April 2024 Rally Report

April 14-20 Las Cruces, NM rally

Las Cruces, NM

April 14-20 2024

Rally Masters-Scott & Betsy Gubin

Rally venue – Hacienda RV Resort - https://www.haciendarv.com/

Scot & Betsy Gubin

Matt Bentson & Katrina Cooper
Bill & Beverly Eckel

Bruce Wiseman & Tina Hilton
Allen F & Lynn Buckingham
Pat & Gloria Romansik RV Site
...and a few more

Monday 15 April
Attendees were treated to a catered meal with Italian Sandwiches arranged by the Rally Masters.

Tuesday 16 April
The group assembled in front of the clubhouse to caravan out to the City Of Rocks State Park between Deming, NM & Silver City, NM. The Park Rangers gave a nice tour of the Visitor Center and the park. They explained how the City Of Rocks came to be and the many people who established themselves within the local area. After the tour, the group went to an overlook site before heading to Lunch at the eclectic Adobe Bar & Grill. After a filling lunch, we headed back to the campground but first stopped to gawk at the Giant Roadrunner overlooking Mesilla Valley. The Roadrunner statue made of discarded items found along the highway is perched next to the Rest Stop along I-10. The evening was finished on the campground's back porch with snacks and discussion of the days activities.

Wednesday 17 April
Space Museum

Thursday 18 April

Friday 19 April

Saturday 20 April

May 2024 Rally Report

Texas BBQ Trail, Rally Report

May 13-25 2024

Rally Masters- Carl & Linda Threat

The Texas BBQ Trail Rally is in the books for May 13-25, 2024. I think everyone, or at least, most of us were in agreement as to the scoring of the BBQ winners.

(1) Franklin’s(2) Salt Lick(3) Black’s(4) Cooper’s

As our theme suggests, this was a rolling rally, which started with a pre-rally, meeting in Amarillo, at the Big Texan RV park & going by limo to eat at the Big Texan Restaurant the first night. Unfortunately, no one felt up to the challenge of eating a 72 oz steak with all the trimmin’s, in an hour, while we were there that night. We started with 5 coaches, those in attendance were: Threatt’s, Redman’s. Dorsey’s, McVey/Skaug, Brenner/Rozdilsky.

The next morning we all drove to Big Spring, Texas, to spend the night at the Hanger 25 Museum, which is a Harvest Host location. After our arrival, we took a self guided tour of the museum. Martha, the museum manager, gave us some history of the base. We spent a little money with them in exchange for our night stay. Happy Hour with finger food followed by Star Gazing when it was dark, although, it didn’t truly get dark enough to see the Northern Lights, or meteors.

Wednesday morning, we drove to Kerrville, Texas, to Buckhorn Lake RV Resort, with the wind once again against our travels. All arrived by 2 p.m., allowing for showers, and/or naps before Happy Hour. Here we were greeted by the Bishop’s & Reid/s joining us. Diana & Bob’s front air conditioner decided it wasn’t going to keep up with the Texas heat & quit working. We were able to use a room for our Happy Hour’s. After Happy Hour & finger food, we had our annual meeting, led by President, Gene Dorsey.
Thursday we carpooled to Driftwood for BBQ at Salt Lick, all but Diana & Bob who were waiting on the mobile RV repairman. Unfortunately, we were rained out from our trip to the seed farm & Luckenbauch. The rest of the day became on your own, until Happy Hour.

Friday we met at 9:30 & carpooled to Wildseed Farms, where there weren’t many flowers blooming yet. The Bluebonnets had already bloomed & faded, much to our dismay. Everyone was able to purchase a variety of things from wild flower seeds, yard art, & T shirts. Since this is an eating rally, (how many of our rally’s aren’t based on eating?), we had lunch at Rathskeller’s in Fredericksburg, which is a cellar pub. After lunch, some went back to their RV’s, some on to the National Museum of the Pacific War. Mike & MJ were having RV problems. All the pot holes in the roads had loosened their holding tanks. After some pondering, the grey tank was able to be temporarily fixed, allowing it to be useable. Sadly, Mike & MJ decided to go back home. Happy Hour was enjoyed by all who attended.

Saturday was Stonehenge II, and Cooper’s BBQ, followed by Luckenbauch, for those who felt adventurous, as it was really hot, (triple digit Texas weather). While in Luckenbauch, we were not able to get a glimpse of Willie, Waylon, or the boys, but, did enjoy listening to a local band & a cool beverage.

Sunday Buckhorn Lake RV allowed us to stay a little longer, for a small fee of $5, so that we could check in at 3 p.m., at Canyon Lake. Upon our arrival we were greeted by deer roaming around. We took a little break from BBQ & had hamburgers & many side dishes at the Threatt site.

Monday we had to do a little revamping of the schedule, as Franklin BBQ is closed Mondays, so, we went to Black’s BBQ & on to check out Buc-ee’s, in New Braunfels, followed later by Happy Hour at the Threatt site.

Tuesday we met at 9 a.m. carpooling to Franklin’s in Austin. Arriving around 10:20, we were greeted by a long line of other BBQ enthusiasts awaiting the opening of the restaurant. At 12:15 we eagerly placed our order at the counter, hoping our growling stomaches weren’t that obvious to others in line. And, that there would still be some BBQ left, because, when it’s gone, it’s gone. Oh, what a lunch! It was plentiful & SO delicious. All of us attended, except Diana & Bob, who instead were at Camping World getting a new air conditioner.

Wednesday 4 RV’s, (Threatt’s, Redman’s, Reid’s, McVey/Skaug) traveled on to San Antonio, to the KOA. Rosie & Gene went back home to pick up the tow car they had to leave behind on the first day of the trip. (The part of the frame holding the base plate had broken) Bishop’s were meeting up with other friends. After settling into the KOA we had Brat’s & side dishes in the TV lounge/room we were allowed to use.
Thursday we rode the shuttle bus to the Riverwalk & took the River Cruise Boat ride. Afterwards enjoying lunch at Casa Rio. Some decided to go to the Alamo, others back to their RV until Happy Hour.

Friday was a free day before leaving for home or other travels. Reid’s left for home, leaving only 3 RV’s. At Happy Hour we enjoyed pizza & nachos before saying our goodbyes “until the next time”.

A very big Thank You to all who attended & making it a GREAT rally!

September 2024 Rally Report

Buena Vista (BV), Colorado

September 22-28

Rally Masters-Jann & Barry Engleman

Rally venue – Snowy Peaks RV Resort, BV

Cliff & Jeanne Meier

Diana McVey & Bob Skaug

Bill & Beverly Eckel

Gene & Rosie Dorsey

Connie & Collin Broughton

Angel & Dan Fouts

Sunday 22 September

Sunday was arrival day followed by a get together at the Snowy RV Park clubhouse. The happy

hour with drinks and snacks turned into a full-blown potluck! We got acquainted with new friend

and reacquainted with old friends and went over plans for the week. The theme of our rally was

Colorado Fall Colors and Colorado did not disappoint! We had some heavy rain the day before

which also provided us with some very white mountain peaks.

Monday 23 September

We met in front of the clubhouse and traveled the short distance into BV and parked near a

trailhead for a hiking trail called Bridge To Bridge. These pedestrian bridges cross the Arkansas

River about a mile apart with trails on both sides of the river. Barry led those who decided on

the more up and down trail hike across the river and Jann led the others on flatter trail on the BV side of the river. Our lunch venue in the area was closed so, after the hike we headed back into BV for lunch at a restaurant called Crave. The rest of the day was free to do what you wanted to do.

Tuesday 24 September

We met again at the clubhouse and departed for St. Elmo, an old mining town in the mountains

between Mount Princeton and Mount Antero. The fall colors were “in full bloom”! Gene &

Rosie got to know their RV neighbors, a young couple on an adventure from Florida, and they

invited them to come along for the day. We were all glad to have them! Back at the RV park, we

had a potluck in the clubhouse that evening.

Wednesday 25 September

We departed from the clubhouse again for Camp Hale. Camp Hale is a mountainous area north

of Leadville where the 10th Mountain Division trained during World War II. Again, the fall

color didn’t disappoint! From Camp Hale, we took a little drive down to Red Cliff, an old

mining town. We stopped on the unbusy street to let Gene tell us about a very unique and

interesting experience they had meeting Santana in little Red Cliff in the past. Ask him about it

next time you see him!! We returned to Leadville for lunch at the Silver Dollar Saloon and the

rest of the day was “on your own”.

Thursday 26 September

This morning, we departed the clubhouse for a longer drive to the ski resort known as Crested

Butte. This was a grand fall colors day. The drive over Cottonwood Pass was stunning. Taylor

Park is a very interesting place to go anytime. The Taylor River Canyon was full of color (and

cows) and the drive up the East River area to Crested Butte was fall color heaven! Once we got

to Crested Butte, everyone was free to do whatever they wanted including lunch. Some of us

ended up at the park to have lunch we brought with us.

Friday 27 September

A free day to make your own plan. Everyone was invited to Jann & Barry’s new home in the

afternoon and evening for a get together. We ended the rally with 14 CE members in our small

home making a lot of fun conversation and enjoying good drinks, good food and good company!

October 2024 Rally Report

Monument Valley Rally Report

October 20-23. 2024 Gene and Rosie Dorsey, Rallymasters

Sixteen Mummies and Monsters joined Ghoulish Gene and Rosie the Ripper in the haunted, shadowy, recesses of Monument Valley. In very clever disguises and costumes they included Matt Bentson & Katrina Cooper; Phil & Stephanie Bishop; Collin & Connie Broughton; Craig & Klea Ford; Tom & Martha Galvary; Steve & Christine Reid; Ron Reinhardt & Ingrid Holliger; Pat & Gloria Romansik.

20th Sun. We all arrived on a wet and cold day but with sunshine late in the afternoon. We set up tables for a meet and greet next to the Dorsey site and it was a beautiful (but chilly) setting near the red arch at Goulding’s RV Resort. We had snacks and visited around two fire rings that were festive but not enough to keep us warm, so it was a short evening.

21st Mon (early) Gene found a naked, ugly baby doll covered in frost ‘neath his windshield wiper. We made arrangements for a Navajo guided tour of Monument Valley and departed the RV Park at 11am. It was cold in the 20 seats mounted to the bed of a big truck but warmed up considerably as Larry our guide slowed down when we got to the rough roads. The monuments were amazing and we learned a great deal about the Navajo, the monuments, and the movies and events filmed there. All of us took lots of pictures, some bought Navajo jewelry, and others a warm cup of something at the trading areas we stopped at. Upon arriving back at the campsite, Ugly Baby reappeared but this time dressed a bit.

At 5pm we all met at the Pilot’s Lounge (courtesy of the Goulding’s group sales manager Brad Upshaw) for a Halloween party. The venue was decorated and very comfortable. Everyone arrived in costume and pictures were taken with a Halloween backdrop. After a wonderful pot luck featuring Rosie the Reaper’s Witches Brew Stew as well as lot of Halloween themed dishes and treats, we played Halloween games with everyone going home with some appropriate gift. Who left with the Ugly Baby?

22nd Tue. In five vehicles, and with radios duly tuned to channel 10, we departed for a scary, spine tingling road trip. The first scare we had was that somehow the ugly, bald baby had once again reappeared. Our first stop was at Forrest Gump Point where a plump Forrest Gump appeared all hairy, in short red shorts, and high white socks for a photo shoot on the highway. After stopping most of the traffic and amusing the tourists, we had a group photo of the valley.

Our next stop was to see the Mexican Hat rock formation and then on to Gooseneck State Park overlooking the San Juan river as it twisted and turned in the canyons below us. From there we climbed 1200 feet out of the valley on a narrow, gravel road with no guard rails, 10% grades and multiple switch backs to the top of the Cedar Mesa and on to Muley Point escarpment. After a hike to the canyons edge and a brief lunch we headed back down the same spooky road with a stop at the Moki Dugway Overlook. Some of us got pictures of the smashed and rusted vehicles that had gone over the edge in days past, but others of us were afraid to get out of the car (no names mentioned-what scares some is a secret to all).

We all joined for dinner at Goulding’s Stage Coach restaurant and a beautiful sunset over the looming monuments to the east. What a great time with our wonderful Cuatro Estados friends. Tomorrow we will depart MV with most of us meeting up again at the RMMA rally in Farmington, NM.

Gene and Rosie

RMMA Farmington Rally Report

October 23-28,2024 Gene Dorsey, Chapter Coordinator

A whopping twelve rigs and 24 Cuatro Estados attended the RMMA rally at the San Juan County Fairgrounds in Farmington, NM. Our members included Matt Bentson & Katrina Cooper; Phil & Stephanie Bishop; Collin & Connie Broughton; Gene & Rosie Dorsey; Craig & Klea Ford; Ron Reinhardt & Ingrid Holliger; Pat & Gloria Romansik, all traveling from the Monument Valley Rally. We were pleasantly surprised that Bob & Sharee Scott and Mike Rodzilsky & MJ Brenner were able to join us. Arriving ahead of us were Cuatro Estados volunteers, Carl & Linda Threatt; Roger and Karen Redman, and Frank & Dessa Halasz. Thank you all for such a nice turnout. Because our chapter had the most attendees, we won $100 from RMMA which will be used to offset some of the cost of our new banners.

23rd Wed. Upon arrival we were pleased to be greeted by the parking team that included our members the Threatt’s and Redman’s who we can thank for parking us all together. After set up everyone participated in the many and various RMMA activities. Together loosely, we attended the opening ceremonies and watched the chapter videos, of which we were a featured chapter. Thank you Bill Eckel for putting that together.

24th Thu. We enjoyed coffee and donuts with music by the Frustrated Maestros featuring our own members, Frank & Dessa Halasz and Connie Broughton. Most attended some of the RMMA functions of the day, We had an impromptu “left-overs pot luck” and then were entertained by “The Great Divide” in the evening.

25th Fri. Coffee and donuts with Maestro music in the morning and RMMA activities throughout the day. In the afternoon we set up our new Chapter Fair display table and received many visitors during the Chapter Fair/Ice Cream Social. We got a lot of favorable comments about our booth and thanks goes to several of our members for the new banners, flagged arch, rally location map, picture collage, Spirit display, and everything that went to make it so attractive. Thanks also to all who helped set up and man our booth which resulted in new members and several others who took applications.

In the evening we had an enjoyable time betting on and cheering for our horse in the dice horse races.

26th Sat. The Maestros performed for the last time and again we participated individually in RMMA seminars and activities. Later we attended the live auction and closing ceremonies. That evening we had most of the dancers during the evenings entertainment by “Breazin”.

27th Sun. Departure day with hugs and safe travels shared all around. Thank you all for your attendance, support, and friendship. Someone told me we were “the life of the party” and it is all of you that makes Cuatro Estados such a fun chapter. I am so happy to be a part of it.

Gene Dorsey, President

Cuatro Estados

sponsored by Family Recreational Vehicle Association www.FRVA.com