Tucalota Springs RV park in Hemet

Checking into Tucalota Springs RV park was definitely an experience. There was a gate code to enter the park. However we were not told what it was. The lady in the office was very reluctant to let  anyone know it  even though we identified our group and our names. Once we got past that, it was musical RVs for a few members. The power and water were "out of service"  in a couple sites assigned to us so they had to move. Also a few other sites had a problem with the sewer. Not a fun time plus the lady in the front office was not very pleasant to people. Very crabby. (her name was Beatrice, if you do a review of the park) Once we finally got past all that we had a nice meet and greet happy hour under the shade of a big tree. 

Tuesday morning started off with a traditional coffee and breakfast time. The sun was out and the sky was blue which was very refreshing after a month of May gray and June gloom. People either played cards, games or just sat around to chat. At 4:30 the grills were fired up for burgers and brats. (chapter provided). Thanks to Bobbie B, Richard M and Jim N for manning the grills. 

After dinner we welcomed our newest members attending their first rally,  Steve and Cathy Smith from Banning. Welcome !    

Wednesday morning the early risers were treated to pancakes for breakfast thanks to Diane N supported by Bobby B.  A refill of coffee was available if you needed it. Our new members, Steve and Kathy  provided a propane coffee pot.  Afterwards, it was either take a walk to see the little on site zoo, a bike ride, relax under the shade trees or play more cards games. 

  

For dinner we had an Asian themed potluck. Boy, things were sure delicious ! We finally had a campfire at night to watch the rising of the full moon. "Pyro Penny" assisted by her able-bodied assistant, John, did a great job of starting and keeping the flames alive.

Thursday after breakfast a group took a short ride out to Diamond Valley Lake lookout spot. Good photo op ! Again, sunny blue skies were in store for us.

For lunch. everybody cleared out the leftovers in their refrigerator and the rest of the hamburgers and brats were shared along with chips, cookies and watermelon.

Sherry, better known as unofficial game director, rounded up almost the whole group to play a game of Left Right center. We each started off with three pennies and depended on the flow of the game, whoever was the last one with at least a penny was the winner of the "pot" aka everyone's pennies. Ironically it was Sherry. The game was easy to learn, relaxed but fun at the same time. The group said they were ready to change the pennies to dollar bills tomorrow. 

(Diane rolling the dice and Sherry, the winner)

After, the game, Sherry brought out her famous Eclair cake to celebrate the June Birthdays; Jim, Wayne and Cathy. For those of you who requested the cake recipe, click here.

(Nancy and Al celebrated 53rd anniversary with us)

The last day we enjoyed our morning coffee together and started to pack up and say our farewells but not before the rally hosts spoke with the park manager (Cossette) about the issues we experienced during check-in and the rude lady in the office. She sent apologies to the group.

Besides all that, it was a pleasant Park, and we agreed it is more about the people than anything else and we had some great times together. Hope to see you at the picnic/auction on July 15 at Crown Point Shores in Mission Bay Park

Lake Skinner in Temecula

 

The road to Lake Skinner Recreational Park is a very pretty drive (when there is no construction). You pass wineries, vineyards and flowering fields. The weather for the week was filled with sunny, blue skies and cool, clear nights.

The group began to gather mid afternoon and complete the job of setting up. Of course, there was an impromptu Happy Hour followed by a campfire to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Welcome to Ray & Akima Rogers, Stephanie Murdock,  and Art & Norma Guaracha to their first Shanty Shaker Rally.

Richard or John  got the campfire started in the morning for those that get up early enough for coffee and rolls. By noon, the women were gathered at the hosts picnic table playing cards. Others were going for walks or riding their bikes. Plans were made to caravan to Los Panchos Cantina for taco Tuesday. The Chapter treated the group to yummy appetizers. Each platter had quesadillas, mini burritos, chicken wings and rolled tacos with sour cream, cheese, and guacamole. Penny and John enjoyed sharing their flight of Margaritas. Every time you order this, you get a different variety. 

Jim and Diane Nelson were happy to celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary with friends. Don't you wonder what the secret is to a long, happy marriage?

💞💕💞💞💕💞💕

Wednesday gave way to another morning coffee gathering, bike riding, walking, playing Swoop (card game), walking the dog, checking out the park or just taking it easy ! The highlight of the day was the Pot Luck dinner. With 20 rigs present and a few day visitors (Larry La Brack, Barbara & Frank Lukehart) it promised to be big spread. Penny and John even brought their smoker and grilled up 3 whole chickens. Akemi grilled chickens as well. Sherry finished off the meal by presenting her signature Eclair cake to Mike and Diane Thuney to celebrate their recent 60th anniversary along with Jim and Diane celebrating their 58th.

     

   

                                                                              

On Thursday a small group went into Hemet to see a museum called the Western Science Center. It was an interesting visit. The group finished up their day with pizza at an Italian restaurant.

Hats off to John and Penny Srack for hosting their first rally, and a well attended one at that. It seemed like everyone had a good time and look forward to the next Shanty Shaker Rally !!

Thanks Penny and John !

2025 Escapades in Tucson, AZ

(submitted by Brian Downing ) 

The time had rolled around for the annual Escapades Rally which this year was back in Tucson at the Pima County Fairground. We had arranged for a place to Boondock the night before the rally so we could meet up and enter the fairgrounds the next day. That ensured we could all park together (Handy for Happy Hours!) We met up at Hot Rods of Vail, only about 3 miles from the fairground and a very warm and welcoming place. We had 4 rigs by 3pm.

If you haven’t been there, Hot Rods is a Hot Rod shop plus a bar and restaurant! You can see right into the shop thru huge glass windows in the restaurant. Kristi the manager made us all welcome and had a table for 12 all set up ready for us with a waiter exclusively assigned to us! We filled the table and filled our glasses with tasty beverages. 

After a chilly night we all convoyed down to the Rally entrance where we were greeted by a whole flock of chickens!!! 

The superb parking crew had gone all out with their costumes and despite the cold morning air soon had us parked in Full Hook Ups in their usual friendly and highly efficient way.

 Once set up we wandered down to the registration desks in the Old Pueblo Hall and there to great us where our old friends Marty and Peggy McCauley. We got checked in, sorted thru the welcome bags and in walked Matt and Carol Matheson, followed by Bruce and Sue Herriot. These last 6 all are, or have been, Shanty Shakers who we haven’t seen in a while.

Carol and Matt M

We had Tacos and Hot Dogs provided by Sky Med at the Cantina which is the onsite restaurant then retired to the rigs to warm up. 

Sue & Bruce 1st couple on the left
Peggy and Marty 1st couple on the right

Sunday and we met up at 9 to sign up for the crafts etc, more Shanty Shakers arrived and were parked not too far away from the early arrivers. The Marketplace opened and the Row. Time to get all the freebies! Especially the Shade Pro hats which are exceptional this year. 

It finally started to warm up around 11am so an impromptu Happy Hour broke out before we joined the free Pizza Party put on by La Mesa RV. The day ended with the opening ceremony, door prizes and entertainment in the Thurber Hall.

Monday started at Old Pueblo again with more shopping and freebies plus coffee and donuts from the CARE supporters. Cards were played by some, as others attended some of the many, many seminars.

 Barbara and I went to the Sky Med presentation so we could thank them for the outstanding service we had from them after my huge vertigo attack in Yuma last year.

Entertainment for us was of 2 entirely different kinds! First was a Scottish/Irish style band called the “Devils Brigade”. The second was mopping up water from the floor of the rig after the P Trap under the sink broke while Barbra was washing dishes!

Tuesday saw Barbara and I posting on the Escapades board asking for the loan of some giant wrenches to dismantle the sink, dashing down to Old Pueblo for pictures with all our Shanty Shaker friends, then out for 2 trips to Home Depot (because some genius got all the wrong parts for the sink). Eventually the sink emergency was resolved and we settled in for another chilly night, thank goodness for full hookups! 

Wednesday started early for Barbara and I as we attended a seminar on International Travel. It was very interesting and though we were pretty informed about RV’ing overseas the presenters brought up several points that we didn’t know. We also attended a Full Timer social for the kick off of a new BOF (Birds Of a Feather) group. Super fun and lots of new friends made.

Dave H teaching about Ham Radios

A rally isn’t a rally without a Shanty Shaker Pot Luck and despite continued cold weather this one was great! Afterwards we strolled over for the daily door prize drawing and entertainment.

 

Ron G, door prize winner

Thursday was the last full day of the rally, where did the time go? They say “time flies when you are enjoying yourself” and it has been true this week. Dip a Chip for Care has replaced the Chili Cook Off. People who wished to enter their home made dips filled the tables with their dishes. Voting was done with dollar bills, whoever got the most won the prize and CARE received all the proceeds. 

Closing ceremony came much too quickly but some of the Stats revealed that 1400 people attended and $5000 was raised for CARE.

A final Shanty Shakers Happy Hour (for which it thankfully had at last warmed up!) was followed by the “Big Social” for those that cared to attend.

Friday, always a little depressing. Having to pack up and wave farewell to our friends Barbara and I had an extra day at the fairgrounds and we had found a company to fix 3 foggy windows in the rig. Afterwards we went into Tucson and had lunch at a really nice Indian Restaurant followed by a couple of hours shopping at Lee Lee’s International Market. Now the rally was over it was 82 degrees! Finally it was Saturday and time for us and the few Shanty Shakers remaining to hit the road. Only a 90 mile trip for us to Casa Grande where we winter. 

Thanks to all our Shanty Shaker friends for the great company. It’s always good to see you.

Love ya!

BnB (aka Brian and Barbara D)