Rancho Jurupa in Riverside County

It was a challenge finding time to relax during this rally. Sure, there was morning coffee, Happy Hours and evening campfires, but the days were filled with optional activities.

After arrival and set up on Sunday, we gathered around for the first Happy Hour and made plans for the week. We woke up to a cool and misty Monday morning. That was perfect weather for the brave group who hiked up the hill of Mount Rubidoux. Mount Rubidoux is a 3.2 mile loop hiking trail with a 400 feet rise in elevation. Some of the hikers swear it was much longer and much higher. That evening we had a Pot Luck that rivaled all other pot lucks with the variety of foods. 

On Tuesday, a group toured the Jensen-Alvarado Ranch. Here is how it is described:

Jensen Alvarado Historic Ranch and Museum, located in Riverside off of the 60 Freeway and Rubidoux Blvd., is a 30-acre farm and home to the historic ranch built by Cornelius Jensen and his wife Mercedes Alvarado in 1870. This historic site affords visitors a peek into the past, depicting Southern California life as it was lived in the 1880’s. 

The group enjoyed a tour of the era preserved home, museum and visit to the farm animals. Meeting the rest of the group for lunch was even more interesting

Tio Tacos serves casual Mexican fare in a funky, uniquely decorated space, with a large patio with artwork. (some call it junk art but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?) With ladies at one table and the men at another table the talk was lively and full of laughter. It was probably influenced by the overflowing Margaritas and Micheladas.       

If anyone still had energy left, a stroll through the historic Mission Inn was next. Ok, here is another history blurb. The Mission Inn began as a quaint adobe boarding house in 1876, becoming a full-service hotel in the early 1900s.The hotel has played host to U.S. Presidents (Roosevelt, Taft, Hoover, Nixon, Reagan and Bush Jr) and numerous celebrities and was the setting for several Hollywood productions. 

Needless to say, the group slept well that night.

Wednesday was an absolutely beautiful, warm sunny day. A group of guys played a round of golf. Another group headed to the mini golf area in the park. We finished the day with a pizza and salad dinner. Don't forget the delicious brie followed by s'mores made with berry, birthday cake or watermelon peeps, instead of regular marshmallows. Thanks Barbara and Frank L !

Ron and Elaine's dog, Toby provided entertainment as he tried to catch a little bitty gopher. The gopher would back fill the dirt as fast as Toby dug to reach him. Bottom line is the gopher won. Now we understand why this sign was above the bench by the park store. 

Well, there it is ! It was a great 4 days thanks to Elaine and Ron G and Jim and Sharan H. Shanty Shakers last rally at Jurupa was 6 years ago. So glad to visit there again. 

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Escapades in Tucson

 Our first gathering was at Hot Rods in Old Vail. Thanks to Brian and Barbara Downing for finding this ideal boondocking lot and restaurant for Thursday night. Fifteen of us gathered for dinner and a lot of catching up with our fellow travelers. 

Five rigs (Nadine Curry, Bob and Dianna Simons, Brian and Barbara Downing, Wayne and Lynn Selden, Mike and Marcy Parker)  spent the night there and one joined us (Richard and Shirley Melendez) in the morning to caravan to the Fairgrounds 3 miles away.  By the way, that day was St Patrick's Day so Bob and Diane surprised us with green donuts with green frosting. Bob looked dapper in his decorative hat.

All did not go smoothly on departure as the Seldens rig refused to start despite jumping it then putting in a brand new battery. Eventually, they joined the group thanks to the extremely helpful Awesome Parking Team, especially Lloyd who reserved our group area.

 We had an impromptu Happy Hour until the sun went down and the wind picked up. Wind was a problem on and off all week.

Saturday was a big parking day as more and more rigs came in including Ron and Elaine Guidotti. Members walked over to Registration to get name badges, T shirts and a bag of goodies. Some enjoyed coffee and donuts in the Hospitality area or a Breakfast Burrito from the Food Truck.

The Vendor Fair and The Row (of Chapters and BOFs) opened on Sunday. 

Wendy (L) is the new Chapter Director. Jan (R) volunteered to act as Seminar Hos

After the Opening Ceremony we celebrated the 45th anniversary of Escapees with cupcakes.

Kay and Joe Peterson, Founders

There was another general session in the evening with door prizes followed by entertainment. No big winners from our group. 😒

We got really busy on Monday with seminars all day and shopping. Several Chapter Members volunteered to be on the Escapade "staff". Larry and Sandy Rice were Seminar hosts.

Marty and Peggy McCauley were at the Registration table as they have for the last 15 years. Wow !

Others performed volunteer activities such as Ron G on Security duty. Barbara Lukehart worked on Transportation as Frank made popcorn. Many thanks to all the Volunteers ! (sorry if I missed you)

           

Chapter Members did their best to support the Vendors 😉

More prizes were given away on Monday evening during the General Session. Larry R won a bottle of wine. 🍷Hope they enjoyed it as they earned it ! The evening entertainment was Native Spirit, who led us into the culture and dances of America's First People.

Now, about the weather. It didn't seem like the Arizona we have come to expect. Throughout the time there, we experienced some warm sun, but more cold cloudy days and wicked winds. The unpredictable weather made it difficult to plan Happy Hours or Pot Lucks. The 20 Shanty Shaker rigs in attendance were scattered throughout the Fairground so we had to find a way to gather. What is an event without a Pot Luck ? Thanks to Sandy for making it happen. 

It was a busy but fun week. Escapees developed an app for the Escapade event. There was a place to upload pictures to share. Over 1400 pictures were posted to the app.  So, between the app and the chapter members who submitted pictures, it was overwhelming to decide what to post. But, here we go !

Ron G giving Toby some fresh air

What's happening here ? Stand back !

Party on the last night

Nadine Curry did !

Dave Sobel at the grill

Cool drone photo

The next Escapades will be held June 16-21 in Rock Spring, Wyoming. If you haven't been to an Escapades you are missing out on a week of fun, education, shopping, entertainment, Happy Hours, pot lucks and time with friends, new and old !

Lake Cahuillo near Palm Springs

"Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is a beautiful 710-acre park set amid expansive lawns and picturesque mountain views, making it a spectacular day or overnight destination. Situated at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains 6 miles southeast of Old Town La Quinta, Lake Cahuilla offers a delightful experience in the Coachella Valley." Lake Cahuilla  (pronounced ka-WEE-ya)

The group arrived on Sunday and gathered around Richard and Shirleys rig to watch  the Super Bowl on their outdoor TV. 

Bets were placed on the football pool. Ron Guidotti won 1st quarter, David Sobel won for the halftime score. Elaine Guidotti won the 3rd quarter and Jim Harrison won at the end of the game. They were each presented with ribbons and their cash prize.

Monday was a beautiful calm and sunny day. The day was spent relaxing ,chatting with old and new friends, walking and biking. To avoid the (next day) Valentines crowds, we went out to dinner at a local Italian restaurant  followed by a nice campfire. 

Speaking of new friends, we welcomed 2 new couples to the Shanty Shakers, Frank and Barb Lukehart and David and Barbara Sobel. Barb Lukehart shared information about her hobby of collecting metal debris, mostly nails and screws, around campsites or other locations. Barb Sobel enjoyed giving tours of their 1976 Silver Streak vintage trailer. 

That night brought cooler temperatures and wind. Some brave souls tried to enjoy morning coffee around a campfire but the wind began to pick up even more.Weather reported winds at 40-50 mph with gusts to 85 mph.Rigs were rocking and rolling and the sand was blowing. Most stayed inside for some nice downtime. This was not what we expected for the weather.  Our rally hosts, Ron and Elaine, had to rethink their plan for Taco Tuesday. Instead, they made it a "carry-out" event. One by one, we went into their rig to build the tacos then ran back to your own rig to enjoy it.  Good back-up plan but missed "dining" with everyone.

Thursday was somewhat better but still too windy for the guys to golf. Some members sat in the sun on a picnic table to play card games until it was time to prepare for the Pot Luck. Shanty Shakers always do this very well !! Then, one last evening campfire. 

We were fortunate to have calm winds for the trek home. Until next time....happy travels !