Long Beach

Long Beach in June

After the month beginning with snow plows in the mountains, the first time in 30 years to have the need to clear the road of snow in June, we landed in Long Beach and found summer finally coming around. What a wonderful weekend we had with a large group of 37 RV's and 72 RVing women joining us for our Long Beach weekend. We had some rare visitors, Dar, Mary, Flo and Coe from Arizona, Char, long time member who hadn't attended, and a new member, Sue K., traveled from Kennewick , WA to join us.

The early birds, those who come on Thursday, went for a wonderful dinner at a place that has a French Chef who visits with the customers, so they had quite a treat. After dinner they went to the go-cart track and wowed the young attendants with their competiveness. Wild women letting their kids out made for a great time. We seem to exude so much happiness and fun on one of these events that it is contagious to the local townspeople, and they can't help but enjoy us too.

There is so much to do here, the annual garlic festival, the Cranberry museum, they even have cranberry mustard, and a doggie contest to raise money for the animal shelter. Of course, the Cascadians are all such animal lovers and want to support the town. Some helped out, i.e. Linda J. holding spoons for the dogs to see who can lick the peanut butter off the spoon the fastest, some other 'sports' for the doggies: the hair comb, who combed out the most in 5 minutes. There was a race and one of our dogs came in for a prize. Congrats to Lucy, who was entered in the small dog category and placed 2nd in the Doggie Dash. She ran straight from Barbara to Jen, when the other dogs went awry following a Jack Russel terrier who took off in another direction. Lucy also placed 3rd in Agility against some stiff competition.

Four entered the Run/walk to chowder 5k event: Mary, Shelly, Lisa, and Tessy, they all finished and got their chowder and medals which they wore proudly.

Not wanting to miss getting back in time for our Saturday fun, Malka and Shannon were in town waiting for a bus which didn't come on time. They flagged down a patrol car; it was the police chief who drove them back to us. What great townsfolk.

Saturday night our event planners, with the Divas help, had a marvelous BBQ and potluck dinner. Shelley and Lisa were in costume and were wonderful hostesses; tickets were drawn for prizes after our meal. Following that they had a dance, and Cascadians rose to the fun. It lasted into late in the evening, with everyone who attended having a grand time. Music was from all of our generations, so no one was left out. Thank you ladies, and your crew, for a wonderful time.

Lori stepped up to the plate and actually cooked in her RV when friends ran out of propane. There was a campfire each evening. One nite it was raining lightly, and the same group came wearing raincoats, a little rain doesn't stop us in the Northwest.

An indoor 'sport' was added this year: the Wii software, and Sue and Karlene brought theirs and set them up and several joined us for some of the games. The friendly competition created laughter that could be heard all around. What fun!!
See you next month in Castle Rock!
Norma Dalla Santa (acting scribe in Jo Schilling's absence)