Text Box: SMITH FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER  2007

Text Box: Well, we left Eugene, OR on 9/7 and had 10 days to get to Elephant Butte, NM.  We made five stops on the way, managing to get in some sight seeing.  These included Bakersfield, CA, Kingman, AZ,  and Meteor Crater, AZ located off of I 40,  (picture below).  For Bob, the ‘must see’ in Bakersfield was the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace.  This is a Theatre, Restaurant, and Country/Western Museum, commemorating the Country Western Legend, Buck Owens.  We enjoyed some entertainment over a Sunday Brunch, (picture below).  We also stopped on the famous Route 66 town of Kingman, AZ which included a side trip to the Ghost Town of Oatman, seen above. 

Text Box: FOUR STATES & 1,745 MILES LATER!  

Text Box: In this picture, Bob took my picture attempting to befriend a mother burro and her baby in the Ghost Town of Oatman, AZ

Text Box: Although the ride was a bit hectic, we were glad to be able to spend the extra time with Henry & Ann in Oregon.  We got to see what we wanted along the route to Elephant Butte.  Of particular interest was  the ghost town of Oatman.  First of all it gave us the opportunity to drive the historic route 66 to get there.  We drove the 25 miles from Kingman, AZ, which was very scenic.  The road was hilly, narrow, and curvy.  Before we arrived in town, we came around a sharp corner to find two wild burros in the middle of the road.  These guys are decedents of burros who were owned by the miners in the early 1900’s.  When we arrived in town there were burros all over the place and they definitely had the right of way.  Needless to say this town was quite a tourist attraction with staged ‘gun fights’, shops,  and local saloons.  After leaving Oatman, we continued on to Laughlin, NV, another 30 miles, before heading back to Kingman.  We stopped for a bite to eat in Laughlin before heading back to Kingman, AZ.  Before we knew it we were pulling into Lakeside RV Resort in Elephant Butte.  As we pulled in, Jim , the Manager walked up to the coach with a smile on his face and said, “Sorry folks we have no room for you as we are expecting a rally to come in here and we are full!” 

Text Box: Fall 400 HRRVC Rally

Text Box: Rally Happenings!  

Text Box: Most nights, John Duhe took on the job of starting a camp fire for everyone to enjoy.  It became a nightly social event, with the almost perfect weather.

Text Box: The El Camino Real International Heritage Center, built in 1990, commemorates  the oldest trail in the US.

Text Box: Lydia, owner of Cuchillo Creek Café is being inducted into the HRRVC 400 Chapter of the Red Hat Society.  Thanks Lydia for a great lunch and fun time at your café in Cuchillo, New Mexico!

Text Box: More than one good time was had at Riverbend Hot Springs in T or C.  Located on a hill overlooking the Rio Grand River, we enjoyed the baths during one 4 o’clock and again in the dark of evening while watching the moon rise over the distant hills.

Text Box: A highlight for this month was working with Bart & Deby as co-hosts for the HRRVC 400 Rally.  We spent almost 2 weeks together preparing for the rally which began 09/29.  We had a great time working together.  Members started pulling in early which made it even more fun, especially with two early birthdays, one for Debbie and one for Pete.  Below are some rally pictures…..just warming up!  It was one big party from this point on through the Albuquerque Balloon Festival.

Text Box: Crystal Palace

Text Box: Meteor Crater