolf Pack

Taken at the California Wolf Center

On Wednesday some spent the day just relaxing and some browsed the shops in Julian. Many enjoyed some famous Mom's Apple Pie or picked one up to take home. 😋 The group headed to the Miners Diner, an old time 50s diner with a hometown feeling for burgers and shakes. 

                                

Many thanks to Mike Formico for hosting the Rally. It was a very enjoyable time !!

Summer lunch celebration at the Spaghetti Factory

The group gathered for lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory in San Marcos to catch up with friends AND to celebrate a milestone anniversary for Clark and Betty Paxton...70 years ! Honorable mention went to Bill and Frances Surbrook along with Herb and Dayle Sands.

the cake was delicious !

 The lunch was good but the company was even better !

We hope you are enjoying the summer and if you are travelling, send us a picture or two and tell us where you are (or went).😎

Sweetwater Summit; fun and relaxing

Aside from the breezy winds, the weather was picture perfect...low to mid 70s during the day and cool at night. It was so easy to just kick back and relax with friends. The first evening of the rally we enjoyed  tacos and hand-made tortillas with beans and rice. The leftovers were perfect for the potluck 2 days later.

On Tuesday, most of the group went to the ... a non profit organization "dedicated to providing environmental education on coastal resource conservation, and instilling a respect for nature and wildlife in people of all ages."        Link Here

The slow, gentle walk through the grounds was pleasant and informative. It's a nice place to take the grandchildren (or the great grandchildren 😉) as they provide planned activities just for the kids.

 We got cozy by the fire in the evening and generally just enjoyed chatting the evening away.

On Thursday, it was off to the Elite Athlete Training Center, formerly known as the Olympic Training Center. We were shuttled across the 155 acres and toured the state-of the-art sports venues. Although we didn't see a lot of action (it was late afternoon and most training is in the morning) the facilities were quite impressive.

last 4 pics from their website

We met Mike and Linda Marceaux, recent new members who joined in their first SS rally. Hope they enjoyed it and  felt welcome !

Thank you to Victor Santana for hosting his first rally. 
He did an outstanding job !

Here are a few other random pictures from the Rally.

Mike F  and sidekick, Blue came by for a visit

Jack and Nadine

Taco Man

Dianna showing off new collapsible bike

Enjoy your summer travels and be safe ! Send pictures to Shantyshakers25@gmail.com and let us know where you are. Always looking for recommendations of sights to see along the way !