RAYS SUMMARY OF THE RALLY:

COME SEE THE HARDER SIDE OF NNC:

Well, I always think that the beauty of spontaneity is being able to experience the unexpected. I pried myself away from work for a short moment to attend the "I Scream Rally" at Collins Lake and even I didn't expect to be able to attend. From the veterans, to the newish members to the newbies of NNC, there we were all gathered.

There was the usual hilarity and the RR's. Pete finally found out who the instigator was of the infamous "Go Kings" paper plate sign that caused him and everybody else so much grief. Bee Cee got the full story of how we stole a shot of the Full Monty.

As usual, there were kids galore and on Saturday, they were gathered by the dozens carving pumpkins. It wouldn't be a NNC rally without the dogs and sometimes the place looks like a kennel. It reminds me of the song, "who let the dogs out."

But the one element that struck me was, in the whole group, there was only one pop-up, ONE! There rest were hybrids and TT's. I only brought my pickup truck and that can qualify as a hard side. Bee Cee and company was the only group in a pop-up. Can you imagine that? A pop-up rally that barely had pop-ups. It is shifting.

I was in and out of there, arrived on Friday night at around 8:30 pm and was out of there Saturday at around 4:00 pm. Can I tell you that the Friday traffic out of San Francisco to the Sacramento area is absolutely miserable? I've taken shorter flights from San Francisco to New York than it took me to get to Collins Lake from the Bay Bridge.

Glad to meet the new folks. It's the new members that continue to breath new life into the organization for it weren't for them, the continuation of the NNC would not have such a solid momentum. Just look at the attendance list. And to PCMom, thanks for Wagonmastering. You've joined an elite group of NNC. And hooray to mini-rallies, they are the best forums.

And, we continue to fulfill the three fundamental F's of the group. Good Food, great Fun and the best Folks all around.

And if you ever go to Collins Lake, don't miss the ice cream treat at the store. It would be a huge mistake if you do.

Well, it was great sharing a campground with you all.

Surfcal