Rally in Prescott, AZ

Submitted by Larry Rice

We took a hint from Mike & Marcy Parker, who advised us that going early and staying a day late was so much better than just sticking to the Rally dates.  Sandy & I arrived a week early and proceeded to roam the surrounding sights. In that week, we went to Jerome, and once again with the Chapter, Sedona (twice), caught the end of a Corvette Rally on Whiskey Row, downtown Prescott. (That’s pronounced ‘Preskit,’ NOT Pres-cot), in case you want to sound like a local.  

We also took a day to drive to Williams and board the Grand Canyon Railway bound for the canyon of the same name.  The train ride was replete with singing cowboys, two to be exact, train robbers (they got $2 from us) who walked through our car so fast that it prompted Sandy to say, “That wasn’t worth $2.00!”  One of the other passengers said, “That’s because YOU WERE ROBBED!”

Chapter members started to arrive late Saturday and more Sunday in time for the Chili Dog Cookout at Garth & Judy’s House.  There were newbies and oldies alike.  New faces for a lot of us to meet.  Chili, hot dogs and all the fixin’s were there with a special Chocolate Wine and ice cream.

Monday was ‘on your own’ for relaxing, exploring or wandering around Orchard Ranch RV Resort.  Their own library was where you could also get Wi-Fi, beautiful laundry room, billiards, that giant “Ping Pong’ on a small tennis court thing, clay (lawn) bowling or riding your bike.  Like old people, by 4 o'clock, we were at Gabby’s Mexican Restaurant for dinner that evening. 

The next night, Tuesday, was a Potluck Dinner at John & Debbie Lupton’s House, also residents of Prescott, but Shanty Shakers just the same.  We met John & Debbie at Escapades 59, last year.  They were both very busy volunteering their time then, so it was good to spend some more leisurely time getting to know them this trip.  During the day on Tuesday, Judy had arranged a tour of the campus at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, one of the top aviation and aerospace schools in America.  It was interesting to see the young (smart) people learning all about flight and space travel.  They even taught drone flying there.

Wednesday, like all the other days, had perfect weather.  Clear blue skies, light cool breeze and warm sun, about 74.  This day, most of us, caravanned to Jerome, up State Route 89-A – known as 156 turns in 12 miles.  Ron & Elaine Guidotti rode with us and we ended up roaming the town together, where we ate lunch at “Grapes,” a little restaurant that looked like it was originally built in about 1888, with an old west saloon styling inside.  I strongly recommend the “Tuscan Berry” Salad.  I ranked it in the top three salads of all-time; certainly, a Hall of Fame shoe-in. 

While wandering around the shops, Ron received a text from Richard & Shirley Melendez, tipping us off to an Old Ghost Town that was about a mile behind the Sedona Fire Department.  It turned out to be a highlight of the day.  I won’t ruin the eventual trip that you might make to this location someday, but it ended with ‘chicken taming’ and that’s not something you get to do every day.  

Wednesday night was Taco Tuesday at the local Elks Lodge, (they’re on Arizona time, so they were a day late).  We filled our share of tables and we got to spend a little time with Karl & Janis Schaefer, been in our Chapter for a year, but this was their first trip with us.

Thursday was departure day for us as we had to be back home by Saturday, but most members were still there for a tour of Touchmark (an upscale retirement community) and lunch was served for us there.  (I guess Judy & Garth want more friends to move there in their old age). 😉

There was a dinner at Carle’s the final evening – but I can’t comment, as I said, we had an earlier departure that morning. (maybe Sharan can comment on the dinner 😃)

We went to several great museums, ate lunch in some cute restaurants, bought some useless stuff, t-shirts for the grandkids and even took a Haunted Walking Tour of the Haunts of Whiskey Row in Old Town ‘Preskit.’ Learned how to take Ghost pictures and other memorable stuff.

It felt good, as the last slide was powered in, when several of the remaining Chapter Members filtered over to say, “Good-bye” with hugs and handshakes at our almost vacant campsite.  We left what was our longest-ever campsite with a warm feeling of being a real part of the Shanty Shakers.

And as always, “Honey, I’m sorry for the things I said while we parked the rig.”

- Larry Rice