Friday (September 28th)  (PRE RALLY RALLY - SEP 27 & 28) - Keeping with Holiday Rambler tradition, we arrived on Thurs. Sept. 27 for the fall rally only to find about half of the attendees were already parked and ready to get started.  We were promptly greeted by Marie Smith, one of the hosts, whose first words were, "Great to see you, will you write up the rally for the newsletter"?  Next was Debbie Day, co-host, with her greeting, "Great to see you, today is Pete Armitage's and my birthday, we have the evening planned."

We had our usual 4 o'clock and after caravanned to Casa Taco for dinner.  Luckily for the non-Mexican food lovers there was a cheeseburger selection on the menu.  Next on the agenda was a dip in the pools at Riverbend Hot Springs.  There was twelve brave souls who enjoyed the hot springs and two onlookers.  Last but not least, we were told the evening would not be complete without a stop off at La Cocena for sapopillas, a Mexican dessert.  What a great way to kick off a rally, or should I say Pre Rally rally.

Fri. Sept. 28, more 400's arrived. We started the afternoon with a 4 o'clock at 2:30 around the Jacobson's cottage.  Later we moved into the clubhouse for the official 4 o'clock.  A good time was had by all because Alice Duhe was there with her famous margaritas.  After dinner it was Wizard time and the end of the Pre-Rally rally.  TOP

 

Saturday (September 29th)  - better known as ," FOOTBALL SATURDAY" to those of us who watch college ball.

We began the day with coffee and doughnuts in the clubhouse, that is the early risers.  After stuffing ourselves and socializing it was 10 o'clock and time for the LSU & Tulane game.  By half time we were ready for lunch so, snacks were made for the second half.  After all dinner was scheduled for 5:30 and we had to pace ourselves.  Several of our Chapter 400 family are from Louisiana so we didn't lack big cheers when LSU won.

At 4 o'clock the rally officially started. An overview of the week's activities was presented by our co-hosts followed by salad and pizza for dinner.  By then it was time to relax, several played games and others enjoyed a raging bon fire; while the football fans went back to their RV's to watch more games.  TOP

Sunday (September 30th) - another beautiful warm, sunny day in south New Mexico.  Today was a marathon of eating, to say the least. We started off with coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 in the clubhouse provided by Lakeside RV Park.  This will continue for the rest of the week.  Along about 10:45, we went to Elephant Butte Inn for brunch.  I think we were there about two hours filling ourselves with all kinds of good stuff.  Only one problem, we had to make our own waffles.  Waffle irons, spray shortening and cups of batter were provided.  All we had to do was fill the waffle iron and wait for it to beep and remove the waffle.  Therein lay the problem.  It was said to Joann White that her waffle looked like someone had already chewed it to pieces.  No one seemed to have as much trouble taking the waffle out of the iron as she did.  After that we relaxed until four pm when we were given a talk by the local Chamber of Commerce representative about the area.  This was followed by dessert before dinner in honor of Marge Newell.  The dessert was ice cream sundaes with all the toppings, cherries and whipped cream. Guess how many of us had dinner after all that?  TOP

Monday (October 1st) - slightly cloudy and rain expected.  After coffee and doughnuts, we lined up and caravanned to Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, NM.  The Museum was very diverse and interesting.  The museum portrays Sierra County from prehistoric times to the present.  The first room has a Mastodon and a Mammoth skull, both found in the area.  One of the more interesting rooms was the Da-Whe(Zuni word for pottery ) room.  The collection included Mimbres, Tularosa, Alma, and Hohokam pottery.  There are also Apache, Hispanic, Farm & Ranch and military rooms.  And lastly the Ralph Edwards Room.  Why?   Because Truth or Consequences is named after his TV show.  He also did a tremendous amount of charity work for this region.  After the morning of museums and gift shops we adjourned to lunch then home to relax.  After a marathon of eating yesterday, what did we do for dinner this evening?  We grilled and everyone brought a dish to share.  Needless to say there was more food than the brunch on Sun.  What a way to end the day.  TOP

Tuesday (October 2nd) - today we went to Chloride.  It is advertised as, a classic old west ghost town.  We drove 30 miles to get there and passed only two vehicles.  Its in the middle of nowhere.  Chloride got its start by accident when Harry Pyle discovered silver.  When word got out, a tent city sprang up overnight.  The population grew to 3,000 and the city flourished.  When gold was picked a our monetary standard, the price of silver dropped and the town's population fell dramatically.  At the present time there are eleven full time residents.  We had a very nice narrated tour of the town and museum, stopping in-between for a picnic lunch.  We returned home just in time for 4 o'clock, then dinner.  About 6:30 a bonfire was started with smores for our dessert.  A great end to another fun filled day.  TOP

Wednesday (October 3rd) - Wednesday, another day of touring the area.  From the highway,I-25, you wouldn't think there was much going on in S. N. M. Our hosts certainly found plenty to keep us busy.  Today we toured Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Its located in the Rio Grande Valley south of Albuquerque.  We had a bus tour with a very knowledgeable guide.  We learned the history of the water management of the refuge.  Also, saw several species of waterfowl.  Oh, and one raccoon.  For those of you who don't know, of North America's 800+ species of birds 506 of them pass thru New Mexico on their way south.  To end our day we'll have a, must go, ice cream social followed by games and a bonfire.  TOP

Thursday (October 4th) - Today we split into three groups, one went to play golf, second ladies lunch, and last but not least men to the library. Usually the library is the local Hooters but, since there is none in the area this one is called La Cocina.  Golf was great, we played a new course called Sierra del Rio. It's a PGA championship course.  Last week an LPGA shootout was held there.  For a top rated course we had very respectable scores. Bart Day was top scorer and once again Angie Thrash was the women's champion.

Also today, the traditional Lady’s Luncheon was held; better know as the Red Hat Luncheon.  The place was the Cuchillo Creek Café, in the old Hispanic town of Cuchillo.  The town, established in the 1850s was a stage stop between mining towns. The Café itself was originally established in 1948, and has been owned and operated by the same family sporadically over the years.  It is currently operated by Lydia Torres and Tony Candelaria.  Lydia was prepared for our arrival and gave us a great welcome.  There were some humorous moments when both Queen Mum (Judy), and Lydia mutually established their ‘Queenly Status’!  After Lydia and her niece served drinks, salsa and chips, Queen Judy proceeded to formally induct Deby into the Red Hats.  Deb had prepared for this by spray painting her pink hat red a couple of days ago.  Judy then read the traditional Red Hat poem and another emotionally moving story we all could relate to.  Our food was served, which Lydia explained was not Mexican but rather New Mexican style food.  The use of locally grown peppers for green and red chili makes part of the difference.  All her food is made from scratch.  We were also given the history of the Café.  Following lunch some members purchased some local hand made jewelry displayed in the café and left for the Pecan Candy Store just down the street.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Not having a true "library" available, and once we were sure the ladies were safely on their way, the guys headed off for lunch at a local Mexican - American restaurant.  Evidently, "Making a list and checking it twice" isn't good enough.  When we arrived at the restaurant, we realized Gary was among the missing.  Fortunately, the restaurant was not far away and easy to find, so he met us there.  Not long after we arrived, Glenn and Bart from golf fame joined us.  We enjoyed a great lunch, followed by us all watching the expression on Buddy's face when his ordered Sopapilla arrived.  He can't say we didn't warn him!!  Great time with even greater friends!  TOP

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