Prospective new members?

[dannsue]

We recently brought home a new '09 Flying Cloud 25 FB and I have been doing some research on WBCCI. We have a close friend who is active in So. Cal with the El Camino Real group who has given us some good advice which is to find a group without the pomp and circumstance. We also have a restored 21 foot Traveleze, 1954, which we have been attending vintage rallies in for 10 years including Tin Can Tourist rallies which just began last year in Northen Cal. We are interested in a more informal group without all the 'politics' associated with International. I see that your rally schedule includes two rallies next year but I think, at this point, that the dates conflict for us with other obligations. Having said that, I think we're still interested in this group because of the informality. We might be able to attend only one rally per year but that's better than nothing. Frankly, I have been a little put off by a lot of what I have read and all the regimentation with the big club. Seems like they take all the fun out of it. Is this the group for us?

[DaveFL]

We're not into uniforms with ties and formalities either, but that served a purpose when Wally was traveling the world with caravans, was great for identifying leadership and members at a distance. When organizing the diverse group and going to far off places I would want as many rules as possible.

We travel at our leisure pace, occasional reservations with jeans, t's and camera our uniform;-)

I was hoping someone from this forum would put an informal group for the Southeast, like the Ohio campers, but now I see they are forming a branch of WBCCI Ohio for net at large members, without regional membership.

[TBRich]

Welcome to the Forums, dannsue...it's a great place...

There are units without the pomp and circumstance. The Four Corners Unit is one. Our main objective is to have fun camping together...and we are VERY good at it! We also have a strong vintage showing. We'd love to have you join us for a rally to check the unit out...

In the meantime, Happy Trails!

[loudruff]

Originally Posted by DaveFL

\
I was hoping someone from this forum would put an informal group for the Southeast, like the Ohio campers, but now I see they are forming a branch of WBCCI Ohio for net at large members, without regional membership.

The informal Ohio group will continue and you do not have to be WBCCI. We just like to camp and post where we are going. Everyone is welcome! and in any kind of rig!

We have lots of us who are NOT WBCCI. The virtual group that DanB is chartering will be a big hit with most. This is a WBCCI group and not just members at large. No meetings and pomp and circumstance. We will be doing meetings on line and save our campouts for fun stuff like camping and potlucks and campfires!
Dan is welcoming anyone who wishes to join in NOVA. You do not need to be an Ohioan. Here is a link to check it out: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f286...ova-58851.html
He has also created a website for those interested in what is going on: www.campnova.com

[eubank]

We were at the new officers installation luncheon for our unit today. No uniforms in sight. (But bunches of us wore elves hats or reindeer horns.)

Lynn

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by eubank

We were at the new officers installation luncheon for our unit today. No uniforms in sight. (But bunches of us wore elves hats or reindeer horns.)

Lynn

Yep! Good thing you weren't one of those walking around with a camera...you might have embarrassed me!!! Good to see you guys today...

Shari

[eubank]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Yep! Good thing you weren't one of those walking around with a camera...you might have embarrassed me!!! Good to see you guys today...

Shari

Oh, I'll bet Brian caught you with his camera! I need to write to him to get some of the pics. They'll be home tonight, I think.

Lynn

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by eubank

Oh, I'll bet Brian caught you with his camera! I need to write to him to get some of the pics. They'll be home tonight, I think.

Lynn

Yeah...I'm sure he did! I wonder how much I'll need to pay him to keep them to himself ~

Although...I do recall a moment that may be just as embarrassing for you...and it wasn't with a "beret"...

Shari

[eubank]

Oh, oh, was that when I was told to give her a kiss, and I asked if I needed to kiss her on the lips? (At one point, I did wear an elves hat that was fortified with a table napkin to make it stand up straight. Someone at my table said that it was an elves hat on viagra.)

I'll write to Brian to ask about pics. Could be that he was taking them for the newsletter?


Lynn

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by eubank

I'll write to Brian to ask about pics.

Uhhh...let's not and say you did...

Shari

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by dannsue

good advice which is to find a group without the pomp and circumstance.

I think I know what pomp is, but what is the circumstance?

Go for it. What have you got to loose but $50. I belong to 4CU and New Mexico. They have different personas, but my wife and I enjoy them both. Have never been on a caravan, but hope to down the road. All the rallies I have been to have been local but also look forward to doing the International, at least once.

[dogpound]

Dannsue;

Just a followup from TBRich; Four Corners Unit has several members from California. When they come to a rally they caravan in, probably 3-5 units. We have a couple of rallies coming up where we will have many of our Calif. members here. They are the Picacho Peak, AZ New Years Eve Rally. Look for the information on the rally sign up page on this forum. In Feb. 12-15 will have the 4th Dead Horse Ranch Rally @ Cottonwood, AZ. The signup will be on the forums shortly.

Give it a look.

Safe travels.

Bob
4CU/CAC
WBCCI # 10105
AIR 28748


"Life is an adventure, live it to it's fullest."

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by dannsue

We recently brought home a new '09 Flying Cloud 25 FB and I have been doing some research on WBCCI. We have a close friend who is active in So. Cal with the El Camino Real group who has given us some good advice which is to find a group without the pomp and circumstance. We also have a restored 21 foot Traveleze, 1954, which we have been attending vintage rallies in for 10 years including Tin Can Tourist rallies which just began last year in Northen Cal. We are interested in a more informal group without all the 'politics' associated with International. I see that your rally schedule includes two rallies next year but I think, at this point, that the dates conflict for us with other obligations. Having said that, I think we're still interested in this group because of the informality. We might be able to attend only one rally per year but that's better than nothing. Frankly, I have been a little put off by a lot of what I have read and all the regimentation with the big club. Seems like they take all the fun out of it. Is this the group for us?

Dannsue,

Your friend has given you a good lead. Too bad you are not closer to So Cal and we would love to have you as a member. I don't have any direct contact with a No Cal unit, but find a rally nearby, contact the unit, attend and see what happens. Hopefully you will find that you are a good match with that unit and if you are in So Cal come by and visit with ECR.

Bill

[dannsue]

Thanks for all the feedback. In re-reading my orignal post, I am sorry if anyone thought my language too strong. I have been reading the 'thread' concerning the dwindling membership and some of the perspectives as to why that has been happening and it fueled our concerns about losing focus as to what camping out in an RV is all about. In any event, I appreciate the suggestions and I'm sure we'll take advantage of an opportunity with a 'Geographically Desireable' unit and just enjoy it for what it is. The last thing we would want to do is get involved in anything involving constant controversy. We just like to hit the road when we can and enjoy the camraderie with like minded trailer campers. We bought our new Airstream with the idea of being able to see America over the next several years without overt concerns with weather, etc. My father, who died unexpectedly in '93, always took our family on several week vacations in the summer, principally to the Russian River area of No. Cal. for those of you who know it. He always looked longingly at the Airstreams back in the 60's when we were active with our family camping and I remember that he always felt he couldn't afford one. I grew up camping in an early 60's Aljo and later, a Kenskill trailer. We always looked forward to seeing the same families from different towns than ours, year after year in the summer. When I read some of the passionate postings about why the club has been struggling to bring in 'new blood', I feel a bit intimidated and concerned that maybe the whole thing is too big to really provide the kind of low key, tolerant, experience that we have come to know with the likes of Tin Can Tourist and some of our local vintage trailer rally organizers. I'm sure our first experience with El Camino Real or NorCal or 4 corners will allay that. Look forward to meeting you all sometime during 2010. Happy Holidays. Dan

[eubank]

Hey, if you like Tin Can Tourists, then you'll fit right in with some of our southwestern units. And be sure to join VAC (the vintage intraunit, the Rocky Mountain version of which will be holding a really cool rally in Salida, CO early next August)!

Lynn