Thursday (Dec 23rd) -  Today, we took a trip out to Gamons Gulch, owned and built by Jay Gamon.  Jay has been working on this town for 35 years.  It has appeared in over 40 movies during that time.  Jay has been involved in the movie industry since he was a small child, appearing in Rio Bravo with John Wayne as the little drummer boy walking down the street.  His father worked security for John Wayne as well as other stars.  His father was also Chief of Police of Tombstone at one time. He had a lot of neat stories to tell as he guided us around his little town. We came back from there, had our 4 o’clock and then went to the Barn here at the park for hot dogs and the ladies stayed for Bingo. I know, rough life , but some one has to do it. TOP

Friday (Dec 24th) -  Today was a busy day.  We decided to participate in the "decorate your golf cart for Christmas Parade". After finally getting the wiring straight to operate the Christmas lights, we found out that the little inverter Walt had was not big enough to power the lights.  Oh well.  Walt & Judy, as Mr. & Mrs. Claus, was lead by a sleigh of 8 reindeer.  We went around the park followed by a wagon towed by a truck.  The wagon was filled with carolers, including some of our own.  After the caroling, we visited the Barn and shared hot chocolate with other members of the park.  Then it was back to the Crow's Nest for food.  Walt read "The Night Before Christmas", as well as the "Birth of Jesus" from the Bible, prior to the gift exchange . We did a Yankee Swap that resulted in a lot of laughs.  A little more food and some Christmas music and it was time to call it a night.  TOP

Saturday (Dec 25th) -  The morning actually started with Judy & I going over to Arizona Legends RV Resort to see Fran & Richard Chasse.  They had their whole family there.  This included 8 grandchildren.  I played Santa Claus for them.  It was a really nice beginning for Christmas Day.  Cochise Terrace RV Park hosted a potluck dinner on Christmas Day.  They supplied the turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy.  We all supplied the rest. There was way too much to eat: corn chile cassarole, sweet potatoes, salads, more stuffing, swedish meatballs and every kind of dessert imaginable.  Way too much to eat.  TOP

Sunday (Dec 26th) -  December 26th was a free day.  Many of us, including yours truly stayed at the park and worked on whatever.  A group of us decided to see some additional sites in the surrounding area.  They left at 9 and drove to Patagonia, Tubac and Tumacacori.  It was an all day trip.  They got back in time for the 4 o'clock.  TOP

Monday (Dec 27th) -  The day started out quite overcast.  At 9 am 6 couples, including us left for Tombstone.  The remainder chose to stay warm in bed till a later start time.  We all did finally meet in Tombstone, THE TOWN TO TOUGH TO DIE.  We had a really nice lunch at Big Nose Kate's Saloon.  Big Nose Kate was the on again off again girlfriend of Doc Holliday.  Many of us took in a semi factual reenactment of the Gunfight at the OK Corral, which actually did not take place at the OK Corral. BUT Hollywood decided that it was a better title to use then "Gunfight at Fly's Ally", the actual site of the famous gunfight.  You may not know it but Tombstone, in it's heyday was the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco.  Some of our group decided to take a tour of the mine in Tombstone.  It's a silver mine and the actual reason for the town of Tombstone.  After shopping, and more shopping it was time to head "home" and of course by that time the skies had finally started to clear. Tomorrow the 28th is another free day.  TOP

Tuesday (Dec 28th) -  Today was a free day.  Most of us spent it putting away Christmas decorations, cleaning up, cutting hair and other sundry things.  Bob Bragg and Walt Kaiser took the box of food over to the Benson Food Bank.  We found out that it totaled 40 pounds as well as $125 in donations.  Later that afternoon, Bob got a call from the Director of the food bank wanting to know who the Holiday Ramblers are and that his organization was very grateful for what we had contributed. He stated that they had never received donations like that before.  So we received another Christmas present, the feeling of knowing that we were helping our fellow man.  This evening we said hello to Jim & Marge Eckles as they arrived and good bye to Karen & Ray Nellis as they will leaving in the morning.  We all went to dinner at Palatianos Restaurant in Benson.  What a great meal!  We also said hello and thank you to a lone World War II Veteran who was dining there with his family.  It is sad to think that we are losing these folks at an alarming rate.  They are truly America's best.  TOP

Wednesday (Dec 29th) -  We were on the road at 8:45 to drive to Willcox and the alpaca ranch.  Linda & Peter Snook and their daughter own and run the Lightheart Alpaca Ranch.  They own 111 of their own and board several more. Alpacas are really curious animals.  They will walk right up to you and sort of sniff you like a dog.  Linda & Peter raise them for their fleece, which is used in clothing that really retain your body heat.  After the alpaca ranch, we all went in to Willcox and had lunch at the railroad car restaurant near the Rex Allen museum.  GREAT BBQ.  After lunch, we went to the Rex Allen Museum. Rex was the last of the 'singing cowboys" on the silver screen along with his horse KoKo.  When the singing cowboys faced their demise, he became "Frontier Doctor" on TV.  He also narrated over 100 nature films for Disney.  By the time we were done at the museum it was time to head back to the park.  Last evening a weather front moved in.  We had high winds and a small amount of rain.  As I write this, 12-30 at 10:15, we are having a heavy snow storm here.  The trip to the Queen Mine in Bisbee for today, the 30th, has been cancelled due to weather.  TOP
 

Friday (Dec 31st) -  What a day. It started last night with more wind and snow.  This morning at 7 it was 25 here in Benson.  At 9:15 we all left for the Kartchner Cave Tour.  It was an awesome tour.  The cave was 72 degrees inside and 99% humidity.  The Big Room is certainly a place to visit.  The only problem is that they do not allow cameras in the cave, hence no pictures.  We did not have a 4 o'clock today because we had dinner of finger foods starting at 5.  Many of the group played card games.  At 10 pm here in Benson we counted down the ball and bid farewell to 2010. HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE.  TOP

Saturday (Jan 1st) -  Today was the last day of the 2010 Christmas Rally in Benson.  It was spent by cleaning and putting things away, getting ready for tomorrows pull outs.  At 2 pm we gathered at the Apple Farm for a great meal.  While at the Apple Farm we called Shirley and Buddy Barbe.  Glad to hear that you are doing better Shirley.  After that we all gathered one last time in the Crow's Nest at the park for 1 last 4'o'clock.  We celebrated Marge Eckles birthday with cake and mimosa's Kay Lee read a quite humorous letter that she had received from a close friend regarding Kaye and Ed's 50th anniversary.  Vice President Renae Butler presented Dot and Bragg and Judy and Walt with certificates of appreciation. President Bob Bragg then declared the rally closed.  It was a nice rally even with all the harsh weather here in the southwest.  See you in Kerrville.  TOP