Let’s see…. I think it’s best to start at the beginning. Our March Rally began Thursday, March 14 at Distant Drums RV Park in Camp Verde, AZ. Nine rigs arrived for a weekend of fun. After a rousing Happy Hour on Thursday, most of us turned up at the Cliff Castle Casino for dinner in a cave…. ok, it wasn’t really a cave, but it sure looked like one. Several of us played the casino games with $20 each of free money (a gift from the RV park) and two of our members, Don Schmidt and Carl Stouffer, came away winners. The rest of us didn’t.

Friday morning we gathered at 11:45 for a 30 minute ride to the Verde Canyon Railroad where Cheryl Applegate proceeded to pick up the prepaid tickets. Nick Applegate handed out tickets to the group only to find we had two tickets left over. Impossible! Upon boarding the train, there to greet us were Jim and Adelle already seated with no tickets. No one, not even the train attendants, knew how they did that. Pretty sneaky if you ask me. And to think this is our new president and treasurer!! The train ride was truly delightful. Lots of good food, beautiful scenery, plush seating, great company, and a pleasant staff. We could be in our own car or in the adjoining observation car and we as a group were everywhere. Lots of fun and we were very fortunate to have excellent weather…. warm, sunny, but not TOO warmand sunny.

Back at the RV park we had a 5 minute Happy Hour (as Nancy Ferguson put it) and 10 of us piled into our cars for a short drive to Vintages Grill. They gave us our own room and the food was delicious AND they got us all served pretty much at the same time. John Ruff kept us entertained with his new technology device, but I can’t remember what it’s called. Sorry. Saturday continental breakfast was held at the host RV followed by a rather short business meeting conducted by Steve Ferguson. (By the way, Steve makes excellent breakfast sandwiches). Marie Solace and Tom Bradley, Pam and Don Schmidt, Carl and Kathy Stouffer, and John and Cathy Ruff chipped in with some great suggestions.

After the meeting we split up. Some of us went to Montezuma Castle, some to Out of Africa, some to the ghost town of Jerome, some to Sedona, and some to explore the area petroglyphs. We did a lot and there were even some places we didn’t get to… like the four wineries in the area.

We all made it back to the park in time for…yes…. another Happy Hour followed by a corned beef and cabbage dinner (Thank you Pam and Don). Everyone brought their favorite dishes and I think it’s safe to say no one went hungry. Special thank you to Gary and Joanne Worobec for supplying us with iced liquid refreshments. (Really think you guys should join our group. You certainly fit right in). Cheryl Applegate and Christina Choffat danced a very short, but effective “no rain dance” and would you believe, the storm that threatened our dinner went right around us! Nick Applegate brought his high powered binoculars and we had the chance to see the Pan-STARR comet…. and a few jets with contrails that turned out NOT to be the comet.

Sunday morning another continental breakfast (thanks for making the coffee, Steve) followed by a raffle and would you believe…. Chris Choffat drew her husband, Chris’s, number. Just doesn’t seem fair.

There seemed to be a consensus that we had a great time at the rally. Thank you all for coming and a special thank you to the Distant Drums staff and also Ellen at the Verde Canyon Railroad. They made things so easy.

We own the following for use by our members:

• Engine pulling hoist – you can use this to pull the engine out through the coach, or drop    it out the bottom if you have the nose of the coach high enough.
• Thoma bearing tools – Complete with seal installation tool and the jib to drill your knuckle for a grease zerk.
• Ball Joint removal tool
• Torsion Bar Unloader (2)  This takes a lot of the effort out of setting the ride height after replacing the ball joints, bushings, or to compensate for age.