NorCal : NorCal Rally, Casini Ranch, April 9-11

[codybear]

Hi All,
Back home, unloaded the safari!..thnx for a fab time: great friends, great food!!!

[Globie64]

Back home, Globie unloaded and stashed, and we keep talking about what a great time we had with all you guys this weekend. What a great group of people, and we're talking about next year... or something before then. Our first Airstream adventure was far more than either of us imagined, thanks to all of you. We're also hoping for posts from the Leatherbys on their US adventure. A safe, dry and fun journey to everyone, Peter

[warbler5]

Although we miss you all....it's good to hear that you made it home safe and sound!

It started raining at 5:30am this morning, and it finally stopped at ~2:30pm, when I was out taking Bailey for a much needed walk (for both of us!).

For those that are still here....there are a few odds & ends left over from the potluck. Since Neil is staying longer than we are, Paul stacked it all on the edge of Neil's camp site. Plastic table cloths, a couple of tables, etc....

[1953 Flying]

Man, what another GREAT RALLY. We made it home safe and sound. Rain the whole way. 20 - 30 mph cross winds. But well worth it. Thanks to all who made this happen and make it such a good time. See ya soon

[Globie64]

Someone mentioned doing other Northern Ca gatherings, maybe on a more informal basis, like a phone tree kind of thing. Cocktails at 6, bring your Airstream.

Peter

[Globie64]

I have to say, Casini was amazing for us. Scott is so excited about the trailer now, a near 180 from just Thursday night. We drove home talking about our next trips, changes he wants to make to the trailer, how to fit a litter box in it so we can bring Clawdine with us. Next stop, new toilet and hot water heater and gas tanks. It was also great to get to see how trailering worked, and how it felt to be in the trailer for extended periods. Everyone was so nice and complementary, and super nice about helpful tips for repairs or modifications, and just friendly. Thanks again you guys.

[FreshAir]

You thought I wuz done...I am but here are some images that, Todd, our son, took. Again not edited (no photoshop) and in order.

Neil

[1953 Flying]

Great pics Neil. I nominate you as the offcial Photographer for Nor. Cal. Rallies.

[FreshAir]

It stopped raining momentarilly. I stepped out to collect some glasses and checked the convertible for major leaks...one small one. The left over items are fewer than past rallies. Several bottles of wine open so I don't benfit there...I bet Paul took the good stuff, 4 - 5 table cloths. Maybe if they are in good shape I'll stick them in a box and label it "Rally Table Cloths" and bring 'em to the next rally. The fold up tables are ours so thanks Paul for collecting them for me.
Neil.

More of Todd's pictures.

[FreshAir]

Robert, Dan made me the official Greeter. But our roadside delay in getting here made Cam the first on this time so I guess I was 'fired'. So I accept my new position of 'Offical Photographer'. At Rancheria last fall I was so busy making sure I got plenty of picture that I missed getting Vinnies shrimp. This time I brought in help...our son. Apparently I was so vocal about being assured that I got shrimp, Vinnie, ordered more and family and friends collected an extra skewer of shrimp. MAAAAAN I wuz stuffed but I was commited!
Neil.

[FreshAir]

I saved this piccy for last. Appropiate...a pink pelican, as Lili describes it.
We're hanging here until this rain eases a bit. Our departure day is Tuesday but we'll make a break for it with reasonably good packing and driving weather. This is really the time that I wish that we had a pick 'em up truck. All our stuff outside is soaked. I did bring several tarps to provide cover for a rainy potluck. I may have to spread them out in the trailer and car to place the wet tents, mats and what-all on in the trailer and trunk of the car. see you all at Jackson Rancheria if not before.
Neil and Lynn.

These last 3 posts of pictures were taken by Todd Holman.

[toddster]

I'd like to thank everyone who attended Casini this year for helping to make my first Airstream Rally (with pups & trailer in tow) such a memorable experience. It never ceases to amazes me what a warm, welcoming and hospitable group we have here on the Airforums.

I was awaken this morning in the 6 o'clock hour to the sound of heavy rain. At that point I wished I had hooked up the night before. But the incessant rain pounding the Airstream and subsequent flooding around my Sequoia convinced me to get an early start and head home before my Land Yacht became a River Yacht. I do regret not being able to say my goodbyes to many of you. Amazingly, even with a torrential downpour I managed to make it home in 3hrs.

My learnings from this outing include:

• No matter how carefully you plan, you will always forget something and realize that you've forgotten it when you're just out of the range where you would be willing to turn around.

• A puppy can push open the screen door on the trailer, so start using the lock whenever they're left inside with the main door open.

• A puppy left in a trailer will manage to unravel a full roll of toilet paper from its holder to help redecorate...

• The next morning, the puppy will find the same amusement with a new roll of toilet paper...

• If ever there is rain expected, bring a hooded rain coat and an umbrella - this goes a long way towards keeping you dry while packing up camp in a downpour.

• If rain is expected the day of your departure, hook up to the TV and pack up the outside of your campsite the night before while it is still dry

Thanks again to all for the great company and AMAZING POTLUCK!!!!! Have a safe journey home and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon!

[moymew]

We've been home a couple of hours. No traffic problems.... Lots and lots of Rain. Got we both got SOAKED hitching up... of course we forgot to bring rain gear.

Marion and I loved seeing everyone and sight of so many Airstreams. Some we haven't seen in two years and it felt like we just picked where we last talked. Amazing group of folks...

For those of you who got the Friday "Happy Hour" and asked about the how to make the Hawaiian style Chicken Wings. (4.5 lbs of wings gone in 30 minutes...)

I gets the marinade from Costco. Aloha Brand - Mango and Pineapple Marinade.
Technique.
1. Add enough marinade PLUS 1/4 to 1/2 cup Cooking Rice Wine to over wings.
2. Marinade wings overnight.
3. Strain Marinade from wings, and reserve marinade.
4. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Lay wings on baking sheet(s) and bake for 25 mins.
5. Remove from oven and let them rest and cool.
6. Before serving- heat grill to medium hot to hot.
7. Heat reserved marinade in pot and reduce by 20 percent, or to taste.
8. Reheat wings on grill for 4-5 minutes- some char is good.
9. Remove char'd wings from grill and brush with marinade reduction.
10. Serve warm... and they will ask "How did you do them wings...???!!!

Vinny --- Great Shrimp on the Barbie!!!.
Ken --- Can we get the Red Chile Colorado recipe?

Good Luck to Hans, Lily and Hansen on the next step of your amazing journey in pursuit of the perfect Airstream. We're pretty fond of ours too... If you come to San Francisco again please do not hesitate to ring us.

Until the next time.... Ted and Marion.

PS. We're going to Burning Man this year (as newbies...) any of you guys going????

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by moymew

We've been home a couple of hours. No traffic problems.... Lots and lots of Rain. Got we both got SOAKED hitching up... of course we forgot to bring rain gear.

Marion and I loved seeing everyone and sight of so many Airstreams. Some we haven't seen in two years and it felt like we just picked where we last talked. Amazing group of folks...

For those of you who got the Friday "Happy Hour" and asked about the how to make the Hawaiian style Chicken Wings. (4.5 lbs of wings gone in 30 minutes...)

I gets the marinade from Costco. Aloha Brand - Mango and Pineapple Marinade.
Technique.
1. Add enough marinade PLUS 1/4 to 1/2 cup Cooking Rice Wine to over wings.
2. Marinade wings overnight.
3. Strain Marinade from wings, and reserve marinade.
4. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Lay wings on baking sheet(s) and bake for 25 mins.
5. Remove from oven and let them rest and cool.
6. Before serving- heat grill to medium hot to hot.
7. Heat reserved marinade in pot and reduce by 20 percent, or to taste.
8. Reheat wings on grill for 4-5 minutes- some char is good.
9. Remove char'd wings from grill and brush with marinade reduction.
10. Serve warm... and they will ask "How did you do them wings...???!!!

Vinny --- Great Shrimp on the Barbie!!!.
Ken --- Can we get the Red Chile Colorado recipe?

Good Luck to Hans, Lily and Hansen on the next step of your amazing journey in pursuit of the perfect Airstream. We're pretty fond of ours too... If you come to San Francisco again please do not hesitate to ring us.

Until the next time.... Ted and Marion.

PS. We're going to Burning Man this year (as newbies...) any of you guys going????

CHICKEN WINGS ! YOU MEAN THAT I MISSED THE CHICKEN WINGS! Dang, now I gotta find a chicken wing flag.

Neil.

[Mike Leary]

Well done, you guys; you got the Brits on their trip in typical colonial style.

[SilverBreeze]

Home safe and dry. Great Rally
Great Friends
Great Food
Good to see all of you and hope you are all sitting by the fire.

All the Best,

Daniel and Kathleen

Oh, and Howie
I second the great food.

[Globie64]

Got to say, awesome food. Loved the meaty red chili, wish I had tried more... you guy know how to put out a spread. A couple of people asked for my flourless chocolate cake recipe- totally easy- I made it Friday morning and it travelled well.

Makes one 8-inch cake
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

ingredients

8 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
6 large eggs
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus additional for sprinkling

preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F and butter an 9-inch round baking pan. Line bottom with a round of wax paper and butter paper.
Chop chocolate into small pieces. In a double boiler or metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolate with butter, stirring, until smooth. Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and whisk sugar into chocolate mixture. Add eggs and whisk well. Sift 1 cup cocoa powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined. Pour batter into pan and bake in middle of oven 25-35 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust. Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes and invert onto a serving plate.
Dust cake with additional cocoa powder or powdered sugar. (Cake keeps, after being cooled completely, in an airtight container, 1 week.) My notes: make it a day or two before, it gets better; I use semi sweet chips and delete 10% sugar;

[reshecca]

Thank You All for such a great weekend!! Meeting strangers on the internet is actually turning out to be a lot of fun :~)

I was also one of the "lucky" people who got to pack up and hitch up in the rain this morning - just another part of the Trailer adventure.... The ducks were swimming in the puddles/lakes as Skipper and I were driving away and then the hail started.....

I hope to see you all again
Becky

[Airslide]

Thanks for a fantastic rally this year everyone.. Cindy has never really been into airstreams but hasnt stopped talking about this trip since we got home. (I think they are growing on her now...)

The goodbye from Lili, Hans and Hans x2 was brutal.. tried all my manly tricks to hold it together during the goodbye... no chance...

I overheard some folks walking through the campsites and commenting on our group.. something like, "this must be one of those airstream clubs where they all get together and have these rallys.. I've heard about it before. I want an airstream so we can belong to a club too"

What an awesome experience.. Great food and great friends...

The trailer is drying out with the dehumidifier and tucked away in its tent. It rained all the way home. Lacie got picked up from Camp Bow Wow and was happy to see us.

Lili called me a half hour ago.. They have traveled nearly 400 miles at that point headed down towards LA. I guess the defroster sucks on the motorhome.. it tries to work but with all the moisture inside its turned into a fish tank. A bit tricky driving in the rain. They worked as a team clearing the windows with a towel for Hans..
Lili didnt see Gail on her way out and regrets that...

Thanks again to everyone for making the effort to show up and rally this year.. maybe next year will bring continuous sunshine!

Cheers Vinnie & Cindy

[FreshAir]

You are missing quite a storm to be in. LIGHTNING, HAIL, HARD rain that's seems that it won't ever stop. Just one leak that we have a bowl under. I know 2 windows leak a little but can't do anything about it now. Just 6 of us still here. We are scheduled to leave Tuesday. We would like to leave tomorrow but we have 2 tents and a bunch of camping supplies to wring out before packing. That may be what we may have to do tomorrow. Tuesday is supposed to be dry...hopefully Monday will allow for packing.

Neil.