Fall Edition
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
David Hobden
Welcome back to another fine digital Matterhorn Newsletter (Fall Issue #51). Kudos to everyone for your input to the newsletter - with special thanks to Bill Figge for organizing so many newsletter contributors! I’ve been told the response has been outstanding. The health and welfare of the Alpine SoCal group continues to be strong thanks to the untiring efforts of our executive board, wagonmasters, and members at large.
I’d like to make everyone aware that we’ve had a couple recent changes to the Alpine SoCal Executive Board during the middle of the term (2018-19). Mary Langord has stepped down from her position as 1st VP/Membership Director, and Carolyn Swan has relinquished her position as FMCA National Director. We can’t begin to thank them enough for their many years of excellent service to the club! I’m sure we’ll see Mary and Carolyn at future events, they just have other things in life that are taking priority right now and needed a break from their board responsibilities.
Thankfully, we had replacement volunteer names with the help of our illustrious Nominating Committee. A big Thank You to the Lacys and the Hambarians for their research and assistance! Joel Langord has offered to step up to fill the FMCA National Director position. And, Janet Prodanovich has graciously agreed to fill the Membership Director/1st VP position.
Please join me in welcoming these highly qualified and valuable members to their new positions. They will hold these "Interim" positions for the remaining term until we all vote again towards the end of 2019 for the next term.
On a personal note, we’ve had a very busy summer. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen many of you since the awesome Camp Verde Rally (9-16 Apr). In June, we left our home in Mesa, AZ and drove the Alpine to Colorado Springs, CO where we spent the summer with family. We just recently made it back home before Halloween.
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The next rally we anticipate attending will be in January at the ACA Desert Rat Rally in Quartzsite. Hope to see many of you there!
Please continue to support our club and mission to enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of fellow Alpine Coach Owners and don’t forget to share your travels and adventures with us on the Alpine Coach Owners Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/AlpineOwners.
And don’t forget to send your photos and/or articles to our newsletter editor, Teresa Weitz, for all of us to enjoy in between rallies.
Safe travels :)
Faithfully Yours,
David Hobden
President, Alpine SoCal
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Mary Langord/lst V.P. Membership
Hello from the Pacific Northwest and the wonderful small community of Kingston, WA. Kingston is home to our favorite private camping spot on our youngest daughter's five acres, complete with a lovely view of the Olympics. The only downside to our spot in paradise is the inability to receive Direct TV so we miss a few of Joel's Sports programs.
As many of you know, we have a new First Vice-President/Membership Director. It's a position I thoroughly enjoyed for several years. I am so pleased that Janet Prodanovich has eagerly embraced that position. She will be an amazing asset to your Executive Board. I want to personally thank and congratulate her!
Social media has certainly become a way of life for many of us to communicate with friends and relatives on all sorts of subjects. Joel and I love our Alpine. We love the "home away from home" concept of travel. With that in mind, several years ago I created a Facebook Page I very un-creatively named Alpine Owners Club. This FB group has been very successful in connecting 114 Alpine Owners to share all of their Alpine adventures, news, pictures, questions.....whatever is of interest. According to FB, as Administrator I have the settings so that “Anyone can find the group and see who runs it (me). Only members can see who is in the group and what they post". This form of safeguard has worked well thus far.
The group is open to ALL Alpine owners!!!! That is the only requirement. Occasionally someone who just likes to join any group attempts to get in. I do not approve anyone who is not an Alpine Owner. I have three questions I ask prospective members: Do you own an Alpine, what year, and what model/size? Once they respond back, I immediately approve them.
If you know or run into an Alpine Owner who would like to join, here's how:
- They may request to join on the Group Page.
- They may "friend me" (Mary Langord) and request membership.
- Any member may send me a name and I'll initiate the process. It helps to have their exact name as it appears on FB. Oftentimes, there are duplicate names when using their search engine.
Please JUST SHARE!
Here's hoping to see all of you “just down the road" or at the next Alpine SoCal Rally!!! Safe travels!
Carolyn Swan
This year is nearly completed with less than 2 months to go!! As we head into the final race to finish 2018 well, let’s look backwards for a moment to review the year – we see FMCA has made giant strides in turning around its hemorrhaging of membership numbers. This has been, in part, due to allowing “Towables” into our organization and greatly enhancing the Membership Benefits. Go to the new FMCA Website and check out all the great benefits! It may take you a while to find your way around the pages as it is totally changed, but it has a WEALTH of information there for you.
We attended the Western FMCA Board meeting the end of September and learned that the total membership had risen to 77,700 members, and 2,867 Towables have joined in the first 8 months of the year.
While you are looking at the FMCA.com website, find your “PROFILE” under “Membership” and see if your information is correct – especially your email address. If it is not correct, you can make the corrections yourself.
Also, check out the listing of the Chapters to which you belong.
A few of the “NEWER” Benefits are :
o the “Sam’s Club” membership and a $10 gift card
o Pet Monitoring discount on the RV PetSafety monitor by Nimble
o Camping Discounts, like Harvest Hosts having over 630 unique overnight locations for RVers, with a 10% discount to FMCA members
o FMCA University online hub of reliable resources you can trust at FMCA
o FMCA RV Marketplace
o the new Health Insurance Options from FMCA RV Insurance Benefits customized for RVers
o an additional tire discount from HanKook Tires
FMCA has created a Membership Engagement Committee to develop strategies that can be used to get members more involved – look it up!
Looking for a roadside assistance plan? FMCA Roadside Rescue®, powered by SafeRide RV Motor Club, will be there when you need it. Benefits include towing to the nearest qualified repair center, fuel delivery, lockout service, and more. The plan costs just $69/year, and you can extend coverage to other members of your household and add passenger vehicles.
Looking ahead, start making plans for your 2019 Travels by caravanning with Joel & Mary Langord to the 31st Annual Western Area Rally in Indio, “Once Upon a Time”, January 9-13, 2019 before heading to Quartzsite AZ for the ACA Desert Rat Rally (DRR) January 17-23, 2019.
You will then have plenty of time to head back across the highways for the March 13-16, 2019 Perry GA. ACA will not be organizing a pre-rally but we had a wonderful time at the 2018 Rally and if you want some great ideas of where to go and what to see, just drop me an email and I will be more than happy to share ideas.
Then in the summertime, the 100th FMCA Convention will be held in Minot, ND August 14-17, 2019 & I have heard rumors about some pretty fun Pre & Post Rallies being planned by ACA in conjunction with this Expo.
You may also have heard that this is my final “Swan Song” as your FMCA National Director and I will be turning the reigns over to Joel Langord for 2019. Tris and I will be selling our beloved blue & silver “Swansnest” - 2007 ALPINE APEX – 40’ MDTS . If you or anyone you know might be interested in a tenderly cared for, one of a kind Alpine Coach, call me at 714-357-0580 or email us at swansnest2@verizon.net and I will send you a brochure.
God Bless you – one and all. We hope you will embrace Thanksgiving with a grateful heart, experience Christmas full of Joy and Love, and start a New Year with excitement and anticipation for 2019.
Safe travels and stay healthy
– Carolyn Swan
ATTENTION: FMCA MEMBER VOTE
Proposed Changes to FMCA’s CONSTITUTION
During the Governing Board meeting in Gillette WY on July 18, 2018, motions were passed to amend the Constitution Articles: Article II, FMCA Membership, and Article X, Amending the Constitution. These changes are to streamline procedures for refunds and electronic voting, respectively.
Each of these are explained in the October 2018 FamilyRVing Magazine and there is also a
ballot. Please Cast a Vote by removing the BALLOT and returning it to the address listed by DECEMBER 31, 2018.
ONE vote per FMCA Membership number!
From Your "interim" FMCA National Director
Joel Langord
FROM YOUR TREASURER
Rick Fisher
As of November 13, 2018, the club has $7,352.93 in the checking account.
All past rallies are paid for.
We have paid $4,720.20 for deposits on future rallies.
The NAPA and Buellton rallies added to our balance from generous donations by three club members (who wish to remain anonymous). We are on our way to a realistic reserve balance.
All past rallies are paid for.
We have paid $4,720.20 for deposits on future rallies.
The NAPA and Buellton rallies added to our balance from generous donations by three club members (who wish to remain anonymous). We are on our way to a realistic reserve balance.
Jim Archer
Our club website, http://www.alpinesocal.com, is up and running. As always, I
encourage everybody to check it out. You will find an up-to-date list of all upcoming Alpine SoCal rallies, and some others that might be of interest to our members. You will also find a list of past rallies to help you relive your club memories.
Some of you who have recently gone to the website might have noticed that the speed of the website has improved. I would love to tell you what I did to accomplish that, but the fact is, I didn’t do anything to the website! This balances the books so to speak, since I didn’t do anything to the website that caused it to slow down in the first place.
We just returned from a fun rally at Buellton. It is always great to visit with old friends, as well as meet some new friends.
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cockpit, as well as some new window boxes in the living area. Ava always viewed the upholstered window boxes as giant scratching posts, so I built some new ones out of maple to somewhat match the cabinets. The combination of the front shades and the new window boxes really opens up the coach. It seems much more open and brighter. (Ava is plotting her revenge!)
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SARC 4th QUARTER 2018
We would like to extend a great big shout out to Bill and Patti Figge and Paul and Katie Lisec for hosting a wonderful rally at Napa, California. It was full of lots of fun events and no one was held over on the visit to Alcatraz.
Mike and Donna Hambarian and Greg Vaughan hosted a great rally in Buellton, California to wrap up the 2018 rallies. It was a well attended and a great time was had by all.
Below is the rally schedule for 2019 and 2020.
2019
Location Date WagonMasters
Golden Shores RV Park, April 26-29 Masino-Fogle/Mazzocco
Long Beach, CA
The Springs @ Borrego, October 17-21 Prodanovich/Vargo
Borrego Springs, CA
Pismo Coast Village, November 15-19 Collins/Weitz
Pismo Beach, CA
2020
Pechanga RV Report, Feb Prodanovich/Vargo
Temecula, CA
Newport Dunes, April 24-27 Lacy/Vaughan
Newport Beach, CA
Lake Powell, AZ Oct need wagonmasters!!
Wine Country RV, Nov SoCal - need wagonmasters!!/
Paso Robles, CA NorCal: Wynn/Martinez
We would like to thank those who have stepped up already to host the first two rallies of 2020 and would ask if anyone would like to volunteer to host Lake Powell or Paso Robles to please contact Bill, Stephanie or Debbie and we will get you on the list.
SARC & Club Treasurer Account Balance Update
As of AUGUST-2018:
Just when we were becoming satisfied that we were succeeding in operating our Rallies at Break-Even or better, Murphy’s Law stepped in and presented a new challenge.
Recall, about this time last year we advised Club members that the costs of our Rally and Wagon Master Program during recent years had increased. As a result, our operating balance had reduced below a level considered desirable to comfortably and optimally operate. This was addressed by restructuring 2018 rally pricing to include the WM site costs. This change has been effective and the rallies year-to-date are operating at break-even.
But Murphy’s Law has introduced a new situation this year that has further reduced our Bank Balance. The cause is due to a notable increase in advance RV Park deposit requirements. More Parks are requiring higher deposits.
For perspective, our Account Balance which has historically fluctuated between $6,000 to $8,000 was reduced to $4,000 by the end of 2017 and reduced another $2,500 this year. Although we have been successful in achieving break-even rallies thus far this year and the deposit issue may improve somewhat as 2019 Rally Fees are generated, this will not produce any reliable surplus or growth to restore our former balance.
Further, in today’s environment of rising costs and changing industry practices, we believe that our Optimal Financial Balance should be about $10,000 with a minimum threshold of about $5,000 that would trigger efforts to restore the optimum level. This is considered sufficient resource to operate a quality, robust Rally Program and Club that can respond as needed to situations like we have experienced the past few years. While manageable so far, the current situation has caused us to change and limit a few venue choices as we plan future rallies.
A number of ideas have been considered for resolution. However, since nearly 85% of our decline is directly due to Rally operation, we believe that our primary and most realistic method to restore our account is through increased rally fees.
The Board has agreed to our SARC/Treasurer proposal to achieve Optimum Account Balance Restoration. Beginning with our Buellton and 2019 rallies a $25 per person fee will be added to rally costs. The amounts can be adjusted based on its success, and our desired pace to reach optimum balance in 2-3 years. Once the restored levels are reached, the additional fee can be adjusted and/or discontinued.
We fully appreciate that none of us wants to see Rally costs rise. We also understand the great benefits we all receive from our Rallies and how hard we strive to keep them as a high quality experience. Someone recently commented about a good trip they had with a commercial RV Tour company, but also how very expensive it was. They stated that our rallies, even with cost rises, remain an exceptional bargain for us all.
If you have any questions, please contact Bill Figge (SARC) or Rick Fisher (Treasurer).
Thank you for your support of this change.
ADDENDUM AS OF NOVEMBER-2018:
We are pleased to share that as of NOVEMBER 2018, our Club Account Available Funds have increased substantially compared to our $1,500 balance in August. This is the result of everyone’s support to reach a healthier Optimum Balance. Specifically, our Rallies continue to exceed break-even, the level of outgoing deposit funds has been reduced somewhat, and we have received a few very generous contributions.
A Look Back – the NAPA Rally
September 5-12
NAPA VALLEY: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE WINE or IS IT?
Your Wagon Masters: Bill & Patti Figge & Paul & Katie Lisec
After completing our 2nd week-long Rally in Napa Valley in the past four years, we can definitely say it's about the more than 500 Wineries in the Wine Country. Or, is it the great food choices or 100’s of Other Things to do? The answer Is YES to all of the above plus the opportunity to share this delightful place and great time together with 36 other Alpiners and Friends.
This is a brief prologue that will be joined with several other articles about our week and proof that it’s More than Just the Wine. Some random data: 17 Alpine Coaches, 2 SOB’s, 5 dogs & 1 cat made up our group. We also had Alpine visitors from NorCal, Lake Havasu and Texas who dropped in to visit, at meal time of course! The Rally operated above “Break Even”, contributing a bit to our Club Account surplus. The group was comprised of mostly Veteran Alpiners plus a brand new Alpine Owners couple who put their New Member Application in the mail. As is our tradition, the group volunteered by bringing Easy-Ups, BBQ’s, Coolers (no Club House or Refrigerators at the Napa Valley Expo), organizing Self Organized Small Group Outings (SOSGO’s), Games, Decorations and dozens of other things and activities. We’d like to report on how many bottles of wine were consumed or purchased, but What Happens in Napa, Stays in Napa.
Besides the separate articles written by individual reporters that follow in the Newsletter, the week passed quickly with many memorable experiences including:
- Ladies Tea Party & Mystery Treasures hosted by Katie Lisec (No men allowed)
- 2 Golf Outings, organized by Bob Mazzocco and the energetic 5
- Always informative and sometimes expensive Gear Head Session by Mike Fleming
- Member Meeting that focused mostly on building future rally memories thru 2020.
- A Blind Wine Tasting that was fun and proved how varied our palates can be
Read more in articles about the San Francisco/Alcatraz Island outing, Movie Nights by the Movie Mogul, the Bowling Tourney and Pledge, Visit to a Winery and fabulous dinner at the Culinary Institute of America.
So, if you still think it's just about the Wine, please think again.
ALCATRAZ ISLAND
Marilyn Fogel
As part of the Napa 2018 rally, the tour of Alcatraz Island was a highlight. Our
group left early to take the valley’s ferry into San Francisco. We walked a brisk 15
minutes to Pier 33 to board the boat bound for the island. I was surprised to find
the tour was completely sold-out. This must be a very popular tourist attraction.
As previously warned, the weather was a bit chilly, but the late morning sun began to warm me up. The hour and half self-guided audio tour provided many interesting facts:
1. The island was first occupied by the U.S. Army in 1855.
2. In 1933 the island was transferred to the Department of Justice and turned into a federal prison.
3. Only 1,546 men did time in the 29 years of operation.
4. 34 men attempted to escape, none were known to have succeeded.
The tour also gave me good insight as to what life was like behind those cold dark walls. 16-23 hours a day were spent in the small, sparsely furnished cell. They were 5 ft (wide) x 9 ft (depth) x 7 ft(height). The cells were constantly guarded. The prisoners were told what, when, and where to eat, sleep, shower, and exercise. They had no contact with the outside world. They were entitled only to food, clothing, shelter and medical attention, as needed. Anything else was a privilege. They were there for punishment only, with no rehabilitation.
On a brighter note, the tour gave me a different picture of the life of the guards. Although they also lived on the island, their lives were described as normal and happy. They had homes, gardens, schools, a church, and freedom to come and go. Although the island is very small, 22 acres, these two extreme ways of living resided without any conflict.
As part of the Napa 2018 rally, the tour of Alcatraz Island was a highlight. Ourgroup left early to take the valley’s ferry into San Francisco. We walked a brisk 15
minutes to Pier 33 to board the boat bound for the island. I was surprised to find
the tour was completely sold-out. This must be a very popular tourist attraction.
As previously warned, the weather was a bit chilly, but the late morning sun began to warm me up. The hour and half self-guided audio tour provided many interesting facts:
1. The island was first occupied by the U.S. Army in 1855.
2. In 1933 the island was transferred to the Department of Justice and turned into a federal prison.
3. Only 1,546 men did time in the 29 years of operation.
4. 34 men attempted to escape, none were known to have succeeded.
The tour also gave me good insight as to what life was like behind those cold dark walls. 16-23 hours a day were spent in the small, sparsely furnished cell. They were 5 ft (wide) x 9 ft (depth) x 7 ft(height). The cells were constantly guarded. The prisoners were told what, when, and where to eat, sleep, shower, and exercise. They had no contact with the outside world. They were entitled only to food, clothing, shelter and medical attention, as needed. Anything else was a privilege. They were there for punishment only, with no rehabilitation.
On a brighter note, the tour gave me a different picture of the life of the guards. Although they also lived on the island, their lives were described as normal and happy. They had homes, gardens, schools, a church, and freedom to come and go. Although the island is very small, 22 acres, these two extreme ways of living resided without any conflict.
Alpine Bowling Tournament
Oops, anyway… A fun and unique time was had at our very first Alpine Bowling Tournament during the Napa week-long rally hosted by wagon masters Bill & Patti Figge and Paul & Katie Lisec.
Two-person bowling teams were formed by drawing numbers and team names after the Alpine Bowling Team Vows were solemnly recited:
I, (state your name), do hereby pledge to do my best as an Alpine Bowler. I will respect my fellow bowlers and will refrain from eye-rolling, sighing, or laughter as I discover who my teammate will be. If I am a bad-ass bowler, I will try to encourage my clumsy-ass teammate to do his/her best. If I am a gutter guy/gal bowler, I will keep a positive attitude and refrain from giving up or whining before and/or after the tournament, no matter how many gutter balls I throw. May our Alpine team spirits and general joviality carry us to new heights as we take on this challenge. And may we look good as we are doin’ it!! HOO YA!!!
HOO YA?!!! I hadn’t been in a bowling alley in years. Did you know that bowling shoes now have Velcro closures? And that you could sure tell the “ringers” by their bowling ball bags that look more like roll-on luggage? There wasn’t a trace of cigarette smoke in the air and all of the score-keeping is computerized and AUTOMATIC! HOO YA INDEED!
It was a great afternoon and the only injuries reported were to our pride! The following evening after dinner, awards and “honorable mentions” were given. And the awards go to (drum roll, please): - Judy Fisher was “Most Improved Bowler”, going from a whopping 27 points in her first game to 89 points in her second game (way to go, Judy!)
- Errol Murphy had highest one-game score of 164.
- Highest individual combined (two game) score of 291 went to Dan Reynolds.
- Second place team was Errol Murphy and Patti Figge (score unavailable at press time.) First place team, with 407 combined (two game) score went to Dan Reynolds and Judy Fisher. They were crowned the winners and received gifts that were highly coveted by all in attendance.
CIA COPIA (not to be confused with CIA St Helena)
Toni Smith
The CIA sounds like a governmental office, but in reality it is the initials for The Culinary Institute of America. The Copia building is easily recognizable because on its roof sit two figures with wine glasses in their hands. "Is that Bob & Margrit" is a tribute to the well known couple Robert Mondavi and Margrit Biever Mondavi. These two are credited with putting Napa wineries on the map. The couple watches over the building that lies in the heart of Napa, California at 500 1st Street.
My first impressive view of the building was the huge herb gardens of basil, thyme, mint and so many other herbs, set in neat rows outside the building entrance. These thriving plants, I understand, are used in the food prepared by the restaurant but also available to other restaurants located in Napa.
Standing tall in front of this garden is an 18-foot-high "Fork" created by Gordon Heuther and made up of 8,500 recycled forks. This piece is supposed to represent the area's focus on sustainability and the farm-to-table movement.
A group of 26 rally members met at the CIA for dinner. A big THANKS to Michele Collins for finagling reservations for such a large group on short notice. On entering the building, one saw a large bar at the other end. The group gathered there (NATURALLY) and were refreshed with wines and other beverages from the surrounding area.
When tables were ready, we were escorted into the spacious dinning area. The first thing one notices is the openness of the room, and the beautiful kitchen that is visible for all to see. Our waiter, Andy, offered us menus filled with fabulous choices such as roasted ribeye "Diane", roasted lamb, and sea bass. But, I think we all enjoyed the desserts most of all. Many in our group Bombed. Bittersweet Chocolate Bombe with peanut brittle that is...
The next morning a group of about six ladies went back to the CIA to view the Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum. We ended up spending at least an hour or more "being transported to another time when great chefs of Europe were creating masterpieces." There are more than 4,000 artifacts of specialty cookware, bread baking, butter molds coffee urns, etc. The items were all donated by Chuck Williams of Williams and Sonoma.
Whether you are a food connoisseur or not, there are cooking classes, wine and beverage explorations, and demonstrations available at the CIA Copia. There is also a CIA Copia store that offers quite a variety of household goods for home and kitchen which includes books, gifts, and novelty kitchen items. It would be well worth your time to experience the CIA Copia.
A Visit to Alexander Valley Vineyards
Dan & Patti Reynolds, ACA members
A group of Alpine Members left from the Napa Valley Expo Park in the morning for a day trip to the Alexander Valley and its notable Alexander Valley Vineyard. It was a small group of 13 of our group's finest wine tasters, accompanied by Bill & Patti Figge who happen to be members of this winery.
It was another beautiful day in Napa Valley as we drove north on the Silverado Trail, through Calistoga and through the hills to Alexander Valley which is especially known for its Cabernet Sauvignon varietal.
All of their Red Wines are stored in the Wine Cave with a constant temperature of 60 degrees throughout the year. AVV has the 5th largest wine cave in California, with four entrances and they are planning further expansion. Several special culinary and wine tasting events are conducted in the cave with its luscious scent of rich wine.
The winery uses American and French Oak barrels, which we were able to experience first hand with barrel tasting, Yum! Our guide returned us to the porch for further tasting of their Reserve Wines, more Yum! No surprise that some of us joined the wine club and took bottles of wine to take home. We stopped at a local café for lunch and then headed back to camp.
A group of Alpine Members left from the Napa Valley Expo Park in the morning for a day trip to the Alexander Valley and its notable Alexander Valley Vineyard. It was a small group of 13 of our group's finest wine tasters, accompanied by Bill & Patti Figge who happen to be members of this winery.
It was another beautiful day in Napa Valley as we drove north on the Silverado Trail, through Calistoga and through the hills to Alexander Valley which is especially known for its Cabernet Sauvignon varietal.
We were hospitably met by vineyard staff and served a glass of Chardonnay on the tasting room porch that was privately set up for our visit. They began by informing us about the vineyards and its family history. Its founder, Cyrus Alexander, was a pioneer in ranching and farming and the early introduction of wine making in the region. He built a large white house on the property which some of the family still lives in today. And the winery also has a family cemetery and a 1-room vintage school house that was built in 1868 by Cyrus to educate the children of Alexander Valley.
Back to wine! We witnessed one of their first truckloads of Pinot Noir grapes being unloaded and the process of rinsing and separating the stems from the grapes. All the while sipping on a glass of wine. Quite exciting to be there as their harvest season is gearing up for 24/7 operations. All of their White Wines are stored outside in steel vats during fermentation.
The winery uses American and French Oak barrels, which we were able to experience first hand with barrel tasting, Yum! Our guide returned us to the porch for further tasting of their Reserve Wines, more Yum! No surprise that some of us joined the wine club and took bottles of wine to take home. We stopped at a local café for lunch and then headed back to camp.
The wine was fabulous and all who attended had a great day.
SoCal Movie Mogul
SoCal Movie Mogul
Bill Figge
Frank Krauland (Movie Mogul) did an extraordinary job arranging movies for us during the Napa Rally.
This entailed a great deal of preparation on his part including the purchase of a projector, engineering a 10x10 foot screen as shown on the back of his coach plus a second screen, special speakers, and several outdoor heaters, etc etc.
The Lisecs furnished popcorn (yum), and the rest of us provided a lot of laughter and pure enjoyment as we watched Bottle Shock and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels under the clear, cool Napa skies. It was like sitting in a private theater.
Thank you Frank for doing this for us!
-Bill and the rest of the ralliers
A Look Back – the Buellton/Solvang Rally
October 26-30
October 26-30
Alpiners Come Together Near Solvang
Stephanie Archer
Twenty four coaches converged on Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, California during the last weekend of October for a four-day rally. This joint rally had attendees from Alpine NorCal, Alpine SoCal, and ACA as well as new coach owners and a couple looking to purchase an Alpine Coach. We also had a short visit from Patti Figge’s sister, Linda, and Sandy & Debi Johnson. This was the first Alpine rally for several couples. We welcomed SoCal members Max & Anita Wasinger of Capo Beach; ACA members Ernie & Annette Martinez of Santa Maria; Mike, April & Mark Hay of Mission Viejo (took home a SoCal application – they purchased Rick & Judy Fisher’s Alpine), and Steve & Linda Matthews of Modesto who want to buy an Alpine Coach. It speaks to the quality reputation of an Alpine Coach, that a couple would drive 5 hours and spend 2 nights in a nearby motel so they could talk with Alpine owners and look at floor plans. By the time Steve & Linda left the rally, they were convinced that an Alpine coach was in their future.
Thank you, Donna & Mike Hambarian and Greg Vaughan for an outstanding job hosting this rally. We also appreciate all the hands that pitched in to serve food and clean up. Thanks, Frank, for allowing your site to be used as a gathering area for informal “gear head” sessions, happy hours, meals and movies! Thanks, Dan & Patti Reynolds for helping Greg with the shopping and for contributing the jewelry that was given away after the potluck dinner. Also, additional thanks to Dan & Greg for the pen & pencil sets they made and gave away after the potluck dinner.
The rally kicked off Friday afternoon with happy hour followed by pizza, lasagna and salad. Brief introductions of NorCal and SoCal club officers and the first time rally attendees were given before Movie Night began. The movie audience bundled up and set up their chairs near the side of Frank’s coach to watch The Long, Long Trailer, starring Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz as a young married couple who decide to make a towable trailer their home so she can travel across the country with him on business. Cute movie. Lots of laughs, highlighting many issues we RVers face: limited space for belongings (can’t take all the wedding gifts along); gross vehicle weight limitation (NO souvenir boulders from every memorable location you’ve been); only one person gives directions to the driver who’s backing up the trailer (distracted driver = jack knifed trailer, demolished portico and trampled rose bushes). Rent the movie if you haven’t already seen it. Hard to believe it was initially released on December 31, 1953.
Saturday and Sunday mornings started with toasted bagels, muffins, Danish pastries, hard boiled eggs and OJ served behind Frank’s coach. The rest of each day was time spent on our own or enjoying self organized small group outings. On Saturday morning, a group of us toured the Santa Ynez Historical Museum (read Pam Altman’s article for details).
Others explored the shops, bakeries and museums in the quaint Danish town of Solvang and the surrounding towns of Santa Ynez, Ballard & Los Olivos. Old Mission Santa Ines was another popular destination. Wines were tasted at Santa Ynez Valley wineries as well as wineries as far away as Paso Robles (90 miles from Buellton). Jim and I drove 30 miles to Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Parlour in Arroyo Grande. Bill & Patti Figge took a spin in Greg’s restored 1950 truck which once belonged to Bill. Several of the guys played golf.
Each afternoon, we gathered for happy hour, to exchange stories of our day’s adventures and to make plans for dinner. AJ Spurs, Hitching Post II, Root 246, Taproom at Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Sides Hardware and Shoes – a Brothers Restaurant are several of the restaurants at which we ate.
Monday morning we were treated to pancakes and ham prepared by our wagon masters. After breakfast we held a joint membership meeting where the discussion centered on future rallies and the need for wagon masters to help host those rallies. Tom & Nancy Polk need volunteers to help with a rally at Crater Lake, Oregon, June 20 – 30, 2019 and with an Eastern Sierras rally (Carson City, NV to Bishop, CA), September 5 – 18, 2019. Please email Tom Polk at tomvending@msn.com if you are interested in helping with one of these rallies. SoCal is looking for wagon masters to host an October 2020 rally at Lake Powell, AZ and wagon masters to work with Raymond & Leda Wynn and Ernie & Annette Martinez on a Paso Robles rally in November 2020. Please contact a member of SARC (Bill Figge, Debbie Lacy or Stephanie Archer) if you are interested in helping with one of these rallies.
Monday was deemed “game day”….bocce ball and corn hole at the RV park’s pavilion or board games in the clubhouse. While part of the group participated in games, another part of the group chose to tour The Mendenhall Museum of Gas Pumps & Petroliana where they saw antique gas pumps, service station signs and land speed record automobiles. Everyone came together again at 5 PM for happy hour and a delicious potluck dinner. After dinner, names were drawn for pen & pencil sets (handcrafted by Greg and Dan) and bracelets donated by Dan. Thanks for much, guys. The items you gave away were beautiful!
Homemade vanilla ice cream (made by Greg) was served for dessert. Then everyone was shooed out of the clubhouse and back to Frank’s place for another movie – Planes, Trains & Automobiles, a Steve Martin, John Candy classic about two unlikely travel companions who use various modes of transportation to get from St. Louis to Chicago (which is snowed in) in time for Thanksgiving.
Left-over continental breakfast items were available Tuesday morning. Hugs and goodbyes were exchanged before everyone departed. Another enjoyable joint rally. Thanks, everyone for your participation and camaraderie. Looking forward to the next one!
Twenty four coaches converged on Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, California during the last weekend of October for a four-day rally. This joint rally had attendees from Alpine NorCal, Alpine SoCal, and ACA as well as new coach owners and a couple looking to purchase an Alpine Coach. We also had a short visit from Patti Figge’s sister, Linda, and Sandy & Debi Johnson. This was the first Alpine rally for several couples. We welcomed SoCal members Max & Anita Wasinger of Capo Beach; ACA members Ernie & Annette Martinez of Santa Maria; Mike, April & Mark Hay of Mission Viejo (took home a SoCal application – they purchased Rick & Judy Fisher’s Alpine), and Steve & Linda Matthews of Modesto who want to buy an Alpine Coach. It speaks to the quality reputation of an Alpine Coach, that a couple would drive 5 hours and spend 2 nights in a nearby motel so they could talk with Alpine owners and look at floor plans. By the time Steve & Linda left the rally, they were convinced that an Alpine coach was in their future.Thank you, Donna & Mike Hambarian and Greg Vaughan for an outstanding job hosting this rally. We also appreciate all the hands that pitched in to serve food and clean up. Thanks, Frank, for allowing your site to be used as a gathering area for informal “gear head” sessions, happy hours, meals and movies! Thanks, Dan & Patti Reynolds for helping Greg with the shopping and for contributing the jewelry that was given away after the potluck dinner. Also, additional thanks to Dan & Greg for the pen & pencil sets they made and gave away after the potluck dinner.
The rally kicked off Friday afternoon with happy hour followed by pizza, lasagna and salad. Brief introductions of NorCal and SoCal club officers and the first time rally attendees were given before Movie Night began. The movie audience bundled up and set up their chairs near the side of Frank’s coach to watch The Long, Long Trailer, starring Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz as a young married couple who decide to make a towable trailer their home so she can travel across the country with him on business. Cute movie. Lots of laughs, highlighting many issues we RVers face: limited space for belongings (can’t take all the wedding gifts along); gross vehicle weight limitation (NO souvenir boulders from every memorable location you’ve been); only one person gives directions to the driver who’s backing up the trailer (distracted driver = jack knifed trailer, demolished portico and trampled rose bushes). Rent the movie if you haven’t already seen it. Hard to believe it was initially released on December 31, 1953.
Saturday and Sunday mornings started with toasted bagels, muffins, Danish pastries, hard boiled eggs and OJ served behind Frank’s coach. The rest of each day was time spent on our own or enjoying self organized small group outings. On Saturday morning, a group of us toured the Santa Ynez Historical Museum (read Pam Altman’s article for details).
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| Alpine golfers and Greg's vintage truck |
Each afternoon, we gathered for happy hour, to exchange stories of our day’s adventures and to make plans for dinner. AJ Spurs, Hitching Post II, Root 246, Taproom at Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Sides Hardware and Shoes – a Brothers Restaurant are several of the restaurants at which we ate.
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| Firestone Walker Brewing Company |
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| crafted by very own talent |
Homemade vanilla ice cream (made by Greg) was served for dessert. Then everyone was shooed out of the clubhouse and back to Frank’s place for another movie – Planes, Trains & Automobiles, a Steve Martin, John Candy classic about two unlikely travel companions who use various modes of transportation to get from St. Louis to Chicago (which is snowed in) in time for Thanksgiving.
Left-over continental breakfast items were available Tuesday morning. Hugs and goodbyes were exchanged before everyone departed. Another enjoyable joint rally. Thanks, everyone for your participation and camaraderie. Looking forward to the next one!
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House
Pam Altman
The group visited the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum in Santa Ynez. The museum is comprised of several different rooms each with a specific topic. The Parks-Janeway Carriage House contains the large carriage exhibit. We stepped back in time to view a film on the history of the museum’s origin, and one of the finest collections of stagecoaches and a variety of horse-drawn wagons. The collection ranged from a donkey wagon and popcorn wagon to a Yosemite Stage Coach, a 15-passenger wagon used in Yosemite’s early tourist days. There were small and large, open and closed carriages and stagecoaches. In addition to the carriages, there was a display of exquisite saddles and tack.
The Pioneer Room had a display of Native American artifacts, baskets and pictures plus bridles, bits, saddles and spurs. The Valley Room contained the history of the cities comprising the Santa Ynez Valley. The Lyons Room displayed historical pictures of the area and people.
The group enjoyed the elaborate carriage display and the history of the early ranching life in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Pam Altman
The group visited the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum in Santa Ynez. The museum is comprised of several different rooms each with a specific topic. The Parks-Janeway Carriage House contains the large carriage exhibit. We stepped back in time to view a film on the history of the museum’s origin, and one of the finest collections of stagecoaches and a variety of horse-drawn wagons. The collection ranged from a donkey wagon and popcorn wagon to a Yosemite Stage Coach, a 15-passenger wagon used in Yosemite’s early tourist days. There were small and large, open and closed carriages and stagecoaches. In addition to the carriages, there was a display of exquisite saddles and tack. The Pioneer Room had a display of Native American artifacts, baskets and pictures plus bridles, bits, saddles and spurs. The Valley Room contained the history of the cities comprising the Santa Ynez Valley. The Lyons Room displayed historical pictures of the area and people.
I Heard it through the Grapevine...
Teresa Weitz
I Heard it through the Grapevine... what happens in Buellton does not necessarily stay in Buellton ...
- At the Mendenhall's Museum of Gasoline Pumps and Petroliana in Buellton, there is a magazine, the cover of which features a car that one of our Alpine members, Dan Reynolds, owned together with Mel Vaughan (Greg's brother) and drove in the Baja 1000. Dan, Mel, and Greg prepped the car in Greg's garage back in the early 70's. Rumor has it that back then it was a lot of fun. Who knew that decades later the accomplishments of one of our very own are now immortalized in a museum!
- Greg Vaughan’s 1950 Chevrolet Truck got lots of Ooh’s and Aah’s at the Buellton Rally. Imagine this beauty being towed behind a 40 ft. Alpine Coach. Seeing this truck that has been significantly modernized by Greg was a special treat for Bill & Patti Figge. They had formerly owned the Truck for over 40 years and had the joy to drive the revitalized truck. It definitely ran faster and smoother than in its former life. What a great experience and highlight of the rally to be in the old truck again recounting memories of their family as they cruised down US 101 @ 75 mph, getting Big Thumbs Up from others as they passed by. They have a deep appreciation to Greg for restoring this old friend.
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| still lookin' good after many miles... |
NON-Engineer Michael's Electrical Experience
Michael WeitzWe had a potentially serious electrical anomaly occur as we connected here at the Arizonian RV Resort last week on Nov 1st. I connected the electrical cable with our Surge Guard protector as usual, and it went through its 2-minute power analysis before passing good power through to the coach, with the screen showing L1=119V, L2=118V. But inside the coach unusual things began happening. The kitchen circuits did not come on, and the fridge was cycling between AC & propane every couple of seconds. I shut off the power pedestal breaker and connected to the second 50 AMP outlet on our pedestal, and the same thing happened. I shut down again and was able to stretch the cable to the neighboring site pedestal, and everything inside the coach came up normally. So I re-connected to our site’s pedestal, and got out my outlet tester. The same problem occurred, and the tester in an outlet showed “Hot/Grnd reverse”. The Magnum remote panel for the inverter/charger showed a red light warning “Fault – high voltage”, and the inverter/charger itself was humming. But when I turned off the hot water heater breaker, the warning light went out and humming stopped. Then we smelled a hot electrical odor, and I opened the cabinet above the driver seat where the media electronics are, and a plug-in surge protector there was smoking. I rushed out and disconnected from the pedestal.
This was particularly alarming because last January while we were at this RV resort an unoccupied coach in the park caught fire and was completely destroyed. The owners had plugged in and left it here while they went on a trip. They had just installed new batteries, and that’s where the fire started. But might that have been due to an RV Park electrical supply malfunction???
Our incident started a long saga of tracing down the source of the problem. I insisted that the park get a licensed electrician around to check, which they did the next day, and he thoroughly checked our pedestal and a couple of others, and all were OK. On Sandy Johnson’s recommendation I checked all connections in our Automatic Transfer Switch, and all were tight. I disassembled the shore power connection in the wet bay (no Glendinning power cable reel in our Alpine) and all was clean & tight. In the meantime I ordered a new surge protector, and this time I went with the competitor brand, Progressive Industries EMS, and it arrived the next day by Amazon Prime.
I also contacted Surge Guard tech service, and they were excellent, getting back to me by email within an hour of contacting them, and then several back & forth directives of tests I should perform. They hoisted my problem up to their senior engineer who said that the loss of a negative leg could cause such problems. I sent them pictures of the female connection on the Surge Guard, and they said it looked like the metal connectors in the negative slot may be too wide apart to make a good connection. So they recommended sending it back to them.
Our Surge Guard is 4 years old, and we have plugged it in to over 200 different RV parks over that period and in a couple of instances it has prevented a bad power supply from passing through to the coach. Being a portable unit it has been out in the elements enduring heat, cold and heavy rain. Surge Guard said they may extend the 1-year warranty to 4 years for this problem, and may offer some “consideration”. We’ll see.
We aren’t absolutely certain that the Surge Guard was the cause of our problem, so for the first few nights I unplugged at the pedestal just in case a problem occurred while we were sleeping. But all has been back to normal for the past week using our new Progressive Industries EMS and 3 new plug-in surge protectors we bought to replace those that got fried inside the coach. It’s ironic that the device we rely on to ensure good safe power to our coach could have been the source of a potentially dangerous situation!
Rudy’s Creamed Corn
Whenever Jim & I travel through Texas, we try to stop at Rudy’s BBQ restaurant. Their smoked meats are delicious and the creamed corn is to die for. I found this recipe on the Internet. The results taste just like the creamed corn that the restaurant serves. I often double the recipe and freeze portions in Foodsaver bags which makes reheating very easy. The recipe is very rich. Don’t have your cholesterol checked within a week of consuming this creamed corn! Bon appetit.
Cook time: 4 Hr Prep time: 10 Min Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
2 lb corn kernels, frozen
1 - 8oz cream cheese - cut into chunks
1/2 stick butter
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Throw all ingredients in a crock pot on low or medium and cook for at least 4 hours. Stir occasionally.
Photo Tab Reminder
Photo Tab Reminder
A reminder that all the photos submitted are in separate albums by rally for your viewing pleasure - many more than are included in this newsletter.
It's easy! Click on the PHOTOS tab at the top of the newsletter page to open the page where the albums are listed by year and rally name. You can view the photos at any time and you can also download the ones you wish to keep.
(There is also a separate MAPS tab pinpointing all the Alpine rally locations.)
It's easy! Click on the PHOTOS tab at the top of the newsletter page to open the page where the albums are listed by year and rally name. You can view the photos at any time and you can also download the ones you wish to keep.
(There is also a separate MAPS tab pinpointing all the Alpine rally locations.)
Thank you to all our photographers, without whom there would be no rally albums and memories: Kathy Barrow, Debi Johnson, Greg Vaughan, Patti Reynolds, Stephanie Archer, Bill Figge, and Lorraine Foster. If anyone else has photos they would like to add, please email to Teresa Weitz.
