NWTFC’s First Rally of 2025: ‘Flowers are A-Bloomin Rally in Kelso WA at Brookhollow RV Park was a success. The weather cooperated and we had temps in the low 70’s every day except the day we left. The golfers golfed, the bicyclers bicycled, and the Trekkers did their thing.
In attendance were: Theresa & Tony Black, Nancy & Dick Harris, Marie & John Turner, Carol & Stan Scott, Penny Pascall, Lee Buckley, Lynn & Mike Ashbridge, Barbara & Don Schleuse, Kris & Rick Hecks, Kathy & Duane Klopfenstein, Christine & Josh Letts, Keri & Ed Pratt, John Herold & Becky Edens, and Kathleen & Wojo Walczak.
Thursday 4/24 folks started arriving right after 12 with 5 Safari Trek’s, 2 Safari Sahara’s, and 5 SOB’s: 1 Country Coach, 1 Camper, 1 Leisure, 1 Winnebago and by 3pm when we had the welcome gathering, we were only missing John & Becky (who arrived right at dinner time in their Trek for a total of 6 Treks).
Back to the welcome gathering— at 3pm we all brought our chairs and sat on the lawn in the sun or under Wojo & Kathleen’s awning and picnic table for introductions. Everyone received their welcome bag which included monogrammed drink cups and shortbread cookies along with the schedule of events. After introductions, we moved right into what we all love so much: discussions of upgrades or troubles with our rigs. By the time we dispersed for a short break before dinner, everyone knew everyone else.
When we arrived for dinner at 5 pm we discovered our tables had festive bright colored tablecloths with 3-4 Johnny Jump-up Live plants along with some rubber duckies and rubber frogs on each table, all part of the Spring Flower theme. Dinner was Kathleen’s homemade lasagna and garlic bread and a salad bar, and Keri’s wonderful brownies and ice cream for dessert. Joining us for dinner and a presentation on the Cowlitz Indian Tribes migration routes was Danielle Robbins from the Cowlitz County Historical Society Museum. She brought many artifacts and photos for us to see. It was great and we presented her with a check for $100 under our Club name but paid for by our rally.
Friday 4/25 breakfast was early – 8am, because of the full schedule of activities that had been planned. Mike made coffee, Keri made scrambled eggs (all eggs at this event came from Keri’s hens!), Kathleen did hash browns & cinnamon rolls, Nancy cooked link sausages and we supplemented all that with K’s & K’s homemade breads with butter and jam, fruits, yogurt, orange juice, coffee and more. Such a feast!
6 cars lined up at 9:45am to head to Woodland to visit the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens where we experienced a real variety of scents from one bush to another. The Sensation variety was a big hit with several members buying a plant to take home. We then headed over to the Holland America Tulip Garden, which although nearly done for the season did provide colorful photos. We returned to our camp by 1 to have lunch and relax. Our burgeoning NWTFC Golf team (Mike, Rick, Wojo, and John) headed off for a 2pm reservation at 3 Rivers Golf Course where Mike had the only par but they all enjoyed themselves.
During that time, many of the gals gathered at Kathleen’s picnic table for Mexican Train. The experienced members (Nancy, Lynn, Marie, Theresa, and Carol) taught the newbies (Kathleen & Keri) the many opinions on how the game should be played. Lots of laughs were had and we adjourned as our potluck dinner items called to us. We gathered for our one true meal of all potluck dishes at 6pm. Such a variety of foods, nothing the same and all was delicious. A short executive meeting was held after dinner with Becky, Wojo, Kathleen, & John in attendance. John took notes.
Saturday 4/26 breakfast saw Keri serving us delicious bacon-cheese and vegetable-cheese egg casseroles, Kathleen providing Orange Rolls, and we enjoyed more of the breads, fruits, etc. like Friday.
Right after breakfast, we held our club Membership meeting. Becky led our meeting and announced Kathleen’s intent to relinquish the Rally Coordinator position after this year; the Secretary’s report (44 members), Jo’s Q1 Financial report, and Rally reports (including Al’s) for this year were given by Kathleen. John spoke a bit on the website. Barbara (FMCA Regional Director) & Don Schleuse (FMCA ex Regional & current P&P Committee Chair) both spoke on FMCA/FRVA matters, and lastly, Lee spoke about the Safari International branch of FMCA/FRVA.
We were then free until the last planned activity of the rally: the trip to Cedar Creek Grist Mill in Woodland. Penny led the caravan with 6 cars total. This mill is in a gorgeous setting and they were milling corn and soft white flour while we were there. Many of us bought freshly milled flour and all agreed to freeze it quickly since it was so fresh. Lots of photos were taken and a few videos since this was really a very interesting place.
Saturday Dinner was a Mississippi Pot Roast with everyone’s side dishes. Kathleen had had several pre-dinner comments regarding the nature of a pot roast that didn’t include potatoes, carrots, or onions, but once it had been devoured, everyone was a convert to this recipe. After dinner we had our card bingo game with Lee as our caller. Lee did just fine although there were some ‘wishful thinking’ comments about ‘how Al does it’! 😊 Last event of the evening was the 50/50 raffle. Well, it went rather long, and some folks got called so many times, they declined to come up anymore but it was all in fun and we adjourned at nearly 9:30pm.
The look of a winner
Sunday morning breakfast before leaving was our leftovers meal except Keri had hard boiled her delicious eggs and Kathleen had made blueberry muffins. The remainder of the home-made breads were eaten along with the other leftovers. We cleaned up the Meeting Room and divided up all the leftovers to whomever wanted them. Everyone took a Johnny Jump-up Plant and a duck or frog and most of us were gone by check-out at 11am but a few stayed on.
We couldn’t do this without your support. Thanks to Everyone for making it such a great rally! And, if you’ve never been to one of our rallies, do join us soon!
Your Wagon-Masters: Kathleen & Wojo Walczak; and Keri & Ed Pratt