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Sierra Nevada Unit

SNU Rally at Hope Valley

October 2008 Rally Review

4 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

SNU members participating in the October rally at Blue Lakes set two new records. One for the fastest tear down and move of a rally site and the other for the shortest SNU caravan on record. Before this is explained further, lets start at the beginning. The rally started off like a normal SNU rally – whatever that might be. People arrived at the designated site and set up camp as usual. Thursday arrivals included Wheels and Doris Wheeler, Roman Kreminski and Melissa Wong, and Bryan and Diane Leipper. Friday Jerry and Dyann Thornburg arrived. We spent most of the time in typical SNU fashion, catching up on news, enjoying the views, throwing balls for Cody, walking Jack, and untangling Indy's lead from around chair legs. Since fire restrictions are lifted we also kept a campfire going. We enjoyed our usual pot luck meals and morning coffee and treats. Saturday the weather got a little cloudy and windy. Melissa decided to get creative and started collecting and stacking rocks around the campfire to make a chimney so the smoke would go up instead of on us. Bryan discovered that one of the bolts holding his hitch on had sheared off. After some discussion he decided to drive to South Lake Tahoe for a bolt. Jerry had also called his son Eric to bring one up. Then just about noon, things began to change. We were low on firewood so Roman and Melissa went to gather some more. They got back and unloaded the truck. Then it was decided this was a good time to go check out some future rally sites. Dyann and Diane hopped in the truck with Melissa and Roman and headed up the road. Melissa and Roman showed us another spot right on the banks of a stream in the pine trees. We all took one look and decided why wait for another rally. Lets move now!

So we headed back to our rally site. When we got back we found that not only Eric and his family had arrived, Gary and Anita Haskett had also stopped by for a visit. Bryan, with help from the others had replaced the bolt on his hitch. We announced the decision to move to a somewhat stunned but willing group. We set a speed record that included loading up all the wood Roman and Melissa had gathered, putting out the campfire, hitching up the rigs, battening down the hatches, loading up the dogs and people and in less than 30 minutes we were heading up the road. We had a four Airstream caravan for the whole three miles to the new rally site in the trees and protected from the wind. Eric's wife Traci was pretty amazed. She is more used to tent camping and she couldn't believe how fast we picked up and moved. Bryan determined though, that this was really an SNU evacuation drill. To see how fast we could break camp and move in case of fire or other natural disaster. I think we passed the test with flying colors. Bryan also suggested that our first rally site was just the SNU following the WBCCI procedure of parking in the bullpen until everyone arrives. Then the parking committee – Roman and Melissa – moved us to our real rally site. Needless to say, the whole adventure left us all chuckling. We all agreed though that the move was definitely worth it. We built a new campfire, but got caught by the Ranger because we had forgotten to get a permit from Rick while we were at Obsidian. That taken care of we had our Saturday potluck and spend a delightful evening around the campfire. Eric, Traci and kids Sidney and Cole stayed for our potluck and campfire gathering. When they left we could let go of our pretenses of being a bunch of late night party animals. Everyone headed for their Airstream to watch a movie, read a book or just relax after such an exhausting day and get ready for a well deserved rest.

Other rally highlights included initiation rights, homemade salsa, and fish. The Wheelers passed the final SNU initiation rights. They added a pink flamingo to their décor. A pretty little plaque painted by Doris. They also got their first Nevada pin striping from a pine tree that wouldn't fold up enough branches to allow easy access to their parking spot. The salsa was a contribution from the Root Family. Jeni and Brian Root, kids, Erika, Sidney, and Nicholas all chip in on the families canning business making all sorts of goodies. The salsa was a treat and enjoyed by everyone at the rally. I think we will have to stock up for next year. Another Sidney, Jerry's granddaughter caught her first fish at this rally. Jerry helped her prepare it and roasted it on the fire. Nothing like a little fresh trout to finish off a perfect evening. The October rally proved yet again that flexibility is a hallmark of the SNU. In addition we have added even more great stories to the lore of the Unit. All in all a great way to end the rally season for 2008.

2008 Hope Valley Participats

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