CWALLS64@AOL.COM

May 24, 2003

Dear NCVC Members & Friends

Friday morning arrive, as it always does. But this time the weather was beautiful, the weather man said it was going to be in the low 80’s , sounded good to me. After all the rain and cold un predictable weather we have had this spring, I for one am ready for some warm sunshine.

I left Fresno at 11:30 am and arrived at the camp grounds  at 1:00pm, Don & Doris was there and all set up, But of course they got there on Thursday evening, so they should have been, right. So Cal  had one member already there, Archie. Sorry I can’t remember his last name. He had come in on Thursday also and the camp grounds host got all mixed up and put him in a site all by himself, for $16.00 per day. But as it turned out this became a blessing in disguise, our newest member, Bob Lee came in in his pick up with his travel trailer, the camp host sent him way out in the boonies, but he talked Archie into letting him share his site with him, that put both of them just across the street form us, worked out perfect.

I  had rented a motel room in Porterville, since I had just had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder, I couldn’t camp out, plus I had a small infection and I need to be close to fresh hot water, I figured if anyone wanted to take a shower, they could come over and use mine. But as it turned out they had one shower in each bath room there at the park.

Around 2:00pm some of the So Cal people came in, some to camp and some to stay in a motel, Mike & Shirley Wong set up their camp site, I was beginning to think he would never reach the end of all the stuff he had brought to camp with. It looked like he was going on an African Safari or something like that. I will say this for him, He did have a very impressive camp site.

More people came in as the day wore on and set up their sites, both from the Nor Cal & So Cal clubs. The final tally  on Saturday evening brought the number of people from both clubs to 20 club members, 12 from Nor Cal and 8 from So Cal, Than we had 6 guest, we had the privilege of having Corey & Maggie Clymer over from  Rosamond Ca, out by Edwards Air Force Base. Corey is in the Air Force and has about one year to go before he retires, (Good Man.) That makes it 26 people, Good showing.

I have a feeling I have left some of the So Cal Members out, but since I don’t have a picture of any more than what I have counted, I don’t know. I’m sure Mike will correct me when he sees this in print. We all sat around  the camp shooting the breeze on Friday evening and had a beer or two we even had a fire, compliments of Bob Lee & the CDF. I can’t say that the fire was needed, since it was nice and warm. But than a camp out isn’t complete without a camp fire, needed or not. That’s when all the tall tales come out, BIG TIME.

Saturday morning brought more sunshine, but it also brought some cloud cover, it looked like it was going to rain, even had a smell of rain in the air. But we knew it would never rain on us, after all the weather man said it was going to be pretty all weekend. Everyone got up and had their coffee & what ever they wanted to eat, some of them went down the road to a steak house that served breakfast. About 10:30 everyone was ready to go on the day’s ride up through the mountains. I won’t dwell on the ride since it was covered by Bob Joyner and since I didn’t go on it. It’s rumored that everyone had a wonderful time on the ride. They returned to camp around 2:30 - 3:00pm.

The So Cal group had a small meeting under one of the picnic table covers, I think they were working on next months schedule. After the meeting they all took off to parts unknown, I suspect they all went to dinner. While they were gone, We had our monthly meeting and straightened out a few things that were hanging around unfinished. It was decide we would drop the 50/50 blend shirts, and that the 100% pre shrunk cotton would be in. we also decided to make our uniforms for summer, May 1st to October 1st  the blue shirt and cap only, and from Oct the 1st to May 1st it will be black shirts & caps only. This was done to make sure that everyone wears the same color uniform at each function. I think we would look better if we all dressed alike rather than everyone just wearing what ever suited them for the day.

That about covers all that I can cover, I had to leave Saturday evening at 7:30, My wife called wanting to know where I was, I did tell her I would be home around 4:30. But you know it’s awfully hard to leave such good company, especially when you are having fun and your with such good friends.

I think it’s a sure thing that this event will be an annual event from now on. Everyone I talked to said they had a wonderful time and were all looking forward to coming back next year. Next year we will camp out up by Kings Canyon National Park, this way we can take those that want to go, down through the giant red woods & the sequoias, all the way back to cedar grove to the end of the road. This is a beautiful ride. I would encourage anyone that reads this to come on out and do this event with us. It will be on our 2004 schedule and will more than likely be in May again. Until next time everyone keep the rubber side down & the plastic in the air, And may the Lord bless each and every one of you.

Sincerely,

Uncle Ray Walls
President
Nor Cal Voyagers