2011 Fall Colors Rally–Cider, Germans that aren’t, and Leavenworth

Continuing on in our fashion of going at our own pace, Dawn and I slept in a bit, had a good breakfast before breaking camp, saying out good-byes to Silverline before heading on to the last stop, Leavenworth.

The evening before, both Paul and Rick had come bearing gifts of Apple-cooler beverages from Canada and really good cider from the Methow Valley Ciderhouse.

After inquiring after its location, Dawn and I headed a short distance down the road from Silverline to the Methow Valley Cider house.

Dawn was quite happy with her cider findings , sadly, they only had our favorite, Honey Bear, left on tap, so we ended up picking up a bottle of Howling Wolf and Pinnacle Goat for the road.

Up in the hills, where’s our Mountain Goats? There were fences all along the side of the highway to prevent them from jumping out into traffic, but we didn’t see a one. This time of year is when they’re winter coats are growing in and the goats are somewhat interesting looking.

Paralleling US-97 now… This side’s still prettier, less like an interstate, more like a meandering highway, which is more my style .

High school graduating classes? Sadly our picture didn’t come out too good due to sun glare on the windshield.

Last year, I followed the Rally route to the letter and ended up caravaning with the rally for the last pull to Leavenworth. Because of my attempt to keep up with the rally last year, I ended up broken down in Toppenish, WA.

So, this year, given that we already were a fair ways behind everyone else, we decided to take a detour and travel the US-97A along the opposite side of the river and try a different view. We passed through Chelan along the way and big Lake Chelan tucked up in the hills, hidden from view from the main US-97 route.

We’d also heard tell of Mountain Goats being prevalent along that route as well, but sadly, we didn’t see a one.

Frankly, out of the two, US-97A is a far more scenic route, though not as flat or as fast. If I was to take the same trip again, I’d go US-97A every time.

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When we pulled into Alpine View RV Park, we barely made it. Within a few short minutes after we’d gotten the camper plugged in and leveled off the bus to take us into town for the group dinner at King Ludwigs arrived.

Sadly, we missed out on Torklift Rob’s product demos this year due to our late arrival, but at least we didn’t miss the bus.

Talk about cutting it close!

This years dinner at Ludwig had alot more attendees than last year… Enough so that they had to move us down into the big lower area in the backroom to fit us all comfortably.

There was beer…

And random pictures taken of several of the “boys” coping a feel on the St. Pauli Girl cut-out, which I sadly have no picture of.

Frank, our favorite accordionist was back, and of course, the customary Chicken Dancing was performed .

After dinner, we returned to camp and huddled around two campfires built of the remaining wood brought from Silverline. Sadly, George, Alaskashooter wasn’t able to join us in Leavenworth.

As we huddled around the fires, the rains finally caught up with us again, having been left behind back on Friday when we first started over the mountains from Arlington.

Not wanting to leave my comfy spot by the fire, I brought out my trusty umbrella and hunched up under it as the rain came down and I puffed on one of my last cigars.

Eventually, we all retired for the night, Dawn having gone to bed far earlier with Moby, too full of food and spirits to stay awake for too long.

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The next morning, I floated around camp in my shorts and a t-shirt, doing my best to get pictures of our gathering at little Alpine View RV park. We never did see the park owners, simply left our payment in the box at the door as we headed out.

Even as early as I had gotten up that morning, a number of folks had already pulled out and hit the road.

Eventually, we said our good byes to everyone, leaving behind only a couple of rigs before we too, pulled up and headed out onto Highway 2.

2011 Fall Colors Rally–Winthrop, we are here, now where’s the Potluck?!

By the time we reached Winthrop, all of our fellow Truck Camper owners had long since motored on to Silverline. 

Since it was still early and last year I never got a chance to really explore Winthrop much, we decided to park over by the Red Barn (which was having a Crab feed that evening!) and take Moby in with us as we meandered around town.

After wandering around a while (Dawn only found one shop that really interested her, the rest were filled with your standard tourist fare at the usual high prices, gotta love those random book stores , if it wasn’t for them, Dawn wouldn’t get much shopping in on these outings sometimes…) we stopped at Sheri’s for some scratch made ice cream.

Moby enjoyed some with us .

 

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After our shopping adventures were completed, we made our way on out to Silverline Resort, just outside of Winthrop.

As far as I can recall, we were the last camper in that evening, but we ended up with, in my opinion, one of the nicer sites.  Full hook-ups, level all gravel parking and a short walk to the bathrooms . 

Before we left on the rally this year, there had been some concern about firewood for our usual “giant fire” as at the time, it didn’t look like “Alaskashooter” aka George, was going to be able to attend.  Last year he’d hauled a giant trailer of firewood behind him for the rally.

In preparation for this, I’d hauled a box of firewood with me on the trip.  We ended up not needing it.

Not only did George make it, he came prepared with plow to clear the highway to keep that rally going!!

It wasn’t too long after we got there that dinner preparations for the big Potluck were under way.   Last year I baked two pies and made gravy.  I ended up going home with two pies and dumping a pot gravy down the toilet in the men’s bathroom. 

So, this year, we came hungry and I brought a single cherry pie.   I still ended up going home with the majority of a Cherry pie, plus Jumbo Jet’s delicious home-made Sweet potato pie!  Thanks Misses Jumbo Jet, the pie was great!

Seating was as crowded as ever at the King’s Buffet , but the food was “Oh so good!” and “Oh so plentiful!”  I ate till I just about popped, Dawn did her best to do likewise. 

We shared our table with the owners of the park, my first time meeting them, Jeff & Kelli from Seattle, and many wonderful others whose names I can’t remember….

 

After dinner, the games began and prizes were passed around…… Think musical chairs, except no getting out of yer chair.  Dawn got some really good coffee, some torklift hats and some beverage sleeves.  I ended up with an awesome rechargeable LED trouble light (Love that thing!), a box of Aplets & Cotlets from Liberty Farms (just outside of Leavenworth), Scone mix and more hats! 

 

Harry was crowned Caravan Queen this year , heh…

 

After the games and the food, we all wrapped up the food, put it away and went on down to Silverline’s beautiful new firepit!  Thanks Silverline for putting in the new Firepit, that thing was amazing and located in a spot convenient so that we wouldn’t keep everyone else up at the park while we “festiviated”.

Rick once again was our resident pyromaniac, but even his best efforts couldn’t cast off enough heat to keep us warm, it was just darn chilly and our circle was around the fire was large, this rally has a pretty amazing attendance!

I enjoyed a couple of good cigars that Dawn had brought up from Salem for me, we chatted, “adult” beverages were enjoyed and finally we all drifted off to our campers for the night. 

Dawn and I made use of the bath house, and the evil shower box ate far more quarters than it should have, but the shower was still hot and good.

Sleep soon found us.