Tim Buchholz (12344)
Florida Pelicans – President
Well, it’s mid-May as this article is being drafted for the August/September NKK issue. Most of our flock have gone north to somewhere else.
The Florida summer heat has set in, and the daily rains are upon us with some intense weather at times. Our scheduled monthly luncheon for May has dwindled to less than 10 folks. I have been a Floridian for 25 years and leave about the 5th of June every summer for family/friends visits and touring our USA. Of late, the heat down here seems to set in earlier each year, and now the daily rains have already started. Some being quite intense. I think I need to get out of dodge.
Connie & I left Florida on June 6, right after her scheduled medical appointment and pointed our Star to Marine City, Michigan to visit longtime friends for a few days. My visit there is two-fold. For years I have fished the St Clair River with friend Mark to catch my limit of walleye which is still my favorite fish to eat.
From Michigan we will head for Minnesota to meet our daughter, Lori, and husband Pat, for a week of camping. They have just purchased a 40 ft. Alliance fifth wheel, and we are joining them for their shakedown trip. Coincidentally, she sent me an article that rated RVs by their reputation and class. Newmar came in first for the class A’s and her Alliance came in first for 5th wheel units. Looks like they made a good choice.
In early July we will be headed out to the Black Hills to spend some time with them and their wine touring friends Bev & Jim as they continued to enjoy their new vacation digs.
From there we’re headed for Rock Springs, Wyoming. Wyoming; which is probably my favorite for summer stay. That and Colorado come in very close. Connie & I will be volunteering for the NKK International Rally and will probably meet some of you as you arrive at the Rock Springs complex.
If you’re still with me in this article, it’s early August now and we have left Wyoming and are camped at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. I need to get a periodic “smell of kerosene in the morning” coming from the flight line. You Air Force types know what I’m talking about.
Our Pelican chapter Vice President, Susan Duchesneau and husband Gary, will be joining us here to see the sites in and around Salt Lake City for a couple of weeks; then off to somewhere not totally figured out yet. I need to be back in Minnesota for mid-September commitments.
In early October we will be leaving for Savannah, Georgia, to join the Region Five Rally headed up by Gary & Wanda Smith. They have some exciting things planned for us again this year.
From there we head back to our home base of Florida where our Pelican Welcome Back Rally will start on October 31, which of course is Halloween day in America. This rally is being hosted by Gerry & Allen Smith and Susan & Gary Duchesneau. We are looking for a great turnout this year.
Our chapter has grown in numbers, and I would like to acknowledge the most recent additions to the Pelicans. They are Steve & Mary Heitman, Whit & Mary Ann Courtenay and Tim & Catherine Roach. Tim & Catherine just acquired a beautiful 2001 Mountain Aire, moving up from a pull behind camper.
If you winter here in Florida and have not joined one or all of the three chapters, you’re missing out on some good times and adventures which the chapters do provide.
The Pelicans would love to have you join us for only $10 a year. Our chapter has been inflation proof. We have not had a membership price increase for over 20 years. Give me a shout or contact our Membership Chair Jim & Mary Kennedy for an application by email, and we can begin to enjoy your company.
Enough said, till then, Happy Trails by Newmar to All. We can be reached at Tim.buchholz80@gmail.com Cell: 239-464-0219.
