There is no end to the ways to find new friends and enjoy new experiences as an RV’er. Long time friends from St. Helens, Ray and Peggy Derrick, invited us to join a group campout by the Verde Valley Chapter of the Escapee Club. We were somewhat hesitant about boldly driving in and asking to join without reservations. Peggy assured us that we would be welcome. We pulled in around noon and the parking staff welcomed us and guided us into a choice piece of desert real-estate. Soon we had been thoroughly welcomed, hugged and registered as the newest members of Verde Valley, Chapter 32.
What we found was a group of people with similar life styles. There are about 30 rigs camped here in a group area at McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Phoenix Arizona. Finally our complaining about cold rainy weather comes to an end. It made it to 95 every day. Are you ready for a new siege of “Wow it is sure hot!” No not yet, we are watching Albany, New York battle with 10 inches of snow. We will live with the heat, thank you.
We are finding the group to be a fun-loving and very active group. Each morning we joined a dedicated group of hikers and walked trails that ranged from 2 to 4.5 miles through the Saguaros and Palo Verde trees. Judy and I helped introduce a group to Geocaching. Even though we were not successful finding the hidden Rubbermaid container, everyone seemed to have a good time.
It is always interesting being “Newbies” in an established group. Our fears of being left out were soon put to rest. We were introduced all around and all of a sudden we have a whole bunch of new “long time friends.” The group has a nice blend of group meals and time for yourself. There are games and craft projects going on in the Ramada area almost continually. About 6:00 a.m. each morning we hear a diesel pickup start up in the camp and lo-and-behold there are fresh donuts, bagels and coffee waiting when we start looking around at seven. Hooray for the dedicated volunteers. One of the group activities was a charter boat tour of Saguaro Lake, a ten mile stretch of the Salt River, followed by lunch at the marina restaurant. Everything was perfectly planned and executed even with a group of 40. The lake lies in a rugged cliff lined canyon that opens out into marsh lands at the far end of the lake. The skipper was from the Portland Oregon area, and was a wealth of information about the lake and the geology of the area.
Every afternoon was filled with games and we were always invited to join. On Friday evening a sing-along campfire was planned. Jim Kimmins, a long time member of the group, was leading this activity. I was invited to grab my guitar and join in. It turned out that Jim’s style and repertoire are very similar to mine. We hit our stride and never looked back. We were singing two part harmony as we wandered aimlessly through Jim’s multiple books of song lyrics. I really enjoyed the evening.
I always seem to have a bit of sage advice at the end of these pieces. I guess today’s admonition should be, “Never be afraid to be a “Newbie.”
Judy and I send our greetings and our love from nice warm Arizona, and our apologies to our friends in the North East.
