2007
Rally at Obsidian Dome
Rally at Obsidian Dome
Thursday September 18 to Sunday September 21, 2008 are the dates for the SNU rally at Obsidian Dome a dispersed area in Inyo National Forest. The rally site is off US 395 South between June Lakes and Mammoth Lakes. The area is under an extreme fire situation so there will be no campfires, charcoal BBQ's, or any other outside flammable materials. We will probably assist Rick again this year with a little clean up of the area around our rally site. Other activities will include the usual shared meals with a pot luck and business meeting on Saturday and anything else that participants choose to do. Obsidian is a great place for hikes and off road biking. There is also a stream near the rally site. So plan to join us, come to Obsidian Dome.
President's Ramblin's
Eagle Lake Rally
Eight rigs showed up for the SNU rally at the North end of Eagle Lake. This rally site attracted old and new members, some which traveled hundreds of miles to be there and included some special guests on Saturday. Don and Gail Williams came the furthest. They traveled 585 miles in one day from their home in Riverside, CA. Other rally participants were new SNU members Doris and Richard (Wheels) Wheeler, Jerry and Dyann Thornburg, Wes and RoyLaine Warn, Mark and Cary Seasholtz, Gene Baleme, Anita Leipper and Bryan, and Diane Leipper. Our special guests were Spencer Thomas, a long time SNU member who lives in nearby Adin and Don and Mary Lou Damoth who came all the way up from Reno to spend the afternoon with us. We haven't seen either Spencer or Don and Mary Lou in a long time so it was great to be able to spend some time with them and catch up on all the news. Other highlights of the rally included new lawn art, testing a dutch oven, dinner at a restaurant, oohing and aahing over the SNU poster and welcoming another 4 legged member.
Jerry and Dyann got the prize this time for lawn art. They found some new solar lighted glass ornaments – a dragonfly, a butterfly, and a hummingbird. At night each glows a different color. Really beautiful. Now it will be up to Randy and Vicki to see if they can come up with something to top the Thornburg's solar lights.
Don and Gail got a small dutch oven on their recent travels and also a cookbook to go with it. Don decided on a unique chili recipe. We were the willing guinea pigs for Friday’s potluck. This recipe called for sweetened condensed milk and cream of asparagus soup among more traditional ingredients such as Habanero chili peppers! If an almost empty pot is any indicator, this recipe was a success. An unusual combination of flavors but really good.
Anita Leipper, who arrived at the Eagle Lake rally site on Tuesday, discovered a nearby restaurant that served beef from a local Susanville market that has been around for several decades. We all decided that dinner out would be a great ideas. So Saturday we carpooled over to the Mariner's Resort Restaurant. We had dinner on the patio with views through nearby houses of Eagle Lake. Good dinner, wonderful ambiance, and a great way to relax and enjoy the evening. The new 4 legged member of the SNU seemed to really enjoy his first rally. He – Hugo – is a pug who has joined Wes and Roy's family. Hugo makes the third dog for Wes and Roy. They have now caught up with Jerry and Dyann who also have three dogs. Wes and Roy have also joined the ranks of SNU members flying flags. Wes created a very nice flag holder for flag poles he got at Harbor Freight, the same ones Jerry and Bryan had gotten earlier.
We spent some time discussing the recent WBCCI International Rally in Bozeman, The SNU had five members in attendance, a new record. What's really special is that each member contributed to the rally in one form or another. Marge and Dale Grosch volunteered for various committees, Robert Sobsey carried the SNU flag in the opening ceremony and Von Gallion played in various musical groups. Following up on a suggestion by Dyann, Don and Gail created a poster for the SNU to submit in the Unit poster contest. It is is amazing what they came up with on the spur of the moment, especially since there were certain colors and content elements that had to be included. Don had a great picture of last years Obsidian Dome rally and one of the Twin Lakes rally. They had these pictures enlarged at the local Wal-Mart and included them as well as a picture of their own rig on the way to Bozeman. They apparently got a lot of comments on the pictures. Dyann Thornburg put together the SNU newsletters for entry in the Unit newsletter contest. Jerry Thornburg carried out one of the most important tasks of a Unit President. He met with various officials and officers including the incoming WBCCI President, the Chairman of Airstream, and the Region 12 officers, promoting the efforts of the SNU, our project to restore the 42’ railroad Airstream and creating stronger communication links between the SNU and key people throughout the organization.
Back to the rally at Eagle Lake – we had our usual long list of tiring activities – morning coffee, walking dogs, watching tortoises, shared meals at lunch and dinner and most critical, inspirational naps. Friday, just before dark, Diane, Gail, and Anita spotted a bald eagle which soared almost right over their heads. Jerry and Dyann shared their adventures of their recent annual trip to Jarbidge. Gail showed off some of her souvenirs from their recent travels. This BLM campground is on a hillside so we got a little more exercise than usual walking up and down to various trailers. The weather was just about perfect although Saturday it did get a little warm in the middle of the day. One of our members broke the unspoken no-work rule and checked and then adjusted the propane regulator on Anita’s 31 ft Airstream; her drinks should be much colder and perishables last longer now. This campground is an under utilized gem. We had the entire place to ourselves except for one or two overnighters. All in all another great rally. The consensus is that Eagle Lake is definitely a place to keep on the SNU rally site list.
Business Meeting
We held a brief business meeting on Saturday at noon. Members present were Jerry and Dyann Thornburg, Wes and RoyLain Warn, Mark and Cary Seasholtz, Richard and Doris Wheeler, Spencer Thomas, Don and Mary Lou Damoth, Don and Gail Williams, Anita Leipper, Bryan Leipper, Diane Leipper, and Gene Baleme. The first item discussed was the 2009 SNU rally schedule. Some concern was expressed regarding the proposed rally at Spencer's ranch near Pittville in Northern California. It is about 200 miles from Reno, about 100 miles further than our preferred maximum distance for weekend rallies. As all of the other proposed rallies are well within the 100 – 150 mile radius of Reno, it was decided to give it a try and see what happens. Other members who were not at the meeting are asked to please let us know your thoughts on occasional rallies that do exceed our preferred distance. Email your thoughts to hq@SierraNevadaAirstreams.org The rest of the rally schedule was accepted without further discussion.
The next item discussed was the slate of officers for 2009. A call for nominations was made. It was proposed that Anita Leipper be asked to serve as President. Anita has been active with the SNU for several years and has attended an average of 4 or 5 rallies and luncheons annually. She has contributed to the SNU in many ways including acting as an advance scout at most of our rallies this year, helping the SNU find potential new rally sites such as Ramhorn Springs and Wellington Station RV Park, assisting with the rally schedule and making phone calls to SNU members. Other nominations to the board include RoyLaine Warn, Secretary, Bryan Leipper, Treasurer, Don Williams and Randy Grossmann, Trustees. Elections will be held at the October Rally.
New business included a proposition by Richard Wheeler that the SNU consider holding a rally in conjunction with the Silver Springs Air Show. Members present expressed interest and Richard will check into the idea further and bring it up again with the SNU. Bryan Leipper suggested that since we have planned our June 2009 rally in conjunction with Amatuer Radio Field Day that we might consider contacting a local ham group to work with us at setting up a station at the rally. Don Williams discussed the planned SNU November rally Death Valley.
My Airstream Bed
by Randy Grossmann
The bed in our Airstream has been the most uncomfortable bed I have every had the misfortune of sleeping on. Halfway through the night my body would be aching. Airstream obviously installed the cheapest mattress they could possibly find. The mattress is so bad that I would not expect to find it in any RV. I purchased a three inch memory foam mattress topper at Costco and it converted the bed from the worst to the best I have ever slept on.
While I was on a roll I decided to procure some bedding that actually fit the mattress with its two rounded corners. I put in a call to Airstream about their custom bedding because we saw an ad in the Blue Beret for such. That was several weeks ago. I'm still waiting for them to get back to me. In the meantime I found a company on the internet called Quality-Time that makes custom fitted sheets and related items. I got a cushy feeling talking with the Quality-Time people on the phone. They patiently and completely answered all of my questions (of which there were many). I sent them a CAD drawing of the mattress and each component I wanted made as well as a template of the corners. The photo attests to the fine job they did. Note how the sheets perfectly fit the two rounded corners of the bed. They also made me a mattress pad with the rounded corners. I certainly recommend Quality-Time to anyone with an odd shaped Airstream bed or even a standard shaped bed, Airstream or otherwise.
I cut the memory foam topper to match the rounded mattress corners. It is quite easy to do as long as you don’t mind corners that do not look like they came from the factory. But then who ever sees the topper. I finished the bed enhancement with two down pillows from Costco. I am now sleeping on a cloud–at least during those nights we are in the Airstream.
Lava Beds Rally, August 2008
by Anita Leipper
I managed to drive from Reno to the Lava Beds Rally in August. The rally was listed on the rally page of airforums. I stopped by Eagle Lake on the way to and from Tionesta, CA and the Eagle's Nest RV Park, where we parked our airstreams. Tionesta is on the south entrance road to the National Monument. It's a little over 200 miles from Reno to Tionesta.
The RV park had nice prices, $10.00 a night to dry camp. One could dry camp on the green grass or whatever site looked suitable. The full-hookup prices were also very reasonable. It's a very nice, quiet park, 2 miles off hwy 139 and big rig friendly. I was one of four airstreams at the rally. One from San Jose, one from Napa, and one from Brookings, OR. Two Classics and two Internationals. Two 31', one 25', and one 27'.
I didn't have nearly the time I wanted, though I did spend several hours at Lava Beds. Perfect weather, no crowds. The cave tour they had for Saturday was in the challenging category, so I just looked down several of the caves.
I drove back to Reno via Medicine Lake. I just happened to drive through the campground loop where the ranger was. The ranger has been working at Medicine Lake for 11 years. We had a long talk. There is a dispersed camping area by a meadow where we could camp with our airstreams. A new dump station is close by.
I preferred route 97 from hwy 139 to Medicine Lake over route 49 from Medicine Lake to hwy 89. Route 97 has expansion joints, is a paved and nice width road. I didn't find the expansion joints annoying. Route 49 was narrow in one area, where passing would be interesting. Route 49 does have McIntosh Vista, a nice long pull-out, with a view of Castle Crags and Mount Shasta. It was too smoky for me to see those sights! There is a self guided geology tour of route 49, and also of route 15, another way to drive to Medicine Lake from hwy 89. Medicine Lake Highlands is the largest volcano in California.
It is a good idea to top off the fuel before exploring this area. So much to see, and fuel stations are far away.
Check the links page for a link to Anita's photo gallery of this rally.
Mesquite
Campground
Sierra Nevada Unit Mesquite Springs Death Valley Rally
The Sierra Nevada Unit will hold an end of the season rally in Death Valley Thursday, November 13th through Sunday, November 16th. The primary location is the Mesquite Spring Campground located south of Scotty’s Castle in the northeastern corner of the park. Mesquite Spring Campground features picnic tables, fire pits and flush toilets; water and a dump station are located within the campground. Expect temperatures to range from the low 40s to the upper 70s with little chance of rain.
Our Southern California members, Don and Gail Williams, will be our hosts for this special event. Nearby attractions include Scotty’s Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Tea Kettle Junction and the Racetrack or one can visit Furnace Creek, Furnace Creek Inn, Artists Drive, Devils Golf Course, Natural Bridge, Badwater and the West Side Road in just and hour or so. Make sure your come armed with a good map for your explorations; The Amercian Automobile Association (AAA), National Geographic and Tom Harrison Maps all have great maps of Death Valley and they are available at most book stores and good camping stores like REI.
Want more adventure than most tourists? Don will bring copies of the Death Valley Backcountry Roads and Day Hike flyers and his Desert Summits, a Climbing & Hiking Guide to California and Southern Nevada by Andy Zdon. Tin Mountain (8953’) is nearby and only a 7 mile round trip from Racetrack Road. Bring your day pack a large canteen or Camel Back and some protective gear if you want to hike.
Of course we will have our morning coffee and optional potluck diners; Don and Gail may even tempt their guest with another Dutch-oven surprise cooked over the campfire.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Camping here is first come first serve! Get there early to secure a site! Overflow camping can be found at Stovepipe Wells 40 miles to the south until one can claim an empty site at Mesquite Spring.
Given the typical late fall/early winter weather you may want to follow US-95 from the Reno area south to Scotty’s Junction; then follow NV-267 southeast through the northern Death Valley park entrance or plan your own route to Mesquite Springs Campground, Death Valley NP using Google Maps, Mapquest, Yahoo Map, AAA or one of the other internet mapping services.
For more information check the Death Valley NP web site: http://www.nps.gov/deva/, talk with Don and Gail, 951.780.5199 or email them at kd6uvt@mac.com. Maybe they will even tell you where they saw the bobcat in 2005!
Check the links page for a link to a photo gallery of this rally site and more information on the Death Valley rally.
WBCCI Directory Listings
To be sure you are listed in the 2009 WBCCI directory renew your membership in the SNU now. You can pay online or send your check for $65 to the SNU at 714 Terra Ct, Reno, NV 89506