PICTURE THIS IN YOUR MIND - - - -
A birds’ nest that featured 54 Bluebirds, including 23 units that joined us for the first time, plus an assortment of SOB’s; Southwestern desert scenery, sunrises, and sunsets; a rainbow over the birds' nest; flea markets; a “Sticks and Staples” RV Show; a 2009 Bluebird Wanderlodge; an electric keyboard concert; a Furry Friends Costume and Talent Show; a bluegrass/country jam session; a palm tree light show; the “Quartzsite Boogie”; a new SWBB theme song; a large group of great people meeting old friends and making new ones; and a large, warm campfire that burned every night – this was the 2009 "SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends “ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY”.
This
year’s Quartzsite rally was the destination for Bluebird owners and several
SOB’s from all around the country and Canada. The weather
cooperated, with daytime temperatures in the 70’s and nighttime temperatures in
the high 30’s.
If
you weren’t there, you missed a great time and the best rally we’ve sponsored
to date.
***
Boondocking in the desert is a different experience, especially for first
timers from other regions of the country. Quartzsite offers many
opportunities to explore the Southwest desert area, from daily walks around the
birds’ nest, hikes into wilderness areas, bike rides along desert trails, ATV
and four wheel excursions into the mountains and canyons, plus the experience
of the “Quartzsite RV Show and Main Event” where you can visit hundreds of
vendors displaying and selling thousands of RV related items. As my wife
tells me, you can’t see it all in one week.
***
What really made the SWBB 2009 ‘Q’ Rally such a
success, though, were the many attendees who volunteered their time and efforts
to plan and host the many activities conducted throughout the week:
Harold and Shirley Prescott arrived in December. Harold became our “Point Man”. He kept us informed
about ‘Q’ and moved to the nesting site area in January to help hold it for us.
Harold was also our “Fireman,” starting and maintaining the nightly
campfire. Fred Hulse
was up before dawn every morning starting a morning campfire for early risers.
Bill and Pat Kirchner, with Gary and Darlene Swartz, sponsored a ‘Hamburger and
Hot Dog Night’ for the almost 30 coach owners who were parked in the birds’
nest by Sunday, Jan. 18. Pat has been learning to play the electric
keyboard and displayed her skills while everyone enjoyed hamburgers and hot
dogs.
Rick and Rosie Archie hosted the mens’ and womens’ tech talks, and ‘Margarita Night’. Rick served as our ‘parking sherpa’
again, taking the responsibility for laying out the birds’ nest parking.
Shane Fedeli returned to again treat rally attendees to one of his Smokin’
BBQ’s, held in conjunction with SWBB’s traditional “BYOB and your favorite hors
d’oeuvres to share” event. Curt Sprenger brought
his new smoker and Shane taught him some of the finer points of smokin’
BBQ. Shane also hosted and led a hike into Palm Canyon, an area of the Kofu
Wildlife Preserve.
The “Vintage Birds” chapter of the FMCA had 20 members attending the
rally. “Vintage Bird” members Dan
and Cindy Sunderland, Bill and Pat Snyder, Dick and Patty Warren, and Jerry and
Sandie Ingram hosted a very successful afternoon “Wine and Cheese Tasting”
event. They provided a large selection of wines and cheese for attendee
tasting pleasure.
Because
there were more than enough “Vintage Bird” members attending the “SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY”, Jim Baber, National Director of the "Vintage Birds", used the opportunity to conduct one of the two FMCA annually
required chapter membership meetings.
During
the “Wine and Cheese Tasting” event, Pat Kirchner again played her electric
keyboard. Several folks started
dancing. It was suggested that we
just might need a portable dance floor for ‘Q’ 2010.
“SOUTHWEST
BLUEBIRDS and friends” certainly hopes “Vintage Birds” will return to future SWBB ‘Q’
Rallies to host their ‘Wine and Cheese Tasting’ event.
Sue Robinson hosted the “Silent Gift Basket Auction” this year. It was another
successful year for the event, with winning bidders again choosing to donate
their winning bids to Dick and Joyce Hayden, whose son, Brian, lost his battle
with cancer in December 2008. Dick and Joyce will be using the
proceeds to help their daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Thanks to
all the winning bidders for choosing to help the Hayden’s.
Jim and Denise Benson, Derek Haberman, and Frank Peredo all teamed together to
plan and host the first “SWBB Furry Friends Costume and Talent
Show”. Curt Sprenger’s granddaughter, Karly, entertained folks by
walking the runway. The “Best in Show” honor went to Liddy Corpus, a
seven year old Golden Retriever/Lab mix. Liddy is a certified
therapy dog that visits hospitals, convalescent homes, and assisted living
facilities. The Benson’s,
Derek, and Frank are already planning a “Furry Friends Costume and Talent Show”
for ‘Q’ 2010.
Tom McCarthy led an impromptu four-wheel drive excursion into the desert. There are many trails and areas to
explore around Quartzsite via ATV and four-wheel drive vehicles. More off-road excursions will be
planned for 2010.
Don Bradner, our satellite internet guru, helped rally attendees stay connected
by again providing WiFi service to the birds’ nest.
Lucas Willemse made his usual rounds with his tools
and test equipment, helping those who were experiencing electrical problems.
Rick McKinley, of Giant RV, drove a 2003 Wanderlodge to the birds’ nest and
displayed it for a day. He then returned the next day with a new 2009
Wanderlodge, allowing rally attendees to tour the unit.
The Benson’s, Derek Haberman, and Frank Peredo introduced a new game – “The
Quartzsite Boogie”. It will be back next year and if you want to see how
it’s played, you’ll have to sign up and attend. Suffice to say you will
laugh until the tears start rolling down your cheeks.
The Benson’s and Frank Peredo also wrote and composed a new theme song for the
SWBB Annual Bluebird Quartzsite Rally entitled, “The 12 Days of Quartzsite” – sung to the tune
of the “Twelve Days of Christmas”. They will be sending an audio
that will be posted on the SWBB website.
A
“Coach Tour” event enabled rally attendees to see and talk about the many
modifications made by Bluebirds owners to their coaches. Of special interest was the MCI
bus conversion owned by Russ Rose, brother of Charlie Rose. Russ chose and cut his own tree, had it
milled, and handcrafted all the interior woodwork of his bus. We look forward to seeing Russ in the
future. His handiwork must be seen
to be appreciated.
On
Saturday night, January 24, SWBB’s traditional end-of-rally “BYOB and your
favorite hors d’oeuvres to share” event
brought everyone together for a final night of socializing.
Sunday, January 25, saw many units rolling out with musical horns playing. By the end of the day, the birds' nest still held about half the flock. That night, Bill and Linda Moore hosted
a potluck buffet under their lighted palm trees.
***
This
was SWBB’s third rally in Quartzsite, and we’ve been noticed. Many people camped around the birds’
nest dropped by to look at our coaches.
Raynae
Redmon, and Frank and Donna Janzen, who were camping next to the birds’ nest,
visited us during one of our campfire evenings and sang a variety of bluegrass,
gospel, and country songs. Raynae sings and plays professionally. Frank
is retired, singing and playing because he loves it. This was evident
when he performed for us, without a break, for almost two hours, not stopping
even when a few sprinkles started to fall. They are regular visitors to
Quartzsite and we hope to see them next year.
***
Phil Corpus and Curt Sprenger, your SWBB coordinators, want thank all those who helped make the 2009 ‘Q’ Rally so successful – the attendees, the event volunteers and hosts, and especially the “Vintage Birds” for helping spread the word about our “SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY”.
We also want to thank everyone who contributed to the donation containers that were set up to help offset some of our out-of-pocket expenses. Overall, about 80% of our expenses were offset, which was our goal of this initial use of donations.
Everyone’s continued support is greatly appreciated.
If you missed ‘Q’ 2009, you missed a great time. Don’t be left out. Registration for the 2010 "SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY” is currently underway. Go to the Quartzsite Rally sign up page to send your registration.
2/19/09 11:06 PM ©Phil Corpus