News: Washington

Inland Empire Explorers
By Don Van Leuven

April
The Inland Empire Explorers gathered for the first time this year on April 28 at the Premier Resorts Granite Lake campground at Clarkston, WA. Our wagonmasters, Carol and Marv Franz and Carolyn and Don Van Leuven, welcomed 14 coaches and 28 people. The weather did not cooperate as it was windy and rainy most of the weekend. Lots of time was spent in the clubhouse catching up on all the news and winter activities of the members. A warm welcome for our new members, Carolyn and Roy Zingmark, who were able to attend their first outing.

Our first order of business was the installation of our new chapter officers for 2010. Cliff Stice, President; Don Van Leuven, Vice President; Carol Franz, Treasurer; and Dee Gumenberg, Secretary.

Our wagonmasters started the weekend activities off with a potluck supper on Thursday. On Friday, 13 people chartered a jet boat and took an 80-mile trip up the Snake River into Hells Canyon. A highlight in addition to the running of the river and its rapids was seeing a herd of big horn sheep. Others took in the local casino and antique stores.

Saturday's golf game was cancelled because of the weather so most members spent the day in the clubhouse playing cards and dominoes. In the evening, we all went to Rooster's Restaurant for dinner. After dinner we headed back to the clubhouse for birthday cake in celebration of Steve Cricks' 72nd birthday.

As is the tradition with our chapter, the men present gathered and fixed Sunday breakfast for all the ladies. This month turned out to be quite a buffet. After breakfast and cleanup of the clubhouse, we all headed towards home.

May
Fifteen coaches and 31 people from the Inland Empire Explorers traveled to Moses Lake, WA to attend the Northwest Regional Rally. This year's hosts were the Fraser Valley Explorers from British Columbia and assisted by the nine WA chapters. With 155 Winnebago coaches in attendance, there were many other activities going on at the fairgrounds with no conflicts.

Special guests at the rally this year were Pat and Doug Formanek, WIT General Manager; Margie and Dan Harper, WIT Western Area Representatives; and Barb and Paul Smith of 3T's RV. Their show coaches were wonderful and thanks to them for the tours of these high-end coaches. A special thanks also to R 'N' R RV of Spokane, Russ Dean RV of Pasco, and Roy Robinson RV of Marysville for there continued support.

The NWRR is always a good way start the year and to renew old friendships and make new ones with other chapters we only see once or twice a year. Our chapter did the Parade of Games this year, which is always a good way to meet many new friends. We had two beanbag baseball teams, but I am sorry to say both were eliminated on the first day of competition – maybe next year.

Cliff Stice at 509-521-6389 ladcliff@telcowiring.com.

Rainier Ramblers
Local Chapter
By Donna Coorough

This outing was held a week before the NWRR with the Fraser Valley Explorers. Joe and Donna Coorough were hosts. 24 coaches, 12 from each club, enjoyed many days of activities planned by our hosts.

The area offered a variety of activities to keep everyone busy from shuffleboard, volleyball, and horseshoe pits at the park; to playing golf, visits to the many wineries and vineyards, a visit to the open-air market, and many shopping malls.

Late Saturday the Cooroughs arranged visits to several local wineries for tasting some great wines, while others stayed behind to recuperate from a very busy week.

Sunday activities included a beanbag baseball tournament; Team USA vs. Team Canada – revenge for the Olympic hockey match – do you think? Team Canada won by two points.

Following a potluck dinner, our hosts held a karaoke contest. Everyone was told to bring their sense of humor – mission accomplished. Greg Dickey, Rainier Ramblers, won the prize for best singing and guitar playing.

Monday and Tuesday many of the Fraser Valley Explorers departed for Moses Lake to prepare for parking duties at the rally, while the rest of us recovered from the karaoke experience.

Ken Foster 253-630-0295 ktfoster@comcast.net
Club Web Site: www.rainierramblers.org

San Juanderers
Local Chapter
By Jeff and Mary Everest and Doug and Dianne Mumaw

Lighting Up The Skies – Walla Walla Balloon Stampede

17 coaches gathered at the Four Seasons RV Resort in Walla Walla, WA. Most coaches made the long drive from their homes in Western WA.

Friday morning a few balloons went up. A few hardy souls went to the fairgrounds to watch the launch, but most slept in past launch time. We heard a noise like air rushing just above the coaches. People were awakened by loud knocks on their doors so they could see the balloon that was landing right in the RV Park! We saw firsthand how the air is released and the balloon packed away after flight.

Friday was spent visiting old friends, shopping, winetasting and eating – our favorite things to do. The Cronins even participated in the 10K run/walk. Everyone returned for happy hour (margaritas and sangrias were served) and the business meeting. Club President Erik read a letter from WIT General Manager, Doug Formanek, congratulating the club on their 15th anniversary. Dinner was a taco fiesta potluck. During dinner Mary passed out a trivia quiz about events that happened in the year 1995 (the year the club was formed). The team with the most correct answers was the Barretts. John Henderson shared stories about how the club got started and milk chocolate coins were passed out to commemorate the anniversary.

Saturday morning the launch was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. During the day the weather improved significantly and club members went to the fairgrounds. One highlight was the classic car show that had more than 100 cars. After happy hour and dinner most went back to the fairgrounds for the Nite Glow and fireworks display.

Sunday morning, under perfect weather conditions, 39 balloons were launched at the fairgrounds and those who went said it was a beautiful sight. The hosts provided breakfast and club members enjoyed various activities on a beautiful sunny day. Monday morning everyone left for home or Clarkston for the next May club outing.

Outing hosted by Mumaws and Everests.

Sun Catchers
Local Chapter
By Cathy Williams

RALLY TIME!!! We arrived together at the Moses Lake Fairgrounds for the annual Northwest Regional Rally. One of the chapters, the Fraser Valley Explorers, hosted the rally this year. They did a magnificent job – so efficient and hospitable.

Teamwork paid off as we prepared the baked potato dinner. It was quite a success with 224 people served. We earned more money for our charities this year and had fun doing it together. Special kudos to the Adolphsens and Dave Salmon.

Beanbag baseball star Mary Adolphsen had a game for the record book. How was it possible, you ask yourself, that she had two homeruns and yet never scored??? Find out when you ask for her autograph!

We were asked to help sell tickets for the 50/50 fundraiser. The Sun Catchers did a great job.

Mary showed us a T-shirt craft on Saturday. It was lots of fun.

Dave Adolphsen 360-928-3614 damadol@att.net

Valley Vagabonds
Local Chapter

Everyone was right on time. At exactly 9:00 a.m. sharp, 10 Vagabonders revved up and caravanned from Ernie's Truck Stop to the Moses Lake, WA fairgrounds for the 2010 Northwest Regional Rally. Weather was cool, but not cold. However, our newly arrived snowbirds were bundled in coats, sweatshirts, and long pants (probably with long johns underneath). What fun it is to see ten WITS bounding down the highway headed for days of rallying activities. We were able to boast that Don and Betty were first-timers at the rally and attending from the state of OR.

Days at the rally were great – having survived our first night out and waking the next morning to hear on the news we all survived a tornado that touched down just five miles to the north of us.

Our button necklace craft project was a real success.

Gary took Best in Show in the craft entry and Irene and Diane had colorful ribbons to display.

Thanks to the cleverness of the Apple Rovers, we served over 300 people in 23 minutes.

This is the largest outing attendance for our club. It was great to visit with Blackie, Ruth, Irene, and Tom and Diane – our long-lost snowbirds have returned.

Sadly, we returned our beanbag baseball trophy this year. We survived our first game, but lost to some real hot players in the second round.

Vendors, seminars, and other events were great. Several of us are sporting new shirts, jackets, and hats. All of our rigs should be in tip-top shape as our WIT dealers provided technicians for fixes and repairs. Vendors were there to clean our carpets, repair our windshields, and show us how to maintain, clean, and do minor repairs on our coaches. We still found time to play cards, cribbage, and indoor/outdoor games.

Sunday's departure came too soon.

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers