Winter Blast in Lake Havasu City, AZ

The Shanty Shakers converged at the Elks Lodge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona for the  Winter Blast.  It is the annual gathering of the Western Pyrotechnics Association that culminates in spectacular  fireworks in the desert night sky for 3 consecutive evenings. The days were sunny, warm although breezy and the nights were not cool but downright cold.

Members spent the days doing their own thing. A small group took a shuttle boat to what could be called the worlds smallest casino for an enjoyable lunch. 

Tom and Wayne spent a morning at the local golf course.

The Montgomerys, the Catheys, the Harrisons and the Rudolphs biked around the island by the London Bridge. (Lynn plans to soup up her scooter so she can go next time)😏

We enjoyed Happy Hours and a pizza dinner at the gathering area of the Elks RV park. We moved up real close to the fire pit at night to feel the warmth as we solved the problems of the world.

The Havasu Elks Lodge is extremely busy serving lunch every day and dinner 6 nights a week. People flock there on Wednesday nights for their popular barbecue chicken or ribs They were so delicious. 😋

The highlight was seeing the fireworks. Enjoy the slide show below (hopefully)

Thanks to all who came out for the fun (Garth & Judy C, Bruce & Sue H, Brian & Barbara D, Dave & Sharon G, Bob & Judy K, Ron & Karen M,  Dave & Carol R, Jim & Sharan H, Tom & MaryAnn C). Thanks to all who contributed to the rally & fireworks photos ! Thanks to Lynn and Wayne for organizing the rally !! See you again soon ! 😎😎

Sunset view from the Elks

Truck seen at Rockabilly Car Show

Quartzsite, AZ Rally / Come and Go Jan 19 – 29 2018

Submitted by Mike Parker

Thank You to everyone for making my first foray at being a Rally host a fun and busy time. The official rally dates were Jan 22 – 23 and the Come and Go went from the Jan 19 – 29. A big shout out goes to the weather keepers for providing some of the best weather Quartzsite has to offer, high 60's to low 80's daily and only the mid 30's at night. No thunderstorms, flash floods, hurricane winds or pestilents. We set up and blocked off our favorite spot in the north west corner of Grease Wood RV Resort with the help of Canadian Woodsman Dave Kramer and his wife Jeanie (eh). They were guests of Gene and Annette Stout and were the driving force behind the construction of the fire-pit and teacher of wood spitting and fire building. Forever known as the Campfire Whisperer.

Canada Woodsman Dave instructing on fire building an 

presenting the Shanty Shakers a 

woodsman ax

Not that I am an organization freak but everyone had a good laugh😄😄😄 at the detailed schedule prepared which was promptly discarded for much better ideas. 8 AM for snacks and fire or breakfast somewhere, shopping from 9 AM, 3 PM Happy Hour, 4 PM Dinner and 6 PM Fire Ring. At least the Fire Ring at 6 PM seemed to work.

Sat 1/20    Meet and Greet as Arrive                                             (Whew...I am tired just reading it)

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Silly Al's Pizza

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Sun 1/21   8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am Breakfast La Mesa RV  FREE!

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Quartzsite Yacht Club

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Mon 1/22 8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Bad Boys Cafe

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner BBQ Cafe

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Tue 1/23   8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am Breakfast La Mesa RV FREE!

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Mexican Restaurant Taco Tuesday!

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Wed 1/24  8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Bad Boys Cafe

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Stage Coach Cafe

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Thur 1/25 8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Times 3 Restaurant

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Silly Al's Pizza

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Fri 1/26    8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Sweet Darlen's

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Mt Quail Prime Rib

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

 

We had 12 Shanty Shakers Rigs, 3 Guest Rigs and 7 drop-in guests for various activities.

Those who camped at Grease-wood: Garth and Judy Carle, Gene and Annette Stout, Jerry and Carol Miller, Fred and Julia Lyon, Don Smith, Herb and Dayle Sands, Mike and Marcy Parker, Ron and Karen Montgomery, Jim and Sharan Harrison, Tom and Maryann Cathey, John and Sue Ford, Guy and Judy Burt

Guests included: Dave and Jeanie Kramer (Alberta Canada), Ken and Faye McLeod and Ken and Peggy (Prescott Elks and guests of Garth and Judy.)

Camped elsewhere but visited: JJ Kent and Ed Itchek, Lila Theofel, Ken and Sue Pace, Jim and Patty Tinley (37 year full-timers and SKP #734) , Don and Susie Tannihill (Little Rock, Arkansas chapter 52)

As a non-schedule following group, we enjoyed shopping at the Big RV Tent and Tyson Wells, just a quick walk under the freeway from our Resort, and doing whatever we pleased.

As LEO's (Lets Eat Out) we sampled the gourmet selections at La Mesa RV (FREE Breakfast), Bad Boys Cafe (my personnel favorite) Silly Al's Pizza and Pub, Mountain Quail Cafe for Prime Rib, Grub Steak for fish and chips, Sweet Darlene's for Pasties, La Casa Gold Cafe for Taco Tuesday, Yacht Club for Music and grub, Times 3 Cafe for great food any time. The Stage Stop Cafe and Taco Mio stuck out this time as not again stops. Lets not forget the excellent selection of fine lunching/desserting at the the RV Tent and Tyson Wells.

If you left Quartzsite hungry or with a shopping hangover the host assumes no responsibility. Please check with an unnamed person if you are in need of some rocks or gems, she may have some for sale at bargain prices. All purchases of “why did I buy this” are non returnable under Arizona state law.

See Ya next year.
Mike and Marcy Parker

Christmas Party Fun !

Fun time in Las Vegas !

Wow ! Twenty three SS rigs and 2 guest rigs arrived at the Las Vegas RV Resort off Boulder Highway for fun and camaraderie. The weather was beautiful and sunny during the day with cool evenings and mornings. The group enjoyed  morning coffee provided by the park in the warmth of the Community Room. On Monday night, the group gathered for a light Happy Hour followed by the first of too many buffets, this one at Boulder Station.

On Tuesday, the group headed over to Lake Mead to enjoy a 90 minute cruise. It is the largest reservoir in the United States in terms of water capacity. Formed by the Hoover Dam, the reservoir serves water to the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada, providing sustenance to nearly 20 million people and large areas of farmland

Mary and Walter joined in the SS fun while staying in their Vegas timeshare.

Arizona Charlies' is where most of the group headed for 2 for 1 dinner that evening.
JJ Kent hit some good luck while the rest of us waited in line for dinner.

Members enjoyed various activities during the day Wednesday. Some checked out the strip, some went to Red Rock, some rode their bikes, while others enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine.  That evening a group toured the Neon Boneyard. Each sign in the collection has a unique story about who created it, what inspired it, where and when it was made, and how it fits into the development of Las Vegas and the city's rich history.  Changes and trends in design and technology are also illustrated in the pieces that range from the 1930s to the present day.

After the tour, several of us braved a stroll downtown's Freemont Street. That turned out to be an interesting and R rated experience.

Thursday morning started out with a visit to the Mob Museum. The Museum presents a bold and authentic view of organized crime's impact on Las Vegas history, as well as its unique imprint on America and the world.

Barbara Downing in the Electric Chair and the lineup, Lila, JJ and Carol

That evening we enjoyed a cookout/potluck with burgers, hot dogs and brats. The group lingered long after sunset under the glow of several lanterns (campfires were not allowed) solving the problems of the world and where to head to next. (The Catheys, Harrisons and Montgomerys went to Furnace Creek in Death Valley)

Dianna Simons, Director of next years WARE (Western Area Rally for Escapees) unfurled the banner for all to see. She introduced the Co-Directors, Ron an Sandy Bessette who live in Las Vegas. They promptly joined the Shanty Shakers Chapter.

New members, Ron and Sandy Bessette

Full timers, Brian and Barbara Downing surprised their Aussie friends at the Rally. Mike & Lynne along with John & Deryn are all retirees from Australia and are touring the USA for 2 years in their motorhomes.

We hope John & Sue Ford and Larry Nixon/Judith Pierce enjoyed their first rally with the SS !!

Thank you to Tom & Angie Rhodes for hosting the rally and to Lynn & Wayne Selden for assisting them. It was a great time !

Borrego Days Rally

The Borrego Days Festival is said to launch the California desert season. Borrego Springs in Anza-Borrego State Park puts on a parade and a party that attracts thousands to the small town including the Shanty Shakers.


John and Wendy hosted the rally at Holiday Home RV park with 16 rigs joining in.

 The crowd lined up early for the parade along the main street. Fortunately, there was some shade, moderate temps and a nice breeze. The start was delayed due to waiting for the initial helicopter flyover. Many of us believe they thought the parade started at 11 instead of 10, or maybe they slept in, or came from another time zone. LOL.

After the fly over and National anthem, a huge American flag started off the actual parade. Six Shanty Shakers volunteered to help carry it; Mike and Marcy Parker, Bob and Dianna Simons, Fred and Julia Lyons. Mike really seemed to enjoy himself as he waved to crowds.

Small town parades are unique and amusing. When is the last time you saw a Garbage Truck in a parade? 

The group enjoyed time together for Happy Hours as well as invading the local eateries.

Another uniqueness about Borrego Springs are more than 100 metal sculptures located throughout the surrounding desert.The artworks range from prehistoric mammals to historical characters, dinosaurs, and a 350-foot-long  serpent.

A few took advantage of taking a dip in the pool.

Welcome to Fred and Julia Lyon, recent new members who attended their first SS rally.

So, another fun SS rally is in the books. Thanks to John and Wendy for hosting. Also, thanks to all who contributed their photos of the parade and other happenings.

Summer Spaghetti Factory Lunch

Summer is usually a busy time for RVers so its always fun to catch up with everyone. The room was buzzing but the biggest surprise was the appearance of Jeanne and Bill Parrish. It had been  few years since they last visited us in San Diego so it was so nice to see them both again.

(file photo)

Thanks to Faith and Vern Foster for organizing the event. The designated theme was Anniversaries as Clark and Betty Paxton celebrated their 69th....wow! Clark asked everyone to mark their calendars for 2025 when they will celebrate their 77th anniversary and his 100th birthday.

The microphone was passed around the room as stories were shared about we met our spouse. Herb met Dayle when she showed up as a new 8th grade student at school. Doug met Sara when he answered a "Possibilities" ad. Frances met Bill while washing windows in her parents restaurant as he kept walking back and forth waving at her. We heard some interesting and amusing stories.

Two more rallies left this year, Borrego Springs in October and Las Vegas in November. Hope to see you all there !