4CU 004 : Four Corners Unit Rally

[eubank]

Oh, please, don't talk about the weather down there! We'll be up here freezing butt, plowing snow, and wishing we could be elsewhere! (I really do question the sanity of people who come up here in the winter to ski. Sure, they pay some of my bills, but that doesn't mean that they're not fruity at some level!)

Lynn

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

At the risk of sounding even more foolish than normal....what is the weather like there in Feb?

Dead Horse State Park has a metrology station. Here is the link
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/uv...agency_cd=USGS

You can select any date to view temp, precip, wind, relative humidity, etc.

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

At the risk of sounding even more foolish than normal....what is the weather like there in Feb?

Rodney,
Check this graphic from MSN Weather. I bet this looks great to those folks with that white stuff on the ground.

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

The Four Corners Unit is holding its first rally on February 16th – 18th, 2007 at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona. The rally will be held at the group site which will be dry camping. The area has clean bathrooms with showers. Water and a dump station are available in the park. We will have a pot luck dinner on Saturday night and a campfire every night.. Bring your fishing poles, hiking boots, mountain bike or just your favorite chair. Children and pets are welcome. Visit the Four Corners Unit website for more information and the registration form. Please update the Rally Calendar if you will be attending. This rally is open to all forum members.

azflycaster, the check is in the mail.

[InsideOut]

Yikes! Too far for me ~

Sounds like fun though...

Shari

[eubank]

Wow, it is a perdie fur stretch from Edgewater! I just checked from Taos to Cottonwood, and it was also pretty far, 517 miles.

I've driven from here (Angel Fire) down to my parents' winter digs near Quartzsite in a day, but that was pedal-to-the-metal haulin' all day long, not at all something I'd try with a truck, much less with the rig attached!


Lynn

[Airstream25]

Cottonwood AZ is only about 20 miles from Sedona.
Play tourist by day and have an inexpensive place to stay at night :-)

[AirstreamGypsy]

It's only 433 miles from my house. But really, who knows where I'll really be coming from. Can't wait for the sendoff party for FCU!

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by AirstrmGypsy

It's only 433 miles from my house. But really, who knows where I'll really be coming from. Can't wait for the sendoff party for FCU!

I took a look at the pictures on your site of you building your house, what a great project. Reminds me of the Dennis Weaver house in New Mexico. We have driven by that area numerous times on the way to Durango and other places. Your house story will make great fireside conversation. Looking forward to meeting you.

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

The Four Corners Unit is holding its first rally on February 16th – 18th, 2007 at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona. The rally will be held at the group site which will be dry camping. Bring your fishing poles, hiking boots, mountain bike or just your favorite chair. Visit the Four Corners Unit website for more information and the registration form. Please update the Rally Calendar if you will be attending. This rally is open to all forum members.

Just wondering how many of you plan to bring bikes?
Here are descriptions of the local trails.

Trails
The trails in this system are in Dead Horse Ranch State Park and in the Coconino Natinal Forest. Trail users, the Dead Horse Ranch Trails Coalition, Arizona State Parks, and the Forest Service have worked together to develop and manage this system for you enjoyment
Forest Loop: A 0.5 mile loop. Multi-use. Starts and ends in the River Day Use Area. Circles around and through a diversely forested area and provides river access by way of short narrow side trails.
Lime Kiln: A 2.1 mile trail, one way. Multi-use. This trail follows a portion of the historic Lime Kiln Wagon Road. Originally the Lime Kiln Trail, then a road, provided access to a Kiln that was constructed in the 1800's. This Kiln was used to burn limestone to create lime, which is an ingredient of the mortar needed to construct fireplaces and chimneys. Soon after the construction of the kiln, the road to the kiln was extended and used as a route between Sedona and Jerome. The remains of the kiln can still be seen beside the trail. The Lime Kiln Trail is also the southern leg of a multi-use trail loop that includes the Thumper Loop Trail* of 2.5 miles and the Raptor Hill portion of 2.5 miles. Average mountain-bike time is approximately 1 hour to complete the loop.
Mesa: A1.2 mile loop. Interpretive. Trail can be accessed from all areas of the park. It circles on top of the hill west of the North Campgrounds and provides overlooks of the valley.
Tavasci Marsh: A 1.0 miles one way trail. Multi-use. Access from the West Lagoon parking lot or the Mesquite Day Use Area. Follow along the historic Hickey irrigation ditch through a canopy of Ailanthus and Mesquite trees.
Hicky Ditch: A 0.5 mil trail, one way. Multi-use. Access from the West Lagoon parking lot or the Mesquite Day Use Area. Follow along the historic Hickey irrigation ditch through a canopy of Ailanthus and Mesquite trees.
Quail Wash: A 0.25 mile trail, one way. Hikers, stairs, and bridges prevent equestrian use. Access from West Lagoon parking lot or the Mesquite Day Use Area. Plant diversity and flowing water in the wash make this trail popular.
Creosote: A 0.5 mile trail. Mult-use, shortcut.
Lagoon: A 0.25 mile loop. Hike, bike. Accessed from any of the lagoon parking lots, this trail allows you to take a stroll around the lagoon. We do request that horses not be taken around lagoon banks.
Verde River Greenway: A 1.5 mile loop. Multi-use. Access from the West Lagoon parking lot or the VRG interpretive building. The trail weaves through some of the best nesting habitat in the area, a bird watchers' paradise.
Riverfront: A 0.5 mile trail, one way. Multi-use. Trail is accessed from either the south end of the Dead Horse Ranch State Park Bridge or from Riverfront Park. The trail runs along the south side of the Verde River and is good for walking.

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Just a reminder, if you want to attend this rally, sign up at the Rally Calendar and then vist the Four Courners Unit site and get that registration form back to me. Money would be nice also! It's $30 dollars for two nights camping. My wife has informed me that we will have a happy hour both nights and that we will have a campfire with multi color flames. Pot luck on Saturday! It would be great to see you there.

So far, the idea of the "non-traditional" new FCU has been mostly talk but now azflycaster, (brave soul), is trying to set up our first rally.

Not only will this be the first opportunity to meet many of the prospective FCU members, it will also be the first test of actions vs. words. What I mean is how many people will actually commit to attending and put their checks in the mail?

By design, the FCU covers a large geographic area so it would not be a surprise if the most distant people don't show. I have also heard from two people that they cannot get away from work at that time of year.

What about the rest of the people that said they were interested in the FCU but are not planning to attend our first rally?

I would be interested in why not so we can adjust future rally offerings.
Is it too far?
Too early in the season?
Not the kind of rally that appeals?
Other?

[Hind-Sight]

First off, let me declare that I am new to Airstreaming and have not joined any club and don't know the benefits of joining or the costs. I am currently a member of a local Motorcycle club and have attended many BMW rallies, but I don't understand how the WBCCI works. So would I have to join the WBCCI and list the FCU as my local club? What are the inherent costs and what does one get in return?

Now to answer the questions...

Originally Posted by Airstream25

I would be interested in why not so we can adjust future rally offerings.
Is it too far? YES, it is 586 miles one way. It will take one full day to get there and with kids in tow, that doesn't sound too fun.
Too early in the season? Anyone from the northern areas of Utah, Colorado and those at elevation in NM will probably have their trailers winterized still. And will have to winterize them again upon returning home. Might be a little early.
Not the kind of rally that appeals? Don't know as I have never been to an Airstream rally.
Other?

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by Hind-Sight

First off, let me declare that I am new to Airstreaming and have not joined any club and don't know the benefits of joining or the costs. I am currently a member of a local Motorcycle club and have attended many BMW rallies, but I don't understand how the WBCCI works. So would I have to join the WBCCI and list the FCU as my local club? What are the inherent costs and what does one get in return?

Greetings Hind-Sight,
I believe you are the first responder from Utah.

The standard benefits are listed at;
http://www.airstreamingnewmexico.inf...membership.htm
The costs are $55 that goes to WBCCI International plus what ever the local unit dues are, typically ranging from $1-$15.

If you join, you will have to pay the dues to International but you are free to join any unit or just be a Member at Large. MAL dues are $15.

The Four Corners Unit is intended to be a bit different from the "Traditional" unit. Some of these units have an older membership and they are getting away from caravanning to scenic areas and/or boondocking. They tend to go to nearby commercial RV parks with full hookups and meeting rooms for card parties, etc.

For more info on the proposed FCU go to;
http://www.airstreamingnewmexico.info/4cornersunit.htm

[GoldFever]

We haven't done a group trailer trip in awhile. This one looks to be VERY interesting and we have the week off after this rally. I can then take off and go find some gold in the surrounding hills and valleys.
Plan: leave Friday after school, leaving Hemet and heading east out the 10 toward Phoenix and angle up after Quartzite on the 60, to the 71, then up the 89 towards Prescott and then Cottonwood...or maybe meet up with the Orange county / Simi Valley group??? When do you folks meet in Barstow? (BTW, I grew up in Barstow. It was no picnic) So many options.
Bikes? I got bikes ("You not bike rider, You nobody!!"). Mountain or road?

This is doable and I do need to get the Silver Twinkie out and spin its wheels!!!

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Kevbo10

i camped here last feb. with the mixed tear drop / tin can tourist rally. great location, fab weather. i'll do my best to be there! i always enjoy spending the nite in williams, az, in route to deadhorse. anyone want to caravan from the los angeles area? kevbo

Might consider it if our rig is ready by then......check back...we live in Venice and store our trailer in Thousand Oaks.....pj

[BeBop]

Originally Posted by Airstream25

What about the rest of the people that said they were interested in the FCU but are not planning to attend our first rally?

I would be interested in why not so we can adjust future rally offerings.
Is it too far?
Too early in the season?
Not the kind of rally that appeals?
Other?

I hope to attend the first rally, however I need to solve some scheduling conflicts at work before I sign on.

Too far? No
Too early? No
Not the kind of rally that appeals? Heck No

[Goin camping]

We plan on attending. Will send the $$ as soon as Mrs. Goincamping verifies she can get the 16th off.

Hopefully we can caravan with some of our local crowd.

[Airstream25]

Wow, If I counted correctly, there are 6, schedule permitting, that plan to come all the way from CA! Looks like the CA folks just hitch up and go go go!

Originally Posted by Airstream25

By design, the FCU covers a large geographic area so it would not be a surprise if the most distant people don't show. I have also heard from two people that they cannot get away from work at that time of year.

What about the rest of the people that said they were interested in the FCU but are not planning to attend our first rally?

I would be interested in why not so we can adjust future rally offerings.
Is it too far?
Too early in the season?
Not the kind of rally that appeals?
Other?

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by Airstream25

Wow, If I counted correctly, there are 6, schedule permitting, that plan to come all the way from CA! Looks like the CA folks just hitch up and go go go!

When you tell us Californians there's a party. We come.

[flyfshr]

Then there is a party !!

Brad
FF