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Sierra Nevada Unit

SNU Rallies at Lassen Pines RV Resort

May 2015 Rally Review

6 SNU - Total Rally Participation

by Randy Grossmann (event orchestrator, host, and treasurer)

By all accounts our rally at the Lassen RV Resort near McArthur, Calif. was one of the best ever. We had six rigs in attendance even though the rally site at about 170 miles from Reno stretched our distance limit. The participants in alphabetical order were Randy and Vicki Grossmann, Gary and Anita Haskett, Jim and Lynda Kunter, Bryan and Diane Leipper, Jerry and Dyann Thornburg, and Don and Gail Williams. Don and Gail came all the way from their home in Riverside, Calif. Bob and Charlotte Hemphill who are friends of ours and reside in McArthur stopped by for visits. One of the unique Resort qualities is that it satisfies almost everyone’s RV camping preferences. The Resort has full hookups (except for WiFi and cable) for those who prefer that type of camping. For those who prefer a boondocking camping environment the parking spaces are in a rustic environment with large parking areas which are well separated. If a person had a real aversion to hookups they could park somewhere in this roomy Resort where there were no hookups. We believe that the only people who would not like this Resort are people who want to be parked on a concrete slab. During the rally we received comments from people who much preferred hookups that they really appreciated the hookups being in such a nice country environment. We also received comments from people who liked boondocking that they appreciated the “boondocking with hookups.”

The weather report for our rally period looked ominous. We did have rain but it was not continuous and for the most part did not interfere with our activities. On Thursday we had a dinner of KFC that some members procured on the way to the rally. Phil, Jasmin, and Nancy, the Resort owners and managers, brought a special treat of toffee crack for dessert. We consumed it quickly. Jasmin and Nancy brought a toffee crack "starter kit" on Saturday for each of us that included chocolate and the directions for making it ourselves. It did rain most of the day on Friday but stopped before our BBQ that evening which included Don's special caramelized onion sourdough biscuits. Saturday evening we pulled out all the stops for our potluck. Phil, Jasmin, and Nancy not only joined us for the potluck but also brought some wonderful food. A word of praise is in order for them. They were all so nice to us and made us feel so welcome during the rally. We could not have asked for better Resort hosts. In addition, Phil was easy and obliging to work with in the planning of this rally. Phil, Jasmin, and Nancy also participated in our traditional waffle feast Saturday morning. They again brought food. They also lent us a waffle iron so that we could expedite the waffle making. SNU members also contributed to the waffle feast’s smashing success by bringing various waffle toppings and other amenities. We had a lot of delicious fruit including blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and cantaloupe. Gail brought bags of home grown lemons and grapefruit. We were all thankful to get some to take home.

The rally was held in an area of the Resort where we were able to park in more or less circled wagon train style. All activities took place in the center of the circle. Everything was fully deployed at this rally. The famous diorama was on display all day Saturday. Vicki and I created the diorama in 2006 for the SNU 30th anniversary luncheon. It started out to be a cake decoration but morphed into an entity of its own as it expanded to a size that would not fit on the top of any cake. The diorama is still looking great after almost nine years. The Thing (the name Monstrosity was suggested at the rally) was displayed in all its lighted glory during the entire rally. Decorative trailer lights were also blazing each night. Jerry brought his new string of lights with flamingos and vintage trailers. Diane put out her various solar lights. In the center of the circle was a fire pit which we put to use thanks to Phil providing us with some fire wood. Rally participants went to see some of the many nearby attractions, including a partial day trip to Burney Falls and a visit to the Crook museum in Fall River Mills which is only 12 miles away. Some people took sight seeing tours of the area and did a little shopping in Fall River Mills and McArthur. On Saturday Phil took a nice photo of us in front of the Haskett's Airstream.

Rally participants commented a lot about how nice a Resort it was and how we were treated like royalty. At the rally conclusion we all agreed that the Lassen RV Resort should be one of our annual rally sites.

2015 Lassen Participants

September 2016 SNU 40th Anniversary Rally Review

9 SNU, 2 guests - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

By all accounts the 40th anniversary SNU rally at the Lassen RV Resort was a resounding success. It was such a success that during the rally there was a strong desire to return there next year which almost rose to the level of a demand. Consequently, a rally has been scheduled for September of next year at the Lassen RV Resort. Planning has already started for that rally. There is talk of possibly adding in movies this next time.

The Resort has a nice screened building where many of the festivities took place and in which the various displays were set up. Vicki provided a Wizard of Oz theme with a Tin Man display. Randy constructed a model Airstream which he displayed along with a tow vehicle. He explained that it is not a finished product. He is working on perfecting the fabrication of the four compound curved corners and there are many enhancements that will be added over time. Also on display was the ever so popular Diorama. Diane had a display of numerous memorabilia as well as an Airstream cooler which was about the same size as the one Randy built at 1/6 scale. Vicki added the final touches to the screened building with various decorations. Of course the Thing (aka Monstrosity) was also on display outside. Wheels has to be given credit for someone finally coming up with a new and better name by which it will be called from now on which is the “Lighted Wonder” or just the “Wonder” for short. Phil and Jasmin, the Resort owners and managers, put up two Airstream rally banners, one of which they graciously gave to the SNU. Phil & Jasmin also provided a pink flamingo planter to help decorate the table and Jasmin handed out pink flamingo pens to everyone when they arrived.

The food at this rally was fabulous. Phil and Jasmin provided two catered meals which were outstanding. One was lunch on Friday in their Bistro restaurant and the other was a buffet style dinner Saturday evening in the screened building. Randy served his nationally famous waffles Saturday morning in the Bistro restaurant. Phil and Jasmin provided the use of their commercial kitchen for this and used their grill to prepare sausages and bacon. Members brought various waffle toppings in addition to those provided by Phil and Jasmin. The SNU had one of its typical pot lucks Friday evening in the screened building. We finished the potluck with an anniversary cake which Diane brought.

Saturday afternoon we visited the Ft Crook Museum in Fall River Mills. We were first given an historical presentation and then given a tour of the various Museum buildings.

We had 11 rigs at the rally. The attendees were Gene and Carmen, Randy and Vicki, Gary and Anita, Roman and Melissa, Melissa’s niece Danielle, Eric and Terry, Diane and Bryan, Jerry and Dyann, Gene and Kathy, Roylaine and Jim, Wheels and Doris and Bob and Cecelia. Roman and Melissa brought their Forrest River Aviator trailer which was of great interest to many people. Randy’s and Vicki’s friends Bob and Charlotte Hemphill who live in the area attended some of the festivities. The weather cooperated quite well. It was a little cool and windy during the day on Friday when we had our luncheon indoors. The temperature eventually warmed a little and the wind died down so that we were able to have our potluck outdoors in the screened building that evening. The weather was warm and perfect on Saturday which nicely allowed for the buffet in the screened building that evening.

Saturday evening was the grand finale of the rally. After the fantastic buffet the SNU presented Phil and Jasmin with a thank you card and gift as tokens of appreciation for all the wonderful things they did for us with the help of their friends and relatives. Randy and Vicki were presented with a throw blanket inscribed with recognition of their hosting the 30th, 35th, and 40th SNU anniversary events. After that Vicki provided each of the ladies with a ruby necklace and each of the men with a bottle of sparkling cider. Vicki had made the necklaces herself.

As each of us packed up to leave Sunday morning after having such a wonderful time we looked froward to returning next year. Some members plan on visiting the Resort by themselves before the next rally there.

A Thank You Note from Randy and Vicki

We are happy that everyone found their way to the Emerald City (Lassen RV Resort). We all enjoyed the 40th anniversary rally very much. We would like to thank everyone for the beautiful gift and recognition we received from all of you. You are all very special to us and should also be recognized. As Jerry said "It's the Airstreams that bring us together but it's the people who keep us together." We might add that you are the glue of the SNU and that is why we stick to you. Thank you to all SNU members.

2016 Lassen Participants

September 2017 Rally Review

9 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

This rally proved one thing – there are pink flamingos in Hawaii. At least in the SNU Hawaii. Along with flower leis, palm trees and pineapples, pink flamingos fit right in. For a group that isn’t into costumes, we had some fantastic attire for our Saturday Hawaiian theme dinner prepared by Phil and Jasmin along with their friends Gerald and Shirley. Someone did mention the incongruity of wearing jackets and leis, but again that’s the SNU Hawaii.

Back to the beginning. Along with Randy and Vicki, some of us arrived at Lassen on Wednesday. Randy and Vicki got right to work decorating the screen house. The SNU banner that Phil and Jasmin had given us was set up to welcome everyone to the park. The frame that Randy had made for the banner worked great. Vicki has added a new Airstream to the SNU. A cute little bird house she found at Penny’s. Vicki also found a string of blinking pink flamingos. The two new acquisitions added to the screen house decorations. The diorama had it’s special place in the screen house. There have been some additions and tweaks to it since last year. Pretty amazing that 11 years ago it started out as a simple disposable cake decoration. Jasmin made some delicious salads for our impromptu dinner. Thursday morning Russell helped Randy set up the Lighted Wonder. By the time everyone arrived and all the solar lights were out, we really had a very nice nighttime display.

Thursday afternoon Russell and Doris entertained us singing some of the old favorite songs and playing guitars. After dinner we gathered at the fire table near the Bistro for another concert and hot tea provided by Jasmin. The lights on the Russ Bus made it easy to find our rally site after dark. Friday we had a nice leisurely morning and then headed down to the Bistro for lunch. Before the lunch we enjoyed an informative history presentation by Will Snyder. He is writing a book about this area and has done a tremendous amount of research. His wife Mary helps him edit the book. They were both educators before they retired. So you get the full effect, I have listed the lunch and dinner menus at the end of this article. After lunch we headed back to our Airstreams to recuperate. Later we did have our usual shared dinner although it was a little on the light side after that wonderful lunch.

Saturday was the big day. We started off with Randy’s world famous waffles. They definitely lived up to expectations. Doris and Diane cooked bacon and Anita cooked sausage. There was a variety of toppings including strawberries and blueberries provided by Gary and Anita and cherries provided by Doris. After that and in anticipation of a very special dinner, we skipped lunch. Phil had loaned Randy a golf cart for the rally. Randy had a great time shuttling people and other things back and forth. I think we missed something though. There was no grass fringe or flower leis on the golf cart. Next time! Late afternoon, everyone dressed up in their Hawaiian attire and headed down to the screen house. Phil and Jasmin with assistance from their friends Gerald and Shirley, once again provided us with a memorable dinner. After dinner we adjourned to the Bistro for a “formal” concert and dessert. Russell’s singing and guitar playing provided a perfect ending to a very enjoyable day. Check the website for some videos of Russell and Doris singing along with photo galleries of the rally

The SNU members participating in this rally were Randy & Vicki, Gary & Anita, Russell, Bryan & Diane, Jerry & Dyann, Susie, Wheels & Doris. Gene & Kathy and Gene & Carmen. We were very sad to learn that Eric and Terry lost the transmission in their tow vehicle so they weren’t able to come. Randy & Vicki’s friends Bob & Charlotte who live in McArthur joined us for various meals. Always great to see them. Along with the people, there were 9 Airstreams, 7 dogs, 1 cat, 1 bird and 2 tortoises.

Sunday after morning coffee most of the participants, packed up and headed home. A few of us stayed over till Monday. We couldn’t have asked for better weather over the weekend, although a little warmer would have been nice. A great location, great facilities, fantastic food, great company, and the best RV Park owners we have ever met. What more could you ask for. A unanimous vote made it clear that the SNU will hold a rally at Lassen Pines RV resort in September 2018. Randy and Vicki are already working on ideas. Mark your calendars, plan to join us in 2018.

2017 Lassen Participants

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