WELCOME TO THE 'SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends' WEBSITE...
All information contained within the website is subject to change at any time, so check back often.
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"SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends" (aka SWBB) is an informal (no officers, no dues, no membership requirements, etc.), Southern California based group of Bluebird-built motorhome owners. We consider an owner of any Bluebird-built Wanderlodge, BMC, LXi, or M380 coach a potential member of our group, no matter where he or she lives. In fact, we count many members from throughout the country and Canada in our database.
After spending countless hours searching for, and contacting, Bluebird owners in California and other parts of the Southwest, Curt Sprenger organized our first rally in March, 2006 at Canyon RV Park, in Orange County. It was a very successful get together, with 22 Wanderlodges present. During the Canyon RV Park rally, Curt recruited Phil Corpus to help plan future rallies.
We chose "SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends" as the group name ('friends' representing family and friends who own other brands of RV's, and who were welcome to join the group).
Because there was not a Bluebird group represented in the West, we briefly considered affiliating with the FMCA, but after some research into their requirements, decided the "KISS" principle would be our guide in planning and coordinating SWBB group activities. In choosing not to formalize the organization of SWBB (electing officers, collecting dues, maintaining a bank account, meeting to discuss and vote on plans, etc., etc., etc.), we took some risks.
Today, however, the proof that we made the right decision lies in how quickly our mailing list has grown, the participation in our rallies, the growth of our 'SWBB ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY' (which is now the largest gathering of Bluebird-built motorhomes in the West), and the No. 1 comment from attendees that, "this is the way it should be done." All in less than four years.
Phil took the lead in arranging and planning our next rally in October, 2006 at Flying Flags RV Resort, in Buellton, CA. Flying Flags was chosen because of its central location in California, and we hoped this would attract BB owners from Northern California.
The 2006 Flying Flags Rally was also very successful, with some 30 RV units in attendance.
A suggestion was made at the Flying Flags rally to hold a rally during the annual Quartzsite, AZ 'Main Event and RV Show', held every year in January. After an email poll resulted in over 20 affirmative responses, and despite the short lead time to plan, we decided to go for it. Phil promoted the 'Q' Rally on the Yahoo Wanderlodge forum sites, resulting in attendance by BB owners from across the country and another very successful rally.
After the 2007 Quartzsite Rally, Phil and Curt decided they were onto a good thing and decided the group would sponsor a yearly, "SWBB ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY", in addition to our local (in California) rallies.
In 2008, after it became apparent most attendees of the 'Q' Rally were planning to arrive a week before the official dates of the rally, Phil and Curt changed their plans and arrived a week before the Rally weekend. What started as a three day rally in 2007 became a ten day rally in 2008. After the success of the 2008 rally, with over 50 units in attendance, the decision was made to plan our annual 'Q' Rally to permanently correspond to the entire nine day run of Quartzsite's annual "Big Event and RV Show".
All Bluebird-built motorhome owners are invited to make the Annual Bluebird 'Q' Rally a yearly destination.
Read the latest about the Quartzsite Rally on our "SWBB ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY" homepage.
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UPDATE: ON OCTOBER 1, 2009, CURT OFFICIALLY STEPPED DOWN AS A COORDINATOR FOR 'SWBB'. IN NOVEMBER, 2009, DENISE BENSON ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE OF HELPING PHIL CONTINUE THE GROWTH OF OUR GROUP.
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In July 2009, plans for two destination rallies were begun:
** A combined SWBB and Lone Star Birds rally at the "ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA", in October, 2010. Phil and Rick Archie are coordinating the combined rally that is scheduled for October 6-10, 2010. Click on the Fiesta homepage above for information.
** Plans for a "SWBB Fly-In to Oshkosh" rally at the 2010 EAA/Oshkosh Fly-in, October 26-August 1, 2010 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, were begun. Phil and Shane Fedeli are coordinating the rally that will be typical SWBB format, much like our Quartzsite Rally -- boondocking, pot lucks, Shane's "Smokin' BBQ", evening campfires, volunteer hosted entertainment, etc.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND SIGN UP!
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Traditionally, our rallies are 'free flow' affairs. Except for our signature 'BYOB, and "Bring Your Best Hearty Hors D'oeuvres to Share" SOCIALS' , we plan a minimum of scheduled events. The events that are scheduled are volunteer driven -- suggested, planned, and hosted by individual members of our group.
Our philosophy of maintaining an informal organization, and a relaxed atmosphere at our rallies, is praised and appreciated by all who attend our functions. All that is "required" is come and have fun; meet some new friends; share your experiences; and share your BB expertise. You will not leave disappointed!
An open invitation to attend any of our rallies is extended to anyone who owns, wishes to own, or just wants to get a close up look at a Bluebird-built motorhome coach.
To join in the fun and camaraderie, register with our group using any of the sidebar forms found on pages throughout the SWBB website. Follow the instructions for providing the information we need for our database.
If you know other BB owners, or if you meet a fellow BB owner during your travels, please give them our website address, urge them to visit it, join our group, and participate in our rallies, especially the Annual 'Q' Rally.
If you are Bluebird motorhome owner and have family or friends who own SOB's (Some Other Brand's), invite them to join us by pointing them to this website and encouraging them to join (they are the "and friends" in our name).
Thank you for your continued support.
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CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING HOW WE USE OUR DATABASES AND EMAIL LISTS
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BRING YOUR FRIENDS:
Remember, we welcome SOB (Some Other Brand) owners into our group. If you have friends or family who own SOB's, invite them to join our group and attend our rallies with you.
If you know other Bluebird owners, point them to our website, urge them to register with us, and join the fun!!
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NOT RECEIVING EMAIL FROM US? Please read --
IF YOU PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED FOR OUR DATABASE, AND HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVING EMAIL MESSAGES FROM US, IT'S POSSIBLE THE EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE ON RECORD FOR YOU IS INVALID.
TO UPDATE YOUR DATABASE INFORMATION, < CLICK HERE >
IF YOU HAVE AN ALTERNATE EMAIL ADDRESS(S), PLEASE LET US KNOW.
THIS WILL ASSURE YOU RECEIVE TIMELY INFORMATION FROM US.
THANKS.
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HELP US KEEP OUR COSTS LOW
ORDER YOUR PERMANENT WINDOW PLAQUE AND NAME BADGES:
Click here : "www.toocrazyladies.com/bluebirds/" to order your personalized window plaque and name badges. Keep them in your coach to display and wear when attending our rallies. These help identify you in the photos taken at our rallies.
Thanks for your continued support.
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