Volume 9  Issue 1  March 2007

 

Our Sponsors

 

Please let them know we appreciate their support and if you’re thinking of a new or used coach, please give them a call.

 

Paul Evert’s RV Country

3633 S. Maple Ave.

Fresno, CA 93725-2417

559-486-1000

Curt Curtis

 

John Bleakley Motorhomes

2 locations Douglasville, GA

1 location in Unadilla, GA

877-247-3594

Mr. John Bleakley

 

A special thanks is given to the Monaco Coach Corporation for their financial support of each of our caravans.  Please let Sara Spicer know you appreciate her expert guidance and support

 

********************************

Contributors

 

Lazy Days RV

6130 Lazy Days Blvd.

Seffner, FL 33584

888-500-5299

Mr. Don Wallace

 

 

 

 

Presidential

     Ponderings

 

Thank you JOHN HAM for three great years of your leadership as President of Monacos In Motion. You mentored the development of many caravans and encouraged and assisted caravan leaders! Monaco In Motion members were able to choose and participate in interesting and enjoyable caravans as a result.  John, your dedication to help MIM continue to be a club in which members do lead others was and is appreciated.

Thanks also for offering and for providing files and training time to assist making a change of leadership easier. I will try to continue to serve the membership as you have so aptly done.  Norma and I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Welcome to our new members! Congratulations on your choice to be part of our "caravans for members club.”

I do hope all members of MIM continue to participate in planning, leading, and going on our caravans.

See you in Salem

Don Preston

Vice President’s

Report

 

Monacos in Motion is a caravan club, led by members for members.  There are two components to that premise.  First, the members must be the leaders.  Caravans do not and will not happen unless you as members volunteer to plan and lead them.  Each and every one of you who joins the chapter is a member who can lead a caravan.

 

Secondly, once leaders for a caravan step up and plan the caravan, you as members must apply for and attend these caravans.  Many good caravans are cancelled because of lack of applications.  Remember again that each and every one of you who joins the chapter is the member offered the opportunity to go on the caravan.

 

The Vice President has been assigned the job of following up with the members who indicate a willingness to investigate and lead a caravan.  The Vice President will also offer help in planning your caravan.  Help is only a phone call away at 804-239-4214 or 804-513-7274.

There was a great response at the chapter business meeting in Macon, GA and there are many caravans being considered.  At the current time, the following members are researching the following areas:

 

Henry Snyder--Hudson River Valley, Saratoga, Thousand Islands, NY
Ronkins and Marcuses--Alaska
John and Rita Ham--Churchill Polar Bear Viewing
Bill and Jean Ann Miller--a 2009 repeat of Sherman's March to the Sea
Greenwoods and Tilmans--Western US National Parks
Huberts and Barrons--CA Wine Country and the Rose Bowl Parade in 2009
Carlsons--New Orleans

 

This is an exciting list of proposals.  Your willingness to investigate these caravans is most appreciated.

 

To each and every member--Keep thinking about a caravan you could lead AND please do apply when these caravans are offered.

 

Ed Tilman

 

 

Copper Canyon, Mexico Trip

 

 

 

By JJ Tucker  

 

Here is our happy group of 22 couples that went on the 17 day caravan to Mexico. We all gathered at Mission RV Park in El Paso, Texas, a few days before Valentines Day, our day of departure, to get acquainted and begin our feeding frenzy. We even did some tours in the El Paso area, the War Eagles Air Museum and the Indian Cliffs Ranch that is home to the Cattleman’s Steakhouse.

After we crossed over the border, which was a piece of cake thanks to the pre-planning done by Tracks to Adventure, we began to notice how the Mexican’s use color. They paint their houses many bright colors and they all live very close together. They do have beautiful courtyards behind

their walls that include gardens of fruits and vegetables.

 

Each day was filled with more wonders than the previous as we awaited the day that we would board the trains. It took almost all morning for us to be loaded onto the train, parking with our drivers side wheels only inches from the edge. We were to remain here for the duration of the train trip, 4 nights and 5 days of dry camping without being able to even put out our slides. Each ramp onto the rail cars was measured for each coach and moved accordingly. Scary looking but done with precision, or at least as much precision that could be obtained in Mexico.

 

This is our Wagon Master's rig as we connect to the engine on the first day. You can see how close his tires are to the edge. We did have railing on the passenger side so that we could walk. They also asked that we pull in our stairs when not using them so that the train personnel could pass without hitting their legs, esp. at night when it was pitch dark.

 

The contrasts from the working farms to the rugged mountains of the Copper Canyon, the passing the Continental Divide several times and the high altitude was all hard to believe when we seemed to travel such a short distance. I guess that with us all being used to the driving and this time just sitting back and letting the train do it we were really able to see the changes, even at 25 mph.

 

The Taramahara Indians are a very resourceful tribe. They have change little and still live very primitive lives and make money by selling baskets to the tourists along with woven wraps, bracelets and some children's toys.

 

Our last day on the train was the longest and the most interesting as far as geology goes. We went from a very high elevation to sea level, through the treeless mountains to the fruitfull valleys lush with produce of vegtables and fruits to the Sea of Cortez with its bounty of fresh shrimp, which a vendor delivered to our camp as soon as we were set up.

 

After 4 days in Mazatlan we began our trip north and back to the USA. We were sorry to be leaving as this meant that we would be parting ways. There are a few things that people have asked. Did we feel safe? Yes, never was there a time when we were the least bit concerned. The Mexican people are very friendly and know that the RV tourist brings money to town. We were cautious about the water and filled up with only 5 gal water jugs in Mazatlan as they had a long funnel to make filling our tanks easy. I would bring a funnel next trip and get all my water that way. We really enjoyed the fresh shrimp and fish in the coastal towns and the fresh fruits in the agricultural belt and in Mazatlan. Next trip I would bring packages of useful things like face cloths, hand towels, baby wipes, bars of soap, small bottles of hand disinfectant. I think you get the picture. These are things that they don't have and that would not take away from their culture but just might make life a little better.

 

There is much more that we did and if you are really interested there is much more to read on our "Blog".

 

 A "Blog" is really nothing more than a log of what we did day by day. You can get there by going to www.monacosinmotion.org and clicking on Copper Canyon Blog. Or you can go directly www.mimcaravanmexico.blogspot.com and while you are at the Blog, don't forget to click on the web album(s) so that you can see first hand our wonderful pictures of the trip. www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/MexicoCaravan and www.picasaweb.google.com/mimmexico/MexicoCaravanII. I hope you'll go and enjoy reading about how much fun we did have.

________________________

Colorado High Country

A 4-Wheeling Adventure

 

Caravan Leaders:  John & Rita Ham and Wade & Linda Myers

 

Dates: August 22^nd to September 6^th, 2007

 

Editor’s Note: This caravan is full but there is no one on the waiting list. An application for the Colorado High Country Caravan is available on the club’s web site at www.monacosinmotion.org

 

This will be a 4-Wheeling adventure of a lifetime that will explore the beautiful backcountry of Colorado under the guidance of 4-Wheeling experts. Please note that this will not be extreme, hard core 4-Wheeling, but will require a minimum stock 4-wheel drive vehicle (without running boards) and a CB radio. The Hams and Myers will guide you through and you will have lots of fun.

 

This caravan will follow the Continental Divide through Colorado as you explore the scenic backcountry beginning in historic Leadville, Colorado at over 10,000 foot elevation. From Leadville we will travel to Taylor Park, which is north of Gunnison. After running several 4-wheel trails we will move to Ouray, called the Little Switzerland of America, for more trail riding.  Our camping will be at elevations up to 10,000 feet, and we will 4-wheel to elevations of 14,000 feet.

 

Our activities will be centered around 4-wheeling in the beautiful Colorado mountains. During this caravan you will see enormous meadows of wild flowers, visit old mining towns that are now ghost towns, and much more. You will see the Colorado High Country as few tourists have. 

 

 _________________________

 

MINUTES OF MONACOS IN MOTION MEETING - March 14, 2007

 

President John Ham opened the meeting at noon in the main dining room at the Macon Centreplex.  He appointed Bob and Sue Haught to be parliamentarians.  He thanked our sponsors and introduced the MIM officers.  The minutes of the meeting in Greensboro, NC as published in Wheels were approved.  Treasurer Bill Miller reported that our current balance is $12,295.26.  There were no committee reports.

 

Bill Ledbetter reported on the October 2006 New Mexico-Land of Enchantment Caravan led by Kim and Shelly Pollock and John Ham reported on the February 2007 Copper Canyon Caravan with Tracks.  Ten Monacos in Motion members went on this caravan plus six coaches of MIM friends and Tracks filled out the caravan with six more.  He said the February 2008 Copper Canyon tour will be cancelled due to lack of interest.

 

John praised Kim Pollock for his great job on the website (www.monacosinmotion.org) and Linda Barron for writing a blog posted on the website chronicling the New Mexico Caravan.  A similar blog allowed friends and family to follow the Copper Canyon Caravan.  The newsletter Wheels is posted four times a year on the website.

 

Bill Miller explained the itinerary of the Maritimes Adventure which will be led by Bill and Jeanann Miller and Russ and Janet Payne in June 2007.  It will be a 23 day trip with an extension to Newfoundland and Labrador.  Currently 17 coaches are enrolled with one on the waiting list.  Ten first time caravaners are included.

 

Wade Myers detailed the Colorado 4 Wheel Caravan which will be the third time he and Linda and John and Rita Ham have led this caravan.  Fifteen coaches are going on this caravan which includes seven first time caravaners.

 

Kurt Curtis represented sponsor Paul Everts.  He noted that Paul Everts is teaming up with Camping World to provide parts and service.  Sarah Spicer representing Monaco Coach Corporation said the company was glad to be our sponsors and will be happy to answer questions.  John pointed out that Monaco Coach provides a box of commonly needed parts that accompanies each caravan.

 

John read the list of caravans recommended by the MIM members at the Greensboro meeting. Members brainstormed again at this meeting suggesting the following places they would like to go:  Alaska which will be considered by Glen and Marcie Ronken and Allan and Diane Marcuse; the National Parks considered by Wilt and Barbara Greenwood; Mardi Gras and Cajun Country considered by the Carlsons; Napa Valley considered by Glen and Linda Barron and John and Linda Huber for 2009; a repeat of Sherman's March to the Sea considered by Bill and Jeanann Miller in 2009; Churchill (Canada) and the Polar Bears with Adventure Caravans is being considered by John Ham.  Other locations mentioned were Daytona races, Calgary Stampede, Lake of the Ozarks and Branson, Pioneer Trails (Oregon, Lewis and Clark, Mormon, or Santa Fe), Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes, and Trippin' 'n Sippin' in Kentucky.

 

John turned the meeting over to Joe Monk, chairman of the nominating committee for the election of officers for 2007-8.  Joe noted that the other members of his committee were Kim Pollock and Ellen Johnson.  Ed Tilman will continue as vice-president and Bill Miller will continue as treasurer.  The committee nominated Don Preston as president, Bonnie Ledbetter as secretary, Jack Singalli as National Director and Marcie Ronken as alternate National Director.  There were no nominations from the floor and motions were made to close the nominations.  The slate was elected.  John asked for nominations to a nominating committee.  Bill Ledbetter, Kim Pollock and Bettyann Poindexter were nominated and elected.  John asked for nominations to an audit committee. Allan Marcuse, Joe Monk and Roger Ray were nominated and elected.

 

John turned the meeting over to the new president Don Preston who thanked John Ham for his three years of service as president.  Business having been concluded, the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted:
Bonnie Ledbetter
Secretary

 

  

 Chapter Officers

President

Don Preston

PMB 11048

210 Rainbow Dr.

Livingston, TX 77399

Cell 714-267-5510

donnorma@myhomeonwheels.net

Vice-President

Ed Tilman

3566 Old River Trail

Powhatan, VA 23139

Tel: 804-598-3068

Email: connietilman@pocketmail.com

Club Website

 

We have a  fabulous chapter web site located at www.MonacosInMotion.org. Stop by and check it out.

This issue of Wheels is on the web site and you can view it, or even print it out, in full color.

 

There is even a less formatted web version for those folks with dial up modems. Sign up now for electronic delivery of your newsletter, you will get it much earlier and save the chapter the cost of printing and mailing.

 

 

Secretary

Bonnie Ledbetter

120 Life Style Lane

Anderson, SC 29621

Tele. 864-226-2522

Cell   854-245-0771

Wbl120@earthlink.net

Treasurer

Bill Miller

11085 Big Canoe

Big Canoe, GA 30143

Tel: 706-579-1213

Cell: 678-361-6378

E-mail: billcanoe@alltel.net

National Director

Jack Sangalli

1461 Valle Vista #26

Pekin, IL 61554

Cell: 309-453-1205

Cell: 863-465-5261

E-mail: jssangalli@yahoo.com

Alt National Director

Newsletter

We are putting each issue of Wheels on the chapter’s web site in two versions. One is in full color and an exact copy of the mailed Wheels. The other is less formatted, lacks some graphics, and is much, much smaller for those folks with dial-up modems but it still has the photos in color. In either case, the mailed version is black & white. Those with the ability to view the newsletter on-line get a much improved version.

 

Now the question. Who would like to download their own copy of Wheels? Who would like to read their copy of Wheels on-line in full color rather than waiting for the black and white mailed copy?

 

This would save the club the cost of printing and mailing and give you a full color copy instead of the mailed black and white. Just drop me a note at: donnorma@myhomeonwheels.net and I’ll add you to the list. If you are not on the e-mail notification list I will add you to that also so you will receive an e-mail when new issues of the Wheels are posted.

 

 

Send to:   Bill Miller, Treasurer

   11085 Big Canoe

   Big Canoe, GA 3014