Family & Friends
By Anita Price,F203773
July 2006
San Diego, California, is reputed to have the most perfect climate in the United States. Fortunately, the area lived up to its reputation March 24 through 26, 2006, when 10 family members of FMCA’s Golden Spike chapter, along with one guest family, gathered at the Chula Vista RV Resort, C2744, for their big spring adventure. With soft ocean breezes, kites wafting in the cloudless sky, and crisp evenings, we found this to be the perfect location for our rally. The resort’s management went out of its way to meet all of our needs and make us feel welcome.
The outing was scheduled to follow FMCA’s 75th International Convention in Pomona, California, March 20 through 23, and some folks arrived early to explore the area on their own. Our first meal together on Friday night was a finger food buffet, which gave our cooks a chance to really shine “” even more than usual. After dinner, a rip-roaring game of FMCA bingo allowed everyone to get better acquainted. Cheryl Edmond, daughter of Robert and Margaret Edmond, F162442, was the first to win. Later, a rousing game of “Apples to Apples” kept us laughing all evening. Our guests felt right at home getting to know everyone in this friendly atmosphere.
Saturday morning, after a buffet breakfast, the group headed into town by way of the San Diego trolley to the Santa Fe Depot. From there a short walk took us to the U.S.S. Midway. Since Golden Spike was founded to unite motorhome owners who enjoy trains, planes, cars, and all things that “go,” we enjoy attending rallies in which many sight-seeing activities are wrapped up in one adventure.
The U.S.S. Midway, a veteran aircraft carrier, saw action in World War II and Vietnam and was once home to more than 4,300 men who supported 240 pilots and aircrew. Lectures on the flight deck and simulators on the hangar deck enhanced this overwhelming experience. Visitors could spend as much or as little time as they wished exploring the ship.
Following this excursion, everyone returned to the Santa Fe Depot to board a trolley that took us to Old Town, a historical part of San Diego that features old homes from the past and small shops. We gathered at the Jolly Boy Saloon & Restaurant, an old stage stop that’s now a Mexican restaurant, for a dinner accompanied by mariachi music. Several chapter members who live in the area but were unable to attend the entire rally joined us for dinner. All too soon it was time to hop back on the trolley for our ride back to the RV resort.
Although Saturday was busy, we immediately planned our Sunday adventure. After another buffet breakfast, most chose to visit Balboa Park, where the choices were many and varied. Most visited the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the largest such museum in the United States. Here we looked down upon miniature cities as though we were giants. We were awed by the detail of the work done by the local model railroad clubs responsible for creating the displays. Balboa Park was built in 1915 for the Pan-American Exposition and has remained an outstanding destination for locals and visitors as a focal part of this historic city.
After a delicious potluck dinner that night, we had an opportunity to share our individual stories from our own “Adventures by the Bay.”
Those who stayed for Monday’s breakfast gathered at the Galley, the local café at the RV resort’s marina. The view of the yacht harbor from our outside tables provided a lasting reminder of the beautiful place we had the thrill of visiting. There was still time to explore Coronado, Seaport Village, or cross the border into Mexico.
Ed and Anita Price, F203773, were wagon masters for this rally, with assistance from Nowland and Jackie Greenwood, F74706, and Bob and Dottie Poole, F285461. With everyone pitching in, the workload was light and everyone counted this outing as one of Golden Spike’s all-time best rallies.
Most Golden Spike chapter activities are held in California, but occasionally an out-of-state rally is planned, usually in connection with an FMCA international convention.
Upcoming 2006 rallies include a visit to Colorado’s Pikes Peak and Royal Gorge this July, and the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp, California, in the fall. Future trips will take us to the California towns of Barstow, Calico, and Truckee, as well as to the groundbreaking for the Arizona State Railroad Museum.
This group doesn’t sit around; we all love to explore and find adventures in our motorhomes. If you’d like more information about Golden Spike, visit the chapter’s Web site, http://fhmed.com/goldenspike.htm, or call our conductor (president), Tom Harrison, F131100, at (559) 299-7334.
Carolina Ramblers Salute Military At Cherry Point Rally
By Ben Bryer, F298847
Wow! What an experience. I wish everyone could spend a weekend with members of the United States Marine Corps and U.S. Navy as folks from the Carolina Ramblers chapter had the chance to do during our rally at the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in Havelock, North Carolina, Thursday March 23 through Sunday March 26, 2006. To say that the men and women serving in the Marine Corps and Navy are doing an outstanding job is an understatement. Many of us fought back tears of pride and joy countless times during the rally, and we all shook hands or hugged many of the servicemen and servicewomen we met during our stay.
Our hats are off to retired Marine Warrant Officer Maurice Gunn, F210114, and his wife, Stella. Maurice was stationed at Cherry Point the last three years of his duty with the Marine Corps. Maurice worked with Phil and Linda Hayes, F333413, as wagon masters for this weekend rally.
To get on base, the 15 couples who attended had to be officially registered on the attendance list that was provided to the main gate security. Check-in was at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Each person had to provide two valid pieces of identification, such as a driver’s license, chapter badge, etc. Plus, the owner of each motorhome had to provide registration and proof of insurance for the motorhome and towed vehicle, if applicable.
When we arrived in the camping area we found that the base had all of the camping spaces numbered, with nameplates on each of our spaces. I must say, that created quite a positive first impression. First class all the way.
That evening we enjoyed a chili supper under a tent that was put up by the Marines for us to use for our meetings and meals. It did rain one day while we were there, so it was great to be able to get out of the weather.
On Friday at 9:30 a.m. we boarded a military bus for a six-hour tour of the base that included lunch at the mess hall. We toured hangars where they repair and do maintenance on the jets. We sat in the same briefing room used by actual pilots where we learned about the different aircraft from the base that are deployed around the world. We toured the radar room as well as the tower. Each Marine we met had been overseas or was heading overseas in the next few weeks. We toured the firehouse and received a demonstration of how quickly the firefighters can get into their flame-retardant uniforms to fight fuel fires. Their goal is to be completely dressed and on the fire truck in less than 2 minutes. One firefighter was able to accomplish this feat in less than 55 seconds.
On Saturday at 8:00 a.m. we boarded another bus to go to breakfast at Club Pelican Point, the officer’s club. An excellent meal was served. The food was so good that I skipped lunch because I was full. After breakfast we stayed at the club for our chapter meeting. At 11:00 a.m. many folks boarded the bus for a tour and shopping spree of the nearby town of New Bern. A few of us went to the base golf club and played 18 holes. Johnson Davis, F323560, was so pumped up from all the food at breakfast that he hit his ball over the elevated 12th green. I went to help find it, and as I reached the crest of the green, four deer jumped in front of me, and with two leaps they were in the woods. It took 10 seconds before I could catch my breath. They startled me as much as I startled them.
From 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. that afternoon many of us went shopping at the main exchange, the military’s version of a Wal-Mart or Sears. That evening we boarded the bus for a semi-formal dinner at the officer’s club. Comments such as “You all clean up pretty good” could be heard from members poking fun at friends who they rarely see dressed up. Dinner was delicious.
We had two guest speakers after dinner. One was a Marine who discussed his two little girls; his wife; and his love for the Marine Corps. He had been a troubled teenager and has grown physically and mentally in the six years he has served in the Marines. He was in Iraq and will be going back. The second speaker was our own retired Marine, former FMCA Eastern Area vice president, Skip Skipper, F119793. Skip’s remarks were also heartwarming. A big thank-you to both Skip and our guest Marine for sharing their stories. The club had a disc jockey in the main hall so afterward many of the rally attendees got on the dance floor to rock ‘n roll.
On Sunday morning we had a continental breakfast supplied by the Marine base, and our Sunday morning devotional was led by Jenny Goodson, F318878. After that we said our good-byes and departed for home. Thank you to all for the memories of a lifetime.
The next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance while facing our flag with your hand over your heart, remember that we owe our freedom to the men and women in the armed services who continue to serve our country with respect, honor, and pride. I also would like to thank all the military personnel who came before the men and women serving today. Thank you and God bless to all.