GMC Western States Emerald Desert Spring 2001 Roundup

If you are reading this and are not signed up yet, NOW IS THE TIME!! IT IS NOT TOO LATE. This may be one of the best Western States Roundups ever. We will wine you, dine you, and entertain you at one of the best RV parks that we have ever seen. We have a full and fun schedule. See you at the Emerald Desert Spring Roundup in Palm Desert, California.

This low desert Palm Springs area is famous for recreational opportunities, great winter weather, wonderful food and life styles of the rich and famous. The shopping is first class including a beautiful mall with an ice rink. Snow capped mountains offer beautiful views, and the rich agriculture of Imperial Valley to the south gives it a garden of paradise feeling.

The weather should be just right for us to have lots of fun. Emerald Desert RV Resort has it all: pools, spas, 9 hole golf course, putting green, gym room, dog runs, activity rooms and a beautiful large meeting hall. As usual we will be doing our best to offer high quality and reliable technical information as well as a lot of fun activities.

Palm Desert not only offers us beautiful weather, it also has many interesting things to do and see. We have provided two afternoon side trips for this roundup. There will be a signup sheet on Monday during breakfast. These tours will be Tuesday March 20th between 12 and 5 P.M. simultaneously.

Palm Spring Air Museum:
This is a unique museum as it is dedicated to the preservation, presentation and interpretation of the air power of World War II. The museum has one of the largest collections of actual flying planes and the planes are on display as well as scheduled flying demonstrations. The tours and presentations are given by WW II veterans and eyewitnesses. There are also continuous video documentaries. The visitor can view rare and original combat photography as well as WW II artifacts, memorabilia and uniforms. The cost of bus, admission and tour is $17.50 per person.
Visit their website www.palmspringsairmuseum.org

Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park:
1,200 acres of blooming, scampering, flying and howling fun. The Living Desert is dedicated to preserving the plant and animal life of the desert. Within its 1,200 acres you will discover nearly 400 fascination desert animals representing 150 species including coyotes. bighorn sheep, oryx, zebra, cheetahs, and meerkats. There are lush botanical gardens representing 10 different desert ecosystems and a journey to "Eagle Canyon" with its streams, mountain lions, bob cats, Mexican wolves and golden eagles is a definite "must see". We will be given a special guided tour. The cost of the bus, admission and tour is $22.50 per person. Visit their website: www.livingdesert.org

On your own you may wish to visit:
Downtown Palm Springs
the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies
the outlet mall in Cabazon
the Oasis Date Gardens
the Salton Sea,
the Morongo Indian Casino
Joshua Tree National Park and Yucca Valley.
Or you may wish to take:
the Palm to Pines drive to Idylwild
a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
a windmill tour.

We are having a Karaoke Contest, music and dancing as well as some surprise entertainment. Bring your swimsuits, golf clubs and sense of humor.

Come join us for all the fun in the sun March 18 - 23 2001. Registration, map and preliminary schedule are included in this newsletter. Send your registration (green sheet).

Dave & Donna de Graffenreid, Roundupmasters

From Our First Vice President

Are you ready? It's that time again: the Spring rally is upon us. Seems like just a short time ago we were in Newport. Time flies when you're having fun!

On our first day, Billie Simmons has agreed to run a Jokers and Marbles tournament beginning at our morning session.

On Tuesday we will do a little "ethnic" cooking beginning with some Hungarian Chicken Paprikas after which Dorothy Hooten will present her Chicken Taquitos. We will need a couple of assistants for this venture. This could become a tradition??

On Wednesday, we will have a GMC question and answer session led by a panel including four of our lady experts! This will be a pilot and co-pilot session.

On Thursday morning, two lucky ladies will have a complete makeup makeover hosted by Mary Kay specialist, Lynda Joyce Brown. She will also have product available for purchase. If you haven't been introduced to Mary Kay products, this should convince you. There is a facial mask that will reduce pores the size of moon craters! I can't wait!

Come prepared for our usual good time, good food, good friends.

Nancy