Greetings from the Northern California Chapter. As I write this, I am watching a beautiful Gillette, Wyoming sunset. I certainly hope the weather holds since we had lots of rain, wind and snow in our travels from California. It is nice to be here all set up and enjoying the company of our American Coach friends.  

The ACA National Rally in Gillette was very nice with some of the best food and entertainment that we have had in a long time. The Happy Wanderers did an outstanding job even though the weather threw them a curve. The section we were to park in was too wet when we arrived and several of the host chapter coaches were stuck so they moved us to a grassy area up the road. To add to the excitement, we were on a tornado watch most of one day and had marble sized hail. We made the best of it and twelve of us had dinner in Bob and Becky Clapper’s coach. I guess it’s all part of the adventure.  

Our chapter picked up two new members at the rally, Erv and Dorothy Bretz and John and Susan Troche who are both from the Northern California area. Both couples were first-timers at the rally and were welcomed by fellow NorCal members Richard and Ann Forward, CJ and Mary King, Merritt and Carita Mosby, Bob Simkins, Wilson and Barbie Ferrell, Bill and Judy McBroom, Don Hermance and his co-pilot Kay, Mike and Leslie Pettinger, and Joe and Debbie Darby.  It was nice to see the entire NorCal Board of Directors at the rally, especially Mike Pettinger who is back on the road following some medical complications. Great to have you back Mike.

I received an e-mail from Tony Steller recently and he reported that his wife, Lynne, has been very ill. She has been in the hospital for several weeks and Tony reports that she is getting better and he expects her home soon. He is hoping that they will be ready to travel by August and they can attend the ACC rally in Canyonville, Ore. I speak for the entire chapter in wishing Lynne a speedy recovery.

As I reported in the last issue, we don’t have any NorCal rallies planned at this time. With the ACC Pre-Rally at the Seven Feathers Resort in Canyonville, Ore. in early August, and the ACA National Rally at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas in October, we should have plenty to do.  As it stands now, NorCal will be having a “gathering” at Sam’s town before the rally and members are encouraged to make their own early reservations. If you can make it a day or two before the rally starts you can visit with fellow members and have a couple of extra days to see the sights that you may not be able to see once the rally starts. We will be parking and coordinating our socials with the Northwest and SoCal Chapters once the rally begins. We do have an opportunity to join SoCal at their pre-rally at Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort. I will send out an e-mail to the group and see if the membership would rather do that or just meet informally at Sam’s Town.

Well, it looks like that is about it for now. Enjoy your summer travels and please remember the men and women of our Armed Forces that work so hard to maintain our freedom. Hope to see everyone at Canyonville or Las Vegas.

George Borecky, President

Northern California Chapter