Issue 64 February 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
David Murray 

Happy 2025 Alpiners,

I hope this message finds you all safe and in good health.  As 2025 kicked off, we had a great turn-out at Quartzite this year with 24+ coaches.  We met new alpine owners – soon to be members.  After coming off the calendar as an official Rally, we’ve a couple of members step up and take on putting together an organized 2026 event.  Nothing like the extravaganza we had for the 20^th.  But – since we have so many out there anyway, why not throw together a potluck, or a central fire, if the weather permits.

I believe almost all our SoCal members are also ACA members, so you should have received an email with the outline and registration for the Mississippi River Rally.  It looks to be quite the adventure with little to no downtime.  The FIcheras, Mathews, and others have done an amazing job in putting this Rally together.  With just room for 20 coaches beyond the Rally leaders, get your registration in early to ensure you have a spot.

Catheren and I look forward to hitting the road again after such a layoff making repairs to our coach.  I look back on the adventure of RV restoration, and wow what a learning curve.  A little baseboard, tv cabinet, and some paint touchup and she’s good to go.

I do want to add a plug here.  Many thanks to Josh Blalock at Protech RV in Havasu.  I jumped off the cliff and had a 1000W Solar added with a complete Victron System and two 460ah EPOCH Lithium batteries.  So far I could be happier with the professional installation.  I have 20+ years of experience installing communications systems across the USNavy, and these guys would have passed my inspection with flying coloring.

Be Safe out their Alpiners.  Get that service done on the coach, check those Fire extinguishers, maybe add one of those new “Fire Blanets”.  Until we meet on the road.  May the wind always be low, and tailing.

Dave Murray

President, SoCal ACA

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Janet Prodonovich

Our membership is holding at 54 members. Please be reminded that membership dues need to be paid by the end of June, 2025. The dues are $15 and they can be emailed to Susan Vargo at susanvargo221@gmail.com or mailed to Janet at 10395 Caminito Rio Branco, San Diego, CA 92131.

From Your FRVA National Director

Marcella Mayfield

From Your New FRVA National Director

Yes, you read that correctly…. Both parts!  I was NorCal’s Secretary for four years and last April was voted in as the new ACA Secretary.  I did not want to hold two board positions, so informed the board members and the general membership, that my term as NorCal Secretary would be ending on December 31st of 2024.  Luckily, Linda Matthews stepped up and was unanimously voted in as the new NorCal Secretary.

So, I was happy to now have one board position and then I received a phone call from SoCal’s illustrious President – he is VERY persuasive! I couldn’t think of a good reason to decline his request to fulfill SoCal’s FRVA National Director position. His reasoning made perfect sense. Like I said, he is VERY persuasive!  

The second part is the name change of FMCA.  Last August at the FMCA International Convention, the governing board with much input from the National Directors voted to change the name from Family Motor Coach Association to Family Recreational Vehicle Association to be more inclusive of RVers that own other types of recreational vehicles. FRVA is still in the process of converting everything over to the new name and I am assuming there will be new merchandise to reflect the new name soon.

The registration for the FRVA International Convention in Gillette, Wyoming in July is now open.  Pat and I will definitely be attending and hoping to see some of you there (maybe on your way to the ACA Mississippi Rally?).  If you have never attended an FMCA/FRVA International Convention before, you really should at least once!  It is quite an experience… This will be our 4th one and our second time in Gillette.  

Until next time, Happy & Safe Travels…

Marcella Mayfield

TREASURER

Susan Vargo

Our current balance is $10,717.26. 

WEBMASTER ARTICLE
Jim Archer

I hope everyone is well.  The website is up and running, still waiting for that software update I have been promising!  Fortunately everything is still working just fine with the older version of the software.  Fear of software updates is real, I tell ya!

Stephanie have not done a lot of traveling since last fall.  I managed to break my ankle at the end of our trip in September for the Wishon rally that put me out of commission for a while.  It also kept me from doing some repairs on my coach charging system.  I added a DC to DC charging system to allow the new LFP house batteries to charge properly from the engine alternator.  Then added an Echo charger to keep the chassis batteries charged.  And new chassis batteries that would hold that charge!

We made a quick trip to Arizona in January to shake the rust off of our RV skills after the ankle injury recovery, and verify the new charging systems work as desired.  Now we are ready for a real trip.

We hope to see everyone at a Socal rally soon!

SARC 1st QUARTER 2017 
Debbie Lacy

 Hello All! There are currently no NoCal or SoCal rallies scheduled for 2025. The only currently planned rally is the 45-day Mississippi River Rally, hosted by the Matthews and Ficheras. If you are interested in joining this rally please contact Linda's email or Jerry's email and they will tell you all about it. 

If you are interested in finding out more about how to put together a rally, please contact Jerry at the above email or Debbie's email. You would have lots of support in being a wagon master for the group and there are so many exciting adventures awaiting a willing host couple!
 

RALLY REMINISCING

Camp Verde Rally 

Catheren Murray content and photos

Fred Masino photos

Our November rally in Camp Verde, Arizona was one for the books! If you have never been to the Sedona area, the photos of the landscape will encourage to go there whenever you can! It's some of the most dramatic, spectacular scenery in the world, let alone the US. The red rocks and eroded, sculptural mountains take your breath away! 

Aside from the spectacular terrain, which made the trip worthwhile all by itself, the itinerary for this rally included lots of fun excursions, opportunities for connecting with fellow Alpiners, great food (as always at ACA rallies). First and foremost, a big shoutout to the Fichera's and Arnold's who were the wagon masters for this rally! Thank you for stepping up to put on this memorable occasion! Some of the highlights of the trip were; 

•  The excellent club house, where the meals were served. Breakfast burritos and doughnuts almost every morning.
• A delightful Halloween party with creative and colorful costumes.
• A local rodeo, where the Cowboy Channel actually showed some of our members!
• Local antique shops 
• Daily card games that always delight
• Historic sites all around Camp Verde, including the Montezuma Castle National Monument, Fort Verde State Historical Park and a historic downtown district. 
• And, of course, it's not a rally without playing golf!

ACA and their regional rallies always exceed expectations! This one was no exception. If you missed it, here are some photos to encourage you to sign up for the next one!

Quartzite Spot Rally

Photos by Fred Masino, Cheryl Devine, Helen Hillix

Content Helen Hillix

If you have not been to Quartzite, Arizona, you can't imagine it. Which is more surprising, the fact that literally thousands of RV's are parked free and without any utilities on the Bureau of Land Management area outside town, the incredible sunsets, the absolute silence, the singularly creative and interesting characters and shops of the area or the amount of fun one can have without spending a dime?!

The most fun of all, as always, is getting to know new Alpine owners and renewing and deepening friendships with people you know from all over the country. Another beneficial aspect of this rally is that Engineer Mike is always there to share this wealth of knowledge about all things Alpine and he has a covey of men surrounding him every day to ask questions. All the owners are generous with their experiences and learn from one another every single meeting. 

Quartzite is a haven for 4-wheel vehicles of all kind, whether exploring the fire roads, finding the bar in the desert that everyone has to go to at least once or finding new places to make an adventure. Others just hang around reading in the stillness, sharing wine in the evening around a campfire, conversing and laughing. 

One thing is for sure, that if you ever come to one of these spot rallies, you will want to come again. It's a unique experience that you won't find anywhere else. There were 24 coaches at this year's spot rally, good turnout! Join us next time if you missed it!

HELPFUL HINTS

Helen Hillix

As our esteemed president, Dave Murray, suggested, fire blankets are now recommended as standard equitpment for your RV (and home, for that matter.) There are many sizes and types of fire blankets available depending on your needs and usage. 

Amazon link to large fire blanket You can click on this link to check out one of Amazon's offerings. 

Here is another Amazon link: Another Amazon link to smaller fire blanket

. 

AI Overview from Google

A fire blanket is a crucial safety addition to any RV, offering a readily accessible tool to quickly contain and extinguish small fires, particularly in cooking areas, making it a valuable first line of defense in an emergency situation due to its ease of use and ability to smother flames by cutting off oxygen supply, especially when dealing with grease or oil fires where water-based extinguishers might be ineffective. 

Key benefits of having a fire blanket in your RV:

• Fast and effective for small fires:
  Fire blankets are designed to be quickly deployed over a small fire, immediately smothering the flames and preventing further spread, making them ideal for tackling cooking-related incidents like a burning pan on the stove. 

• Safe for grease and oil fires:
  Unlike water-based extinguishers, which can spread grease fires, a fire blanket can effectively smother these types of fires without causing additional hazards. 

• Protection for people:
  In case of clothing catching fire, a fire blanket can be wrapped around the person to quickly extinguish the flames and minimize potential injuries. 

• Easy to use:
  Fire blankets are simple to operate, requiring only to be quickly unfolded and placed over the fire. 

• Compact and portable:
  Due to their lightweight and foldable design, fire blankets can be easily stored in a designated area within the RV, readily accessible in case of an emergency. 

• Versatile application:
  While primarily used in the kitchen, a fire blanket can potentially be used to contain small fires in other areas of the RV, like the living area or sleeping compartment. 

Important considerations when using a fire blanket:

• Early intervention:
  Fire blankets are most effective when used on small, contained fires. If a fire is large or spreading rapidly, evacuate the RV and call emergency services immediately. 

• Proper placement:
  Keep the fire blanket in a visible, easily accessible location within the RV, ideally near the cooking area. 

• Maintenance and inspection:
  Regularly check the fire blanket for any damage or signs of wear and tear, and replace it if necessary. 

Conclusion:

A fire blanket is a valuable addition to any RV's safety equipment, providing a simple and effective means to control small fires, especially cooking-related incidents, when used appropriately. Always ensure you have a fire extinguisher alongside your fire blanket for tackling different types of fires and remember to practice fire safety procedures while traveling in your RV.

I hope this is helpful imformation. 

We hope to see you on the road soon. If you have animal companion pictures and stories or pictures and stories of upgrades you've done to your coach, please email them to me. We'd love to see your story. Helen's email

Issue 63. October 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
David Murray

Hello Alpiners,

2024 is quickly winding down and I can tell you, I am surely ready for this summer heat to pass.  The heat here in Ramona has been nothing short of brutal, hitting 114 more days than I care to count.  Trying to get anything done in this heat is near impossible.

I understand the couple of outings this summer have been successful and a good time was had by all.  Catheren and I apologize once again for being out of things these past few months, but the coach is finally showing progress as we close in on finishing the interior.  Our target is Quartzite in January, and look forward to seeing everyone again.  We don’t have a lot on the calendar for 2025.  I’m open to pretty much any spot rally your interested in putting together and will support in any way I can.  Please feel free to email of give me a call with your ideas.  Dmurray62@me.com, 619.302.1223.

As we approach the New Year, there will be some that have dues to pay.  Please return your dues notices in a timely manner.

Dave Murray

President ACASoCal

MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Janet Prodanovich

We have 54 current members. Be sure to pay your dues when notified to support us to continue our fiscal responsibilities. 

Janet and Milo will miss the last rally of the year because the Nebraska girls basketball team that she coached is being inducted into the High School Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Janet! They will join us again in 2025.


From Your FMCA National Director

Due to the passing of Tom Polk, Jerry Fichera (jfichera@live.com) has graciously stepped in to fill this role, He can only serve until January, as at that time he will be holding 2 other positions and cannot hold 3. Thank you, Jerry! There are tentative plans to hold a vote during the Quartzite rally, including Zoom participation. 

IN MEMORIAM:     TOM POLK

 Jerry Fichera

                                          In Memory of Tom Polk

   I was asked to write a FEW words about Tom, so here it goes.

   Tom and his lovely bride, Nancy, were married Aug. 1964. They have 4 kids Audrey, Rob, Natalie whom he loved with all of his heart and, of course, Alpine. Yes, I had to add the coach because it was definitely Tom’s baby. They welcomed their new addition, an Alpine Apex, to the family in March of 2006. And, like most new coaches, they went through a rough patch getting fixed, repaired and parts replaced, but loved it all the same.

    I don’t know dates, but Tom and Nancy then joined the Alpine Coach Association where he was their Vice President. Also, he was a member of  SoCal Alpine and NorCal Alpine where he also served as Vice President /rally director. Tom became very active in these clubs especially as rally director for NorCal. He pushed to have 4- 5 rallies a year in which he was involved in running the majority. In ACA, he took charge of some of the big rolling rallies such as, the Astoria Oregon Rally, the 395 Rally thru Mammoth to Lone Pine and his most recent was his Bucket List Rally to Canada to see the Beluga whales. Although some unforeseen circumstances always arose, Tom always kept his cool and handled the issues. His motto always was, “People like to be led and fed.” He also liked peanut butter, whether with whiskey or on salami. He was always energetic and ready to go visit new places and experience new things. He always looked forward to going on outings but, it wasn’t so much the rally itself as it was more about meeting new members and seeing old friends. 

   Tom was an inspiration to many of us on how important it was to keep these clubs alive. He realized we are getting older and slowing down, but his attitude was “keep going while you still can.” Even after he found out about his diagnosis, he continued to help me with the Salem Rally AND the Mississippi Rally knowing he was probably not going to make them. 

   Thank you Tom for the travels you’ve taken us on and new experiences we will always remember.  

Your Friend and partner in crime

Jerry Fichera, ACA/ NorCal Rep.

FROM YOUR TREASURER

Susan Vargo 

 We have a current balance of $10,894.13.  I know that Janet has sent out dues reminders and we have had a good response, but if there are still folks that haven't paid their dues, a reminder would be appreciated.

WEBMASTER ARTICLE
Jim Archer

I hope everyone is well, and enjoyed the summer. We made a trip to Lee Vining and the eastern Sierra. It was a good time to test out our new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. After a couple of changes to the Magnum inverter, all is good. It is nice to have a bluetooth app to show the amount of battery capacity remaining at any time.

Our Alpinesocal.com website is due for a major overhaul. The software I use to maintain it has a new version, and I need to upgrade to the new version. Those upgrades never go as planned, so yours truly has been dragging his feet to do it. So if in the near future you go to the website and get an error message, you know things didn’t go well!

(Remember, an optimist will never be pleasantly surprised.)

If that sounds familiar, it should. I still didn’t do it since the last newsletter! A healthy

fear of the unknown is the cause of the delay. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. But the

good news is that the website is fully functional as is. All the changes are behind the

scenes.

We are planning to attend the Wishon and Camp Verde rallies in the next couple of

months. We hope to see you at one or both of those rallies.

HELPFUL HINTS

James Feathers

How hard could it be, I said? Well, unless you are one of those guys (or women) who won't be defeated and who has ultimate confidence in your ability to figure it all out, hire someone else to do this job! I'm only half kidding. Removing the tile was a nightmare! It tore up the sub-flooring and I had to use a filler to level it (not shown). I also bought expensive, extra thick underlayment, which was a lifesaver. 

I was always hitting my knees on the floor cabinet in the bathroom. There was also a framed shelf on the floor that hid the hook-ups for the washer and dryer, which we didn't have or want. I removed those hook-ups and reframed that floor shelf with the new flooring. So, I removed the cabinet and replaced it with one that hangs high behind the toilet seat and doesn't interfere with anyone. There is so much more space now! 

The finished floor photos are with the slide in. It looks even better expanded, of course.

All that being said, it was worth it all! Helen and I love the result! If you want to take it on, I'd be happy to share my experiences and solutions. Just give me a call or text at 619-871-2887.

SARC 4TH QUARTER 2024

Debbie Lacey  

                                                  

Happy Fall Ya’ll

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the 4 th Quarter of the year. We had a wonderful rally last month at Wishon Village RV Park, Shaver Lake, California, hosted by the Dietrichs and the Mayfields. Thank you for all of your work to put this on.

Our next rally is October 29 – November 5 at Verde Ranch RV Resort, Camp Verde, Arizona, hosted by the Arnolds and the Ficheras. We’re looking forward to seeing some of you there.

At this time we do not have any rallies scheduled for 2025. We are in need of Wagonmasters. We have ideas for locations, but we are not limited to our ideas. If anyone has a location they are interested in going to and would like to host it, please contact one of the SARC Committee members and we will be happy to help out in any way.

Debbie Lacy 714-335-9857 Linda Matthews 562-328-5706 Raiford Arnold 408-499-5828

UPCOMING RALLIES 2024/2025

OCT 29-NOV 05 NorCal/SoCal – “Red Rock” Rally

Verde Ranch RV Resort, Camp Verde, AZ

HOST/CO-HOST

Raiford & Sheryl Arnold, raiford.arnold@sbcglobal.net

408-499-5028

Jerry & Marilee Fichera, jfichera@live.com

408-710-1823

Quartzite "Unofficial Rally": January 

More info to come. 

Great River Rally: September, 2025. This rally will be 35-40 days long. It starts in Minnesota, at the origin of the Mississippi River and ends when it meets the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans. Contact Jerry Fichera (jfichera@live.com) or Linda Matthews (matthewslinda1108@yahoo.com) for more information. The rally will be limited to 22 coaches. 

RALLY REMINISCINGS

Stephanie Archer 

Photos by Donna Hambarian, Mikey Collins, Fred Masino, Stephanie Archer

IT’S A LONG AND WINDING ROAD….

From California’s Central Valley (near Fresno) to Wishon Village Campground in the western Sierra Nevada Mountains above Shaver Lake.  The campground is so remote,  signage is minimal.  One of the rally attendees was ready to turn their RV around because they thought they’d made a wrong turn.  Fortunately, a local resident told them to continue 5 more miles to the campground!  It was worth the winding & twisting roads. At an altitude of 6600’, the air was crisp and smelled of pine; the skies were blue during the day and filled with stars you could almost touch at night; daytime temps were in the low 70s with overnight lows in the 60s….a welcome relief after the 100+ degrees days both Northern & Southern California had endured prior to the start of the rally.

How far did everyone travel to Wishon Village Campground?  Those of us coming from Southern California traveled almost 400 miles.  Those coming from the Central Coast traveled 200 miles.  Our co-hosts, the Mayfields and their friends the Tibbs traveled the least distance – 90 miles from Clovis.  And our hosts, Tom & Patty Dietrich traveled the farthest….2250 miles from Indianapolis, IN!!!!  Why you ask?  Wishon Village Campground was the Dietrich’s summer getaway during the years they lived in Fresno.  They moved to Indianapolis 15 years ago when their first grandson was born.  Tom said he would host a rally at Wishon Village Campground after he retired.  And he retired in July!

Thank you to the Dietrichs & Mayfields for hosting this rally.  Both were excellent guides to the area.  The Dietrichs spent summers here.  Pat Mayfield is very familiar with the area since he worked for Pacific Gas & Electric which manages the Wishon & Cartwright reservoirs.  Unfortunately, Marcella Mayfield was only able to enjoy the first evening of the rally.  The following morning she was suffering from altitude sickness and had to be taken back down the mountain to relieve the symptoms.

What did we do for activities in such a remote area?  EAT WELL, first and foremost.  Marcella Mayfield served Italian chili and cornbread the first night.  The following morning, in addition to fruit, bagels & muffins, Tom Dietrich cooked scrambled eggs to order!  The following evening was a potluck feast – pulled pork, pumpkin pizza, lasagna, Greek chicken orzo, rice pilaf, a chicken chile casserole cooked in a real Dutch oven over coals and birthday cake to celebrate Mikey Collins birthday.  There were enough leftovers for dinner the next night.  And that night Lynn & Gail Call surprised us with a peach cobbler cooked in the Dutch oven! Yum.  They even drove 40 miles round trip to Shaver Lake so we could have ice cream with the cobbler.

After all the eating, what did we do to work off the calories?  There were several hiking trails from the campground to Wishon reservoir (a couple of miles each way).  There was a leisurely walk among the giant Sequoia trees about a 5 mile drive from the campground.  The fish were biting!  The Hambarians caught their limit more than one day from both the shore and off a pontoon boat.  Pat Mayfield led us on a road trip to Cartwright reservoir, which feeds Wishon reservoir and provides hydro-electric power to the area.  

Every evening but one, we gathered around a campfire after dinner.  Great conversations.  Beautiful starry skies.  The night without the campfire, we were entertained for an hour and half by the singing duo – DaLo (Dave & Lori).  The campground has a small amphitheater...small stage with changing room and logs cut in half for seats (we all brought our own folding chairs).  Dave & Lori performed as Sonny & Cher, Johnny & June Cash, Tom Jones, Elton John, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton & Kenny Rodgers….complete with costumes, wigs and mannerisms.  They were pretty talented and extremely entertaining.  I never thought about how difficult it is to belt out “I Got You Babe” at 6600’ elevation until Lori mentioned how winded she was after that particular set.

Again, a big THANK YOU to the Dietrichs and Mayfields for making this a memorable rally.

ANIMAL COMPANION STORIES ON THE ROAD

Stephanie Archer

Our pets seemed to enjoy their time in the mountains too!  Our cat, Ava, enjoyed looking out the windows while chattering at the birds & squirrels.  The Tibbs’ little dog (sorry I don’t remember her name), sat at Terry’s feet during happy hour enjoying all the tall tales being told.  The Dietrich’s St. Bernard/Great Pyrennes 

mix, Hannah, enjoyed daytime in her 12’x12’ tent, set up next to the RV, complete with windows, fans and a doggy bed hammock so she could rest off the ground.  Her traveling companion, Abby, a 20-year old calico cat, enjoyed Mom & Dad time inside the RV on her heated bed while Hannah was in her tent.  Australian Shepherds Rozy (4 years old) & Harley (“mature”) Collins enjoyed walks through the campground.  Harley liked to greeting everyone and wait for ear and belly scratches.  She’s nose you in the elbow if you stopped petting her before she was ready.  Rozy, the Explorer, enjoyed climbing rocks and boulders in the campground and at the dog park.

Please send Helen (helen@helenhillix.com) photos and stories about your pets on the road, as we'd like to make this a regular part of the newsletter, since so many of us travel with our beloved animal companions. I KNOW you have good stories to tell! 

More wonderful memories shared and logged forever in our hearts! See you soon on the road.