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Sierra Nevada Unit

SNU Rallies at Twin Lakes, Crags Campground

August 2003 Rally Review

5 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

The third SNU rally at Twin Lakes was a big success! The Crags group area was great and the weather just about perfect. We were delighted to be joined by the O’Dell family who were on their first trailer outing in their “new” 1967 Safari 22ft Airstream. Don Damoth brought firewood so we had a nice campfire built by Ryan O’Dell in the evening. In addition to the campfire, rally participants enjoyed hiking and biking in the area and the O’Dells went boating in the lake. There was also stargazing. The Damoth’s hosted a spaghetti dinner on Friday night and we had pot luck for the remaining lunches and dinners. On Saturday we were visited by Mort Testerman who saw the rally information in the newspaper. He is interested in purchasing an Airstream and wanted to find out more about them.

We had an informal business meeting on Saturday. Among the items discused, it was agreed that we definitely want to plan a rally at Twin Lakes again next year. In general we plan a 2004 rally schedule very similar to this year, We are always opento suggestions and ideas of group camping areas that would ame good rally sites so fee free to pass along any that you are familiar with. Other busniess inluded the need to nominate people for the 2004 board of the SNU. If anyone has an interest is serving on the board you can check out the SNU bylaws on our website. It is also time to renew your membership. Send your dues to the Unit Treasurer, Ann Hersey. A big thank you goes to Fred and Ann Hersey whose diligence in getting information regarding SNU activities in numerous local newspapers has paid off in several contacts and a few potential members. Check out pictures of the Twin Lakes rally on the website.

2003 Twin Lakes Participants

August 2004 Rally Review

4 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

Once again, perfect weather and we even had a full moon. A great weekend for a rally at Twin Lakes. The deer were there to great us and on Saturday just about helped themselves to our lunch. The valient efforts of Bonny Douglas kept the deer from actualy making off with our food. Instead they just settled down under the tree right by the table to take a little rest and watch us eat. We had several visitors including some of our newest members. Chuck & Judy Fell from Bridgeport and Rick LaBorde from Lee Vining were able to join us for dinner on Saturday. We also enjoyed a visit from Asa & Ruthi Kelly from Round Mountain, NV and Ruthi’s bother and sister-in-law from Smith Falley. Asa & Ruthi just recently became owners of a vintage Airstream. We all had a great time sharing Airstream tales and taking tours of the Airstream at the rally. We hope that all of our visitors will be able to join us at future rallies.

2004 Twin Lakes Participants

August 2005 Rally Review

9 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

For the third year, the Crags group area at Twin Lakes near Bridgeport, CA was the site of the SNUAugust rally. What can I say about that rally but Wow! We set a new attendance record. We had a fantastic tour of the nearby ghost town of Bodie. We celebrated a birthday. We got to sample some tin foil charcoal cooking. We were serenaded by a 4 year old budding musician. We had great weather, great food, great people, and a great time. There were 9 Airstreams at the rally, including the LaBorde's who were able to join us for the first

Chuck Fell, a member of the SNU who works for the California Parks Service and has lived at Bodie, took us on a fantastic tour. Chuck took us into some houses and buildings not normally open to the public. He shared a lot of history and antidotes about the people and events related to Bodie. For instance, many houses have tunnels that lead to the outhouse so that you could make the trip even when there was over 5 ft of snow on the ground. The Leipper's drove the Bvan to Bodie and it was used as a sort of staging area, a place to sit in the shade and a gathering place for lunch.

Saturday night we celebrated Roy Douglas's birthday a few days early, complete with birthday cake a nd candles. Jeni Root put together some special treats. Oranges filled with cake dough and a very good apple, sweet potato and ham casserole, all wrapped in foil and cooked over the coals. Rick LaBorde cooked a nice big pot of gumbo. Rick and Jeanne LaBorde's 4 yr old son Guy, provided us with several impromptu seranades complete with air guitar and action. He already has a good voice and it will be interesting to see how his music interest progresses as he gets older. Dyann and Jerry Thornburg's 9 yr old niece,Taylor was also able to join us at the rally.

We also took care of some Unit business. We discussed the 2006 rally schedule, upcoming nominations and elections to the board, 2006 WBCCI International rally, and celebrating the 30th anniversary of the SNU in 2006. If anyone is interested in serving on the SNU board contact Diane .

To see pictures of the rally and the day trip to Bodie go to: http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/memories/rallies/05-06rallies.html If you have pictures of this rallyor any other SNU gathering, please send copies to theLeipper's at 714 Terra Ct, Reno, 89506 or email hq@sierranevadaairstreams.org To make sure we have the whole picture of SNU events, we want to include everyone's pictures in the SNU archives and scrapbooks The SNU got a nice thank you email from the camp hosts at Crags. Although we will be checking out a new site in 2006, in my response to them, I told them that we will most likely be back in 2007 as the Crags is one of our favorite sites. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for your stay at Crags campground, Bridgeport Ca. It was good to see the gathering grow from year to year. I hope it will continue to grow even if we have to rearrange the group site to handle all of you. We hope all was well and the site worked out great for you and your group. Till next year hope all return and all have a great fall and winter. Thanks again. Tom and Mattie Paulsen (host) American Land and Leisure, Bridgeport Ca., Crags campground

2005 Twin Lakes Participants

August 2007 Rally Review

12 SNU, 1 guest - Total Rally Participation

Jerry Thornburg

Well another month has gone. The rally at Twin Lakes was very enjoyable. SNU keeps getting better. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will be introduced to the new members. Not only are we getting more local members but we are still getting members from afar. Again this speaks of the culture of the unit. The next rally will be at Berlin (That’s Nevada not Germany) it’s been many years since I was at this site. I don’t think there was a campground then. The tour of the big fish (I can’t spell the real name and to lazy to look it up) is very interesting, especially since you wouldn’t believe that a fish that big could have ever lived in the desert. Well it wasn’t a desert then. There are other attractions close by such as Ione, Reese River, and some mines.

Randy came up with a new type of battery, one that increases in voltage when you turn the lights on. I wanted to patent this but he wouldn’t tell me where he got it. Also the deer were very friendly; one even liked Melissa so much it charged at her. I still have a bet out that Roman and Melissa get another trailer. I may have to wait 30 or 40 years to collect though.

Diane Leipper

The August rally at Twin Lakes was amazing for many reasons. We had 12 Airstreams, a new high for an SNU event. Three of the attendee's were brand new SNU members, including one who joined at the rally. Mark and Cary arrived Thursday night along with Dave and Rachel. Scott and Icyl had a brand new tow vehicle and were having a little problem getting the brakes working correctly but they arrived before dinner on Friday. We were delighted Dave and Rachel decided to join the SNU. Pretty amazing considering Jerry said he had chained their Airstream to a tree and there were hints that maybe Jerry had taken the tires off their Airstream to prevent them leaving before they joined. Despite that and the fact that Dave ended up on trash duty because he figured out how to open the bear proof garbage cans in 45 minutes rather than the hour it took everyone else, he and Rachel have become the latest SNU members.

Roman and Melissa came with their brand new Airstream, a 25ft 2008 International Signature Series. They have set a record I doubt will be beat anytime in the near future. Since April they have attended 3 SNU rallies and each time it has been in a different Airstream. Roman and Melissa have been on the fast track. Most people spend years trying different trailers before determining what suits them best. Melissa and Roman did it in less than six months. They now have a beautiful Airstream that it perfect for them. One they will enjoy for rallies and other Airstream adventures for years to come. Roman and Melissa have become friends with the Sales Rep they bought their Airstream from. He came to the rally with them in a brand new Safari Sport. The Safari was on loan from the dealer and we all enjoyed looking it over.

We were delighted to see Wes and RoyLaine Warn arriving at the rally site. This is the first rally they have been able to attend this year. It was great to see them on the road again and back with the group. Chuck and Judy Fell brought their Airstream out and joined us on Friday evening. Because of their busy summer schedules, this is the first time they have been able to bring their Airstream to a rally. Other members at the rally were Jerry and Dyann, Don and Gail, Randy, Anita, Bryan, and Diane. Also our guests, Gene and Carmen. Participants came from Riverside, CA, South Lake, Fallon, Fernley, Mendocino, CA, and Carson City.

Several Airstreams were spotted in campgrounds close to the rally sight and none escaped visits by Anita, Jerry and other SNU members. The visits paid off as four of those Airstream owners came up to the rally site for visits and one may even join the SNU. Friday Don Williams left the rally at 5am to assist with an off road race not too far from Twin Lakes. He didn't return home till almost 6am Saturday. His wife, Gail had put their neon pink flamingo on the propane tanks so Don could find their Airstream among all the others that had arrived in his absence. Saturday everyone headed to the nearby ghost town of Bodie for a special tour led by Chuck Fell. He was able to show us many of the buildings and other sites that are normally closed to the public. Everyone was very impressed not only with the buildings themselves but by Chuck's knowledge of the area, his information on the buildings and the town history. Thanks again Chuck for a great tour. Saturday evening Bryan got his computer set up on the picnic table so he could download everyones rally pictures. Instead of our usual campfire, everyone enjoyed going through all the pictures. We did have a great campfire on Friday night with wood contributed by Dave and Rachel. We sat around and enjoyed the fire, the almost full moon, and the great company. Saturday, Randy got out the SNU diorama which amazed and delighted all those who hadn't seen it before. Sunday, one of our earlier visitors brought their 2006 Bambi up to the rally site for everyone to check out. It is the one with the surfer theme.

In between greeting all the new members and first time participants, we had our usual amazing shared meals, inspirational naps, touring various Airstreams and the Argosy, swapping stories, sharing repair and maintenance tips, and catching up on everyones adventure

2007 Twin Lakes Participants

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