2023 Hoquaim Rally Report
July 10th-July 12th, 2023
Hoquiam RV Park turned out to be an excellent location for this rally. The weather was great and the river and various trails were scenic, and they had an awesome clubhouse. There were 36 Trekkers present with 20 RV’s (including several SOB’s). Upon arrival, each coach received a welcome package which included the program, key rings, cup koozies, and a NWTFC decal for their coach.
We had a great representation of old and new members and this created a great synergy and lots of conversations and laughs. The usual discussions on repairs and upgrades to each other’s vehicles was heard over and over too.
The food was truly delicious at every meal: Every morning we had a continental breakfast with the usual foods plus Kathleen surprised us with homemade cinnamon rolls the first morning, and homemade blueberry muffins and pumpkin muffins the other 2 days. Monday evening was our hors d’oeuvres potluck dinner. Tuesday evening was a general potluck and Wednesday we had Mike’s pork ribs which were so yummy. Our members filled out the meal with salads, potato side dishes, baked beans, corn muffins and more. For dessert there was cheesecake with 3 toppings: blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry. Also 2 fresh strawberry pies and 2 banana cream pies, and frosted brownies.
We had our annual business meeting Monday night right after dinner and ended it with Haagen Daz ice cream bars. Tuesday daytime was free time. Some went to Westport, some to the nearby winery, and others relaxed. Tuesday night we played 5 rounds of Card Bingo with $ winnings. We also sold 50/50 raffle tickets during the 3 days of our event and on Wednesday night we pulled tickets for a variety of giveaway gifts and the big 50 raffle prize which was half of our earnings ($90). The other $90 went to our treasury.
Wednesday morning, we went on a tour of the Polson Museum in Hoquiam. It is inside a home built in 1924 for the Polson Logging Co. heir. It now houses a myriad of entertaining artifacts and displays. And in the barn, there were items from the logging camp: The ‘45’ locomotive, Linn halftrack, Lamb SpeedTrak and other ‘big stuff’. Everyone agreed the tour was well worth the $5 admission charge. Wednesday afternoon folks relaxed and some played Pegs and Jokers.
Thursday morning after breakfast folks headed out coach by coach with questions as to whether we’d see them at the 35th Safari International Rally in September or at Quartzsite in January. Many thanks were given to the wagon masters: Lynn & Mike Ashbridge and Kathleen & Wojo Walczak. We wagon masters can only respond that “it would not have been such a successful rally without every person there!”
– Kathleen Walczak, Rally Coordinator and NWTFC Secretary
