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Sierra Nevada Unit

SNU Rallies at Crocker Campground

July 2010 Rally Review

6 SNU, 1 guests - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

The July rally at Crocker Campground will definitely be one to add to the SNU memory books! This was a new location for the SNU and it seems the general opinion is that it should definitely be included in the list of favorite rally sites. Crocker is an older U.S. Forest Service campground with somewhat hap-hazard camping spaces in a nice grove of pine trees. Level sites were not a priority when planning this campground although may of the sites have definitely been “leveled” by previous campers. The trees provided an opportunity for those of us who are maybe getting a little jaded by our leveling experiences at Unionville to practice an additional skill – that of maneuvering around and through trees to get into our chosen parking site. Everyone passed with flying colors! Not a dent, scratch, or even close call on any Airstream.

There were seven Airstreams at the rally. Participants included Jerry & Dyann, Randy, Gary, Wes. & Roy, Bryan & Diane, Gene & Carmen, and Rich and Barbara Osborn. Gary's wife, Anita and Randy's wife, Vicki didn't make the rally. We missed them both and know they would have really enjoyed this new rally site. Jerry and Dyann brought their grandkids, Sydney and Cole. Gene and Carmen had six kids and grandkids with them! Two of them had just arrived from the Philippines the Monday before the rally. This is the first time the SNU has had eight kids from ages 7 to 18 at one rally. We were delighted to have Rich and Barbara join us. They have a 1976 20ft Argosy motorhome and live in Truckee. Rich had come across a PSA for an SNU rally back in 2004 but we didn't manage to make a connection. Needless to say we hope we will see more of Rich and Barbara in the future. In addition to our rally participants, Sunday Tim Shepard from Reno stopped by. He was camping with his Airstream down at Davis Lake. Turns out Tim also had previous contact with the SNU. A year ago he called and talked to Bryan about some problems he was having with his Airstream. We hope that in the near future Tim and his wife Theresa will attend an SNU rally.

Rally activities included lots of sitting and enjoying the views out over the meadow, shared dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings, and just hunkering down for a nap or quiet time during the middle of the day. The trees and elevation kept the temps from getting too hot but it was hot enough to make less activity during the day desirable. The mornings and evenings were wonderful. Cool enough for walks and for doing some exploring. The almost full moon was an absolutely gorgeous site rising across the meadow. Several people took rides over to check out Davis lake and other nearby sites. Friday afternoon things got a little interesting. It began to get cloudy and we started hearing thunder around us. We had our shared evening meal though without incident. Soon after a gust of wind came up and the next thing we knew the meadow was full of smoke. Needless to say, that put us on alert. We started considering evacuation options and other such things. Shortly though it started to rain, The more it rained, the better we felt. We even got some hail but nothing big enough to cause any harm to an Airstream. We found out later the fire was near Doyle, CA.

Saturday afternoon looked like a repeat so we set up the food tables under Jerry and Dyann's awning and after we got our food we sat under Bryan and Diane's awning. The rain, once again held off till after dinner. We've had several rallies with snow storms, we've had a few rain sprinkles during the night but this is the first time we have had an honest to goodness thunderstorm during a rally. Driving home on Sunday you could see smoke on the North side of Hwy 70 and even see flames from one of the forest fires. We didn't have much SNU business to discuss but we did have some conversations about the 2011 rallies. It looks like that schedule is pretty well set. We also discussed plans for the special rally and dinner cruise at South Lake Tahoe in September of 2011. Randy and Vicki are spearheading that effort and plans are coming along. We do need to begin looking for officers for the SNU board for 2011. So far, Dyann Thornburg has agreed to run for President. If anyone else is interested in serving on the board, please let us know. All in all it was a very enjoyable weekend with great friends in a beautiful location.

2010 Crocker Rally Participants

June 2012 Rally Review

9 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

What a weekend! Despite one member with a sore foot, one with a bum knee and others dealing with various other ailments, we had nine rigs at our rally at Crocker. Everyone seems to think an SNU rally is the best therapy for whatever ails you. Getting nine rigs parked in among the pine trees and around some boulders helped us hone our parking and leveling skills. Rally participants included Jerry & Dyann, Wheels & Doris, Roger & Janet, Gary & Anita, Bryan & Diane, Randy & Vicki, Frank & Carol, Baxter & Marlene and new members Shelly & Dean. Shelly and Dean brought their granddaughter, Jessielynn, who at nine months is the youngest rally participant the SNU has had. We haven't seen Frank and Carol in a while so it was great being able to catch up on what they have been doing. The SNU gained another new member at this rally. Steve Erickson and his wife Jan. Steve came up for a visit Friday. He has a 1983 Airstream Motorhome which is currently having some work done. He and Jerry had a good time swapping MoHo stories. Hopefully we'll see Steve & Jan soon with their Airstream. Baxter and Marlene have been busy promoting the SNU. They have discovered several Airstreams in their neighborhood and have been leaving SNU information with them.

As for the Crocker rally, other than the wind and somewhat cool temps, it was a great rally. Randy and Vicki unveiled their latest creative effort. As with the diorama they created in 2006, this art piece is a work in progress. Sunday, Randy, Dean and Diane had a very productive brainstorming session about it which I'm sure means that the next time this art piece shows up at a rally there will be modifications. Frank and Bryan set up their ham radio stations as this weekend was Field Day. Although conditions weren't ideal, both made several contacts. Wheels was having trouble with his hot water heater. Saturday he and Jerry got to work on it and got it working like it should. The Swaffer's and Grossmann's took a nice walk Saturday to the top of the ridge about 2 miles from the rally site. They enjoyed some great view of the surrounding area. Gary and Anita initiated their new flagpole and flew the SNU, U.S., and Nevada flags. We had shared meals on Friday and Saturday and as usual, had quite a variety and no shortage of food. Friday before dinner Dyann asked for a moment of silence in memory of Wes Warn. Sunday we had what old timer Airstreamers call a “mustgo” breakfast. Marlene had some leftover ham and Diane had eggs so we scrambled them all up with some other ingredients for a tasty breakfast. Dyann, Doris, and Vicki contributed some breakfast breads, Shelly brought some bacon and biscuits. A good way to start the day and everyone started home with a full stomach. Baxter and Marlene headed off to Grayeagle to meet up with their hiking group. As it turns out, Frank and Carol were heading for the same RV park to meet some Airstream friends. This rally proves once again that no matter what the conditions, the SNU family has a great time. We just enjoy being together sharing another great adventure and creating more great memories.

2012 Crocker Rally Participants

October 2013 Rally Review

4 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Diane Leipper

We couldn't have had a nicer weekend for the SNU October rally at Crocker. It was cool in the mornings but the afternoons were sunny, warm and clear. Best of all, there was almost no wind. We had plenty of firewood to keep a fire going most of the weekend. Saturday night we had a few showers. It's always nice to hear raindrops on the roof of the Airstream. Sunday morning the showers had quit and we enjoyed one last campfire with our coffee before heading home. The weekend was perfect for walks near the campground and for sitting around a campfire enjoying the peace and quiet. Gene updated us on the work he and Carmen have been doing on their place near Spring Creek. Jerry talked about the work he has done on their motorhome. It should probably be ready for rallies by next spring. Gary talked about the potential trip he and Anita are thinking about in January 2014. We had our usual coffee and goodies in the morning and shared meals on Friday and Saturday. Rally participants included Gary & Anita, Jerry & Dyann, Gene, and Bryan & Diane. Gene's wife, Carmen is visiting her Mother so Gene was on his own. Although we didn't have a quorum, it seems the slate of SNU officers for 2014 met with no objections. We had a little discussion on the SNU Rallies planned for 2014. Everyone is looking forward to another great year of camping with our Airstreams. Crocker was a great way to wrap up the 2013 rally year. Don't forget though, Don and Gail will be hosting an SNU rally in Death Valley in November.

2013 Rally Participants

September 2014 Rally Review

5 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Wheels Wheeler

Dark clouds appeared in the area of the Crocker Campground as we approached. As we got closer it began to sprinkle. We had proceeded to the dirt section and I slowed down. I noticed a couple of pick-ups behind me that didn’t seem to want to travel at 15 miles an hour. I pulled over at a wide spot in the road to let them pass. One of them told me I had a flat on the trailer – street side rear. We were about a half mile from the Crocker turn-off and the tire was still intact and on the rim but not inflated. I decide to proceed at a very low speed to the Campground turn-off. At the campground turn-off there was a level drive out of the way of the campground traffic, it was perfect. I had changed wheels at home on a concrete slab so I knew what was involved. This was no different except for the light drizzle and dirt. I took my time and had the spare on and ready to go in about 45 minutes. It was especially nice to be on flat road away from traffic so I could maneuver without fear of being hit by passing traffic. After parking I borrowed Jerry’s tire pump and gauge to pump my spare tire, now in the left rear position on the trailer, to the designated 65 PSI. Crocker is always a challenge to our leveling skills but the effort is worth it. Crocker is such a beautiful spot among the tall pines. There is carpet of pine needles everywhere. The wind often whistles in the tree tops and makes the trees sway.

Diane Leipper

This rally turned out to be our virtual Oregon Coast rally. For the first time in over 10 years, it was rainy when we arrived and rainy when we left. The whole weekend was off and on drizzle and rain and gray skies. Despite the uncooperative weather, we had five rigs at the rally. This included Jerry & Dyann, Wheels & Doris, Gene & Carmen, Bryan & Diane, and Gary & Anita. Wheels & Doris had a rather interesting trip to the rally but they did make it in one piece. Jerry & Dyann had their new pup, Whistler with them. It was his first Airstream rally. He is a really cute 13 week old McNab border collie. The wet weather gave Gary an opportunity to test the seals on his newly replaced skylight. No leaks was a good sign. Gary & Anita also displayed their newly acquired flamingos. Great additions to the SNU flock. We were able to have our Friday dinner outside.The weather cleared a little and was almost sunny. No wind and mild temps also helped. As usual we had a great variety of good food and of course, great company. Saturday, we ended up having dinner in Jerry & Dyann's Airstream. Saturday evening we had a surprise visit from Shelly, her sister and Jessilynn. They were on their way home from Truckee. The axle is still off Shelly and Dean's Airstream or they would have come for the weekend. It was great to see them. Jessilynn is now 3 yrs old and she has grown quite a bit since we saw her last year at Green Creek. Sunday we were able to have our morning coffee outside but had to sit under the awning of Jerry & Dyann's Airstream to keep dry. We watched the rain and then when it eased off we packed up and headed home. It was an enjoyable weekend in a great location, even if it was a little damp.

2014 Rally Participants

May 2016 Rally Review

3 SNU - Total Rally Participation

We survived the May 2016 Rally Challenge! The first challenge was very gusty winds on the way to the rally site. Then, unbeknownst to us, there was major road work in progress on the road from Beckworth to Crocker. We followed a pilot car over and around various obstacles for several miles. Then there was the known challenge of finding a reasonably level spot to park. Then there was the weather. We had everything from a beautiful sunny afternoon on Thursday to rain, snow, hail and very cool temps. We all survived and the rewards were worth it. Good company, good food, and good morning campfires on Saturday and Sunday all in a beautiful spot. When the road work is finished it will make access to Crocker much easier. The road now goes right through the front yard of a ranch. A new bypass will go through pasture area. The road will be widened and it looks like it will be paved all the way up. Another reward for this rally was the wildflowers. All the way to Crocker the fields were full of lupine and other flowers. Rally activities included shared meals and indoor activities. The rain and snow showers provided a lot of opportunities for catching up on visiting, reading, watching TV or movies, or just listening to the beautiful sound of rain on aluminum. Between showers we could get out and enjoy the campground. As always seems to happen, Sunday was the best day weatherwise. We made the most of it with one last campfire and coffee and enjoying the views of the valley below the campground. Once again, we were thankful we came despite the forecasts for less than perfect weather.

2016 Crocker Rally Participants

May 2018 Rally Review

4 SNU - Total Rally Participation

Crocker Rally, Plumas National Forest - The May Crocker Rally was great! SNU members who attended the rally were: Gene and Carmen Baleme, Gary Haskett, Bryan and Diane Leipper, and Jerry and Dyann Thornburg. We had the entire campground to ourselves, which made it a quite and relaxing weekend.

The Thornburg’s motorhome, “The Albatross” had to have a new alternator and battery installed, delaying our arrival until Friday so the KFC dinner was postponed until Friday; it was held in the Albatross due to rain showers. Saturday we had our usual shared potluck outside. Bryan got fantastic pictures of the fog Friday morning that was in the campground.

The weather was beautiful on Saturday and Sunday; it allowed us to have a campfire for most of the day. There were a few sprinkles now and then but not enough to stop us from enjoying this group of long time SNU members. On Sunday as we were leaving, we saw a herd of antelope grazing in one of the meadows along side the road.

The weather forecast for the weekend didn’t look promising but that didn’t stop four SNU members from heading to Crocker Campground near Beckworth. Those four were Gary, Gene & Carmen, Bryan & Diane and Jerry & Dyann. As it turned out, there were a few showers Thursday evening, a very foggy morning on Friday, and a few scattered showers the rest of the weekend. Overall though we couldn’t have asked for better rally weather. Saturday and Sunday mornings were sunny with almost no wind. Perfect for a morning campfire and coffee. It seems we were the first campers to use Crocker this year. There were no recent tire tracks and no other indications anyone had been at the campground. We had the place all to ourselves.

Due to alternator problems, Jerry and Dyann didn’t make it on Thursday. They arrived Friday tired but all in one piece. Other than that, the only mechanical issue at the rally was that Gary had to do some tweaking on his generator. Between him, Gene and Jerry it was soon running smoothly and consistently. Bryan & Diane were enjoying their new hot water heater which with a little help from friends like Jerry and Gary had gotten installed prior to the rally. Best part of the water heater is the new inside switch. No more having to go outside to light the pilot. Gene’s rig didn’t seem to need any attention this rally.

Most of the rally was spent visiting, enjoy the beautiful scenery and peace and quiet of Crocker. We had our morning campfires and shared dinners. Saturday we had an impromptu lunch with hot dogs cooked over the campfire. We also introduced a few new flamingos to the SNU collection. Both Dyann and Diane had new flamingos to add to the yard art. Dyann had found some neat flamingo towels in Walmart and got a set for her and for Diane.

Sunday was another bright and sunny morning. We enjoyed one last campfire before heading home, a trip that was quite different from previous years. Two years ago, the road which was only partly paved had been completely paved all the way past the turnoff to the campground. The road used to go right through the front yard of a ranch. Now it goes around the ranch. What a difference that paved section of the road going up the hill makes.

2018 Crocker Rally Participants

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