2015 Montana North American Fall Rally, Last Day Already?

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Wait all year with anticipation.  And, then, it is over in a short week.  Happens every year and every year, we have the same issues.  Too long a wait and too short of a time to spend with friends, laughing, crying, hugging and telling stories and lies.

Man and I and friends Terrie and Ron Ames have been to every fall rally here in Elkhart County, Indiana.

And, here is the photographic proof.

We miss those that no longer attend, having moved on to other brands of RVs, live too far, have developed health issues and in a few cases have passed to the Campground in the Sky.

Tomorrow Man and I roll back to the stick built.  Another rally enjoyed and hopefully another winter away to plan and prepare for.

Rally on - - - 

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There's Gonna Be a Rally

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

It's that time of the year again.  MOC North American Fall Rally, Goshen, Indiana.

This is our 12th annual rally and Man and I have been here every year.  That is quite amazing.

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Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Near Quartzsite Arizona, Hunting for Crystals, Or In Our Case - - Rocks :: Winter Sojourn 2014/15

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

One of the new experiences we had while we were parked with the Montana Owners Club at Quartzsite was a guided day trip to Kofa National Wildlife Refuge for a bit of rock hounding, aka, hunting for crystals.  In an area south of Quartzsite hunting of rocks and crystals is allowed, with strict limitations on how much stone you are allowed to remove.  I believe it was 10 rocks OR 10 pounds.

We had a caravan, in we drove.  Of course, it was a "gravel" road.  Errr, dirt, dusty road.

That is the sun, interesting things happen to the sun out here.

We arrived at the "site".  You either climb or walk the wash.

The wash looking the other way, quite wide:

There were a number of experienced "hunters" in our group, including at least 2 geologists.  In just a flash they were all off scampering up the hills, searching.  There is one little "rule" here - - NO hammers or shovels.  What you find you must be able to see on the surface.  You are allowed to dig around with your hands (gloves HIGHLY recommended) or kick the loose gravel away with your foot, just a little now, more of a shuffle the gravel around technique.

Man took to the "lay down in the warm gravel and flick away gravel" technique.  He actually found three tiny, I mean, specs, pieces that we believe are crystals.  (No, we were not seriously hunting, we were along for the fun, the comradeship and the experience.)

Here is a photo of some of the stones we collected that day (not the crystals tho).  The two large stones I actually purchased in Quartzsite several days before our little excursion.  The one that looks like a fern and the one that looks like mushrooms were purchased. Someone gave me the piece in the upper left corner, believe she said it may have turquoise in it.

The teddy bear cholla along the road to and from the "crystal bearing" wash were rather interesting.  So many had "babies" laying on the ground.

Thanks to the organizers of this enjoyable afternoon in the desert.  Our take was small, but, our enjoyment was large.

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Here's What is Going On At the "Q", Quartzsite Boondocking. UPDATED with Video Link, Winter Sojourn 2014/15

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

We have been busy.  For a laid back rally we have been busy and having a grand time.  Here are some highlights:

Here is a side view mirror shot of the 4 rig caravan from Brenda to the MOC Circle.

Friend Mina took photo of the 4 rigs arriving at the circle:

First night, Momma Nature gave us a good show:

Campfire sing a long:

When it got dark and they needed song sheets, they got lights and iPads.

Cappy had to go potty, Mom got a sunrise photo.  I don't do many of these.

Oh, my, he is taking a knife to our awning!

OO, he and his buddy are putting a new one on!  Ya us!

And, it is electric too!  Push a button, out she comes, push a button, in she goes.

And, 3 new slide toppers too!  Tana, honey, you are looking FOXY!!

Sunset, flags and sky on fire!

A panoramic of part of the "Circle":

A view from a ultra light aircraft, photo provided by the Wagon and Assistant Wagon Masters of the 2015 MOC  Q Circle.

Two more nights and Man and I will roll out of the Q.  We take wonderful memories and such valued friendships.

Drone Video HERE!!!

Quartzsite - - 2015 Circling of the Montanas, Winter Sojourn 2014/15

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Teaser photo, Tana at sunset yesterday evening, in the Montana Circle, 8 miles northeast of Quartzsite.

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Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - - At a MOC Rally

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

While the men do seminars on mechanical things at rallies (yawn, boring, ugh) - -

girls go SHOPPING and do LUNCH!!  Tee hee.

Thanks to Vicki A., we have this great "selfie".

Vicki A on bottom.  From left:  Mina, Patty, Moi and Marjorie.

Yep, girls just wanna have fun, and shop and do lunch!

Thanks Vicki for the share.




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11th Annual Fall Rally for the MOC in Goshen Indiana

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Man and I have been here this week, enjoying the gorgeous weather, fall days, maples turning colors, previously established friendships, newly formed friendships, campfires, too much food, the annual plant tour, seminars, classes, and then, we started all over!  We are exhausted!

There are now two couples that have attended all the rallies here in Elkhart County, Man and I, along with Terrie and Ron.

Here is the annual photo:

Thanks to the Wagon Masters, the Assistant Wagon Masters, the coordinators, all those that helped, brewing coffee, providing great food, setting up and cleaning up tables for meals, teaching, taking photos, sharing stories, laughter, making sure there was electricity where it was needed, publishing the rally booklet, and so many more chores (So many to list!).  Thanks for the friendships.

It was a super week!



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Ten Years of MOC Rallies, One of Three

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Last night was the Meet N Greet of the 10th Fall MOC Rally.

Three couples have been to every fall rally held here in Elkhart County, Indiana.  Man and I are one of the three.

(There were 4 couples, but, our Webmaster, Glenn Adams, lost his battle with cancer, and now there are three.  We miss our Glenn.)

Last night at the Meet N Greet, we were recognized. Thank you.

That is ONE huge bottle, gonna need to have a party to celebrate me thinks.

To friends!

*Photo of the three couples courtesy of the Montana Owners Club and photographers.

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IT'S RALLY TIME!!

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Yep, there really IS gonna be a rally, MOC style.

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It's Fall RALLY Time

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Man and I will be attending the 10th Fall Montana Owners Club Rally next week. Almost 120 units will be attending this year, the largest Rally yet for the MOC.

In preparation, we are cleaning, gutting, organizing, doing lots more stuff in Tana and in the house. Doctor's visits abound (ya, that's a lot of fun.)  We are fussing with medical insurance and snail mail issues that also abound (and they make doctor's visits look like fun).  Yard work will not be caught up this fall, but, we are trying, and in the last week we trimmed (hacked down is more like it) three huge bushes in the yard.  I hope to get the 2 foot tall thistles in the flower beds removed before long.

Next week, getting excited to hook up and roll out, we have the hitch itch that RVers all know.  We are looking forward to visiting with so many great friends we have made over the last 10 years at these rallies, and making new.  Of course, there will be great food too.  Shopping, girls luncheons, so much to do, the week will just fly by!

See ya soon at the Rally!




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There Was a Rally, a MOC Rally, Jackson California Style

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

And, quite the rally it was.  Many thanks to the left coast MOC gang, what a nice rally.

We had crafts, click purses, some of the fabrics our host Joy brought along:

Creative juices roll, fabric everywhere, let the purses begin!

We had chats, and more chats, comparing our days at 4:30 (Man and I missed several of these, dang it, ohh, we were off sightseeing, ya, I remember!  LOL)

And, of course, there was lots of food, several meals shared with great food and lots of laughter.  One of our fun activities/meals is the baggie omelet breakfast, the fellows do a great job with turkey fryers, boiling water and perfect timing:

The raffle raises $$ for our MOC forum, thanks to all that donated, crafts and RVing goodies  (Sorry I missed that National Parks book, but, we did win 3 gifts!  WOW.  Thanks to the Duke's for donating several of their mother's engravings, yep, we won one!  WOW!)

As the rally fades away, the memories do not.  Safe rides to all, may we meet again at a MOC Rally near you!

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Let's Go Fishing in the Dry Wash and Other Fun Q Stuff

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

A few tidbits and quirks and things that caught my attention.

This super duper tool box a MOC member has on the back of their rig.  So well organized too!

Some MOCers have lights, special lights.

Closer:

A special night event while we were here, Moon and Jupiter on January 21st, very close, in astrological terms and measurements.

This is how one repair dude can install new slide awnings.  Yes, he does have 3 supervisors!

There needs to be a way to remove the ever growing pile of trash, even on the desert.  Here is a pile of it, the dump is not open from Thursday through Saturday.  That is some pile, eh??

I showed you other shots of this very interesting artwork a few days ago.

Found at the RV show, he is one big dude.

A whale in the desert town of Quartzsite?  But, of course there is one!

Very near by, just a matter of a few hundred yards in fact), there is this rather large fishing pole, strung out over a wash.  No water in the wash when I took the photo,  Not sure that is so now, as it is raining.

Yes, indeedy, a fish was caught:

And, there is a reel too!

A good part of the attraction of Quartzsite is that it is filled with oddities and vastly interesting people (oh, and LOTS of dogs, lots and lots of dogs!)

Our time here is nearly over, it is time to get back to the "real" world.  Gonna miss all the quirky things I see here.



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