to information discussed in this newsletter including January luncheon photo gallery, the February luncheon site, Roman and Melissa's blog, and the Davis Creek decision:
http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/snu/news/2008/index.html
Time 11:30 am
Please RSVP Call 775 972 9392 or email hq@sierranevadaairstreams.org
The SNU started off 2008 with an excellent German lunch at Bavarian World in Reno. Once again the weather cooperated and we had a good turn out. Participants included the Roger and Jan Jeppson, Jerry and Dyann Thornburg, Randy and Vicki Grossmann, Gary and Anita Haskett, Scott and Icyl Mulligan, Bryan Leipper, Diane Leipper and Dave Gmur. We were also delighted to have Jim and Jane Ganyon, friends of the Haskett's join us for lunch. As much as we enjoy the lunches I think we will all be glad to get back to the rallies. Lunch just barely gives you time to say hi. Rallies on the other hand give you plenty of time to swap stories, catch up on adventures and just sit and relax and enjoy each other's company. In the meantime our February will continue our international trend – Mexican food in Carson City. Hope to see everyone there.
The March rally location has been changed from Davis Creek to Pyramid Lake. An apparently new regulation of Davis Creek would require us to get a special insurance policy in order for the SNU to hold a rally there even though SNU rallies are covered by WBCCI policies. It was decided that since we anticipate an attendance of not more than four to seven rigs that it would be better to relocate. There were other factors involved in the decision. For a more complete run down check the links on the URL listed in this newsletter.
Most of you have heard the term of Aluminitis. It is an affliction affecting some people when they start thinking of an Airstream. To some it is an incurable affliction. Sorry to say one of our unit members now has it. I tried to warn her about it when they bought their first unit. This affliction I believe is an airborne one that attacks through the eyes. Once you get it, it is impossible to cure. There is hope, it can be controlled. So I call on all SNU members to help me with an intervention for Melissa. She is in what I deem stage two of three of the disease. Stage one is the uncontrolled desire for an Airstream, Stage two is dual, one the desire for more than one Airstream or the urge to buy all the pink flamingos that you find (the weirder the better), stage three is combining both stage one and two. Myself, I am stuck in stage two, I only have one Airstream but lots of flamingos. The only possible way to deal with this is to make Melissa spend time in an SOB. This does have its draw backs, there is a 95% chance it will backfire and just make her want another Airstream. For those of you that do not know, Roman and Melissa have found an older Airstream to go along with their new one. (And Melissa, you thought I wouldn’t pick on you.)
Ok, now for a little business. In this newsletter, you will find that another state park has changed their way of doing business, forcing us to make another change. March’s rally at Davis Creek has been changed to Pyramid. This was due to the park requiring a major change in our insurance. The extra expense would be too much for the unit to absorb. I am hoping that we can have a meeting next month to discuss this and find a solution to the problem. Anyone that cannot make the February meeting in Carson City is invited to email me (president@SierraNevadaAirstreams.org) with your thoughts and suggestions.
On the International rally in June, it was overwhelmingly voted down to get me a white tuxedo for the installation. There was a suggestion that I just get a can of white paint. Dyann and I are going to the rally and then on to visit relatives in Montana and North Dakota. I am now looking for volunteers to help polish my trailer. (I bet I know the answer to this one also). I did read an interesting article on the WBCCI site on how to get a mirror finish on the trailer, and no it’s not by mounting mirrors on it. It looks like too much work for me.
Ok, its time for me to get this on to the appropriate people so the newsletter can get out. Melissa, I revoke your editorial rights on the first paragraph. Some of you may have noticed that I used some big words this time. Don’t get used to it. I was having a brain lapse.
Jerry
The storm that swept through Reno and the rest of the west coast the weekend of January 5th created some interesting adventures for various SNU members. Here is a synopsis.
The storm was sure a big one down here! A branch fell on the new Airstream (no damage) last night at around 12 midnight so we jumped outside, hooked up, put everything in the truck and moved to a campsite without a tree. When we woke up I talked to the camp host to let her know why we moved and as luck would have it... we secured a new campsite with an ocean view! We can see the surfers, the sea lions on a rock and the horizon from the front door and all the windows on the door side. yippeee! Check Roman and Melissa's new blog to read more of their winter adventures. See the link on the links page of this newsletter.
The levee break engulfed the neighborhood where Wes and Roy live. They were lucky. The water came up to their front steps but not into the house. It also didn't make it into their garage where they store the Airstream. They never lost electricity and didn't have to evacuate. Most of their neighbors were not so lucky. Wes and Roy's yard was a pond and the pups were not happy about not having a place to get out. Wes and Roy have drainage ditches on the edge of their property. The ditches overflowed with water and debris. They have quite a clean up job but thankfully it is the yard and not the house.
Both the December 1st storm and the January 1st storm had winds over 50 MPH for three days or more. Not any abnormal rainfalls. This January storm there was lightning and thunder from Thursday until Monday. I'm pretty much out of the information loop, so I don't know what is going on as far as news! I did read that Portland was set to have their lowest barometric pressure since 1880.
Regarding the storm, it was a pretty good one. We had sustained winds in excess of 50 knots for 5 to 6 hours and some gusts that were over 70. As with Melissa and Roman, limbs are still all over the property (need to stack and burn). Oh yea, one minor point I forgot to mention was no electricity for 4 days. While we could run the refrig, separate freezer and one lamp with our little Honda Gen, we are on a well and the pump is electric. So....buckets for the toilets for the duration. Oh well, it's a small price to pay when one lives in paradise
There are now several hosting options open to WBCCI Units to enable them to have a presence on the web. One is through WBCCI. Another is Airforums.com. Also several WBCCI regions host websites for the Units in their particular region. There are also some Unit websites that are hosted by members of the Unit. Depending on how things are set up the Unit web address may include the name of the host site. Region 12 Unit websites are a good example of this. The URL for many region 12 websites look like this http://wbcci12.org/unit name/
The SNU website is one that is hosted by long time members. They provide a section of their website for use by the SNU. Thus the URL for the Sierra Nevada Unit website includes the hosting site name as well as the unit initials. This means the URL for the SNU web presence is http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/snu/
When referring to any Unit website it is important to make sure the link is complete and accurate. For instance it is important to make sure that the link goes directly to the Unit home page and not the home page of the hosting site.
The SNU website has benefited from being a test bed of ideas and technology for the hosts of the site. As a result the SNU has one of the most complete and informative websites of any WBCCI Unit. It has also been in the forefront in it's use of interactive internet capabilities. The SNU has been one of the first, and still one of the few Units to offer on-line membership and dues renewal, on-line payment systems for dues and rallies, an interactive events calendar, a subscription system for news and information and the use of on-line survey and information gathering tools. Another element of the SNU website that was planned intentionally was the use of open source software. There are three primary advantages of using open source software. One, the SNU did not have to invest money in expensive and proprietary software. The management and maintenance of the content of the site require minimal proficiency with computers and web development. Also the content of the website can be easily transferred to other hosting sources if the SNU chooses, without loosing information or with any timely or costly effort. The SNU has also benefited from its host site through it's association with all the wide ranging RV related information found on other sections of the host website.
Over the past five years it is clear that the SNU website, by offering members and visitors a complete and up to date picture of what the SNU is all about has aided in the growth of the Unit. As technologies and ideas evolve, the SNU website evolves. Suggestions and feedback from SNU members are an important part of the websites development. So if you haven't visited lately, check out your Unit's website. http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/snu/ Discover the SNU's history as well as the how's and why's of it's operations and it's plans for the future. Share your suggestions and ideas.
There is nothing better than finding the perfect campground to spend some time in your Airstream. Instead being just another camper consider the myriad of opportunities to volunteer. National Parks, state parks, BLM lands and other recreational areas use volunteers to augment the work of paid staff. The possibilities are endless, ranging from assisting at fish hatcheries to being a concierge in museums and historic buildings, to leading interpretive walks, to gardening and grounds maintenance to campground host. The amenities and benefits are varied and go from full service hook ups to more primitive accommodations. Sometimes propane and laundry facilities are available. There are usually informal gatherings for volunteers which give you a chance to meet others and swap stories. Training and other support services are offered. To find out more about campground volunteering check the link to Zephyrs on the URL listed in this newsletter. Anita Leipper has been a campground host in several Oregon parks the last few years. Catch her at an SNU rally to learn about her experiences first hand.
Remember you can now pay your rally kitty fees on-line!
http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/snu/2007/payonline/snu-shopping.html
Saturday February16, 2008 El Charro Avita, South Carson St in Carson City, NV
Thursday March 27- Sunday 30, 2008 Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, Pelican Point
Thursday April 17 - Sunday 20, 2008 FT Sage, BLM campground near Doyle.
Thursday May 15 - Sunday18, 2008 Unionville County park - I80 east from Reno, near Winemmucca NV
Thursday June 19 - Sunday 22, 2008 Portola Railroad museum. Off Hwy 70 in Portola, CA
June 28 - July 4, 2008 Bozeman, Montana 51st WBCCI International Rally
Thursday July 17 - Sunday 20, 2008 Sweetwater Summit dispersed BLM, near Yerrington
Thursday August 21 - Sunday 24, 2008 Eagle Lake BLM Campground northeast of Susanville, CA
Thursday September 18 – Sunday21, 2008 Obsidian Dome (Inyo Nat'l Forest) dispersed camping - off US 395 South between June Lakes and Mammoth Lakes
Friday October 16 – Sunday 19, 2008 Blue Lakes, PG&E campground off Hwy 88 Hope Valley back up - Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, Pelican Point
Saturday November 22, 2008 Chuckars Fernley Exit 46 off I80 on the west end of Fernley, NV
Thursday November 13 – Sunday16, 2008 Death Valley Mesquite campground
Saturday December 13, 2008 JT's Basque restaurant, Minden, NV - on US 395 south
For more information on upcoming rallies check the website
http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/snu/2008/events/rallydocs/08-rallyschedule.html