March 2009 —Mesa, AZ
The Sonoran Desert provided a lovely backdrop
for the week’s activities.
More than 60 people joined us for our annual winter rally at Usery Mountain Regional Park near Mesa, AZ.![]()
The weather was blustery and cool for the first couple of days, but that didn’t keep people from enjoying the company of familiar faces and new friends.
Marion & Ann at the registration table.
Hosts Judi & John (shown here) and Judy & Merle (not shown) welcomed everyone at the first happy hour and talked about the events lined up for the rally.
Adoptions are a popular part of our rallies. First-timers (“the kids”) are paired up with members (“the parents”) who help ensure that their first rally is a memorable one.
The hosts provided a wonderful dinner-in-a-bag to welcome everyone the first day. 
Lots of hungry folks lined up for the toppings.
Dale provided a lovely evening of entertainment to cap off the first day …
…and got several people up and dancing. Not surprising that Susie & Denny showed some great moves as they met at a dance studio!
Lunch & music at Organ Stop Pizza, an annual favourite of rally goers.
Gerry lead the hike to the Wind Cave, then scrambled to the top of Usery Mountain with his granddaughter Julie.
A bird’s eye view of Mesa and Phoenix is spread out below.
The hosts arranged a guided tour of Pueblo Grande, an intriguing archeological site just north of the Phoenix airport.
Co-hosts Judy & Merle at the evening entertainment. Judy’s getting a lesson in using a kazoo.
Prez Jean introduces the Chapter’s “ancestors” Kay & Paul. They were the VCRs at the chapter’s inaugural meeting in 1996 and have been members ever since. Great to see them at the rally.
Some of the Chefs at the Hitchup Breakfast.A fruit cup, scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, juice and coffee. What a feast!
The May-Tra-Dee and his wait staff greeted the women as they arrived for breakfast and escorted them to their tables.
Susie, Liz, Barbara and Grace – enjoying breakfast.
Come Join Us Next Year!
May 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm
What a great site! This is the first time I have ever posted on a blog site.
After seeing how much fun we missed at this year’s Mesa Rally, we do not plan to miss the Rally in 2010.
Hugs to all,
John & Vera
May 13, 2009 at 7:19 am
Thanks for your post. It was a wonderful week and the pictures caught only part of the fun! Our hosts for next year have already laid the groundwork for a “Green” Rally in 2010 — glad you’ll be there to help us celebrate. Take care.
April 10, 2009 at 8:34 am
We are enjoying the blog. Great idea Sally! Huge thanks to the hosts, Merle & Judy Jones, and John & Judi Wuite for their efforts in planning and executing a great rally. Welcome to the new members.
Hope to see you all again soon.
We enjoyed our winter of travel, but it’s nice to be home again too.
Hugs, Jean & Doug
April 2, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Hi to all. This being our first rally and we had a great time. We hope to see you all at the next rally.
Hugs to all.
Terry & Gail Leicht
March 30, 2009 at 11:38 am
Hi All – What a great job on the blog. We really enjoyed it. Nice to see the rally pictures.We got home on Mar 28 to 2′of snow and -15c temps! Welcome back!!
March 30, 2009 at 8:53 am
Thanks for the pizza picture, Dottie. Now that you’ve joined Chapter 44 – we hope to see you at some of the events this summer back in Alberta. Safe travels.
March 30, 2009 at 8:34 am
Great job Sally,Blog looks good… Had a great time…Wonderful meeting all you folks, now I am busy on the Calif coast trying to push spring closer to home.
March 29, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Hola
We enjoyed the rally and pictures. We look forward to the Escapades and the rally in August.
Hugs, Roger & Liz
March 29, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Looks like everyone had a great time; wish we had been there.
Safe travels, all.
Al & Pam