The "Next" mini-rally

chockwald · 08-26-2009, 05:03 PM

OK, I know, it's been less than a month since we all bid farwell to each other in Creede, but, depending on where we decide to meet, and the time of year, we should start discussing now so we can be sure we can all get reservations.

I really like David's idea of meeting in Breckinridge at Tiger Run, because, after all, who doesn't like Colorado? That being said I am wide open to anywhere that has cool temperatures, and dry air. If we are going to meet in the summer time then some mountainous area is preferable....Sierras, Rockies, Tetons, Cascades. If we decide to meet in the off season (Fall, Winter, Spring) then there are more options.

Personally, one of my favorite places west of the Mississippi River is Lake Tahoe. There are many, many great destination places to go, so let's hear something about your favorite destinations!

prairieschooner · 08-26-2009, 05:12 PM

how about east of the mississippi? or maybe Oregon and check out the Oregon Trails? or the Black Hills?

chockwald · 08-26-2009, 06:14 PM

I love Oregon....there are some great parks along the coast....the Charleston-Coos Bay area is a great place to stay.

chockwald · 09-23-2009, 04:26 PM

We've had a number of new owners join our forum in the past few months, and many of them are expressing an interest in attending one of our mini-rally's. I have a lot of ideas of places to meet, but they are all in my "neck of the woods", which is west of the Mississippi. I've often thought that Elaine and I could spend 5 years just touring all the amazing places in the Western U.S. that we haven't yet seen, and we plan to do that in just 2 short years. But, the one place we always seem to gravitate back toward is Lake Tahoe. The elevations at Lake Tahoe vary from 6,250 up to almost 7,000 feet. There is a plethora (I haven't used that word since college...LOL!) of activities from snorkling, sailing, boating, water skiing (snow skiing in the winter, of course!), Jeep trails, bicycling, hiking, rafting, gambling (Stateline), great dining, site seeing (many, many historical sites), etc.

My favorite time of year to be there is either just before Memorial Day, or just after Labor Day, for obvious reasons.....fewer people. Although, typcially, we have been there between those dates, because we were raising 5 kids for years who had to be in school, or with relatives who had children in school, or when I was in school as a child. I've been going to Lake Tahoe since 1954.

Here are a few pictures....anyway, that's my big idea.

chockwald · 09-23-2009, 04:27 PM

A few more pictures...

encantotom · 09-23-2009, 06:02 PM

as we think of the next place to get together, lets try to do somewhere central to the folks that might come. i for one still have to work for a living and a 2 day drive each way is about as much as i can do and still have enough time to stay.

so as much as i would like to go to oregon or florida or ohio, it is too far for us.

i know i am in the minority since alot of you have alot more flexibility on time so that is just my own restriction. or just do a bunch of them and we will try to do one that is within range.

there are a ton of cool places to go, thats for sure. just stay away from the heat, humidity, and bugs....

tom

chockwald · 09-23-2009, 06:38 PM

Well, Tom, Lake Tahoe could work for you then...it's about 870 miles from Mesa, AZ! Looks like a 2 day drive to me. No heat, humidity, or bugs (maybe the odd misquito). It would work great for those new owners up in Washington, Oregon, Utah, etc.

encantotom · 09-23-2009, 06:51 PM

too many people at lake tahoe. i would prefer a more private remote country feel kinda place.

tom

chockwald · 09-23-2009, 07:06 PM

Meeks Bay, which is on the west side of the lake near Emerald Bay is actually quite rural, and reminds me of what Lake Tahoe was like back in the 50's. If we go before Memorial Day, or after Labor Day it is actually very uncrowded....after Labor Day is my favorite time....in fact if we got into early October we would be able to see the leaves changing along HWY 395. October is right in between the seasons, and is the least crowded time there. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Checked the mileage for you taking I-10 to I-15 to HWY 395 and it is 100 miles shorter than going up I-5....high 700's.

Here's the webiste for Meeks Bay Resort:

http://www.meeksbayresort.com/

folivier · 09-23-2009, 08:24 PM

I just checked the mileage to Lake Tahoe from Thibodaux 2200 miles. That's a little far for me. Creede was about 1250 but still do able for a week. Of course I'll be retired in March so it may be irrelevant. There is always the Ozarks. Or cajun country if you don't mind heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and fish heads! (sorry Tom, couldn't resist)

urfreeman07@gmail.com · 09-23-2009, 08:33 PM

We can do something a little closer also. We both work fulltime. Arkansas, Cajan country or Texas somewhere? We would love to meet everyone for a few days.

zcasa · 09-23-2009, 08:51 PM

We would love to do a mini-rally in Louisiana around late March or so. I know that we have around 4 Newell Coaches close to New Orleans and many more within striking distance. Richard could probably just ride his bike there. lol. Anyways, maybe Forest, Tuga, Matt could chime in and see if there is a park around that would be a nice one for a rally and someone take the lead to figure out some dates and let's gitter done. Or we could consider Padre Island in Texas. We have Pete down there with many good locations, I'm sure.

Gumbo, Delta Blues and some good friendship sounds like a great combination.

David

chockwald · 09-23-2009, 09:40 PM

OK....this what I was hoping for......we're talking now. I wouldn't mind being in Louisiana in March....we can also visit Elaine's siblings in East Texas coming, or going. I've driven through Louisiana many times, but never stopped to "smell the roses". I'm always up for a new experience, and new territory. For me the location is not as important as the fellowship!!!

urfreeman07@gmail.com · 09-23-2009, 09:59 PM

Sounds great to us. Hey there is a great place up by Jefferson Texas. It is about 15 miles off I-20 on Hwy 59 north. Very nice spring weather in March. Also, not far from Shreveport.

encantotom · 09-23-2009, 10:13 PM

that is on the edge of being too far for us. but dont let us be the ones who spoil the party.

for those in california or oregon, unless they are retired it will be way too far away.

tom

express1 · 09-23-2009, 11:45 PM

Where is Louisiana?

tuga · 09-23-2009, 11:51 PM

I can suggest a couple of RV resorts in the Louisiana/Texas area.

Buckhorn Lake Resort is one of America's premier RV parks.
http://www.buckhornlake.com/

I have attended several rallies there and the management knows what RVers like and need. The park is well layed out with wide paved roads & sites, and has great meeting areas, a 35 seat theater, swimming pools, tennis courts, putting green, and a beautiful lake setting. It is located 1 hour west of San Antonio, TX. Kerrville has many good restaurants and shopping.

Cajun Palms in Henderson, LA is a new RV park. I stayed there when it was new; it appears to be more of a family oriented park than an adult park. The swimming pool is geared to children with slides and cartoon characters. Also, I found that the sites were narrow. They were also too close together. I like about 35' between sites (I'm particular!).
http://www.cajunpalms.com/index.html

If I were to choose between the two parks; Buckhorn would be my choice. However, Karen and I would like to attend the next rally where ever it is held. I know that it would be kind of far for us, but I would love Lake Tahoe!

Just wanted to throw out some choices!

tuga · 09-23-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by express1

Where is Louisiana?

Hey Russo,

Send me a picture of you and Connie. I forgot what you look like!

ccopel · 09-24-2009, 02:45 AM

Debbie and I live on North Padre Island in Corpus Christi, Texas. There are two new RV parks on the Island, right on the beach. I have not tried any of them. Too close to home. The best time for this area is late September or October. Spring time the weather can be great but it can turn and be very windy and everything gets sanblasted. Another factor is Spring Break. For three weeks all College and University students from Chicago down, invade this area and take over. Many RV parks are filled to capacity far in advance. We also have "Winter Texans" in RVs of any size and shape stay here during the winter months from Canada as well as most states north of here. It's a great place for anything to do with the beach, one of the few places where you can even dry camp on the beach and sit around a big open fire and talk about Newells. We had two RVs that rusted away over time for that reason.
Scheduling and early action is the key here. I will find some links and post them for more information.
By the way, we have 50amp service and a concrete pad next to the house if any one needs a place to hang out if your travels make it this far south.

Pete and Debbie
96 Newell #419

chockwald · 09-24-2009, 06:54 PM

I've been giving this some thought. If we get together in the Spring 2010 we're obviousy talking about somewhere in the South/Southwest. In March, or April much of the Colorado Plateau would be under snow, or too cold. Many, if not most of those interested in these mini-rallys seem to live west of the Mississippi. One of the reasons we bought our Newell was to explore places we haven't been before (the one exception will always be Lake Tahoe for us...we never get tired of going there). One place I have wanted to visit for at least 20 years is Santa Fe, NM. April average temps range from lows of 40 to highs of 64. March highs are in mid 50's. Elevation is 7,000'. Anyone been to Santa Fe in the last 10 years? I hear there is a lot to do, see, and great restaurants......art galleries, indian ruins, museums, hiking, ghost towns, Los Alamos Laboraties, etc.

For many here this would be a one to two day drive (a couple of 500 mile days in some cases)......it's about 800+ for us. Anyone interested in Santa Fe?