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Gold Country Travelers e-Newsletter September 2009 Published
Quarterly by the Gold Country
Travelers RV Club |
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Click Here for a Printer
Friendly Version (click on
title to jump to it) ******** Recent Outing Stories ******* Upcoming Outings |
President’s Message
Well gang, I am going to
talk mainly to 5th wheel members which most of our club members
have. Anyway, I had our 5th wheel trailer locked
(with a pad lock) into the 5th wheel hitch, hooked in.
I have always done this and I certainly will always to it from now
on. As Marsha and I turned onto Highway 1 at Tomales, the hitch
failed. Yes, our Reese “16K” hitch failed and our 5th wheel
ripped of the truck tailgate and parked itself on Highway 1. Thanks to Chuck and Arlys, who were following us, for directing traffic on Highway 1 and thanks to the Tomales Fire Department that came and took over. Between Chuck and Arlys and the firemen, we were able to get the trailer hitched again and creep down to Dillon’s Beach at 15 mph. So why am I telling all our tale of terror? Make sure your trailer or 5th wheel is properly hitched and locked onto your tow vehicle. Failures can still happen, but you don’t want the damages that we incurred or the scare that we had. Fortunately no one was hurt and no one else was involved. Dave |
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December 5 ********* Tech Tips ********* Jan 20-27, Yuma, Az. Rogers, Wagon Masters Mar 25-29, Bodega Bay |
July Outing at Olema RV ParkScott & Christy Nyland, Wagon Masters Nine rigs found themselves within Cedar Circle at Olema RV
Resort from July 13th through July 16 th. Several guests attended
including Pam Lee (Richard and Virginia's daughter), Randy and Maggie
Fernandez (Joan and Ed's son and
daughter-in-law) and Jeanie and Bud (Murl's sister and brother-in-law) Jeanie
and Bud have a new family member named Campy short for Happy
Camper. He's a Chihuahua that reminded us of Poppy, one of the main
characters in the movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua. We had wonderful
weather for camping......mild days with chilly evenings for the
campfire. Our days were spent visiting and exploring The Pt. Reyes
area. Several people went out to view the Tule Elk and Pierce Ranch (It is
the oldest dairy at |
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November ****** Club Officers President –
David Lee |
August Campout and 11th Annual Spaghetti Feed
We hope everyone enjoyed
the Dave and Marsha Lee August campout. Even though we had an
unusual start, we had a good time. As Chuck and Arlys and Marsha and I
headed towards Dillon’s Beach, our 5th wheel trailer hitch failed
and our trailer parked “itself” on Highway 1. We didn’t want to camp on
Highway 1, so we re-hitched the 5th wheel (with the Roger’s and
Tomales Fire Department help) and limped down to Dillon’s Beach. After we reached Dillon’s Beach, the weekend improved
dramatically. Six members had arrived by Thursday and we all had a good
time enjoying the ocean and good weather. On Friday, 3 more rigs
showed up. We took the traditional “big” walk (if you haven’t taken the
walk, you probably don’t know what I am talking about) and had the beer and treats
at the store. Saturday was very relaxing even though the “World” bocce ball championship took place. Saturday night we had our traditional spaghetti feed and yes, it was world class. We also sang “Happy Birthday” to Scott Nyland and Christie brought lemon meringue pie in his honor. Sunday we had our
breakfast meeting. Later in the day, the tow truck arrived and towed
our 5th wheel home. Most of us had to go back home, so we
packed up and said our good byes. It was a great campout and we plan on continuing the August tradition. |
Pt Reyes. It was started in 1857
and was active until 1966. Its butter was served in San Francisco in the
1850's. All of its buildings have been well preserved
and have informational plaques with them. It truly was it's own
small town in its heyday. Other explorers came back with tales about the
earthquake walk, the lighthouse, Drakes Beach, Bovine Bakery and shops
in Pt. Reyes Station. We even had "bikers" with us this time. Ed,
Randy and Maggie Fernandez explored the countryside on their mountain
bikes. Maggie's bike was brand new so it got dirty for the first
time. Our evenings found us playing 31 and enjoying a campfire every
night. One evening, 31 was so quickly played there was time for an entire
campfire after the game. Our big winners were Bob Kuhlman, Yvonne
Collins, and Christy Nyland. Tuesday night we had dinner at The
Stationhouse Cafe in Pt. Reyes Station.
Friday night we had a clam chowder feed
where each rig’s clam chowder was combined in the community pot and the
results were outstanding. After dinner we had blackberry pie in honor
of Dave’s birthday and a great time around the fire. Upcoming Outings
September 24-27, Cisco Grove, Coopers and Watkins Wagon Masters
This is a new place for our group, located in the high Sierras.
We have reserved 15 sites with Water, Electric and Sewer, at $32.00 per night.
CISCO GROVE CAMPGROUND
& RV PARK, I-80 @ Cisco Grove
Exit (Exit 165).
For reservations please contact Larry Cooper.
Phone numbers are 707-428-0508 or C 707-688-8266
Email – architectlc@sbcglobal.net
October 10-12
Aaron
& Carmen Harris invite you to join us in a weekend of camping at
Diaz Lake
Campground, Hwy 395, 3 miles South of Lone Pine, Ca
Dry
camping, no hookups, $10.00 per day per rig.
The
main event for this trip is the Lone Pine Cowboy Film Festival
For
Reservations and Questions, contact: Aaron & Carmen Harris, Wagon Masters
email: honeytree@juno.com or call (916) 543-0752.
November 12-15
Come camp with us “on the river” at JGW RV Park , 6612 Riverland Dr., Redding, CA 96002
Phone: (530) 365-7965, (800) 469-5910.
Full hookups, Cable TV, WiFi, Contact
Howard or Judy Hitt, Wagon Masters.
On Saturday Night we will be dining at
Peter Chews Chinese Restaurant
For reservations contact:
email: howardhitt@wavecable.com, jhitt@wavecable.com or call (916) 315-8844
December 5
Annual Christmas Party at Logan’s
Road House, Sacramento
Appetizers at 5:00, start
ordering dinner between 5:45 and 6:00.
Order off the menu, separate checks.
Contact Cindy Gore for more
info. (916) 929 3810
Meeting Minutes
Gold Country Travelers, Woodson Bridge Outing Minutes
April 25, 2009
Wagon Masters Greg and Jennifer Leard opened the meeting at 9:10am. A round of applause for a great outing was given to Greg and Jennifer and for the nice weather we enjoyed. The wine tour at the New Clairvaux Winery and Monastery was a success and would be on the list of things to do the next time the group stayed at Woodson Bridge.
Jim and Judy McGrew reported that the May 14 to 17 outing at Rio Viento was set to go and that a final count of people going was needed by April 25th.
Jack and Betty Isola said that the itinerary was not yet set for their outing at Blue Lakes but would be out shortly.
Meeting closed at 9:24am.
Bryce W. Smith, Secretary
May 2009, Gold Country Travelers
Rio Viento Outing
No
Official minutes taken, no officers present.
June 2009
Gold Country Travelers, Pine Acres Campground, Meeting Minutes
Officers Present:
David Lee, President
Chuck Rogers, Vice President
Bryce Smith, Secretary
Meeting Opened by President, David Lee at 8:55 on June 21, 2009.
David thanked Betty and Jack Isola for having a great outing at Blue Lakes and a round of applause was given. David also recognized that this outing would be the last one hosted by Jack and Betty and thanked them for their past service to the club.
Scott and Christy Nyland reported on their outing at Olema in July. They have nine rigs going and would like to have one more to get the price break.
David and Marsha Lee will host the August 20 – 23 outing at Dillon Beach. Need a final count by the end of July. David said that the environmentalists are giving the owners of Dillon Beach trouble and he does not know how much longer there will be a camp ground at the Beach.
John and Shirley Watkins and Larry and Roberta Cooper will host the outing at Cisco Grove and need people to sign up early.
Chuck Rogers gave a report on the Yuma Outing in January 2010. There are 9 confirmed rigs going at this time.
President Lee reported on the status of SunnyTravelers International. He stated that several of the National chapters have disbanded or are no longer affiliated with National for a number of reasons. David also said that GCT was one of the strongest clubs and that we are an independent chapter affiliated with SunnyTravelers International.
Secretary Bryce Smith reported that the Chapter by-laws are being updated due to changes voted upon by membership at the meetings of August 2007 and February 2009. Bylaw changes will be distributed to the Board of Directors for markup and should be ready for membership vote on at the outing in August.
John Saylor said that he needs newsletter material by June 30th.
Meeting closed at 9:15am.
Bryce W. Smith, Secretary
TECH TIPS
Blow-out on I-5
We recently took a trip with our grand daughter to Monterey. On the way home on I-5 a few miles North of Santa Nella, the left rear trailer tire blew. I looked back in the mirror just in time to see it blow bits of rubber, smoke and the Sunnybrook fender flying out from the trailer! The tires were Goodyear Marathon Load range D and were 5 years old. We cautiously put on the spare as trucks and cars raced by. At home, after I got the tire replaced by Americas Tire and was putting the spare back on the rear rack, Darren and I noticed a flat spot on it. It was already separating inside and ready to blow anytime! Americas also replaced this one. If we had been on a longer trip, we may have been stuck on the road with two flats! I filed a damage claim with Goodyear to replace the fender skirt and two hubcaps. I got an estimate from Pan Pacific, French Camp. Goodyear sent me a check for the full amount including labor. I installed the new fender skirt myself. I replaced the two Marathons with Greenball Trailmasters, load range E. So, if your trailer tires are over four years old watch them carefully and replace them soon and I do not recommend Goodyear Marathons, I have had several bubbles and two blowouts and one almost. Also the 15” Marathons are not available in the heavier load range E. The Americas Tire manager speaks highly of the Trailmasters, so I will have to see how they hold up. John
Water Heater Drip
While
camping at Dillon Beach last month, I discovered that my water heater had a
small drip leak at the drain plug, The plug was covered with minerals. When we
got home, I drained and flushed the heater tank. I read the instructions in the
water heater manual which recommends flushing once or twice a year to get the
minerals out. I put it back together but now I had a severe leak at the drain
plug. I re-read the manual and determined that I had followed the instructions
properly - which I had.
I
called Atwood and spoke to tech support. I explained what I had done and told
the man I now had a severe leak. His first question was "Did you put
plumbers dope on the drain plug?" I told him no and that I had followed
the manual. He replied that he did not know if the info on plumbers dope aka
plumbers putty, pipe thread compound etc was in the manual or not, but it
needed to be used. I got the plumbers dope and the plug seals up fine.
There is no mention of this need in the manual for the water heater. I guess we
are supposed to read their minds as I am not a plumber. Hope this helps someone
else. Chuck
5th Wheel Hitch Pull Test
The "Pull Test" is really
simple and takes a couple of minutes to do. Do it EVERY time you hitch up the
trailer no matter how far you plan to pull it. This will give you peace of mind
that you did it right but may not help if something breaks of fails.
1.Hitch the trailer as usual, latch and lock the hitch shut.
2. Raise the front jacks till they just barely clear the ground.
3. Verify the wheel chocks are in place.
4. Depress and hold the manual trailer brake button
on the brake controller.
5. Put the truck in Drive or first 1st gear and SLOWLY pull forward.
6. You should immediately feel the engine lug down as the wheel chocks and
trailer brakes stop the trailer. The hitch should stay locked up to your truck.
7. Raise the front jacks to their normal stored position and store the wheel
chocks.
8. Wave good-by and hit the road.
(copied from myrvtalk.com RV owners
forum)
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to: Happy Anniversary to:
Betty Isola July 7 David
& Marsha Lee July
7
Kathy Stohlman July 13 Kay & Eula
Erwin Aug 2
Virginia Lee July 22 John &
Shirley Watkins Aug 26
Judy McGrew Aug 4 Richard 7
Virginia Lee Sept 10
Howard Hitt Aug 8 Howard &
Kathy Stohlman Sept 13
Maryan Billips Aug 11 Bob &
Jo-Ann Kuhlman Sept 26
Jim McGrew Aug 19 Scott &
Christy Nyland Sept 26
Scott Nyland Aug 22
David Lee Aug 25
Karen Puthuff Sept 17
Cindy Gore Sept 26
Newsletter Printing
If you desire to print out a hard copy of
this newsletter, use the printer friendly link at top of the left column above.
This will bring up a copy that does not have the color backgrounds, saving your
print cartridge. Past newsletters are achieved on the “NEWS” tab on the club
website.
Newsletter Deadlines – For this year I plan on
starting the newsletter during the second week of the 3rd month of
each quarter. So for the first quarter please have all articles for publication
to me by March 6, the 2nd quarter by June 8, third quarter by
September 7 and 4th quarter by December 7.
Wagon Masters -
Please send the stories of your campout soon after its over to John Saylor for
this newsletter and also to Bessie Smith for inclusion in the National Magazine.