Zephyrs

In memories, travelogues, a special section has been set up remembering Lloyd and Ruth Brown, charter members of the Monterey Bay California Unit of the WBCCI. This is a personal story of the heyday of the WBCCI in the seventies and eighties with Lloyd’s artwork, photographs, and reminiscences.

Oregon Pipes ’93

You’ll find links to biographical information, Lloyd and Ruth’s story about the 1971 Airstream Company European Caravan, and photo galleries with many of Lloyd’s sketches and water colors.

One way a club rewards participation is with memorabilia. Here are a few examples from the Monterey Bay California Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International collected by Dale and Virginia during the 1980′s.

see the photo gallery!

Some of these are crafts projects, some advertising specialty like items, some just home-made certificates and recognitions. What does your club do to reinforce participation and have fun at the same time?

The Sierra Nevada Unit of the WBCCI is planning on participating in the Amateur Radio Field Day exercise at its rally in June. The ARRL has a Field Day Package and a station locator. An entry has been made in the locator for this event. Look for station K1CD.

The RGJ reports: Money, volunteers needed for May science fair in Reno. This might be an opportunity for volunteers visiting the area.

The world’s only international science fair, featuring the brightest young scientists, engineers and inventors, is coming in May to Reno.

The 2009 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair will bring about 1,600 high school students from across the United States and 57 countries to compete May 10-16 for $4 million in scholarships and awards.

See also the Gathering Genius website or the NCET PSA which notes

Don’t have time to volunteer, or don’t have a lot of money to donate? Well, now you can help Gathering Genius just by going to local Scolari’s for your food shopping! Through the Scolari’s Friendship Fund, you can dedicate your frequent shopper number to Gathering Genius and ISEF. Each time you shop, Scolari’s will donate 1 percent of your bill to Gathering Genius!

The “help wanted” page for volunteers at Gethering Genius. Check it out. Maybe you have a place in the effort.

If you plan to head out to the Sweetwater Summit rally and are looking at the thermometer in the current hot spell, weather comes to mind.

The Nevada Road Weather Information System (RWIS) for this location is still offline after many months. It doesn’t provide forecast information, anyway.

To get a forecast courtesy of modern weather modelling, the National Weather Service point forecast for Sweetwater Summit (38.53N -119.2W Elev. 6842 ft) will get you out a full week.

Keeping cool isn’t the only concern. The agencies are at paranoia level 1 regarding fire. Anita sent along links to Reno Gazette Journal stories on this: Fire restrictions in Western Nevada underway as of July 1 and Fire restrictions start this week — don’t plan on a charcoal grill, campfire, or even an outdoor smoke in these conditions!

Clint keeps up his skills by drawing cartoons and pictures and sketches. The subject is often his RV experience. The latest one on his memories page shows the SNU rally goers at then end of the rally seeking shade from the shadow of a rig.

The morning coffee starts by seeking sunshine to warm up. But after an hour or so, the day starts to warm and the sun starts to get hot so everybody is seeking shade. This is the major exercise activity at SNU rallies, sometimes: chair moving to find the desired temperature profile.

The storm that just went through was the one that started all the California fires. The winds from the storm required rolling up the awnings to keep them from departing to the next county without the trailers attached. It was departure morning so there was little incentive to unfurl the awnings again. That meant the available shade was the shadow of the RV.

See what Clint saw as folks at the SNU rally tried to relax over coffee before heading back out on the road.

Sunday is April first (see our calendar). If you are into April Fool’s pranks, you might check out the Top 100 at the Museum of Hoaxes. That list includes The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest and San Serriffe – these hoaxes are often based on interesting trivia or extravagant imagination and make for quite a learning experience.

Of course April has other goings on, too. The SNU Rally at Lahontan State Recreation Area is set for the third weekend. US Tax day is going to be the 16th this year. Earth Day is the 22nd.

The SierraNevadaAirstreams.org calendar is a new experiment here. Besides a general purpose calendar, it is also intended to be a resource for travelers. If you plan to be at some place like Death Valley or Flaming Gorge or wherever and would like to invite others to drop by and say “hi!” then you can add an entry to the calendar so others can see where you’ll be when and can plan to join you if they are interested. We’ll see how this works out.

Update: for more April Fool’s prank ideas, see Scott Adam’s Dilbert blog!

It seems there is a significant interest in the women getting together by themselves or for themselves.

RVing Women – Support Information & Networking for Women RVers!

If you plan to travel by RV, already own one, or are just dreaming about the possibilities, we’re here for you. We are a diverse group of women across the U.S. and Canada who enjoy RVing and love to travel. Our members learn about RVing and enjoy a network of support and friendship offered by RVing Women. Join the thousands of women who have found this supportive organization.

Sisters on the fly,Cowgirl Caravan,fly fishing,trailers,vintage trailers,western bedding

In the summer of 1998 , my sister Becky and myself (Maurrie) sat on a drift boat in Montana fly-fishing. We were happily drinking a glass of wine in celebration of catching an 8 lb. Brown trout. Our Fly- Fishing Outfitter and Guide, Austin, (also my son) congratulated our good job. Of course, we won’t tell you which one of us caught it…It’s a fish-tale you know! From that moment on we invited friends to share in our adventures. Our “Sisterhood” has grown into 630 some women who are active participants in our fly-fishing and other adventures. It is all about the participating in outdoor adventures with women of the same mind set. Having more fun than anyone.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman “offers outdoor skills workshops to women throughout North America. Explore our pages and discover what’s waiting in the great outdoors!”

Women on Wheels

If you are a lady who loves to drive or ride as passenger on motorcycles, motorbikes, scooters, or trikes then this is the group for you! This organization welcomes your family members and you to indulge your passion for riding with other discriminating hobbyists, at rallies, chapter meetings, tours, or other events.

If this is your inclination, then this is just a start. Get out there and find your ‘birds of a feather’ flock – there’s sure to be one out there (if not, why not start your own?)

Airstream memories – Bryan and Jo Harrison is a photo gallery of what it was like when WBCCI was becoming the phenomena it is today.

see the photo gallery!

Brad Templeton has pictures and thoughts on the Burning Man Festival. This is rather large gathering that is scheduled for Labor Day out on the Black Rock Desert north of Gerlach Nevada. When you have thousands gather for a week long dry camp experience in a pristine area you have interesting challenges.

Brad’s essay on Desert Power is a good summary about how to handle the need for electricity when off grid. He describes the method used by WBCCI, rented large generators, as a possible way to reduce noise, cost, and pollution.

Thoughts on the nature of Burning Man gets into the issues of parking, services, commerce, crowds, and ideologies at the Rally. Some of the folks over at AirstreamForums.com need to read this and think carefully about their idea that anarchy is a solution to organizing group events.

Brad also links to the Alternative Energy Zone which has parallels with the VAC in the WBCCI. This is a “Burning Man community free of stinking, noisy, polluting generators.” They are a theme camp that has grown to be something more. The website has a good set of supplier links for alternative energy needs and a glossary of terms used in the subject.

There is a lot in common between the administration and management of Burning Man and the WBCCI I’Rally. Despite WBCCI’s longer history of such events, the evidence indicates it is WBCCI that could learn from Burning Man and not vice-versa.

Renee and a few Region 2 friends have put together workshop series for WBCCI unit leaders that will be conducted at the International Rally in Salem. See the announcement on the notebook page for Seminars, Attractions and Tours. This should be a must attend series for Unit officers and others who want to make sure their local Unit gets things done right and efficiently.

Dear WBCCI Sierra Nevada Unit Enthusiast,

The February 2006 Newsletter has been posted. See the link.

** Sierra Nevada Unit 30th Anniversary Luncheon February 18, 2006. This is going to be a really special event. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, do so now! Email hq@SierraNevadaAirstreams.org or call 775 972 5011. We need to know how many people to expect. Among the special guests who are planning to attend are the Region 12 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, and Jon and Jelaine Whipple from Mt Family RV. Vicki Grossmann is hard at work planning decorations for our Anniversary Cake and from what I hear it will be a masterpiece. For more information and map .

* If you were not able to attend our January luncheon, we’d still like your opinion on the issues brought up during the business part of the agenda. You will find an opinion form. Please print it out, fill it in and send it to the SNU. Your opinion does matter.

* to see pictures of the January Luncheon, see what’s new.

* Check out Tim and Kimber’s article on their experiment with LED lighting. They have some great pictures to illustrate the article. Also check out the LED information on Tim and Kimber’s website.

–
The SNU Folks

See the pictures from the SNU 1980 Mid-Nevada Caravan.

This picture is the approach to Kennecott’s huge Ely digs.

Update on the Sierra Nevada Unit of the WBCCI

–
SNU Folks

The Pyramid Lake 2005 SNU rally photo gallery is up! Also see the Kendziorski’s photos of the Pyramid Lake Rally

The SNU just received notice from our Region 12 President, Jim Emlinger that a regional newsletter is now posted. It has been a while since there has been a regional newsletter and this looks like a great start.

Region 12 website

newsletter

The new Region 12 board seems to have a lot of ideas and enthusiasm. One issue they are focusing on is enhancing the communications between the Units and the region. The SNU looks forward to hearing more from our regional representatives and supports their efforts.

See the photo gallery of the September 2005 SNU rally at Eagle Lake held at the BLM campground on the North end of Eagle Lake. Eagle Lake is about 32 miles North of Susanville, CA and 120 miles from Reno, NV.

Burning Man 2005: Psyche – lots of pictures. Some adult content but that is toned down (at least on this page).

35,000 people at a dry camp rally with all sorts of toys and gadgets. Look for ideas you might be able to use.

UPDATE 29 September 2005

Burning Man 2005 impressions
is another good report on the Escapee’s discussion forum from a first time burner. It illustrates the advantage of a newbie signing up with an experienced group and how participation in that group and in the nature of the event can create a first rate experience.

Where else could I, a totally straight 62 year old, retired grandfather, dress up in a pink Tutu with a red strapless tube-top and a black and red pirates bandana and dual colored finger nails, ride around on a kid’s chopper bicycle and feel totally natural, plus get the applause of most that I met?
…
Everybody is part of the big family, I did not see any clannishness, there is no class structure, and everyone is equal. Human interaction is free and easy; I could detect no animosity or shyness. The volunteer and the paid staff are absolutely dedicated to the BM project and make the whole city run smoothly. The ones I met, were mostly multi BM veterans and proud of their contributions.

The September 2005 Newsletter has been posted.

** Plan to attend the next SNU rally September 23 – 25 with Thursday September 22 being a bonus day. The rally will be at the BLM campground north of Eagle Lake. Click For more information

** Time to renew your membership in the SNU and WBCCI. Dues ar $65. Complete the dues renewal form and send it with your check to the SNU Treasurer, Ann Hersey. If you haven’t joined the SNU yet, now is the time. Use the same form, complete it and send it in.

We are looking for members to serve on the SNU board. The Unit has grown and the future looks bright. The health, welfare, and future of the SNU is the responsibility of all it’s members. If you are interested in helping out in any way from submitting an article to the newsletter or assisting with ideas for rally activities to auditing the Unit financial status or writing up notes on SNU meetings contact Diane at 775 972 9392 or email hq@sierranevadaairstreams.org.

Check out what’s new on the Sierranevadaairstreams.org website. This includes links to the Twin Lakes rally photos and the day trip to Bodie. It also includes a link to our July 2006 rally site at Obsidian Dome.

2006 is shaping up to be a very special year for the SNU. It is the 30th Anniversary of the Unit. It is the 75th Anniversary of the Airstream RV. We have some new rally sites as well as some old favorites. So renew your dues, join us, and plan to share in all the fun and celebrations.

The 2005 visit to Twin Lakes impressed the camp host. He has seen us visit over the last several years and figures that the group area is going to need a bit of re-arranging in order to accomodate the increasing number of rigs that show up.

See the photo gallery of the 2005 Twin Lakes Rally