Ben & Donna Barker (20884)
Washington State Directors
Spring is finally in the air, and we are enjoying all the beautiful flowers in our yard and the variety of different birds at our bird feeder. Time to get the wheels rolling down the road.
We have just arrived home from our travels to Arizona. We headed south late in the season while the great caravan of the northern migration was happening for those that spent the winter in the southwest. But of course, the roads will be snow free and traveling will be easy this time of year, how wrong we were. As some of you know the snow lingered far into April this year.
Traveling with other NKK members Keith & Mary Ellen Moes from Oregon we found ourselves held up one extra night in Twin Falls, Idaho waiting out the snow. We were back on our way the next day, having waited out the snow, and had no other weather-related problems the rest of our journey. We had never been to Yuma, and it was a pleasure to see the green fields with a large variety of vegetables growing. One moment you are in the arid desert and the next there are driving along bountiful fields of produce. We arrived in Yuma with a coach and toad that was covered in white salt brine from the road deicer. A good wash and she looks like new again.
We visited the old Arizona Territorial Prison site and took a long leisurely bike ride along the Colorado River. While there we visited with friends that are all past NKK Region Two Directors. Some of you will remember Jay & Donna Weewie, Jan Hasman, and Mike & Carol Lowery. Jan & Donna joined us for lunch one day after which they both showed us their beautiful homes in the desert. Donna has a wonderful cactus garden. Lowery’s joined us for dinner one night after rushing home from the Arizona Suncatchers Rally in Casa Grande.
From Yuma we traveled to Mesa where we spent 12 days visiting friends around the area and spending time with our grandson Nick and his wife Allie who have just purchased their first home in Phoenix proper. The road home was uneventful as compared to the drive south. Our beautiful clean and shiny coach once again covered in salt brine that was still on the roads and splashed up with the rain. Home again, the laundry is done, and the coach is clean once again. When can we hit the road again?
The Washington State rally is on the NKK calendar and several of you have already made your reservation. We are excited to see that so many are anticipating the fun we are going to have at Northern Quest Resort Casino RV Park in Airway Heights just outside of Spokane. Dates are arrival September 6, departure September 10. If you are planning to attend, we urge you to make your reservations now, as they are open to the public and are not holding sites for us. To make your reservations call 833-702-2082 and make sure that you give them booking number 28362. The booking number will ensure that you get our discounted rate. These are premium back in sites, and the sooner you make your reservation the more likely we will all be parked together. They have a 2-day cancelation policy for refunds so make your plans now to join us in September. The final date to register is July 1. The price for the rally is $295 per couple which will include three catered dinners and four breakfasts. We have an international theme for this rally which we think you will find interesting. The rally is early enough in September so that those planning to travel to the International Rally in Missouri will have plenty of travel time. We sure hope you will join us. We welcome all of you Oregon Pioneers and Idaho Spudnuts that are looking for a home. Also, for those that are going on the NKK Alaska cruise, please feel free to join us following the cruise.
Traveling Blessings,
