Another new (Shanty Shaker) rig

SUBMITTED BY BOB KOMINSKI
To start with we made a plan to sell our Lexington motor home and tow car and down size to a smaller MH and not have a tow car.  We listed the Lexington for sell.  Within a few weeks we sold it to some nice folks from San Marcos, Maureen and David Brewer.  They are newer members of the Escapees.  I asked them to join the Shanty Shakers, which I understand that they are new members of chapter 25.  After the sale we already had the unit in mind to replace the Lexington.   So we started our shopping on the internet and purchased  a 2015 Winnebago Era 70A from a dealer in Forest City, Iowa near the Winnebago factory.

We loaded up the tow car and left  Vista for a 1900 mile trip to Forest City with stops in Colorado to see grand kids and friends.  Picked up the new rig Aug. 8th.

 We took it on a 1200 mile test run leaving the tow car at the dealer.  Traveled up to Minnesota and the north shore highway around Lake Superior to Thunder Bay, Canada and back to Forest City.  Had one small fix done at the dealer and sold the tow car there also.

We traveled the long way back on back roads and Interstate 90.   Stopping at many places that we had not been to in years that included Badlands SD, Wall Drug in Wall SD, Mt. Rushmore , Crazy Horse Mont., Deadwood, SD,  Devils Tower Mont,  Cody.s Buffalo Bills Western Center, Yellowstone and Teton National parks and with a final stop in SAMs Town, Las Vegas.  Over 5700 miles traveled and the new rig handled great and so easy to drive and get around.  The best part was the 17mpg and getting back safe and sound.
Hugs
 Bob & Judy KOMINSKI 

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Minutes from the August chapter meeting are posted on the Past Meeting Minutes tab.

Here are a few photos from the last meeting.

Lamplighters Ignite, Escapade Registration, Pechanga Party

OCTOBER 20-21-22 2014:The 25th Anniversary Rally, at Pechanga RV Resort The cost is $105.00 and payment needs to be received no later than September 8, 2014. Checks should be made out to Shanty Shakers Chapter 25 and mailed to John Pumphrey 10518 Susie Pl., Santee, Ca. 92071. For more information read the Rally Info page.

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Escapees memberships just $29.95!  (from Escapees website)

"There is a story about an old lamplighter who lived in an English village. Each evening at dusk, the old man would make his rounds with a ladder and his light. He'd place the ladder against a pole, climb up and light that lamp, step back down and, picking up the ladder, would go on to the next pole. Long after he had gone, people knew which way he went from the burning lamps.

We think that must be a most satisfying way to spend one's life-lighting lamps for others."--Joe and Kay Peterson, 1982
The goal to "light the lamps" for others has never faded. For more than 35 years, Escapees RV Club has illuminated the path of RV travel through education, social support, and specialty services. It builds confidence in those just venturing out and creates everlasting bonds among the most seasoned RVers. It encourages fellow RVers to share their talents and their wisdom-paying it forward as we go.

The RV lifestyle is not a secret to protect. It is a gift that we should be sharing with others so that they too might enjoy the quality of life and ultimate freedom of RV travel.

If you believe that the Escapees RV Club provides a support network that someone you know could benefit from, there has never been a better time to light their path!

Escapees memberships are now just $29.95, plus no enrollment fees! Renew/join now or share this news with a friend. Remember, you can check your lamplighter account at MySKP and see who has joined based on your recommendation. 

Freedom Awaits--it's time to escape!

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REGISTER EARLY !! (click here) full-hook-up sites (30-amp electrical, water, and sewer) as well as 30-amp electrical service sites will go FAST, so make your reservation early to ensure your choice of amenity is available. Boondocking sites are almost limitless.

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Garth and Judy at Malibu with Tom and MaryAnn

Marianne soaking up the rays

Garth studying a map while Tom looks on. (Judy must be taking the pictures)

Have you ever heard of "hot skin" condition ? Read this article about a recent tragic death of a 3 year boy during an accidental electrocution as he exited the family camper .

July 4th at Red Beach

Submitted by Garth and Judy Carle:

Here are some pictures of the 4th of July Camp Out at Red Beach. The weather was perfect and we had 5 Rigs. Tom and Cecilia Collison, Vern and Faith Foster, George and Wilda Bass, Doris and Ed Kalenda, Garth and Judy Carle. Everyone had a great time. We had a camp fire every night. The Oceanside fire works could be seen from the campsite on the beach.

Here are the minutes to the June Chapter Meeting HERE

May meeting minutes & other interesting tidbits

Congratulations to Shanty Shaker couple, Bill McLennan and Jan Fischer who were joined together in marriage on May 28. Best wishes from the entire chapter !!

JUST IN !! Escapees graphics department is now set up to print name badges at a very reasonable price. Check the Store on the Escapees website

Have you heard of RVillage yet ? It is a social website designed for RVers to connect with each other on the road or in a park. Looking for someone to golf with? You can see who has similar interests and send them a message. Want to plan an impromptu potluck to meet new friends ? There is a way to do that too. Watch this 3 minute video for a quick overview. Then sign up and join the Escapees and Shanty Shaker groups !!           Intro to RVillage

Another Escapades has wrapped up. Our Row Reps, Bob and Diane Simons did a great job sharing our chapter and enjoyed the rally and their road trip. Diane has promised a full report and pictures when they return home. Here is 2 minute clip from the "talent show" also known as Ham-O-Rama,
Ham-O-Rama

Last but not least, here are the minutes from the chapter meeting in May 

CARE Auction Rally at Sacred Rocks

Submitted by John/Wendy Pumphrey :

We had 12 RV's, for the Sacred Rocks Rally. The weather was interesting, to say the least. Windy and cool, at times and then calm and comfortable.

It didn't interfere with the groups ability to eat and visit. If we weren't eating, at the Casino or at the Manzanita Italian Restaurant, in Boulevard, we were enjoying Happy Hours or a great Pot Luck Dinner.

 Aside from the great friendship experienced, the benefit of the Rally was the CARE Auction.

The Regniers and Paxtons made the trip, just for the Auction. Don Regnier  did an excellent job, as auctioneer  as well as helper John Pumphrey.The Chapter raised $1166.00, for CARE !!! WOW !!

Thank you all for a great Rally. On Saturday, at the monthly meeting, some members, that did not attend the Rally made donations that brought the total to $1300.00. This continues to prove that Shanty Shakers really do CARE!!!  

 

Here are a few pictures from Wayne and Lynn's road trip stop in New Orleans.

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.