Carlsbad Flower Field Rally

  50 acres of extraordinary color, better known as The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch blooms on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean made for a unique place for a rally. Thank-you to Garth and Judy for organizing and hosting the gathering. In typical Shanty Shaker fashion, meals were enjoyed together as well as happy hour and campfires.
                                                      








 The group did several fun things. They went on a wagon ride pulled by a tractor around the vast fields of flowers.

(Do Stan and Mary know what the sign behind them says?)

They had fun finding their way through the sweet pea maze. Pictured here are the happy walkers finally finding the exit.

                                

The group enjoyed a tour of the Leo Carillo Ranch.This former working ranch was once owned by actor Leo Carrillo. Secluded in the heart of a magnificently landscaped 27-acre canyon, this historic park contains and protects romantic hand-crafted adobe buildings, antique windmills, a reflecting pool and many other beautiful historic structures where visitors can explore and experience California history. Nature-lovers delight in gorgeous agave, bougainvillea, Birds of Paradise, plentiful trees and the company of dozens of brilliant peacocks who call the ranch home. (quote from their website). Shanty Shaker member, Ken Pace is a docent at the ranch and gave the group a private tour. Thanks Ken !!!

If you were not there, you were missed ! Hope to see you at the Sacred Rocks rally !!

WARE 2014

Thirteen Shanty Shakers ventured to the Grape Festival Fairgrounds in Lodi, CA for the Western Area Rally of Escapees (Armstrongs, Carles, Fosters, Paces, Kalendas, Sands and D. Smith).

 They enjoyed playing Bean Bag Baseball, geocaching, exploring the swap meet or other areas of interest, as well as and meeting other western area Escapees members.

                                           

Dayle and Faith went to a craft class to learn how to make a beaded lanyard for name tags. 

This is how Faith tells the story: 

 How to Be President:

Dayle and I went to a class to make a lanyard. Paid ten bucks for the kit and two plus days to learn how to make it. Judy wins one in the silent auction for ten dollars and puts it on.

(waiting for pictures of the completed project ) 

Doris and Judy got a work out at the beginning Line Dancing class

Sue helped out with donations at the Silent Auction

Adventure Caravans sponsored the grand prize drawing, a certificate for $500 toward the rally tour of their choice. Our very own Don Smith (not really our very own, he belongs to 16 Escapee chapters/BOFs) won the drawing. Congratulations, Don !

 ADDENDUM: Don didn't think he would use the gift certificate so he graciously turned it over to Lorretta and Rey...what a guy !!   

This was reported by Sue Pace:

The final dinner prepared by Chapter 37 (I think), was interesting. They were brave cooking all those whole chickens in barrels. (yes, she said barrels) How they got enough to feed 150 folks was amazing. they cut them after they cooked for several hours inside the barrels. We all got a quarter of a chicken along with salad, rolls, beans, and dessert. We took our "group" picture outside on the table in the setting sun so you wouldn't have to see us EATING!  (seen at the top here)

Several Shanty Shakers were seen chasing Judy and Garth's new foster dog , Sparkle, around the park. She's an escape artist and gave everyone a run for our money.


A good time was had by all !! If you haven't experienced the Western Area Rally yet, be sure to plan for it next year....April 12, 2015 in Yuba City, CA. You will be glad you did !

SEE YOU AT THE NEXT CHAPTER MEETING, SATURDAY 4/26 AT 10:00am.

Fun in the sun at Silver Strand

Herb and Dayle did a great job turning a party of 6 into a rally of 30 at Silver Strand State Beach.

The fishermen fished..... 

Caught by Victor Santana

the walkers walked...... enjoyed morning coffee......

 

the bikers biked....

. the  geocachers cached.......

some relaxed and  enjoyed the ocean breeze.......

              

and of course we ate.......                                                                        

and ate some more !

The all you can eat fish fry at the Chula Vista Marina was great! (Ask Diana if she liked it)

Warm fires at night in Garth's fancy pit......

and everyone had a good time with great friends !

Thanks to Sue Pace, Victor Santana, and Judy Carle for providing the pictures and to Herb and Dayle Sands for hosting the rally.

March Meeting Minutes   Please review the minutes from the last meeting

(Cartoon is from RV Travel)

Party, party !

When our President Garth Carle asked his Co-president, Judy Carle how she wanted to celebrate her birthday her reply was to spend it with her friends. He knew just what to do next and invited all the Shanty Shakers to the Escondido Elks for a dinner party to celebrate her 65th birthday. The turnout of 50 plus friends was a testament of the friendships Judy was referring to.

It was a great evening with a nice lasagna dinner, cake and ice cream, along with a lot of laughter and hugs. Garth and Judy wish to express their "THANKS" for all the warm wishes and attendance at the party. The next morning at the Chapter business meeting  Betty Paxton presented, on behalf of the chapter members,  a gift certificate to Judy for Claim Jumper Restaurant to be redeemed every year on her birthday. Awesome!

Visit to Saguaro Co-Op Park in Benson, AZ

Three couples from the Shanty Shakers met up in Benson, Arizona near the Escapees Saguaro Co-op Park. Walter & Mary Campbell winter at this park due to possible snow accumulation in Big Bear. Although the temperatures at night here have been below freezing may times, there is a heat wave on its way as they are saying it may hit 90 degrees this weekend (a record in Tucson). There are many activities in the Saguaro park as well as attractions nearby. Judy & Mike Formico along with Jerry & Dave Galecki are staying for awhile in this area and we all met & dined at the San Pedro Golf Course restaurant and Horseshoe Restaurant.   We also gave the Galecki's & Formico's a tour of the SKP Saguaro Park. Anyone interested in finding out more about the park, their website is: SKP Saguaro Co-Op Park and they are offering a special for any 1st time visitors at 1st time visitor special

Happy traveling and we'll be back in California soon!!
Walter Campbell
817-475-3007
Submitted 2/11/2014


Have you ever checked out the Member Submitted Articles tab here on the blog ?? There are some articles posted. If you have something interesting or helpful to share, please send it to Shantyshakers25@gmail.com. Also, please send information about your road trips along with pictures to share with the other chapter members. This is YOUR newsletter/web-blog

Also, if you would like to post something for sale, trade or give away, send all  information with a photo if possible to shantyshakers25@gmail.com

Another year at Q

The Big Tent is down, parking is plentiful and the restaurants are quiet. Thus ends another year of Sell-A-Rama at Quartzsite. We shopped and shopped until we couldn’t shop anymore. Some purchased what they were looking for and some purchased what they weren't looking for. Many Shanty Shakers circled up at Greasewood. One evening there were more than 32 people at a potluck and campfire. We welcomed new members, Ron and Kathy Wand as new Escapees and new chapter members. They reside in Montana but plan to winter in the south and were happy to join other RVers.
 

Several folks ventured out to the Nellie E. Saloon...aka...the Desert Bar nestled in the mountains north of Parker. It is built among the ruins of an old mining camp. Opened in 1983 as a 3 sided structure, it was completed in 1988.Features include windows made from old glass refrigerator doors, steel bar stools, a brass bar and a ceiling made of stamped tin. In 1993 a solid steel church steeple was built on the property and has become a very popular photo op.

Here are a few reminders of some of unusual sites that can only be found at Quartzsite, Arizona.

     
 





  

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Garth and Judy are hosting a Birthday Dinner celebration for Judy at the Escondido Elks on Friday, February 21 at 4:30pm. RSVP to garthjudy@juno.com if you have not already done so.

Check out the RALLY INFORMATION page for details about a March rally

Please review the January Meeting minutes HERE