Hello all:

As what has become part of our NNC custom, I normally post an editorial of observations and impressions of our rallies. But, in this instance, I feel inadequate to do so because I feel so out of it for a number of reasons. I have been away from the boards for such a long time, missed the Mother of all Rallies and didnt arrive at Madonna until Saturday afternoon, and all due to my work schedule.

Going back up to Mt. Madonna was significant in itself. This is the first time a NNC Rally had been held at a particular campground a second time around. And there were several attendees from the first one that came back again, sans GSM X2 and G-Whiz. And you two were sorely missed.

And, no good deed goes unpunished. I was displaced from my site by a friend of Larrys, under orders from Larry to move. So, it became necessary for me to squat at Ralph & Madlyns driveway. So do believe in Karma, what goes around comes around.

And so, I have this folding bike, and after a few drinks (several really), Larry decides that he was going to ride it. Well he got on the bike with a cup of coffee and proceeded to roll down the hill when gravity took over and with his left hand squeezed the front brake while careening straight into a parked pickup truck. He might have gone head over heals if it had not been for the hood of the Ford to break his fall, spilling coffee all over the neighbors truck and on his shirt and earning the owner's ire. Hes alright, but undaunted he rode the bike several laps around the loop until he got winded. To reiterate, Dont Drink and Ride!

But, perhaps as I have mentioned above, despite the absence, it probably gives me a unique perspective of the group. What struck me was how we initially would call each other by our Internet names, Sammyslave, Hybrid, SCCS, etc. But those days are now long gone. Everyone is called by their real names, maybe as a natural progression that this group has moved way beyond the Internet domain.

And in speaking with someone from the group, it is curious and enlightening to confirm that the group doesnt merely camp and get together, but rather it is the other way around, we get primarily get together first and camp second. And that is what has become very apparent, a paradigm shift so to speak.

The mini-rallies have become the staple of the group, so support the mini-rallies. Yes, once and maybe twice a year, the Super Rally will be held, but it is in these mini-rallies where the trueness of the NNC spirit continues to define as what TOS so confidently stated on the documentary, that it is the best camping group in America.

Namaste
Ray (aka Surfcal)