Tim and I once again hosted the Pala Casino RV event for 2017.  This is the second year the casino rv park was open and the second year RainbowRV attended that event.  There were few surprises and the RV park staff greeted us with open arms.  The year prior they were apprehensive due to our requests and a bit of confusion as they learned what to expect from groups. I was surprised that they did not correct the 30 amp 50amp issue as the park still has more 30 amp sites than 50 amp.  Premium location under the trees are all 30 amp.

A bit on the 30 50 amp subject. The two are just names for the 3 or 4 prong style power plugs and not true to the amount of power supplied. A '30 amp' 3 prong supply gives your rv a possible 30 amps of power total where a '50 amp' 4 prong cord gives your rv a total of 100 amps , 50 amps per each of the two hot prongs. Since Amps x volts = watts, 30 amps at 120 volts is 3,600 watts and 100 amps from a '50amp' connection gives you 12,000 watts. Here you see 50 amp style is almost 4 time the available power of a 30 amp style supply. In the winter months without air conditioners, a 30 amp supply is usually enough to run any rv unless your wine chiller cycles on the same time as your, pasta maker, bread warmer, coffee pot, and Margarita blender.  Camping world sells adapters that work to connect your rv in either configuration.   Great idea to keep one of these adapters handy. 

Not There Yet

 I worked feverishly to complete Tim's gift  before the event. We plan to  headed to Ventura to chill.  30 years ago we drew up plans for a front porch and never completed the ironwork. Tim and I did the concrete work but our landscape customers jobs took president and the pilasters stood waiting for steel.  Unfortunately, I did not finish that task but I was forgiven with the promise to finish before we head off to AZ in mid-January.   So much for self-promoting.

Anyone who knows my Tim understands and appreciates his attention and attempt at detail.  DHL showed up a few days prior to the event and delivered a new LED curtain of color for our RV.  True to his trust in internet purchases he had set up to trial run the lights and relax the tightly wound thin wires in the Romoland Sun.   Success and now off to Pala and 100 friends.

Fry-der-day at the Park, you think it was the 25th of December,

We like to get to the park a couple of nights prior but the $50+ a night rate kept me limiting that demand to just one night.More than 1/3 of the members were due in on Thursday and we had a great time catching up with everyone.It is hard to abide by the "no greet until set up rule" but we managed to give new arrivals the time to connect sewer hoses and extend slides before bothering them with a handshake, hug and hello.

Friday night was our formal catered dinner and gift exchange night so we set right out to assemble the room and make it festive for the group.I think Tim and Ray C did a great job, the room was indeed inviting.We stress about members making the catered events as this is a cost they incur at the signup. It seems to work out to open Saturday Night to Casino dinners and a group potluck once in a while.We changed the schedule up for Pala Christmas 18 and ordered a Turkey, Ham, (with a vegetarian option) dinner for Saturday as that event is right up against Christmas day. I hope to find a sensible Friday night 2018 catered option as well.

Frankincense and Myrrh, Not

Gift exchange was fun.  My concern with the White Elephant 'pick a gift -or steel a gift' process was we had 100 gifts to distribute. At 1 minute per gift the process would take 1 hour 40 min . We modified the procedure with the attempt to expedite the process

1.When you bring a gift in the door a number was given to you and a number dropped in a hat.when your number is called, 2- You chose a unwrapped gift first. 3- If you wish to steel an already opened gift,you must give that UN-wrapped gift to the person who you plan to take a gift from.

Wasn't long before 3 sets of rules dictated what turned out to be 'Christmas morning chaos' and   the three hour process was a blast .  I did not bring a wrapped gift but for some reason, I ended up being called and decided to steel a bling jeweled treasure.   I was sure  re-gifting it to Tim would get me off the hook for failing to finish his gate and fence. Too much fun, Love and Fellowship was had, felt and enjoyed. Christmas morning once again.

Saturday morning RainbowRV continental Breakfast is a great time to meet new people. I think those hours serve best the obligation Tim and I feel to prove and foster fellowship.140 cups of Costco Coffee and 70 Stater Brothers beagles ;the excuse. 99 possible friends ;the reward. Please never miss the opportunity and obligation we all must enjoy and feel to find new friends and provide the support and warmth that comes with knowing family.I love our group. ​
Saturday Potluck got off to a great start.We had some leftover Fajita dish from the prior night catering and members rose to the occasion to bring wonderful options.When there are more than 30 choices we usually hold back a few casserole repeats until the line gets down a bit.There was plenty of food and fresh choice no matter what place you held in line.So many deserts that I was able to repackage some treats for the next morning Continental breakfast. ​
Sunday we said good by to many members over a cup of coffee. Since we had more than 20 rigs remaining we rented the clubhouse once again for a impromptu dinner.Great time once again, plenty of food. Everyone pitched in to foldup the table linens, wash the charger, package the Christmas ornaments, disassemble the sound equipment, clean the counters, pack the Rainbow Van and sweep the floors for the next club to use the room. Another successful event. ​