Past Trips

Camp Verde, Arizona

March 18-22, 2024

The Trek Begins

With a turn of the key, engines roared to life in Las Vegas. The Sun City March campout was underway! Faced with a deteriorating US 93 between Hoover Dam and Kingman, many campers opted for a detour. They followed US 95 to the Laughlin turnoff at Hwy 163, then switched to Hwy 68 in Arizona, rejoining US 93 just north of Kingman. This strategy helped avoid road damage and ensured smoother travels for their rigs.

Camp Verde Bound

At Kingman, the group headed east on I-40 and progressed to Flagstaff. There, they braved the playfully nicknamed "Flagstaff blizzard of '24." Finally, they turned south on I-17 to their destination: Zane Grey RV Village in Camp Verde.

A Change of Plans and Warm Hospitality

Rainy and cool weather on the evening of March 18 dashed hopes for an on-site happy hour. However, the campers were resourceful. They planned a dinner at Johnny Rocket's in the nearby Cliff Castle Casino, followed by a warm reception at the Camp Verde American Legion Hall. The entire hall was theirs to enjoy, complete with conversation, table shuffleboard, pool tables, and drinks.

Sedona Adventures

On Tuesday morning, March 19, the group gathered at Zane Grey's "Ramada" shelter for coffee and snacks. A Ramada, for those unfamiliar, is an open-air structure made from wood or branches. This particular Ramada had three covered sides and offered warmth with propane heaters. Under its shelter, campers enjoyed fresh fruit, yogurt, coffee cake, and packaged snacks with their coffee. As they chatted and planned the day's adventures, they huddled around the heaters' warm glow.

Tuesday was dedicated to exploring Sedona. Several campers ventured up to the area, visiting Oak Creek Canyon, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, downtown Sedona, and enjoying some delicious local eateries. Since the arrival dinner was postponed due to Monday's weather, it was held this evening at the Ramada. Chicken skewers, coleslaw, chips, and a variety of desserts were served, including a birthday cake for one member, complete with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" led by her husband!

Cottonwood and Jerome Delights

Wednesday began with another morning gathering at the Ramada for coffee, treats, and conversation. This day's focus was Cottonwood and Jerome. Campers made plans with friends and then set off to explore the sights. In Jerome, some visited museums and historical sites, while others shopped in the unique stores lining the main street.

Cottonwood offered a variety of experiences as well. Many members explored the trails and artifacts at Tuzigoot National Monument, eager to get their national park books stamped. Others ventured to Dead Horse Ranch State Park or wandered through Old Town Cottonwood. The day's adventures concluded with a group dinner at the Belfry Brewery. Originally built as a church in the 1920s, the Belfry Brewery found new life in 2013 when the current owner purchased and restored it. Today, it boasts a wood-fired grill and brewery, and the historic bell still rings at 11:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Camp Verde Exploration and a Musical Farewell

Thursday was designated as a free day for campers to explore Camp Verde at their own pace -- hiking, golfing, or simply relaxing and socializing with fellow campers were all on the menu.

Some members explored Fort Verde, a former US Army fort from the 1800s that was part of a larger network supplied by Fort Union, New Mexico. Others tackled the McDonald Trail, a challenging but rewarding short hike that offered stunning views and access to ancient cliff dwellings.

On Thursday evening, the group gathered one last time at the Ramada for food, drinks, and a delightful musical performance by Guitar Joe. His renditions proved so popular that not only the club members but also many other campers in the park joined the gathering. A big thank you to Joe for providing another evening of musical entertainment!

Homeward Bound

On Friday, March 22, the campers packed up their rigs and pointed them back towards Las Vegas. Filled with memories and camaraderie, they looked forward to their next opportunity to share adventures together. Special thanks go to the event coordinators for providing delicious meals and breakfast treats throughout the campout!

Palm Desert, California

February 26-March 2, 2024

The February club campout to Emerald Desert RV Resort in Palm Desert, CA was attended by 27 members.  I think all of us that went to Emerald Desert will agree that it was a wonderful location with lots do within a 45-minute radius.  The first night we gathered on the patio with heaters and plenty of tables for us all to sit around.  We had BBQ meatballs, rice, coleslaw, broccoli salad, and plenty of delicious desserts.  Before we even began to eat, a big wind came through and we thought it was snowing with the flowering trees blowing.  After eating, we all returned to our rigs to get warm.

We had three breakfast mornings with homemade granola, yogurt, fruit, and homemade breads.  Wednesday night, 14 of us went to the Indio Elks Lodge for dinner.  The food was delicious and they took good care of us.  Friday night was going to be our second night to get together as a group for dinner, but because of the strong winds to arrive in Las Vegas, half the group left that morning.  Friday evening, we had a small group where we shared chili, green salad, cornbread, and ice cream sandwiches.

There were many activities to keep everyone busy.  We played pickleball, laid by the pool, hiked, visited art museums, Shields Date Garden, Palm Springs Air Museum, Car Show, played golf, rode bikes, worked out in the gym, took a sip and paint class, Palm Springs Street Fair, attended an Eagle Tribute Concert, shared stories, and most of all enjoyed the company of many new members.  There were 14 rigs and we were close to one another, so we could easily walk over to someone’s rig to sit and talk endlessly.

Parker, Arizona

January 18-22, 2024

The January club campout was held at Buckskin Mountain State Park in Parker, AZ.  The park was very nice.  The sites were spacious and staggered.  There is a small store, a cactus garden to stroll through, and several hiking trails.  A weekly campfire is hosted by one of the camp hosts.

During the day, everyone did their own thing.  On Thursday, some campers brought their boat and puttered up the Colorado River to Lake Havasu City.  On Friday, some campers headed to the Ford Dealership in Lake Havasu for several hours.  On the way, they saw hot air balloons in the air from the Havasu Balloon Festival.  On Saturday, some campers went to the Quartzsite RV Show.  Some campers rode their bikes in and out of the park daily.

On Thursday and Friday evenings, a campfire was made at the event coordinator’s campsite that lasted past everyone’s bedtime.  One camper was finally able to try out his Solo Stove that he’s had for about a year.  It worked very well.  On Thursday night, a camper brought a delicious blueberry crumb cake to share and on Friday night we had pumpkin bread.

On Saturday night, we all went out to Whiskey River Steakhouse that one of the campers discovered for us.  Upon checkout, some campers continued on to check out Yuma.  Everyone liked the park and a good time was had by all.

Desert Hot Springs, CA

February 15-19, 2023 

There were 16 campers who traveled to Catalina Spa and RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs, CA.  Wednesday upon arriving we had a get together at the lower clubhouse and enjoyed appetizers and conversation. Since the weather remained cool we held all our gatherings indoors in the clubhouse which worked out great.

Thursday morning after gathering for breakfast snacks and fruit, we sat around and got to know each other better (we had some new members join on this trip). Later in the morning some members of the group went to the Air Museum while the rest of us visited with family and friends or enjoyed the amenities the park offered. Every Thursday in downtown Palm Springs they hold a Village Street Festival, so many in the group explored what the event had to offer and sampled some of the food.

After our Friday morning get together, a group went to the local zoo, while some campers relaxed and hung around the park.  Friday evening we gathered for a potluck BBQ.  Meat, fixings, and dessert were provided by the club and members contributed sides which made for a great meal.  After dinner we played a fun game of Catch Phrase which lasted into the evening and brought lots of laughs.

Saturday once again after the morning breakfast and conversation, some members spent the morning at the Palm Springs flea market, while 8 of us had fun scouting out potential new parks for possible future trips to the area. Saturday evening we gathered for pizza provided by the club and since it was a hit the first night, people were interested in playing another extended round of Catch Phrase.

Sunday saw half of the group heading home. Your president and vice president and spouses drove through Joshua Tree National Park, hiked a couple trails, and enjoyed its natural beauty.

Willow Beach, AZ

November 2 - 7, 2022 

This year over 40 campers turned out for the November General Meeting and Thanksgiving Dinner.  Most camped in their rigs and a few came down just for the meeting and dinner. 

As the campers arrived on November 2, the campsites were quickly set up and campers moved into the common area to reacquaint with their fellow Club members.  Unfortunately, rain made it a quick gathering.

On November 3, the sun reappeared and campers put the finishing touches on the common area for the General Meeting and eventual dinner.  At the meeting, Club officers were elected/reelected, and three veterans were recognized with Quilts of Valor, presented by Club members who were also members of the Sun City Quilt Club.  The presenters conducted a beautiful ceremony and presented quilts made especially for the individual veterans.  Following the meeting was the Club Thanksgiving Dinner; the main courses were catered in and the side dishes were prepared by the members.  After the dinner, the members set up dual campfires to break the evening chill while fun conversation and comradery was enjoyed by everyone.

The remainder of the campout was spent with Club members enjoying morning breakfast gatherings, exploring the great outdoors, followed by evening gatherings around the campfire.  Several members kayaked the Colorado River, others hiked the many trails in the area, and others just enjoyed relaxing at their campsites.

On November 7, the campsites were broken down and goodbyes were said.  Some rigs were pointed back to Las Vegas and some were pointed toward other destinations, but all looking forward to meeting again in December for the Club Christmas Party.  Safe travels to all.

Albuquerque Balloon Fest & Santa Fe

September 30 - October 4, 2022 

Sometimes the best of two worlds overlap.  This happened for the October 2022 RV Club campout with the convergence of RVing and ballooning.

The RV Club campers left Las Vegas, some on September 28 and others on September 29, with an overnight stop at the Arizona Homolovi State Park near Winslow, AZ.  Other campers arrived on October 1, on their return trip from the Midwest. 

Once camp was set up, the campers tucked in early for a 3:30am wakeup to ride down to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park.  As the campers arrived at the Park at about 6:15am, the nearly 650 hot air balloons were being prepped for a mass ascension at 6:45am.  The first balloon up carried an unfurled American Flag, with the National Anthem playing in the background.  This was followed by a flyover of vintage planes.  Then the mass ascension began. It took over two hours for the majority of the balloons to lift off and take their place in the clouds.  The view from the fiesta grounds was spectacular as balloons were stretched out on the ground, inflated, and released into the wind.  Once back in Santa Fe, the campers revisited the Plaza Care Southside which was visited during the Santa Fe trip in 2021.  The outdoor seating added to the ambiance.  The campers returned to the campgrounds around noon and planned for an afternoon and evening gathering with sloppy joes, and a variety of side dishes.

On Sunday, October 2, some campers returned to the Balloon Fiesta Park and others planned a trip to Bandelier National Monument.  This national treasure is the location of rich historic cliff dwellings and ancient communal ruins.  The public is allowed to climb up to some of the cliff dwellings and get a feel for how ancient civilizations lived in the sides of rock hills.  Later that night, the group reunited for dinner and an evening of watching football at a local brew pub.

On Monday October 3, the group descended on downtown Santa Fe to explore, shop and dine.  One of the highlights was the Loretto Chapel with the legendary wooden spiral staircase that was built without supports.  The mystery of the spiral staircase and the carpenter who built it was not solved on this trip!  The day was capped off with dinner and drinks at the fun Thunderbird Bar and Grill, in downtown Santa Fe.

On Tuesday October 4, the campers assembled their gear and pointed their rigs towards the highway.  Some returned in one day and others broke up the trip with a stopover at the Homolovi State Park again.  Another successful campout was complete as the campers looked forward to the next adventure in November…Willow Beach National Park in AZ…

Morro Bay, California

May 20-26, 2022

The campers arrived in Morro Dunes RV resort on May 20, 2022.  Ten RVs made the trip from Sun City Summerlin to Morro Bay, CA.  Two RVers took an extra day to arrive, “little” problem with their RV. The first night the attendees gathered in at the host’s camp site. There were many vineyards close by in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. Cool weather met the group at 65 degrees and sunny.  The ocean, a walk over the Embarcadero directly outside the RV Park, was easy access to the sand and ocean.   The landmark of the Rock in the middle of the bay greeted the campers every morning.  The campers were in good spirits and a little tired at the end of the first night.  Tails of the trip whirled around the campsite.

Monday after coffee, several of campers brought bikes and took a trip around town.  The warm sun with the temperatures in the high 60's, made for a perfect bike ride.  The Otters and seals, some sleeping and some swimming in the bay close to the fishing boats were enjoyed by all.  That night the group enjoyed a chicken dinner at The Shack on the property.

Sunday at coffee, two of the senior campers told the group about a place called Sculpterra Winery, that they were going to later that day.  Several in the group joined them. It was interesting to observe one can leave the ocean side at 65 degrees, go a mile in land and suddenly it's 80 degrees. The day was lovely.  The art sculptures that surrounded the property were amazing.  Done by several different artists it added to the feeling of being in a museum and a winery.  The history of Paso Robles was on display and showed the development of this area. The members who attended this outing did a wine tasting and sat in the shade and enjoyed the day. Back to camp in time to catch the sunset!

On Monday several members wanted to put their kayaks in the water.  There was a problem with the fog not burning off and the bay being covered with a thick fog that came and went made it hard to judge safety.  One camper wondered if the “Rock” was attached to a tug boat that was pulling it into and out of view due to the shifting fog!  It was crazy.  Monday afternoon many in the group went to Hearst Castle.  After two years of being closed it had finally reopened.  The history of the complex man, his gardens, pools, the exquisite tapestries and antiques was wonderful.  Afterward many in the group visited the Elephant Seals just up the highway.  On the way home one camper found a pub in Cambria resulting in a nice stop for dinner, then everyone enjoyed the sunset on the way back.

Tuesday one camper made it into the water with his paddle board for some morning exercise.  Except for two campers, the remaining attended a wine tasting at Harmony cellars in Harmony, CA... population 18.  The weather was a little breezy but was wonderful in the sun.  The Winery was surrounded by cattle ranches.  The group tasted seven different wines, ate good food and good time was had by all!

Wednesday was a beautiful day, for a bike ride.  One camper took his Kayak into the bay to get a closer view of the seals. Everyone walked into town at 4:15 pm (.6 miles away from camp) for dinner at Harbor Hut.  The dinner was a great end to the trip.   There was no camp fire that night due to an early start in the morning for the group.

Everyone arrived at their destinations; some back home, some continued on their travels.  Thanks to everyone for helping out and pitching in to make this a good time!

Lehi, Utah Tulip Festival

April 8-11, 2022

On Friday April 8, campers from the Sun City Las Vegas RV Club pulled into the Lakeside RV Campground in Provo, Utah to attend the annual Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah.  Once the campsites were set up, campers gathered for food, drinks and conversation.

On Saturday April 9, campers traveled to Thanksgiving point to attend the Tulip Festival.  Given the cool temperatures, some of the tulips had not bloomed, but the ones that were in bloom were beautiful.  The day was spent viewing the wonders of nature.  Upon returning to the campground, the campers were treated to pizza and comradery for dinner.

On Sunday April 10, some campers departed early for home due to the weather forecast predicting high winds and snow.

On Monday April 11, the remaining campers departed for the drive home to Sun City.  The campers commented that it would be great to visit this festival again when the weather was less of a factor.

Southwest Caravan

March 2-14, 2022

On March 2, rv’ers from the Sun City Las Vegas RV Club forged a path south on Hwy 95.  The journey went through Lake Havasu City, Parker and Quartzsite ending near I-8 and Foothills Blvd in the Foothills of Yuma Arizona; so began the 2022 Southwest Caravan.

The first stop on the caravan was the Fortuna de Oro RV Park near Yuma, AZ.   The rigs pulled in and set up their campsites.  Then on the opening night, they gathered for a meal, drinks and planning the next few days.  On Thursday, March 3 the campers lined up and headed to the border crossing at Los Algodones, Mexico.  The next few hours were spent shopping and dining south of the border.  Later in the day, the group gathered in downtown Yuma for a classic car show.  Later that evening, the campers gathered at the main campsite for a campfire, drinks, laughter, and some live music provided by Guitar Joe!  Thanks Joe!  On Friday, March 4 the campers assembled at the main campsite for coffee and to discuss plans for the day.  Soon they departed for the Yuma Territorial Prison -- now an Arizona Historical State Park that housed its first prisoner in 1876. The prison was active until around the turn of the 20th Century.  As the infrastructure for the prison remained intact after closing, it served a variety of community needs through the 20th Century, including a temporary home for Yuma High School after a fire destroyed the school, a home for the impoverished during the Great Depression and as a clubhouse for the local VFW chapter.  A video presentation gave a history of the prison, and a central guard house had a variety of displays showing tools of the trade and some of the prisoners housed while it was open.  The campers proceeded to view the cells that routinely held six people at a time, and then they visited the solitary confinement room.  A few pictures taken at the prison revealed what the campers looked like peering out of the jail bars.  The afternoon event was visiting the classic car show at the Yuma Midnight at the Oasis Car Show.  The cars in the show were on display and did a cool classic car parade through town.  On Friday evening, the caravan campers met at Lute’s Casino, a Yuma Landmark, for dinner and drinks.  On Saturday, the campers met at the main campsite for coffee and pastries, then they spent the day exploring on their own. 

On Sunday, March 6, the campers formed up and caravanned 240 miles across Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 to the Pima County Fair Ground RV Park.  After the campers checked in and set up, they assembled at the main campsite for drinks and a light meal.  On Monday, March 7 the campers gathered at the main campsite for coffee and pastries.  Then the campers departed for the Pima County Titan Missile Museum.  This museum was an actual Titan Missile Launch Facility and missile during the Cold War.  The campers first saw a video presentation on the history of the Titan Missile program, then they ventured down in the silo’s launch facility where the system was explained and they witnessed a simulated launch.  Then they were taken to a silo where they saw an inert missile.  After the Missile Museum, the campers had lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and then traveled up to the Pima County Air and Space Museum.  On Tuesday, March 8 the campers visited University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2.  The campers received an audio guided tour through the Biosphere inhabitants’ living quarters, the simulated indoor experiment areas and received an update on current studies being conducted at the Biosphere 2 facility.  On Wednesday, March 9 the campers assembled at the main campsite for coffee, pastries and conversation to recount what they had seen and what they planned to do.  Then about 9:30 AM they departed for Tombstone.  As the campers roamed the wild streets of Tombstone, reservations were made for a group photo.  While they waited for the reservation time, they went to lunch and enjoyed food, drinks and an abundance of laughter!  Then they returned for the photo where they dressed in western garb and captured what a group of caravaners might have looked like 150 years ago.

On Thursday, March 10 the caravan continued 120 miles to the Mesa/Apache Junction KOA.  Once checked in and setup, the campers assembled at the main campsite for drinks and a campfire.  On Friday, March 11 the campers went to the Mesa Swap Meet for the latest in swap meet deals.  Later in the evening the campers assembled at the Handlebar Pub and Grill for a delicious dinner.  Initially the trip to Apache Junction was to see some Major League Baseball Spring Training.  Unfortunately, because of an owner lockout of the players over contract issues, Spring Training was delayed and did not happen during this trip…perhaps next year.

Catalina Spa and RV Resort

February 16-20, 2022

On Wednesday February 16, one-by-one rigs from Sun City Las Vegas RV Club pulled into Catalina Spa and RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs, California.  They were looking forward to several days in warmer weather than where they had left.  That evening they gathered in Catalina’s Upper Club House where they ate pizza and exchanged greetings, shared experiences since the last campout, and plans for the next few days.

On Thursday February 17, the campers met for morning coffee and goodies at the Upper Club House where they set plans for the day.  Some of the campers set off for the 5 mile Pushwalla Palms Trail for a little hiking.  Along the trail were several oases and an old truck derelict from the early 1900s.  Later in the afternoon, the campers descended on Palm Springs for the VillageFest.  This is a community event celebrated every Thursday night in Palm Springs from 6pm to 10pm.  Palm Canyon Drive is closed for several blocks to allow vendors, restaurants and stores to open to pedestrian traffic throughout the area.

On Friday February 18, the campers met for a morning coffee mixer to discuss what had happened the day before and the upcoming plans for the day.  Some campers took to the golf course to hone their skills of pursuing the little ball across the Coachella Valley.  Others took off to test their puzzle skills in an escape room, by trying to find a hidden life boat in the Titanic before it sank.  The room proved to be no match for the RV Club members…of course they were helped with a few clues along the way.  Later that night several members went to the Kaiser Grille along Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs to share food, drink and conversation.

On Saturday February 19, campers visited the College of the Desert Street Fair in the morning.  Campers found some clothing and treats to enjoy during the outing.  For the remainder of the day, campers were on their own to enjoy the Palm Springs area by exploring for themselves.  In the early evening, campers met up at the Blue Coyote Grill in Palm Springs for an end of campout dinner.  It was a wonderful meal to end a wonderful campout.

On Sunday February 20, campers disconnected their rigs, stowed their gear and bid each other good bye until next time.  The rigs pulled onto the road where campers went their separate ways…until the next outing.  Safe travels to all!

January 20-24, 2022

Cattail Cove State Park

On January 20, 2022 twelve Sun City Las Vegas RV Club rigs descended on Lake Havasu City, AZ to enjoy the next few days at Cattail Cove State Campground and the surrounding area.  Activities high on the list were the Lake Havasu City Balloon Festival and the RV Show in Quartzsite, AZ.

As the rigs pulled into Cattail Cove, they quickly set up and gathered at the Campground Amphitheater, where the campers posted their Club sign and Activities Board, to let everyone know the Club had arrived.  After a delightful evening mixer, the campers retired for what would be an early morning at the Lake Havasu Balloon Festival.

On January 21, many of the campers rolled out of Cattail Cove at 6:15 AM.  They parked and shuttled into the balloon launch site.  As the sun rose in the East, so did the huge balloons rise into the brisk morning sky.  During the Sunrise Flag Ceremony, the first balloon carried the American flag high over the crowd to a chorus of the Star Spangled Banner.  Then balloon after balloon took to the air.  A special favorite of the campers was a big blue Battle Born Nevada balloon!  The campers eventually retreated to a local restaurant to share lunch, stories and photos.

On January 22, the campers rolled out a little later for Quartzsite, AZ and the first day of the Quartzsite RV Show.   A favorite of the RV Show is the “Big Tent” where campers see what’s new in the world of RVs from vendors around the world.  After the show, some campers stopped in Parker, AZ for a late lunch as they headed back to Cattail Cove.  After arriving back at Cattail Cove, a large campfire was set in the Amphitheater gathering space and tales of what everyone saw were shared.

Sunday, January 23, was an open day for the campers.  Some ventured into Lake Havasu, some returned to the RV Show and yet others hiked down the trail that ran alongside the Colorado River.  At 4 PM the campers gathered at the Amphitheater campsite for a group dinner of sub sandwiches, chips and dessert snacks.  Another campfire was set and stories were shared.  A few campers even found a way to enjoy a football game!  Then the Club banner and Activities Board were stowed until the next campout.

On January 24, the roar of engines could be heard throughout Cattail Cove State Park as campers started their rigs, disconnected, raised their levelers and began the trip back to Las Vegas or other points of camping interest, until next month…

December 2-5, 2021

Nevada Treasure Campground

Silence was broken by the ignition of engines and the rattle of rigs moving down the street on December 2, 2021...the destination - Nevada Treasure RV Resort in Pahrump Nevada.  

The campers made their way out of Las Vegas and "over the hump" to Pahrump Nevada.  Most campers arrived on December 2nd and set up for the Christmas Holiday campout.  The remainder arrived on December 3rd.  The first night campers gathered outside at the host's rig to share drinks and stories of what had happened since the last campout.  As the sun set, the campfires broke out and conversation continued well into the night.

On December 3rd, the campers gathered for morning coffee, snacks and planning.  Then the campers disbursed to their respective activities; some golfed, some hiked, some went into Death Valley.  Later the campers assembled for a pizza party at a local restaurant.  The campers were joined by several club members who drove to Pahrump for the pizza party.  Nearly 30 members in all enjoyed the pizza party.

On December 4th, the campers gathered for morning treats, then went out for more activities.  Later that evening, the campers enjoyed a dinner at the resort, followed by a gift exchange and swap.  Some great gifts were offered this year!  The only thing missing was the jolly old elf, himself!

On December 5th, the campers broke camp and headed back to Las Vegas.  As they passed back over the hump, they could be heard saying "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"  -- Peace.

November 2-5, 2021

Willow Beach Marina and Campground

Willow Beach, AZ

Thanksgiving 2021 came early to nearly 40 campers on the annual SCLVRV Club campout to Willow Beach November 2-5.  

Great weather made for a great time.  Many campers enjoyed kayaking up and down the Colorado River, some fished (rumor has it the fish won) and others e-biked the area.  Everyone enjoyed the beautiful scenery and comradery with the other campers.

The first night campfire gave everyone an opportunity to introduce themselves and give the group some background on their time in the club and their RV experiences.  This was extremely helpful especially with all the new members in the club.

Morning coffee/pastries were well attended and gave everyone time to plan their day.  Evening happy hour included enough food to keep everyone happy (the line between hors d'oeuvres and a full dinner has become blurred).

Due to the high attendance the November General Club Meeting was held the afternoon of the 4th.  Following the short meeting and election, our annual Thanksgiving dinner was catered and served.  Once again there was more than enough food.  No one went hungry!

For all of you who kept asking about the herd of Bighorn Sheep we saw last year, they did show up, just a day late on the afternoon of the fifth, just hours after most campers checked out.

A special thank you to the wagon master and all others who helped make this trip a great success!

Already looking forward to Willow Beach 2022!

October 21-24, 2021

Zion Canyon Campground

Springdale, UT

Thirteen members and 7 RVs headed out to Zion National Park on October 20th from the Sun City Las Vegas RV Club.  Club members enjoyed biking the canyon, hiking the numerous trails and exploring the surrounding areas.  A special highlight was a short trip to the Ghost Town of Grafton, UT. Some members bicycled while others drove. The town was settled in 1870's and after flooding, many residents moved to Hurricane, UT. 

The beauty of Zion was enhanced by the convenience of a free shuttle system that ran from Springdale throughout the park with stops along the way.  This allowed for members to have many different shopping and hiking options and enjoy the natural beauty of the canyon.  The shuttle made experiencing Zion even more enjoyable due to lack of vehicle traffic.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped with food and snacks during morning coffee and evening campfires. A final night dinner on the back patio of the Bit and Spur Restaurant (Tex-Mex cuisine) was enjoyed by all.  Campers also extended a special thank you to Linda and Todd for hosting morning and evening gatherings at their campsite.  Another shout out goes to “Guitar Joe” for sharing his musical talent and providing the evening entertainment.

A great time was had by all!

September 18-22, 2021

Trailer Ranch RV Resort

Santa Fe, NM

The September 2021 campout took the RV Club to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Campers departed Las Vegas midweek of the third week of September.  Some left early for some fun in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, and others left on the 17th, with an overnight in Holbrook, AZ.  Some traveled without incident and some got to experience the challenge of metal and rubber on the road.  But all arrived by September 18th.

On September 18th the club gathered behind one of the co-host’s rigs for a welcome mixer.  One co-host provided snacks (that turned out to be enough for supper) and great conversation.   Another co-host unveiled the new club banner which contained the new club logo approved at our last general meeting.  It was colorful and vibrant!  Then we discovered one of our new members is a musician and singer at Miller’s Tavern in Sun City.  He brought his guitar and “Joe” began to serenade the group with a variety of songs.  This was an unexpected treat!

On September 19th the club met for coffee and danish and to discuss plans for the day.  Some campers went to tour Santa Fe, and some went to Canyon Road to see the area art renderings.  A few members even added to the local economy with art purchases.  For dinner the group came together back at the campsite and shared pulled pork sandwiches and great side dishes…and more musical enjoyment from our new member!  As guitar “Joe” swooned the crowd, it was revealed that one couple was celebrating their wedding anniversary.  When asked which anniversary it was…each half of the couple gave a different answer.  This was apparently pleasing to the other campers as sustained laughter broke out.  With that, “Joe” and his guitar performed a wedding song he had written in the early 1980s for his wife.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the camp.

On September 20th the club met for coffee and breakfast treats.  Then the members went off to enjoy Santa Fe.  Some members attended the Santa Fe Walking Tour that was put together by another of our co-hosts. The tour guide was a published author on Santa Fe, which added to the interest of the group.  The tour guide took us on a trip through the State Capital Building, where he noted that Santa Fe was the oldest State Capital in the US, and yet it had the newest capital building in the US.  After visiting the Senate Chambers, the group moved into central Santa Fe, where he shared local stories of many western legends and their connection to the area.  Then he took the group to 109 East Palace, the location where everyone bound for Los Alamos Laboratory during WWII passed through under the scrutiny of Dorothy McKibbin.  This story prompted a few book sales. Later in the afternoon, the group reassembled for a happy hour and mixer at a co-host’s campsite for appetizers and to share the day’s experiences.  We were then treated to more live music and fun from “Joe” and his guitar.  

On September 21st the club re-assembled for the last full day of activities.  The day started with coffee, pastries and fun conversation.  Then club members started off to explore the area around Santa Fe.  Some members returned to Canyon Road to view more art, some returned to the town square of Santa Fe, and some ventured out to Los Alamos to visit the Bradbury Science Museum and the famous “Lodge” where the roots of WWII atomic research were laid.  The day ended with everyone meeting at the Plaza Café – Southside, for a farewell dinner and group photo.

On September 22nd the club members said their farewells and good-byes.  Then the sound of slides coming in, storage doors closing, and the starting of engines could be heard throughout Trailer Ranch RV Park as the Sun City Las Vegas RV Club prepared to depart Santa Fe.  Some members continued straight home, others stayed overnight in Holbrook or at Homolovi State Park and some continued on to Camp Verde, AZ to check out the Zane Gray RV Park for a potential future trip.  This had been a fun trip and one we will surely make again soon!

April 16-29, 2021

Southwest Caravan

Let’s talk caravan!

In April 2021, the RV Club set out to do the first caravan in a few years.  Back when this was first planned, we were in the middle of a global pandemic.  No one knew if we would be able to do this or not…but that didn’t stop the Sun City RV Club!

On April 16th, the club set out from Las Vegas and headed north on Interstate 15 into Utah.  Most of the RVers stayed overnight along I-70, in Richfield Utah at the KOA.  This was an overnight stop en route to Moab, UT.  The next morning the RVers continued east on I-70; with some stopping to refuel in Green River, UT.  By early afternoon, the RVers began checking in at the Portal RV Park on the north side of Moab.  The RVers looked forward to five days of fun and exploration in Moab.  Some of the activities included visiting and hiking Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Dead Horse State Park, and the Lasal Mountains.  There were evenings out in Moab…including one place where it was learned Moab was actually an acronym for “Mother Of All Burritos.” Who knew?  Several RVers rented Jeeps and explored some of the 4x4 trails around the area.  Then there was a nice evening dinner and boat ride up the Colorado River.

On April 22nd, the RVers headed down US Highway 191 in a caravan to Monticello, where they joined US Highway 491 to Cortez, Colorado.  From Cortez, they took US Highway 160 to the Mesa Verde RV Resort just outside the gates of Mesa Verde National Park.  After they arrived and set up, a few RVers did some preliminary scouting in the Park, and then came back to a cozy campfire and pulled pork sandwich dinner provided by the wagon master.  The RV Park had a great public meeting space with two gas fire pits and gas grills.  The RVers swapped stories about this trip and past trips.  No one wanted to leave, but the brisk Colorado night air eventually caused the group to adjourn until morning.

April 23rd brought the exploration of Mesa Verde National Park.  Many new terms were learned and it was amazing how some of these settlements lasted many hundreds of years (circa 600 to 1300 AD).  We have been here such a short time in comparison.   After a day of learning and exploring, the wagon master arranged a dinner at a brewery in Durango.  Beautiful sites and yummy food…this is why we RV.

On April 24th the caravan moved again, west on US Highway 160 towards the Grand Canyon.  En route to the destination, the caravan stopped at an interesting Trading Post in Teec  Nos Pos, AZ.  The RVers enjoyed looking at the handmade rugs, blankets, baskets, bowls and pottery.  There were even a few purchases made.  Then the caravan proceeded on to US Highway 89 south to State Highway 64 and the east entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park.  As the RVers set up at the Trailer Village RV Park, they were treated to a female Elk who decided to have dinner between the rigs in the park.  You could hear the distinctive clicks of cameras throughout the RV Park.

During the two full days at the Grand Canyon, there were multiple hikes and explorations using GPS audio apps that gave the history and context of many of the locations around the Grand Canyon.

In the end, there was a real sense of satisfaction as this trip came to a close.  As stated before, this trip was planned while the world was struggling with a pandemic.  No one knew if it would actually happen…yet it did happen.  As the caravan came to a close, some RVers returned to Las Vegas and some continued the journey.  That is the life of an RVer…follow the road to the next horizon.

March 15-19, 2021

Mesa/Apache Junction KOA

During the month of March, Sun City Las Vegas RVers pointed their rigs towards Phoenix and roared down the road.  Their ears yearned to hear two words…”Play Ball!”  Virtually all RVers in the group had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 thanks mostly to the hard work of the Administration at Sun City Las Vegas, and they were ready to experience live sports for the first time in well over a year.

A few RVers arrived a day or so early and played golf, and one RVer even won her age group in the Phoenix 5k Shamrock Run on Sunday!

As the remaining RVers descended into the “Valley of the Sun”, they headed towards the Mesa/Apache Junction KOA.  The day of arrival was spent setting up campsites and looking forward to the 6pm social hour to reconnect with old friends.

On Tuesday, the day started with a morning meet up and sharing plans for the day.  Some members had baseball tickets for Tuesday; it was noted fans at the games were socially distanced into “pods” of two, three and four groups, and stadiums were reduced to about 20% of capacity. Masks were also a requirement to enter the stadiums.  Some RVers went to see the Cleveland Indians play the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium; others went to Goldfield Ghost Town, a 1890s town built around gold mining.  Still others hiked the trails in the area.  At 4pm enough members were present to hold a Club General Meeting to get some important Club business handled.  After the General Meeting, members adjourned to an evening social, then dinner on their own.

On Wednesday, members met up to share plans for the day, then all set out to enjoy the day.  Some went to see the Kansas City Royals play the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium in the early afternoon.  Other RVers went to an evening game to see the San Diego Padres play the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa.  Given the late game with over half the RVers in attendance, no evening event was held at the campsite.

On Thursday, RVers got together in the morning to plan their day and to share stories of the games they saw on Wednesday.  The final game for the group was the Kansas City Royals at the Chicago White Sox in the Camelback Ranch – Glendale Stadium.  As RVers walked through the stadium concourse, it was apparent that the Chicago rivalry between the Sox and the Cubs even extends to the Valley of the Sun as a few White Sox fans could be seen sporting t-shirts that said “This is your brain on drugs” with a Cubs emblem displayed over an image of a brain.  Not all of our RV Cubs fans appreciated the humor in the message.  After the game, the RVers met at the campsite for a group dinner of hamburgers and brats.  After dinner, the club members closed the trip with a social hour and sharing fun stories.

On Friday, most members brought their rigs to life and roared off in multiple directions; some returned to Las Vegas, some went over to the area of the Colorado River, and others lingered for a day or so.  Another Sun City Las Vegas RV Club campout had come to an end.   Next up…caravan!

Catalina Spa and RV Resort

February 15-19, 2021

Some rigs chose I-15 to I-10…some chose I-15 to State Route 247…and some chose Kelso-Cima Road to Twenty-Nine Palms.  All had one destination in mind, Catalina Spa and RV Resort in Desert Hot Springs, CA.  The Club chose the warmth of the desert in the Coachella Valley for the February outing.  While the valley was warmer than home base, it was still a little cool and blustery due to a weather front that was negatively impacting the entire country.

Some campers elected to spend the entire month of February at the resort, while others extended their post-campout time, and yet others stayed just for the time of the campout.   The month long campers rolled in on February 1, 2021 and setup and began surveying the greater Palm Springs area for open activities and businesses.  As the COVID-19 cloud loomed during February 2021, restrictions remained in place to protect the public health.  The mission of the first arrivals was to learn how to navigate the rules of the COVID road in southern California.  It was soon learned that most businesses were open with reduced capacities, and restaurants required outside dining or carry out.  Unfortunately, other activities that tended to draw larger crowds, like the Thursday night Palm Springs Village Fest and the Saturday/Sunday morning College of the Desert Street Fair were not in operation due to COVID.  While this was a disappointment, it leaves opportunities for future trips!  The campout agenda could now be set.

On Monday February 15th, campers began to arrive and set up their campsites.  The resort donated a vacant campsite for a common area to permit Club members the opportunity to meet and socialize.  The common area was in the middle of the group’s area.  At 4pm the campers converged on the common area bringing chairs, drinks, snacks and fire pits to warm the chilly night air.  Conversation renewed friendships and discussed plans for this and future trips.

On Tuesday, February 16th, the campers met for morning coffee and treats at the common area, then planned the day’s activities.  It was decided that the majority of the group would go to the Whitewater Preserve and do a hike on the Canyon View Loop Trail, while others would take in a round of golf on one of Palm Springs’ beautiful courses.  The Canyon View Loop Trail also included some of the Pacific Crest Trail that extends 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, along the US West Coast.  After 4 miles and an 800 foot ascent, the campers returned to base camp and cleaned up for an evening in Palm Springs, and were joined at camp by the golfers.  Dinner was reserved at the Blue Coyote Mexican Grill in the Downtown district.  Great food, drinks and friends made the night a special treat.  Then…one camper learned about excusing himself to the restroom at the end of the meal, and returning to find he had been left behind…he soon realized it was a joke when the other campers started laughing from around the corner.  It was a humorous end to a fun evening.

On Wednesday, February 17th, the campers met at the common area and shared stories about Tuesday and made plans for Wednesday.  The group decided to visit the Palm Canyon Preserve on the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian Reservation, south of Palm Springs.  The group decided on the Palm Canyon Trail which was a beautiful journey through mature palm trees, lush brush and a flowing creek.  When the hike was over, the campers returned to camp for a dinner on their own and fun chat in the common area.  During the chat, one camper shared that his bride had tasked him to find a rig with a bathtub for future trips.  Since RVers are always quick to help, he was provided a variety of alternative scenarios on how he might get a bathtub into his rig and where it might be located.  As of this writing, the issue is apparently under less than serious review.

On Thursday, February 18th, the campers again assembled in the common area for coffee and planning.  The group decided to visit the Coachella Valley Preserve for hiking and picture taking.  A short drive later, the group descended into the preserve and found a beautiful oasis of Palm Trees and flowing water.  Some members elected for a short hike and others for a longer five mile hike.  After the group returned to camp, the club sponsored a dinner at the CatSpa Café in the resort.  When dinner was finished, the group adjourned to the common area for more talk, refreshments and fire pits.  The group reflected on the activities of the campout and the many laughs we had as a group.  It won’t be long until March in Apache Junction and Spring Baseball!

On Friday February 19th, the campers who were returning to Las Vegas disconnected their rigs and stowed their gear and headed for the highway.  The campers who stayed behind waved and knew we would meet again soon.

Cattail Cove State Park

January 20-24, 2021

On the cold morning of January 20, 2021, engines sprang to life and recreational vehicles merged onto south Highway 95.  While they came from different spots in Sun City, the RV pilots and their crews had one destination in mind…Cattail Cove State Park near Lake Havasu City, AZ.  Roads turned from four lanes to two lanes and back to four as the nearly 200 miles ticked off down the road.  Henderson led to a Searchlight bathroom break, continuing on to Needles then to Lake Havasu City.  As the RV pilots descended through the rocky terrain north of Lake Havasu City, the outline of the London Bridge could be seen in the distance.  Finally, about 10 miles south of Lake Havasu City, powerful engines throttled down and made the turn into Cattail Cove State Park.  After checking in at the Ranger stations, pilots and crew navigated to pre-assigned sites and began that often humorous process of backing their motorized homes into that perfect spot…after a few warm up tries.

The pilots and crews dismounted their beasts and started to tether them to water and electrical connections.  After leveling their rigs and making sure everything worked, the pilots and their crews exited their rigs and began to get the lay of the land.  They met their neighbors and renewed acquaintances.  At about 4pm, club members assembled at the gathering spot in front of the park Amphitheater and checked the event board for activities.  Members brought drinks, masks and socially distanced to renew friendships.  As the evening wore on, and the large group divided, fire pits began to illuminate the campground; chatter and laughter filled the air.

On January 21, the campers met for morning coffee at the Amphitheater, then planned their visit to the RV Show in Quartzite.  At about 9:30, bands of campers set out down Highway 95 to Quartzite.  About an hour later, near the intersection of I-10 and Highway 95, the big top of the central tent could be seen…amongst all those RVs; this was as close as some campers would ever get to heaven.  After finding the coveted parking space, campers fanned out to search the swap meet for the essential RV gizmo that would make life so much easier in a world of campgrounds and machinery.  A few campers stopped for some adult beverages and food.  After touring the “big tent” and searching for that next RV in the sales lot, campers began to trickle back to Cattail…for more campfires and friends.

On January 22, about a third of the campers set out for the “big hike.”  The hike was at the S.A.R.A. (Special Activities and Recreation Area) Crack in the Mountain Trail.  This was a moderate Arizona trail that led down to the Colorado River through a divide in a mountain.  The group used teamwork to descend through the divide, stopping for the occasional picture.  Once the Colorado River was reached, some beautiful pictures documented the arrival.  Then the trip back to the parking lot began.  The trip back took a route that ascended ridges and kept the hikers out of the old river bed.  About three hours and five miles after the start, the hikers returned to the parking lot sore, and proud of their accomplishment.

On January 23, members set out to explore the area.  Some hiked and some kayaked, others took a trip to tour the London Bridge.  This was a day of personal activities.  At 3:30 the group came together at the Amphitheater for drinks and a variation of a group dinner during COVID times.  Subs and chips were ordered from a local sub shop and the group broke into three socially distanced groups to share dinner and conversation.  Then the final night resumed with more campfires and evening chat.

As morning broke on January 24th, the campers disconnected their rigs from their water and power connections.  Leveling blocks were stowed.  Chairs were put away.  Campers bid each other good bye until next time.  Oh yes…and they made sure they had reservations for January 2022.  The vehicles pointed back towards Las Vegas and the journey home commenced with great memories and friendships.  The shapes of rigs could be seen shrinking in the distance.  With more to come next month!

Willow Beach Marina and Campground

November 10-14, 2020

As morning broke on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, thirty-two Sun City RVers pointed their rigs down river from the Hoover Dam to Willow Beach National Recreation Area on the Colorado River.  This was the annual club Thanksgiving outing.

As campers arrived and set up their campsites, friendly waves and exchanges served as a prelude to the evening mixer later at 4pm.  The mixer allowed everyone to renew friendships and share stories of personal trips since they last met.

On Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at about 8:30am, the campers met to drink coffee and share plans for the day.  Due to COVID-19, there was no usual morning sharing of breakfast treats; however, in the days of the virus, it was a treat to just see each other…even if it was socially distanced and from behind a mask.  The day was planned with events campers love most, enjoying the outdoors.  Some hiked, some kayaked and some went on pontoon boat rides on the Colorado River.  The day was marked with a variety of fun activities.  At 4pm, a General Meeting was held in the Central Campsite.  Most of the meeting was to give some feedback to the Planning Committee on future plans.  After the meeting a mixer was held.

Thursday, November 12, 2020 was the special day.  The early morning activities blended from mixer to more camp ground activities.  Then as 3:30pm approached, the Thanksgiving Dinner arrived.  Since COVID protocols prohibited the “pot luck” style dinners, the dinner had to be commercially catered…and catered it was!  Turkey…mashed potatoes…gravy…sweet potatoes…stuffing…green beans…salad…and pie!  Yum…the food servers donned Personal Protective Equipment…gloves, masks and the ever popular sanitizer.  While it was cumbersome, it allowed the members to share the special time and meal of Thanksgiving with each other.  All were thankful for this special time.

On Friday, November 13, 2020 the campers began the process of breaking camp and bidding good-bye to fellow campers.  As equipment was stowed and engines sparked to life, campers planned their next moves.  Some returned to Las Vegas and some continued travels across the southwest, one even stayed for an extra day in the campground.  Reservations were made for the event next year as campers checked out.  Hopefully, next year will see a return to some semblance of normalcy.  That is the hope for the future!  

Distant Drums RV Resort

October 5-9, 2020

The desert around Camp Verde, Arizona was the setting for the October 2020 RV Club Campout.  The caravans from Las Vegas rolled into Distant Drums RV Resort on Monday, October 5.  During early Monday afternoon Sun City Las Vegas campers could be seen setting up camp; leveling rigs, connecting hoses, and insuring power was properly flowing into their rigs.  About 5pm the campers gathered around the host’s rig and reacquainted old friendships and started new ones.  Due to COVID-19, the campers were spaced out a little more than normal and most kept a mask handy.

On Tuesday, October 6, the campers met for coffee and to bid good morning.  After the morning well wishes, everyone went on their way, many heading to Sedona.  Some hiked the ridges of the red mesas, some shopped, some looked at the beautiful scenery, and some did all three.  As the day ended, the campers reassembled at the host’s campsite to share their experiences with friends.

On Wednesday, October 7, the campers ventured out to the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarksdale, Arizona.  They boarded the Santa Fe Bell railcar and were greeted with a beautiful, expansive, and private first-class car that was air conditioned and personally staffed by “Conductor” Monica.  She kept the campers informed on all the scenic highlights as the train snaked along the canyon walls…steep walls on one side, deep valleys and rivers on the other.  Campers were primed to view everything from live animals, homesteads, rocks that resembled the “living” and the “dead”, and oh those carefully staged gnomes.

On Thursday, October 8, the campers had a free day to go where they wanted.  Some went to Cottonwood, others went to Jerome and some did the African Safari.  All enjoyed the beautiful sites of central Arizona.

On Friday, October 9, the campers bid good bye to each other until the next time.  The rigs were disconnected, tanks were drained, equipment was stowed and the sound of slow surging engines pushing and pulling large masses of metal and fiberglass began to exit the confines of their sites and started the return trip towards Sin City.  Another campout ended as fun success…the rigs could be seen disappearing over the ridge…homeward bound.